Lady Liberty Weeps

Lady Liberty Weeps

BLOG SESSION

October 16th, 2017

Good Evening Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~

Welcome back to another interesting Blog Session.  If you are new here to the Blog, we welcome you!  You'll find all of our diverse discussions to be of interest to you in one way or another.  We do tend to focus on writing, journaling, and keeping daily diary entries, and we think you will enjoy taking notes in your Journal and writing about your emotions, feelings, life events, and thoughts in your Diary.

Today, we are going to turn your attention to the Image at the top if this Blog entitled, "Lady Liberty Weeps".  Here is the point where you grab your ink pen and Journal so that you can take notes...

Journal Notes

Let us start our Journal Notes off with today's date, Monday, October 16th, 2017.  And, next we'll write a short description of how we are feeling about our life at this time.  With that lead-in, many of us will focus on different things that intertwine with our lives, such as family, responsibilities, job duties, business matters, health issues, or a particular situation or circumstance that just so happens to be on our plate at this time.

Your description will be longer depending upon how passionate you are about what you are writing about.

Next, we are going to think about what we feel within us.  Do we feel comfortable or uncomfortable about our status in life?  Do we feel at ease or are we uneasy about the state of the country we live in?  Is our spirit at peace or alarmed?  Do we feel that we are doing what we are purposed to do in life or not?

After you have thought about the questions above, please write your answers in your Journal.  Now, let all of that material just sit in front of you in your Journal as you read on. . .

Because the Readers of our Blog are from all over the world, each of us will have a different perspective about the country that we live in.  Even if some of us live in the same country, our thoughts may be different about the state of our country, and our feelings about different issues connected to our country may also be different.  Although, on many moral issues, people will feel the exact same way no matter where they may reside.

We've seen a lot of devastation this year with wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, mudslides, cyclones, heatwaves, and avalanches.

April floods and landslides in Colombia that claimed 329 lives were the deadliest single event.

According to Frankfurt am Main (AFP) some 3,200 people lost their lives to disasters between January and June, the German group, reinsurer Munich Re found that the numbers were well short of the 10-year average of 47,000 for the period or the 5,100 deaths in the first half of 2016.

The most costly single event was flooding in Peru between January and March, which killed 113 people and inflicted damage worth around $3.1 billion, followed by Cyclone Debbie's toll of 12 lives and $2.7 billion in Australia.

Elsewhere, an April-June heatwave in India killed 264 people, while floods, landslides, and avalanches claimed around 200 lives in Sri Lanka, 200 in Afghanistan and 200 Bangladesh.

"The high number of severe thunderstorms in the US is presumed to have been at least partially influenced by a natural climate phenomenon," the reinsurer said.

As many are aware who have an eye outside of the four walls they live in -- one of the things that happens to be on our plate right now is the aftermath of damages incurred from Hurricane Maria that affected Puerto Rico . . .

Puerto Rico Aftermath from Hurricane Maria

Another devastating event that is still having an impact on lives is the California wildfires...

California Wildfires

As of Sunday, October 15, 17 large fires still burned across the northern part of California, with more than 10,000 firefighters attacking the flames using air tankers, helicopters and more than 1,000 fire engines.

At least 40 people have been killed and at least 5,700 homes destroyed in the wildfires that have been burning for nearly a week. 

Santa Rosa, California — The fire-ravaged North Bay on Monday began to confront the long and arduous task of resuming life after the deadliest set of wildfires in state history, as evacuees returned to their neighborhoods, some to intact homes and others to their worst fears...

(Pictured above) ~ Alex Mathiesen, 9, sits on a curb in front of the remains of his family's home in Mark West Estates north of Santa Rosa, California, Monday, October 16, 2017.  His family all escaped with their lives when the Tubbs Fire swept over their neighborhood. (Karl Mondon/ Bay Area News Group)

And, there's much more going on around the world...

Today Storm Ophelia is battering Scotland and northern England after leaving several people dead and hundreds of thousands without power in Ireland.

The former Atlantic hurricane downed trees and power lines, sent waves surging over coastal defenses and disrupted transport again Tuesday, a day after making landfall on Ireland’s south coast with gusts of almost 100 miles an hour (160 kilometers an hour).

Porthleven, Cornwall, southwestern Britain

(Pictured above) ~ Large waves crash along sea defenses and the harbor as storm Ophelia approaches Porthleven in Cornwall, (south west Britain, Oct. 16, 2017.)  Photo: Toby Melville/Reuters)

Britain’s Met Office weather service said Scotland could see heavy rain and gusts of up to 70 mph (113 kph), with winds gradually diminishing through Tuesday.

Parts of southern Norway reported a smoky smell on Tuesday morning, which the local meteorological institute said it was likely carried there by Ophelia from the wave of forest fires in Portugal and Spain that killed at least 41 people over the weekend.

