The Table: The Fastest Man, Sikh Tragedy and The Eagles Mourn
James Dugan
thor_matt83International
Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world. I have never seen a cheetah run, but it is hard to imagine the animal is faster than this native Jamaican. He won the 100 meter race and did it in less than 10 seconds. The amazing strength and speed in the feat is what makes the Olympics a rare and treasured event. This is truly spectacular. Actually the two fastest men in the world are Jamaican and a reason for the island to celebrate if it was not already sunny, filled with waterfalls, pink sunsets and great food.
What was the greatest athletic feat done by man?
National
The weekend Wisconsin shooting could have been mistaken racial profiling. The shooting at the Sikh Temple by an Army vet ended the lives of six people and continued the senseless violence string against Sikhs, who are often mistaken and discriminated for being Muslim. The Sikh is a religious group from India and “believe in the equality of humankind, the concept of universal brotherhood of man and One Supreme God (Ik Onkar).” The shooting occurred in a religious place where violence and hatred should be universally scorned. We are left shaking our head in sadness and disbelief again.
Where do you think is the safest place in America?
Local
Andy Reid’s, the coach of the Eagles, son was found dead in Lehigh during the Eagles Preseason training. The sadness has placed a black cloud over the team as it emerges with great hope into a 2013 NFL season. Andy Reid’s son was a drug abuser and went the jail for crashing a car high on heroin. This reminds me of Stallone’s son’s death two weeks. So many people on drugs never get a second chance. His son was working for a professional sports team. We will wonder what happened to this kid who had everything. It was drugs. It affects the poor and the rich, the disenfranchised and the well connected. He struggled with addiction, as so many do.
Do you think there is enough help for drug abusers in this region?
Reader Comments (3)
2. I think this is less about the issue of safety and more about violence. I think the lesson from this event, just like in Aurora, is that violence can occur anywhere, be it a movie theater or a holy place. There is no real protection from it; however, how we respond to such violence says a lot about who we are as a society. For instance, in Colorado, gun sales have risen by 40% since the Aurora shooting, which seems irrational to me. I can only hope that these events will force America and its leaders to have a real, grown-up discussion about violence and guns in our society.
3. I don't. I think there is a sad tolerance of drug abuse. I feel horrible for Andy Reid and his family. No parent should ever have to lose their son, and the national attention that the family is receiving and the media's constant reminder of Garrett's troubled past, I assume, will only make it worse.
I agree with you. Violence is inescapable. Wisconsin, Colorado, Arizona and the midwest seem like perfect places, immune from the problems here in the east. Guns are an American problem. City, Rural, Suburbs and crossing all economic, religious and educational arenas.
I don't think there is enough drug awareness, prevention, or rehabilitation in the region or country. Drugs are still a silent killer and filling up our prisons. We need to do more to help people with drug problems in prison and the workplaces. It is just so taboo to admit you have a drug problem unless you are a celebrity. It is sad to see a young person die because of addiction or the depression resulting from taking drugs. It is connected.