Re: =?iso-8859-15?Q?FN-FORUM=3A_UK_public_pledges_soar_to_=A3?= =?iso-8859-15?Q?100m?=

date posted 6th January 2005 18:39

At 19:11 on Thursday, 06 Jan 2005, Gerard McGovern wrote:

>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4152933.stm
>
> Ignoring what others may think about this diaster, I feel very proud to
> be British knowing my fellow country men and women have donated £100m
> thus far.
>

I'm pleased too.

now do you think they could be persuaded to stump up the same amount,
every week, for the similar scale disaster going un-noticed in Africa?

From the BBC:

The prime minister returned from holiday in Egypt this week and in an
interview on Wednesday insisted that he had been "intimately involved" in
"all decisions at all times" relating to UK reaction to the tsunami
tragedy despite being abroad.

He contrasted the natural disaster in Asia with the "man made" situation
with Africa saying there was the equivalent of the tsunami in that
continent every week.

"I do not accept there is compassion fatigue on behalf of the British
people," he said hailing the UK public's donations.

"On the contrary, I believe there is every chance of mobilising the same
extraordinary generosity of spirit and solidarity that Britain and the
world have shown over the tsunami tragedy in supporting the tackling of
the tragedy in Africa."


I'm not sure I share Tony Blair's Optimism unfortunately.

Unless it's "in your face" I don't think we have that much compassion,
maybe I'm just a cynical grumpy old man though...