I cannot help myself but to come back to the topic of the South Korean hostages. I know that this sort of thing has happened before, but for whatever reason this particular story is really ripping at my heart and mind.

I especially worry about the families of the hostages. CNN was saying how the families have have given up hope on the hostages returning, since they found yet another dead. I hope that they have the strength to realize that while it is evil what is happening to these innocent, they are in turn heroes. While they are most likely scared, they are not expecting to be let free and that means that Afghans are not going to release the Taliban prisoners. With them behind bars that means less will be killed.

The families of the hostages must think of their loved ones as heroes. This will help them cope. Perhaps, by being a hostage that is a trade for one Taliban prisoner, by giving up their life (hopefully won't come to that) they have in turn saved 3 children's lives.

Everyone remember these people. No matter your beliefs, we need to pray, send good energies or white light, whatever. These people deserve our thoughts so that their pain isn't in vain.

More than Casualties

So reports (CNN.com) are saying that about 43% of Iraq's population is in poverty. This is an increase from before US invaded.

These reports say that there is so much more the government can do for them. Like give widows more money to keep their family going. However the government isn't looking into these problems, as they are so preoccupied with ending warfare.

This is a good example of how we talked about the power is in the hands of the few.

However I do not think that it is the Iraqi government that solely needs to address this issue. The US should also, as we are the ones who invaded and caused these conditions to worsen with warfare. In my opinion it is now our job to fix it, and not just get the poverty population percentage down to what it was before we invaded, but rather go farther, helping now instead of hurting the innocent people who have suffered because of the governments' decision to fight.

"11th Hour"

So I saw a preview for a movie called "11th Hour" (narrated by DiCaprio). It looks really good and seems to have some relevance to this class. From what I saw, it is about how industrial civilization is causing earthly detriment, both socially and environmentally. It looks really cool. It is supposed to air Aug 16 or 17 (I am really not sure). You can go to 11thhouraction.com to learn more.

Nurses Wrongly Accused

So I read at CNN.com that the nurses from Bulgaria had finally been released after being accused that they purposely infected Libyan children with HIV. I have always believed them to be wrongly accused. I believe that the findings of "unclean conditions" is what caused the transfer of HIV to the children. I understand the the parents of these children are hurting incredibly, and so are needing to put blame on someone to let out anger and other emotions. However it isn't fair to make these nurses feel guilt for something that I don't think they are accountable for.

What is our world coming to!?

So I don't know if anyone has been keeping track, but this morning on my way out I heard on CNN that one of the hostages was killed by the Taliban. (For those who don't know what I am referring to, basically the Taliban has been holding 23 South Korean hostages in effort to get the Afghans to release captured Taliban members.) The repercussions of the escalating problems are hurting everyone!! I can't stand it anymore, but I have no suggestions on what needs to be done to fix it.