Most of us are aware of the recent events taking place in various areas of the world. The most recognizable of events is the terrorist attack that took place in Paris, France. However, that is not the only tragedy that took place, many others are happening at this very minute and have been going on for a while, yet the media either isn't covering it or has been covering it less to discuss other news.

Japan just had a massive earthquake at 7.0 magnitude which strikes alarm for tsunamis. Tsunamis are very devastating and could be very costly for peoples homes, jobs, lives, and more. If you think Hurricane Katrina was bad, tsunamis are just as bad, if not worse.

In Baghdad there were bombings that killed several people and injured many. These attacks along with the Paris attack is believed to be carried out by ISIS, an extremist militant group that has been the topic of discussion for a while now. So many things have been going on related to ISIS and I fear that it will only continue to get worse.

There's also the war going on in Yemen where over 5,000+ people, almost half of which were civilians have died from US and Saudi Arabian bombings.

In Beirut there were some suicide bombings that killed 43 people and wounded hundreds.

The craziness in Syria is one of the more major news topics as of late because of the extreme violence taking place from within causing SO many civilians to try and flee from the country and the refugee counts are immense. Thousands upon thousands of families are seeking refuge in various European countries and even the US is taking on refugees.

These events are only a fraction of the kind of military attacks, terrorism, and warfare that go on in a daily basis. If you are interested in more about these topics, you can google any of them and find hundreds of news sites, live feeds, videos,  etc...

Now that you have a general idea of what's going on in the world (welcome to not being under a rock!) I would like to discuss the topics of my title.

Terrorism has always been a thing. When my family members were growing up it wasn't so much of a thing as it is today. It was still a thing, but people were concerned about other things. I remember being in middle school when the 9/11 attacks occurred. For me personally, that was the first time that "terrorism" even entered my vocabulary and perception of what was happening in life. As a kid when someone would tell me they were terrified, it was always petty things such as being scared of the dark, or thinking a monster was under your bed, or going to the dentist. Being terrified or part of a terrorist attack didn't resonate with us, it was never our concern that one day a country or our country would be attacked or bombed etc... Of course, in school we learned about past wars and the horrible events that took place between our country and others and their ups and downs. However, sitting in school...it never occurred to me that these things could still happen today. We were in the age of computers and cellphones and handheld gaming devices and new gaming consoles... surely if we have this kind of technology, then countries can settle their differences humanely and avoid war. We all strive for success and world peace...right? Bad people or criminals rather, went to jail and served their time or went to death row, and the intelligent and obedient citizens lived a happy life. We didn't concern ourselves with the homeless, or diseases, or terrorist attacks in other countries. While those things were very prominent in the world, as a child, they didn't exist.

When 9/11 occurred, the realization of war, suffering, dying, really struck home for all of us. I think that day during school, parents were asked to leave work and pick their kids up from school and to stay safe and really process what happened. For weeks nobody was in a cheerful spirit. Of course, being young, I still didn't fully understand what everything meant. Like I said, we weren't very equipped to handle this kind of situation. Now, when something like a "shooting" or "bombing" takes place, I feel like society is desensitized because it happens all the time. The fact that I can write "it happens all the time" is horrible. It's terrifying knowing that these extremely deadly events take place so frequently the A) we can brush it off casually like a paper cut  and B) despite our technology and what not...these things still happen and are happening even more frequently.

Technology, weapons, artificial intelligence etc... are wonderful things. But in the wrong hands, they can become our worst nightmares. This brings me back to something I mildly read at one point. Apparently a long time ago when the Bush' family was in office...they helped out Afghanistan or something and gave them weapons. Then eventually the US changed some things and moved on with life and...what's that? Oh...you're telling me the weapons we gave them are now being used for terrorism? Awesome. Good to know we started a fire and now we're trying to put it out. Of course, I have no facts to back this up. This is just speculation based on things I've heard people say and things I've read. It could be true or false... but I get the feeling that it's true.

