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Connections to the worldPosted Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at 10:38 AM
While I usually blog about local issues, sometimes I think that some of our local problems exist because some aren't in touch with what is going on in the rest of the world so they don't see how it is changing and how we need to change in order to continue to have a place in it.
The following are thoughts that come to mind that connect us to the rest of the world: I was talking to someone about the Air France Jet that crashed off the coast of Brazil. They stated that it was a tragedy because there were two Americans on board. I had to ask why was it not a tragedy simply because human beings died? Every day I read the New York Times (sorry, The Brazil Times is not my only source of news) where more U.S. soldiers are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Why aren't we counting the civilians? Are they not our brothers as well? "Do not underestimate what seeds can get planted when American leaders don't just propagate their values, but visibly live them." A quote from someone who listened to the President's speech last week. That pretty much says it all. We can't just talk the talk. Too many times we are disconnected to what is going on in the world that we think that everyone else must think as we do. We forget that God gave us all the choice to honor Him in the way we choose so we need to realize that others may have a different faith tradition that they feel is just as valid as our own. Is it Christian for us to tell them ours is better or is it a true sign of Christianity to treat them as full brothers as we are all children of God, even if there is a lot of 'sibling' rivalry going on in the world? Then there is the news about another sister state that mirrors what Governor Daniels has been attempting here, minimizing local government to reduce administrative costs. An A-ha moment for me. "Our man Mitch" is only copying what New York State has had in progress so he is only following their example and using their idea. Good or bad?? Opinion falls down on both sides in Indiana as to the value of keeping or dispensing with townships. Might be a good idea to look at other states as examples to see which have done so already and how it is really working out for them. Same with school districts. Why not read up on how other schools in the country with similar populations are coping with economic/educational issues of today and what their successes/failures have been? I'm sure that results will help us make decisions locally that would have a more positive result. For example: We haven't changed our school boundary lines in at least 15 years now. Are the same number of students still living in each area? Would we better utilize our school buildings by looking at realigning those lines so we might balance it out a little better? Gone are the days where a county can remain isolated from the rest of the world. Whether we curse the technology or welcome it. It has firmly connected Clay County with the rest of the world. No longer are we only able to compare our accomplishments to each other. We must put ourselves up to the greater scale of the entire world. We had better start at least looking at what's going on so we can know what we are up against. What better way than to see what has worked and what hasn't in other locations. We can't afford to wait to think of our own ways any longer. Why not use the ideas that have already been in place in other locations that have been proven to work instead of stubbornly insisting on doing it the way we have for 40 years? What worked then may not be the best way to do it now. I think that has already been proven with our high poverty rate, high unemployment (11 percent), high substance abuse, high child neglect/abuse rate, high teen pregnancy rate, poor roads, poor water infrastructure, low tax revenue rate, etc., etc. It used to be that when these things were topic of conversation, it was information about some third world country a soldier brought back with them. Now it is happening here. Soon, our houses and land will be even harder to market. Then the tax revenue will drop further. Then even less money will be available for schools and other infrastructure. If we don't wake up soon, we will have been left behind. Hopefully, it is not too late already. It is no longer a conservative vs. liberal issue. It is an issue of survival. We must do what it takes to allow Clay County to survive. Quickly. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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Thank you Jenny, another excellent blog!
I agree that Clay County, like it or not, is now in competition with everyplace else in this condensed world.
I would associate it with this scenario...A business has an open janitorial position to fill. Now does this position require a college degree? No. Does this position require prior experience? Not necessarily. But what it does require, in this day and in this economy, is that the pool of individuals who apply for this position be in competition with each other.
So its not the position that requires a level of excellence/education, it is the competition for the position that does.
This community needs to hold their elected officials, on every level accountable. This community needs to hold its schools accountable, This community needs to hold parents accountable. We as community members need to be accountable.
As long as Clay County fights over keeping old ties to old schools or old district lines, then the educational system will not be as effective as it needs to be.
Politically, I don't care what party is in control, why can't the powers-that-be excercise some power? And not use their power for such things as the length of your grass, how long your car is parked, or when you put out your trash, but rather actually getting something done infrastructure-wise in this town/county.
I know we can't afford new taxes, but something is wrong here. Smaller communities, like Knightsville, have better streets. Larger communities like Terre Haute have better city streets. In fact, much of Terre Haute has new pavement, or are in the process of a complete rebuild of streets. Yes, Terre Haute is bigger, with more industry (though they've lost some of it too), but they also have more streets to fix. Proportionately speaking, is it really easier for them to do their improvements?
It's well past the time for this town/county to start real progress for the future. We cannot afford not too!
Nice sentiment Clay County Guy, Holding our officials accountable on every level, I agree, however go over and read the comments under the meth article, we must be in the minority around town, some people want the same old thing and even accusations of theft aren't enough to change some peoples way of thinking about officials, its depressing, things could change for the better, but it would take a whole new mind set, that doesn't seem too promising.
