The meaning of life <cartoons, etc.> ... an evolving thread

But, hey, there will be economic benefits!

Dismal failure to count the true cost
January 5, 2005/SMH

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/01/04/wed05fazzari_narrowweb__200x241,1.jpg

The tsunami can only be seen in a positive light by ignoring human values, writes Peter Martin.

.... "Fred Bergsten runs the Institute for International Economics in Washington. He is a former assistant secretary of the US Treasury. Three days after the tsunami hit, with at that time tens of thousands confirmed dead, he told US National Public Radio (NPR) that the tragedy might be a good thing for the economies concerned.

He said: "Like any disaster, you get negative effects through destroying existing properties and people's health, but you do get a burst of new economic activity to replace them, and, on balance, that generally turns out to be quite positive."

What on earth could he have meant? How could the loss of so many lives so suddenly, with so many more to come, be "on balance, positive"? ....

<complete article>
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Opinion/Dismal-failure-to-count-the-true-cost/2005/01/04/1104601354767.html

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http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/12/29/30cartoon_gallery__550x317,0.jpg

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Reminds me ...

Inquisitive Soviet student: "On TV they are constantly saying that communism is on the horizon. What is this communism?"

Soviet teacher: "Well, communism is a society free from exploitation, where everyone is free and equal. It is our happy future, when nobody will live in need."

Student: "But what is a horizon?"

Teacher: "Well, I can explain that to you too. A horizon is an imaginary line that keeps moving further away as you get closer."

msolga wrote:

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nimh wrote:

Reminds me ...

Inquisitive Soviet student: "On TV they are constantly saying that communism is on the horizon. What is this communism?"

Soviet teacher: "Well, communism is a society free from exploitation, where everyone is free and equal. It is our happy future, when nobody will live in need."

Student: "But what is a horizon?"

Teacher: "Well, I can explain that to you too. A horizon is an imaginary line that keeps moving further away as you get closer."

Yes!

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http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/01/04/wbpetty_gallery__550x416.jpg

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Jeeze, it makes you wonder, doesn't it? <sigh>

Army still at war in Aceh
Sian Powell, Jakarta correspondent
January 05, 2005/the Australian

"THE Indonesian military is continuing to wage war with separatist rebels in the hills of Aceh as world leaders put the finishing touches to a multi-billion-dollar aid and investment package for the devastated province.

As international military and medical teams stepped up relief efforts yesterday in Aceh, where the tsunami killed up to 100,000 people, an Indonesian military spokesman confirmed that only two-thirds of the military's 40,000-strong force in the province was taking part in the relief effort while the remaining third was engaged in military operations against insurgents.

The rebels claimed yesterday that the Indonesian military has moved more troops into rebel-held territory under the guise of relief operations since the tsunami struck 10 days ago. They say squads of soldiers are preventing hill villagers going to help their relatives on the coast." .....

<complete article>
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11854835%255E601,00.html

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This little thread has become a form of useful "therapy" for me, as I struggle to understand the madness & contradictions of the daily news. I hope it's been of some use to a few others of you, too! :wink:
Please feel free to post your own bits & pieces if the spirit moves you.

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.. a view from the Guardian in the UK ..

West spends more on killing than saving
By George Monbiot
January 6, 2005

The tsunami tragedy has revealed the obscenity of Western Priorities.

... "But why must the relief of suffering, in this unprecedentedly prosperous world, rely on the whims of citizens and the appeals of pop stars and comedians? Why, when extreme poverty could be made history with a minor redeployment of public finances, must the poor world still wait for homeless people in the rich world to empty their pockets?" ..

... "For Bush - and Blair - the tsunami relief operation and the Iraq war are both episodes in the same narrative of salvation. The civilised world rides out to rescue foreigners from their darkness.

... "While they spend the money we gave them to relieve suffering on slaughtering the poor, the world must rely for disaster relief on the homeless man emptying his pockets. If our leaders were as generous in helping people as they are in killing them, no one would ever go hungry." ...

http://theage.com.au/news/Opinion/West-spends-more-on-killing-than-saving/2005/01/05/1104832169893.html

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Bush donates to tsunami relief
From correspondents in Collinsville, Illinois
January 06, 2005/the Australian

US President George W. Bush, who called on Americans this week to make a donation to help victims of the Asian tsunami, has contributed $US10,000 ($12,865) himself, the White House said today.

Mr Bush, whose wealth is estimated at some $US13 million ($16.72 million), on Tuesday asked "every American to contribute as they are able to do so".

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11865417%255E1702,00.html

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http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/01/05/thurs6cartoon_gallery__550x324,0.jpg

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http://www.comics.com/editoons/benson/archive/images/benson20024410550105.gif

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colorbook

Well, for once I agree with him! Tsunamis are shocking, destructive things. But, then again, so are some man-made disasters!

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http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/01/04/wed05cartoon_gallery__550x307,0.jpg

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http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,407416,00.jpg

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http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/01/07/wbpetty_gallery__550x388.jpg

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http://www.americanprogress.org/atf/cf/%7BE9245FE4-9A2B-43C7-A521-5D6FF2E06E03%7D/CARTOON_ALL_LARGE.gif

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He's absolutely right, you know!

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Now is this amazing generosity of spirit or what?
A letter to the editor from today's AGE:

Timor's example

Marie Nash (03/01) wondered if the generosity shown by the Australian public to the Asian tsunami victims would be reciprocated should it ever be necessary.

Perhaps she should learn from the East Timorese, whose many citizens were killed during Indonesian occupation and whose country was systematically destroyed by the Indonesians in 1999.

Yet, they are now donating $65,000 to assist the people of Aceh in Indonesia - money that they themselves desperately need.

- Peonies Cuba, Hawthorn

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http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/01/06/fridaymoir_gallery__550x388,0.jpg

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repeat post deleted

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