A quick scan on social media could raise concerns about the future of the human race.
I scroll through Facebook newsfeeds and see plenty of concern for celebrities. (Was rapper Nicki Minaj's attack on Miley Cyrus during the VMA Awards staged, or was it real? "Rest in peace, Judy Carne, Laugh-In's 'Sock it to Me' Girl." "Martin Milner, star of 'Adam-12,' 'Route 66,' Dies at 83.")
Mixed with Hollywood news are other Facebook fixtures: memes to prove how intelligent, sexy or spiritual you are; cute cat, dog and kid videos; and the expected photos of Labor Day celebrations and time with loved ones.
All those things have their place — OK, everything except for the Cyrus and Minaj item; both are poor role models for girls and do precious little to enrich our culture; both just need to go away. There's today's soapbox! — but it's troubling when there's less national and world news shared among Facebook fans and Twitter users.
MORE CLICKS FOR A LION
I'm grateful that people will tweet me at 10 p.m. Sunday to ask why so many police cars' sirens light up the Super 8 Motel in Crestview; there's an appetite and hunger for news in this city that I hadn't seen in past areas I've worked in. It's awesome that people care so much about their community.
But big things are happening outside of Northwest Florida, too.
For instance, 4 million Syrians are trying to escape certain death by leaving their homes and placing their hopes in reaching Europe.
The social media chatter is nowhere near the levels it was a month ago, when seemingly everybody condemned Cecil the lion's death. He was a major attraction at Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe before a recreational big-game hunter fatally wounded him with an arrow.
That was one lion; these are 4 million human beings, many of whom have died in their pursuit for a peaceful existence.
FEARS OF TERRORISTS
Images of suffering refugees, including a drowned toddler in Turkey, have surfaced, but these apparently haven't reached the larger public's consciousness.
Pope Francis is asking that all European parishes, "every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary of Europe, take in one family," according to Vatican Radio.
That would certainly help.
Meanwhile, in the United States, a Newsweek headline states, "Why Is the U.S. Not Doing More to Help Syrian Refugees?"
The answer is probably obvious: Some people, including the White House, reportedly fear that helping these people would open a pipeline to the Islamic State (ISIS) or al Qaeda.
There has been some assistance, but a thorough vetting process allows only so many refugees into the land of the free.
"Since the start of the Syrian war in 2011, Washington has accepted 1,500 Syrian refugees, most of them this year, and the State Department expects 300 more by October," the magazine reports.
THE PETTINESS OF IT ALL
I think of those photos of refugees — desperate; dirty; clinging to their families; swimming because their lives truly depend on it; and those who drowned hoping for a better life, but instead meeting the end of theirs.
And then I think of uproar over that lion.
The outrage over Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses, the one whom people relentlessly mocked on social media, superimposing Dick Cheney's face on her image; criticizing her fashion sense; or her multiple marriages, just because she dared to stand up for her faith. Something a number of gay people, including singer Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, defended.
I think of comparisons between how the media reacted to Tim Tebow, for so publicly expressing his faith, and how they cheered Caitlyn Jenner for transitioning from a man to a woman.
And I think of all that celebrity news I mentioned earlier.
Not to mention my own pettiness, just Monday, as I discussed possible plans with loved ones. I grumbled — far too much — about the dated light fixtures and appliances, and the lack of a privacy fence, plants or trees near a house I may purchase.
Perhaps I learned too much from home buyers on HGTV programs. If you watch any of those shows, you know people always talk about what they "need," when what they really mean is "want."
And if you're really paying attention to the news, all of it seems so ridiculous.
None of that other stuff matters. (Think about it; it really doesn't.)
But black lives matter, all lives matter, and 4 million Syrians fleeing from death — who, but for the grace of God, could have been you or me — matter.
I hope you will think about that when you read this.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you want to do more than send a prayer or hopeful thoughts for the refugees, here are three ways:
●Support the International Rescue Committee's efforts. A $35, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or higher donation will help the IRC assist refugees in Europe and those arriving in Greece. Learn more at http://engage.rescue.org
●Donate to Doctors without Borders. Gifts of $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or higher will help fund emergency medical aid. See http://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org to make a one-time or monthly gift.
●Send a gift to UNICEF. Your donation of $50, $75, $150, $500, $1,000 or higher will help supply food, water, education, clothing and immunizations for Syrian children. See http://www.unicefusa.org for more information.
You all know I try to write about local issues, but sometimes, no local issue is more important than what's happening in neighboring countries.
Please think of these refugees.
What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BONI: But for the grace of God — Syrian refugees could have been you or me