Sometimes, people suck… ’bout covers it, eh? this isn’t referring to those people close to me, but more or less the state of the world sometimes. but why am i extra bitter, sad, or cynical today?
- Yele i was once told by a mentor to never trust an organization that was less than 20 years old. i hate that this person was right. i must admit, i usually cringe a little every time she was right. it is someone who has seen the worst of the worst and tends to distrust a little. Granted, i tend to do the same, but i’m a hopeless romantic and want to believe in the best in people. But here, you have a founder who is now openly taking more than his fair share – and the funds aren’t getting to where they need to be. When i posted my last blog, i hadn’t heard the reports yet. A side note, i have heard several accounts of the International Red Cross being a formidable, most recognizable presence in Haiti.
- Morgan Harrington was found today. Well, we think. Reports are cited as “fairly confident.” Skeletal remains were found approximately 6 miles from where she was last sighted. This fills my heart with great sadness. May the student body band together as they get through yet another tragedy. All the alumni here have been hoping for her safe return back to her family and to campus and our hearts and condolences will pour out for the family.
- MLS soccer/Freddy Ljundberg controversy Just goes with my frustration of when sports turn against themselves in inter-politics. Granted professional MLS players are currently getting shafted, a lockout would be the demise of the whole league. This sport has barely caught on in America, and to freakish epic proportions in Seattle (and i love it!) We are getting our two-poles ready… Don’t disappoint us. Freddy, i don’t even know what to say. You are a true professional and you set the bar high in athleticism… but to not camaraderie with your Sounders mates is just disappointing. Other than the frequent headaches (which i sympathize with), you have shown more class than i would say Montero has. i hope the first day of training camp was blown out of proportion and you will give us your full 120 once the season starts!
- The state of the Democratic Party We lost our “super majority” before we ever had the chance to use it. We compromised everything on the stimulus bill and the health care reform bills. If health care reform passes, it will be a much sadder, weaker bill than any of us ever cared to imagine. We showed all our cards on the stimulus and let the strong components get picked off one by one and wonder why it isn’t as successful as its potential. i nervously wait for the State of the Union and hope that President Obama will re-energize the party and return to some of the ideals we voted for him on! (Maybe this is too much West Wing talking and President Bartlett’s idealism that tended to rule the day…)
On the plus side, as i look at the state of the world around me and see all these indications of weak-willedness, hatred, and selfishness – i see daily signs of compassion and love. i remember there are many people who have given time and money to the sufferers of Haiti – i am immensely proud of the VT students who spent their winter breaks in Haiti rebuilding “shacks” only to be shaken by earthquake (they remembered Haitians prior to a tragedy and wanted to lend a hand), i am immensely proud of the AmeriCorps Alums who served on ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ in the largest volunteer turnout the show has ever seen, i am grateful for the tiny bits of service i see on a daily basis: the extra hug, a cup of coffee or tea when someone is down, the list goes on and on.
When the mass of people start to bring me down and i can see no positive, i am reminded of all the small actions that make up a revolution…
Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope… and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. ~Robert Kennedy
By the way, writing this blog actually made me feel a little bit more grateful and thankful for small kindnesses.


