Boston Marathon Bombing WHY?

(Reader Alert: This story contains graphic images)

Yesterday two bombs exploded near the finish line of the 117th running of the Boston Marathon. To date, three individuals have died and over 176 are injured, many seriously.

Over 100 countries were represented in the race as well as runners from every state in the United States. 

The blasts came four minutes nine seconds after the first runner crossed the finish line, insuring the blast would hit the largest group of athletes and supporters.

Those injured included small children and elderly adults, many loosing legs, receiving major head wounds and being struck with 20 or more carpenter nails that the bomb contained.

The nearby presence of race medical and police support teams were vital in saving lives and greatly reducing the number of casualties.

Yet, among the courage of the first responders and our gratitude that more were not injured, we are left with the question: WHY?

Why would any sane person perpetrate such an action? Why kill and injure individuals who were not in a war zone, who were only running in a peaceful event in the tradition of the Olympics.

The only answer can be that such actions are only possible by the insane, by those who have lost all connection with anything beyond themselves and exist within a narrow and isolated understanding of our mutual humanity.

For what God, no matter what we call that deity, could accept as right the murder and maligning of children? The melting of burning fabric into flesh? The ripping of limbs from bodies?

No true deity or faith would justify such things. NONE.

Rather only a faith or policy distorted by hate and ignorance could madly, insanely conceive these actions as ‘noble’ or ‘right’.  

Such actions are neither noble nor right – they are, instead, horrid and so very wrong.

After centuries can we do no better than this? Are rocks and stone, gunpowder and flying metal, the only way we can solve our common problems and concern?

No great spiritual leader has ever said violence was the path to enlightenment.

Perhaps our world’s leaders, as well as each of us, should pause and relook at the sign that Martin Richards, the eight year old child who died tragically in the bombing, held up months before, bearing a universal, yes, universal dove of peace.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

New Titanic Miniseries Can Remind Us Who We Are Today

As the hundredth anniversary of the tragic sinking of the famed ocean liner The Titanic approaches, a fleet of a new TV miniseries will soon seek to find port on television sets around the world.

Leading the way will be a new mega million pound four-part TV series written by Julian Fellowes, co-author of the very popular Downton Abbey PBS/BBC TV miniseries, entitled simply Titanic.

This parallel application of writing talent with the legendary grandeur of Titanic's famed elegance (and sad ending) is almost certain to guarantee the continued popularity of all things Edwardian.

Thankfully the series, which will be released in Canada, the United Kingdom and then the United States, will focus in large part on the passengers and crew as characters before taking the viewers into the sad night of April 15^th.

The delayed tragedy will enable those watching the series to glimpse the grandeur of the ship as well as the hierarchy that ruled society at that time.

It is important to remember that our Industry carries the legacy of that class system and the great estate houses that spawn it. Like the fabled Downton Abbey, we work witihin a daily structure that echoes the labors of Edwardian cooks, footmen and house maids in the modern positions of chefs, bellmen and housekeepers.

Today those positions are better paid professional positions, protected by labor law and owner-worker agreements. Yes, the world has changed a great deal since 1912 – or has it?

Indifference and injust judgment of others still occurs, lurking like an iceberg, offering equal destruction today unless we can see clearer than the Titanic’s esteemed but careless captain that professionalism requires a genuine respect for others, not merely profit by any means available.

Post Note, April 6, 2012: If you have ever try to visualize how something as big as the Titanic could sink (something roughly the size of a major hotel building), the amazing data-visualization company After the Flood has created a videographic for the BBC that explains it all.

Their work is an amazing demonstration of how the new videographic design, using advanced computer technology (and a lot of in-house talent), will change the face of marketing in the hospitality industry. Imagine telling the marketing story of your hotel or restaurant in five brief but unforgettable minutes! 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012