Huge earthquake wreaks havoc

[BX 0]

You know INXS, I'm behind you 100% of the way, but let's not make this thread about Iraq, okay?

[Guest sek69]

Yes, I'm an idiot because I don't believe that the Bush Team gave two shits until they got the red ass from the international community.

 

I can hear the reply now, "OMG FAGGOTAMERICAHAT0RLOLZ~!"

 

Well literally the day the tsunami hit, Team Bush decided to reduce the amount of contributions they promised to global food aid programs.

 

With the budget deficit growing and President Bush promising to reduce spending, the administration has told representatives of several charities that it was unable to honor some earlier promises and would only have money to pay for food in emergency crises like that in Darfur, in western Sudan. The cutbacks, estimated by some charities at up to $100 million, come at a time when the number of hungry in the world is rising for the first time in years and all food programs are being stretched.

 

 

Translation: We blew the budget with that whole war thing. so fuck all y'all poor folks.

 

 

"We have between 5 and 7 million people who have been affected by these cuts," said Lisa Kuennen, a food aid expert at Catholic Relief Services. "We had approval for all of these programs, often a year in advance. We hired staff, signed agreements with governments and with local partners and now we have had to delay everything."

 

Kuennen said Catholic Relief Services had to cut back programs in Indonesia, Malawi and Madagascar, among other countries.

 

That sure came back to bite them in the ass, didn't it?

 

 

The bottom line is that when it comes time to tighten budgets, the folks in charge go right for the programs that aid the less fortunate.

 

Now they want to look like humanitarians because they're now offering to help (nearly a week later) people they were about to fuck in the ass EARLIER THAT DAY?

[MrRant 0]

I have no problem with that when it's programs that aid the less fortunate people in....

 

OTHER COUNTRIES.

[Guest sek69]

Those less fortunate people probably made 95% of the items in your house. Check all the tags on your clothes and see how many are made in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, or India and you'll see why not caring about those people could put a crimp in your style unless you're a nudist.

 

But I digress, these people are being helped, motivations aside. That is what's important. There's literally parts of these countries that were wiped off the fucking map.

[BX 0]

Notice: As it is Jan. 1, 2005, I have fulfilled my obligations to Slapnuts. I will now discard this wretched Bush avatar, as per our agreement.

 

Say hello to my new avatar: Depeche Mode goodness.

 

Now onto the subject at hand; I find your xenophobic behavior reprehensable Rant. This whole tsunami thread has revealed a side of you I had almost forgotten about. It's disappointing.

[MrRant 0]

Oh I think they should get some money.

 

However I find it laughable when Sek complains that we cut funding towards aid that goes to other countries before aid for perhaps our own as that would probably be where I would go to first if I were cutting spending. It's not like anyone predicted the tsunami.

[Guest sek69]

Oh I think they should get some money.

 

However I find it laughable when Sek complains that we cut funding towards aid that goes to other countries before aid for perhaps our own.

I complain when we can't afford to fund programs to help hungry people because we blew the budget. We looted the Treasury surplus so Bush could give his contributors tax cuts. We're throwing untold billions into the war and with no end in sight.

 

What happened to conservatives that didn't spend like drunken sailors? Isn't that the main bitch of the right when it comes to liberals, that all we do is expand government and waste taxpayer money?

 

However I find it laughable when Sek complains that we cut funding towards aid that goes to other countries before aid for perhaps our own.

 

Considering the per capita income here as opposed to the countries we aid, I see nothing laughable. It's not like we give millions to aid Canada, these are countries where people make like $7,000 a year on average.

 

 

Since you added to your post, so will I:

 

It's not like anyone predicted the tsunami.

 

It was caused by an earthquake, you can't predict when that will happen. Its not like a hurricane whereyou an track it for a week before it hits. By your logic, we should just tell California to go fuck off the next time a quake hits.

[MrRant 0]

I never said I agreed with how much we are spending in Iraq. Thanks for assuming though.

 

My point is that if I were to cut spending, the first thing I would look at would be money that is being spent outside of the country and I would probably reduce that amount first before going into programs that affect Americans.

[Guest sek69]

I never said I agreed with how much we are spending in Iraq. Thanks for assuming though.