So we meddle in other peoples affairs to the point where it becomes our affairs whether we want it to or not because bad things happen if we don't help and after we do help, more bad things happen. The thing about war, in my opinion, is there are no real heroes. Now before your keyboard warriors start shooting me, I'm not trying to insult our veterans or  our military who work hard to keep us safe and protect our freedom. But there's something you have to understand. The people we point at and call terrorists are just as human as we are. Sure, they might be a little messed up in the head thinking that if they run into a city and blow everyone up good things will happen to them, but they are someones family or friend. Our family and friends don't always make the right decisions. My father is a murderer. How do you think that makes me feel? How do you think that family feels knowing that my father killed their daughter? I guarantee if they met me face to face they would hate ME simply because I'm the product of his sperm and that he chose to kill their daughter instead of his own. So when you go into another persons country and you start killing people left and right whether they're part of the terrorist militia or innocent civilians, you're going to make some more enemies, especially when you kill civilians who aren't even involved with the terrorists or their beliefs. Believe it or not, not all of the people over there agree with what ISIS is doing.

So let me paint a small picture for you. You live in a country called Bubblebop. The people that live there are Bubblebips. There are rich people who are affiliated mostly with politicians and military and media. These people are telling you that you need to follow their commands. You see what these commands are and you disagree with them. Your neighbors, and their neighbors, so on and so forth, disagree with these commands and defy them. So these people in power start killing people in order to strike fear in to your heart to make you do what they want you to do. Some of the people around you give in and follow their commands but you refuse to do so. You don't want to do what they ask you to do but you also don't want to die, so you need to escape. You have to get away from this place. The borders are closed off to outsiders and even if you wanted to just waltz on out, these people that you are against, won't let you leave and if you try, they will kill you. Dinglewonger is a country a few thousand miles away. Over there, the people live lavishly and there's freedom and all of the things you wish your country had, that country has and then some. It sounds like the perfect life and dream...if only you could find a way to get there. Left and right different areas of your country are being attacked and many people are being killed. You quietly try to blend in with society while you scheme to find a way to freedom. The government and military of Dinglewonger is angered at what is going on in Bubblebop so they join up with some other countries and begin to attack your country. While they are trying to defend your rights to a nice and happy/peaceful life... they are killing people you know as well as people you hate. While you are grateful for their assistance, you're afraid that the things and people you love will also be destroyed and what if they accidentally kill you? Your friend Zipper is a boy and he is fairly young. His father is in the military and he looks up to his father. He loves his father and wants to be just like him: strong, powerful, wealthy, and safe. His father is a terrorist. Zipper's father Zoop treats Zipper very well. He provides him proper shelter, food, clothing, education, money, etc... so in Zipper's eyes...what Zoop does, is the right thing to do. Zipper doesn't look at his father and thinks "my dad is killing people for no reason" he thinks "my dad is getting rid of the corruption" and then you realize, there are MANY people who believe this same thing, while you know in your heart, that what they're doing is an extreme way to gain control over people because of greed, hatred, and extremist ways. So one day the military of Dinglewonger bombs Zipper's house and Zoop dies. Zipper is devastated. The man he looked up to his whole life, his hero...HIS FATHER...is dead.  Dinglewonger killed his dad. So what does he do? He picks up the rifles and bombs and straps them to his sides and screams out to avenge his father. Now he picks up the torch to lead in terrorism because he must get rid of this corruption and also his enemies...the enemies who bomb his people and defy against their ways and beliefs.

This sure sounds a lot like real life... I imagine many children, teenagers, and adults grow up to believe that terrorism is in fact a heroic act of doing good. The point of this story was that someone's enemy is someone else's family, hero, or friend. And when someone you care about gets killed, it can make you do some crazy things...like kill other people. Now, the majority of us would simply cry and mourn over the death of a loved one, rather than go on a killing spree. But when you have bombs being tossed everywhere all over, every day, all day... the chaos isn't easy to just up and stop. These things take place for decades... and even when you exterminate some of the bugs, more always come...and some are even more powerful than the previous ones. This has a sort of domino/snowball effect. There's always going to be someone to pick up the torch where someone else left it. Hitler may be dead, but racism and hatred is very much alive.

