My friends, step up your game.

Dear American Idiots,

I've noticed in the past few days that many of you have been complaining about our efforts in Haiti. You bring up the on-going situation in New Orleans and the countless other problems in this country, saying they're more important than issues outside of our comfortable nation.

I hate to rain on your parade that is closed-mindedness and ignorance, but I'm going to.

We're sending help to Haiti because they need it. It doesn't matter who they are or what else is going on in the world; when a nation that already was almost completely distraught with poverty before it's only major city was destroyed, we send help. We're the United States of America and that's what we do.

I understand your complaint that there is still massive amounts of work needed in New Orleans & thousands of other places, but we can't comprehend the pain & suffering going on in Haiti. I feel like an international asshole just living the life I do compared to what they had (had, not have, that's even worse).

It's ironic and tragic that at a time when our country is divided on the issue of health care, the issue of offering health care to those with literally none has somehow arisen. Before the quake, there were only two physicians per 10,000 Haitians. There are thirteen times as many doctors per capita in the United States.

So, get off your American high horse, look up sympathy on Google (funny thing, they can't do that in Haiti), and then show some. Give $5.00 to UNICEF, the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, or any organization with help on the ground in Haiti. They truly need it more than we do at a time like this.

From one asshole to another,
Moles

Don't let your heart get heavy child, inside you there's a strength that lies...

I sat down tonight to write this blog about how deep, emotional, and thoughtful this past week has been. I started and deleted at least 10 attempts, which is about six over my normal pace. As the evening has gone on, I've realized that instead on focusing what I've gone through I need to focus on how I'm come out the other side.

My week was filled with the passing of a high school friend and having to help a friend through a very difficult situation. I ate dinner tonight with a homeless man named Kermit. Hearing about his life and the situations he's been in was extraordinary humbling.

I've kept myself upbeat most of the week, but it's been tough sometimes. I pushed myself as an emotional being this week and it felt good. It was certainly frightening at times, but sometimes you have to face your fears no matter what they are to help a friend.

I was chatting with my friend Annie this evening, telling her about the week that had been and my evening at church. She listened and confirmed my thought that life is humbling, and then sent me this:

That's what friends are for.

"Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you."

-Mary Tyler Moore

(I really wish someone cooler had said that, like Teddy Roosevelt or Rocky)