 

My point is that if I were to cut spending, the first thing I would look at would be money that is being spent outside of the country and I would probably reduce that amount first before going into programs that affect Americans.

You have a problem with money going overseas before going to help Americans. Right now TONS of money are going into Iraq that could be better served here.

 

I assumed you *did* have a problem with that, which is why I was surprised you had a problem with giving aid to these tsunami victims. At least this money has some practical use since so many things we use are made in that area.

 

I certianly can understand the America First arguement when it comes to spending money, and I don't completely disagree. The problem is, and conservatives seem to hate this, we don't live in a world were America can wall itself off from the rest of the world. Everything is global these days, and the more we help out the more it will benefit us in the long run.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

 

At least this money has some practical use since so many things we use are made in that area

 

Sek, I've agreed with everything you said up to the quote above. That, though I doubt it was your intent, just sounded cold, in fact, likely the coldest thing I've ever heard....and I work at Walmrt, who will be changing its slogan to "Just Watch Us"

 

How about the practicality of letting unknown thousands survive, regardless of what they do for a living and whether or not it benfits us? I'd easily give up some money(which I have) to ensure the well being of others that I don't know in Asia. I don't care if the person I saved made products I use.

 

Then again, I may have misinterpreted.

[Guest sek69]

Well you sort of misread that, what I was aiming for is that even for folks who don't care about them dang 'furrners in other nations, there is still a reason to want to get that area back on its feet quickly.

[MrRant 0]

[Jobber of the Week 0]

How about the practicality of letting unknown thousands survive, regardless of what they do for a living and whether or not it benfits us? I'd easily give up some money(which I have) to ensure the well being of others that I don't know in Asia. I don't care if the person I saved made products I use.

 

Then again, I may have misinterpreted.

NY Times said the other day that although a bunch of aid is being raised, none of it is getting through to the people that need it.

 

Whoever the fuck said the US is cheap first sure made a great move, now we're throwing cash into that region and it's probably not going to help the people who lived near the beach that need it most.

 

However, we're going to make SOMEBODY in that region and their family very, very rich, if you get my drift.

[Guest sek69]

Especially since the money that was pledged to help fight AIDS in Africa has yet to actually appear, not that it stops conservative radio hosts from using it to show what a great humanitarian Bush is.

 

Hell, I can go on TV and promise to send a zillion dollars to help everyone in the world as long as no one ever bothers to make sure it ever really gets there.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Saying you're going to donate zillions isn't a good move at all.

 

While people have been sitting around and sniping at the US as cheapskates, this strategy is the smartest way to go about things. If you say up front you're going to donate hundreds of millions of dollars, the people in power in that region will basically realize that they're filthy rich and start making plans on what to build or do with a crazy sum of money.

 

By saying you're donating $15 million or $30 million, and moving up, you're keeping their mind on using this money to help the people who actually need it. And already, we're finding out that relief isn't getting to the victims it needs to get to.

 

Seriously, these countries are going to make so much money off this disaster that some people high on the totem pole there are going to wish for another tsunami.

[EricMM 0]

You act like corruption is suprising or unusual in the third world, even when lives are involved?

 

Surprise surprise, the U.S. is still one of the most efficent countries in the world when it comes to honest heads of Govt, business, etc.

[CBright7831 0]

Look at these pictures:

 

http://images8.fotki.com/v124/photos/1/141...sunami01-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v136/photos/1/141...sunami02-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v137/photos/1/141...sunami03-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v137/photos/1/141...sunami04-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v136/photos/1/141...sunami05-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v136/photos/1/141...sunami06-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v136/photos/1/141...sunami07-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v135/photos/1/141...sunami08-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v140/photos/1/141...sunami09-vi.jpg

 

Look at these videos:

 

 

http://www.archive.org/download/tsunami/tsunami.wmv

 

http://itsrv203.adm.stevens.edu//KATC.wmv

 

http://www.students.washington.edu/%7Egehrlich/thai.wmv

 

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Easiabackup/penang.wmv

 

http://www.simnet.is/pah/tsunami/ysri_lanka_tsunami3.wmv

 

http://www.simnet.is/pah/tsunami/patong_beach3.wmv

 

http://itsrv203.adm.stevens.edu//sea-spills.mp4

[Dr. Tom 0]

Well, we could send our $350m over there and have the UN make sure it goes to the right people for the right things.

