Darf ich auf die Toilette?

Last week, a student commented about how she hated the blogs that dealt with politics. Unfortunately, a presidential election only occurs every four years. It is especially rare this year because there is no incumbent president or vice-president running. Obviously, presidential elections are pivotal events in American history. Just consider what the election of Abraham Lincoln meant, for example. If we are going to be informed citizens and make wise choices, we do need to explore the key issues of our day and where the candidates stand, especially if there is a moral side to the issue.

The blog last week was not particularly political. At least it wasn’t intended to be. It was more a review of the week’s events with my observation that, in our postmodern world, there are an awfully lot of different ways of approaching moral and ethical questions if you don’t have a faith-centered foundation on the objective word of God. However, understanding that some would like a non-political topic, I present to you a story about the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing, China…and how a cultural difference is causing some pretty big turmoil.

Despite hosting the world toilet conference in 2004, it seems that China is still reliant on its unsanitary squat-type toilets. Although these are commonplace in Asia and France, most of the modernized West is more comfortable with the sit-down variety. With Beijing and China eager to show the world that they are a modern, industrialized, advanced nation, they will apparently need to invest heavily in either sit-down toilets or portapotties. I’m sure this story will turn out to be the butt of many jokes. I’m getting pooped out just thinking about it.

Seriously, did you know that there is a World Toilet organization, dedicated to improving sanitary conditions for toilet facilities throughout the world, promoting the general health and welfare of the planet’s inhabitants? I found it amazing that 42% of the world does not even have a latrine or any sort of basic sanitation facilities to do its duty. I also found myself thinking about how poor we imagine ourselves to be, when even our poverty-level Americans have toilets, TV’s, a car, and countless other things unknown to billions of people.

If you wish, you can consider this an open thread. Feel free to comment on the story above, or on anything else that has caught your eye. If you mention a news story, include the link so other readers can follow it up. Or, just discuss your Easter celebration or plans for spring break.

Have a great week off!