| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 12/27/2004 : 20:40:16
From CNN.com
Families are making their way to makeshift morgues across Asia and in parts of Africa seeking lost loved ones after tsunamis swept across the Indian Ocean from Thailand to Somalia, killing more than 22,000 people in 10 countries. The giant waves also left thousands injured and missing as well as hundreds of thousands homeless
To all of the forum members. Hope that you and your loved ones are safe after such a terrible disaster. My thoughts are with the people affected by this tragedy.
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| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Homers_pet_monkey |
Posted - 01/10/2005 : 03:29:08
I looked into the possibility of going out there to help, but it costs £600 to sign up for a project and then you have to get your flights on top of that. Probably looking at about £1000 in total. Having no current employment, this is a little too much. They do need help at local Oxfam shops though so I am gonna do that.
Here's the link for any British people interested. I am sure Oxfam in other countries needs help too.
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/press/releases/asiaquake_shopvols_010105.htm
"All music if folk music. I ain't never heard no horse sing a song."
Louis Armstrong |
| Perk |
Posted - 01/06/2005 : 22:04:36
Before and after pictures of the Tsunami.
http://homepage.mac.com/demark/tsunami/9.html
Don't sweat the petty things
and don't pet the sweaty things |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/05/2005 : 12:06:00
http://www.nme.com/news/110968.htm
http://www.nme.com/news/110970.htm
Frank Black ate my hamster |
| kathryn |
Posted - 01/05/2005 : 08:24:44
350 mil may sound like a lot but it's not, especially when compared
to what the US stands to make off of this disaster.
 I still believe in the excellent joy of the Frank |
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 20:20:30
Wow Carolynanna your last comment was so funny. Thanks for tracking down those details. Yes, I think Starbucks is being very stingy.
I know of a much smaller company and they're giving more...
But in the end, the 1 million that Starbucks is expected to raise is better that 0 it could be producing
|
| Homers_pet_monkey |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 15:04:48
I assumed as much (I credit you with much intelligence) and it's annoying when they are so presumptuous in such a letter.
"All music if folk music. I ain't never heard no horse sing a song."
Louis Armstrong |
| Carolynanna |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 14:48:04
It is funny because I've never bought anything from Starbucks.
__________
Godfather of nothing, ancesters of none.
Black glasses and feedback took my sense of fun.
|
| Homers_pet_monkey |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 14:45:28
quote:
Originally posted by Carolynanna
Thank you for being loyal customer of Starbucks. We appreciate your support all these years.
__________
Godfather of nothing, ancesters of none.
Black glasses and feedback took my sense of fun.
Now it's this part that worries me!
Seriously though, nice try, but I guess we can expect nothing more honest from them.
"All music if folk music. I ain't never heard no horse sing a song."
Louis Armstrong |
| Carolynanna |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 14:39:32
Well useless as expected...I emailed Starbucks to ask why they base their level of contribution on the sale of coffee beans (among other things) and got back this generic letter which really doesn't answer my questions at all;
"Dear Ms. O,
Thank you for being loyal customer of Starbucks. We appreciate your support all these years.
We are deeply saddened by the tremendous loss of life and devastation in the natural disaster in South and Southeast Asia, and we extend our condolences to the bereaved families and many others impacted by the tsunami.
Starbucks is taking a long-term, holistic approach to support the immediate relief and future rebuilding efforts in the affected areas by mobilizing all of its resources.
In addition to the Company's initial cash contribution of US$100,000, Company-operated domestic and international stores will donate $2 for every pound (and $1 for every half pound) of our Sumatran coffees sold in the month of January 2005. Further, many of our international business partners are contributing cash and raising funds to support local relief efforts.
Also, Starbucks Coffee International is providing financial support to our affected partners (employees) in Thailand. Finally, the Company will match partner contributions up to $1,000 per calendar year to eligible 501(c) (3) organizations in the United States or Registered Charities in Canada through Starbucks matching program, Choose to Give.
Starbucks anticipates that in the next sixty days, these initial efforts will raise more than US$1 million.
In addition to providing these initial efforts by the Company, Starbucks partners around the world are supporting the relief efforts in a number of ways. The outpouring of support from our partners has been amazing and we are confident that their efforts will make a significant impact on the relief efforts.
For example, stores in Thailand proclaimed December 29 "Day of Giving," during which 100 percent of the day's store profits were designated for relief. The store partners from our remaining Phuket, Thailand store spent several thousand baht (local currency) of their own money in the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami to buy food, water, and cloth to wrap bodies in for victims in the community.
