The Milk of Human Greediness

         A very sad news story this past week has brought to mind how important it is to have integrity in all that you do.  Thousands have been made sick in China due to the greediness of milk producers who added the chemical melamine to the raw milk used to produce milk, yogurt, and baby formula.

         Adding the chemical to the raw milk used to produce the powdered baby formula appeared to fool the quality checks as to the content of the milk.  This chemical can cause kidney stones, irritation to the eyes and to the skin, and it can also cause ulcers in the urinary tract of the individuals who ingest the tainted dairy products.  There have been over 4 deaths to babies and well over 6,000 are ill from the effects. 

           These concerns are in the short term…what about long term effects?  What about people who will discover health problems down the line from kidney stone formation or other effects?  China’s population has been devastated in the past year by the severe earthquake, flooding from the after affects of the earthquake, the collapse of schools during the earthquake; and now this tainted milk disaster.   The future impact on China remains to be seen from all of these losses. 

           Parents have a right to be angry and fearful for the well-being of their children.  Adults are being advised that drinking 2 liters of milk a day or less will not produce ill affects in healthy adults.

           We used to talk about the milk of human kindness…lately, we seem to see more of the greediness in individuals; and, it isn’t limited to China.  People need to exhibit integrity in their day- to- day actions; and, realize that what they choose to do affects others around them.  There have been arrests in this recent disaster relating to the tainting of the milk.  Those involved in the decision to add the chemical could actually face the death sentence for the choices that they have made. 

            In the meantime, the tainted products have been pulled from the shelves in China…but, some of the products have been exported to other countries.  It is imperative to check the labels of any products that used milk products, that have come from China, at this time for the safety and well-being of those who would consume the products purchased.

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

National Drive 55 Speed Limit?

        Senator John Warner has asked Samuel Bodman the Energy Secretary to review information that would reveal what the ideal speed limit would be that would allow the most efficient use of gasoline in our vehicles today.  With gasoline prices topping $4.15 cents a gallon around the country the timing couldn’t be better to encourage changes in the way that we drive.

         Many Americans have already started to alter aimless driving habits.  I see nothing wrong with that…we all could do better in planning where we go and what we do while we are out and about.  Some people are in denial about the severity of the situation regarding supply and demand as well as all of the damage to our planet that our carelessness has brought.  

         Would the general population get behind a national drive 55 speed limit?  I think it is going to take some convincing as it will be viewed by many as an inconvience after being legally allowed to drive up to 70 mph on some highways.  After all, it will take longer to get where they are going.  I think more people would be willing to do it if they felt that the automakers were doing more to ensure that we were getting more miles to the gallon by the way that they factory set the computers on our vehicles to use the gasoline we spend our hard earned dollars on.

Read Full Post »

Green Group Of Eight

         Green Group of Eight sounds like a new alternative rock band; but in fact, it is a group of energy ministers from 8 countries (really 11 since India, South Korea and China have jumped on the bandwagon) who have committed themselves to cutting down on the carbon emissions that everyone agrees has been adding to the climate warming around the globe.  They have begun meeting looking for ways to cut down the carbon footprints we leave behind.  As they make recommendations and guidelines, it will be up to individuals in each country to make a positive impact by making sacrifices as well as more green choices in their every day lives.  It is for our own good.

         As the world has grown in population, the demand for oil and energy keeps growing as well.  The energy ministers are looking for positive ways to meet the need, while at the same time, finding greener ways to meet that demand but also use the energy in the most efficient ways possible.  It is a huge responsibility; but, one that most of us agree is necessary to preserve the world that we live in.

        With the options available for renewable energy there is great interest…however, it is costly for start ups.  If each nation becomes aggressive about pursuing less destructive means of providing energy needed in the world; then, the costs of renewable energy systems will become affordable for the average person.  We all owe it to ourselves and to our children and grandchildren to be good stewards of the earth and it’s resources.   Most people are willing to do their part if it is affordable, once they are educated on the options.   If incentives are put in place to encourage people to reduce their energy usage or to commit to alternative energy sources you might make headway sooner in these goals.  Why couldn’t these energy issues be taken more seriously sooner?   

Read Full Post »

Tax Breaks

      I was watching good morning america today and heard some news that baffled logical thinking to me.  It was about what has been, for years, considered “normal tax breaks”. 

      Donating to charities if you were over age 70 was tax deductible.  It sounds like this year after December 31 that those donation to charities can no longer be deductible. 

Read Full Post »