Ingrates at the UN do it again!!!!!!

Why is the biggest disaster in modern history being used as a marker in the "we're better than you" game?
Aid is being sent by every nation, there are many people doing all that they can to help those in need, and yet somehow we can still manage to sit around and reduce this to a schoolyard pissing contest.
This is pathetic.
Is any country being hurt by not being at the top of every list? Does it make a f***ing bit of difference to the people who are injured, homeless, or hungry?
Do you really think it matters to the people who are searching for their family amid the piles of corpses?
If anybody is so bent out of shape about who's doing the most, how about you just go do something to add to your countries donations, maybe say a prayer or two for the people who are dealing with this situation in person and don't have the luxury of sitting around debating who's getting the most glory for taking part in a humanitarian effort.

[Chewbacca]

Originally posted by Absynthe: Why is the biggest disaster in modern history being used as a marker in the "we're better than you" game?

Hey, any opportunity to whine about either the U.N., the E.U., or the U.S. is too much temptation for some folks to pass up. It's trivial and pointless regardless of the scope of the disaster.

The only thing that matters is that some people need help and some other people are providing. Amongst our planets collective of people in nation's united, there is enough to provide the help required.

The spirit of Charity isn't about keeping score or wagging-fingers.

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Absynthe: Why is the biggest disaster in modern history being used as a marker in the "we're better than you" game? Aid is being sent by every nation, there are many people doing all that they can to help those in need, and yet somehow we can still manage to sit around and reduce this to a schoolyard pissing contest. This is pathetic. Is any country being hurt by not being at the top of every list? Does it make a f***ing bit of difference to the people who are injured, homeless, or hungry? Do you really think it matters to the people who are searching for their family amid the piles of corpses? If anybody is so bent out of shape about who's doing the most, how about you just go do something to add to your countries donations, maybe say a prayer or two for the people who are dealing with this situation in person and don't have the luxury of sitting around debating who's getting the most glory for taking part in a humanitarian effort.

I couldn't agree more. That was absolutely the best post I've seen so far this year [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] Mindless politico-nationalist chest-banging is a crass, plebeian hallmark of limited intelligence that quite frankly makes me nauseous.

[ 01-01-2005, 03:02 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

[johnny]

What makes me nauseous is that aid offered by Israel is being refused by some nations. Even in their worst hour, they hate the Jews more than they love their own families.

[Dreamer128]

[quote]Originally posted by Cerek:

ALL of the issues I mentioned came from the AP article, Dreamer. I highlighted the specific points I mentioned earlier. The article mentions teams of workers from relief organizations, blankets being flown in by the Dutch Red Cross and a cargo plane of supplies donated by Greece. American organizations are doing ALL of these same things. We've already sent teams of relief workers and coordinaters. The Red Cross, Salvation Army and several other organizations for international relief are recieving, organizing and coordinating items needed to help the survivors over the next few days and weeks. Now I don't mind that a European publication or story doesn't list all these different efforts...but I DO take exception to the ONLY mention of American efforts coming in the form of "the American public being urged to help". It makes it sound as if the American public is indifferent and uncaring about the plight of the victims. Instead of that, the article could simply have said "Similar efforts are being made by American organizations also". Short, simple and to the point - without taking any due credit away from the efforts being made by the Europeans also.

Of course. The source of that article is http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/i...134501_16.html . And I do believe that this is an American news source. You can hardly call the AP a European organisation either (it was founded by Americans).

Now, please observe what the BBC writes about this.

Tsunami aid effort gathers pace

Ships and aircraft with large amounts of aid are descending on regions hit by last Sunday's Indian Ocean tsunami.

The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has arrived at the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and three of its helicopters have gone to the worst-hit area, Aceh.

But Indonesian officials say distribution networks are still not in place to send the aid to remoter parts.

At least 124,000 people died in the tsunami. The UN says the toll is nearing 150,000 and may never be known.

The US said on Friday it planned to increase 10-fold - to $350m - its contribution to help the survivors.

Thousands are still missing after a huge undersea earthquake struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Sunday, sending giant waves smashing into coastlines from Malaysia to East Africa.

New Year festivities were cancelled in several affected countries where memorial services were held.

Meanwhile heavy rain has been hampering the relief effort in Sri Lanka, and AFP news agency reported flash floods had hit 10 camps for survivors in the eastern Ampara region.

Chaotic scenes

The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Aceh says at last there is some good news in the region, with aid arriving by air and over land.

The first of 12 helicopters from the Abraham Lincoln have already arrived there, with the aim of getting help to areas cut off since the disaster struck.

The province's ravaged infrastructure has been a major obstacle for aid agencies, says our correspondent - which is why helicopters are so desperately needed.

The US has also supplied 80 trucks to distribute aid.

