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1. There is no difference between the two. The only difference is that the other children of the world: a) don't get plastered all over the media on a regular basis and b) the Tsunami disaster is immediate... the other childeren of the world are ongoing.
2. This encourages people to donate to a cause that needs money NOW, not a year from now... NOW.
3. The US gives a lot of money... the point the UN official was making was that as a percentage of total GDP the countries of the west (no country was singled out so give it an f'n rest already) gives a pittance. As for Reagan vs. Arafat... one was a former president and the other was a sitting president... I'm sure it is protocol. Are you saying that the UN should lower it's flag for ALL ex-leaders of the world when they kick off?
As for the article... It is sure full of hate...
Indonesia is grateful for the assistance... However, they do not want foreign troops in their country. Would you welcome Russian, Chinese, Kuwaiti, etc. troops on your soil?
If they were required in the short term... I would be OK with this, but in the long term I certainly wouldn't. I would not be all that happy to see American troops (or any foreign troops for that matter) marching all over Canada.
Indonesia is a sovreign nation. I don't see the problem with them saying, OK, thanks now please leave.
The area in question has been the site of a brewing civil war... regardless of which side you would take in the dispute, it is their *elected* governments perogative to keep foreign troops out of this dispute.
I think their reaction is hardly one that is Musilm vs. Christians as the author of this peice suggests. The Indonesian government works quite well with the US and Australia. Asking that the US not set up a base on their soil is hardly an act of war...
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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