Things I take for granted.

By this time in my life, I 've started to notice a lot things that I take for granted. When I do realize something, I read about it and no longer take that thing for granted. I pass this along to my son as well so he doesn't grow up blind to the fact that we have it good for the most part. I've found an article in an online news source and it blew me away. In South Sudan, the people are rejoicing over the arrival of six motorbike amblances. Yes, I too was surprised but it's true. They have no source of transportation to get to the hospital. Pregnat woman to every day injuries. Who could concieve here in America calling 911 and requesting an ambulance and the dispatcher telling you 'sorry, can't get one to you'. What the hell would you say to that? These motorbikes are equipped with off-road tires and sidecar that you can partially lye down in. Bumpy ride for sure, but since the arrival of these, pregnant mortalities have been cut in half. Not to shabby. These motorbikes can access roads that have blown to shit from all the war and from the fact that the roads suck to begin with. I felt happy knowing that these people can now have some sort of transportation now. These sidecars even come with a shade to keep the patient from suffering from heat stroke.

Where was the mention?

Tuesday the seventh of April marked the fifteen year anniversary of the 100 day genocide in Rwanda. A tragic mark in history that claimed 800,000 lives in just 100 days. I watched a film based on these events in course dedicated to teaching genocides and the effects of. The film was very moving and well produced. The title of the film, before I forget, is "Sometimes in April." It's about 2hrs and 20min long but never has a dry moment. Every scene captures something and before you know it, the credits are rolling. After the film, my wife and I drove to my parents house to pick up our son and while conversing with my folks, she noticed the evening paper. Wouldn't you know. Not a single mention of the anniversary. Not one. Why? Is it not newsworthy to mention the slaughter of 800,000? Is it because newspapers can only focus on one catastrophe at a time? And since Darfur is unfortunately unresolved, we might as well not bring up Rwanda? Again why? Will my son learn about this in school, or are the text books not for revision for another 10 years. I asked some of my co-workers what they thought of Rwanda and if any of them remember seeing anything on the news. Most of them drew blank looks. Not surprised, maybe if news reels began coming out on blue-ray they would know more about whats going on around them. Don't keep your head in the sand any longer.