9.0 on ungrateful scale-Thanks for the help, but now get out,Indonesian veep tells U.S. soldiers

New York Daily News ^ | 1/13/05 | CORKY SIEMASZKO

[bowzer313]

"the sooner, the better"

"Well, what the hell are we waiting for?"

My thoughts exactly.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

I too am so glad I am providing support through my church to a specific ministry in Indonesia.

[highlander_UW]

If the Indonesian government requests we leave then we should leave and make it patently clear that we are leaving at their request. To do otherwise would provide the appearance of forcing out way in. If Muslims don't value human lives, even that of their families then how can we force aid on them?

[highlander_UW]

Now we know where we should not have sent our personal contributions. I am truly sorry that the Indonesian government hates itself so much that it fears being made to look lesser by accepting aid.

They probably resent how the massive generosity of the West, and particularly the US, is showing how little other very wealthy Muslim nations are helping. For the US Navy it is not a religious issue, they're there to help, but for Indonesia everything is a religious issue...this is something the left never grasps about the world.

[Walkin Man]

What more can the world expect from Muslims?

Lies, treachery, terror and death...the usual fruits of Islam.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Quite alot of nerve. Leave now. Spend our tax money and efforts on our own people.

[Lijahsbubbe]

And people expected something else? DUH

I expected ingratitude and the usual hatred, but this is really bold.

[CheneyChick]

"In fact, the sooner [they leave] the better.

IMHO, the military shouldn't have been there in the first place. The military is for fighting our nation's wars and national defense. Let the Peace Corps and Hollywood take care of all the humantarian help.

[Jeeper]

My opinion is keep helping them out. Or ambassador should put his face in their ear and say "then stop us if you can, because were going to do it anyway". After reading the stories about US helicopters flying over children with their hands raised up begging for help, I believe we should fly in food and water to those out of contact and are dying every day. I truly believe that the people of Indonesia will remember who helped them out. That is what the Indonesian Govt. is trying to prevent.

[Ginifer]

Why am I not surprised? Nothing like biting the hand that feeds you.

[KJC1]

Do they want any others who have to come help to get out (like the Brits and Aussies), or is it just us?

That's what I'm wondering too.
Either way, this is clearly yet ANOTHER lose-lose situation. First the world was pointing fingers at us, calling us stingy---some still are like our very own American libs---now we are interlopers. It sounds like Indonesia is saying "give us your money, now get lost" instead of "thank you for your generosity and kindness, let's work together to help as many people as possible."

[You Dirty Rats]

Why should we let some self-serving a--holes get in the way of helping people in such desperate need?

The Abe Lincoln and its crew aren't there to help the leaders of Indonesia. They are helping truly desperate people who have NOTHING. It is a sign of our strength and kindness as a nation that we do not allow jealous dictators to prevent us from helping people in such desperate need.

The Indonesian Government, like many other governments (Egypt, Saudi Arabia), are hated by many of their people for good reason. These leaders use anti-Americanism as a means of directing this anger away from local grievances. This is not limited to Muslim nations, either -- just look at France.

I couldn't care less what some Indonesian thug has to say, and I would be willing to bet the crew of the Abe Lincoln doesn't, either.

[areafiftyone]

Ah the good old MuSLIMES!! You can always count on them to oooooze love!

[CFC__VRWC]

Or ambassador should put his face in their ear and say "then stop us if you can, because were going to do it anyway".

Then what happens when the Indonesian government quietly asks the local al Qaeda groups to maybe take a few relief workers hostage, and then behead them and send the tape to al Jazeera? Because that would probably be the next step, unless they just stepped right up to attacks on helicopters and relief convoys.

[AmericanInTokyo]

WoW! Not surprised. Hell, if THAT isn't a "don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out", then I don't know WHAT is!

[AmericanInTokyo]

You know the Muslim mindset on this. They are very clever with their staged propaganda for the masses.

They have it rigged two ways, to force their point and create even more hatred of America.

Either we DON'T RESPOND and come in with $$$ and they will broadcast throughout the Islam world that the American crusader Christians are evil, anti Muslim and cold hearted.

or

They tell us to go, we go, and then they broadcast how the infidel, cold hearted, anti-Muslim USA is abandoning them.

They have it rigged both ways to make us look bad NO MATTER WHAT WE DO.

[Jeeper]

Good points. I would fly it in, drop it off and leave. I wouldn't put people on the ground, except security teams to secure the LZ that would leave with the helicopters. Maybe it's the Christian side of me. But the thought of children standing in a field covered in mud begging for help is reason enough to help. I don't want to stay there, just help people who are dying. I think they will remember who helped them.

[AmericanInTokyo]

People should start sending their donations with the EXPRESSED LETTER INSIDE ATTACHED TO THE CHECK OR IN THE COMMENT BOX ON LINE, that "Please don't send my contribution to relief in Indonesia, but to where it will be appreciated elsewhere in the region."

Then let the Indonesia Embassy in Washington, D.C. know SPECIFICALLY that donations are being sent in with this disclaimer, all due to their anti-American policy. Sorry, but at least we would be helping some of the victims.

[Edward Watson]

Let's face facts. Muslim societies in general don't value human life as well as we do. How else does one explain why the Christian and secular West is donating BILLIONS of dollars in aid - from governments, corporations, churches, schools, groups and individuals to help those ravaged by this disaster in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India, while similar fund raising efforts and donations is minuscule from other countries, especially the oil-rich Gulf states? I mean, have we EVER seen an Islamic nation donate money free of strings to a non-Muslim nation that has suffered a terrible calamity?

I've read reports that the Indonesian government and people themselves don't seem interested in relieving the suffering of their own people. Hardly anyone has donated ANYTHING. It seems they prefer the West to just give money and fix the problem without taking responsibility themselves.

One thing that drives me absolutely crazy is Muslims in general (especially in the Islamic nations) act as if they are owed something. Somehow, we are always obligated to help them when they are in trouble; and we don't even get a thank you for our efforts.

Also, where is China in all this? How much has that behemoth donated to help its neighbors?

Sorry for the rant, just frustrated at observing this Muslim attitude again so blatantly displayed.

[Slip18]

I say pull out today. Let them fend for themselves. Maybe, just maybe, the House of Saud will take care of them. NOT!