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The reality of reality is horrifying!!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC BK607690

 Folks, if you are expecting my normal educational or humorous post you may want to skip by this one. It is neither. I'm writing this because I read something yesterday that disturbed me and I have to get it out of my head.

Late yesterday I was perusing the latest Time magazine and there was an article trying to make a connection between Global warming and the conflicts in Africa. According to this writer, the Sahara desert is becoming larger due to global warming and the effects of drought. And because of this it is creating a scarcity of food and water for millions of people. This teamed with existing tribal conflicts is creating tension and adding to the already unbelievable "living" conditions. To use the words from a report published by 11 former US Admirals and Generals, climate change is a "threat multiplier".

Now folks, I'm not writing this post to agree with or dispute the validity of Global warming or the cause of so much famine, hatred, disease and genocide through out the World and Africa in particular. I'm writing this for one reason, to get this sentence out of my head:

"They beheaded people and used their heads for firewood"

Let that sink in for a minute. This is not a line from a horror movie. This is a reality of what people have to deal with in the Sudan and other parts of the World.

"They beheaded people and used their heads for firewood"

I for one, feel like I don't even live in the same World. I go about my little life worrying about the most inconsequential problems. "Will my deal close?" "Will I be able to afford a vacation next year?" "My back hurts." "I'm starving, I haven't eaten since 9am." "Someone was rude to me." I could go on but you get my point.

"They beheaded people and used their heads for firewood"

So what can we do? I don't know. These problems are so overwhelming and so far outside my realm of comprehension. But anything we do is better than nothing. TLW and I give to World Vision. We researched many organizations before deciding on one and came to the conclusion that World Vision is one of the best. They are on the ground already and 87% of your donation goes directly to the programs they support. You can change a child's life for as low as $30 per month. Put it on your credit card as an automatic charge and you will not even miss it. It will not change the way you live one iota. But it will not only change a child's life but it may very well give a child life. Please help.

"But Broker Bryant, I haven't had a closing in 2 months and things are tight. When things pick up I promise to do something."

Well, this is all I have to say about that:

"They beheaded people and used their heads for firewood"

Here are some additional resources.

Please add links to your favorite charities in the comment section. Thanks for reading.

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Comments(53)

Irina Netchaev
Pasadena Views Real Estate Team, Inc. - Pasadena, CA
Pasadena CA Real Estate

Hi Bryant,

This is so beyond our realm of reality!  I, like you, find it otherworldly, but unfortunately this problem is there and has been for years!  It's' unbelievable how much suffering there is in the world.  Our problems are minute and definitely non-issues in comparison.

Intense post - yes.  Outside of helping in some way, we need to realize how precious our lives are and how lucky we are to live in this beautiful country.

Apr 30, 2007 03:04 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Blog Boy...

As you know I have been avoiding this post.

Now that I have returned to comment it looks to me that anything I say would be redundant.

TLW...ROAR!

Apr 30, 2007 03:16 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Hey guys, Here's a link from my Pastor.

HELP SAVE DARFUR

Apr 30, 2007 03:42 AM
Rich Kruse
Gryphon USA, Ltd. - Columbus, OH

I am not going to get into Darfur or not Darfur.  Hunger and poverty is a worldwide problem.  We in the US have a lot to be thankful for.  I hope everyone gives what they can to help those less fortunate no matter where and who they are.

Here endith the comment.

Apr 30, 2007 11:44 AM
Steve Dalton
219-465-8352 - Valparaiso, IN
Northwest Indiana Home Builder

I was able to personally visit Sudan last year.  I did not get to venture out to Darfur, too dangerous I was told by my guides.  We did spend a couple days in the capital Karthoum, and learned a lot about this world.  Orphanage

I can tell you that the government of Sudan hates us.  I was chilled to the bone as I rode around the capital and watched literally hundreds of different militias driving around with guns, only to note that most of the gun-toters were children.

There are some groups trying to do work with orphans and widows in Sudan, even inside of the Darfur region.  One group, the one I travelled with is Kids Alive International.

Sorry if the photo makes reading difficult but I couldn't pass up the chance to relive the moment with the street kids in the desert.

Apr 30, 2007 02:42 PM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Thanks for sharing that Steve.
May 01, 2007 12:37 AM
Jeff Fulgham
T.U.P. Realty - Tupelo, MS
Broker E-Pro ABR
You all have a great point. This is everyone's problem and it needs to be fixed. That region of the world is in dire straits. This is not a political problem itis a human problem. I think would could all get behind helping with the Darfur region.
May 01, 2007 04:13 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Cheryl, Anything we can give helps. These kids work a week for about a dollar. I am so pleased you are helping. For some reason I knew that about you.

Jeff, One of the reaosn these isuues continue is because of politics. We need to get the politics out and help the people. Thanks for reading.

