Rules from the Wishing Tree

Like most days, I end up having an interesting conversation with John, a Mercy employee from Chicago/NYC, who has been here many years. He works in the communication office and seems to be in charge of all public material Mercy produces. An English major like myself, we love to talk books, jazz music and of course, Mercy. While discussing live jazz music at The Bamboo Bar, John Mellencamps ex-piano player, Eric Rosser came up. He was a regular at the Bamboo Bar and gave piano lessons to wealthy Thai children in Bangkok. Google his name. In 2000 his name made the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted List.

To read more paste this link:
http://http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2000/12/28/2000-12 28_pedophile_on_most_wanted_list.html

I remembered reading about this guy in Father Joe's biography, because Mercy went in and took Rosser's niece, who was living with him at the time and had been very badly sexually abused by him. John was saying that he used to frequent the Bamboo Bar for the live jazz music and would occassionally sit and talk with Rosser, before the story broke. He said he remembered thinking, "Wow, this guy really has it all," admiring the man's music talents. John, thinking back, says it was one of his lifes biggest lessons - never take anothers wish from the wishing tree, because you NEVER know what they're wishing for. Let it be clear and known that when the story broke all were appalled and outraged - especially John - at the thought that this talented musician was such an aggressive pedophile.

This story reminded me of a lesson the girls taught me the other night. They warned me that if a police officer here ever asks to look in your purse, ask to see their hands first. It isn't uncommon for them to have drugs in their hands and slip them into your purse, then demand a bribe. What a crazy place!! If I have one thing I dislike about Thailand it's how often I hear people say, "Never trust anyone!" Anyone? Really? What a horrible feeling. I’ve always been a very trusting person and while some may see it as a fault or weakness, I know I’m not stupid, but I want to believe people are good; who wants to wake up every morning thinking otherwise?

More to think about.

Back to work.