Middle East: Justice?

Headlines Today

• U.S. destroyers that are carrying cruise missiles are on their way to Libya's coast after the attack on the U.S. consulate that left four Americans dead (still no word on how many Libyans were killed).
• There are now protestors and riots at the embassies in Yemen, Egypt, and Iraq.
• Al-Qaeda released a video of a USAID worker who is still being held hostage.
• Apple released the iPhone5, the new iPod touch, the new iPod nano, and new earbuds (aka "earpods). 
• McDonalds is posting the calorie count of each item on their menu up on the board where everyone can see it as they order.
• The Chicago teacher strike is in Day 4, but they say they are making progress.
• Fashion Week!!! I have been so negligent about this--it's been going on for a week almost and I haven't written anything about it! I may make a whole post just about Fashion Week...I have so many favorites!

There is so much going on! I am going to write a little bit now and then I'll write more later today. I am having problems with my macbook and so I get to drive back to Cincinnati. Again. The closest Apple store is 40 minutes away...Louisville's only 80 minutes away...maybe I should just go back there! :)

Okay, so let's start with the Middle East.

Some sources (GMA this morning) are saying that the attack in Libya was planned to be on the anniversary of September 11. The other protests are apparently in light of the movie trailer that is bashing Mohammad. And now we have ships over by Libya. With missiles on them. Obama is saying that Egypt is not necessarily an ally and Romney is bashing him for not having more security at the embassies in the Middle East.

Oh my goodness! The problem here is that I don't really even know what to say. I am horrified by the attacks on U.S. emabassies and consulates, and extremely upset by the fact that the protestors killed one of our ambassadors. At the same time, I really don't think that going over there and possibly starting another war is a good idea. I think I am going to take the same stance I took after the attacks on September 11, 2001 (yes, I was only 12 when it happened, but I had an opinion, and I remember exactly what I thought when Bush declared war): The people who committed these acts should be brought to justice, but starting attacks on entire communities is a terrible idea because those communities didn't kill anyone; individual people did. In the war in Afghanistan, for example, estimates are that over 12,000 civilians were killed between 2006 and 2011 (interestingly, I am having an insanely hard time finding statistics pre-2006). Nineteen terrorists were the hijackers in the 9/11 attacks. We were also aware that Osama bin Laden was behind it. That makes 20 people. Now, 19 of those 20 died, seeing as they died in the attack. So that left one person to bring to justice. And over 12,000 civilians were killed in a war to bring one person to justice. I am well aware that al-Qaeda killed some of the civilians. But so did we. Yes, we brought bin Laden to "justice" if killing someone is justifiable to you, but at what cost?

I have to get going, but I will be back later to continue discussing this and the rest of the headlines.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." --Gandhi

Reflection and Inspiration

Before I get started with the post I was planning on writing, I want to take a moment to mention the attack on the U.S. consolate in Libya overnight. Our ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were killed in an attack by angry Muslims. They were upset by a film made by a Hollywod director (now in hiding, for good reason) that depicts Mohammad as a womanizer and a fraud.

There are two very interesting things I take from this story:
1) According to Good Morning America this morning, the director meant for this movie to be "provocative". I think this might have gone too far, though. I haven't seen the movie or trailer, for that matter, but if people are getting killed over it...that's crazy. I'm all for freedom of speech, but intentionaly portraying an incredibly well-known and influential prophet in a negative light seems like it's just asking for trouble--and recognition. Shock value films, outfits, and statements need to be looked at for the reasons they're made. This film was made to "show the destructive ideology of Islam," according to the above story. When making something like this, it is probably wise to think about how much it might help people understand Islam and how much it is going to piss people off.
2) It was not reported how many Muslims were killed; only how many Americans were killed.

Thinking of the families of those victims.

The story I originally wanted to talk about today is Aimee Copeland's amazing road to recovery. She was on "Katie" yesterday and she is fantastic! She is such an inspiration. Having chronic pain really pales in comparison when you watch this beautiful woman walk out on a walker with no hands, no left leg, and a prosthetic right leg. Through this entire process, she has had an amazing attitude! One of my favorite things she said yesterday was (not an exact quote, because I can't remember it perfectly), "I don't say I'm disabled; I say I have different abilities." How inspiring is that?! I feel like those of us with chronic health issues need to really look at what she is doing and saying and say, "I can do this!" I know there are many people with chronic health issues who do great, and I do pretty well some days. It's just nice to have someone to inspire you on the down days. It's amazing that she is only a year older than I am--I know it might sound funny because we are so close in age, but I admire her! She is definitely going on my personal hero list; hope she goes on yours, too! 

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." --Gandhi