Adopt-A-Kid

Jeez, I'm sick of hearing about this Madonna adoption thing. I have two things to say about this.

First, I don't think there's any doubt that the child will have a better and longer life in England, as the child of privileged parents. Is that even a question? In Africa, he's facing malaria and numerous other parasites and infections, not to mention just plain getting enough to eat. There is no question that this will give him a longer and healthier life.

Second, why isn't she adopting a parentless child? This kid still has a father, right? I can certainly understand the guy wanting his child to have a better life, but why didn't Madonna pick a kid with NO parents? Don't they have it bad, too?

Third--okay, I have THREE things to say about this. Three! Can the media just give this a rest? Please?

Fourth--okay, FOUR things to say. I know it's all noble to want to save babies and give them a good life. I have no quarrel with that. But aren't there plenty of babies and older kids right here that need a home? Isn't it awfully arrogant of us in the West to say that we know what is best for everyone else, and remove a child from their native home in order to give them what we deem a better life? For someone who has millions of dollars, wouldn't a significant monetary contribution to problem areas help hundreds or thousands of children, rather than just one?

Right now, I'm thinking of Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation. Regardless of what you think of the guy, he is using his money to make a true difference in thousands, perhaps millions, of lives. They are funding research to make diseases like malaria preventable, and eventually, a thing of the past. And then there is Warren Buffett, who gave millions of dollars to the Gates Foundation, rather than leaving it to his already privileged children.

Call me a geek if you will (you won't be the first), but to quote a line from Star Trek, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one." I think we can all learn a thing or two from Spock.  Live long and prosper.