Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

Over the weekend I have been following the unfolding tragedy in Pakistan and India following the Earthquake. Terrible pictures and every story as sad as the last one. One's heart naturally goes out to those poor people who must now face the onset of winter without a home.

Listening to the additional media wallowing this morning on breakfast news I was struck by one or two salient questions which I think it is only right that someone should ask.

I recall that shortly after the Asian Tsunami last Christmas there were voices raised in Pakistan who insisted that the tsunami was an expression of God's wrath and displeasure at the sinfulness of the people in the countries affected. Are we now to conclude that the people of Pakistan and Kashmir and India who have lost their lives and their relatives and their homes and livlihoods are similarly sinful? This despite the majority of them being good Muslims who have spent their lives rubbing their foreheads in the dust in obeisance to a seemingly fickle and capricious deity? Has their observance of Ramadan and their pilgrimages to Mecca earned them so little consideration and mercy?

It then occured to me to wonder how those voices who are so quick to criticise the west for being wicked and ungodly to the extent of training their youth to make war against it are now crying out to the west for assistance; there were calls today for everything from blankets through search and rescue teams to helicopters to assist with the rescue effort.

It struck me as odd, but in a way understandable, that though the region affected has a history of earthquakes going back way before mankind first came to settle in the area the Government of Pakistan has done practically nothing to ensure the safety of it's citizens. Instead it has preferred to spend what little income it has on the ridiculous pursuit of nuclear armaments. Fat lot of use such macho posturing and dick waving is to those who are now grieving without a roof over their heads, to say nothing of the plight of the thousands of children who have been orphaned.

I wonder how much Al Queada will be donating to the rescue fund?

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

Well, A-B.....it struck me as a bit ironic that 3 months ago our firemen and ambulance personnel were picking over the wreckage (human and mechanical) that was caused by young men who originated in that country......who had training in the religious schools over there......who were brainwashed into believing that the country that they had adopted so willingly was evil and wicked......and who are the first people to line up and go out there to search for survivors.....to put their skills at the disposal of the people.....Yes, our firemen and ambulance personnel. And where does this muslim country look for aid.....why, the WEST.....and before anyone starts accusing me of racism.....I am not being racist......just stating facts.

I know there are lots of people over in Kashmir and Pakistan who have lost their lives in this tragedy......and I wouldn't wish this kind of event on anyone. But I just wish that when the fundamentalist Muslim clerics are spouting their venom, they will remember where aid has come from.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the US, there were some muslims who rejoiced and said it was the judgemnet of Allah.......I wonder what these same people are thinking now.

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

And before anyone points out to me that aid in circumstances like these knows no religious boundaries.....I know.....It is humanitarian. Did someone mention tolerance?

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

although the people who are rescued will be greatfull i highly doubt the likes of these clerics and binladen will care about the wests helping out or infact even give a damn about the victims of the earthquake

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

Nothing to do with being a racist Margaret you are just stating the facts as is AB.

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

You can guarantee we wouldn't get any aid off Pakistan if it happened here,unless it was muslim areas that had been affected.

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

Whose voices were raised? I can't remember reading anything like that. There might have been a crackpot cleric who said it, but there is always a crackpot cleric blaming every natural disaster on some God's displeasure.

Since a lot of the victims were from the east as well as west, and of numerous faiths, you can't give much creedence to that.

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

There are children who have suffered in this disaster and dispite what people feel its the inocent that are suffering and they need our help. Its times like this that all malice and mistrust must be put aside in order to help those in need.

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

There is nothing wrong in highlighting these facts so described or discussing the failings of the governments concerned and their leader’s lack of ability. But I would ask you to consider that British personnel both civil and military went out to Pakistan and the surrounding area without question and without prejudice; they have rescued people already and will continue to search for others and provide help and advice to local people for as long as it is practical to do so. Again without question and without prejudice the British people have donated money, goods and clothing. The British Government will provide Air Transport, Funding and undoubtedly assist further by providing British military personal, equipment and know how. Whatever our feelings about what have gone before, I believe that the British People should be both proud of what we have been able to achieve and grateful that we will sleep peacefully in our beds tonight………

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

I do agree though with A-b [ring dem bells!] It is outrageous that such a poor country spends such a large amount of it's income on arms, and wanting a nuclear arsenal costing many millions of pounds.

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

"THE BOMB STILL THE ULTIMATE DETERENT" yes and the unfortunate thing is that those who want it are the poorest states, who think it will make them secure. A damning inditement of the times we live in. Untill these nations fell safe they will carry on developing them at the expense of their own people. Yet even with that these poor people need our help and it might create a smidgin of trust between nations. Its sad that earthquakes and sunamis are needed to bring use together.

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

Well said Willow.

Re: Some questions on the Asian Earthquake
 

I agree Doug, the scenes were heartbreaking, and like Willow said, most of the victims seem to be children who had just gone into school.

However I do think that a country with such a poor population, and very little infrastructure in place, does spend too much of it's gross national income on arms.

I also think we do, but in relation to Pakistan we have the luxury of wealth to do so.