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Arbeit und Brot - 12/12/2008 3:18:18 PM

LadyEllen

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From: Stourport-England
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We all like to think of ourselves as civilised. But I’m afraid this is a thin veneer, a function of having somewhere to live, something to eat and enough left over to live comfortably.

If, perhaps when in the current potential outlook, we have nowhere to live, nothing to eat and no means to acquire either let alone to acquire any comfort whatever, how long before that veneer comes away and we resort to whatever means are necessary for our survival?

Channel 4 (UK) tonight showed the plight of Ethiopian and Somali refugees in the Yemen. Risking all to escape awful conditions in their home countries, they get no help at all and work the most menial jobs for the price of a can of Coke a day. They sleep in the streets and eat khat to stave off their hunger pain.

The show also included an interview with a devout Muslim mother of young children. Faced with the situation of total hopelessness, she had had to turn to prostitution in order to feed her children.

This isn’t about the plight of refugees – but this case of the Muslim woman illustrates the point that in reality our upstanding morality is but a few weeks’ worth of poverty away. The view of some of us lunatics is that we may be but a few months’ away from such a decline to similar conditions ourselves.

So, at what point will Arbeit und Brot become our highest aspirations, to realise which we will do anything, discarding all personal standards, civilised behaviour and morality?

Or do we think that however bad it gets, even if our children are starving and shivering from the cold of another night in a cardboard box, we will nevertheless adhere to our standards, upright behaviour and morals?

E

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RE: Arbeit und Brot - 12/12/2008 3:49:37 PM

calamitysandra

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Where the vital necessities of the Things (got that one from Red) are concerned, there is not much I would not do. Morals be damned.

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RE: Arbeit und Brot - 12/12/2008 3:55:00 PM

popeye1250

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From: New Hampshire
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Lady Ellen, a prostitute eh? Was she Hot?
Thankfully we have the Second Amendment in this country so I doubt things would even approach the types of things that happen in fourth world countries like Somalia and others.
Although I'd like to see a few politicians get the death penalty in this country as a warning for the others.

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RE: Arbeit und Brot - 12/12/2008 3:57:20 PM

LadyEllen

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Popeye - dont be so distasteful! She had her veil thing on but she had nice eyes.

How would the 2nd amendment prevent the situation deteriorating to this level though? I dont understand?

E

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RE: Arbeit und Brot - 12/12/2008 4:14:15 PM

came4U

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Joined: 1/23/2007
From: London, Ontario
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quote:

Or do we think that however bad it gets, even if our children are starving and shivering from the cold of another night in a cardboard box, we will nevertheless adhere to our standards, upright behaviour and morals?

Anyone who stand idly by in any of the major players in the civilized world (US, Britian, Canada) with the manpower, technology and UN influence to stop any third world or corrupt nations's leaders who are menaces by breaking international human rights laws are already not living up to any upright morals or behaviour anyways.

We do things daily to lower ourselves, in purchases we make for the very tikes we adore it may exploit 7 others in a far away land, when we choose not to buy trade free coffee, same.

No, in the end, anyone with true apathy and devout caring for an offspring would do anything ..even if it means compromising oneself.
That is the dillema that no one ever wants to face. Losing dignity is usually the first and hardest hurdle to pass, after that....hell.

I have made a deal with myself and my God. I will in no way willingly compromise myself or my um for the sake of bodily survival in any form (except slavery) that would deny us both a seat to sup with the Great One (no, NOT Wayne Gretzky lol) . This would include prostitution, thievery, deceit, etc etc.

Not sure if this is your question, but if so, my morals way outweigh my fortitude for living and existence here.

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