Blogmas Day 3: A Christmas Surprise for Syria

I have always been quite proud to be British. Our welfare system is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. Healthcare is free as is basic education, there's a benefit system in place that despite the beings who abuse it is actually an extremely helpful tool and prevents even more cases of poverty arising.

Yesterday at 22:30 MP's voted as to whether airstrikes should be carried out on Syria. 397 MP's, a majority of 174 MP's voted in favour.

I find it difficult to comprehend how a parliament that advocates such welfare and safety of citizens of this country can allow the murder of countless civilians. Do the lives of Syrians mean less than British Lives?

Regardless of any positive outcomes that 'may' come from the attack, it will never outweigh the loss of human life that will undoubtedly occur.

Many Syrians have already lost family and in the coming days many are bound to loose more. So whilst we get ready for Christmas and look forward to being surrounded by our own families I hope we can give some thought to the poor souls who won't be seeing their partners, mothers or sons or grandparents.

Many seem to think this is all we are to be able to do. Tweet #PrayForSyria or #PrayForHumanity or post a heartfelt message on some social media site. But if a £1 was donated for every time this occurred Syria may not be better off, but the support could ensure the humanitarian efforts can continue to better the situation in any way they possibly can. So instead of sharing on social media how much you wish the airstrikes were not taking place why not donate to the BRC Syrian Crisis Appeal or another charity of your choice?

Thanks for Reading! :)

(Sorry for the slightly ranty post, back to a slightly more light-hearted and fun Blogmas post tomorrow!)

(Photo from: http://mrm4tty.deviantart.com/art/Make-peace-not-war-84253250)

No New News Here...

I absolutely hate watching the news.
I'm a pretty empathetic person and I get quite affected when I see others in distress or hurting or the loss of any life. So naturally watching the news saddens me as there seems to always be an abundance of bad news.

Just in recent days, atrocities that occurred in Paris have rightly been featured heavily in the news. What happened in Paris is a prime example of the kind of tragedy that happens far too regularly nowadays.

The only thing shown on the news/social media in the days after the attack that helped restore my faith in humanity was the overwhelming support shown for those in Paris. From the hashtag on twitter for Parisians in need to use to find shelter to many various monuments lighting up in Blue, White and Red.

Even Facebook created a filter of the french flag for people to put over their profile pictures. Although the sentiment is sweet and I myself partook in the act, I realise this wasn't a politically correct act. Articles from The Independent on why Charlotte Farnham won't be changing her profile picture and one questioning whether we are Euro-centric and why Facebook has only given the option to add a French flag filter somewhat sum up my ideology.

The gist of the articles are that it isn't right to show support for France in this way when this kind of senseless violence and tragedy is occurring regularly.

Both an attack in Lebanon and an Earthquake in Japan happened within 24 hours of the Paris attack, but where are the filters for these tragedies? Or for the countless times innocents have been slaughtered before this? Thus suggesting the way we've shown our support can seem as though we value the lives of Europeans more.

I completely understand that mourning is a personal choice as is how people choose to show their support, but I do hope that people are aware and equally saddened by the deaths of so many more outside of Europe!

Did you change your profile picture? Do you still stand by your choice?

Thanks for reading :)