theblogbitme

I saw a video on the New York Times today that was really incredible. If you have time, check out An Angel in Queens. It is about a man who decided to start feeding day laborers from the back of his pick up. His inspiration? He was once an immigrant who landed in New York with nothing as well. He starts cooking in the morning around 5am, goes to his regular job as a bus driver, comes back to finish up the meals, and heads out for distribution at 9:30 every night. And he hasn’t missed a night in 3 years.

I found this video on New York Times. It showcases an exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York entitled Design for the other 90%. The designs help people who live on less than $2/day. The featured designs include a foot irrigation pump made out of bamboo and a simple drip irrigation system to aid farmers overcome drought, grow crops for food and to sell, ultimately earning more money for their family. They also show a water drum that holds 20 gallons of water and rolls on the ground with a rope. It’s funny how such simple ideas can make such immense changes in another’s life. I hope that these designs do not just stay in an exhibit, but are able to penetrate the market and reach the people who need these designs the most.

Today I read a piece in the Opinion section in the NY Times online that was blog worthy. I want to also give a kind of disclaimer as many people will disagree with this piece. Please remember that it is from the Opinion section and is only meant to provoke thought and conversation.

The piece is entitled Pig Out and discusses the practices used on many farms to raise livestock for human consumption. While the actual details of how the animals live, breed, and die are of much concern, what I find to be more interesting is the human reaction to raising livestock. The author, Nicolette Hahn Niman, writes:

Because confinement buildings are far from cities and lack windows, all of this is shielded from public view. But such treatment of pigs contrasts sharply with what people say they want for farm animals. Surveys consistently find that Americans believe all animals, including those raised for food, deserve humane treatment. A 2004 survey by Ohio State University found that 81 percent of respondents felt that the well-being of livestock is as important as that of pets.

Now, I live in San Francisco, so my view of how people treat their pets may be a bit skewed. I come from a city that is not shy to have their puppy in a designer handbag. However, the thought here is rather astounding. If 81% of the public - the majority of consumer demand - thinks that the well-being of livestock is as important as that of pets, then why isn’t organic, sustainable livestock a staple in American society instead of a niche item? I think that this piece puts a little perspective on this debate inasmuch as the producer is only meeting consumer demand. Consumers, it is time to demand a bit more of the producer.

This article from today’s online NY Times edition caught my eye. Swiss Accidentally Invade Liechtenstein is too good of a headline to pass up. According to the AP:

What began as a routine training exercise almost ended in an embarrassing diplomatic incident after a company of Swiss soldiers got lost at night and marched into neighboring Liechtenstein.

According to Swiss daily Blick, the 170 infantry soldiers wandered just over a mile across an unmarked border into the tiny principality early Thursday before realizing their mistake and turning back.

Switzerland is known for a lot of things, chocolate, watches, banks, and, of course, being politically neutral. In fact, the Swiss are so politically neutral that their military is not quite so adept at reading a compass! I love that this article made it into the “news” and also that the Swiss “invaded” Liechtenstein of all countries - one without a military!

In the midst of Super Bowl mania this past weekend, I read an article on The New York Times online that made me pause a bit and consider the “other” champions. The article is entitled, Far Away, Super Bowl’s Losers Will Be Champs”. From the article:

The Super Bowl will end about 10 p.m. Sunday, and by 10:01 every player on the winning team — along with coaches, executives, family members and ball boys — could be outfitted in colorful T-shirts and caps proclaiming them champions.

The other set of championship gear — the 288 T-shirts and caps made for the team that did not win — will be hidden behind a locked door at Dolphin Stadium. By order of the National Football League, those items are never to appear on television or on eBay. They are never even to be seen on American soil.

“By order of the National Football Leaague…..” That sounds serious! So where exactly are these items to appear if not on TV, eBay or American soil? Is there anywhere else left? Well, the items will be donated to World Vision, a non-profit organization, who will, in turn, ship the clothes and other items to a developing nation, most likely one in Africa. Whew. All sarcasm aside, I really do feel that this is a good thing. At least the Championship gear will not be wasted.