Monday, December 31, 2007

08 Celebration of What, exactly?

WOOHOOOOO, it's 2008 in eastern Australia. Just a minute ago I watched the (still going on) fireworks there live on TV (on Fox News.)

But around the world, how does spending millions upon millions of dollars each every December 31st help people who suffer in poverty?

One of the saddest things I ever saw on television -- watching some of the celebrations at the Millennium, on ABC with Peter Jennings hosting, there was a correspondent in Eritrea, I think. At midnight for that Time Zone, he, the reporter, did a brief live shot from a refugee camp in the desert.

There was No celebrating. No one even clapping. No one was even seen. The tents were dark and quiet.

People there could care less that it had just turned from 1999 to 2000.

They could care less that it was now Saturday and no longer Friday.

They just wanted a place to live that was safe and without war.

Many just wanted food and water so they could keep living... and so they could keep their children alive, as well.

When so many human souls live in such horrible conditions, what exactly is there to celebrate on New Year's Eve?

The thought of this night -- it makes me so sad. It pains me... it literally hurts me.

What exactly is there to celebrate? Ya know what tomorrow is? It'll be Tuesday... just another day.

NYE is just an excuse to shoot off fireworks, have a party, and selfishly spend money without a single care in the world for the needless suffering of others.

Hooray.

p.s. i still wish happiness and good health to everyone in '08.

Peace, Love, and Support The Troops!


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey man, I hear ya loud and clear. Sad to say but the world goes on and most would rather ignore/not care about the majority of life outside the "developed world". Its a tough call but I'm livin in Babylon too, puttin in time till I can be more help again. In the meantime we can try to do no harm and enjoy the goodness. On that note thanks for the JGB.
Cheers - bluesmutt

Kwizgiver said...

Happy New Year, Chris, I hope the drunks didn't need peeling off the highway (or tundra, whatever it is) and that you have a safe night at work.

;-)

Just a tundra joke from one Great White Northerner to another.

frizzyeatworld said...

Even during the hardest times, some people are still grateful. I think it takes a lot of courage to say "thank God" especially when things look a little bleak. Fireworks or no fireworks, it's what the heart shouts that matters on New Year's.

I wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, prosperous, and an awesome 2008. And for the world -- overflowing courage and hope.

Nazz Nomad said...

and a happy and healthy 08 to my alaskan compadre.

only better things for ya!

one says one number and the other another
but they were set at the same time. Hmmm...

i love you amy uzarski.  always!
 
Calvin and Hobbes in the snow -- animated