Earthquake

[lookout123]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

In general, we Earthlings are coming together to help these folks in their time of great need. Why weren't we there before? Why weren't we able to help them build houses with rebar? Why weren't we there to ensure that they had a couple days of survival supplies?

And why are we so generous to these people, and we don't want to help out our neighbors when it comes to the healthcare issue? Is anybody worrying about the cost of helping Haiti the way some of us are worrying about the cost of the proposed healthcare bill?

Because this is an emotional hook. A baby in a collapsed in a building??? OMG here's my debit card.

Why weren't we there helping them rebar? Because it is not our fucking job to go do everything for everybody. Why didn't we make sure they had survival supplies? It isn't our fucking job. I'm more interested in whether or not my neighbor has supplies - because that could possibly effect me in the future. Haiti? Like to help but resources are finite.

[TheMercenary]

I can't agree more LO123. But a small donation is appropriate if it fits your budget. If everyone does a small bit it will add up. Anyone who has traveled to third world countries knows that you could give all of your wealth and little would change in the end. But if I can reach out and touch someone or some group for a moment in time I feel that I have at least contributed. It may seem trite but that is my approach. I try to give more closer to home but there should be no guilt in reaching out beyond the borders when in time of crisis.

[lookout123]

I think doing what you can right now to help someone is a good thing. Hell, I once knew a guy who gave something to somebody once. I thought that was kind of good. I was commenting more on the "why didn't we do something before" sentiment.

[TheMercenary]

Right on.

[Big Sarge]

I'm sick of the US trying to fix and help every country in the world when we still have some many in need in our country. So many times, we have rushed to the aid of others to have them become our enemies later. The US has pledged 100 billion and deployed 10,000 troops. These are assets we sorely need in Afghanistan. Why does the world expect the US lead the way in rescuing Haiti? Why doesn't some other nation take the lead?

That all being said, we have Operation Cigar Sarge. Our cigar club is donating all of our money pooled for our monthly cigar order. Plus, we are selling our "cigar reserve" in a fund raising drive for the relief effort. Our goal is to raise $1,000

I know it sounds like I am talking out of both sides of my mouth when you compare the two paragraphs. What can I say?

[jujuwwhite]

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

I know it sounds like I am talking out of both sides of my mouth when you compare the two paragraphs. What can I say?

Nothing you need to say, Sarge. You sound like a human being who has been there and experienced that and is just talking the hurtful but honest truth.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

I'm sick of the US trying to fix and help every country in the world when we still have some many in need in our country. So many times, we have rushed to the aid of others to have them become our enemies later. The US has pledged 100 billion and deployed 10,000 troops. These are assets we sorely need in Afghanistan. Why does the world expect the US lead the way in rescuing Haiti? Why doesn't some other nation take the lead?

[monster]

Wait, why would you need those assets in Afghanistan -another country the US is trying to "fix" and one whose problems weren't aided by natural disaster.

Why should the world look to the US above other countries to help in Haiti? Maybe because it's a huge, rich country, right next door, which is always bragging about how awesome and christian it is?

[jujuwwhite]

Originally Posted by monster

Wait, why would you need those assets in Afghanistan -another country the US is trying to "fix" and one whose problems weren't aided by natural disaster.

?

I have several friends who are stationed in Afghanistan, and my policatically uneducated knowledge of the the situation is that the assets that are needed there are NOT so much for the citizens of the country as the American soliders who are there on orders from our country. They need goods that we take for granted such as decent toilet paper and sun screen because while we are complaining of the cold, they are fighting in sand storms.

*just my 2 cents worth*

[monster]

Just pull them out. Like Big Sarge said, why does the US have to be the one to "help"? There's plenty of TP back home. my 2c.

And here's what MLK had to say on the whole issue

"The time has come for an all-out world war against poverty. The rich nations must use their vast resources of wealth to develop the underdeveloped, school the unschooled, and feed the unfed. Ultimately a great nation is a compassionate nation. No individual or nation can be great if it does not have a concern for "the least of these". Deeply etched in the fiber of our religious tradition is the conviction that men are made in the image of God and that they are souls of infinite metaphysical value, the heirs of a legacy of dignity and worth. If we feel this as a profound moral fact, we cannot be content to see men hungry, to see men victimized with starvation and ill health when we have the means to help them. The wealthy nations must go all out to bridge the gulf between the rich minority and the poor majority.

In the final analysis, the rich must not ignore the poor because both rich and poor are tied in a single garment of destiny. All life is interrelated, and all men are interdependent. The agony of the poor diminishes the rich, and the salvation of the poor enlarges the rich. We are inevitably our brothers' keeper because of the interrelated structure of reality."

[SamIam]

Very nice, Monster. I just realized that I have been feeling sad all day and didn't know why. Then I thought about it and remembered I'd started my day by reading a number of horrific reports about Haiti. Such tragedy. I wish I could do more to help, just as I wish I could do more about all the suffering and inequalities of this terrible beautiful world we live in.

[monster]

You can. it isn't all about money. At least not your money. Use your words, your passion to persuade those who can help financially to do so, whatever it is that you feel needs doing. Lead by example. The example being a "can do" attitude, not a "well I'd love to help, but I'm in no position to" kind of thing. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve if you really try. If you have no $$, volunteer to man the donation phonelines or stuff envelopes or drive the aid truck... if you truly want to help, there is a niche for you. And if you truly want to help, you will find it.

[jujuwwhite]

I agree with you, monster. When a person spends their time saying, 'someone needs to do something about...' it usually means they, themselves are the ones who need to do the task at hand.

I also strongly believe in 'charity beginning at home'. On a side note, why is it so much easier and less expensive to adopt a child from overseas when we have so many children here in this country who need permanent homes but can't be adopted due to all the red tape the American government places on adoption?

[xoxoxoBruce]

You might be able to get a deal on a Haitian kid right now.

[Clodfobble]

Um... we have plenty of older children here in this country who need permanent homes. There are waiting lists that are years long for healthy newborn babies in this country. It's easy to adopt newborns overseas because they have lots, lots more of them. It's also cheaper, to be sure, but there are lots of couples willing to pay the price of an American adoption, and they still have to wait for years.