To be as brief as possible and to the point; hmmm... So does this mean that to paraphrase a Gandhi's point about a society being judged by the way it treats its animals is true? What happened to the "not in Brazil" and "I don't think so" attitude? While the definition of euthanize means to have a painless death to end suffering, does that justify the astronimical numbers at which animals are being put to death in this county/city on a daily basis along with having an incredibly low LIVE release rate? So does that mean that this city and/or county can finally open their eye's to other's as a learning curve? I will save you the trouble of answering for I can already presume these answers. It's just that Indyferal based out of Indianapolis (http://www.indyferal.org/) has programs that work and this is a reason why they are part of a solution, not to mention a highly efficient and cost effective solution as opposed to euthanization. A measure of suffering should depend on one's quality of life, in particular pain and how much one should and/or could endure. How a society can be judged in the way it treats it's animals is not simply a lightbulb over someone's head. It is a documented fact and proven to be true.
While schools and branches of education are extremely important things which hold to a very high value on my personal list, this does not and should not limit societies value's that come along with that. For true humane efforts, values, and structure systems can and are held extremely high on the totempole of life and any position of animal caretaking should echo that. Does not humane efforts measure to the sympathy and consideration for others in a kind, benevolent, good-hearted, considerate, patient, and so on... matter?
Of course, these are just a few little words coming from someone just as me... But who am I anyway?... (http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IN459.html)
By the way; How incredibly sad it is that us as a city/county local community/society cannot co-exist in such a manner in order to benefit EVERYONE when Indianapolis, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and the list can go on and on are actively doing things differently in an efficient and cost effective manner. In fact it is less expensive to practice humane efforts and proven attempts at education. I personally have even collaborated myself with Dr. Norman, this state's board of health veterinarian. This is such an issue to not only life itself but to health and hygiene issue's as well.
As far as having a whole new mind set, my response is try it before you knock it or put it down. An effort to excel DOES NOT require anything but a desire. Remembering to take things into perspective, such as you have to crawl before you walk and like. Everyone has the ability to pursue their dreams. Perhaps it is just the fear of lack of knowledge and getting down in the dumps much easier because for the most part, local news articles are all about the drugs, arrests, and some other things that people feel otherwise as evildoings. Why is it so easy for people to fly off the handle and gossip about such? Is it easier to feel gloomy, depressed, and down in the dumps? I can't answer that and do not want anyone who reads this to answer.
I do know, however, that it is a documented fact that someone who has a more optimistic "mind set" do indeed live longer. So why can't people just try being more optimistic? I know there are one's out there right now who read this and think along that this woman must really be crazy! No, I'm not crazy. Just different. Just stop and listen for once. YOU can make a difference.
"I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do something I can do."
- Edward Everett Hale
Lastly, one of my favorites: 'What doesn't break you, only makes you stronger' >..<
catlady:
While I agree with much of what you say...how does it relate to what I wrote? Are you trying to say that Brazil's animal control should be like that of Indy etc? Would be great but then the county would have funding for a dog "catcher"...While I agree whole heartedly that that would help with compliance with county and state laws regarding being responsible for their animals [pets or livestock], I do not see it happening until we get education improved so we can bring in more taxes from more employed people to pay for it.
Its' all linked to educational level of our community and when the bulk of them are under educated, the rest of the infrastructure suffers, including the animals. When I speak of education, I am not talking about traditional schooling either, but the idea of striving to learn on a constant basis through out life, through being informed, reading, and interacting with those who can teach you about different ways of doing things. Life long self improvement. That is what is necessary to thrive.
Hello,
I'm from Brazil in south america, and I liked to hear about the city that the name is the same of my coutry...
Sorry about my english, I still learn how to speak....
I liked your blog and I would like to make some commentaries some times...
If I have some mystakes about the language..please help me..
Best regards..
Adilson
Adilson:
Welcome! I don't think any of us speak Portuguese very well either. My husband just returned from your country a few days ago. He travels there often. Campinas, Vitoria, Sao Paulo.
Feel free to get in touch via jsmoore@ccrtc.com as well.
Hello Jenny. Congratulations for its text.
This is the first time that I talk with you, but is contented in seeing that I am not the first Brazilian (of the South America) it makes that it. Sailing in the Internet I found reference on this city, Brazil, in the United States, and better still, a form to communicate me with American brothers. I read its blog where you say on the relations human beings, and very liked to perceive a heart of love. Here in Brazil, also we are sad with the accident of the flight of the AirFrance. But a citation called me the attention more. It was on the counting of how many people they had died in the wars. This made to remember me that in the decade of 70, here in Brazil, clothes of American soldiers had been sold (jackets, pants, belts), also having the identification in the parts. It was sold us as fashion. We did not know that those clothes were really exceeding of war, and that many of those names were of sons, husbands, brothers who had died far from house, the parents, of the wives and the brothers. We do not live a war of the Vietnam here in Brasil, but I am certain that our brothers in the Brazil had lived there. It is as you said in its text. "Is not It a tragedy human beings to lose its lives in violent way, for the simple fact human being?
Sorry for my bad English. It was a pleasure to keep contact with you, what I wait to make other times.
Buy, Antonio.