Comments on: The UN shedding light on problems

The UN shedding light on problems

mathowie — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 15:07:49 -0800

The UN recently posted a list of the ten stories they wished the world knew more about. One of them is about trying to ensure proper care and equal treatment to persons with disabilities in other countries. Unrelated to the UN, but to the point, this photojournalist's images of preventable blindness in Asia connects the faces of those affected to the issue.

By: mcwetboy

mcwetboy — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 15:19:55 -0800

Previous discussion on the UN's 10 Stories.

By: rafter

rafter — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 15:20:46 -0800

This is actually a double post, but for the photojournalism link we'll let you slide this once.

By: Witty

Witty — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 15:26:03 -0800

This picture rules!

By: skallas

skallas — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 15:26:16 -0800

RE: The photo of the monk "Traditional medicines" don't work. These people need vitiamin A and surgery not the infinite compassion of the fictional buddah. Man, this stuff just breaks my heart.

By: fold_and_mutilate

fold_and_mutilate — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:37:59 -0800

I think one might find, dear skallas, that the deliverance of vitamin A and surgery arise from compassion, a central tenet of all right thought and action. Buddhism and other religions celebrate and encourage compassion. Your breaking heart is part of that. Folks interested in the possibility of helping prevent some of these illnesses might investigate and support the programs offered by Sight Savers International, and Orbis.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:46:34 -0800

Fantastic. Thanks, Matt.

By: precipice

precipice — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:52:22 -0800

What's sad is that this is just spreading around blogylvania today. Look at the first post on the topic -- the UN tried to draw attention to these stories several months ago (May). Guess it didn't work. At the time, The News Hour had a segment with Shashi Tharoor (who is very well-spoken and compelling) from the UN talking about the different stories, but no other news outlet I frequent picked it up.

By: skallas

skallas — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 17:15:33 -0800

>Your breaking heart is part of that. I'd say my breaking heart predates any religious or philosophical system and is natural in humans. Whoever codifies it orally or on paper doesn't really deserve a special treat.

By: fold_and_mutilate

fold_and_mutilate — Fri, 16 Jul 2004 00:55:23 -0800

I suspect we agree. Similarly, my suggestion is that compassion predates the delivery of ophthalmic and other gifts, and therein lies the need.