![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Toph on December 31, 2004, at 13:20:31
Any comments on the priorities of US government in pledging 35 million in international relief to the countries affected by the devestating earthquake and resulting tsunamis? 35 million also represents 4 hours military expenitures in Iraq, I'm told.
Posted by AuntieMel on December 31, 2004, at 14:14:37
In reply to Generosity, posted by Toph on December 31, 2004, at 13:20:31
I agree with those complaining we're stingy.
But - hey - it's about the same we pledged to Iran after their earthquake, right?
Maybe we'll actually pay it this time.
Posted by TofuEmmy on December 31, 2004, at 16:18:13
In reply to Re: Generosity, posted by AuntieMel on December 31, 2004, at 14:14:37
I saw a CNN Quick Poll that asked if we, the readers, have donated to the various relief funds. Of those who responded, only 17% said they had donated.
How pathetic is that?? And I'd imagine many of the No's simply did not even respond.
Is the US government stingy....yuppers. And perhaps so are it's citizens?
Emmy - US citizen
P.S. I think Bush up'd the figure to $350 million.
Posted by TofuEmmy on December 31, 2004, at 16:20:52
In reply to Re: Generosity, posted by TofuEmmy on December 31, 2004, at 16:18:13
Same CNN Quick Poll thingy
Will you observe a moment of silence this New Year's Eve for the tsunami victims?
67% said YES
At least THAT's free! :-) Rut roh....was that sarcastic?? I think I slipped!
Posted by Toph on January 1, 2005, at 14:40:38
In reply to Re: Generosity, posted by TofuEmmy on December 31, 2004, at 16:18:13
>
> P.S. I think Bush up'd the figure to $350 million.I didn't realize that Dubya read Babble.
Posted by alexandra_k on January 1, 2005, at 15:55:30
In reply to Re: Generosity » TofuEmmy, posted by Toph on January 1, 2005, at 14:40:38
Yeah, I think the figure got upped after people made 'stingy' comments. Not just on the boards, of course :-)
It is easier to destroy than it is to rebuild, and (I am guessing) a lot more fun too. Much more fun to play than to put away the toys...
Posted by gardenergirl on January 1, 2005, at 19:55:04
In reply to Re: Generosity » TofuEmmy, posted by Toph on January 1, 2005, at 14:40:38
Posted by TofuEmmy on January 1, 2005, at 19:58:03
In reply to Re: Generosity » TofuEmmy, posted by Toph on January 1, 2005, at 14:40:38
Yup, but right after Japan said, "Nyah Nyah...so then we're upping our donation from $30 million to $500 million!!"
Think Bush will raise 'em?
Posted by Toph on January 2, 2005, at 6:44:34
In reply to Re: Generosity » Toph, posted by TofuEmmy on January 1, 2005, at 19:58:03
>
> Think Bush will raise 'em?Not until after another tax cut, em.
Posted by messadivoce on January 2, 2005, at 20:12:40
In reply to Re: Generosity » TofuEmmy, posted by Toph on January 2, 2005, at 6:44:34
Donations are pouring in from private US citzens and corporations alike. I really don't think it's the US govt's responsibility to knock itself out by giving money, especially since we're a capitalist country. The reason European citizens can't give as much as US citizens is because they don't have any!!! Their governments take all their money and redistribute. So their governments give huge amounts of money, US citizens give a lot too, and the media conveniently ignores the latter while comparing the US government's "stingy" donation to that of Europe's. But then I'm not surprised.
Posted by alexandra_k on January 2, 2005, at 22:26:38
In reply to consider the truth perhaps, posted by messadivoce on January 2, 2005, at 20:12:40
I think it is when you compare the amount that goes into the 'war on terrorism' (and how many died / were majorly affected in that one?) compared to aid for natural disaster (and how many are MAJORLY affected by that one?) then, well, then things start to look a bit stingy.
But, yes, it is a capitalist country.
But then is that really something to be proud of?
Posted by AuntieMel on January 4, 2005, at 10:33:37
In reply to consider the truth perhaps, posted by messadivoce on January 2, 2005, at 20:12:40
Do you really think Europeans don't have any free money? That hasn't been my experience.
My best friend lives just outside of London. He emailed me after 911 and told me he went with his kids to a nearby firehouse <one of hundreds around the country> where people were signing rememberance books for the victims. People were queued up for blocks.
Then when he got to the boot they had out for donations it was stuffed with paper money (minimum 5 GBP) to send to New York.
I heard of similar things throughout Europe. And I'm willing to bet other similar things are going on for the Tsunami victims as well.
In fact - to make a sweeping general statement of my own - I've found the folks over there - eastern block countries too - have a much stronger sense of "duty" than we Americans do these days.
