CF_Yves

Misery in the middle east

2006-07-16T17:59:30-03:00

My... I can honestly say that my prayers are with all those involved in the continuing calamities in the middle east.

I've had a heavy heart for those in Iraq.... and I certainly feel for the people in Lebanon and Israel.

I can't help but to feel so much sadness at the sight of children all cut up by flying debris at the result of bombings...

If there is one thing that has been consistent in the history of man, it's humanity's continuous waring and suffering against itself. Not just in the so visible ways as we see with these sufferings of war, but even with the "silent" sufferings that the corporate practices and government policies can also bring on people.

Humanity has no idea what the essence of being human really is. It is axiomatic.

Are we overdiagnosing?

2006-06-05T23:50:44-03:00

In todays day and age, there is a term for everything... a condition for pretty much anything you may be going through...

But, I'd like to know if this is really helpful. Sometimes, I think it just justifies selling a few pills.

Here's an example.
Check this out.
(For those of you who haven't read it... it's an article on "road rage disorder")

Now, I don't know about you.... but, when I was younger, I remember people using language to describe "stuff", maybe other people... maybe shapes or colors.. the type of weather... moods.... whatever.

Now, back then.... instead of calling someone going mad behind the wheel "road rage disorder", maybe we would have said something like, he was angry, didn't have much patience.... whatever.

All that I'm saying, is that the "condition" existed back then also.. it was described a bit differently... we know that generally, everybody's stress level is rising, so outburst like this can certainly be expected to rise as people are generally having to deal with more instability in the work place and their financial security in general.

I wonder if there is a name for the new problems some people face because of over prescriptions.... or do they call it "addiction".... although, that term is a bit taboo because many meds are "non-addictive"..

I guess.... it just gets confusing.... unless that calling road rage a disorder somehow clears something up....

Ah well... whatever...

Just call that my rant.

This is just sick

2006-02-02T14:49:59-03:00

This kind of thing is repulsive.... really...

But, it seems like we human beings will do pretty much anything to try and meet our desires...

You can read the article here.... basically, using animals to smuggle drugs across borders...

The sickness continues.

-Y-

Woman leaves kids at home while she goes to see the Jerry Springer show!

2006-01-21T18:07:00-03:00

Yeah, this is pretty darn crazy!
(Link here)

I mean, if you take the time to read this article.. it sounds like it really comes from the Jerry Springer show!

Imagine leaving your kids at home.... 3 kids under the age of 4!!!!, to go see a live taping of the Jerry Springer show.

Holy crap!!

Just reading that almost makes me cry for those kids.

Iran and Nukes

2005-11-26T23:35:43-03:00

Well...

Here's my opinion (for now).

After reading this : http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-11-26-voa32.cfm

I think ok, they want to use their nuclear program for power.... peaceful purposes... well.. actually I remember this:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-1845402,00.html

Anyone remember those comments by the Iranian leader...?????

To whipe out Israel off the face of the earth???

Surely, that doesn't sound like a peaceful man does it?

Now, after saying stuff like that... how can you actually believe that they will use their nuclear program for peace?

Kind of blew his cover.... in my opinion.

Katrina and continued misery

2005-09-04T21:29:00-03:00

While watching all this in the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina, it is clear to me how the US governement was not prepared at all for such a power storm.

Left for days… people who survived the storm have been slowly dying due to the slow response.

One would think that some priority would have been put upon going from house to house (where they are all flooded) by boats (more than by helicopter)…. 20 boats, a few crews to continually run them for 24 on 24…. or something like that…

It’s pretty hard to imagine what they have been through.

My thoughts and prayers are still with the people of the area.

- Yves -

Hurricane Katrina

2005-08-30T22:37:00-03:00

Wow.. I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to have been through what the people in those coastal states have been…

My thoughts and prayers are with those people in their obviously painful experiences.

I know that many people are working very hard to help the many stranded in such a tragedy.

Yves

What ever happened to all the fun in the world??

2005-07-10T15:44:00-03:00

Hello from somewhere in the fiber optics that is the net…

Haven’t posted in quite a bit.. and I warn you, I am a terrible writer.

To coin the Zappa tune’s (the title of the post) title… I don’t know if it’s some kind of nostalgia or what, but I am a bit sad with the state of our global community.. I say this being torn by paradox in my own perception of what is happening around me.

It really never ceases to amaze me that there are such acts hatred and contempt of others in the world that I am forced to ask myself everyday what life is all about. And where we are headed as people living in this increasingly “global” community.

The paradox in my view is in the statement of being amazed.. I am somehow amazed when infact on another level I am completely aware and expect (somehow) that this type of hatred and behaviour shall happen.

