Full Version: Tsunami in Asia
I’m sure everyone by now has heard of the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami that inundated Sri Lanka, Thailand, several other Asian countries and even Somalia. The death toll is huge (26,000 and rising according to the LA Times) and most of the victims are women and children, who couldn’t run fast enough to get out of the path of rushing water. According to the LA Times, the drinking water is polluted and obviously, millions of survivors have been left homeless. Teams of Japanese and Israeli doctors arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday to treat the wounded and attempt to prevent/treat the outbreak of disease. The US is sending emergency humanitarian aid money and the Red Cross is preparing its aid relief efforts.
I am putting this in Casual Conversation, because I have been reading the UN-bashing going on in another thread, and it is depressing the xenophobia that seems to be taking over. Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate based on nationality, but it shouldn’t take a national disaster to make people of all nations unite in a common effort. I have experienced a nasty quake myself (no tsunami, thank goodness!) and the resulting emotional/financial upheaval it brought, but I can't imagine the level of horror of what the people in Asia have experienced and will continue to have to deal with in the coming days/months/years.
The tsunami indiscriminately swept away tourists from many nations: Germans, Dutch, Scandinavians, Italians, Brits and Americans alike. In Thailand, 20 to 30% of the dead were tourists.
If I have to ask a question, I guess I'd like to ask, does the plight of the victims of the quake/tsunami affect you as strongly as defending your country's political position, the war, etc.? Or, because it happened halfway around the world, does it not matter?
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
I am putting this in Casual Conversation, because I have been reading the UN-bashing going on in another thread, and it is depressing the xenophobia that seems to be taking over. Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate based on nationality, but it shouldn’t take a national disaster to make people of all nations unite in a common effort. I have experienced a nasty quake myself (no tsunami, thank goodness!) and the resulting emotional/financial upheaval it brought, but I can't imagine the level of horror of what the people in Asia have experienced and will continue to have to deal with in the coming days/months/years.
QUOTE
The United Nations today rushed in more aid to the victims of the devastating tsunami that struck south Asia as it prepared to launch a flash appeal in what relief officials called an unprecedented effort by the world body to forestall the dangers of disease threatening millions of people.
In Sri Lanka, the UN refugee agency opened up its relief stockpiles to deliver immediate emergency assistance to the Indian Ocean island, where thousands were killed, injured or displaced by the catastrophe, while the UN World Food Programme (WFP) took steps to feed some 400,000 people displaced by the catastrophe. Noticias
In Sri Lanka, the UN refugee agency opened up its relief stockpiles to deliver immediate emergency assistance to the Indian Ocean island, where thousands were killed, injured or displaced by the catastrophe, while the UN World Food Programme (WFP) took steps to feed some 400,000 people displaced by the catastrophe. Noticias
The tsunami indiscriminately swept away tourists from many nations: Germans, Dutch, Scandinavians, Italians, Brits and Americans alike. In Thailand, 20 to 30% of the dead were tourists.
If I have to ask a question, I guess I'd like to ask, does the plight of the victims of the quake/tsunami affect you as strongly as defending your country's political position, the war, etc.? Or, because it happened halfway around the world, does it not matter?
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
QUOTE(DaffyGrl @ Dec 28 2004, 03:06 PM)
If I have to ask a question, I guess I'd like to ask, does the plight of the victims of the quake/tsunami affect you as strongly as defending your country's political position, the war, etc.? Or, because it happened halfway around the world, does it not matter?
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
Our country's political opinion shouldn't matter in respect to such an awful disaster. I believe, not only as Americans but as people, we should give any and all available aid to these people. I've never heard of anything so awful and am concerned that world relations would ever even be a sticking point. I hope that as a nation as fortunate as ours that we have the ability to dig deep into our pockets and realize that regardless of geography that these are people too, whom are in dire need of our help...
does the plight of the victims of the quake/tsunami affect you as strongly as
defending your country's political position, the war, etc.? Or, because it happened
halfway around the world, does it not matter?
It affects me very strongly and on a personal level. It was reported that a large
percentage of casualties were children. I have not watched the coverage on the
tv news, but I did catch a glimpse of a bereaved man holding his dead child in his
arms. Who could not be affected by such a sight? It is truly a tragedy for all of
mankind.
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any
differently
Not really. I view world relations in a fairly objective way, to begin with.
We are all people, just trying to survive in a hostile world.
defending your country's political position, the war, etc.? Or, because it happened
halfway around the world, does it not matter?
It affects me very strongly and on a personal level. It was reported that a large
percentage of casualties were children. I have not watched the coverage on the
tv news, but I did catch a glimpse of a bereaved man holding his dead child in his
arms. Who could not be affected by such a sight? It is truly a tragedy for all of
mankind.
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any
differently
Not really. I view world relations in a fairly objective way, to begin with.
We are all people, just trying to survive in a hostile world.
Does the plight of the victims of the quake/tsunami affect you as strongly as defending your country's political position, the war, etc.? Or, because it happened halfway around the world, does it not matter?