May 01, 2007 10:31 AM
Patti Ann Kasper
EXIT REALTY NEXUS - Blaine, MN
Blaine & North Metro Minneapolis St Paul Real Esta

Some of us have been jumping up and down screaming about this for years - I am glad it is finally coming to the forefront.  I give to WorldVision on a regular basis, but it simply is not enough.  Our country needs to get involved on an official level.  Why is it that when an African nation has a crisis - like Rwanda and Darfur - we turn our backs?  But when this kind of crisis occurs in an oil producing nation - well then that gets our attention!   I believe that we need to intervene AS A NATION as well as on an individual basis.

But that is just a beginning.  We need to switch to clean alternative energy sources as soon as possible to prevent this same scenario in other parts of the world.

Check out the Earthshots website.  It shows the shrinking of Lake Chad between 1963 and 1997.  What was one a thriving lake is now almost gone - it is 1/10th of the size it was (or maybe smaller by now).  Also the melting of Mount Kilimanjaro's snowcap means less runoff to support the rivers in that area.  Check out the Goddard Space Flight Center's webpage.  The snowcap is almost completely melted.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the earth is warming.  We can argue about the cause till we are blue in the face - be they the result of man-made or natural forces - but then we'd be missing the opportunity to do what we can to reverse this trend.  I say lets not waste time pointing fingers.  America should lead the world in this respect and get ourselves switched over to renewable energy sources NOW!

There is no single answer, but there are many opportunities - geothermal, solar, wind, biomass, and ethanol are just some of the technologies which need to be encouraged.  And this is where we, as REALTORS, can have an impact.  We can educate ourselves and the public as to the availability and cost of these technologies in our communities.  For example, here in Minnesota there are several companies that manufacture a corn burning stove for home use.  YEP!  I said CORN!   

And why can't an American car manufacturer develop an Electric/Ethanol Hybrid?  That would give better gas mileage AND greatly reduce the amount of carbon emissions.  Then we need to figure out a better crop to use for ethanol.  Corn is very hard on the environment because it needs fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides.  Sugar beets might be an alternative.

Can you imagine how much world politics would change if we were didn't have to buy oil from the Middle East or Venezuela?

Think about it!

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now!

May 02, 2007 09:56 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Patti, You can stand on your soap box anytime you want on my blog. I appreciate you taking the time to read and voice your opinion. Thanks.
May 02, 2007 11:35 AM
Marlene Bridges
Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA
Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Thank you for your compassionate post.  As we grow older, we begin to see the world around us differently.  We move from the accumulation phase of life to the phase of giving back.  Thank you for including World Vision as one of the organizations to contact.  I had the great pleasure of working with them about four years ago in Venezuela.  What an awesome, professional, Godly group of people.  Money sent to them is well spent.

P.S. Interesting note---the graphic to submit this comment was "PASSION".  Great reminder to be pasionate about the things that really mater.

May 06, 2007 09:14 AM
Julia Fedak
Platinum Home Designs - Burlington, ON
IRIS, CSP

Thank you for reminding us ..

-to be thankful to wake up every day in a bed

-to be thankful having food in the fridge....

- a healthy family....

-HAVING family....

-being loved...

Despite our small problems, which seem huge to us at the time, you remind us to appreciate whatever it is we have........and to help those who don't.

 

-

May 06, 2007 09:31 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Marlene, That must have been a life changing experience working with World Vision. Thanks for sharing that. You should write a post about your experience.

Julie, We are spoiled rotten in this country. I can't even imagine the hardship that most of the world must endure daily. We are so belssed.

May 06, 2007 10:54 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production
I was looking to comment on a quick blog...but this is overwhelming.  Frankly, I'm a hard core Christian who has good days and bad days....this puts me back into the perspective that I need....thanks for sharing....it's humbling
May 07, 2007 01:58 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Larry, Thanks for stopping by. A post like this sure does put our "problems" into perspective. I too need that every now and then. Humbling to say the least.
May 07, 2007 03:46 AM
Wayne and Lynda Gomillion
Real Living Hagan Realtors | Pinehurst ~ Southern Pines, NC - Pinehurst, NC

Regrettably death and disease are harsh reminders of the fact that we live in a fallen world. Thank you for stirring our consciousness... I pray that hearts and minds will touched and that grace will increase.

Jun 03, 2007 01:19 PM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

There's not much I can say about this....inhumane doesn't even begin to describe that harsh reality.

Jun 04, 2007 01:09 AM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate
Oh dear Lord! Forgive us for not praying for these people!
Jun 04, 2007 04:05 PM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Lisa, Heart wrenching isn't it? Pray away my friend.

Ethan, I guess a post like this really puts our "problems" into perspective.

Jason, Thanks for stopping by. Now go sponsor a child through World Vision. 

Wayne and Lynda, the Big Guy is not going to be too happy if we don't step up to the plate and help His children.

Jun 05, 2007 12:32 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
I read this when you posted and I thank you for giving me a slap back into reality. Those "things" I was worrying about are not so real after all. Especially when a lot of these people are cyberspace made up. Did that make sense?
Oct 10, 2007 12:50 PM