 

Oh wait...

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Regarding the amount of money coming in for aid, remember what happened after 9/11 -- the United Way and Red Cross had so much money they didn't know how to spend it all. I think a certain cable news channel that produces quality worthy of the LOL2005 seal of approval will have their next scandal -- where's the aid money going? -- to cover for the next year or so...

[CBright7831 0]

Bush Sr., Clinton lead relief drive

Ex-presidents to lead tsunami charity drive

 

Bush senior, Clinton will

solicit private donations

 

The Associated Press

Updated: 1:03 p.m. ET Jan. 3, 2005WASHINGTON - President Bush on Monday named former Presidents Clinton and Bush to lead a nationwide charitable fund-raising effort for victims of the Asian tsunamis.

 

"The greatest source of America’s generosity is not our government," Bush said at a news conference at the Roosevelt Room, with his two immediate predecessors at his side. "It’s the … heart of the American people."

 

The two men are to lead an effort to encourage the American people and American businesses to support, through private contributions, non-governmental relief and reconstruction to areas devastated by the tsunamis, Bush said.

 

A direct appeal

"In the coming days, Presidents Clinton and Bush will ask Americans to donate directly to reliable charities already providing help to tsunami victims," Bush said. "I've asked the former presidents to solicit contributions both large and small

 

 

The president urged Americans to give money instead of other items and urged those interested in contributing to visit the USA Freedom corps Web site for further information on the best way to render aid.

 

He also ordered that American flags fly at half-staff all week in sympathy for “the victims of a great tragedy,” particularly the many thousands of dead and orphaned children.

 

Later Monday, Bush, accompanied by first lady Laura Bush as well as his father and Clinton, paid brief visits to the embassies of the four nations hit hardest by the disaster — Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.

 

At the Indonesian and Indian embassies, Mrs. Bush presented officials with bouquets of white roses and the foursome signed condolence books.

 

“We look forward to working with the Indonesian government to help those who need food, medicine, water and shelter to get their lives back in order so the great country of Indonesia can rise up from this disaster. May God bless the people of Indonesia,” the president said in a brief statement at the Indonesian embassy. He made similar remarks at other embassies.

 

While at the Indian embassy, Bush said he told the ambassador he intends to travel to India this year. “In the meantime, though, our country stands with the people who have suffered,” he said.

 

Initial U.S. response drew criticism

The announcement of the charity drive came as the White House has been scrambling to repair an image battered at home and abroad by perceptions that U.S. aid for the tsunamis lagged behind other countries — especially considering the outpouring of support for America from other countries in the hours and days immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

 

Bush faced criticism for being slow to respond to the Dec. 26 disaster. Other countries were quicker to commit large amounts of aid money, and Japan has outpaced the U.S. total of $350 million pledged so far.

 

But private donations began pouring in from people in the United States and around the world at unprecedented levels almost immediately.

 

Bush's press secretary, Scott McClellan, dismissed suggestions the White House effort was behind that curve as well, saying the effort was about encouraging the impressive flow to continue.

 

"This will bring even more focus on the need to provide support for these international organizations in the affected areas," he said before Bush’s announcement. "This is a human tragedy that is really beyond comprehension and we want to make sure we're doing everything we can both from the government perspective as well as private support to help those who are suffering."

 

The president also is waiting to hear back from a delegation he dispatched to the region to assess what more the United States government can do to help. That team, led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and the president's brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, arrived in the region Monday.

 

Powell said Monday in Bangkok, Thailand, that the relief effort appears to be going so well that he sees no immediate need for more U.S. money.

 

© 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6780798/

[Guest BDC]

I'd also like to point out we had Marines deployed in the effected areas doing things like airlifting folks out, helping clear debris and disposing of bodies and such...

[Vern Gagne 0]

Carter gets dissed. Ford is like 90, so he's probably not capable.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

I think a certain cable news channel that produces quality worthy of the LOL2005 seal of approval will have their next scandal -- where's the aid money going? -- to cover for the next year or so...

