The world is changing. Perhaps faster than we realize.
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Category: ethics
Delhi Police return $1000+ to stupid tourist
To: Commissioner Delhi Police
Dear sir,
I write to commend your officers at the IGI Airport.
Arriving Delhi September 11th, 2015 (jetlagged after many hours) I accidentally dropped my money belt outside Terminal 3.
It was recovered by Police.
Head Constable Hanuman Sahib Meena used the documents within to track me down to a hotel in Leh, Ladakh where I was on holiday. He telephoned to arrange for me to collect the pouch on my return to Delhi, 3 weeks later.
I did check in at the Terminal 2 IGI Police Station on September 30th, 2015. Your officers were courteous, efficient and friendly.
I collected my money belt from lost property. Everything was there, including over $1000 cash.
I’m not sure the Canadian Police would have done better.
My sincere thanks.
Richard McCharles
Canada
Reagan and GHW Bush on illegal immigrants
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (1980)
Six years later, as president of the United States, Reagan signed the Simpson-Mazzoli Act that created a pathway to citizenship for 3 million undocumented immigrants.
Today’s politicians are far to the right of Reagan and the good Bush. History will prove the Tea Party wrong.
$350,000 to shoot a rare black rhino
Sounds horrendous. The hunter faced death threats from outraged conservationists.
But the issue is far more complex than it seems at first glance.
The permit came from Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Each year it targets several older rhinos that are no longer able to breed but still pose a deadly threat to younger males. The proceeds are meant to go toward anti-poaching and conservation efforts.
That $350,000 does much to protect black rhino. Many hunters are keen conservationists.
Want to know more?
Back in 2014, Corey Knowlton paid $350,000 for a hunting trip to Namibia to shoot and kill an endangered species. He’s a professional hunter, who guides hunts all around the world, so going to Africa would be nothing new. The target on the other hand would be. And so too, he quickly found, would be the attention.
This episode, producer Simon Adler follows Corey as he dodges death threats and prepares to pull the trigger. Along the way we stop to talk with Namibian hunters and government officials, American activists, and someone who’s been here before – Kenya’s former Director of Wildlife, Richard Leakey. All the while, we try to uncover what conservation really means in the 21st century.
Listen to the story on RadioLab.
President George H. W. Bush resigns from the NRA
He did the right thing.
May 3, 1995
I was outraged when, even in the wake of the Oklahoma City tragedy, Mr. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of N.R.A., defended his attack on federal agents as “jack-booted thugs.” To attack Secret Service agents or A.T.F. people or any government law enforcement people as “wearing Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms” wanting to “attack law abiding citizens” is a vicious slander on good people.
Al Whicher, who served on my [ United States Secret Service ] detail when I was Vice President and President, was killed in Oklahoma City. He was no Nazi. He was a kind man, a loving parent, a man dedicated to serving his country — and serve it well he did.
In 1993, I attended the wake for A.T.F. agent Steve Willis, another dedicated officer who did his duty. I can assure you that this honorable man, killed by weird cultists, was no Nazi.
John Magaw, who used to head the U.S.S.S. and now heads A.T.F., is one of the most principled, decent men I have ever known. He would be the last to condone the kind of illegal behavior your ugly letter charges. The same is true for the F.B.I.’s able Director Louis Freeh. I appointed Mr. Freeh to the Federal Bench. His integrity and honor are beyond question.
Both John Magaw and Judge Freeh were in office when I was President. They both now serve in the current administration. They both have badges. Neither of them would ever give the government’s “go ahead to harass, intimidate, even murder law abiding citizens.” (Your words)
I am a gun owner and an avid hunter. Over the years I have agreed with most of N.R.A.’s objectives, particularly your educational and training efforts, and your fundamental stance in favor of owning guns.
However, your broadside against Federal agents deeply offends my own sense of decency and honor; and it offends my concept of service to country. It indirectly slanders a wide array of government law enforcement officials, who are out there, day and night, laying their lives on the line for all of us.
You have not repudiated Mr. LaPierre’s unwarranted attack. Therefore, I resign as a Life Member of N.R.A., said resignation to be effective upon your receipt of this letter. Please remove my name from your membership list.
Sincerely,
[ signed ]
George H. W. Bush
This is the guy I blame more than any other for the disproportionate influence of the NRA on American politics – Wayne LaPierre, vice president of the National Rifle Association.
prevalence of guns results in more murders / suicides
If you like guns, fine. Buy them. Use and store them safely.
But don’t tell me the average person is safer at home with a gun than without. They’re not – even if 63% of American believe that NRA lie to be true.
WITH one of the highest murder rates among OECD countries—second only to Mexico—America retains its reputation as a disproportionately dangerous country.
The number of violent assaults in America is comparable to those of other western countries, yet murders are much more common. The prevalence of guns goes a long way toward explaining America’s terrible record—they are used in two-thirds of all murders. Americans are five times as likely to be murdered as Brits but over 40 times as likely to be murdered with a gun. …
the right to die
Economist – Doctors should be allowed to help the suffering and terminally ill to die when they choose
The argument is over the right to die with a doctor’s help at the time and in the manner of your own choosing. As yet only a handful of European countries, Colombia and five American states allow some form of doctor-assisted dying. But draft bills, ballot initiatives and court cases are progressing in 20 more states and several other countries (see article).
In Canada the Supreme Court recently struck down a ban on helping patients to die; its ruling will take effect next year. In the coming months bills will go before parliaments in Britain and Germany. …
I’d like that right. Voluntary euthanasia is working well everywhere it’s been tried.
John Oliver on televangelists
Some televangelists are utter criminals. 😦
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Scientology exposé – Going Clear (film)
I’ve long assumed Scientology was a cult. Their spiritual leader a scam artist.
The 2015 documentary Going Clear confirmed that. Convincingly. It got very high marks on Rotten Tomatoes.
No doubt some members of this organization (Travolta, Cruise for example) believe it’s been positive for their lives. But the “religion” itself is based on irrational nonsense. Scientology should no be getting religious status under any tax code.
L. Ron Hubbard … often referred to by his initials, LRH, was an American author and the founder of the Church of Scientology. After establishing a career as a writer, becoming best known for his science fictionand fantasy stories, he developed a system called Dianetics which was first expounded in book form in May 1950. He subsequently developed his ideas into a wide-ranging set of doctrines and rituals as part of a new religious movement that he called Scientology.
He was, in fact, a troubled man. Charismatic. But quite possibly mentally ill himself. Paranoid. Sometimes a danger to his family and followers.
No genius.
David Miscavige ( born April 30, 1960) is now the leader. A good buddy of Tom Cruise.
Click PLAY or watch a trailer on YouTube.
related – John Travolta Speaks Out on Scientology Documentary Going Clear
How Republicans Can Appeal To Women
The Onion nails this one. 🙂
How The GOP Can Appeal To Women
Rick McCharles 