LadyEllen
Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006 From: Stourport-England Status: offline
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It was raised last night on the BBC news channel during the period it goes out on PBS in the US - that the incredible flooding in Pakistan is receiving little if any coverage, Americans are mainly unware of it and (presumably as a result) little in the way of donations are being made. Indeed aside from the invaluable assistance by way of US military helicopter flights running in food and water from Afghanistan, the US seems absent on this one. I wondered if this lack of awareness is accurate? And if it isnt then how to account for the apparent uninterest in helping? The floods, the result of an unprecedented monsoon season that agriculture relies on, appear to be linked to the same unusual deviations in the jet stream over Asia that has brought similar rains to China and caused enormous landslides that have killed many there and that has also brought drought to Russia and widespread fires that have devasated vast areas. Its too early to say for sure, but many are seeing a link to global warming that is changing the way our weather works. Meanwhile Pakistan of course is a long time and uneasy ally of the west in the fight against "terror". A fight in which it is oft repeated that Pakistan has no heart and in which it may be playing both sides. Does this I wonder explain a reluctance to help, the thought that giving money here will see aid to the enemy in some way? It should be noted too that if this is about hearts and minds, that Islamic charities linked to banned terrorist organisation are busy throughout the affected region in giving out aid, providing food, water, shelter and medical assistance to millions. The question is whether, when called upon, such charity must inevitably lead to prejudiced loyalties in favour of those opposed to us? And importantly of course we in the west in general are in trouble, (except maybe the Germans), with many of us worried about paying bills and having a job next month to do the same; does this explain the apparent situation? E
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In a test against the leading brand, 9 out of 10 participants couldnt tell the difference. Dumbasses.
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