some deaths are more equal than others...
The Tsunami. How do you write about what happened? The media has its ghouls all over the Indian Rim asking banal and inane questions in an attempt to capitalise on the world's insatiable appetite for news stories and images. Well, have we had enough yet, boys and girls?
The prognosis is that the eventual death toll might go as high as 100,000. My heart goes out to all who are suffering the loss of a loved one, those who were injured, those who have lost much (if not everything) and those who in the days and weeks to come will face suffering (if not death) from thirst, hunger and the epidemics of disease that follow such events.
It is truly heart wrenching.
But I detect a hypocrisy here in Australia - the hypocrisy which results when the massive death and suffering caused by a tsunami, i.e. a natural, unavoidable disaster, unites us in grief, concern, and commiseration for those affected, and yet, when an even greater death toll, exacted under even more horrendous circumstances, visited upon a people subjected to a war which was totally avoidable, only half of this country's population is seriously troubled, whilst the other half is actively barracking for the invaders, the perpetrators of that war crime. Why? Because we're part of that invading army, we're accomplices in that war crime, but only half of the population is willing to tell it like it is.
And I too am a hypocrite. I feel little for the invaders of Iraq who are killed or injured, or for the insurgents killed or injured whilst fighting them. I see them all as belligerent fools, sucked into perpetuating the myth that the use of violence and killing is a valid way to resolve conflicts, be they political, ideologicial or religious - all of them cowards too timid to try more peaceful methods.
"The greatest coward can hurt the most ferociously." - The Eurythmics
The prognosis is that the eventual death toll might go as high as 100,000. My heart goes out to all who are suffering the loss of a loved one, those who were injured, those who have lost much (if not everything) and those who in the days and weeks to come will face suffering (if not death) from thirst, hunger and the epidemics of disease that follow such events.
It is truly heart wrenching.
But I detect a hypocrisy here in Australia - the hypocrisy which results when the massive death and suffering caused by a tsunami, i.e. a natural, unavoidable disaster, unites us in grief, concern, and commiseration for those affected, and yet, when an even greater death toll, exacted under even more horrendous circumstances, visited upon a people subjected to a war which was totally avoidable, only half of this country's population is seriously troubled, whilst the other half is actively barracking for the invaders, the perpetrators of that war crime. Why? Because we're part of that invading army, we're accomplices in that war crime, but only half of the population is willing to tell it like it is.
And I too am a hypocrite. I feel little for the invaders of Iraq who are killed or injured, or for the insurgents killed or injured whilst fighting them. I see them all as belligerent fools, sucked into perpetuating the myth that the use of violence and killing is a valid way to resolve conflicts, be they political, ideologicial or religious - all of them cowards too timid to try more peaceful methods.
"The greatest coward can hurt the most ferociously." - The Eurythmics
posted by The Editor at
7:39 PM
12 Comments:
You're not a hypocrite. Who could fail to feel a deep sorrow for the thousands killed by a natural disaster.
I bet you feel for the innocents of the war, too. The children too young to understand, and the women who have no part in the decisionmaking over there in Iraq. As for those who choose to be there and who choose to fight and bomb... sorrow, not from me. And I dont feel in the least bit hypocritical.
kyte (mindlessblather.com)
Jeff, I think your mob have chucled a lot more in since you wrote that. Similarly, our mob have increased their
amount of aid. I think it takes them time to crank this type of stuff up. Maybe they had "flawed intelligence?"
Kyte, yes, I do feel for the many innocent lives lost in war. I say that all war is terrorism because war kills more civillians than it does combatants, and the killing of civillians (never mind the terrorising of civillians) is, in my book terrorism no matter what pretty dress you put on it. so, let's ahve a true "war on terror" and stop having wars.
Hi Fox. Yes, but I've also had other thoughts, like if the medea weren't all over that area we wouldn't get any idea of the magnitude of the suffering and so less aid would flow to them. Seems we need the media. I dunno, It all gets a bit fuzzy when I try to figure the "media problem" out. I'll leave it to the intellectuals. :-)
Had another thought(hope it deosn't get lonely.)
Another reason for this kind of media orgy is that natural disasters are "certain" media opportunities. Like, who's going to criticise them? And everybody is hungry for news. Their ad salespersons are run off their feet as we speak. Circulations/ratings are through the roof.
Whereas war coverage is more risky. Because of a polarised national/world opinion, however they report it, a huge chunck of the readership will get pissed off. But THIS, this is safe! This is a bonanza. This is money in the bank.
