"Where is America?" Indonesian Villager, 12/29/04

[autorank]

After commenting that there were hundreds of bodies laying around, hospitals overflowing and no doctors, the villager asked the poignant question.

Where is America? and what have the Republicans done? Under ALL administrations I can remember, we were there first for natural disasters.

Thanks *.

[xultar]

1. The planes just landed today. n/t

[SodoffBush]

2. It's the US's new "compassion"

Bush is working on a perfume product line with that name and his face on the bottle, featuring rigormortised bodies in the background.

[histohoney]

3. Spent most

of last night at the Red Cross getting things ready to ship. We are there but we are having to work things out.
Just heard on the radio the Catholic diocess in West TX is calling for extra donations to send to the countries (No, I am not Catholic).
Our church (Methodists) are calling on the Mission boards and UNW, UMM and others to also collect donations to send.

[Prodemsouth]

4. The Red Cross is not the US, it is an international orgainization.

n/t

[histohoney]

6. True

But local chapters from all over the globe make up the Red Cross. I give my time and money as an American to be used by everyone.
If not for local American Red Cross chapters there would be a large dent in the International Red Cross.
P.S. The ARC does a LOT of detail work for the IRC.

[autorank]

5. My compliments, thanks for your service!

[histohoney]

8. Thanks

Hay how about you. Find a charity you have trust in, and see if you can give time or a little money. (Time is a great gift, some one has to sort or count. I do just little things but many people doing little things add up to great things.)

[autorank]

30. I already volunteer but that's a good question.

My point was simple: what has * done to our reputation as a charitable country -- delays, low-balling the government contribution, talking about a "line of credit." * has shamed America, surprised? Not me but it still pisses me off. Keep up the good work.

[Squatch]

7. He asked what the Republicans are doing?

[histohoney]

9. He also

asked where America was. I AM America. Democrat and American.

[Squatch]

10. An Indonesian villager actually asked about the

Republican party? Paint me skeptical...

[histohoney]

12. I can't

speak for the Republicans, just me.

[Squatch]

13. This is what you said the villager said:

"villager asked the poignant question.

Where is America? and what have the Republicans done?"

[JawJaw]

14. The Republicans?

They only raise big money for IMPORTANT stuff. Like buying advertising space to keep their media friends happy and get their boy elected.

Poor, brown people overseas can just F.O. as far as they are concerned.

[Squatch]

15. OK...does anybody have their reading glasses on today?

I find it hard to believe that an Indonesian villager would ask about the Republican party.

[Mabeline]

19. Yep, probably the biggest thought for them now is to make sure their

family is okay, they may question "Is help coming?" or "Where is someone to help?" IMHO..most probably have never even heard of the political parties in America.

[Royal Observer]

24. It sounded pretty strange

to me that someone who just escaped with his life would be asking what the Republicans are doing.

[LibertyLover]

23. Indonesian Villager

You would be surprised at how informed the average Indonesian is about America and her politics. I work for an international organization that does a great deal of work in Indonesia and has several offices there, so I have to interact with the staff in Indonesia on almost a daily basis. Given the time difference, it is usually via e-mail, but often enough by telephone. Our conversations start out about work, but once that is taken care of, we take a moment or two to chat and I have been asked sophisticated questions about the US political climate not just by the investment officers, but also by the secretarial staff. Also, many of our staff may work in Jakarta, but they go home to their villages on the weekend and consider themselves still part of it, even while maintaining a house or apartment in Jakarta. So the person interviewed (I did not see the interview so I can only speculate) may actually work in Jakarta or one of Indonesia's other cities and have gone back to the home village because of the tragedy. Besides - * and his cronies have had 4 long years to teach the world about Republicans.

[TrustingDog]

28. erm, maybe 'villager' is the name of a newspaper? n/t

[autorank]

31. The villager said, and I quote "Where is America?"

Meaning the nation America, lead by *, a Republican. They have shamed all of us. They make people who do volunteer look bad even though they have nothing to do with the American government.

[histohoney]

16. Friend

I did not start the post Autorank did (Thanks autorank, we need info)

The whole last part of the post is

"Where is America? and what have the Republicans done? Under ALL and ministrations I can remember, we were the first ones there after a natural disaster."

I took it as the Villager asking, "Where is America" the rest I saw as Autorank asking .
Why would a villager say "WE" were there first?
Autorank is the whole thing a direct quote?
Any who, why are you so made at ME?
What have I done to you ?

[Squatch]

17. I'm not mad at anybody. Just seeking clarification

And sorry about the mixup...

I find this entire story very suspect.

[histohoney]

18. While

I know some help is on the way and God willing more will come soon.
Have to get the kiddo now
No hard feelings
and it's always OK to ask questions.

