The Friday Files!

[PersonaNonGrata]

It's Friday again but it has been a sad week. Like every other week and every other day, lives begin and end, all part of life's great circle. As much as we seem to get exposed to death and dying on a nightly basis as we watch the evening news and we are bombarded with it on the Internet, we get a little desensitized to death. Hearing about dozens dying in a bombing of one religious group by another is commonplace and we think nothing of it other than perhaps a thought that it is sad but it's easy to lose sight of the individuals who make up the "dozens dead".

Once in a while though, an individual passes away and that individual touches something inside all of us. We know that individual no better than we know any of those killed in Baghdad but for some reason we feel a direct and profound connection with that individual. We don't know him or her and never met him or her but it affects us. As many of you know, James Kim, husband, father, hero, died in the cold woods of Oregon. I won't detail the story because the story is widely known. I don't think any of us here knew James but he is that individual who touched us. Some of use were familiar with James through his work as I had been having watched him on TechTV way back when and CNET.com more recently. He was very likeable but honestly, whether he was a nice guy, a funny guy, a tempermental guy, a disagreeable guy, whatever, he exhibited something that we all can admire and respect - something we can aspire to. His actions transcend personality and goes right to the heart of character and spirit. He died in a noble attempt to save his family. He trekked almost 10 miles in deep snow wearing tennis shoes. His drive to save his family was so strong and so impressive. He died a hero. I think the thing that touches us about James is that we can all relate to his determination to save his family. We can all put ourselves in his place and that makes us feel the cold he felt, the fear he had to overcome, and the resolve he had to find help. How can we help but not question what we would do in the same situation? Would we all do the same thing as him? Could we do what he did? I hope that I could be as brave as he was if I were in that situation.

I have often thought about whether there is such a thing as true altruism and being very cynical, I tend to think that it doesn't exist. There is always some benefit for the doer that negates true altruism but the story of James Kim causes me to dismiss my cynicism and find in James a true example of altruism. Altruism: James Kim sacrificing his life in the attempt to save his wife and daughters. The story touches us because we can see the altruism in his actions. His selflessness and love for his family is what touches us. What also touched us is that his tragic death is juxtaposed with the miracle of his wife and daughters being found alive and healthy. With tremendous joy there came devastating sadness. How can that be reconciled? I cannot. We can only pray that James Kim is resting in peace and that he will be remembered for his love and heroism and that his family can recover from this tragedy. Our prayers are with them.

As sad as the death of James Kim is to me, it also makes me angry. I am angry that a man of his character was taken from his young life and his family while others who should be summarily executed continue to live. One prime example is China Arnold. She is someone who deserves to die withouth mercy. The human race does not need someone like her and the Earth would be better off with her reduced to a pile of ashes and with some luck, she soon will be. Miss Arnold killed her own baby by putting it in the microwave oven. Unfortunately, there are many other stories of similar acts of evil. I need not list more to make my point that it seems so unfair that these kinds of low lifeforms continue to live while good people die. It's very sad indeed but it is in the goodness of those who are taken from us where we need to find the resolve to go on believing in the goodness of the human spirit and believe that it is more prevalent and stronger than the evil doings of a few.

Please watch this video tribute to James Kim. Remember the life he lived, the good he did, and honor his memory for the bravery he demonstrated when faced with dire circumstances. Remember that there are good people out there and it is the good that we should all strive for in our lives.

I like animals more than I like most people and here is an example of why. Love the doggies! There are some strange people out there. Stupidd is as stupid does. This guy was allegedly faking his retardation but I don't think he was faking. He's a moron. When you read this story you might think it's outrageous but it makes sense in the end. Also, do the math between the boy's age and his mother's age and it gives you an idea of what went wrong. I feel so sorry for busy Hollywood actresses. So sad! They look like they have Buckwheat in a headlock. Birds are now rapping. Pretty soon the urban birds will do fly by shootings of the rural birds. Those birds had better not fly through this town.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[statdoc]

Well said re: James Kim. Sad end for a guy who did his best for his family.

[bozo]

A sad week indeed. Makes us appreciate all the more those closest to us...Hopefully... Little Paris' and the Kim families will be in our prayers this holiday season for sure...

On a lighter note, I really hope they put that sleazeball Arnold down...I'd be happy to assist...

[motordavid]

Well done FF Review, PNG/K...

The hand of fate is mostly cruel and
coldly uncaring in its selection process.

Good TGIF and weekend to all, from the
base camp of everyday is Saturday.
BR,mD

[Michelle]

Great write up, Kevin.

What a great tribute video on James Kim. He had such a dry sense of humor...it really shows what a great guy he was. It just makes the whole thing so much more upsetting. You are exactly right--why him and not the scum that our world needs to be rid of? Makes me sick.

[SuperGreg]

Very sad situation indeed. Thanks for the write up

[AutoXer]

Thanks Kevin, a great wrap-up to a very sad week for the Kim family. There are lots of flowers outside their store in SF here. His actions really did touch many of us here locally. Looking forward to seeing you here next week

Have a good weekend, everyone!

[JonK]

Great write up again, Kevin.
Jame Kim's story turely left a profound impact on me last last several days. He was same age me, etc. He never well groomed, but I could alway tell he is someone who says he is...
I followed his work from TechTv and Cnet MP3 reviews.
His tragedy is due to a Bad Luck series of bad judgement, and yet what a wast of talent and very good person so hard to find nowadays.

[noncom23]

Well said.

[B-Line]

Great write up as usual kev..

B