I wanna say goodbye to Heath Ledger. I didn't know him personally, but he seemed like a genuine nice guy, one of natures gentleman. It's a sad loss.
I also want to comment on two peripheral issues surrounding Heaths untimely death.
Drug Companies -
There'e some speculation that a particular type of sleeping drug contributed in some way. I won't comment on that as the jury is still out but the problem with drug companies is that they are run entirely on the profit motive. The humanitarian cause has gone out the window. I don't begrudge them (or any company) making profits but the commercialization of the health industry has had such consequences as the refusal to produce life saving drugs when they are considered 'not commercially viable' (as in when only a small number of people have that particular ailment). They are not above a little manipulation of the media and of even straight out denial if one of their drugs has been found to have severe side-effects. There is also the practice of pricing many drugs beyond the reach of many of those in thirld world countries (and those in the US without health insurance) who desperately need them. They often actively persecute smaller companies for making the same drugs available at lower cost. They claim they need to recoup their Research and Development costs but it is a fact that most research on new drugs is carried out in academic institutions, the US taxpayer is effectively funding the majority of drug research, and yet the multinationals claim as much profit as the market can bear. We are talking about peoples health and well being here and leaving medicine solely to the whim of market forces seems totally inhumane to me.
Papparazi -
The Papparazi hounded Heath in Australia and due to their actions Heath chose to leave Australia permanently. I won't forget the scene I saw where a few paparazzi squirted him with water pistols as a form a 'payback' for Heath allegedly spitting at them at some previous point in time. What a stupid, childish and ridiculous thing to do. Onya guys! The paperazzi can sometimes behave so badly it amounts to nothing less than harassment, chasing people around, sticking a camera in their face at every opportunity, is it any wonder some celebs get so pissed off ? Wouldn't you ? It's just a game to them of course, and they justify themselves by saying 'Well if people didn't buy the magazines we wouldn't do it...' Sorry guys that argument doesn't wash. That same argument's been used by everyone from drug traffickers to kiddie porn peddlers, there's a market for lots of things and although gossip mags aren't illegal, harrasment and invasion of privacy is. some of them do the right thing of course, but those that don't who are money hungry and will resort to the lowest of tactics to get the 'money shot' are worthy of nothing more than contempt.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Randoms 2
I hate it when you're walking on wet concrete at night and you accidentally stand on a snail and it squishes up between your toes.
Some people think I'm a 'space cadet'. I disagree, and so does my invisible friend, the one with the propellor cap.
I seem to be ignored a lot on forums, if not I'm being shot down. That can be depressing. I'm not into comment wars.
I go all shy sometimes.
I find myself standing on a hill waving a flag, it can get lonely up there by myself, but idealism, principles and stubborness keep me there - the fool on the hill.
My favourite poem -
Yesterday upon the stair
I met a man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
I wish that man would go away
The shortest poem in the english language -
(concerning the ancient relationship between human beings and parasitic blood-sucking insects, specifically fleas)
Adam had'em
What the hell use are mosquitoes in the grand scheme of things anyway ?
That's all. I'm in a strange mood.
Some people think I'm a 'space cadet'. I disagree, and so does my invisible friend, the one with the propellor cap.
I seem to be ignored a lot on forums, if not I'm being shot down. That can be depressing. I'm not into comment wars.
I go all shy sometimes.
I find myself standing on a hill waving a flag, it can get lonely up there by myself, but idealism, principles and stubborness keep me there - the fool on the hill.
My favourite poem -
Yesterday upon the stair
I met a man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
I wish that man would go away
The shortest poem in the english language -
(concerning the ancient relationship between human beings and parasitic blood-sucking insects, specifically fleas)
Adam had'em
What the hell use are mosquitoes in the grand scheme of things anyway ?
That's all. I'm in a strange mood.
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