What a bad couple of weeks to live in the Far East. I don't believe we here in America can fully understand the devestation that is going on around in that area of the world right now. Even here in my little corner of Florida, where we have plenty of hurricane experience, I am having trouble wrapping my mind around what has gone on.
At first I was a little fuzzy as to what a cyclone is, but a little research showed me that its basically a hurricane. Except that cyclones can occur all over the globe, but hurricanes can only occur in tropical climates. Katrina, thought to be one of the most devestating storms to ever hit this country, killed just upwards of 1,800 people. There have been just over 4,000 US deaths in Iraq.There are now 100,000 people dead in Myanmar.
100,000 people. That's a number so big that we're almost forced to deal with it at the statistic level. How many more will die of disease and malnutrition as a result of the aftermath? How many days went by before foreign aid was allowed in to help the people? At what point do we as a global community stop worrying about a nation's sovereignty and worry about its people instead? Just some things I've been thinking about.
And then there's China. One earthquake, 8,600 people dead in an instant. Smog issues, SARS, human rights issues. Almost makes you think that fate's telling them they shouldn't be hosting the Olympics this year. Another government not actually concerned with the well being of the people it means to govern.
So, what's the point of my musings today? If you're an American, if you're an Obamaist, a McCainist, a Clintonist... it doesn't matter. Realize that just by being an American you are fortunate and blessed. Be proud that you live in a nation where your standard of living dictates that you need not huddle with your family in a palm leaf hut during the next hurricane, wondering if you will be washed away. Be proud that for all of our shortcomings, both political and social, and yes, including Katrina, be proud that we continue to TRY. Just realize that you are blessed.
And as always, if you made it through my blog, remember, you're entitled to a FREE exam and xrays in my office. Call us at 727.733.1175. Its my way of helping. See you all tomorrow.
1 comment on China and Myanmar... a dentist's thoughts
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I agree with you, Dr. Mike. We in the U.S. don't realize what a bunch of brats we can be. My favorite gift to give a person, if I were able to do so, would be to send them to another place, another culture. Traveling & learning about how other people got to be the way they are helps the traveler understand that we are all legitimate, if different, people. Then the traveler learns to stop and think before judging another. And fortunate (or blessed) we are. Most American poor people, when juxtaposed with the poor in other countries, look RICH in comparison.