Political Pygmies

[mrs.pudding]

Am I alone in thinking that the political leaders of Britain and America have completely failed to realise just how seriously the people of their countries have viewed the devastation of the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean?  For once I truly believe that our own sainted leader (Tony) has failed to cash in on the emotion and he has now left it too late to do so.  Given the might and power of our countries, I am ashamed at how long it is taking to get even minimal help to the stricken places.  Our governments have shown themselves to be quite useless in these circumstances.  Is it because there is no political mileage in it for them?  Perhaps they really don't understand how common decency and our common humanity make us all feel that this is no time to be quibbling about costs.  We have the equipment and the expertise and food, water, medicines and man-power should have been on their way within hours of the disaster.  The people of Britain and America began giving vast amounts of money for relief within hours of the first news.  Their governments should be hanging their heads in shame.

[ianess]

No mrs.pudding...you most certainly are not alone.  You`ve hit the bulls-eye with your post BUT there are now so many similar postings that maybe AB editors should consider an entirely separate category for this one subject alone.

[Pinotage]

  I don't agree at all. It sounds like you are saying the UK should unilaterally fly in and start. But start where? Fly where? The affected countries are sovereign, their governments are responsible for administering aid, asking for  it and inviting in other agencies.

[Lindy Loo]

I agree with you Pinotage. Given the different times around the world, when the tsunami hit at 8 o'clock in the morning, Thailand Standard Time, it would have been around;

2:00 PM Auckland, 1:00 AM London,

8:00 PM NewYork, 8:00 PM Washington DC

 

Plus there are the pure practicalities of being able to contact the countries affected, and finding out the extent of the devistation, what help was needed and then contacting the relavent global relief organisations.

Unfortunately not a 5 minute as some people think it should be.

If only we were superhuman!

[Peter Pedant]

My, mrs pudding, that is a long question.

The previous unwilling recipients of charity were in Africa where you will recall the Sudanis have been beating seven shades of s**t out of the Darfuris, shooting the aid workers and basically not really looking as though they want anything besides guns and grenades

Queue the tsu nami, in a place where people have taken good holidays, been treated well, no civil wars, no violence (except in Sri Lanka) no guns or bombs, sun, good weather, nice massage ("you strong, like Bull!") parlours. People automatically think that they should help the souls wh have previously been so good to them. I think people gave because they were touched by the plight of places they had been to and liked.

I dont think shame or one up man ship or votes came into it.

NB Tony Blair goes on holiday to Italy