I Don't Want to Brag...

I don't want to brag, but I've saved 24 feet of rain forest. I haven't seen the actual 24 feet I've saved, but the Facebook application I use is keeping track of it for me. I have been faithfully sending virtual plants to people so I hope it isn't a big fat lie. I worry about the honesty of charities. When I'm watching TV and a "Save the Children" commercial comes on, showing some precious child with flies buzzing around, I think about making the call. I would probably be more likely to make the call if the commercial wasn't quite as long though. First they have to show how they have no water, then the dirt road dust flying about while they tell you the child has no shoes. It ends showing how the poor child is now in school, and how you'll get a photo to look at and get letters from a child in need. How do you know they are not sending the same damn photo to everyone. I can just imagine getting my orphans photo in the mail, then going over to a friends house and seeing my orphan on her refrigerator too...same damn letter and all! You never know. I don't like feeling manipulated by commercials. The worst one lately is with Sarah McLaughin and the abused animals. I do not want to see a cute little puppy who is missing a leg, or only has one eye. That's just wrong! The worst offense of this commercial is that they use my favorite Sara McLaughin song as the background music. Wrong, wrong, wrong!

The way I see it, If I'm going to be manipulated, I'll look at my two little cuties who beg to go in and out all day long. If the orphans need shoes, send the millions of pairs donated to Goodwill over there, and while you're at it, send a can of Raid to deal with the flies.

I guess tonight I am a bitchy, bitter blogger.

FOOTNOTE

I'm adding a footnote because I received a comment and I wanted to respond. I am a supporter to eliminate all things inhumane and unjust in the world. I simply cannot bear the thought of the ugly things I know are in the world. If I could, I would fix everything. My personal cause is domestic violence and I regularly contribute whatever I am able. That being said, my comments yesterday were intended to be a statement about being manipulated by the media. In my opinion, the only people who respond to those emotional commercials are the people already aware and touched by those issues. They are intended to pull the heartstrings of compassionate viewers, and those without compassion will not be moved by them anyway. In Nancy's America, those in need would be supported primarily by the work and efforts of people in prisons. The way I see it, what could be a more perfect way to give back to a community and do restitution for their crimes. The commercials claim 27 cents a day can make a difference...that's about what an inmate earns. It makes sense to me.

I really appreciate the comments, and I hope anyone reading this little blog will continue to feel free to let me know what's on their mind...as I do when I write.