Monday, January 03, 2005

Stingy First World?

I disagree with the guy who characterized developed countries as stingy, particularly in the case of the US, but I refuse to get worked up over it - first, when tens of thousands or more people are dying, you don't always think clearly. If a fire were destroying my city, I might get angry at the firefighters for not putting it out immediately, even if they were doing as best as they could. Secondly, his statement may well have played a role in the increase in aid given by developed countries (including the US) that day or the next. If his goal was to get aid as quick as possible, then he probably succeeded (that is, he succeeded if his words were the impetus for the increase in aid) and I won't begrudge him an inaccurate accusation or two that he made in desperation in order to get help for his people as quick as he could.

If we want to get angry at foreigners, how about getting angry at the butt-wipes in Europe and Canada who won't extradite murderers because they don't like the idea that we execute?

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