We recognize that our customers are very passionate about supporting the relief efforts and have expressed an interest in donating through or with Starbucks. Today we are exploring the most efficient and effective way for our stores worldwide to facilitate customer donations. In the interim, customers may donate to, CARE and Oxfam International, Starbucks donation recipients, by visiting CARE or Oxfam online.
While we understand the dollars required to rebuild the impacted areas are in the billions, and these efforts will take years, we want to assure you that our commitment to giving back to the impacted countries and region is strong and long-term. We will continue to assess the needs of the impacted countries in the months and years to come and provide the appropriate resources that could include funding for social or environmental programs, store support of local rebuilding efforts and more.
Thank you for taking the time to write to Starbucks.
Sincerely,
Julie
Starbucks Customer Relations"
__________
Godfather of nothing, ancesters of none.
Black glasses and feedback took my sense of fun.
|
| kathryn |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 12:11:15
This is the first time in a long time where the thing that's bumming
me out in the news (the tsunami itself) wasn't caused by my government.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Frank |
| Carolynanna |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 10:25:02
I heard that this is where terrorist cells like to pick up new recruits.
__________
Godfather of nothing, ancesters of none.
Black glasses and feedback took my sense of fun.
|
| floop |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 10:02:58
cheerful
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
| offerw |
Posted - 01/04/2005 : 09:50:46
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4145591.stm
Kids orphaned by the disaster are being kidnapped and sold to syndicates. The bad news just doesn't stop coming in does it?
wilhelm |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 12:03:01
What about if you worked in union with the UN to smooth out the creases instead of kicking out every time things aren't going the way you like them, you know, making sense of the united bit?
oh, and...
quote:
Originally posted by Erebus
This is a major disaster but so many can't wait to reduce it to morally microscopic political gain.
*cough*
Frank Black ate my hamster |
| Erebus |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 11:16:10
quote:
Originally posted by ivandivel
3) The UN will always have problems running smooth operations all the time important nations continue to work against it, and who can run a smooth operation when the nation under God and Lily's command wants to run the show itself? Your post was a joke Erebus, but it wasn't funny.
Let us hope that important nations continue to work against an organization that pretends principled opposition to a war that would end obscene kickback profits to that organization's power brokers. The US doesn't WANT to run the show, but if we waited for the UN there would be a pittance of aid for weeks. Please do continue to defend the UN. That'll really help your credibility. |
| ivandivel |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 10:18:49
1) Right now, the fact that money and help is given is far more important than why it is given. Whatever works, it's fine by me. If the USA makes money on it in the long run - fine, I really don't care (as long as they don't claim it as evidence for their direct link to God). If nations/people give money because they see whites suffering - fine. Right now, that benefits the poor.
2) From what I've read, which may or may not be correct - Thailand (where there were a whole lot of pink people) made a huge effort to take care of the tourists. This makes sense since tourism is a major industry in this country, and they need food on the table after the FBNet and others completely forget about the catastrophy. Maybe it wasn't fair, but I'm not so sure it was done at the expense of locals.
3) The UN will always have problems running smooth operations all the time important nations continue to work against it, and who can run a smooth operation when the nation under God and Lily's command wants to run the show itself? Your post was a joke Erebus, but it wasn't funny.
|
| floop |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 09:27:55
quote:
Originally posted by Stuart
Its important that the people who need it most get the aid sooner.... this is not happening and in areas people are getting it based on the fact that they are foreign and wealthier. Surely you can see that this is wrong?
This is a high class bureau de change, not some Punch & Judy show on the seafront at Margate!
i see that as wrong, yes. i was referring to the game theory comments.
i just think it's silly that, first people criticize the US for being "stingy" and then when they give more money they're criticized for being selfish.
my point is that, despite what selifish intentions whichever doner may or may not have, the most important thing is that they get help, which is happening
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
| KimStanleyRobinson |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 09:02:05
The person who wrote the preceeding article is a sphinctorous dolt. |
| Erebus |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 08:54:14
Monday, January 03, 2005
http://diplomadic.blogspot.com/2005/01/almost-funnny.html
almost fUNnny . . .
Day 9 of the tsunami crisis.
I know I had promised to lay off the UN for a bit . . . but I can't. As one reader commented on a previous Diplomad posting on the UN, "it's like watching a train wreck" -- you know it's horrible, but you've just got to look at it.
