Why Do We Do This?

Hmm, let's see...while people are starving in Africa (and elsewhere), our top hip-hop celebrities are putting thousands of dollars worth of gold and diamonds into their mouths, all celebrities are buying expensive clothing, cars, houses, and even wine on their nights out on the town! Why? Why does our society put so much worth into what people in the entertainment business are WEARING or EATING, or how they exercise, or what they say, or who they're dating?? Why does anyone care?

Why make millions/billions of dollars and spend it all on material things when there are people in this world that don't have anything but the clothes on their backs and they fall asleep at night without a roof over their head, without food in their stomach? Why buy or build million dollar homes? Do people really need that much extravagance in their lives? Maybe they do it because they can. But past the point where they are living comfortably, why go any further? What is it about humans that makes us want to horde so much money?

You'll probably die with millions/billions of unspent dollars, sure, pass it down in the family so that your family will be rich for generations to come. But I believe the most noble thing a person could do is to keep enough money to have a good life, and to give the rest back to the world. Whoever has the most "toys" or money when they die DOES NOT WIN. You don't get to have the toys or the money AFTER you die, so what's the point?? People should stop being so selfish!


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12530891/

Introduction

I've been curious about other cultures and ways of life for a long time now. Months ago, I came across Baghdad Girl's blog (http://baghdadgirl.blogspot.com). Recently, I started checking out the other blogs that she has links to on her page and I had to hold back my tears after reading some of the people's posts. It made me want to do something about what I was reading. I don't know what I possibly COULD do, so for now, I will just raise awareness by discussing things here and by linking you to other blogs.

I sincerely hope that these people will see brighter days in a completely free country, and I hope that they will continue to share their hopes, their dreams, and their true first-hand knowledge of what is really going on out there.

A Salaam A Leykum, everyone!