Turn a blind eye

beerwm · 15 February 2009

In regards to the Victorian Bushfires;

I understand this will not be well taken but its something that has to be wrote.

Over the past week, I have not been able to turn on the television without some reporter or politician telling me how bad the situation is, how this is a national tragedy. With foreign media and politicians offering support and offering their help and sorrow.

I honestly feel for everyone effected, it is a terrible hardship to endure.

And from recent reports the death-toll could rise to 230, with a number of more townships in ruins.

But lets look at the broader picture:

According to UNICEF, 26,500-30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.”

Shelter, safe water and health

For the 1.9 billion children from the developing world, there are:
640 million without adequate shelter (1 in 3)
400 million with no access to safe water (1 in 5)
270 million with no access to health services (1 in 7)

And right now watching TV see adverts asking me to donate...

Can people really turn a blind eye to such injustices in the third world but commend the efforts of "us australians for uniting together"

This situation has made me feel sick, and after seeing such destruction and pain in Victoria I feel there will no change in global policy towards those in true need.

I know where my donations are going.

UBIQUITOUS · 15 February 2009

Re: Turn a blind eye.

This tradgedy has affected many close to home, including some ASFers.

I do get your point, and agree. However, the timing is very questionable.

Happy · 15 February 2009

beerwm said:
In regards to the Victorian Bushfires;

I understand this will not be well taken but its something that has to be wrote.

..

I know where my donations are going

Why have children if there is no food, no water, no medical help?

beerwm said:
I understand this will not be well taken but its something that has to be wrote.

I would happily donate some money for condoms.

honey85 · 15 February 2009

Happy said:
Why have children if there is no food, no water, no medical help?

That's not the smartest thing to say isnt it?

tech/a · 15 February 2009

This is our own back yard.
Of course its prominent.

When the twin towers were hit what did you see?
When Zimbabwe is suffering what do you see?

If an Aussie is in need and your an Aussie you'd want to be pushing to the front of the line to give a hand. That's what we do.

There's no turning a blind eye here.
Simply priorities.

Right here and Right now those in Victoria AND FNQ should be every Aussie's no 1 priority.

Happy · 15 February 2009

honey85 said:
That's not the smartest thing to say isnt it?

Why?

I think it is smart, problem is to get through to those who should know that.

Glen48 · 15 February 2009

If we could get rid of the Pope and all religion the World would be a better place with this bloke and his mates claim condoms don't stop AIDS etc what hope is there for the victims who want to follow religion.

tech/a · 15 February 2009

Happy said:
Why?

I think it is smart, problem is to get through to those who should know that.

And who would that be?

shaunQ · 15 February 2009

I think the magnitude of the problem elsewhere makes it easier to ignore, the thinking that $20 isn't going to help anything, where as people are more hopeful they can help and empathise much more when its local.

Although, since this is the politically incorrect thread, one thing that slightly gets to me is the media (and political) frenzy that always takes place. Understandably they are just feeding the appetite of everyone concerned, but you get feeling like they all get a little buzz out of it.

Happy · 15 February 2009

Happy said:
Why have children if there is no food, no water, no medical help?

Parents?

beerwm · 15 February 2009

tech/a said:
This is our own back yard.
Of course its prominent.

When the twin towers were hit what did you see?
When Zimbabwe is suffering what do you see?

If an Aussie is in need and your an Aussie you'd want to be pushing to the front of the line to give a hand. That's what we do.

There's no turning a blind eye here.
Simply priorities.

Right here and Right now those in Victoria AND FNQ should be every Aussie's no 1 priority.

Your national pride is inspiring, but I cant agree with you on this.

My priority lies with the 30,000 children who die everyday, from preventable causes, regardless of whether they are Australian or not.

Although I am truly sorry for anyone who has lost a loved one, or their homes in all this, I mean no disrespect, and am not trying to down-play the event.

beerwm · 15 February 2009

Happy said:
Parents?

I see what you are saying happy, but you cant try and justify a childs death by blaming the parents.

