http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584108,00.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r2:c0.000000:b0:z5

Deborah McDonald won $8000.00 on Ohio's Lottery Game Show Cash Explosion Double Play.
She went out to celebrate her winnings and play some pool with some friends at a local bar. She left the bar and was walking along side the road when she was struck by a car, hit a traffic sign and died.

Now what are the odds of that? The article does not tell much about Deborah McDonald but this artilcle made me wonder what her life had been like. Was she a lucky person or was this tragic episode a good indicator of what her life had been like? There are jokes made, songs that are written and movies that are made about this very thing. For every good thing that happens is there a bad one?

Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people and vise versa - right?
Some would say that is just how life goes. Others would say that we create our own luck good, bad or indifferent. My belief is that everything goes around. Not that we intentially ask for bad things to happen - I don't think anyone sets out to create an atmosphere where they are going to get "paid back" in a negative way. I can look back at my life and see mistakes that I made - and yes there are alot of them - and when something goes wrong I wonder if that could have had any effect on the curent situation. Life is so complicated and since there is not a handy guide that you carry around in your pocket, we tend to stray every now and then from the moral belief system that most would say we should have.

Most of us, I think, try to follow the "Do unto others" philosophy. If we continue on that path the best we can maybe some of the bad luck will be irradicated. For myself I hope that is the case anyway. Again, not knowing Deborah's siuation and not that it would matter anyway, this is a horrible tragedy for her and her family. Obviously the money won is not worth the life that was lost.

Moving right along for Haiti

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/01/23/haiti-telethon-raises-million-counting/

So last week the Stars came out to raise money for Haiti with a telethon that raised over $57 Million for relief in that country. Last Friday night if you were anywhere near a television you probably noticed the event as it aired on several stations. Many stars participated via performing, answering phones for donations or simply hosting. The Hope for Haiti Now cd broke the pre- order record as well as the no 1 single Haiti Mon Amour on I tunes.

I am proud to be an American when you can read about a giving event such as this and simply say "Wow". The amount of money that was raised is astounding. It is always nice to see those favorite performers or movie stars but this went a little farther. It was simply them attending to all aspects of the show. They even answered the telephone. What a great idea that was. I am sure that had an affect on a certain percentage of people calling. Imagine your favorite movie star being Julia Roberts, you call and she answers the phone. Would you have just a general casual conversation about the effort or would you take the opportunity to express how much you enjoy her talent!!!!

George Clooney was one of the organizers I believe. But I have to say I think they all stepped up to the plate and used their influence to set a record amount collected. Obviously Haiti will benefit greatly from the outcome of last Friday night. It is nice to see those in a powerful and influential position use it for a formidable gain. There seems to be so much controversy over stars and athletes and how they use their popularity - whether it is a positive influence or not.
So much of the Media tries to portray them as this or that and unfortunately the perception of their being has changed.

Haiti Relief Efforts

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/17/military-leaves-crippled-haiti-government-peacekeepers-order/

Fox News is keeping us abreast of the relief efforts in Haiti. After being hit by a tragic earthquake last week, the Haitian government with much assistance is trying to begin humanitarian efforts. The United States is one of many taking part in this effort.

Fox reports that Haiti has received 600,000 humanitarian daily rations, but they will ultimately need 8 million for the initial period. Distributing the rations seems to present to country of Haiti with the most difficulty of tasks. Some of the items they are considering rations consist of water, food, tents and medical supplies.

The United States is continuing to send ground troops to aid in the effort. Overall Fox News reports that 10,000 troops will be deployed in assisting the Haitian Government from naval vessels to on the ground.

It is so hard to even begin to fathom what the people of this country have and will continue to go through. As we know from a variety of sources the chances of finding more alive have greatly decreased so the focus now becomes the displaced survivors. With all of the countries and organizations who are participating in the relief effort, it would seem that things could move somewhat quicker.

It breaks my heart to think about all of people, many cut off from contact, which are waiting on a drink of water, a meal, clothes and shelter. Those who have lost loved ones, unsure if they are dead or alive with no answer to be delivered anytime soon.

The mass effort that it will take to coordinate the relief effort is phenomenal. When rations are delivered will the relief workers become inundated by the survivors who are hot, thirsty, hungry and living with despair from all that they have encountered? How do you decide which community you try to reach first with medical supplies and those that will die while waiting?

Well, it is back to school after 20 years...this is going to be a wonderful experience!!! I am so excited and looking forward to reading this at the end of the first semester to see if I made it. See you then.