What I've Been Thinking About Lately ...

In no particular order ...

Our Neighbors in Terror
With all the effort our country puts toward squashing terrorism across the globe, I just can't seem to wrap my brain around the insane violence going on right now in Mexico with the drug war, and why our leaders don't seem more concerned. The terror that people there must feel has to be excruciating, and considering that we share a border, it seems this should be a pressing issue for our nation as well.

According to NPR, "Nationwide, the number of killings attributed to organized crime doubled in 2008 to more than 5,000, and no city has been harder hit than Juarez. The murder rate there is five times higher than in 2007." NPR estimates that an average of 7 people per day are being gunned down in Juarez.

In this drug war, decapitated bodies strewn about are commonplace; children are being kidnapped; schools are closed because teachers were robbed and are too scared to go back; local police forces are collapsing and corruption among those in "authority" is rampant; innocent people going about their daily lives are getting killed.

So why should we care?

First, we share a freakin' border with both these innocent folks and with these terrorists ... it's not like there are oceans and land masses between us. It's not Iraq ... this terror is a hella lot closer to home.

Second, and most importantly, because the drugs in question are not supporting habits in Mexico. This war is, in large part, because of U.S. consumption. According to the U.N., "Mexico has become the world's largest producer of marijuana, and Mexican cartels control most of the cocaine that's sold in the U.S." It is because of the habits of our people that thousands are dying in a blood bath down south. That's why we should care.

I wonder if that same person who buys organic food and carbon offsets to be a good citizen of Planet Earth considers the consequences of purchasing that bag of blow or cheap Mexican weed. I wonder if they realize the damage it does to Planet Humanity ... that it contributes to another decapitation, another robbery, another kidnapping ... another heinous crime.

It seems to me that our nation should be having a conversation about this particular war, in addition to the others we are involved in ... because we are involved. They tell us pesticides are bad for us so people buy organic foods. And added hormones are unhealthy so we buy hormone-free meat. So doesn't it stand to reason that if people were aware of the true cost of those pleasure baggies that they would consider that as well?

Or maybe it doesn't matter since it's not happening here and we don't see dead people just lying around ... one of those "Not my problem" kinda things. But I've been thinking about it.

Christmas
I have a feeling that this Christmas will be unlike any of my other 29 so far. I know this, in part, because of choices I have made about buying, but also because of the way I'm feeling about receiving (and not) this year.

Christmas has always been an Over-the-Top Big Tent Event in my family, but we're doing some things a bit different this year. We are all doing more for people outside of our family – those who need it more than we do – and less for each other. We all already feel so very blessed and lucky and fortunate that the routine of a Big Tent Event Christmas will most likely give way to a more real experience. Even my 13-year-old nephew wants less this year. It's nice to want less.

One Less Worry (for now at least)
I drove by the Hess station in West Asheville yesterday and gas was something like $1.55 a gallon. It's just nice that right now, when so many things are going so bad, that we have the cheapest fuel we've had in 5 years. Not that I think we all need to go drive more now. But it's good to know that driving home for the holidays will, once again, be a cheaper option than flying for people (or an option at all) and that it won't cost as much for some to heat their homes. It's just a pleasant relief (if only temporary) in such a cruddy economy.

Another Reason I Love NPR
Because they now do an All Tech Considered segment. Love it.