Job Discussion Forums

[donfan]

Ok, all posts are cut and pasted as is from some other board. The primary group on this board is middle-class Americans.

First post by "mamamama"

I am REALLY sick of hearing other countries bashing us because we do not drop every penny we have to help out in SE Asia. There is NO reason to throw a TON of $$ in the area right now, because they are already having trouble distributing the things that they have. The right people have to be in place to make sure that aid is distributed.

One thing that REALLY burns me as that I do not remember countries coming over here and helping us after September 11! Britain did, but where the HECK was everyone else? Did they come and offer $$ to the people or food to the people, or even a shoulder to lean on?

The governments of these countries over there CHOSE to not have an early warning system. They were available, but were not a priority to them. Of course, NOW we are talking about buying them one!!! We need to take care of OUR people first.

I do not want to hear that they are taking $$ from the troops to send over there. We cannot risk their lives because of this disaster!

This is my country. I am proud of it. We do what we can, but we are NOT the rich uncle who is always bailing everyone out, or at least we should NOT be. I hear all the time, we should not stick our noses in other countries business. Well, what about if we stop now?

Sorry to vent, but I am tired of hear it!!!

Second post by "badcook"

When are we going to worry about OUR people? It's always everyone else, but what about health insurance for us???

Third post by "Sharkie"

mamamama I agree...but Consider the source.

Where are these complaints and unfounded remarks coming from? Last I heard the man who had the balls to write up a disgustin' comment immediately claimed it was taken out of context , stated US was more than Generous . Ate his words so to speak if he DID say it.

WHO ELSE?

Im sitting over here worried about my brother in Iraq...and I hope to God the world doesnt forget what were doing over there ...but I completely understand half the world is devestated by this contastrophe, but yeah...where were they when we needed them?

I guess friendly nations dont ask that...they just help when and where they can ...and do not expect help back.??

Im happy we are assisting, but do NOT kick a gift horse in the lip. comon!

Maybe its the corporate folks who sent all our jobs over there worried as #### as to who will frusterate the chit out of us if we call for tech support and no one is available now.

I feel awful for what happened, but geez louise.

The Nation has said they will give $35 million, and Im pretty sure that doesnt take into effect all the personal gifts that are coming to that region. I know folks who are giving , that dont have ANYTHING to really give.

Fourth post by "Thorny Rose"

I took great offense at the comment as well. For September 11, 2001, the US took care of its own.

In the hurricanes of Florida, no outside help was sent. We took care of our own.

During national disasters, the US takes care of its own. Have you ever seen a foreign guy handing out blankets and hot coffee at a Salvation Army station after a horrendous snow storm in North Dakota? Of course not.

Often times, during crises in other countries, the US is the first one that sees hands stretching its way. Right now, Sudan is screaming for help. Other countries are experiencing pestilence, rampant disease, famines or other disasters. The US is EXPECTED to shell out money to these causes. And we do shell out the money. We ignore the people starving in our own neighborhoods in favor of sending aid to other countries which often bite the US on the bum once they experience better times.

The source of the offending comment was U.N. emergency relief coordinator Jan Egeland, who now says his comment wasn't aimed at a particular country. Now, the UN isn't exactly known for generosity either. During the war in Rwanda, the UN wouldn't touch that area with someone else's 10-foot pole. Somalia, Yugoslavia, Congo...Little aid was sent to those countries by the UN. The UN would send peacekeepers made mostly of US soldiers. Of course, the dapper UN WILL send investigators in afterwards to tally the mass graves of genocides in order to put a despot on trial. I guess these people in need are worth no more to the UN than what their moldering bodies are worth.

The UN disgusts me because they try to set the standard, but they are so rift with corruption and blatant cronyism that they are absolutely impotent when it comes to helping others. Instead, they stick to jabbing other countries with poorly chosen words.

If the aid is so badly needed, let Annan send it himself. So what if his son has to take a drop in what goes into his bank account?

Fifth post by "Sharkie"

I am suprised we have so many "Lookie Lucies" I'm told that a "Lookie Lucy" is what we on Bigfooty call a lurker. - Charlie on this post.

I assumed we had a flock of United Americans here, amoung the other representing countries.

I know that we do...maybe there just arnt words for something like this...but the guys gotta be a fruit cake without raisins since he generalized our entire nation of people by calling us all Stingy-guts!

Im pretty annoyed, I wonder though what others say..just to put it into perspective

Sixth post by "MissKise"

I get very frustrated, to see the people in my own community, struggling and the elderly, who are living in poverty and cannot afford the medications they need to take. And anytime something happens we are the first to arrive, with aid, food, medications, man-power and money. And then to be told we are being stingy!!

Seventh post by "MissKise"

Someone in the office today said that France has so far donated $100K. It is a tremendous tragedy no matter what the situation of the people affected. However, I agree that to blame the U.S. is not realistic. The U.S. did not cause the quake or the tsunami. The first on the scene were three U.S. survey planes to start the assessment process.

But, even before that the U.S. sent those planes it had sent warnings after the quake about the potential for a tsunami and most countries did not even have a mechanism for warning the folks. It may be helpful if those pointing the finger would consider that they may gain a little by not being so critical.

Eighth post by "jazz"

QUOTE (Sharkie @ Dec 29 2004, 08:32 PM)
I am suprised we have so many "Lookie Lucies" on this post.

I assumed we had a flock of United Americans here, amoung the other representing countries.

I know that we do...maybe there just arnt words for something like this...but the guys gotta be a fruit cake without raisins since he generalized our entire nation of people by calling us all Stingy-guts!

Im pretty annoyed, I wonder though what others say..just to put it into perspective

Ninth post by "Merril"

Although I am disgusted by the comments from the UN I want to touch on a few other things if I may.

