Originally posted by whodeyThe fact that we were not celebrating and dancing in the streets after Saddam's execution is one of the many facts that raises our level of society from theirs...
Exaggerated my point? What then did I see people doing in the Middle East when the twin towers fell? Granted, it was not EVERYBODY but a good number of them were dancing and celebrating. When do Americans ever make such a display? Where we dancing in the streets when Saddam was captured or executed? Where we dancing in the streets when we battled the Tal ...[text shortened]... eved body bags and images of our dead soldiers being dragged through the streets in celebration.
What did we have to gain by helping...
Probably not a darn thing. Does that mean we shouldn't help anyway? And, you're right, not many countries are oh so quick to pull up their sleeves to help...maybe we should lead the way...
Originally posted by wittywonkaI have two points. The first point is that even though we should not attempt to glorify the US above all other nations we should also avoid demonizing the US above all other nations. The second point is that in certain cultures hate is preached and taught. For example, the citizens may be taught that country X is bad and country Y is good. In such cultures you then see people dancing in the streets when country X is attacked in some way or has misfortunes. After all, "bad" people deserve such misfortune as where the "good" people don't deserve any misfortune.
Well, I think you have exaggerated your point, but I still think Americans could be more empathetic than we sometimes are...
Originally posted by wittywonkaI live in NASCAR Country -- where there are many bumper stickers and decals with Dale Earnhardt's number in memoriam. As near as I can tell, his claim to fame is driving fast in circles. I'm willing to bet that most of the people who have enshrined him in their memories can't find the Sudan on a map.
Oops...I hit enter and started the thread before I posted...hold on a sec...
Has anyone (and I'm sure many have) noticed how distant (although possibly not the best word choice) Americans seem to global problems? While Americans grieve over the deaths of 32 deaths of college students (and I am in NO WAY WHATSOEVER diminishing the tragedy of the VT sho Word choice and grammatical...
1 Edit -- Merk's suggestion
1 Edit -- Posting my edits 😛
My guess is that proximity is a key factor, or at least an important one. Many of these people have never even left this state, so they don't really have the sort of mind map that includes a huge planet full of people. On many continents, you are in close proximity to at least one foreign country, and sometimes many. Just read the General Forum to see how easily some people pop over to another country on vacation. It is much easier to develop a global world view when you are exposed to a global world. However, it also must be noted that around here most people's information comes from the TV news primarily...and there isn't much news on the news.
This is not all of the adults I know, however, nor does it seem to extend to children. At least at the grade level I teach, they are just as concerned about people who are hurt in another country as they are people who are hurt down the street. Perhaps it's because they have no concept of relative distance, or perhaps it's simply because they're being taught to be aware.
Originally posted by wittywonkaWell there is considerable disagreement around the world with your view. Many, in fact, believe that the US should decrease its world influence in general and we are actually resented for "leading the way". After all, the Samolians did not care for our "leading the way". Those poor people are either killing each other or starving to death, yet they prefer their misery to our meddling.
Does that mean we shouldn't help anyway?[/i] And, you're right, not many countries are oh so quick to pull up their sleeves to help...maybe we should lead the way...[/b]
Originally posted by reader1107I think you're right about our location. In comparison to Europes proximity to where the worlds most serious humanitarian problems are located, we're in the a$$ end of nowhere.
I live in NASCAR Country -- where there are many bumper stickers and decals with Dale Earnhardt's number in memoriam. As near as I can tell, his claim to fame is driving fast in circles. I'm willing to bet that most of the people who have enshrined him in their memories can't find the Sudan on a map.
My guess is that proximity is a key factor, or at ...[text shortened]... of relative distance, or perhaps it's simply because they're being taught to be aware.
Originally posted by wittywonkayou can't make valid judgments based on how much space the media grants to a topic.
Oops...I hit enter and started the thread before I posted...hold on a sec...
Has anyone (and I'm sure many have) noticed how distant (although possibly not the best word choice) Americans seem to global problems? While Americans grieve over the deaths of 32 deaths of college students (and I am in NO WAY WHATSOEVER diminishing the tragedy of the VT sho ...[text shortened]... Word choice and grammatical...
1 Edit -- Merk's suggestion
1 Edit -- Posting my edits 😛
would you trust the media to babysit your kid?
Originally posted by whodeyWouldn't you agree that we are mainly criticized for "leading the way" because we show up with thousands upon thousands of soldiers, ready to fight?
Well there is considerable disagreement around the world with your view. Many, in fact, believe that the US should decrease its world influence in general and we are actually resented for "leading the way". After all, the Samolians did not care for our "leading the way". Those poor people are either killing each other or starving to death, yet they prefer their misery to our meddling.
Again, there are nonviolent solutions to problems around the world...
Secondly, this has also apparently gone unnoticed, but Americans can help individually, too, without dependence on a governmental force to drive the aid...
Originally posted by wittywonkahttp://www.defenselink.mil/home/dodupdate/Force_Good/index.html
Wouldn't you agree that we are mainly criticized for "leading the way" because we show up with thousands upon thousands of soldiers, ready to fight?
Again, there are nonviolent solutions to problems around the world...
Secondly, this has also apparently gone unnoticed, but Americans can help individually, too, without dependence on a governmental force to drive the aid...
"Every day the men and women of the U.S. military help others in humanitarian missions across the globe."
