Earthquake, Crisis, Humanity
The earthquake in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and northern India has devastated many communities. The current count of the dead is 20,000, some 43,000 more severely injured. NGOs on the ground in Pakistan expect the count of the dead to rise quickly to 40,000.
The US has had terrible devastation within the last months, and with fires in California and the impending Bird Flu issue, the constant threat of terrorism in NYC, etc etc etc, we're heading off a lot of problems ourselves.
Which is exactly why this is the perfect moment for American global solidarity to be shown. I don't know the costs involved in the earthquake effected region. Nor do we know the full costs involved because of hurricanes Rita, Katrina, and the Latin American Stan. And the debate about costs must be resolved, undoubtedly. But this moment is a key moment in the so-called "War on Terrorism" abroad, but also in America's lack of leadership at home.
The leaders that will determine the correct outcome to these social crises are the ones with the courage to state, clearly and compassionately, the following: "America has endured great pain, we're feeling the cracks in our society exposed, we're amid great struggles in leadership, values, and relief at home. And yet, we must assist our wounded friends and allies. We must aid, simply because we must. Because in the end, we're all here together, neighbors, friends, enemies. So while we are tending to our wounds, we must also, to the absolute best of our ability, tend to the wounds of our global community."
The American Leader who chooses a statement like that will be the first leader disinterested enough to begin to solve America's problems in engaging in the world.
[:: end sappy social idealism ::]
There's been a lot of need. But there still is need. If you can, consider giving to these organizations already on the ground assessing need:
The US has had terrible devastation within the last months, and with fires in California and the impending Bird Flu issue, the constant threat of terrorism in NYC, etc etc etc, we're heading off a lot of problems ourselves.
Which is exactly why this is the perfect moment for American global solidarity to be shown. I don't know the costs involved in the earthquake effected region. Nor do we know the full costs involved because of hurricanes Rita, Katrina, and the Latin American Stan. And the debate about costs must be resolved, undoubtedly. But this moment is a key moment in the so-called "War on Terrorism" abroad, but also in America's lack of leadership at home.
The leaders that will determine the correct outcome to these social crises are the ones with the courage to state, clearly and compassionately, the following: "America has endured great pain, we're feeling the cracks in our society exposed, we're amid great struggles in leadership, values, and relief at home. And yet, we must assist our wounded friends and allies. We must aid, simply because we must. Because in the end, we're all here together, neighbors, friends, enemies. So while we are tending to our wounds, we must also, to the absolute best of our ability, tend to the wounds of our global community."
The American Leader who chooses a statement like that will be the first leader disinterested enough to begin to solve America's problems in engaging in the world.
[:: end sappy social idealism ::]
There's been a lot of need. But there still is need. If you can, consider giving to these organizations already on the ground assessing need:
posted by General Stan at 11:59 PM
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