Sunday, August 26, 2012

THE HIGH RATE OF TEENAGE SUICIDE

 A depressed teenager


A depressed teenager



The rate at which teenagers are now committing suicide is now overwhelming. The idea of a young person killing him or herself, because of worries, pressure, or frustration is devastating and affects the family, school, friends and the community.


Barely some months ago, a girl of sixteen visited her friends to have a swim in a swimming pool. Three days later the girl's mother called the family where her daughter went to the swimming pool that she has committed suicide. 

She just waited for a coming train and jumped on the rail. It is a very complicated issue trying to find the reason some children or teenagers end up their lives tragically in this manner.

The questions are, do they hate themselves? Are they being bullied? Why suddenly life is meaningless to many teenagers when they have parents to take care of them? 

When a teenager starts to smoke heavily and taking alcohol frequently, parents shouldn't wait long to help the child. Sometimes parents are too hard on children for the fear of something happening to them, especially when the child wants to lead the life he wanted best.

When any parents are confronted with such issues there are organizations and trained people ready to help the child. Parents must be very close to their children and speak to them often to know what if there are happy or not over something. 

Here the child will be happy that his parents are showing concern, signifying the love for him. The child will, therefore, tell them whatever is worrying him for his parents to give him help.

Friday, August 17, 2012

TONY NICKLINSON, BE STRONG, YOU CAN MAKE IT


Tony Nicklinson and wife Jane


Tony Nicklinson and wife Jane, Photo credit: Yahoo News


The story of Tony Nicklinson is not only emotional but a very sad story indeed. His picture showing his anguish speaks it all. God only knows what this man is going through.


Even though it may seem cruel to many people worldwide, as the three judges in court, denied his wish to end his life, after suffering a stroke, which left him paralyzed in 2005. The doctors and solicitors did the right thing by not granting his request.

Just imagine, when one kills a person, he faces a murder charge. In this case, when a person is not dead, but because of suffering someone helps him in any means to support and to speed up his death, the person is also a murderer.

Let's be sincere, despite the amazing discovery of modern technology, which had saved thousands of lives in our hospitals, who is the first person to raise his hand that he has put breath into a dead man's nostrils to wake him up? 

If one has no power to raise up a dead man, why must he take someone's life voluntarily?

Jane, Tony's wife, is a hard-working woman, who has taken good care of her husband, since 2005. I don't understand the reason she wants to give up now, after all, these years. 

I plead that she should cancel the idea of making an appeal for the court to grant her husband's request. Life, worth more than silver and gold.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

JAMAICA ADDS ATHLETICS TO ITS REGGAE HISTORY


From left to right, Warren Weir, Usain Bolt, and Yohan Blake


From left to right, Warren Weir, Usain Bolt, and Yohan Blake



Jamaica, that wonderful Island in the Caribbean, for many years has established its name as one of the best countries in the world, in regard to tourism, and above all the home of wonderful reggae music. 


Jamaica is the birthplace of great reggae stars, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs, Joseph Hill-Culture, to mention but a few.

Apart from the reggae stars, Jamaica has produced great sprinters in the past, such as Merlene Ottey, Asafa Powell, etc, yet in athletics, comparing to other great countries, Jamaica wasn't classified as a great country in sports until the emergence of an unknown sprinter, Usain Bolt. 

Usain Bolt's unique and charismatic performance, along with teammate Yohan Blake, have established firmly that Jamaica is not only good in music but also in athletics.

The 2012 Olympics games taking place in London confirms it all. After winning the 100-meter race in 19.32 seconds, Usain became the first athlete to win two Olympic medals in the event. Yohan Blake, his training partner also claimed silver in the event and bronze for Warren Weir.

There is no doubt that Jamaicans are now doing better in sports than the United States of America, which has produced great athletes in the past. 

It seems underestimation of athletes from 'third world countries' is gradually coming to an end because the Jamaican sprinters are "Coming in hot! hot! hot! and firing some shot! shot! shot!" Sings reggae legend late Peter Tosh.

Thursday, August 02, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NELSON MANDELA

Nelson Mandela


Nelson Mandela


Nelson Mandela celebrated his 94th birthday on July 18, 2012, as his country stood behind him by participating in good deeds nationwide, to honor this great man, who history will always recognize him as one of the heroes, to liberate South Africans who were under the brutal regime of Apartheid.


In South Africa, the nationals performed at least sixty-seven minutes of public service on his birthday, a reference to his number of years he devoted to helping others. Besides the various activities of honor, about fourteen million students sang "Happy Birthday" to him, before they started their lessons.

In Qunu, his hometown where he grew up, members of his family, including children and grandchildren, gathered to mark his birthday and perform community service to the local health centers. World leaders, including President Barack Obama, also paid tribute to Mandela. 

"Nelson Mandela's personal story is one of the unbreakable will, unwavering integrity, and abiding humility. By measure, he has changed the arc of history, transforming his country, continent and the world", Said Barack Obama. Mandela's last public appearance was at the 2010 World Cup, held in his country.

He is reported doing well at his age. The biography of Nelson Mandela is available at the Amazon.com.