If anyone hasn't seen this, it's an awesome read.
http://www.student.smsu.edu/d/dec868s/starving.htm
Denisedenise's starving page
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HatePirate
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It's not our fault everyone over there dies of aids and refuse to create the opportunity to work. America wasn't always full of fat, rich, ignorant people. It took many years of hard work to make this country what it is today. People in countries like that are...well...I hate to put it like this, but they're stupid. They don't have the knowledge, nor ambitions to pursue knowledge, to advance their own society. It is situations like this that Darwinism really comes into play; the dumb and weak die off, the strong and smart prosper. The fact of the matter is that articles like this are made so people read them and think, "Wow, Americans take everything for granted. We are so self centered. Look at these poor people. I feel so guilty." Don't feel guilty. We've worked our way to the most prosperous nation in the world; and if another nation's people are too stupid to either: a)create opportunity and work towards a way of advancing their own society or b) find a way to leave the hell-hole of a country they live in, they deserve what they get. You can help 'em if you want, but for those of us that don't care, we have a right to do so.
---Pirates Do It For The Booty---
Just to remind myself why I'm not getting angry about that response:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." text of the First Amendment
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." text of the First Amendment
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
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Paco103
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I agree, you have the absolute right to not care. I'm not exactly ripping my checkbook out every time one of those commercials comes online either - however there is a difference between no motivation vs. no opportunity. You say they have no knowledge or motivation to pursue knowledge. Where will they get this knowledge? There aren't usually schools or libraries in these place. No motivation to pursue knowledge? The motivation to *survive* is probably occupying most of their time, trying to figure out what diseased pit their next meal is coming from.
As americans, we do take things for granted. As americans, I'll admit that a lot of problems are caused by lack of motivation. I don't feel sorry for the other people in my graduating class that decided to stay at McDonalds instead of going to college or tech school or even to *look* for a better job. They are comfortable and unmotivated to pursue the opportunites that THEY have in front of them.
As far as us making america a great place:
1) We had a lot of help from slaves
2) We had a decent, clean slab of land to build upon, where we could grow food and get clean water - which meant we could focus on industrializing rather than just finding food
I'm not saying we should all be writing them checks - we have enough problems and debt in our own homes to worry about first - but I don't think we should be blaming them either. Is it *YOUR* fault when the economy dips, you get laid off, and can't pay your bills? No, it's just what happens. You didn't cause the economy to die, or yourself to get laid off (then it would be a firing).
Anyway - not trying to start an argument here, just posting my opinion in response.
As americans, we do take things for granted. As americans, I'll admit that a lot of problems are caused by lack of motivation. I don't feel sorry for the other people in my graduating class that decided to stay at McDonalds instead of going to college or tech school or even to *look* for a better job. They are comfortable and unmotivated to pursue the opportunites that THEY have in front of them.
As far as us making america a great place:
1) We had a lot of help from slaves
2) We had a decent, clean slab of land to build upon, where we could grow food and get clean water - which meant we could focus on industrializing rather than just finding food
I'm not saying we should all be writing them checks - we have enough problems and debt in our own homes to worry about first - but I don't think we should be blaming them either. Is it *YOUR* fault when the economy dips, you get laid off, and can't pay your bills? No, it's just what happens. You didn't cause the economy to die, or yourself to get laid off (then it would be a firing).
Anyway - not trying to start an argument here, just posting my opinion in response.
So I've been thinking about how to respond to this, and here it is.
Yesterday the World Health Organization released statistics showing that 1 in 16 women in undeveloped countries dies from pregnancy-related complications. That's one woman, every minute, every day. Over a half-million women per year.
In developed countries, the number is significantly lower -- 1 in 2,800.
WHO estimates that maternal deaths are under-reported by as much as 50% because deaths are not classified correctly, or more often, not counted at all. In 62 countries of the world, there are no maternal mortality data whatsoever.
Although none of us are obligated to assist, the member states of the United Nations are working through the WHO and the Partnership for Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health to intensify support to countries around the world to ensure that a woman does not die while giving birth to her child.
There is a point when we must think outside the box, beyond our borders, and realize that in the 21st century we truly are members of a global population. We're no longer separated from our neighbors by lack of communication, transportation, etc.
"Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life."
Leviticus 19:16 (NIV)
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
Leviticus 19:18b (NIV)
Yesterday the World Health Organization released statistics showing that 1 in 16 women in undeveloped countries dies from pregnancy-related complications. That's one woman, every minute, every day. Over a half-million women per year.
In developed countries, the number is significantly lower -- 1 in 2,800.
WHO estimates that maternal deaths are under-reported by as much as 50% because deaths are not classified correctly, or more often, not counted at all. In 62 countries of the world, there are no maternal mortality data whatsoever.