[bloom]

29. It's my impression

that people around the world are more informed than Americans are about the evils of Bush* and his party.

It would not surprise me at all to have anyone, anywhere realize that it is the Republicans and not all Americans who are setting the agenda over here.

[autorank]

33. Dude, enough.

I posted this about 60 seconds after I heard the villager make the statement on CNN this morning. Suspect my ass.

[Squatch]

35. Dude...prove it

[autorank]

36. Don't have to prove it, I saw it and heard it. I checked for

transcripts and they're not up for this morning. You're free to go to CNN yourself and check it out. I don't know what the controversy is. It was on the news this morning.

[Squatch]

37. Yeah...the old, "just trust me" trick.

Sorry, don't buy it.

Like I said..."paint me skeptical"

[autorank]

38. Why don't you read the rules.

You're now calling me a liar and I take offense at that. You're supposed to argue the case, in this instance a simple fact that can be checked when CNN puts up their transcripts. I find this offensive so don't respond to me any more and don't imply that I'm lying, it is really not called for and not appropriate.

[Squatch]

39. No, I said prove it. You responded with

"you're free to look it up"

I don't care how you are taking it, but until you prove it, I'll believe this story is contrived.

[autorank]

40. It was on CNN about 10:30AM.

Are you saying CNN contrived it. I said just leave it alone but you keep responding. I find this personalliy offensive. If I said, * resigned, DeLay switched parties, etc., that's a ligitimate "hey what are you talking about?" this isn't.

[Squatch]

41. Without beating around the bush, (lol) IMO, this story is BS.

"I said just leave it alone but you keep responding"

And, you know what...I'll think I'll reserve that privelege for now.

"I find this personalliy offensive."

This is a DISCUSSION site. You post, others respond...it's how this thing works.

[autorank]

42. Why would CNN make it up? Did they give the guy a script?

[Squatch]

43. Hey, look at the time...

that sure was a nice bait you had there.

[autorank]

44. Hey look at the VIDEO from CNN "Where is America?"

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/quake.videos/index.html

Then click on: Grief-stricken survivors in Aceh

Watch the entire clip, it's there. Bye Bye

[autorank]

32. Sorry to delay, had to work.

"Where is America?" The vilager asked.


Where is America? and what have the Republicans done? Under ALL administrations I can remember, we were there first for natural disasters. This is my commentary.

There is no argument. * embarassed America, pure and simple. Made us all look bad, AGAIN.

[CatholicEug]

21. Well, Histohoney,

Where are you? If possible, send $$ or help somehow. It will make you feel better, and it WILL make a difference. And pray, pray, pray for these people.

[histohoney]

47. Right here

We (my family) HAVE sent money. I pray daily for them. I have been working at the ARC and will work at my Church through UMW.
I hope all that can will send money or spend some time in prayer for those in need.
Sorry about the day delay. Had to get the kid. I don't have INTERNET at home (LONGGGG story about a crash brought on by a baby sitter, don't ask.)
Did you miss my post#3?

[Royal Observer]

25. Yeah but

the Indonesian villager doesn't seem to want to know what you are doing.

[Royal Observer]

22. Hard to believe.

Isn't it?

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. I'm sure help is on the way

but with the leadership of the President of the United States it will be a lot harder to coordinate the effort.

[Pithy Cherub]

26. * efforts at organization have spurred American citizens

to find real ways to help today. *'s track record isn't globally inspiring... ;0

[CatholicEug]

20. Now wait just a minute

Am I being asked to believe that a villager who just suffered a catastrophic shock has the presence of mind to ask not only "Where are the Americans?" but to make pointed comments about the Republican party?

There's no room for politics in this disaster. Let's all just get together, send money, prayers and wishes to these people. Those with the means (not me) should hop planes and travel to the devestated areas to do their best.

[Royal Observer]

27. Hey

Make a political point any time you can.
:evilgrin:

[autorank]

34. The quote is in quotes, the rest is my commentary with a reprise

of the quote in the test of the message. Quotes mean quotes, etc. It was on CNN, a desparate villager made the comment motoining with his arm at piles of dead bodies. We look bad thanks to *.

[autorank]

45. Welcome to DU BTW. Now, have a look at the video.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/quake.videos/index.html

Then click on: Grief-stricken survivors in Aceh

Watch the entire clip, it's quite moving and revealing. Even this villager had an instinctive response when there was a disaster, "Where's America?" I don't know any more eloquent statement about our fearless leader's mishandling of the situation.

[DemBones DemBones]

46. Good catch. The rest of the world pays attention to US politics

and they're used to us helping in times of need.

[Skittles]

48. we are here and we care a lot and we are going to help

what we DON'T have is a capable leader. :(