In this part of the tsunami-wrecked Far Abroad, the UN is still nowhere to be seen where it counts, i.e., feeding and helping victims. The relief effort continues to be a US-Australia effort, with Singapore now in and coordinating closely with the US and Australia. Other countries are also signing up to be part of the US-Australia effort. Nobody wants to be "coordinated" by the UN. The local UN reps are getting desperate. They're calling for yet another meeting this afternoon; they've flown in more UN big shots to lecture us all on "coordination" and the need to work together, i.e., let the UN take credit. With Kofi about to arrive for a big conference, the UNocrats are scrambling to show something, anything as a UN accomplishment. Don't be surprised if they claim that the USS Abraham Lincoln is under UN control and that President Lincoln was a strong supporter of the UN.
Maybe watching the UN flounder is not like watching a train wreck; perhaps it's more akin to watching an Ed Wood movie or reading Maureen Dowd or Margo Kingston -- so horrible, so pathetic, that it transforms into a thing of perverse beauty. The only problem, of course, is that real people are dying.
I hope soon to return to my habitual corner of the Far Abroad . . . far, far away from the UN.
UPDATE: More on "The UNcredibles": WFP (World Food Program) has "arrived" in the capital with an "assessment and coordination team." The following is no joke; no Diplomad attempt to be funny or clever: The team has spent the day and will likely spend a few more setting up their "coordination and opcenter" at a local five-star hotel. And their number one concern, even before phones, fax and copy machines? Arranging for the hotel to provide 24hr catering service. USAID folks already are cracking jokes about "The UN Sheraton." Meanwhile, our military and civilians, working with the super Aussies, continue to keep the C-130 air bridge of supplies flowing and the choppers flying, and keep on saving lives -- and without 24hr catering services from any five-star hotel . . . . The contrast grows more stark every minute.
|
| Newo |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 05:53:35
quote:
Erebus
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
735 Posts
Posted - 12/30/2004 : 13:54:29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
bankrolling the defense of the free world
In a truly free society there would be no need to say we were free, it would be implicit. Tell exactly what you´re not...
--
Democracy is the unwiped ass of a devilish con game. |
| bumblebeeboy2 |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 04:36:43
quote:
Originally posted by apl4eris
I don't believe that Western countries only care about the white tourists at all. I think the media makes it seem that way, because they always cater to their impression of the lowest common denominator.
spot on. our countries wouldn't be giving so much and people wouldn't be willing to do so much if we did only care about the 'white tourists'... at the weekend there was the story of the brave swede, who ran towards the wave to help get her kids out of harms way. yeah, brave and yeah they all survived. but compare that story to the hundreds or thousands of stories of the people who actually live there, who saved people but died themselves, or only managed to save one kid and the rest (wive included) all died etc... etc... then you're really not scraping the surface. i suppose the locals didn't have a camera handy at the time... that or they had other priorities...
The Monkey Helper has arrived http://www.monkeyhelper.co.uk (that is my band)
or to go straight to the music downloads http://www.soundclick.com/bands/3/monkeyhelpermusic.htm |
| Stuart |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 03:57:19
Its important that the people who need it most get the aid sooner.... this is not happening and in areas people are getting it based on the fact that they are foreign and wealthier. Surely you can see that this is wrong?
This is a high class bureau de change, not some Punch & Judy show on the seafront at Margate! |
| ivandivel |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 00:02:53
quote:
Originally posted by floop
isn't the important thing that they get the aid?
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee!
The answer is yes. |
| floop |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 21:09:05
isn't the important thing that they get the aid?
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
| Stuart |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 16:40:08
quote:
Originally posted by Tre
ditto uk
Frank Black ate my hamster
Unfortunately I'd have to agree with you.... its a fucking disgrace. In fact in the past few days a few of the more decent papers have written articles claiming that there is a difference in the way that the wealthy foreigners are getting treated in the tsunami hit areas. In short foreigners are getting preferential treatment, whereas the locals (many of whom have lost entire families and seen their means of earning a living destroyed) are being made to wait. There is no excuse for this behavior, the Thai government needs to reassess its actions and understand that they will not score points with the international community by favoring the foreigners. Help should be going out to those who need it most, not to the people who have the most money.
This is a high class bureau de change, not some Punch & Judy show on the seafront at Margate! |
| Carolynanna |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 15:56:38
I hear ya. I once went without reading the newspaper for about a year, just to see if I'd be that much less stressed out, I was. But on the other side of the coin I have friends who don't read the paper or watch the news or anything and trust me its not good.
As for Starbucks, I'm not sure if it'd help or if you'd receive an answer but you could email them here;
http://www.starbucks.com/customer/contact_forms.asp?nav=3f
__________
Godfather of nothing, ancesters of none.
Black glasses and feedback took my sense of fun.
|
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 14:39:05
Monsieur,
I hope you are feeling better. It's never fun to sick, especially on the holidays.
