Manc

that doesn't mean lesbians can't be pro-choice/pro-life.

I am sure many gay men have opinions on the matter.

BigDavyG

[QUOTE=Manc] The reason the US gave out the 800 number for the Red Cross is because the Government didn't have the mechanisms in place to help the people in NO - it had nothing to do with the fact that they couldn't afford to help out.
In the case of Kashmir they have probably given most of the money pledged to aid agencies to actually administer the assistance.
The fact that they couldn't actually help citizens in distress in their own country is indeed embarrassing, but what did you want the Government to do - go down there and hand out $100 bills for people to soak up the water in the living rooms with ??

Yes the US govt is a joke, but then again most of them are. We don't have too much to be proud off at home either.

Manc

[QUOTE=BigDavyG] Now I've just pissed my pants laughing.

Angry White Pyjamas

[QUOTE=Manc] Apparently we've got water bowsers, ice and food trucks and gas tankers all waiting to move into the area as soon as Wilma has passed. But then this is Florida and that was Louisiana.

BigDavyG

[QUOTE=Manc] Do you know anything about how aid is administered ????
If you just wade in there (no pun intended) with sack loads of cash the chances are that it won't end up with the people that need it and a significant amount will be trousered by unscrupulous schysters.

The US govt admitted that they couldn't cope and got the Red Cross to do what they do best - help out those in need. To my mind they have largely done the same thing in Kashmir which makes your original point rather naff.

The fact that the US Gov was unable to help their own people with anything other than cash is a joke though, but then that's rather stating the obvious.

fatbrit

May be because the alternative is the mutilation and death of women in back street clinics otherwise. To anyone who considers it, there really isn't a choice. It would be as stupid as trying to ban alcohol.

Manc

[QUOTE=BigDavyG] With the president on the Telly begging for money by the looks of it.

BigDavyG

After the original f**k up everyone was scrambling about trying to look like they were doing the right thing. Let's face it there isn't much else that you can use Bush for except to stick him infront of a few cameras and get him to read of an autocue and that's exactly what they did.

I would be completely amazed if they actually needed the cash to help those in NO but I don't really see how either of us could be in a position to prove the other wrong on this one.

Manc

but you have to admit that I have a point.

for a disaster in the USA, we're scrambling around looking for charities to help us

for a disaster in another part of the world, we cart blanche write a big check and think no more about it.

BigDavyG

Yep - all i'm saying is that the cheque writing is only the start of the process.
I still think that the Bush begging was all for show (afterall the Mayor of NO had been stealing all the limelight by appearing on tv shouting and swearing) and possibly helped to clear the conscience of many middle americans.

The fact that they didn't have things in place to deal with this in the first place is a joke - we can all def agree on that I think.

Tell you what though - these friday afternoons fairly drag in over here just like they do back in the UK. 1 hour til beer time

Mick Travis

The fact that you know about it and aren't on a plane over there right now to drum up support, give swimming lessons, and generally fix things means you should be shot.

snowbunny

The Kitty Genovese scenario was at least improved upon here -- instead of 70 odd people watching a murder, the one witness did call emerg services.

That said, I would've gone in after the kids or after the mum. I could not bear to watch three children die without trying to help them. I think that's a visceral reaction and not a rational one.

Others would choose differently and that's their choice. If I died, my own children would lose their mother and that's a great reason to NOT act. We all make our choices and live with them.

CaliforniaBride

Oh boy. My tongue was firmly implanted in my right cheek at time of posting. Not like you to miss that.

CaliforniaBride

Not surprised at you though you, you always miss the point. Deliberately I might add! Did you see the pro-choice rally in Washington? I did. Struck me as rather odd that the vast majority of women taking part were lesbians. Apart from gay men they are probably the group least likely to be faced with having to make that choice. I can't think of many other 'hot issues' where that is the case.

I'll keep my flippancy to myself in future???

fatbrit

For some reason, your post took me back to a documentary on Brit TV yonks ago where lesbians were discussing self insemination. They'd found some gay guy willing to donate and did it on the kitchen table with a cake icer or some such implement. Some hoity-toity doc on the show was bitchin' that it was so unhygenic and it should only be done by the medical profession. One of the women turned round to the doc and asked her whether her husband boiled his in a pan of water for 20 minutes before sticking it in her.

Dunno what it's got to do with the topic on hand, but that's where you led me...