The lessons and caveats of Boston

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us ... and the world will be as one"

- Ex-Beatle, John Lennon - from the resplendent Imagine Album of Sept. 9, 1971

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Today’s modern marathon commemorates the run of a remarkable soldier named Pheidippides of ancient Greece.

Legend has it that in 490 B.C. Pheidippides ran from a battlefield in Marathon, Greece to Athens to deliver a message of "Niki!" ("Victory") to his King: then abruptly collapsed and died.

Some 2,503 years later, near another marathon finish line, one too many people died with several hundred being maimed, slaughtered, and injured in a scene reminiscent of a battlefield.

It’s indeed a dark day when you go to your local post office, with the sun shining with white clouds overhead and you see your country’s flag waving at half-mask because of bombings at a marathon in Boston, Massachusetts.

Goodness gracious... .

What an ominous message this one was: broadcast journalist Tom Brokaw was spot on when he stated:?

“That’s just the reality of living in a free society. We're the most advanced nation in the world, living with third world vulnerabilities.”

The Boston marathon is the Super Bowl of American marathons.

It’s an institution in of its own.

Since 1897, Bostonians have gathered and cheered runners on, as it signals that the hardships of winter are over and spring has arrived.

I’ve run marathons in the past. The comradeship that’s developed with others during training and the actual run is second to none. You become blood brothers and sisters with complete strangers towards a common goal of crossing the finishing line.

It’s healthy; it’s a family and community event. It’s apple pie, ice cream and a Dr. Pepper on the rocks.

It’s America at its very best - and now it can be deadly.

Wow, how execrable.

One common theme among the people of Boston was that the bombing was such a shock.

“It was the last thing you’d think would happen with bands playing, banner’s waving, and children laughing.”??

The same was said at the Batman movie theatre massacre and the evil kindergarten school shootings.

Over the years one of my greatest fears has been that a 9/11 event will occur to our food supply.

What have you really done at your plant regarding plant defense?

Is your establishment one of those that just checks off a generic security list and says,?“Yep, we have a food defense program?”?

Or, has your establishment?really?performed an extensive hazard analysis and shored up your security short falls?

The last thing we’d expect is someone intentionally tainting our food supply by the means of a physical, chemical, biological or radiological hazard.

It’s obvious there are some sick and misguided people amongst us. If you haven’t already, begin putting together a solid food defense program at your establishment. There’s plenty of information on the USDA/FSIS/FDA/CDC websites that you can download to help your security needs.

The best defense is an offense.

My prayers (still today) go out to those impacted by the bombings and I want to express my gratitude to the police, medical personnel and the common citizens of Boston who helped the injured.

Pheidippides’ message of defeating a superior army of the then mighty Persian Empire continues to this day to be an inspiration.

In time, so too - shall this most recent tragedy - in its own unique and yet to be unveiled ways.

Never ever forget.

In the face of evil, there’s always the good. And the good shall always prevail - despite the odds.

(This story is also dedicated with sincere prayers for the brave and dogmatic people of Ukraine - and the people of Russia that know better ... .)

(03/06/16) meatingplace.com (revised 03/09/22)

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TUESDAY - 03/15/222

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THURSDAY - 03/17/22

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Friday - 3/18/22 - The Ancient Song of Spring

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Saturday 3/19/22

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Currently, Steve Sayer is a workplace safety *consultant #accredited auditor to *OSHA, *EPA, *#GFSI, *USDA, *FDA, *Human Resources, *#and Humane Handling of feed birds and animals and is a technical writer for multiple industries, as well as a part-time maintenance worker for California State Beaches.

(The views and opinions expressed in all blogs published on LinkedIn are strictly those of the author - unless otherwise noted by the author.)