Well, at least our Supermodels are safe!

Unfreakinbelievable. I was watching one of those 60 minutes type shows about the Tsunami that has killed over 50,000, and the headline was "Supermodel Survivor". Some model was vacationing on a beach in Costa Rico when the Tsunami hit, and survived with a few broken bones.

WTF? Over 50,000 people died, and not one of their names were mentioned, but one of OUR SUPERMODELS get's hurt and it's major news!

Over twenty times the amount of people died than in 9/11, yet we don't care all that much because this didn't happen in america. That's sad enough. But if a supermodel get's injured, now we get all choked up.

Crazy. This country embarresses me sometimes.

I guess now everyone will be wearing colored plastic bracelets for this poor supermodel.

I'm sure they'll set up a donation fund for her. What the hell, she's only a millionaire. Most of the others that were killed were poor, they don't really matter.



Steve

 

same here, they keep emphasizing the news on how many dutch people died.
who gives a f--- with all those dead, it doesn't matter where they came from, they're dead, gone, wasted, we should try to help those who are still suffering instead of emphasizing which country has how many dead ffs!

 

The supermodel thing was the lead story on Inside Edition...not exactly what I'd call a noteworthy news source.

But yeah...American coverage is annoying the crap out of me. Whole populations are decimated, and we focus on the twelve Americans who were vacationing there.

*Yes, I know there were more than twelve, and that their deaths were tragic. But come on...

 

A week, tops

 

That explains it. I wasn't really paying attention, just flipping through channels. Still pretty stupid though.



Steve

 

this event is very tragic..
last time i checked, the death toll was 55,000 but it keeps on rising. They even say it might double...
I wonder how many people died in Myanmar (aka Burma) which was also hit by the tsunami... that's where i'm from (but i'm living in the US)

 

Off topic:
oh just noticed. cluless_rawker16 got a title that fits...
must be the first "Private E-2" to get a title...

EDIT: Hey, i got 300 posts! mine changed too!

 

Suits her well.

 

They're all the same. Australia is more concerned with two Australians including a baby, than the 10 of thousands dead.

 

HAHA...I thought that is what the "one week tops" post was about....

 

Maybe the news people just need to get a clue!

 

What is really ticking me off is that while we are protecting our oil assets, we are going to leave all 8 of those countries to rebuild by them selves. Sure we pledged, what 15 million, and then added another 15 million? That is about 1/3 of the total collective support given so far from around the world. The United States had spent billions of dollars on Florida alone after the hurricanes. I think it is going to take a lot more then just measly hand outs from countries like ours to restore the countries back to normal, not to mention the man power, and time it is going take. If we are going to be the ‘caring’ country, the ‘protector of the world’ that wants to do what is best for everyone, we should; send troops and supplies there, help rebuild all the countries, restore the water, dispose of the dead, help the sick, clean up the entire mess! Of coarse we are not going much farther then pledging a measly 30 million dollars. Now I wonder why? Could it be they have no oil and we really don't care about them? We where more then happy to liberate a country who really wasn't in need of our immediate help, and 'secure' their oil fields from the 'terrorists' all based off of false pretences. Now 60,000+ people have died, and double that could die from disease brought about from the flooding, but we'll just stay here, counting our barrels of oil and wads of cash because that’s seems to be America’s way right now and that’s the way we like it.

Cooked

 

Its all strange how our governments seem to only care for people from their own countries, ok not in all cases, but Tony Blair was saying something like 10 British people have died and many more injured so we must send out support for them, but I'm thinking, yeah good you're helping British people out there, but what about all the other people who have suffered as a result of this, over 68,000 isn't it now?

 

Headline news here is also how many Swedes are missing. That figure is high (1500) but still nothing in comparison with the disaster for the people living there! As others have said, it is too big to grasp, I'm trying to mentally fill a stadium or football fields to see how many people that would be, just to get an idea, but this is beyond comprehension.

 

I think it's a bit too early to criticise. We are helping, and it's only right that we take care of our own first,(referring to the Hurricanes) that is the first responsibility of each governmet. I could be wrong, but I doubt we got aid from ANY other country when the hurricanes hit. We will be sending millions in relief, and probably manpower as well.

I have a request: Please don't bring up the war, it's a seperate issue. Let's just do what we can to help those folks. If I had some kind of skills, I'd go myself. Shoot, I can drive a truck and operate a crane, maybe I WILL go.

In the meantime, I'll be praying.

 

Well...we've pledged $35 million, not $30 million, and have promised to give more once we figure out WTF we're going to come up with it.

The thing that makes me nuts about people who complain that the US (or any other country) "isn't giving enough" is this: Where the bloody hell do you think that money comes from? Are you under the impression that there's this endless bank account hidden somewhere that we can just arbitrarily withdraw hundreds of millions of dollars from and hand it over to people?

Let me clue you: IT'S YOUR TAX DOLLARS!

