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Post by Agadoo on Aug 23, 2010 11:14:33 GMT
What do you think about the recent floods there and the fact they are saying that they are not getting enough aid because people in the west take a dim view or political view of Pakistan as a rogue state or enemy of the west? Some people take the view that they support terrorism or at least don't do enough to weed out the terrorists and Pakistan is a base for al qaeda camps.
I'm in the middle on this argument, on the one hand politics should not be the issue where a natural atrocity has occured and so many people have died but then on the other hand I can also appreciate it when people are a little bit apprehensive when putting their hand in their pockets.
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Post by Gavin Archery on Aug 23, 2010 11:24:43 GMT
Looks like the scale of the flood problems are overwhelming those aid workers trying to help. It isn't just about aid, it's about how to get it to those who need it. Huge problem for the UN, but they are trying to do something.
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Post by Pogue Mahone on Aug 23, 2010 11:40:39 GMT
How come Pakistan can afford $2bil to buy fighter aircraft for the army, but these people are still struggling?
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Post by johnnyboylager on Aug 23, 2010 12:03:07 GMT
What do you think about the recent floods there and the fact they are saying that they are not getting enough aid because people in the west take a dim view or political view of Pakistan as a rogue state or enemy of the west? Some people take the view that they support terrorism or at least don't do enough to weed out the terrorists and Pakistan is a base for al qaeda camps. I'm in the middle on this argument, on the one hand politics should not be the issue where a natural atrocity has occured and so many people have died but then on the other hand I can also appreciate it when people are a little bit apprehensive when putting their hand in their pockets. I think you have answered your own question in that last sentence. |
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Post by boris on Aug 23, 2010 12:03:47 GMT
Yes, because the people affected by the floods all have millions of pounds to spend on weapons. Duh.
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Post by Ricky Otto on Aug 23, 2010 12:09:01 GMT
I think it's a crying shame that the people being affected are those who are completly out of the political games. Im glad the UK has donated more than any other country.
I really do hope Pakistan will sharpen up its understanding of the rest of the world though and it's obligations as a huge country, with a huge population and significant global influence.
They threw their toys out of the pram and went to diplomatic endpoint from a reasonably benign and fair comment from David Cameron about their security services suffering from some elements who support the Taliban. That sort of detail was already out there. To then boycott a visit to London, and have fanatics burning effigies in the street is not the way for a modern country to behave. I hope those responsible for those actions are aware of just how much they have made the UN and Aid agencies jobs that much more difficult to assist their fellow countrymen.
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Post by truthteller on Aug 23, 2010 15:13:26 GMT
Whats up with the stan population in this country putting their hands in their pockets??? fork em i say  |
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Post by Belgian Yellow on Aug 23, 2010 16:24:29 GMT
How come Pakistan can afford $2bil to buy fighter aircraft for the army, but these people are still struggling? I blame the Irish. |
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Post by Lone Gunman on Aug 23, 2010 16:44:30 GMT
How come Pakistan can afford $2bil to buy fighter aircraft for the army, but these people are still struggling? The same reason that they can aford ten times that to spend on nuclear weapons. Pakistan is a country which has reached a level of military capability which could potentially see it holding the fate of the world in its hands, and yet many of its citizens live it poverty and deprivation. Its a sorry state of affairs and this disaster has only made the situation worse. However, i would be on the side of those reluctant to put their hands in their pockets for pakistan, as i would be sceptical as to whether the money will actually reach those that need it, and whether the aid it buys will not end up in the hands of malign influences using it to barter for the support of the people against the west. |
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Post by The Arbiter on Aug 23, 2010 16:48:41 GMT
Pakistan hardly contributed when we had floods in Cumbria as it's not their problem. I don't think the current floods there is our problem and if the government stopped spending on weapons by the masses, they might be able to afford to help their own people.
It seems the Pakistani community here aren't pushing the boat out to help their own people which is a suprise because I only thought they were English allegedly when they were after money benifits.
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Post by headlesspnub on Aug 23, 2010 17:13:45 GMT
No, Pakistan didn't help when some people in Cumbria had their houses destroyed, but that is hardly comparable to the 1300 people who have already been killed and another 1600 injured by these floods. 700,000 homes have been destroyed and 6 million people left without clean water and at risk of famine and disease.