Just wanted to say that I coudn't agree with you more. Honestly, I can't speak for the European media, but unfortunately, it is unlikely the stories you allude to will recieve the coverage that is warranted on a humanitarian level.
In general, the media in the US doesn't cover stories such as those effecting other countires, especially ethnic genocide (including the AIDS epidemic) involving people of Asian, African, Latin American or Native American ancestry. This is mostly because the American people don't tend to view or buy media that covers such events. However, I do think this is part of a vicious cycle in that the US media tends to avoid covering these events less that in general, the average American is unaware of these events because of lack of coverage.
I think another part is it is very dificult to cover and reports events in Africa, lets say such as ethnic genocide located in remote that are expensive to cover. Coupled with the fact there isn't as much as a market for international news here in the US-- unfortunately such coverage is unprofitable.
I am not saying this is the way it should be, but just how the journalistic system works. It is also a significant factor why I left the news profession.
Anyway, please feel better!
|
| Monsieur |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 13:39:19
Yeah, me too. I spent the Christmas holidays at my parents' home, watching the Powerpuff girls with a horrible 'flu.
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
| apl4eris |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 13:33:59
quote:
Originally posted by Tre
Unfortunately the media gives us the only real idea of the real time impact of this disaster, and it's not giving the best impression.
One piece I saw over and over again on the news ran like this:
Woman and husband get out of car, remove suitcase from car and open the door to their typical boxy three bedroomed semi huffing and puffing saying things like "oh dear" and "oh we're back now then". Cut to the couple on their nice cream sofa in their nice cream living room being interviewed
That is horrible.
I'm at a point now where I don't watch the news. I can't afford the cynicism and sense of hopelessness anymore, especially when it isn't really based on reality. It really wears me down. |
| apl4eris |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 13:30:43
That wasn't meant personally, Monsieur, just to be clear.
I'm not sure that we should look at Corporations like Starfucks as our gauge for humanitarian motives, but then again, there really are no more "Countries" per se, just mainly major conglomerates that keep the world going while their host countries pay protection money.
I see your point, definitely, but I'm just stating the need to act and think as individuals. Our countries haven't truly represented honest concern for humanity since the dawn of "civilization", as far as I can tell. |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 13:27:02
Unfortunately the media gives us the only real idea of the real time impact of this disaster, and it's not giving the best impression.
One piece I saw over and over again on the news ran like this:
Woman and husband get out of car, remove suitcase from car and open the door to their typical boxy three bedroomed semi huffing and puffing saying things like "oh dear" and "oh we're back now then". Cut to the couple on their nice cream sofa in their nice cream living room being interviewed about what happened when they were on holiday (I think it was in Thailand) Their account of the tsunami started on the sun loungers when someone noticed a wave coming that was bigger than normal. Everyone rushed into the beach front hotel complex, where there was a restaurant with no windows but a three foot wall. Our couple say how they thought they'd be safe behing their three foot wall but the water seeped over the edges and flooded the place. Oh it was terrrible they say, it was awful. Cut to home camcorder footage of the chairs and sun loungers floating past the restaurant wall our woman clasps her mouth and says it was the most frightening thing ever and she'll never go on holiday to where ever it was again.
Only in the last couple of days have I seen any footage really relating to the people who have lost homes and entire familys.
Thinking the worst of the way various people/media organisations/countries have responded is not mutually exclusive of making contributions. I'm trying to do all I can do, even though all I can do is very little in the grand scheme of things.
It just makes me very sad
Frank Black ate my hamster |
| Monsieur |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 13:20:20
I did send a check to the Red Cross here, apl. It's the best thing I can do.
I don't think that everyone is heartless and inhuman, and I certainly don't find it beneficial. Believe me, I've seen some touching individual examples of humanity and solidarity in my life. And I know some people who dedicated their lives to helping others.
But the people who rule our respective countries don't think that way. The Starbucks example illustrates very well this attitude.
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
| apl4eris |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 13:04:15
I don't believe that Western countries only care about the white tourists at all. I think the media makes it seem that way, because they always cater to their impression of the lowest common denominator.
It's more beneficial to contribute what you can yourself than to sit and imagine that most everyone around you is heartless and inhuman. They might be, but there's nothing we can do about it except do what we can ourselves. I just don't think it does anyone any good to focus on something that 1)can't be proven and 2)can't be changed even if it's true. |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 12:39:40
ditto uk
Frank Black ate my hamster |
| Monsieur |
Posted - 01/02/2005 : 12:33:42
Here in France they are mainly concerned about the white tourists.
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