The US, like every other country, has a BUDGET. The money we have is earmarked for different things. A percentage of that money is to go for aid to other countries. When we give millions MORE than what we have budgeted, other programs have to suffer. I do hope every US citizen who is complaining that the US isn't giving enough money will not say a word when come tax time the rates go up, and/or next year when programs in your home town are cut because there is no money to support them, or when Social Security takes yet another beating, or...etc.

Give, by all means give! I'm not saying we shouldn't. I'm just saying that there are quite a few people that need a serious reality check in regards to how and where the US even HAS money to give for this relief effort. Eric's got the right idea...if you personally can give or do something to help, by all means do it. Anything private citizens or organizations do is of endless help to both the affected countries and your government.

</rant> Sorry. I've seen the "why aren't we giving more" attitude on too many news shows, on too many websites, in too many forums, in too many newspapers, and in too many overheard conversations. I'm full.

 

I think they estimated a total of 1 Billion.. which is a good chunk of change.

 

Thanks Tibbs. You're right on the money.

pardon the pun.

 

You're welcome. I'm having this debate on a couple of sites currently...it just kinda flowed.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=2&u=/ap/20041229/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/stingy_americans

 

Well im not under that impression but i think the president is. It was ok for him to add countless amounts of cash to our national debt?

Yes they are my tax dollars. I would rather have my money go to those countries to help them instead of fueling Bush's war regime.

I’m aware every country has a budget. I know we distribute money to different areas, and when we over spend some areas are hurt by the cut backs. I have seen first hand when my grade school had to cut, gym, art, computers, the library, and hot lunch! What is unbelievable to me is that close to 200 Billion dollars was spend in Iraq. 200 Billion! Now that is a big number. If we would not have had the war we wouldn’t have to deny a 10yo gym class and a hot lunch at school. Social Security wouldn't be in such a mess if the current administration cared about it! All of them will have more then enough money to support them selves in the long run. They really couldn’t care about SS. When taxes do go up I will not be complaining about sending money to the disaster stricken countries, or helping a young kid learn computers. It all comes back to this winless war Bush has gotten us into.

Giving is a good thing. I know we can’t give all our resources, and forget about our own, but probably as the most powerful country in the world we have to chance to make a difference. Let’s not go fight wars to settle personal agendas, and secure billions of dollars for the robber barrens of the country. Let’s give what we have to help the people who really need it! The Red Cross said the death toll could hit 100,000 people. That number could double as disease, contamination, and lack of food and water set in.

Now if you will excuse me. I have to go take down 20,000 Christmas lights.


Cooked

 

The reason we usually get news of people in our own country who have died is because our goverments (in my case the UK government) will act on their own citizens first, while letting other countries deal with their own citizens. And as such, they will have a number of their citizens killed out before the news agencies will have got other figures from around the world.

Thats the only reason. Not because they don't care about other countries, but mainly because its the most accurate figures they've got to hand to report. Plus, it might give people of the country an idea of whether to be concerned for family or friends.

 

Didn't mean to spark any nasty debates or cause any ugliness. I just thought the headline "Supermodel Survivor" and how serious the reporter was as he went on about how it's such a tradgedy that a supermodel was injured in the Tsunami, was kind of silly.


Jeez, everybody relax



Steve

 

quote from overcooked " I have seen first hand when my grade school had to cut, gym, art, computers, the library, and hot lunch!"
I'm not sure how it is in Indiana ,but here in Illinois local school districts are funded by local taxes, not federal money, so if you want to keep these things in your school you need to pass a tax increase in your local school district.
Our local school is in excellent finacial shape because the local people are willing to pay for there school ,not expect someone else to pay for it!!!

 

OverCooked, you've taken my point and skewed it to your own agenda. I'm done with this.

 

No, not AGAIN!!
the last time i checked, this thread was about the "super model survivor" but it has turned out again into the usual political war in MG between Bush supporters and non-Bush supporters.

Why does this have to happen all the time whenever the war, Bush, politics, etc. is mentioned?

 

You know the funny thing? I'm NOT a Bush supporter...I just happen to have my head on my shoulders rather than inserted in another part of my anatomy.

 

It's usually the Bush detractors that start the debates. The rest of us are simply rolling up our sleeves, digging in, and doing what we can do, instead of complaining about everything.

So, whatchya'll gonna do about this disaster? Anyone got medical knowledge? Anyone got any heavy machinery skills? Fly a plane? They need help, money, and knowledge to clean up this mess. It's an overwhelming mess, and I myself am not sure how this is ever going to get cleaned up.

Let's get going people.

 

Currently, I have no extra funds, since I have to work out of town for a couple of weeks starting Monday, and I have to pay for my own room and don't get per diem. However...when I get back, I'll be handing over some cash. That's all I've got...my skills lie in areas they can't really use at this point (highly doubt they're gonna want to put on a show any time soon, ya know?).

 

You never know Sarge. Farm Aid has become a tradition, and concerts to raise money have been around a long time. How 'bout Tsunami Aid?

 

All political B.S. aside, this is the side of the U.S. people tend to forget~ this disaster brings out the best of the character of U.S. citizens, which is a supreme generosity towards victims of catastrophies like this. Hope everybody has a safe New Year.