Dhimal Dies… And???

Bloged in My F**king opinions, News on the islands, Thought of the day by Nin-Nin Wednesday May 30, 2007

So, Buddhi Dhimal passed away on Monday morning. Who cares? I for one don’t, he’s an idiot. If someone wants to commit suicide, it is their free choice as a living human being. All these people saying that he died because of economic pressure, or because he was going to be deported. These are not issues that can be solved by commiting suicide. People who kill themselves, or others for that matter, are idiots. To use one’s own life as leverage, as a bargaining chip, or to make a point is a waste of time and energy. All of those suicide bombers that die everyday? They are idiots, not hero’s. The real tragedy is the cost to those around them. Suicide “victims” love to get attention. They don’t like to die alone, or quietly. They love to make it known that they are killing themselves. Public acts, such as mass killings, mass suicides, jumping from rooftops, leaving their brains all over a room by shooting themselves, suicide notes, manifestos… These are all evidence that suicide “victims” just want attention, and think that their life and the lives of others are nothing more than high leverage bargaining chips. The REAL victims of suicide are those that were killed or wounded but didn’t have a choice; the collateral damage that got dragged down together. Innocent bystanders that had to watch in horror and be traumatized. The survivors that loved the “victim” such as family and friends. Those that must carry on the financial burden of anothers death, like the government and family.

What logical reason is there to take one’s own life?

For God? I don’t know how God thinks, but I certainly hope that suicide isn’t on his list of ways to prove one’s faith.

For money? Suicide is usually not covered by life insurance.

For fame and glory? Martyrs die everyday, and in 10 years, we wouldn’t remember their names. Can you name the kids at Columbine? Or list the names at those that died in Waco. Fame from suicide is fleeting. True fame is from building something with global impact that lasts for generations to come, such as corporations or countries. Fame only lives as long as the people remembers.

To kill the pain? What pain? The pain of living? One can enjoy oblivion, heaven, hell, whatever you believe, for all of eternity. One’s life is bookended by eternity on both sides. Time only matters while we’re alive. If you’re lucky, you get to experience pain for 100 years. After death, you think you will ever get to enjoy pain ever again? If you believe in the existance of hell, wouldn’t that be just rushing into eternal pain? Non-existance lasts an eternity, so why rush? What’s another 20 years of “pain” when you have all of eternity to enjoy after death? 100 years of pain and suffering of an individual is nothing when put in perspective of the eternity of the universe. Stop your bitching and bear the pain of living, because in a relative blink of an eye, you’ll be dead one way or another soon enough.

Wednesday May 30th, 2007’s edition of the Saipan Tribune talks about how Dhimal’s daughter, Pabitra, raised concerns about Dhimal’s lung problem due to the use of a fire extinguisher on him… What are you trying to say Pabitra? Your dad died because he got fire extinguiser crap all in his lungs? You want to file a lawsuit against the people that tried to save your dad’s life, and the lives of other people in the building because of his reckless act? You want to sue the government because of the use of unsafe fire extinguishers or lack of training for use of fire safety equipment? Or sue the fire extinguisher manufacturer for making an unsafe product? If you want money, sure, go for it. If you want the real cause of your dad’s death, then blame your dad. Last time I checked, setting one’s self on fire tends to shorten one’s lifespan, so my bet is on the self - immolation as the cause, and not the fire extinguisher. But I guess you want that answered in court, no?

Minimum Wage Increase.. dun dun da

Bloged in My F**king opinions, News on the islands, Thought of the day by ROK Monday May 28, 2007

Okay so it is finally here the dreaded and all fearing minimum wage increase. Slated to start on July 24, 2007 at an increase of a fifty cents, the minimum wage in the CNMI will be 3.55cents. Sadly that’s almost enough to buy you a gallon of gasoline. In an island where almost all class of people has to drive to acquire even the basic of needs. It’s still a sad state of affairs. Lets put this into perspectives a family of 4, let’s say immigrants/contract workers living and working here in the island of Saipan. Lets also say bother parents are working and both kids are in Middle/High School. Given they both work 40hours a week with no over time. They bring in about 488 every pay period for both or about 1k a month.
 
2 adult working at current minimum wage jobs at 40 hours a week.
2(adult)x40(hours)x2(week)x3.05(current minimum wage) = 488.00
 
Lets factor in some basic expenses for a month.
Rental one bed/one bath: 300 USD
Food at 100USD a week: 400 USD
Power/water low consumption: 100USD
Gas for a small compact car: 50USD                                    total : 850USD a month
 
This is assuming they already have a working car, and all other household needs. They have 150USD a month to save if that is possible.
 
2(adult)x40(hours)x2(week)x3.55(current minimum wage) = 568.00
 
That translate to 286USD for our above family, that .55cents almost doubled there saving month. It’s not much but I bet it’s a big bonus for the basic workers of this island. Of course, granted if one of them doesn’t get laid off because of downsizing within the company because of the minimum wage increase.
 
I do fear the state of affairs in this island I have come to call home. I worry that this winter will be a lot worse then last winter. I worry that more and more people, bright and capable people will be leaving this island for better opportunities else were. So many of my friends have moved on or in the process of moving on .. I am sure its same with many people on this island.
 

 



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