And, yes, we constantly prove that we are not precisely different from any other creature that has evolved into their current form and is focused on self interests.
This is interesting; certainly biologically true, and I know that I am (a) pretty selfish and self-centered and (b) very much would kill or maim to retain my own life and safety, or that of loved ones, if directly threatened.
OTOH, I also believe that humans have these nice spicy brains (thanks, Barb! MWAH!) so that we may think about and, hopefully, act upon things that are outside the realm of self. I think it's a constant human challenge, balancing the two. I'm amazed by people who are much more selfless and compassionate and other-centered than I, because I find it amazingly difficult to do, in my own deeply flawed way.
But I feel that the attempts to continue to do so are deeply worth it. For me.
EDIT: spelling, and good lord: can I have more commas?!
I had something pertinent to say about immigration earlier but i got pulled away. You will all love the reason. A client of mine, an "illegal" is currently in immigration jail in AZ. He's days away from deportation. We filed a very Hail Mary style request to stay his deportation and it was granted! No word on the ultimate decision but i spent my afternoon making sure ICE didn't "accidentally" deport him while claiming they had no idea of our granted stay.
This particular client is not the greatest guy in the world. He has some criminal history and i might not want him to be my neighbor. Having said that, he is the husband of a US citizen who loves him and the father of a US citizen daughter who is 3. He also has been the father to a US citizen girl, 11, whose American father can't be bothered to either visit her or pay child support. His deportation was facilitated by a government attorney who totally violated normal rules of due process and a judge who let him do it because these things are okay in immigration court. Did he come here "illegally"? Yes. Has he committed crimes? Yes. Does he deserve to be separated from his wife, daughter and step-daughter for life because of it? I don't think so.
(Thanks, Cass, I thought I was pretty clear)
I really need to make prints of my favorite trip pictures.
Ha! I JUST sent an email to some folks to help me pick some pics from my Flikr page because I can't seem to decide!
Pretty sure "Namaste, motherfucker" is a Madrigalism.
I associate it with Madrigal. Um, every time I say it inside my head. Which is rather a lot.
so that we may think about and, hopefully, act upon things that are outside the realm of self. I think it's a constant human challenge, balancing the two.
Personally, I think the potential is absolutely there. I just wish I saw more of it.
What/who is Madrigal? I remember someone with that name on Salon.
Namaste Mofo
I just wish I saw more of it.
Indeed. Le sigh.
Oh, Madrigal! Madrigal was sly and clever and dry. Miss her! Anyone stay in contact with her?
Stephanie, I always think of this case: [link] [link] when I think of how broken our immigration laws are. (Alvarado is now a jockey in Canada.)
I was all sushi today: [link] It made me happy, even if someone snarked at me about it.
All I can ever think of when I hear/read "namaste" is "namaste, motherfucker!" And I can't remember who here coined that.
Not Madrigal and not me. It was Victor's wife, Lea.
