“Accident Free Oman” – Another Campaign…

Another initiative by Shell Oman.  If only these campaigns/initiatives had any effect!

“It very easily could be me or my loved ones” – That’s exactly why I wish they would do more than just put on another “campaign”.  I wish they would give hefty fines to those:

• texting/talking on cellphones while driving
• driving with kids not in child seats
• passing on the right side (over the yellow line) because they’re too lazy to wait in line like other cars 
• driving without seatbelts
• driving without a license. (Parents who give their car to their son knowing full well that they don’t have their license should be several punished, fined and the car confiscated.)

Something more serious needs to be done.  It’s like you’re gambling with your life everytime you get on the road in Oman! 

 www.accidentfreeoman.com

3 Cheers for the US Navy!!! Enemies Rescued & Cared for!

Someone’s gotta say it!  What a story!  You couldn’t ask for better timing either.  Just when Iran is spewing forth as many warnings as they can and using proud words as if they are king of the sea, the US navy has to come to their rescue and free 13 of their sailors from Somali pirates!  Eat your heart out, Hollywood!

I LOVE this pic from CTV news showing the hug of gratitude after the rescue.  It makes you think, even if only briefly and naively, that somehow goodwill is possible in the world.  It’s a break from the madness to show you that one can in fact care for those who seek your utter destruction.  I’m guessing that that must be like the ultimate insult to Tehran, but hopefully such a gesture can soften positions on both sides.  There are quite a few haters  out there (conspiracy lovers!) who are already trying to twist this into some “manipulated public relations stunt” but how on earth do you plan that!?

My favorite part of the story (in several articles such as here in yourmiddleeast.com) is when one of the rescued Iranians says,”It is like you were sent by God.” (Fazel Ur Rehman, 28)  If they were sent by God, maybe they’re not “Big Satan” or “Little Satan” after all, but simply another nation in this world trying to survive and thrive.

Another beautiful move towards reconcilation and tolerance by the US is the creation of their Virtual Embassy of the US, Tehran, Iran.  Wow! Imagine this-Their embassy is attacked contrary to all civilized diplomacy and workers are held hostage for 444 days.  All around Iran are official billboards saying “Down with the US” and “Down with Israel” and the US is demonized daily.  So what do the Americans do?! Rescue their sailors, feed them and care for them and return them safely. In addition, they create a virtual embassy “aimed at enhancing outreach and dialogue between the American and Iranian people“. 

“We consider the actions of the US forces in saving the lives of the Iranian seamen to be a humanitarian and positive act and we welcome such behaviour,” foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told Iran’s Arabic-language broadcaster Al-Alam on Saturday.  “We think all nations should display such behaviour,” he added.

“On the contrary: as the Scripture says: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will make him burn with shame.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20-21)

Iran is indeed “burning with shame” and are strangely silent on the entire rescue operation. No matter the reaction or outcome, Americans should be very proud of the conduct or the sailors in this case.  A real class-act!

A Hug Goes a LONG Way – Affection Vs. Neglect

Was just reading this intriguing article titled “A Poverty Solution That Starts With a Hug” from Nicholas D. Kristof, an American journalist writing for NY Times.  In was published yesterday, January 7th, and there’s a lot of interesting data to sift through in that piece.  Anyone with kids would do well to read it because it discusses how toxic stress can harm a child for life.  Anyone with the responsibility of raising a child  would hopefully wish to avoid “harming their child for life”.

The saddest parts of the article are the parts which focus on the effects of neglect.  “It (toxic stress)  might derive from chronic neglect — a child cries without being cuddled. Affection seems to defuse toxic stress — keep those hugs and lullabies coming! — suggesting that the stress emerges when a child senses persistent threats but no protector.”

As my friend, Min Hwang, (executive director of Women’s Hope Center (WHC)) who pointed me to this article stressed, “Affection. Lots of hugs and kisses. Lots of cuddling and carrying. Always responding to their cries with loving attention. Can’t spoil a baby. And the short time (too short) of sacrificing sleep, etc. is WELL worth it. It doesn’t matter if a parent is “successful” in other areas of life (profession, ministry, education, etc.), if he/she is a poor/absentee parent, he/she loses (in my humble opinion*^^*).” AMEN!

Please read the article for yourself.

“As Frederick Douglass noted, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.””