Although none of us are obligated to assist, the member states of the United Nations are working through the WHO and the Partnership for Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health to intensify support to countries around the world to ensure that a woman does not die while giving birth to her child.
There is a point when we must think outside the box, beyond our borders, and realize that in the 21st century we truly are members of a global population. We're no longer separated from our neighbors by lack of communication, transportation, etc.
"Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life."
Leviticus 19:16 (NIV)
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
Leviticus 19:18b (NIV)
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the_red_chimp
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HatePirate
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I hate to break this to you, but if you look at all of us as a big global population, there are too fucking many of us. Over 6 billion and growing fast. A report released by the pentagon 6 or 7 months ago said the most likely cause of a third world war will be over food. The kids in the article talked about eating tree bark and lizards. I wouldn't doubt it if I went to Ethiopia, they'd slaughter my fat ass and pig out like it was a Thanksgiving dinner. Here's what I'd do if I was an Ethiopian:There is a point when we must think outside the box, beyond our borders, and realize that in the 21st century we truly are members of a global population. We're no longer separated from our neighbors by lack of communication, transportation, etc.
a) Try to get the hell out of the country. We have fucking cubans risking their lives rafting across the carribean, and what are the ethiopians doing in all the commercials and shit? Sitting around with mud all over their faces groping their swollen bellies. They have no hope.
b) Well, I'd probably die trying to leave the country for a better life. However, if all else failed, I think most people would rather die than starve to death. You don't really have to kill yourself when your in a state of malnurishment like that. Pretty much just lie down and give up. Black out and die.
The thing these people need to stop doing is begging everyone else for help.
Where did we get our knowledge? Where did the people who gave us that knowledge learn it? And so on? In a third world country, they need to start learning things somewhere. A long time ago every country had the same lack of knowledge these 3rd world countries have. And the occasional smart person came along, discovered something, people read about it, became smart, ideas kept advancing, people are driven. In these countries, there are no explorers, inventors, no intellectual developement. They just sit around dying, giving each other aids, and eat the occasional bowl of rice someone hands them. All these years and they've done nothing with themselves as a society.You say they have no knowledge or motivation to pursue knowledge. Where will they get this knowledge? There aren't usually schools or libraries in these place. No motivation to pursue knowledge?
---Pirates Do It For The Booty---
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denisedenise
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figured i should comment that's from my website....
i found that off theonion.com my senior year of high school, and put it on my website for webpage design class because i thought it was funny... it came in handy last year with CSC101, i just copied most of it over...
the reality is that they don't really have the opportunity to even try and escape those countries. where are they going to go? transportation is only for the rich and if they tried to walk somewhere, they'd have to take about a billion rests because they don't have any food to give them energy...
other countries are trying to help, but by sending over only carbohydrates (we mostly send bread..) that's really the only nutrients they can get. and because of this, they become protein deficient, that's why they have those large bloated stomachs (it's a disease called kwarshiorkor or something). these kids die from it, and if it's not treated soon enough then they'll be left with permanent and physical diabilities... another reason why these countries may be underdeveloped.
anyways, the whole 'starving' article was only meant to help americans realize just how much we eat.... and you can't deny that we're not getting f-a-t-t-e-r...
i found that off theonion.com my senior year of high school, and put it on my website for webpage design class because i thought it was funny... it came in handy last year with CSC101, i just copied most of it over...
the reality is that they don't really have the opportunity to even try and escape those countries. where are they going to go? transportation is only for the rich and if they tried to walk somewhere, they'd have to take about a billion rests because they don't have any food to give them energy...
other countries are trying to help, but by sending over only carbohydrates (we mostly send bread..) that's really the only nutrients they can get. and because of this, they become protein deficient, that's why they have those large bloated stomachs (it's a disease called kwarshiorkor or something). these kids die from it, and if it's not treated soon enough then they'll be left with permanent and physical diabilities... another reason why these countries may be underdeveloped.
anyways, the whole 'starving' article was only meant to help americans realize just how much we eat.... and you can't deny that we're not getting f-a-t-t-e-r...
written without the help of spellcheck.
Saw something in the UN briefing Friday, and thought it was interesting and on topic:
"Millions of Africans saved through addition of vitamins: Africa is fighting back against vitamin and mineral deficiencies -- saving millions of women and chidlren from death and illness through simple, cost effective strategies such as fortifying staple foods. But millions of children can still be helped if current strategies and partnerships are extended to reach every country and every child. That's one of the key findings of a new report released today, co-authored by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, the UN Children's Fund, among others."
"Millions of Africans saved through addition of vitamins: Africa is fighting back against vitamin and mineral deficiencies -- saving millions of women and chidlren from death and illness through simple, cost effective strategies such as fortifying staple foods. But millions of children can still be helped if current strategies and partnerships are extended to reach every country and every child. That's one of the key findings of a new report released today, co-authored by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, the UN Children's Fund, among others."