But our correspondent says scenes at the provincial capital Banda Aceh's tiny airport are chaotic, owing to a shortage of manpower and storage space.

Until now there has been little sign of a co-ordinated relief operation for the estimated two million people who have been displaced in Aceh.

And Alwi Shihab, the Indonesian minister put in charge of the operation, told the BBC the government had been "in panic" for two days after the earthquake.

Indonesian President Sushilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is visiting the region, tried to speed up distribution efforts.

"Immediately channel this aid," he told soldiers at the airport.

"We have the obligation to save each and every one."

Aid workers have repeatedly warned that survivors could die if food, water and medicine are not delivered within days.

There are reports of some people in outlying areas being close to starvation.

Other tsunami developments:

* Survivors in the Indian Andaman and Nicobar Islands - where foreign aid organisations have largely been refused access - have complained that authorities have done little to help

* Reports emerge of more than 1,000 children dying in a remote school in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu where they tried to take refuge during the disaster

* Sweden, the Western country thought to be worst hit by the disaster, is holding a day of mourning, along with Norway, Denmark and Finland

* The Russian town of Beslan, the scene of a school siege last September, donates $40,000 to the aid effort

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4139137.stm)

Now, before this goes any further, I don't consider this to be an 'we're better then you' discussion. I'm merely trying to point out that there is no European press bias towards the US. In fact, I much applaude the massive effort being made by the United States. God knows these people need the help. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 01-01-2005, 08:36 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

[John D Harris]

Originally posted by Absynthe: Why is the biggest disaster in modern history being used as a marker in the "we're better than you" game? Aid is being sent by every nation, there are many people doing all that they can to help those in need, and yet somehow we can still manage to sit around and reduce this to a schoolyard pissing contest. This is pathetic. Is any country being hurt by not being at the top of every list? Does it make a f***ing bit of difference to the people who are injured, homeless, or hungry? Do you really think it matters to the people who are searching for their family amid the piles of corpses? If anybody is so bent out of shape about who's doing the most, how about you just go do something to add to your countries donations, maybe say a prayer or two for the people who are dealing with this situation in person and don't have the luxury of sitting around debating who's getting the most glory for taking part in a humanitarian effort.

Perhaps the question would be better directed to the one that started the schoolyard piss'n contest? Just why did they feel it was necessary to complain about what others were doing at the very begining of this disaster? Which then begs the questions of the supporters of the orginization who's offical, whipped it out and started urination: Where is the condemnation for the one that started it all? Why is it not OK to say "yes we are" after being, in essence, told "you are not good enough"?

Of course it doesn't matter to the people suffering, but it does seem to matter to the governments, or atleast one government that suffered. Why else would they Reject aid because it is given by a country they don't like.

I'm sure there are many prayers, donations, and help given by people from both sides of the issue, to help the suffering, and the vast majority are done without fanfair.

[John D Harris]

Johnny,
You (The Netherlands) can only do what you can do. Don't let 'em get you down, do your best and hold your head high. Any help, I'm sure is appreciated by those in need. No attempt, at least not on my part, is made to say "you are not good enough". But rather the are a lot of us that are tired of turning our political cheek.

Our anger has spilled over from the puke, that started it. It's not directed at you, but that is little comfort when you get hit with the splatter. All I can offer is a washcloth to clean up with.

[Stratos]

Originally posted by johnny: What makes me nauseous is that aid offered by Israel is being refused by some nations. Even in their worst hour, they hate the Jews more than they love their own families.

Now, that's just dumb. Unfortunately decisions like this will hurt those in these countries who really need the aid.

Originally posted by Absynthe: Why is the biggest disaster in modern history being used as a marker in the "we're better than you" game?

Because ti is being used as a vehicle to say "You are worse than we are...or worse than you should be" This issue came up because of comments made by a Liberal United Nations twit.

The fact that they didn't count much of the US real contributions since it didn't pass through UN hands and are complaining that the US has organized a coalition of 4 nations to provide direct aid to the afflicted are....they are whinng and crying that we are (the USA that is) trying to somehow bring ruin to the UN efforts...All we get from the UN and apparently Europe is Insults, Complaints and Bad accounting practices......so in answer to your question....your question should be turned around. Why is this disaster being used to Dump yet again on the nation providing the most (counting the Logistics, the Material and the Cash)

Just an FYI, all told in the year 2004 the USA gave roughly $1,233 in foreign aid for every man, woman and child in the nation. Money that many in Florida and California could have used to help rebuild their shattered lives after we had our own devastating natural disasters.....however we as a nation chose to continue to aid others even while we are struggling with our own problems with disaster.

I am not sure (since the source material on the state department web site is not clear on the issue) whether that includes private charitable contributions.