Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Respect for life: bombs, dog fighting, and child abuse

Bombs, dog fighting, and child abuse. How are they related?

Today I read that Joe O'Donnell died last week. O'Donnell was a famed White House and military photographer. I'm sure you've seen his photos. Perhaps his most famous is that of 'John-Boy' saluting the coffin of his father, President Kennedy. O'Donnell was a young Marine photographer when he documented the after effects of the U.S. having bombed both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To read his New York Times obit, click on this link. His photographs served up the realities of life, both good and sad, to the public eye. (To purchase his book, Japan 1945: A U.S. Marine's Photogaphs From Ground Zero, click on this link.) It is the abomination of war which concerns me here, and I am thankful for his documentation; if only it had never been a necessity. What O'Donnell saw and documented tortured him, and influenced his activism later in life.

Today, I read about a blogging "self-described pedophile." (To read the CNN story, click on this link.)

Today I read that a baby was beaten to death during a fit of rage (click on this link to read the NY Times story).

So, you might ask, "with all this other ugly human stuff why all the fuss about dog fighting and Michael Vick?"

Because life is valuable and to be cherished. Because caring about the life of an animal gives hope for human life. Because if we care about the life of an animal, it is a hopeful sign that we care about our human lives enough to eradicate the conditions that hurt us as individuals and render us capable of inflicting ugliness and pain. It's a sign that perhaps one day we will no longer hurt, and in turn will be incapable of hurting others. Because it acknowledges that what is important is life, rather than whose life.

1 comment:

  1. As Arlie Rufus writes this he is hearing that there could be a plea deal in the dogfighting case involving Michael Vick, among others. Arlie Rufus has one thing to say -- no plea bargains! Arlie Rufus adovcated Michael Vick and others getting their day in court -- and Arlie Rufus still wants that day. That day is not just for Mr. Vick -- it is for the dogs who are made to fight and then killed. Make your voice heard along with Arlie Rufus -- be vocal. No plea bargains! The dogs deserve real justice!!

    Arlie Rufus

    www.myspace.com/arlierufus

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