On a less cynical note, as I said, we need the media to flog this in order to get the publicity needed to generate a good charity donation response. No news, no donations. Simple.
About the Iraq war? It's like this: Fox needs a healthy economy. Oil is a must for a healthy economy. So, my little geniuses, what sort of spin do you think Fox will put on the Iraq war? D'oh!
What's the answer? Fucked if I know... But I know a murderer and a thief when I see one. And I know what's wrong with turning a blind eye to such things. And this wrong has a name - it's called corruption.
Bin Laden is right. "The West" has become totally corrupt.
Bin Laden was also wrong in how he's going about waging his campaign for change. Maybe he should hire me as his PR/Strategic advisor. All killing and violence would stop and peaceful mass civil disobedience would start. The Yanks wouldn't know what hit them. Within six months the world would see them for the murderous and corrupt bastards that they really are, but while arseholes like bin Laden preach death and destruction, they may as well be working for the Yanks, Brits and Israelis. I often think he is.
He was the CIA's pin-up boy in the 80's after all..
Do a Google on "Operation Northwoods", read the book which exposed it, then tell me 9/11 could not possibly be "Operation Northwoods II".
Of course it'as all just conspiracy theory shit, right?
Well get your brain around this, my little darlings: A conspiracy is two or more individuals (often mega-greedy or mega-power-hungry)getting to gether to try to manipulate the scene to their advantage, right?
Now tell me there are no conspiracies happening. they're EVERYWHERE!
There's also a theory that says the bigger the conspiracy, the more likely it is to be disbelieved and the easier it is to dismiss or deny.
Happy dreams, darlings.
What A bout Christian charity? The good Smaritan, etc?
Oh , I forgot, we're talking about American Christianity. I suspect if Jeus came back and told them what he thought of what they're doing in his name, He'd get so pissed off that they'd crucify him again - this time of being a heretic and blasphemer. So tell me, Jeff what's so great about a democracy driven by lunatics and why should they be allowed to export this madness under the spurious banner of "liberation" and "democratization"?
Sometimes it feels like one's bashing one's head against a brick wall. And then I get depressed again.
I've got no choices left execpt ranting with rage or the depression caused by hopelessness and futility. I refuse to give in to the dark side by going out and blowing up as many of these pricks as is possible, but I can understand the utter frustration and hoplessness that can drive people over the edge into that abyss.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Interesting, Fox. I haven't heard this before. Any authoritative links?
Fox, that anonmymous person was me. I stuffed up again or Blogger is doing weird things.
Anyway, if Osama is dead, why are US "experts" verifying that these tapes are genuine? You're not saying that the US would intentionally lie to the whole world, are you? ;-)
And what about al-Zarqawi? If he's also a figment of US Intelligence's firtile imagnination, we're not far from saying that the US's dark hand is somehow behind the kidnappings and assassinations.
Which again has me think "was 9/11 in fact Operation NOrthwoods II"? I find it easier to believe (some) "conspiracy theories" than to believe the US is not doing any shady stage management at all.
I am sick of governments lying and ecieving the people. Sick of it! Sick of it! Sick of it! They're supposed to be our representatives and our servants, and they're nothing of the sort! They're bastards and democracy is a bloody sham! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Democracy itself is a myth - I've done a fair bit of travel in my life and have never encountered one. Some come closer than others or should it be less far away. What I find interesting is that the word democracy never appears in the 'Declaration of Independence,' the 'Constitution of the US,' or the 'Bill of Rights.' If the founding fathers had meant for the US to be a democracy, isn't it strange that it isn't even mentioned in any of the formal documents? No, it was just a brilliant con job!!!
Anonymous, I am not a student of the American "system" but I take your word for it.
But my bitch is this: America is prancing around the planetary stage installing "democracy" all over the place. What "democracy" ???
You say "democracy is is a myth". So, Anon, if "democracy" is a myth, what's the truth?
And here's a new thing: I ask anyone who chooses to use the "anonymous" option, to provide a pseudonym with their comment.
From now on, no pseudonym = DELETION. Simple.
Get real, guys.
The Tsunami Tragedy Blog which is being put together by members of the Australian Socialist Alliance & supporters of Green Left Weekly is located at:
http://asiantsunami.blogspot.com/
It pulls together information and a perspective that is not being carried in the main media.
OK, Anonymous, deletion's too harsh. So, from here onwards anonymous posters who do not sign off with a name ,real or imagined, will be given a name by me. So, most recent anonymous, your name shall be Flowerpot. You can change the name if you don't like it.
Thanks for providing that link, Flowerpot, I'll check it out.
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