The floods across the UK were and are horrible, but it's not on the same scale and to compare the to shows a huge ignorance of what has happened and on what scale the destruction is.
As for your last sentence it makes no sense. Do you want them to be English or not, or is it just unthought through casual racism?
Where the disaster happens should not have any bearing on the value of someones life.
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Post by Lone Gunman on Aug 23, 2010 18:32:34 GMT
No, Pakistan didn't help when some people in Cumbria had their houses destroyed, but that is hardly comparable to the 1300 people who have already been killed and another 1600 injured by these floods. 700,000 homes have been destroyed and 6 million people left without clean water and at risk of famine and disease. The floods across the UK were and are horrible, but it's not on the same scale and to compare the to shows a huge ignorance of what has happened and on what scale the destruction is. As for your last sentence it makes no sense. Do you want them to be English or not, or is it just unthought through casual racism? Where the disaster happens should not have any bearing on the value of someones life. It shouldn't but it does. What comes into your head when you think of pakistan? Poor record on terrorism, actively helping the taliban kill british troops, military dictatorship and political assassinations, nuclear weapons and corruption. Not the kind of things which encourage joe public to send money unfortunately. |
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Post by truthteller on Aug 23, 2010 18:47:33 GMT
God works in mysterious ways |
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Post by headlesspnub on Aug 23, 2010 18:55:54 GMT
No, Pakistan didn't help when some people in Cumbria had their houses destroyed, but that is hardly comparable to the 1300 people who have already been killed and another 1600 injured by these floods. 700,000 homes have been destroyed and 6 million people left without clean water and at risk of famine and disease. The floods across the UK were and are horrible, but it's not on the same scale and to compare the to shows a huge ignorance of what has happened and on what scale the destruction is. As for your last sentence it makes no sense. Do you want them to be English or not, or is it just unthought through casual racism? Where the disaster happens should not have any bearing on the value of someones life. It shouldn't but it does. What comes into your head when you think of pakistan? Poor record on terrorism, actively helping the taliban kill british troops, military dictatorship and political assassinations, nuclear weapons and corruption. Not the kind of things which encourage joe public to send money unfortunately. True, not that those reasons have anything to do with the people affected, but I understand if someone wants an excuse not to donate, then there is a built in one. I just don't think saying 'they didn't donate to the floods in the UK' is a stupid argument. God works in mysterious ways Whose God? Yours, mine or theirs? |
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Post by johnnyboylager on Aug 23, 2010 19:11:41 GMT
any spare cash I give to charity goes to Help for Heroes.
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Post by boris on Aug 23, 2010 22:51:00 GMT
Whats up with the stan population in this country putting their hands in their pockets??? And you know that they haven't? Anyway, just because some people don't help is no excuse for others not helping. On the contrary, it makes it more important that those that can help do. |
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Post by edgecam on Aug 23, 2010 22:59:20 GMT
This is very much an individual choice, it should not have anything to do with if you can help you should. It’s your cash/time or hard work if you want to help then I am sure it will be welcomed. As has been said already in most of the news sites, the UK have contributed more cash than any other country, well done each and everyone than donated something. Take a bow.
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Post by only1 on Aug 23, 2010 23:28:15 GMT
How come Pakistan can afford $2bil to buy fighter aircraft for the army, but these people are still struggling? good point |
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Post by Boogaloo on Aug 24, 2010 8:55:18 GMT
How come Pakistan can afford $2bil to buy fighter aircraft for the army, but these people are still struggling? good point If those who lost their homes have got a Fighter Jet on their driveway and a couple of Cruise missiles in their attic, then yes it is a good point, but the fact of the matter is they are dying and in need of aid, and it's not exactly their fault that their government's priorities lie elsewhere. |
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Post by amarillo on Aug 24, 2010 9:51:14 GMT
Obviously its everyones individual choice, but you give aid to the ordinary people who are suffering and dying. The regime they live under isn't their fault.
Some comments here are just beyond belief, I mean likening it to the floods in Cumbria!! Thats the equivalent of comparing Adams Park on saturday to Hillsborough.
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