Centro Goes Public

For all those who heard me whine about feeling left out because Centro chose not to publish a blog, I have news! Centro Guadalupano will be publishing a permanent version of the blog created as a private blog.

After I finish this post, I will begin to transfer all the blog posts to a public site for Centro Guadalupano. Proof positive that you can make change happen by moving foward! I think the blog will be very helpful and draw people to the organization.

His Rights are Important if Only to Save Mine

Step back and take a breath America! Take a good look at the national news media and tabloid journalism. News articles are written intending to get people in an uproar just to boost circulation. Take, for example, the Pink Slime issue. The reality is that all meat gets a puff of ammonia on it and this practice began in the 1970s. Consider the fact that the ability to use more of an animal killed for food should be a good thing. Very few news providers put these facts forward.

Another example, is the Zimmerman case in Florida. People were getting ready to form lynch mobs over the Trayvon murder, not realizing that this should ensure that Zimmerman is acquitted. Where in the United States will he be able to get a fair trial? America, please, we need to read a piece of news then step back and take a breath. Think about what you should do, and how you should interpret your news.

We want to ensure our legal rights are provided, yet we refuse to see that regardless of the circumstances, all people have a right to due process. When news is sensationalized to the extreme, we are potentially creating an injustice.

Journalists and news media need to be reminded that news is not supposed to be a drama or soap opera. It is supposed to be informing people of what is happening in the world.

Really, We Can't Even Trust the Red Cross!

Red Cross caught red-handed? On the Red Cross’s Blood Drive FAQ, it is stated that only about 2% of blood is discarded due to tests coming back positive or false positive for contamination.

However, after 9/11 the Red Cross destroyed almost 50,000 pints of excess blood because it wasn’t needed. Other blood centers were somewhat disgusted by what the Red Cross was doing, asking for continual donations of blood when obviously people were dead and blood wasn’t needed. The Red Cross freely admits that blood has only a 42-day shelf life before it is unusable. The Red Cross said the blood would be used or frozen in plasma for future use. Of 100,000 units, fewer than 10,000 made it into plasma.

It really makes a person wonder if there might be a better place to make a personal donation.

Another Wal-Mart Sleight of Hand

I really had a problem with Mainwaring using Wal-Mart as a good corporate citizen. Their practices have been questionable in many areas. Once more, Wal-Mart shows that sleight of hand is alive and well in America. Wal-Mart has launched a urban wildlife revitalization campaign in five major cities. It shows their concern for the environment.

However, what the public may or may not know is that Wal-Mart has been selling furniture since 2007 that was made from lumber logged illegally from habitats protected for Siberian tigers. When Wal-Mart got caught they promised to stop...by 2013. How much damage is being done, all the while people think Wal-Mart is helping the environment?

Two Wrongs Don't Make it Right

We need to learn that what is good for the goose in NOT good for the gander. As people may or may not know there is a viral video on the Internet that shows a bus monitor being harassed and verbally abused on the bus. As a result, a vacation fund was established for her, again on the Internet. It has collected $530,000 in only 36 hours. This is a wonderful outpouring. Once again, people rise to the occasion for wrongdoing. However, the children that made this video, and one innocent child, are now being attacked and harassed in turn. These children, where the oldest is approximately 13, are getting death threats over this incident. Yes, they did behave in a horrible manner. However, there is no reason for the public at large to form a lynch mob. Additionally, one of the children named, that also is receiving death threats, was NOT a part of the incident. In fact, he was never on the bus!

In this instance, calling people to action through blogs and video is not such a great thing. Most parents agree that if their child did something so ugly on a bus, the child would be punished. It really isn’t the place of the general public to “bully back.”

Personal Vent

I have come to the conclusion that a few issues with organization in blogs and true/false quizzes.

It is very difficult for me to be spontaneous in blogging. I want to think everything through and plan out how it will look, what the purpose will be, etc. Having a long list of blogs on various topics just doesn't coordinate with my mind. I know I like things sequential, and I can be spontaneous. Apparently, not in blogging, which sort of defies the whole purpose of many blogs. That being said, I have learned to enjoy some blogs. I've even started looking for blog information with different technology that I use...now that IS scary!!

My second vent is true/false quizzes. I really don't like them. I always think too deep or question the motive of the statement. Yes, I admit to paranoia where true/false quizzes are concerned. I always want to have a place where I can qualify my response. Does that mean I'd make a good politician?

Home 4 Life

Home 4 Life is a no-kill animal sanctuary located in the St. Croix Valley of Minnesota. They take on cats and dogs that are elderly, handicapped, ill or have behavioral challenges and provide them with shelter and medical attention for the duration of their life. They also do community outreach programs in the Twin Cities. This connects the dogs with people in nursing homes and hospitals. Home 4 Life is funded solely by donations. I ask you today to visit the site, browse some of the different animals stories, and consider donating your time or money to this wonderful organization.

Watch this short video to learn more

Donate!