How much do we really care about the environment?

I had a mini moment of awakening yesterday..

Every time there is an earthquake, a war, a volcanic eruption, a natural or unnatural disaster which affects human beings we all get our wallets out to help.. Several major organisations promise Dollar for Dollar contributions..

I am surrounded by vegetarians (those who can't eat meat cuz they can't bear the thought of an animal being killed!), by people who have pets (and thus claim they love animals), by people like me (that think we are doing enough by recycling milk bottles).. People who have turned their nose up and blamed BP for one of the greatest Oil Spill in history.. And all along we have been watching the news and shaking our heads saying BP should be made to pay...

However it never occurred to me until yesterday that if we really cared about the environment we would all be sharing the blame..

Luv

G.

They are more than just "Boat People"

I do not know if the term "Boat People" is officially considered a racial slur. Probably not, as I hear it spoken and written everywhere...

But I cringe every time I hear it..

Call them refugees if you feel generous... Or illegal immigrants if you do not want to accept them.. But they are more than just "Boat people".. They are human beings, men, women and children, who have been through immense stress..

I think they are brave to have risked all on such a journey.. They obviously think they are better off risking their lives and bearing the humiliation of being social rejects than to remain in their own country.. We do not know their circumstances... We have no clue what they have been through.. But we can be sure they are not here for a joy ride...

Anyway, this is not a debate about immigration policy.. Being a legal migrant myself I acknowledge the need for a system.. However, I do think we need to be more sympathetic... The least we can do is call them something decent.. Something better than "boat people".. Something that describes what they really are...

Luv

G.