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Originally posted by avalanchethecatI think that aid is given when a problem captures the imagination and the victim seems innocent.
Sounds like the aid response to this unprecedented disaster is well short of what is required - this is somewhat unusual to my mind. Is this just because of the scale of the problem, or is there a connection between this and the current conflict in Afghanistan do you think?
Floods sound less dramtic than monsoons or tornados; Pakistan is not as helpful as the US would like in Afghanstan and Muslems seem insensitive to us by building mosques on ground zero. Thus, there is less of compelling feeling to give and less aid is given.
Originally posted by quackquackIt looks like Ground Zero is going to color a lot of our international policy on who to help from now on. I wonder how we would handle a disaster in Indonesia, a clear Muslim ally of the US.
I think that aid is given when a problem captures the imagination and the victim seems innocent.
Floods sound less dramtic than monsoons or tornados; Pakistan is not as helpful as the US would like in Afghanstan and Muslems seem insensitive to us by building mosques on ground zero. Thus, there is less of compelling feeling to give and less aid is given.
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Originally posted by Scotty70As far as the US goes, private donations lag due to a general dislike of Pakistan, which is reciprocated.
It looks like Ground Zero is going to color a lot of our international policy on who to help from now on. I wonder how we would handle a disaster in Indonesia, a clear Muslim ally of the US.
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/08/17/17greenwire-western-donations-lag-for-pakistan-flood-victi-56219.html
A June poll taken by CNN shows that 78 percent of Americans hold mostly unfavorable views of Pakistan. A 2010 Gallup poll showed similar results, with 47 percent of respondents saying they were mostly negative on Pakistan, while 24 percent said they held "very" negative views of that country.
Pakistanis apparently feel the same about the United States.
A recent July poll conducted by the Pew Research Center Global Attitudes Project showed that 17 percent of Pakistanis held a favorable opinion of the United States, with 59 percent actually describing the United States as an "enemy." President Obama was less popular in Pakistan than in 22 other nations surveyed.
But I think we've committed about $55 million, 25 helicopters, a ship and about 1,000 troops anyway. I'd guess we'd be more generous to Indonesia. We can find out with their next earthquake.
Originally posted by avalanchethecatPakistan needs help?
Sounds like the aid response to this unprecedented disaster is well short of what is required - this is somewhat unusual to my mind. Is this just because of the scale of the problem, or is there a connection between this and the current conflict in Afghanistan do you think?
Poor, poor, Pakistan.
Are we supposed to do something for them?
They've never done crap for anyone else.
Poor poor Pakistan.
Originally posted by Scotty70Back in 2004-2005, the U.S. response to the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh and North Sumatera, Indonesia, was highly commendable and has not been forgotten. As for the building of the 'Ground Zero' mosque, I think many people have been impressed that in the U.S. principles and basic rights win out - something that Indonesian people often see as not happening enough in their own country - and I would say that admiration for America has increased as a result. I am sure that the opposite effect would be seen if disaster aid were withheld on account of the fact that an American citizen built an American building on an American piece of land.
It looks like Ground Zero is going to color a lot of our international policy on who to help from now on. I wonder how we would handle a disaster in Indonesia, a clear Muslim ally of the US.
Originally posted by Sam The ShamHere's the thing Sam, most of the millions of people rendered penniless and homeless by this disaster had barely more than a subsistence income in the first place, they were never really in the position to provide charitable aid. Are you advocating that innocent victims of a natural disaster should be denied aid depending on the recent behaviour of their government? Doesn't that seem a bit harsh?
Pakistan needs help?
Poor, poor, Pakistan.
Are we supposed to do something for them?
They've never done crap for anyone else.
Poor poor Pakistan.
Originally posted by Scotty70The President of the United States is going to base his foreign policy decisions on the actions of the New York city zoning board?
It looks like Ground Zero is going to color a lot of our international policy on who to help from now on. I wonder how we would handle a disaster in Indonesia, a clear Muslim ally of the US.
Geez.
I hope not.
The US should send said to Pakistan to alleviate the suffering for both humanitarian and political reasons.
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Originally posted by DrKFFor a person who thinks people who disagree with him want to silence him, he does seem to go silent of his own volition rather often.
The whodster is off trolling other threads. His work here is done.
Is that the sound of a mosquito buzzing around..?