Category: Thought

Random thoughts occurring to a random bloke…

What Else Could I Possibly Add?

In this short life, an existence we’ll only ever know, we’re hopelessly stuck in this perpetual downward spiral, rife with fear, paranoia, suspicion, pain, and sadness. But every so often, much less often than is so desperately needed, I’ll stumble upon a story that will, at least for a little while, restore my hope for humanity. First some context;

“Mysterious bomb blasts, assassinations by masked gunmen, detainees denied access to their lawyers, torture and death in detention, the random arrest of critical journalists, and the banning of peaceful demonstrations are but a few of the human rights violations sweeping the Occupied Palestinian Territories…” 1

Yet despite that;

“Thousands of children smash the previous world record [for ‘kite-flying’] at event in Gaza Strip…” 2

What else could I possibly add?

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Euthanasia Debate?

Back in February, I wrote a piece concerning a woman, Eluana Englaro, who was living her life in a coma — or a vegetative state, if you will. And her story became, almost instantly, internationally recognized as her “right-to-die” was being acted and debated upon. Well;

“Canadian law makers are gearing up [this fall] for a debate on the issue of euthanasia…”1

For the record, I am, both, compassionately empathetic and extremely wary about the issue of euthanasia. However, being presented with a “choice” in the first place, seems to me, to be somewhat problematic…

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And There It Is

Yesterday over at Abolitionist Approach, Professor Francione, posted an “essay,” largely in agreement, with an “article about vivisection by Dr. Danny Penman,” titled “On Vivisection and Violence.”

And, at first, a couple of his comments didn’t sit right with me. The first;

“Putting aside that most people would, if in a situation which they were forced to choose, sacrifice the lives of countless other humans to save those close to them…”

Not because I necessarily have any objections to the validity of such a statement. I don’t. But, I guess, the fact that the plausible reality of such a comment is, more than likely, true, struck me as depressing. I can’t say why, or that I disagree with the seeming logic that would go into arriving at such a conclusion. Hell, if I had to choose, I’m not sure, I’d choose many over the one who is “close” to me. But he is absolutely right, “the animal issue is beside the point.” It’s neither here, nor there, in an argument for vivisection, at least…

Continue reading And There It Is