Is it not about time messrs Bush and Blair took a break from their vacations to actually acknowledge that almost half the world has been struck by what is most probably the worst catastrophe in human memory?
Re the 15 million dollar aid package (and possibly another 20 mill to come) from the US and 4 million euros from the EU, one member of the Scottish Parliament said today "It is an affront to humanity that the world's richest nations can only bring themselves to provide a pittance in disaster relief". One should also bear in mind that the Iraq war has cost the US taxpayer some 147 billion dollars so far.
Politics is very much about life and death, especially in the Bush/Blair camp! If enough voices were heard decrying their behaviour, it might just tip the balance to make them think and act for the benefit of mankind as a whole, instead of their narrow political interests.
My belief that anger on behalf of the bereaved and suffering is just as justified as anything else so far posted, particularly as its intention is to try and effect change for the better.
Please, can we leave the political attacks out of this forum? Many of us our suffering great anxiety at this moment. Your post will effect no change whatsoever.
Overt criticism of relatively small pledges of aid from some of the main political players on the world stage is already having a positive effect by eliciting further pledges.
This is not an Op/ed message board... This is a place to get information regarding the disaster in the hopes of tracking down missing friends, colleagues and relatives... As Chris was saying, let's please keep our political opinion out of this forum. Thank you.
Well said Michelle! To those who disagree - watch the news and tell me if speaking out does not work!
For those who are anxious, let them follow the links regarding the whereabouts of loved ones. For those who are in the more fortunate position of not having that concern, let them be made aware or take a stand in asking why some states are not doing more. Not only in the way of money but by way of resources. There are armies, expertise, equipment, planes etc. etc. which could and should be put to immediate use in the relief effort. People will die unnecessarily while politicians ponder what they might be able to do - that's once they have decided to end their own festivities.
No it isn't an open-ended message board. As I read it, it says it is designed for all Asia earthquake related messages and so is relevant.
While I sympathise enormously with the grief and concern of everyone involved, I also applaud those who would try to do something to alleviate the situation as much as possible. If that means criticising governments, then so be it.
Seems to me some people are making use of this catastrophe to take another shot at politicians, that was not the intention of this forum... Start another forum if you have to, people are distressed enough to have to be pressed on by other's opinions of the Governments. Please People.
For God's sake, the US and UK have donated the largest sums of money so far (UK and Japan the same amount). Each government has a huge number of ministers that can deal with this without their leader being there. Why single out these two countries for special attention anyway?
The Red Cross in the UK experienced record donations within the first 48 hours of the tragedy.
Why is that some people just have to find someone to blame, even when a natural disater like this occurs?
" Well, I can't blame the US or UK for the disaster but, hey I'm sure we can find something to attack them for."
Do you think top governmet officials are reading this forum? No. So how are you going to effect change here?
John is right. I'm sick of members of the general public making non-sequitur accusations of governmental politics - ours or any other. I mean come on guys, you know it's not as simple as Blair making a phone call & - whoosh! - off goes a huge donation in aid money. Money comes into the Treasury in the form of of taxes & most of it leaves in the form of earmarked domestic & international allocations. Sure there's some money spare - an element of flexibility in the system - but not as much as you'd expect. Contacting the Downing St economists, pulling up the data & deciding how much the UK can afford all takes time. This disaster came completely without warning & getting 15m off in under 48hrs is pretty good.
America is giving money and material. America is sending workers. America is diverting ships and manpower to the tsunami zone. Quit complaining. Send in your money. Become a relief worker and put yourself on the line. Do something instead of finding fault.
