Political Minefield May Hamper Relief Effort [Help from Marines rejected]

KUTV ^ | 1/5/2005 | ERIC TALMADGE

[Incorrigible]

“We don’t want to offend anybody’s sensitivities,” he said. “The alleviation of suffering and the loss of human lives should trump politics. We want to be helpful without being bothersome.”

Apparently most Islamic régimes don't seem to put a high value on the lives of their citizens.

And the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka are the original "suicide bombers".

[rabidralph]

We should bring the aid ashore, then go kick their a**es!

[ken5050]

If the Marines don't go ashore, then the "world's most populous Muslim nation" will be less populated..

[wildwood]

aren't they the ones who rejected israeli help? geez. you see the truth in situations like this and it ain't pretty....

[1rudeboy]

And the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka are the original "suicide bombers."

I think the concept goes back farther.

[handy old one]

If they fear our troops that are needed to deliver the support that is need maybe they don't need our help after all to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Oh sorry those were washed out to sea weren't they. Then they need to figure out how to get up and help themselves and, not ask for help if they are going to turn down what is offered to them with an open palm and a palm branch.

[Blzbba]

I don't really blame the Muslims here.

I mean, how many of us would welcome any Muslim troops in the event of a similar catastrophe here? No thanks - I don't want a bunch of suicide bombers offering their 'help'.

Our Marines should be protecting our nation anyways, rather than wasting their efforts of altruism on people who don't want it.

[Santiago de la Vega]

This is a small part of the price of politics.

Whether it's in the corporate boardroom, or the jungles of Sumatra and Ceylon, politics is a poison.

For the sake of a few votes - in Indonesia's case - the government there would rather their people died than take the hand of the Great Satan and live.

It's a pity that the people of the area will suffer, sicken, and in many cases, die, just so some worthless politician can say that he stood up for national pride and kept the US out of their country.

Change can't come to these nations soon enough.

[Rummyfan]

The image of large numbers of Marines on shore would be politically sensitive in the world’s most populous Muslim nation, where many people oppose the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

God forbid anyone should be offended or have their sensibilities tweaked! Meanwhile, people are dying for want of medical care and clean water and food. I pity the poor souls caught in between in these Third World hell holes.

[Bahbah]

If they don't want the help there, take it somewhere else.

[oldbrowser]

If the Marines don't go ashore, then the "world's most populous Muslim nation" will be less populated..

Ha!!! Sounds like a win win situation.

[wingsof liberty]

Look at it this way: They can live off the donations from other Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia & the United Arab Emerites who have almost no wealth to speak of, yet made generous donations totalling what - 1 or 2 million?

[No Longer Free State]

There are so many other people there that need our help, why should we care if some terrorist group wants to harm it's alleged constituency by denying our aid.

[processing please hold]

If they don't want the help there, take it somewhere else.

I agree. Hell, there are other places in need. Tell 'em adios, and then go.

[rip033]

I was talking to someone just yesterday about this. I said how long will it be before the locals start to take pop shots at our people? I said 90 days. Once their bellies are full they'll dig up their AKs and RPGs from the mud and resume their jihad. The sad truth is the thugs there are going to take the food and aid and use it as a way to gain power and control the populace. Remember Somalia?

[oyez]

At any cost Americans must not be seen in a positive light. If Marines land with supplies and aid, cameras will follow and tjhe word will get out the US really gave a helping hand. The natives also should not be exposed to Americans acting in that capacity..

Anyway that the theory, however the media will bash us no matter what. We get there too late with too little or we have exterior motives. Sick, sick!

[Publius6961]

We got to ask "rebels" for permission to save lives?

If it were up to me, I would simply say,thankyouverymuch", and "get your s**t together, and when you're ready to accept help, let us know".

End of story, on to the next location.

Don't even start with the "children" crap. Neither I nor we collectively can save every child. It makes total sense, then, to save those who are not likely to be either dead or killers in ten years.

[NHResident]

I doubt it would take 90 days before they start killing the troops.

This refusal of concrete, action-aid is just like a wino - who wants cash not a voucher for food or shelter. Cash money has a number of desireable characteristics that food, muscle power or pure water don't.

First, cash money is fungilbe - i.e. it can be turned into ANYTHING - guns, bullets, crack, fortified wine.
Second, cas money is far easier to skim and hide (although based on past experience - these folks can turn almost anything into a personal profit.)
Third, once the cash is out of sight - everyone forgets where it came from and they can go back to bashing Americans as colonialists and empire builders.

I could go on but I think the point is made.

[Publius6961]

BUMP!

[nw_arizona_granny]

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