> I read in the Newspaper this morning an article about an (American) couple who had a kid with the Down-Syndrome. They showed a picture of the kid before...and after the plastic surgeory (*spelling*).
> The (rich? excentric? spoiled? crazy? sickening?) couple payed for the surgeory and the purpose was: extend all the visual signs of the Syndrome, so that people would think they have a *normal* kid.
> I was anger when i read this. Society provides many opportunities for having a good life but if good life means 'exclude the bad things', then i have to thank for that. Isnt it the strength of a society that it includes a variety of people: good, *bad*, beautifull, *ugly*, .... Why exclude other *not normal* people of having a life?

I've debated this issue several times with my self. I understand your point, but I also understand the parents' rationale. They wanted their child to go through life with the best chance possible. Trisomy 21 is very noticable. As soon as many people see the distinct facial features caused by the disorder, they make a judgement. Trisomy 21 victims can either be severely retarded or near "normal"-- you can't tell which on first sight alone. Most people, through inexperience or lack or just general lack of real knowlegde on the subejct, assume the worst. The kid's parents didn't want their child to have such a burden placed upon him/her. If you were hiring for a technical position and you saw a candidate with Down's, would you be able to put aside any doubts you may have and look at the person objectively? Most interviewers would assume that they would have trouble with the job requirements, regardless of qualifications.

> Plastic surgeory is a thing i hate in todays society. People should be gratefull that they are living on this Earth, wonder of Nature, and they should be happy the way they are. Why wanting to be someone else? We all have our own personality, thats what makes it beautifull to be here...
>

I could never see myself having plastiv surgery [or the money to make it a possibility!], but I can see how, for some people, it would really boost their self-esteem. I've never heard of any study, however, that showed the long-term effects on self-concept. Or self-esteem. Does anybody know? Does the rush last?

> Of course i can easily say all this (type all this), i have a pc, i live in the Western World, i have cable TV, cars, roads, plenty of food, ... For a kid in Africa, not knowing where to find food when he wakes up-IF he wakes up, it must be a hard thing "not wanting to be someone else". And i want them to be someone else too. Its crazy that in this *Modern Times*, where they do plastic surgeory on Mongols, that kids are starving every day on the other side of the Meridian.
>
Yes, it's noce to say 'don't spend it on your nose, give it to charity.' But I'm not sure any of us would have the willpower to give up all our luxuries and give the money away. No TVs. No car. A bike, maybe. No computer at home. No big house. In our society, it seems that you are only expected to give a token amt. to charity to fulfil your 'good deed for the day' requirement.
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> Jom"i-hate-the-*modern*-times"meke

How much is a modern evil? Monarchs and nobles commonly sat around in castles and ignored the needs of their peasants. Now, we sit around and cluck out tongues at the misfortunes of third world inhabitants while reclining on the sofa in our multiple-story house and watching a TV set that costs several hundred dollars.

Chr"I'll talk no more about the middle ages and like systems of government as most of my knowledge therein comes from bad fantasy novels"is