In Sweden, people in the capital of Stockholm and elsewhere launched a flurry of calls to authorities, saying the skies were much darker than usual Tuesday morning.  The reason the skies were darker is probably due to Ophelia’s strong winds, which carried a mix of red sand from the Sahara and tiny particles from the Iberian forest fires across western Europe. (AP)

Galway, Ireland

(Pictured above) ~ The Galway Atlantaquaria National Aquarium of Ireland building is seen submerged in floodwater during Storm Ophelia in Galway, Ireland, Oct.16, 2017. (Photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

We must count our blessings, help others when and where we can, and remain prayerful.

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

Lady Liberty Weeps

 

F R I E N D S

Until Our Next Blog Session ~

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2017 - All Rights Reserved

Puerto Rico ~ [Hurricane Maria Aftermath]

Puerto Rico

[Hurricane Maria Aftermath]

BLOG SESSION

October 7th, 2017

Welcome back to our wonderful Blog everyone!  We are going to be discussing a serious issue today ~ the aftermath of Hurricane Maria as it relates to Puerto Rico.  If you have been following the News reports, then you already know that Puerto Rico took a heavy blow.  The number of deaths was at 39 at last count.  However, that count could increase.  Here's why . . .

As of September 28th, 2017,  Leovigildo Cotté died after not receiving the oxygen he needed at the only shelter that exists in the town of Lajas on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, which has been without electricity since Hurricane Maria careened through Puerto Rico.  Not even his connections to the government could save him.

What's worse, “The generator never arrived,” said Lajas Mayor Marcos Turín Irizarry, who said he looked for oxygen for Cotté — father of the former mayor of that same town — “turning every stone” but could not find it.

Cotté is one of the unaccounted victims of Maria, the potent hurricane that devastated all of Puerto Rico with sustained winds and gusts of up to 200 miles per hour.

The Center for Investigative Journalism (CPI, for its initials in Spanish) has confirmed that there are dozens of hurricane-related deaths and the number could rise to the hundreds.

Hurricane Maria

Puerto Rico Aftermath

[Photo courtesy of Global NEWS]

The storm-related fatalities are mounting with each passing day, and official numbers are not counting patients who are not receiving dialysis, oxygen and other essential services.

Among those at risk are people such as Pedro Fontánez (79) who is bedridden at the Pavía Hospital in Santurce in San Juan and was due to be released even though he lacks electricity at home to support the oxygen and gastric tube-feeding he needs to keep him alive.  His daughter, Nilka Fontánez, went to the government’s Emergency Operations Center desperately seeking help, but was told they were not accepting patients.  “There’s no information,” said a frustrated Fontánez. [News Sources courtesy of the Miami Herald and Courtesy of CPI]

Puerto Rico - Hurricane Maria Aftermath

The story is sad, and the lives are real.  The dead are at the hospital morgues, which are at capacity and in remote places where the government has yet to go.  In many cases, families are unaware of the deaths.  The government’s Demographic Registry is responsible for certifying deaths so bodies can be removed by funeral homes, many of which are not operating because of lack of resources.  The agency began to certify some of the dead, Health Secretary Rafael Rodríguez-Mercado confirmed in an interview.

The continuing lack of communication has kept many people from knowing the whereabouts of their families.  Since the storm’s immediate aftermath, many people have gone daily to radio stations so the on-air personalities can announce the names of family members with whom they have been unable to communicate.

Puerto Rico - Hurricane Maria

The Aftermath

A week after Maria, the government of Puerto Rico was struggling to supply basic services, such as fuel, road access, and electricity.

This story is being shared with you today, because we discussed effective Leadership, (or the lack thereof) in a previous Blog Session here.  You may find all of our past Blog Sessions in our "Blog Archive" over in the far right column.

The commander in charge in the case of this disaster which affected Puerto Rico is the President of the United States.  What did he do when he arrived in Puerto Rico and held a News Conference?

President Donald Trump

...throws rolls of paper towels into a crowd of local residents

affected by Hurricane Maria as he visits

 Calgary Chapel in San Juan, Puerto Ricoon Oct. 3, 2017.

[Jonathan Ernst / Reuters]

I don't know about you, but if I had been one of the residents of Puerto Rico there in the room, I don't know if I would have any respect for a person who is in an Office as a World Leader who comes to throw paper towel ~ Really?  Puerto Ricans were missing, dying, without proper resources, without communication, some close to death because they could not get their medicine and/or medical supplies ~ and in his hand was paper towel.  And not only that, he threw it at hurricane victims.

And if that were not enough of an insult, the president also piled on more criticism of San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, who has been a vocal critic of his administration’s response.  Trump said Cruz “really did not do a very good job in fact did a very poor job.”

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

Hugging a Hurricane Victim

The San Juan mayor made an impassioned call for increased federal aid late last month and criticized Trump’s response to the hurricane.

She had also taken issue with him throwing paper towels and provisions at Puerto Ricans.

“The terrible and abominable view of him throwing paper towels and throwing provisions at people, it does not embody the spirit of the American nation,” Cruz said in an MSNBC interview with Rachel Maddow last Tuesday, the day Trump visited Puerto Rico.

