"What are we if we don't try to help others? We are nothing. Nothing at all."

[eppur_se_muova]

Brain surgery with a DIY drill
Greg Sanderson
Executive Producer, BBC Storyville

***
That is just as well, because when not working with the lathe, Henry is wielding scalpels in the operating theatre as one of the UK's most respected neurosurgeons, or, sometimes, boring a Bosch drill into the brain of a conscious man.
***
Henry is haunted by the case of Tanya, a young girl whose tumour ultimately defeated him.

He still likes to visit her grave when he is in the country, and meet up with her mother Katya.

"I don't know if I'll be thinking anything when I die," he said, "but if I am I'll be thinking that what mattered most was trying to help Igor and his patients, and I'll think about Tanya and Katya.

"What are we if we don't try to help others? We are nothing. Nothing at all."
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7308077.stm

[Winterblues]

1. That used to be the American way but now it is torture and death.

America under Republican leadership is no longer a good a decent nation. It has become a Criminal enterprise..

[selador]

3. america

is not defined by her govt.

america is a great and decent nation.

and there is plenty of good going on. we need not always look to/blame govt. this is a nation of people. and they do incredible good in this world

[Winterblues]

4. America is indeed defined by those that represent it.

America is being represented by a corrupt and evil government which is "of the people, by the people, and for the people" Like it or not this is what America has become..

[selador]

5. no

america is NOT defined by her govt, specifically whatever current administration is in place.

sure, it's PART of america, but i don't define myself as an american by who happens to be currently occupying the white house. imo, that's ridiculous.

also, this is a democratic republic. unlike most countries, local (state etc.) govt's have significantly more control and power over people's lives than most other countries that are defined to a LARGER extent (although certainly not in toto) by their central govt.

i think it's very myopic, but understandable for people who are politically active and post on boards like this, to think that govt. is the beall endall when it comes to america.

america is people. it's also an idea, and the greatest nation on earth (imnsho)

and no administration defines her

[Winterblues]

6. It is nice you believe that way but that isn't the case in foreign countries.

They know America by how it behaves and that comes through our foreign policy and how we interact with other nations. They know America as a country that exports death and practices torture. They know America as the largest exporter of arms in the world. Exporting arms means death and destruction. They know that countries such as Darfar and Somalia are destitute and in dire straights but where is America aid? I like your idealistic beliefs but they just are not reality..

[selador]

7. some in those countries THINK they do

others have a more nuanced and thoughtful approach. i've traveled extensively . im aware that many in foreign countries define us by bush et al

my views are reality.

as for darfur and somalia. where is EUROPE?

where is the UN?

[Winterblues]

8. We are talking about America, not Europe

I agree it would be great if Europe were to take it upon themselves to help alleviate some pain and misery throughout the world but our conversation was about America and how it is perceived through out the world. We are not the country you seem to think we are although I believe we actually were at one point in time. Republicans have done a major job on our reputation. We are the ONLY westernized country without National health Care. It is a sad testimony for the USA that we refuse to take care of our own citizens. The only purpose for government IMO is to maintain the Health and Welfare of the nation. Ain't happening in America and others through out the world recognize that..

[selador]

9. actually

i was not speaking of how america is PERCEIVED throughout the world. i was talking about how we actually are.

reread what i wrote. and several others here expressed their displeasure at how we are. they did not couch as "this is how we are perceived"

of course just because we are perceived as X in europe does not mean that is how we are. and just because some define america by her federal govt. - *i* and most americans don't

i don't love america any less because bush is prez.

[Winterblues]

10. While I do basically agree with you...Perception is reality

:shrug:

[selador]

11. you beat me to it

i am aware that (to some extent) "perception is reality". i've heard that one way too many times :)

my point is that i LOVE america, i am fiercely proud of america, i think it is the greatest nation on earth (and fwiw, i have traveled extensively and have great respect for many other nations. ), and i think we do (individually and collectively) a LOT of good in the world.

we also (obviously) do bad things.

and i fiercely (FIERCE! ) :) disagree with some of the sentiments expressed in this post.

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. And here I thought

I was just supposed to be out shopping and buying more crap.....

:sarcasm: