With the lastest plan including a mega-memorial to Michael Jackson at Los Angeles' downtown Staples Center, one has to ask about the costs. Estimates are running in the millions for the added police and security that will be needed when tens of thousands of fans descend on the area next week. Who should bear the burden of cost?
While I find the whole Michael Jackson phenomenon interesting, and his personal story tragic, I really can't condone this kind of wasteful spending, particularly during a time when the city is strapped for cash and (once again!) the most vulnerable in society are being further marginalized. What does it say about us as a people, as a culture, that we will jump at the chance to underwrite the memorializing of a pop music figure and simultaneously consider cutting funding for programs that help people who don't have enough to eat and no place to sleep, whose education opportunities are substandard?
Why should the poor, once again, be forced to pay for the rich?
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sad, tragic, but....
The untimely death of Michael Jackson is a sad and tragic end to a storied life and career, and clearly is affecting many. It's heartbreaking.
But can we please keep this in perspective? I just heard a woman say that Michael Jackson was like "Ghandi" and a newscaster likening his death to that of Jack Kennedy.
Really? Ghandi, the great peacemaker? Kennedy, President of the United States, assassinated?
Talented, yes. Meaningful, yes. Someone who did many good things in his life, certainly. But are we seriously saying that our culture of celebrity somehow elevates a pop music star to the same plane as a Ghandi or a Kennedy?
But can we please keep this in perspective? I just heard a woman say that Michael Jackson was like "Ghandi" and a newscaster likening his death to that of Jack Kennedy.
Really? Ghandi, the great peacemaker? Kennedy, President of the United States, assassinated?
Talented, yes. Meaningful, yes. Someone who did many good things in his life, certainly. But are we seriously saying that our culture of celebrity somehow elevates a pop music star to the same plane as a Ghandi or a Kennedy?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Strewn across the water
The news services are reporting that hundreds of personal items belonging to the victims of the Air France disaster, strewn across the South Atlantic, have been recovered.
I can't help but picture it...eyeglasses, maybe, or a child's doll...a novel half-read or a wallet or the photo of an unmet grandchild? And I wonder, as I trudge through life, worrying about the stuff that I need to pack for my next trip up the freeway or across the continent, whether my life can be any different knowing that one day the little treasures that I can't seem to do without will be strewn and forgotten.
Our hearts go out to those left behind in the wake of such unexpected tragedy. How might we best remember them and work to make the world better for everyone?
I can't help but picture it...eyeglasses, maybe, or a child's doll...a novel half-read or a wallet or the photo of an unmet grandchild? And I wonder, as I trudge through life, worrying about the stuff that I need to pack for my next trip up the freeway or across the continent, whether my life can be any different knowing that one day the little treasures that I can't seem to do without will be strewn and forgotten.
Our hearts go out to those left behind in the wake of such unexpected tragedy. How might we best remember them and work to make the world better for everyone?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The view from here...
It's Tuesday morning, and I just looked out my kitchen window to see a couple of guys sitting in the parking lot next door...looks like they're smoking crack.
It's times like these I can understand why people have come to the conclusion that some people are beyond hope. But further reflection requires me to ask about my own addictions, about the way I live my own life, about the the things that I do (daily!) that are self-destructive. Just because no one has drawn a line around my behaviors and called them "illegal" doesn't mean they aren't abuses of self and others.
It's times like these I can understand why people have come to the conclusion that some people are beyond hope. But further reflection requires me to ask about my own addictions, about the way I live my own life, about the the things that I do (daily!) that are self-destructive. Just because no one has drawn a line around my behaviors and called them "illegal" doesn't mean they aren't abuses of self and others.
Monday, March 30, 2009
GM and Uncle Sam
Well, isn't THAT special! Uncle Sam has finally grown some huevos and laid down the law for GM and Chrysler: you take public money, you are accountable to public officials. Bye bye, Rick Wagoner! (Hmmm...wonder what color HIS parachute is...).
Isn't it interesting that all these capitalists are suddenly beating at the door of the GOVERNMENT to bail them out of the piles of CRAP their self-centered over-indulgences have created over the years? How long did they think world markets would tolerate their stupidity? They learned nothing from the 70's and 80's...now they have no right to cry when the big "guy" with the money bags actually wants a say in how they run things. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
And please don't blame this on unions. Car companies in places with far more restrictions and responsibility to workers aren't in the mess that GM and Chrysler are in...this cannot be blamed on offering fair wages and benefits. It's the result of big business greed and stupidity.
And don't expect the government to make things much better. It's big business in the public sector too. But maybe, MAYBE, we're beginning to see a new level of accountability, and some hope for those who have, forever, been living at the whims of people with money and power. The only REAL freedom in the world has been experienced by the rich...and it's time, finally, for a change.
Isn't it interesting that all these capitalists are suddenly beating at the door of the GOVERNMENT to bail them out of the piles of CRAP their self-centered over-indulgences have created over the years? How long did they think world markets would tolerate their stupidity? They learned nothing from the 70's and 80's...now they have no right to cry when the big "guy" with the money bags actually wants a say in how they run things. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
And please don't blame this on unions. Car companies in places with far more restrictions and responsibility to workers aren't in the mess that GM and Chrysler are in...this cannot be blamed on offering fair wages and benefits. It's the result of big business greed and stupidity.
And don't expect the government to make things much better. It's big business in the public sector too. But maybe, MAYBE, we're beginning to see a new level of accountability, and some hope for those who have, forever, been living at the whims of people with money and power. The only REAL freedom in the world has been experienced by the rich...and it's time, finally, for a change.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Joel Stein on charitable giving....
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-stein27-2009mar27,0,3207801.column
In his op/ed piece, Stein challenges the traditional idea of deductibility for charitable contributions...it's worth reading.
In his op/ed piece, Stein challenges the traditional idea of deductibility for charitable contributions...it's worth reading.
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