"Previous issues:
Previous Issues
• Provincial Reconstruction Teams Make a Difference
• New Horizons Map
• Airmen Assist Afghan Women
• New Mexico Town Near Air Base Recovers from Tornado
• Removing the Remnants of War
• The Gift of Sight
• Building Relationships in Uganda
• U.S. Coast Guard, Navy Visit African Coast
• Military Engineers Partner with
Yemenis
• Bolivian Floods Elicit Response
• Project Friendship
• An Advance for Afghan Farmers
• Medical Mission in Colombia
• Improving Basic Services Saves Lives
• Nautical Search Recovers Plane
• Liberia’s Reform Efforts Aided by Medical Trainers
• Humanitarians at Hospital del Sur
• A Helping Hand for Burn Victims
• Operation Honest Knight
"
http://www.c7f.navy.mil/PKaibigan/mission.htm
"What is Project Friendship?
Project Friendship is a community relations program carried out by members of U.S. Navy units deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. These units team up with their host nation counterparts and embassy country teams to identify projects that benefit local communities.
As part of this program, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) visited the Philippines over a 10-day period (Feb. 8-18, 2007) with nearly 1,000 crewmembers, 7th Fleet staff and an additional contingent of Marines and Seabee engineers ready to take part in friendship-building and goodwill generating activities. These included community service projects, musical performances by the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, ship tours, medical assistance, civil affairs projects and other cultural exchanges in Manila, Cebu and General Santos City.
Working with the Philippine people is nothing new for the United States. The Philippines is a longstanding treaty ally and became a major non-NATO ally in 2003. The two countries fought side by side to preserve freedom and democracy in World War II, and today the nations stand together in fighting the global war on terrorism.
"
http://www.defendamerica.mil/iraq/rebuilding.html
December 2006
REBUILDING IRAQ
Learning, Teaching and Growing in Iraq
Soldiers, Mayor Discuss Progress of City Cleanup
Najaf Teaching Hospital Nears Completion
IRAQIS TAKE THE LEAD
Iraqi Doctors Facilitate Change in Healthcare
Iraqi Army Assumes Control of Patrol Base Razor
Iraqis Graduate from Police Academy
Iraqis Donate Clothing
Iraqi Police Return Home From Training
Baghdad Counts on Local Improvements
November 2006
REBUILDING IRAQ
Army Corps of Engineers Teach Safety Rules
New Iraq-Zakros Primary School to Open in Kirkuk
Soldiers Deliver Supplies to Iraqi Children
IRAQIS TAKE THE LEAD
Hawija SWAT Unit Graduates Elite Fighting Force
October 2006
REBUILDING IRAQ
Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers Work to Save Saab al Bour
Austin Officials Aim to Help Iraqi Public Services
Electricity Levels in Baghdad at All Time Lows
172nd Soldiers Deliver 75 Generators
New Hospital Wing Brings Hope to Tarmiya
Clean Water, Electricity on Tap for Neighborhoods
Two Schools Re-open in Kirkuk
Clean Water, Electricity on Tap for Neighborhoods
‘Retired’ Engineer Oversees 30 Al Anbar Projects
IRAQIS TAKE THE LEAD
CSI: National Forensics Academy Opens in Baghdad
New Iraqi Plan Combats Violence, Focuses on Unity
Officials Transfer Authority of Base
Iraqi Air Force Moving Toward Control of Operations
Iraqi Forces Train to Combat IED, Explosives Threat
....
...
March 2004
A school boy selects a backpack donated by 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen. More than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene products were donated. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bob Oldham
Al Anef Primary School Celebrates Reopening
U.S.-Funded Projects to Propel Iraqi Economic Renaissance
Iraqi Physicians Learn Emergency Infant Care
Video: CPA Officials Discuss Iraqi Health Care
Iraqi Marsh Arabs Discuss Future of Wetlands
GAO: Saddam Took $10 Billion From U.N. Oil Program
Photo Essay: School Supplies
Army Engineering Battalion Helps Community Help Itself
Health Care Improves for Iraq's Children
Finance Soldiers Train Iraqi Counterparts
Iraqi Health Care Summit Focuses on Needs, Future Plans
Ceremonies Salute First Annual Soccer Tournament
Giessen University Restock University Library Shelves
Seabees Build Desks for Bahraini Youth
Mich. Civil Affairs Tackles Reconstruction Projects
Iraqi Museum Specialists Receive Training in U.S.
Task Force Soldiers Dedicate Iraqi Elementary School
Umm Qasr Port Helps Iraq's Trade
'Ready First' Brigade Helps Iraq’s Heavy Lifters
Iraqi Police Receive Specialized Forensic Training
'Bulldog Brigade' Trains Iraq’s New Soldiers
Iraqi Delegation Examines Democracy in the United States
Florida Reservists Take on Community Missions
Iraqis Look to Modernize Farm Sector
‘Win the Peace’ Coalition Delivers Hope for Future
Iraqi Finance Personnel Study Tools of Their Profession
School Honors Japanese Fly First Humanitarian Mission
Mosul Police Station Reopens 32 Days After Bombing
'Ready First' Brigade Sponsors Student Forum
Iraqi Children to Participate in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts
Originally posted by zeeblebotAll things you dont read in the papers... go figure
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/dodupdate/Force_Good/index.html
"Every day the men and women of the U.S. military help others in humanitarian missions across the globe."
"Previous issues:
Previous Issues
• Provincial Reconstruction Teams Make a Difference
• New Horizons Map
• Airmen Assist Afghan Women
• New Mexico Town Near Air Bas ...[text shortened]... ospital del Sur
• A Helping Hand for Burn Victims
• Operation Honest Knight
"