Perhaps living in Florida it's played in the news more BUT Florida received numerous donations from around the world. United Way had a global collection called Florida Hurricane Relief Fund. They got donations from many, many countries. The Red Cross Canada sent man power and money. Many foreign corps sent donations. A large Arab corp gave millions. (I forget their name)

After 9-11 the US was flooded with foreign donations. Some companies abroad were even matching their employee donations. Car manufactures such as Nissan and Volkswagen made sizable donations. If you look it up you will see where foreign governments gave to our government as well as to the fight against terror. Japan allocated 250 million for the 1st year alone. Then there was the famous let down... $10 million check handed to Gulliani from a member of the Saudi family and not taken because of principle.
Many foreigners (civilian, corporate, & gov) gave to different 9-11 foundations. The world did come to sit by our side if only for a moment. They wept with us and said prayers for us and yes, donated money for us.

Tenth post by "Kelly"

Damned if we do and damned if we don't.....

Eleventh post by "rude" - the thread was locked once this was posted.

Do you wonder why so many people are reading this post and not responding to it??

My God people, they have not even finished counting or burying the dead....give it a little more time before you start berating those countries in need..

QUOTE
One thing that REALLY burns me as that I do not remember countries coming over here and helping us after September 11! Britain did, but where the HECK was everyone else? Did they come and offer $$ to the people or food to the people, or even a shoulder to lean on
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Your memory is failing you, the USA did not stand alone after 9/11, may I suggest a little research ...but then again if every other country had the same attitude towards helping others in need as I interpet with this statement,


We cannot risk their lives because of this disaster!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

God help us all.

Often times, during crises in other countries, the US is the first one that sees hands stretching its way. Right now, Sudan is screaming for help. Other countries are experiencing pestilence, rampant disease, famines or other disasters. The US is EXPECTED to shell out money to these causes. And we do shell out the money. We ignore the people starving in our own neighborhoods in favor of sending aid to other countries which often bite the US on the bum once they experience better times.

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As much as 9/11 was a tragedy, some people do actually think it's of their own doing. And how can they compare the aid required for loss of a few thousand lives in America to the loss of over 100,000 lives in 3rd world countries? And not just their lives, their houses, their businesses, their land that has just disappeared under water. And what about the bit that not everyone agrees with them in Iraq so why should they be so self righteous demanding that we all remember it? ? They say they take military action in the name of humanity. But when it's humanity alone needing help they are no where to be found. It's like they need a gun in hand to prove they are helping people, when all people really want is some food, shelter and love. They're happy to spend money to rebuild when they've bombed the hell out of somewhere, and even more happy to sit on their hands and do nothing when nature has bombed the hell out of somewhere.

[James_T_Kirk]

[marblez]

I do not believe it is appropriate to compare 9/11 and this tsunami disaster. At risk of starting an arguement (although I wager that most here would agree) - the tsunami disaster claimed over 50 times more lives, and the people left over have literally nothing to go home to. It was obviously much worse and cannot even be compared.

[moonraven]

I don't believe that the comparison should be made, either. Those who do are all from the US, living in a very egocentric world that stops at the country's borders.

[nomadder]

I don' t think anyone was pointing any fingers at the US but it sure could do alot for Muslim/US relations to help out though one wonders if diplomacy/playing the game figures into American politics at all.

I did see a sort of one upmanship as countries kept upping their contributions to match others. They could end up better off than before materialistically and I for one wouldn't care-though nothing could make up for the loss of family, friends, homes and sentimental possessions not to mention the psychological devastation.

Too bad the message that spiritual/nature/emotional things are more important than material things didn't hit the countries who most needed it. On the other hand people have shown they care and that they are willing to give to strangers far away which is encouraging. And some people have actually learned a little about geography and culture.

[Nagoyaguy]

Marblez, I agree. There is no comparing the two events, either on a scale of suffering, or in other ways as well. The 9/11 attack was a crime, deliberately done, and punishable. OTOH, the tsunami was a regrettable, but natural, phenomenon. In terms of devastation, the tsunami is much worse. No question.

[ChinaMovieMagic]

[homersimpson]

Just more lunacy. Welcome to General Discussion! I have some crystals we can look at, they foretell the future.

[moonraven]

With the current frenzy to look like the most generous country, I wonder how many of them will actually come through with the bucks.

In the past, when there have been tragedies in Central America and in Africa, they have pledged money and then haven't given it.

[Dragonsaver]

I saw something on CNN the other day that was really disconcerting. It was like an 'aside' comment. After leaving SE Asia Colin Powell went to Kenya where there was 150,000 deaths due to AIDS last year. This was discussed for about 30 seconds and then back to the coverage of the tsunami. If 150,000 died last year, the same number as was lost in the tsunami, then logically another 150,000 could die this year etc. This is almost like genocide. There was no mention of financial aid to help eradicate this disease. This disease kills mothers, fathers and children.

The tsunami was an awful distructive event. My sympathies go out to all those that lost life and income. But, the health problem in Kenya is also devistating to the families and should be to the rest of the world.

In Canada, you are not allowed to donate blood if you have visited Africa due to the potential for aids transmission in the blood.

I think the globe has shrunk sufficiently that we as a world need to look after each other. We need to try and help others in all types of disasters.

[moonraven]

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, etc....

It doesn't just sound like genocide--it IS genocide. The drug companies are not willing tolose the enormous profits they make from patenting "their" drugs. Their attitude--like that of the US "president" is that folks can either pay the astronomically high prices for the drugs or they can pay the price of not having them--which is death. Nice guys....

[some waygug-in]

Aids Genocide? I don't know but

there are many who think so, and not in the way described above.


http://www.aidsbiowar.com/