I believe that we (and I say this based on my own experience in being human) generally have a choice to make when confronted with emotions, prejudice, resentment, etc… Our choice is in how we react to the situation we are in. This means that if someone steals from me, I can (as many believe “justifiable so”) react in some kind of way in which I am angry/upset..

The danger is in never getting past this angry/upset mode of thought which then becomes an “uncomfortability” that reocurs. When faced with “the person or group that has wronged me or us” I am consumed with this reocurring feeling, the same hate, prejudice…etc.

I believe that in most respects this also transends into groups or cultures of people. I personally have found that when people speak as representing a group sentiments along the same lines occur. Culturally, ethnically, socially.

Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Iraqis….
Caucasian, African-American, Puertorican, Chinese…
Muslims, Christians, Buddists, Atheists….
Red Sox fans, Yankees fans, White Sox fans….

With some kind of fear, resentment, anger, hatred at anyone.. you can see the destructive effects of being stuck in such an experience…

All at once, any of us can fit 1 of any category from the above. But, if we are stuck in reocurring “feelings” against anyone or even a few people our “togetherness” disappears very quickly.

Say we are both Christians, Red Sox fans, Mexican Caucasians and are stuck in this “mucky” experience of life where we have a problem with someone.. well if there is a person who is all of the above but is not Christian, but Muslim… the other categories fall apart.. the exclusivity takes over and our “thinking” problem continues to flourish.

All that I am trying to get at is that we are ( I believe ) constantly left with how we choose to react to others. And in tern defines (for the most part) who we are. The feelings of “togetherness” can fall apart quickly, in any culture, in any ethnicity, in mostly every cricumstance.

Now, enough of that…. This experience of reocurring hatred, jealousy, bigotry..etc, if left un-reasolved can continue to augment. The more we give in to it, the harder it would be to react in a different way. It becomes almost an unconscious reaction, automatic. Becomes a part of who we are…

When I look at cultures, ideologies or people (one on one) who are in conflict, I believe at least in part, this is what I am seeing. And as I mentioned above, I am at least trying to express something after having become aware of being this very way.

Family feuds growing worse and worse until everyone is so sick in the head (basically) that at some point, someone has to say “This can’t go on, this is nuts, I’m sick of this” and decide to change something in how they react.

When I look at how some extremist groups behave, this is what I believe I see… and something that I haven’t yet mentioned. That the exclusivity of the extremists views justify them in the exclusion of all the other people who don’t quite “see it” like they do.

People, groups of people killing for personal gain and justification (justification of their misguided “feeling”). Cultures, ethnicities, right down to the individual murderer/rapist.

So what do I believe is the alternative? Forgiveness.

It has worked for me. Forgiveness though is a principal or a “something” that can’t be faked or even “white-knuckled”… you can “white-knuckle” being nice to someone who maybe called you a jerk and hurt your feelings… but obviously your not free in your thinking from this “feeling”. Forgiveness changes the “feeling” and entrapment of resentment.

Anyway, for anyone who read this, thanks for taking the time to read these unorganised and barely thought out blurb.

Thanks - from another bozo on the bus.

This is... well you decide

2005-05-10T21:04:00-03:00

I really enjoy doing reserch on the web, reading about new technologies, the experiences people have in technology… I also love reading about ideas, philosophies, different ideas that I can then measure up against my own or at least think about for a sec.

I also love finding many different kinds of other information… sometimes, it gets pretty weird.

Here is a site that a friend gave me while we were chatting…

Now, this is kinda weird. Actually, if you stare at some of these pictures long enough, it gets downright creepy… Some people are so sensitive as to try and sue you for any perceived attack on their character (we’ve heard stories before) and others will display themselves in some pretty WEIRD ways.

I’m guessing these people have some kind of sense of humour…

Anyone notice that "humans" are nuts?

2005-04-13T21:53:00-03:00

It never ceases to amaze me, how many crazy, stupid, insane, disgusting things that I hear happing in the world around us….

Here’s only one example, check out this guy:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/04/13/eric.rudolph/index.html

And oh, here’s another heartwarming one:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/04/13/daughters.sold.ap/index.html

Some time ago, I used to think (really it was hope) that we human beings could “just get along” if we just worked at it.

Today I have a different view. I don’t believe that we can. If we could, we would. I believe that there is something in the human being that ultimately puts him “out of balance” with the world around him.

I heard a comedian say it best: “The difference between us humans and the animals is that we can know and understand all the reasons why not to do something, and do it anyway”.

Honestly, I think on some level, we are to stupid to handle our intelligence.