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

Let us all pray for the citizens of Puerto Rico, strength for San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, and the citizens of Puerto Rico.  And let us pray deeply for timely aid and Godly Leadership in times of crisis.

Until Our Next Blog Session ~

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2017 - All Rights Reserved

Around the World: Dangerous Leaders ~ PART IV ~ Pointing out global dangers

Around the World:

Dangerous Leaders

PART IV

Pointing out global dangers

BLOG SESSION

September 27th, 2016

Good Morning Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~

We are going to talk about what's going on around the world at this time, and we'll be pointing out what could possibly be global dangers as our Blog Session for today progresses.

Please grab your Journal so that you may take notes.  Your notes will also come in handy for your daily diary entries, which we had been discussing in prior Blog Sessions.  Just to point out to everyone ~ it is beneficial to keep a daily diary to gain a clearer understanding of yourself, and the world around you.  This is a time in history that is worthy of your input, your recording in your Journal and/or Diary, and talking about with others.  The issues that concern you are just as important to others, and in many cases people may be unaware of certain events that are happening if they shy away from the Media, News Reports, Radio Reports, and do not engage in vital communication sessions with other individuals about what is going on in the world around them.

Journal Notes

In your Journal, you have notes from our previous sessions which should include your answers to some questions that were raised.  You can view the questions in our previous Blog Session by scrolling down after reading today's Session, or by clicking on the link in the far right-hand column of our Blog here entitled, "Around the World: Dangerous Leaders ~ PART III"

All Readers were asked to do a rating, and if you have not yet completed the rating, please mark the answers to the following questions in your Journal...

On a Global Scale ~

How do you rate the risk of a crisis happening?

What type of global issues do you foresee?

Are you concerned with global issues?

What is the quality of your water supply?

What is the quality of the air you breathe?

What is the quality of the food supply?

What is the state of your local economy?

Please write your answers in your Journal or Diary.

We are going to discuss a few important issues today that affect a great number of people.  You will have your own thoughts about the issues listed, and we would definitely like to hear what you think.  You may also have issues that you can share with us that affect others that are not listed here today.  Feel free to use the "Comments Section" at the bottom of our Blog to leave your thoughts, input and any other pertinent information that you'd like to share with the other Readers of our Blog.

Thinking Prayerfully

Our main purpose here today on the Blog is to point out what is happening around the world, and what we feel may possibly be global dangers.  We also are going to be discussing how our world leaders are stacking up in terms of handling the situations and crisises going on.

Let's start off with what is going on in Puerto Rico.  It has been over a week since Hurricane Maria hit the Island of Puerto.  Do you think that the devastating situation going on in Puerto Rico is being handled efficiently and in a timely manner by government officials?

Hurricane Maria has devastated Puerto Rico and upended the lives of millions of Americans.  The Hurricane has also left billions of dollars in damage that will wreak havoc on the island's economy, according to initial estimates.

AIR Worldwide calculates the financial toll of natural disasters, and predicts the losses in the Caribbean covered by insurance will be between $40 billion and $85 billion.  More than 85% of those losses are in Puerto Rico, the firm stated.  It should be noted that that number does not include damage to property that is not insured, and excludes flood damage covered by the National Flood Insurance Program.

Puerto Rico ~ September 28th, 2017

(Overview of Damage from Hurricane Maria)

In case you did not know, Puerto Rico was in an economic crisis before it was slammed by Hurricane Maria as a Category 4 Storm.  The island remains almost entirely without electricity, and is already in the midst of an 11-year recession.  Puerto Rico filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history back in May 2017.

Is there any Hurricane Relief in sight for Puerto Rico?  What do you say?

Retired Lt. General Honore had much to say about the disaster in Puerto Rico and the response on CNN:  VIEW VIDEO HERE.

In your opinion,  is the United States Administration handling the Puerto Rico disaster appropriately?

Retired Lt. General Russel Honoré speaks about the response by Trump on CNN and the Mayor of Puerto Rico speaks on the issue:  VIEW VIDEO HERE.

What do Seniors think of this generation?

Blog Readers:  Why is NFL Football such a huge issue in the United States?  What are the protests all about? . . .

LEARN MORE FROM BBC NEWS

Click here for Film Clips and Stories.

After you have had a chance to view the News Clips and Articles about the NFL, feel free to leave your thoughts at the bottom of our Blog in the "Comments Section".

On another sad note today, there was a stampede in Mumbai at the train station on a footbridge as people took cover from an unexpected rain shower ~ Unfortunately, 35 have been injured, and 22 are dead.  (Please Note:  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his "deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives due to the stampede in Mumbai.") ~ Video Clip of Commuters trying to rescue the trapped and injured - Warning Graphic Images [BBC NEWS]

The news clips, issues, and events discussed today here on the Blog are primarily to give you a short overview of what is going on around the world.  Your thoughts matter.  We'd like to hear what you think, and about any issues going on in your area of the world.

Until our next Blog Session ~ Enjoy your weekend!

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

RACE ~ Gender ~ EQUALITY ~ Justice

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2017 - All Rights Reserved