1.  Do we really care about the pain of others?

2.  Why do people like to see pictures of death and murder?

3.  How can one do anything to help?

Ok, well, first of all, I thought that was a very interesting excerpt from Ms. Sontag.  I love history, and I love learning about lesser known wars, and especially genocidal conflicts that have happened all over the world throughout our history.  Second of all, however, I have to say that I have no idea what message Ms. Sontag was trying to get across.  Was it that we, as humans, have a strange fascination with the pain, and even the death, of others?  If that is indeed what she is saying, I say, "duh."  I love looking at pictures of horrible war conflicts and atrocities such as the multiple examples she lists, but not for the reason I believe she thinks people like to look at them.  I love paying attention to current affairs happening in all corners of the world, and that is why I enjoy seeing these pictures.  It is not because I am a sick, perverted, twisted freak, but rather because I want to be educated and up to date on what is going on in our planet.  What is happening today is tomorrow's history, after all. Now, do we really care about what is happening to other people in the world?  I am sure many people do, and I am sure many more people don't.  I will even admit that I feel for people when I see what is going on the Middle East, or Mexico today for example, but ten minutes later, I am thinking about if there is a swell coming, or if not, maybe hanging out with my girlfriend.  Who knows, maybe this is just because I am a spoiled American??? I don't know, and frankly, I might not care.  Like I said, I do not know what Ms. Sontag was truly attempting to say, so, if this blog is way off topic, my apologies to the reader.  But hey, it was fun to write.