This disaster does affect me and quite strongly. I have donated to the Red Cross and plan to give to Doctors Without Borders as well. Last I read, the human casualty count exceeds 52,000. The secondary effects of non-potable water, lack of food and sanitation as well as disease will surely double that number.
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
No. My feelings about the world remain the same. We are all in it. Ethnicity and nationality are irrelevant to a tsunami.
This disaster does affect me and quite strongly. I have donated to the Red Cross and plan to give to Doctors Without Borders as well. Last I read, the human casualty count exceeds 52,000. The secondary effects of non-potable water, lack of food and sanitation as well as disease will surely double that number.
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
No. My feelings about the world remain the same. We are all in it. Ethnicity and nationality are irrelevant to a tsunami.
Does the plight of the victims of the quake/tsunami affect you as strongly as defending your country's political position, the war, etc.?
No...much stronger. Also, disasters tend to take politics out of the equation....I doubt the tsunami really cared that much what political position its victims held. I don't put political issues up there in the true 'life-and-death' category..not even close.
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
Yes..again, because the politics of the situation are removed. There are no conservatives, liberals, fanatics, extremists, etc..no right or wrong...just victims, and survivors.
No...much stronger. Also, disasters tend to take politics out of the equation....I doubt the tsunami really cared that much what political position its victims held. I don't put political issues up there in the true 'life-and-death' category..not even close.
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
Yes..again, because the politics of the situation are removed. There are no conservatives, liberals, fanatics, extremists, etc..no right or wrong...just victims, and survivors.
I will echo the thoughts of the other posters in this thread. A natural disaster of this scope deserves our attention and assistance, even more than the war does.
This is a time for the world's people to get together and help these victims in so many countries.
No, it does not change my thoughts on the UN or other organizations that are here to help those in need. I did not criticize them before.
This is a time for the world's people to get together and help these victims in so many countries.
No, it does not change my thoughts on the UN or other organizations that are here to help those in need. I did not criticize them before.
I've noticed a strange trend with the tsunami. On radio and C-SPAN call in shows, people who feel that we haven't given enough aid to the devastates areas are claiming that its actually racism.....'more brown people dead on the other side of the world'.
When the same callers mention the UN or how much money should be sent to th region....somehow Halliburton and the war in Iraq become the focal points of the callers argument, completely sidestepping the issue of the tsunami.
So to answer the question, Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
It certainly doesn't make me see domestic relations any differently. Those who may proclaim the loudest about helping others, merely use it as a vehicle to advance their agenda.
When the same callers mention the UN or how much money should be sent to th region....somehow Halliburton and the war in Iraq become the focal points of the callers argument, completely sidestepping the issue of the tsunami.
So to answer the question, Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
It certainly doesn't make me see domestic relations any differently. Those who may proclaim the loudest about helping others, merely use it as a vehicle to advance their agenda.
If I have to ask a question, I guess I'd like to ask, does the plight of the victims of the quake/tsunami affect you as strongly as defending your country's political position, the war, etc.? Or, because it happened halfway around the world, does it not matter?
The only thing that matters are the victims and victim's families. We must do all we can to help them. Politics is a non-factor. As we all can see, natural disasters
do not discriminate based on race, politics or whatever. Its just a matter of helping those in need.
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
No differently because it has nothing to do with world relations. When something tragic like this happens, you put aside all differences and unite to help those who are suffering.
The only thing that matters are the victims and victim's families. We must do all we can to help them. Politics is a non-factor. As we all can see, natural disasters
do not discriminate based on race, politics or whatever. Its just a matter of helping those in need.
Does this horrible natural disaster make you see world relations any differently?
No differently because it has nothing to do with world relations. When something tragic like this happens, you put aside all differences and unite to help those who are suffering.
Does the plight of the victims of the quake/tsunami affect you as strongly as defending your country's political position, the war, etc.? Or, because it happened halfway around the world, does it not matter? Of course it matters. This is unbelievably devastating, and I read this morning that the death toll might be as high as 100,000. It's a sobering, horrific look at the damage nature can do. In spite of our technological advances, we're at her mercy. This could have happened to us as well.
I am going to give to Americare. Unfortunately, we donated most of our discretionary money during the holidays so we don't have much to give now.
Per the UN bashing Daffygrl mentioned in the second paragraph of this thread.... If I give my money to these charities, and later find that instead of reaching the mouths of the people I'm giving it to, much of it was placed instead in the pockets of the charity leaders...would I be justifiably angry, or would that simply be "charity bashing" so I should shut up? 
I'm always careful to use a reputable agency to give to, and I check their financials on the charity navigator. I only wish certain other organizations were so accountable.
I am going to give to Americare. Unfortunately, we donated most of our discretionary money during the holidays so we don't have much to give now.
Per the UN bashing Daffygrl mentioned in the second paragraph of this thread.... If I give my money to these charities, and later find that instead of reaching the mouths of the people I'm giving it to, much of it was placed instead in the pockets of the charity leaders...would I be justifiably angry, or would that simply be "charity bashing" so I should shut up? I'm always careful to use a reputable agency to give to, and I check their financials on the charity navigator. I only wish certain other organizations were so accountable.
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