There is a problem with the Pope condemning contraception and i do agree this is unacceptable, but that can wait for another topic

Trevor_S · 15 February 2009

beerwm said:
I know where my donations are going.

I agree completely, terrible as the Vic busfires are, people don't value lives equally, which is one reason why the World is in the shape it is... and why my charitable donations are targeted at MSF and Amnesty.

http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2008/world/ethiopia/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7448032.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7848302.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7626562.stm

Nearly 17 million people in the Horn of Africa are in urgent need of food and other aid - almost twice as many as earlier this year, the UN has said.

shaunQ · 15 February 2009

yeah right - and meanwhile, in those countries, the rich get richer and the poor starve. Individuals can only do so much without the support of there own people. It isn't inequality. If I thought my $20 would honestly make a difference I would pay it in a flash.

If I thought the Victorian government was going to take 95% of the Red Cross money and spend it on wine or war or that it was completely futile - I wouldn't donate.

Edit - And the Ethiopian military budget is?

"Our military budget has been raised proportionally from three billion to 3,5-billion birr [a rise of 16,7%, equivalent to $54,3-million]," Meles said.

The rise was "only 1,7% of our total budget", he added. Ethiopia's total budget is estimated at more than $22-billion.

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2007-11-27-ethiopia-ups-military-budget-blames-eritrea-threat

beerwm · 15 February 2009

thanks for the links trevor,

really sad stories

shaunQ · 15 February 2009

beerwm said:
really sad stories

I just thought I'd say that I don't disagree.

Stan 101 · 15 February 2009

Re: Turn a blind eye.

UBIQUITOUS said:
However, the timing is very questionable.

I disagree. I feel it is the best time to push the plight of the world's dirty little secrets. Who is struggling more? The people who have lost all or those who have never had anything at all to begin with?

Sure look out for your own (one can only do so much, afterall) but who looks out for the ones who's "own" are all in the same starved and poverty stricken situation?

I won't win any friends here and now isn't the time to push my points due to it being so close to home and still raw. I would like to see a post at some stage in the future again on these points.

cheers,

Julia · 15 February 2009

beerwm said:
Can people really turn a blind eye to such injustices in the third world but commend the efforts of "us australians for uniting together"

This situation has made me feel sick, and after seeing such destruction and pain in Victoria I feel there will no change in global policy towards those in true need.

I know where my donations are going.

You make a really valid point. I guess Australians respond so readily because it's just a small step to say "that could have been me" who died last Saturday.
So we will always respond more when we more easily identify with the victims.
My donation has been specifically for the animals on the basis that it is the responsibility of governments to look after the people affected. Plus the general nature of the media activity has been such that a huge flow of donations has been forthcoming for the various people appeals.

shaunQ said:
I think the magnitude of the problem elsewhere makes it easier to ignore, the thinking that $20 isn't going to help anything, where as people are more hopeful they can help and empathise much more when its local.

Yes, and as you said a bit later, there is the thought that, particularly in Africa, donated funds are siphoned away from the areas of need.
This is, I know, for another thread, but once Obama gets the economy sorted (!) he could well turn his attention to the corrupting of relief funds in various parts of the world.

SenTineL · 16 February 2009

beerwm mate you have just read my mind, I've been thinking this for a while now and actually raised this point with some family this weekend.

This is a media frenzy, the amount of 'rumours' that they keep insisting with is unbelievable and yes whilst it is sad, there's more things can be done in the world especially for children in the third world countries.

Almost every shopping centre has donations, on tv they ask for donations, we've had concerts, appealathons, the govt giving money and most of these people are probably insured so while they have lost their house they will probably rebuild and a better one at that.

What do these poverty ridden countries have?

Could I be naive in thinking that if every country in the world put up an effort in raising as much money as we did for the victorians we may have a chance in eliminating poverty?

Wysiwyg · 16 February 2009

Obviously there is a distinction made between which sufferers are more prioritised/deserved of financial assistance.

This is a personal choice (to some very personal) that is most beneficial if kept to oneself.

I understand your points very clearly beerwm.

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