How odd it is to celebrate anniversaries of death. 55 years ago today the first nuclear bomb was unleashed on a civilian population–an act hailed then and today as a weapon that saved American soldiers by ending the war earlier, although countless people disagree, pointing out Japan’s willingness to surrender and the use of a second atomic bomb. 10 years ago today devastating economic sanctions were imposed on Iraq–sanctions designed to stifle the regime, when they’ve only served to starve children. It makes for a depressing day. Yet I wonder if people today care. It’s pure and simple apathy that allows world tragedies to continue. If Americans really cared about Iraqi children dying, they could change things. But they don’t really care.

Tonight I saw a commercial for Fox’s Teen Choice awards. One of the ways they tried to advertise the award show was by claiming that there wouldn’t be any tributes to dead guys. Were they implying that teens don’t care about the accomplishments of people who have died? That teens just aren’t interested? That’s a very sad thing to assume of a generation, although I can’t help but wonder if Fox has made an understandable assumption.