The sad thing about that is that they never name any GOOD charities if they decide to do an expose (agenda or no agenda) on "bad" ones.

 

"America's government doesn't need to donate because it's people are so generous! And coming up, America's charities are fucking around with your money! Next on LOL NEWS!"

[Downhome 0]

http://bstn.free.fr/start_en.htm

[Vyce 0]

Saying you're going to donate zillions isn't a good move at all.

 

While people have been sitting around and sniping at the US as cheapskates, this strategy is the smartest way to go about things. If you say up front you're going to donate hundreds of millions of dollars, the people in power in that region will basically realize that they're filthy rich and start making plans on what to build or do with a crazy sum of money.

 

By saying you're donating $15 million or $30 million, and moving up, you're keeping their mind on using this money to help the people who actually need it. And already, we're finding out that relief isn't getting to the victims it needs to get to.

 

Seriously, these countries are going to make so much money off this disaster that some people high on the totem pole there are going to wish for another tsunami.

I don't often agree with Jobber, but I do so now.

 

A voice of reason amidst a sea of the "OMGAMERICAISTEHCHEAPSK8!!!!" idiots.

[Guest TJH]

Look at these pictures:

 

http://images8.fotki.com/v124/photos/1/141...sunami01-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v136/photos/1/141...sunami02-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v137/photos/1/141...sunami03-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v137/photos/1/141...sunami04-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v136/photos/1/141...sunami05-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v136/photos/1/141...sunami06-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v136/photos/1/141...sunami07-vi.jpg

http://images7.fotki.com/v135/photos/1/141...sunami08-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v140/photos/1/141...sunami09-vi.jpg

 

Look at these videos:

 

 

http://www.archive.org/download/tsunami/tsunami.wmv

 

http://itsrv203.adm.stevens.edu//KATC.wmv

 

http://www.students.washington.edu/%7Egehrlich/thai.wmv

 

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Easiabackup/penang.wmv

 

http://www.simnet.is/pah/tsunami/ysri_lanka_tsunami3.wmv

 

http://www.simnet.is/pah/tsunami/patong_beach3.wmv

 

http://itsrv203.adm.stevens.edu//sea-spills.mp4

The photographs are all fake.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

I don't often agree with Jobber, but I do so now.

Actually, you've been agreeing with me several times in the past couple months.

 

I told you. Once you say it a few times, it suddently gets easier to do.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I think a certain cable news channel that produces quality worthy of the LOL2005 seal of approval will have their next scandal -- where's the aid money going? -- to cover for the next year or so...

The sad thing about that is that they never name any GOOD charities if they decide to do an expose (agenda or no agenda) on "bad" ones.

Yeah, but that's one of the oldest Journalism tricks in the Big/Medium/Small Media Playbook -- take a few examples and say that's how everyone acts in a certain profession/business...

[Guest Ether]

I was thinking about this the other other day, and the way in which America reacts to this could possibly have an effect on the War on Terror. If they make sure that the resources are wisely spent and that their impact is overwhelmingly positive, then terror cells in SE Asia may dwindle, as public perception of America might change, leading to people not joining those cells

Unfortunately, they'll probably find some way to blame America for the tsunami.

 

Also, some group in Indonesia with ties to Al-Quida is actually leading in the relief efforts, so there is fear that they will manipulate the situation to gain anti-America sentiment. I also know relief workers from other countries have been told to stay away from American helicopters and the like.

 

BTW, did anyone else hear about how the earthquake was powerful enough to affect the earth's rotation for a fraction of a second? Can't remember if it temporarily sped it up or slowed it down.

[Guest sek69]

I think the earthquake was so strong (a 9.0) that it actually made the Earth wobble on its axis for a few seconds.

 

This whole argument that there's large groups of people who blame America for everything is a bit ridiculous.

 

Like it or not, there are a lot of things going on in the world that can directly or indirectly be traced back to the US fucking around with something, but a natural disaster is not one of them.

 

I guess there's always one nut out there who'll say that the US caused the tsunami and that person will end up the right wing discussion topic for the next month, but I seriously doubt there's many people who'd agree.