Logos that tell the truth about their products.

Have you ever wondered what ads would be like if companies had to be completely honest about their products? Maybe you'd find the results below refreshing...

Do we need proof that Osama bin Laden is dead? Why are the pictures not released?

There seems to be a lot of discussion on social networks questioning whether Osama bin Laden is really dead. The core of the discussion tackles the fact that the pictures are not released, therefore you can't know for sure if he is dead because you have to take Obama's word for it (and the testimony of the military, presidents from other countries, DNA testing and Arabic television).

So here are a few things to consider:

It is doubtful that the real motivation for wanting to see a picture is to confirm his death. As many of the fake pictures that have been going around have proven, creating a fake picture of a dead bin Laden could have been accomplished by anyone with little more than basic knowledge of Photoshop. My last Google search for "Dead Osama picture"resulted in 6.5 million images. Part of the questioning that has been going on has to do with people's sense of revenge, a built in desire to feel safe by witnessing the decomposing corpse of an enemy as proof that there is no more danger.

In primitive cultures that is the logic behind the barbaric need to drag the corpse of an enemy around town, to serve as an example and to fullfil the need for revenge of those witnessing the act.

One of the main reasons people seem doubtful is because of the history of the Bush administration of fabricating blatant lies and selling them as truth, particularly using Fox Network as a vehicle. He admitted himself that he had little interest in capturing him. Bin Laden's existence was extremely convenient to the Bush administration.

There are reasons for distrust when one is lied to for 8 years. That distrust must be put into perspective. Obama is not leaking a story about bin Laden being dead to irresponsible networks with an agenda, he is going on tv and putting his neck on the line and boldly stating that has happened. Different administrations, different approaches.

The part that puzzles me the most about this debate is the fact that it would be so incredibly easy to prove he is still alive. Al Qaeda is still alive and well, and would love nothing but to make the president of the United States look like a fool to the whole world. All that is needed is video of Bin Laden laughing at the rumor and stating that he is alive and well and that Obama is lying. It would allow them to regain respect from their followers and re-enforce the idea that bin Laden can outsmart the US.

Now, even with all those justifications, why not just end the problem by releasing the pictures?

Let's start by the obvious... there are still thousands of terrorists with the USA as their main target and many more bin Laden supporters who would need very little incentive to try to revenge him. Looking at pictures of him with a bullet through his head is certainly good motivation. There is little doubt that the pictures would be used to entice people into joining Al Qaeda as well as a motivator to heat things up and spread more violence. Is staring at the hole on his head worth the lives from our soldiers and civilians that might be lost if the pictures get released?

The decision to "bury" his body in the ocean follows the same premise. We don't want to create a place where people can revere him, we don't want people to die trying to stop terrorists from getting his body, no country wants to deal with it and we certainly don't want his body here. No other life should be lost on his behalf.
It says a lot for Obama's character and how he wants the world to view the United States from now on, when he stated:

"We don't trot out this stuff as trophies... That's not who we are."

It shows he understands that the previous administration's attitude has created incredible animosity from most foreign countries in relations to the United States, and that it is important for the future of the country that we start taking the upper road instead of behaving like the people we criticize.

Making him disappear is the smartest move this administration has made and I hope Obama isn't pressured into changing his mind. We know his death is a relief. People should take a deep breath, and allow themselves to move on. In the age of the internet, the pictures will surface eventually anyway...

President Obama turns the table on Donald Trump

So, so, so very funny!!! It is so good to watch President Obama tackle with a huge sense of humor, the ridiculousness of Donald Trump's accusations that he might not be American, and to watch him turn the tables at the same time... Priceless...

Will the Japanese people get the money donated to relief organizations?

Every time a tragedy happens, relief organizations start asking for donations for the areas affected. Immediately, we also start reading articles by those saying we shouldn't donate because the money won't end up with the people who need help. So what is the truth?
Most of the organizations asking for donations will use a part of the donations for their own operating costs, and a lot of this money will end up re-located to other projects, since you would be donating to the organization, not necessarily to a country. So should you still donate?

The answer is: Absolutely yes!!

There are a number of articles from people who prefer to criticize those doing something than to actually do anything about it. It is much easier to find reasons not to do something if you can do it without feeling guilty about doing nothing. That way you can just watch things unfold on tv, say "oh, too bad.." and go on with your life. Though there are often things to criticize, most of these people have never bothered doing their homework to find out what these groups have actually done.

So why am I defending the organizations?

Because they have, time and time again, been of great support to those struggling during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. They have the infrastructure, funds and ability to mobilize that is necessary during emergencies. All of that is part of what you are supporting with your donations. And most importantly, they are international organizations, which means that they already have centers in a lot of the countries where the tragedies happen. That is also true for Japan which has several Japanese branches of these organizations.

Take for example the American Red Cross. During Katrina, it mobilized more than 244,000 relief workers for its hurricane response efforts, helped more than 1.4 million families (more than 4 million people) with direct emergency assistance, served more than 68 million meals and snacks, provided more than 3.8 million overnight stays in more than 1,400 shelters, distributed more than 540,000 comfort kits and clean up kits and made almost 597,000 health services contacts and more than 826,000 mental health services contacts.

The Salvation Army provided shelter, food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, baby supplies, and hygiene products as well as spiritual and emotional care. It mobilized 178 canteen units and set up 11 field kitchens to serve more than 5.7 million hot meals, and 8.3 million sandwiches, snacks & drinks.

Both of these organizations, and so many more, helped relieve some of the suffering , and in many cases, saved countless lives, due to the donations from people like us.

Japan is now facing its biggest challenge in modern times. Its government is incredibly organized, but yet, the needs are enormous and many organizations have already started sending doctors (Red cross sent 400 in the first 24 hours), distributing blankets (about 50 thousand in the first 24 hours), food and water to Japanese people who have lost everything and to foreigners stranded in Japan. Most other organizations are sending supplies via affiliated Japanese organizations and getting ready to send supplies and volunteers to the most affected areas.

Japanese people are the largest donors to foreign aid organizations in the world. It is time we show our support when they need us the most.

For a list of organizations supporting the victims in Japan, visit:

http://beholders.org/good-news/callforhelp/228-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help-and-other-resources.html

How to help Japan

A good list of resources and ways to help the Japanese people after the tragic earthquake and tsunamis of March 10th, 2011, can be found at:

http://beholders.org/good-news/callforhelp/228-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help-and-other-resources.html