Let's talk about refugees. Okay so there are tons of them. I mean tons of them. I don't know the specific numbers but my friends in Germany have told me that there thousands upon thousands of refugees stationed in their country. From what I hear, there are mixed thoughts on them. Some people are relieved that these refugees are safe and able to enjoy a peaceful recovery, others say that the refugees are selfish entitled brats who only want to milk the system.

Now here in the US, my state, which is Pennsylvania, has decided to start accepting Syrian refugees. I've said this many times - that if the opportunity came for us to take in refugees and give them a peaceful life, then I support it. As I write this, I still support that idea but... now I am a bit a hesitant. Before the ISIS attacks recently, I would have been like c'mon over guys, I'll make cookies! But if what ISIS is saying is true, that they have 71 trained soldiers scattered throughout the states ready to attack at any time then I get a little nervous. Apparently when refugees are accepted into the US, there's very little to no information about them when it comes to screening their background and criminal history etc... this suggests that a terrorist could easily slip into our borders unnoticed, blending in with society until a call to action is raised and then they act it out. So part of me thinks this is a great opportunity for people to get jobs and find homes and live a peaceful life away from the horrible horrible terrorism infested conditions and the other half of me is terrified that any person walking by me could be a danger. But then I think to myself, well anyone could already be a danger. Anyone can choose to become a criminal or a killer at any given point. So why should a foreigner be any different? Why should I be MORE scared of a foreigner than someone in my own country who has been here for who knows how long and knows all of the ins and outs to American life and government/law, etc...

So I see a lot of people are upset by PA allowing refugees in. But apparently in the last few years there have only been around 200 refugees, which isn't a lot. I will say that my area is become much more diverse. I've noticed more Hispanic, Asian, Indian, and Amish people frequenting the businesses and restaurants that I go to. I think diversity is important and inspiring. I like to learn about new cultures and I like to try their foods and listen to their musics and try my hand at their language. Letting people of other cultures into our country is the very essence of what America is about and why America is the way it is. We have freedom, opportunity, and variety, because of all of the different opinions, styles, cultural influence there is here. To anyone who says "{blank} isn't the American way!" Please, enlighten me on what American means. Please tell me about how America invented sushi and definitely did not take it from Japan while you shove sashimi down your throat. If you sit there and tell me that you only do this or that because it's American, you are full of shit. Why? Because everyone from America originally came from Europe and Africa. We all came from different areas and our traditions, cuisines, clothing styles, etc... are adopted from those areas and have evolved over time. YES America has influenced the change of how things are this day but if you rewind time, everything in America was borrowed from the influence of other cultures, traditions and religions etc...

Also, I'd like to point out that the Native Americans were here first and we just kind of stepped on them and took this country and call it our own. And like I mentioned, all of us are from other parts of the world and eventually future generations were only American-based such as you and I and our currently living families and their families etc... but you can't steal someones country and then get pissed because someone else comes to visit or live in your own. Likewise, if you have a problem with foreigners coming into your country, feel free to get the fuck out. America needs less ignorance and if you don't like the idea of different than you being your neighbor, then please Alt F4 now. Do us all a favor and gtfo. I welcome people who are different than me. I get tired of seeing the same things. I get tired of eating the same things. I get tired of hearing the same songs. BEING DIFFERENT IS MEANT TO BE CELEBRATED IN THE US, not condemned!

