Politics #2

[Alistair]

I'd been meaning to start a new thread here about politics, given the popularity of the original one by Marten, but the following comments in an AOL news segment really quickened my response time:

Before embarking on his early afternoon chopper tour, Powell said U.S. money and military assistance to countries where tens of thousands died in the tsunami may lessen anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world.

``I hope that as a result of our efforts, as a result of our helicopter pilots being seen by the citizens of Indonesia helping them, that value system of ours will be reinforced,'' Powell said.

The United States bankrolls humanitarian relief in part ``because we believe it is in the best interest of those countries and it's in our best interest,'' Powell said. ``It dries up those pools of dissatisfaction that might give rise to terrorist activity.''

``It turns out that the majority of those nations affected were Muslim nations,'' Powell said. ``We'd be doing it regardless of religion, but I think it does give the Muslim world and the rest of the world ... an opportunity to see American generosity, American values in action.''

What do you folks think of the above? I initially saw this story on our independent broadcaster news, albeit a less 'pro-American' than the usual suck-up Yank press.

I thought Powell's comments, given the tsunami devastation and general tragedy were nothing short of heinous. Completely insensitive and simply arrogant to the Nth degree.

Anyone else hear about the tsunami (How much has it permeated the American press? We're still getting 2/3 of news bulletins focusing on it here in Australia) disaster much on the news? What about this story?

And of course, feel free to discuss general politics as well, I'm just kicking off with this story.

- Alistair

[Tom]

because we believe it is in the best interest of those countries and it's in our best interest,'' Powell said. ``It dries up those pools of dissatisfaction that might give rise to terrorist activity.''

I agree, this is one of the most insane lines of reason I've seen from the Bush administration in a while.  But even so, Powell may be thinking this makes sense...to him, but to publicly make this statement demonstrates a lack of sincere compassion.  Ass!

This whole competition of donating to this disaster is a joke.  Each county trying to outbid the other in an attempt to show who's the most compassionate.  Give me a break.  Last night,  the BBC reported that Norway has by far donated more than any other nation, per capita -- an average of $38.00 per citizen, compared to the U.S. $1.15 per citizen.  But who the hell cares how much each country is giving.  Just do it!!  

Also heard, based on previous situations like this, that only about 10% of private donations that are pledged actually ever are received.

[Marten]

Unfortunately, there's no way to know whether Powell was led unwittingly into making such a statement.  All it takes is a smart person with a microphone to ask, "Mr. Powell, how do you feel relief efforts will affect terrorism in the region?" and if you don't pause to choose your words *very* carefully, there you have it.  And Powell cerrtainly seemed to backtrack at the end with his "Regardless of religion" comment.

Although... even if Powell was led into a verbal trap, he should be a smart enough person not to be led into hanging a noose around his neck so fittingly.

[Alistair]

Wait a minute. Wasn't *Condoleeza Rice* apointed his successor? When does THAT take place? (US politics have gotten zero airtime in Australia for once, with this disaster).

Anyways, I didn't mean to harp on about it, Powell just really annoyed me with such awful words. Usually he's one of the administration members I find least offensive.

The 'competition' for donations is shameful, and thank goodness our fascists in power at least didn't sink that low. As some commentator said (I forget who), "As the rich nations get richer, they seem to become less and elss generous."
Surely developed nations have some sort of empathy.. anwyays, enough tsunami. I'm getting tired of it myself, although obviously it's a tragedy in my region which is a abomination upon humanity. However, it's had enough whole news bulletins for my tastes.

Ah, there's another good quote. Some British ITV journo saying in relation to the tsunami, "It makes anythign seem pale in comparison. The war in Iraq, global warming.. all seem completely unimportant when the world is faced with a disaster such as this."
I don't know about anyone else (and I seriously doubt you folks are getting the same 'tsunami-saturated' media we are, so it's hard to explain) but such a comment seriously bothers me. The disaster has *happened*. Aid is going to the worst-hit places, like Aceh. Things are being DONE.

Iraq is still chaos and anarchy, with legions being killed, and elections supposedly 3 weeks' away! Just as one alternative to the tsunami story.

Anwyays. What else is happening in everyone else's parts of the globe? Haven't heard much else these past couple weeks.

- Alistair

[Ghost_Rider]

Our Prime Minister, Paul Martin, came under fire because he didn't cut his vacation short to come back to Canada.  Some people were upset because we pledged so little, until Martin came back, and decided to double it.  That again raised a stink about him remaining on his planned vacation and not coming home early.  I'm sure there is more to it than that; I didn't bother reading all the details.

Otherwise things are pretty quiet.  Oh yeah, one other domestic thing that I found funny, is that the province of Newfoundland and Labrador took down their Canadian flags.  This was done by their Premier, Danny Williams, in protest of the federal government.  The protest is going on because of oil and gas revenues.  The province thinks they should get to keep all the revenues, while the federal government thinks they should take a portion - up to 70% of it.  They're already hit hard by fishing restrictions, so they're taking it as "kick 'em while they're down".

[Marten]

I've told my family before:  If something bad happens while I'm on vacation, if I can't do anything about it and my response can wait, don't notify me and ruin my vacation.

[Alistair]

Well, lucky my last name is Gillett and not 'Johns'..

- Alistair

[Marten]

I don't understand an attitude that people have of, "Oh, the misery, you have to be miserable too because we're suffering."

I don't understand why the prime minister of Canada needed to cut short his well deserved vacation for a disaster which was not of Canadian origin or of much impact to Canada at all.  I feel sorry for the guy getting all this flak.  I think it's unwise to yank a person off of vacation back onto the job, whereupon they may do their job poorly because they've been deprived of a needed break.  It's also rather sad that apparently they needed him back in order for Canada to increase the amount of their promise to the disaster relief.  Are the people he left in charge incompetent or do they somehow lack the authority which should have been entrusted upon them when he took vacation?

There are situations in which cutting a vacation is warranted, and situations where it is not.  If a loved one who has been ill for a long time gets sicker and it is suspected that they will pass away soon, certainly, I would want to return from my vacation ASAP rather than miss my last moments with them.  That is a genuine emergency.

On the other hand, if some accident had occurred to me and a loved one was on vacation, but there was nothing they could do about it, no real difference between whether they returned quickly or not... I would not want their vacation ruined for my selfish indulgence.

[Alistair]

Aha.. yes, I completely agree with what's been said. Although Canada should do their bit as a developed country, it's not worthy of dragging the guy home, as Marten says, is he the only one with authority?

- Alistair

[Ghost_Rider]

No kidding.  Pretty silly that all these other politicians could not make the decision in his absence.  If they absolutely had to have the approval of the prime minister, they could have come up with a proposal, and CALLED him on vacation.  He could then approve it, or disapprove it, and continue his vacation.  I guess "decision making" was not a high point on anyone's resume.