Population Control

Dare I say it?

Inspiration for my blogs comes from perusing the news - both national and international. On the BBC this morning I read a fascinating article about population control. Secretly, I'm an advocate for this idea. There are 7 billion people, and counting, in the world. Over 80% of us Earth citizens live on less than $20 Belize dollars a day. 3 billion people live on less than $5 Belize dollars a day. To contrast, the average Belizean enjoys a GDP per capita of $43 Belize dollars a day.

With numbers like that, it would seem that we are living in a good country. Mind you, $43 isn't a lot of money, but no one in our beautiful Belize is dying of malnutrition. We all do the best we can.

Should this idea of culling , however, apply to Belize, with it's small population and low population density? We're not China. We don't have a billion people, and we don't need a one-child policy. If we ever want a good Social Security system or an Universal Health Care system, we need a strong young healthy working population who can fund them.

To be frank, the poor and uneducated produce more children than the rich and educated. And most of the time, they can't afford to take care of their children without help from the state. But from these poor masses, some of the greatest Belizeans have risen and have contributed significantly to our society. It is undeniable, however, by and large, these stars are a minority. Most often the circle of poverty continues throughout generations. It's hard for a good man {or woman} to get ahead.

What we should want, not only as Belizeans, but as a species, is to be able to live in a sustainable society. We should procreate to the sufficient number that we can take care of all our young. That we can take care of all our citizens. We've evolved as a species to the point where one's "rights" are more important than economic or environmental issues. {Quote me on that one}

When God said, "Go forth and multiply in number", he didn't give a cap. I, for one, wish that he did. The world can sustain 1.5 billion people without permanently diminishing all our other natural resources.

It's hard for me to express all the variables on this controversial subject in just one blog. I think we should create a national population cap, then after our sustainable population has been achieved, financial penalize those who have more than the prescribed number of children. It is desperate, I know. And I pray that as a species we will never have to come to the point where this is the only course of action for our continued survival, but we're rapidly approaching this point. As a small nation, we shouldn't have to control our actions because of the excesses of the rest of the world. But as a species, we can't afford NOT to think about the global ramifications of our actions.

Sometimes I think AIDS, all these wars, the stronger hurricanes and typhoons, tsnumanis and earthquakes are all the Earth's way of screaming ENOUGH! Already 256,000 children die PER DAY as a direct result of poverty. That's almost the population of Belize! Be concious.

Double Standards & Respect

Most of my blogs involve daily occurrences and observations in our tiny community.

It makes it more real. It makes it more pertinent. They are commentaries on our daily lives.

We all know that the world is full of double standards. Men who sleep around are studs, but women are easy; Women before men when abandoning ship; Different pay for same jobs.

There are countless examples, and whether each double standard is real or only perceived is not important at this time. But I would like to touch on one particular instance of a double standard that I found disturbing.

Recently I was in HRCU and I was standing in line in front of two women. The women proceeded to launch into a rather quiet but serious conversation about wanting to  rape some man "Blinky" that they thought had some nice "gravy". Evidently "Blinky" was not giving them the time of day. Strangely, I have heard this sort of conversation from women on 2 or 3 more occasions. I guess I am always listening to those around me, but shouldn't we all be aware of what's happening around us? Wait, I am straying, that's a topic for another blog! Click...Save!

Now whether or not "Blinky" would enjoy the threesome is irrelevant. And let's put aside the legal aspects of rape because those are not up for debate. What I have an issue with is that why is it socially acceptable for women to say this sort of thing. In fact, men would laugh it off (or at least pretend to), but if a man said it he would do the same to a woman, he would likely be hauled to the piss house. Now, for sure if these women actually held down "Blinky" against his will, he would never report for fear of being ridiculed by his male friends. A fate even maybe even worse that the crime itself.

What makes a woman less likely to do this crime than a man? Nothing physically, mentally or emotionally. In fact it is not unheard of for female teachers to be sleeping with their young male students. And in fact, when I was in third form, there was one female teacher who enjoyed to company of her "best" student. Aye...again I digress! Click...Save!  Sorry, no pertinent shush for you on this one at this time.

Some may say that perhaps these two women were just excited about the man and meant nothing by the use of the word "rape". But isn't excitement the first step in a possible crime. Shoplifters often steal just for the adrenaline rush alone. Serial killers often kill for sheer excitement. Politician oftens steal just just because they can.

Any social structure has its inequalities, and truly culturally we cannot do much about it. But what we can do is to have a little respect for each other. Respect starts within all of us, in private and in public. Men should ALWAYS respect women, and women should ALWAYS respect men. That is not up for any debate. Anything less is unforgivable.

Educational Tip of the Week: Contrary to what is being taught at some schools, Pluto is not officially designated a planet. It has now been classified as a member of the Kuiper Belt. Occasionally it comes closer to the earth than Neptune ( a real planet).  

Wouldn't I dearly love to just sit in a classroom (especially a UB or high school one) and just correct teacher inaccuracies all day. Great fun!

Have a good weekend...and Happy 21st. And don't forget to do your part and drink local brew, not that contraband stuff.