Then people like to bitch "oh well illegal aliens are taking our jobs." Really? REALLY? That's your argument. Okay bitch, listen up... while you're over there flipping burgers at McDonald's or whatever it is that you do... the so-called "illegal aliens" are called people, or foreigners. The jobs that these foreigners are doing are jobs that your fat ass is either a) too lazy to do or b) you think you're too good for. To name some examples, cleaning businesses, apple picking, landscaping, construction, taxi service, restaurants, etc... so if you're SOOOOO concerned with foreigners taking YOUR jobs, then please feel free to clean the toilets at my job or wax the floors. What's that? It doesn't pay enough? You don't want to clean up some diarrhea? You don't want to actually do some hard labor? Okay, then sit down and shut the fuck up and enjoy your damn office jobs or fast food joints. Like it's not like they walk into our country and step inside of a building and VOILA... now introducing CEO Juan Lopez. It's not how it fucking works. Obviously if someone is in fact an illegal immigrant, do you know how hard it is for them to even get a job without getting in trouble with the law? They probably have to say on the down-low and earn money under  the table or to a blind eye. I'm sure many businesses don't mind turning a cheek to have someone do some work for less than what a white person gets. You know, that thing called privilege? I think it's funny how people want to bitch that there's not enough cashiers, or people cleaning this and that, or people working in industries and such. YOU WANNA KNOW WHY??? Because ya'll think you're too damn good for the jobs! Or they don't pay enough...well, maybe if you kept your legs shut and quit popping out babies after you've already had 3 or 4, maybe one of those "shitty jobs" you dislike would actually suffice.

People feel like they are entitled to get what they feel like they deserve. Okay so you have kids, and a car, and an apartment, and animals. Aside from a place to live, everything else are "extras" and these things called "extras" are things that employers don't give a damn about. Employers don't look at your spending habits or bills or living situations and say "oh well she's got kids, and pets, and a spa appointment, and a nail appointment...so we gotta pay her like $15/hr to fold t-shirts" Because that makes sense. No. Pets, computers, cell phones, soda, Mcdonald's, Louis Vuitton bags, kids, boyfriends, movies, alcohol, etc... are extras. These are non-essential things to life. The only things you NEED in life, to be alive are oxygen, water, nutrients and sleep, followed by paying taxes, shelter, being loved, etc... Society doesn't need to assist you so that you can afford luxuries. Minimum wage is set in place so that a person with absolutely no skills, no luxuries, etc...can survive. When you add luxuries and responsibilities to the mix, obviously minimum wage just doesn't cut it. But it's not your employer's fault if you get pregnant. It's not their fault what kind of car you drive and if you can afford it. It's not their responsibility to care if you need to get your nails done. You have to prioritize your life and what's important based off of your financial stability. If you can't afford this and that, then you need a better job. "But I don't have an education beyond high school." Well whose fault is that? Yours. "But I got pregnant in high school so I couldn't have time to go to college." Well hose fault is that? Yours and the shithead who got you pregnant. "But we used a condom." Doesn't matter, when you had sex you should have thought about that risk beforehand. I bet that orgasm wasn't really worth it now was it? "Oh but I love my daughter." Well congratulations (not being a dick) I'm glad you love your daughter. I'm glad that she gives your life a meaning and that everything you do is for her. But society still doesn't care. Having the responsibility of taking care of a child is not a conscious liability for anyone but yourself and if the jobs around you require more than what you can offer, then you need to settle for something else. Some people even take on 2 or 3 jobs and if you are one of those parents doing that...then kudos to you, cuz that's gotta be hella stressful and exhausting. I'm exhausted after having just 1 job...I can't imagine working 2.

But my point is, people feel like they deserve this and that because they have to deal with this and that and I'm sorry, but like...I don't feel bad for people. I'm 25 and in a long term relationship, college degree earned, no kids, etc and I can barely keep my head above water. I can't imagine how fucked I would be if I had kids or diseases on top of what my current life is like. But if I got pregnant right now and had a baby 9 months later...I can't expect my employer to hand me money. They offered me a job. I offer my skills. If you want to have the life you dream of, you better hope your bank account can support it. That's all.

So this turned into a really big rant.
But  these things were brewing in my brain all day... and I needed to get it out.
If you read this far, then your commitment is astonishing and I hope I didn't offend you too much.
Actually honestly...I don't care if I offend people. If you're offended, then cool. Glad to stir up the pot a little bit.