Posted by TofuEmmy on January 6, 2005, at 21:47:59
In reply to consider the truth perhaps, posted by messadivoce on January 2, 2005, at 20:12:40
1/6/2005
(CNN) -- Almost three-quarters of Americans surveyed in a poll released Thursday have prayed for victims of the southern Asia tsunamis, but when it comes to cash donations, only 45 percent have pulled out their wallets.The CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll of 1,005 adults found that another 6 percent of those surveyed had thought about saying a prayer but hadn't done it, and 19 percent had not thought much about doing it.
And while 45 percent of respondents said they had contributed money to relief efforts, 26 percent had thought about doing so but had not, and 29 percent had not thought much about it.
Twenty-six percent of the people queried said they have donated supplies or goods, 30 percent had thought about donating, and 43 percent had given it no thought.
The telephone interviews were done Monday through Wednesday, as nations rushed to pledge donations after the tragedy.
Asked whether the United States was doing enough to aid victims or should do more, 70 percent of the people said the nation was doing enough and 26 percent felt its efforts fell short.
The Bush administration has pledged $350 million in relief -- and has said it will send more money if needed. It also has sent troops and equipment to the region.
Nearly 156,000 people have died since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck December 26 off the Indonesian coast, spawning tsunamis from Thailand and Malaysia to Somalia and Tanzania. About 29,000 people are missing.
The poll indicated that few Americans -- regardless of their actions -- can claim they were unaware of the desperate needs of the countries hit by the disaster.
Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed said they had followed the news very or somewhat closely.
The survey's margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Posted by alexandra_k on January 7, 2005, at 0:36:25
In reply to 55% American adults have not donated, posted by TofuEmmy on January 6, 2005, at 21:47:59
a max of 19% are athiests?
Posted by TofuEmmy on January 7, 2005, at 8:26:57
In reply to OMG, posted by alexandra_k on January 7, 2005, at 0:36:25
"43 percent had given it no thought" No thought to donating. No thought! Not even a thought. That amazes me. I can imagine thinking, ok, I am too poor to donate. But to not even consider it?? What a bunch of PBC-able people.
I wonder if they'd donate if it happen in a country where the people all had the same skin color as they do? Or were all the same religion? What does it take? Would it have to happen in the US? THEIR state? Or would if have to have killed THEIR family?
I think of us as one family. You got a heart that beats....you're family. And I'd prolly like you better than my biological one! :-)
emmy
Posted by AuntieMel on January 7, 2005, at 9:40:35
In reply to Re: OMG part deux, posted by TofuEmmy on January 7, 2005, at 8:26:57
Actually, it says 29 percent hadn't thought about donating cash.
40% hadn't thought about donating supplies or goods.
I'm in the "thought about it but didn't do it" category. Point me to an organization that will actually use my donation for what it is intended and I will happily donate. Red Cross? Forget it.
Posted by TofuEmmy on January 7, 2005, at 10:15:53
In reply to Re: OMG part deux, posted by AuntieMel on January 7, 2005, at 9:40:35
Direct International Relief https://www.directrelief.org/sections/support_us/d_donate_now.html
Oxfam https://secure.ga3.org/02/asia_earthquake04
Sarvodaya http://www.sarvodaya.org/
UNICEF http://www.unicef.org/index.html
MercyCorps http://www.mercycorps.org/splash/
Red Cross http://www.ifrc.org/index.asp
Doctors without Borders http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
CARE, USA http://www.careusa.org/
AmeriCares http://www.americares.org/
Posted by AuntieMel on January 7, 2005, at 10:25:44
In reply to Where you can donate, posted by TofuEmmy on January 7, 2005, at 10:15:53
Thanks. I've always admired doctors without borders. I'll give that a shot. (But like I said, red cross isn't an option)
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on January 7, 2005, at 10:39:46
In reply to 55% American adults have not donated, posted by TofuEmmy on January 6, 2005, at 21:47:59
Have you seen any statistics for other countries? I would be curious to see those.
Posted by TofuEmmy on January 7, 2005, at 10:40:21
In reply to Re: Where you can donate, posted by AuntieMel on January 7, 2005, at 10:25:44
That list is combined from a CNN list and a list that John Grohol posted on his website. It's a pretty good variety to choose from I think.
emmy
Posted by TofuEmmy on January 7, 2005, at 11:04:08
In reply to Re: 55% American adults have not donated, posted by Miss Honeychurch on January 7, 2005, at 10:39:46
No, but i'd love to! I'd like to see donations based on % of income, or something that basically shows charitible nature, ya know? Then subtract out folks based on geographic closeness to the area...and subtract out religious connectedness....then we'll find the people who are simply the most compassionate??
Maybe that's where I should hunt for the fufillment of my new years resolution. See Social board. :-)
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Politics | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.