Sunday, September 04, 2005
Put Your “Compassion” Where Your Mouth Is
The tragedy of natural disaster strikes another country, something worthy of considerable empathy regardless of location.
Unfortunately, the professional political opportunists are already at it -- global warming, the Iraq conflict, gun control… Name a talking point and some will find cause to use a tragedy to twist the knife. It’s all Bush’s fault of course, if Kerry or Che Guevara were president, the Hurricane would have never even happened in the first place, and if it did the chaos of random thousands in an area of complete devastation would miraculously return to normal within days. To be sure, some serious buro-incompetence showed its face and, “Things could have been done differently.” I might note that building a major city below sea level in the regular path of hurricanes isn’t an ideal condition in the first place, but there are major cities in potential disaster zones all over the world. I just wouldn’t be so quick to expect flawless response when such an event occurs in such a location. For the really bad negligence, some buro-heads should definitely roll. As for the President himself, I’m not sure what exactly he was supposed to do beyond signing off on funds and putting the bureaucracy in motion. It seems that outside of New Orleans, the massive areas affected have dealt with events remarkably well under the unique circumstances.
The evil “cowboy” from Texas has now steered the country through two rather cataclysmic events and somehow kept things rather intact for most of the country. I hope the history books are more honest in their appraisals of the guy than most “commentators” are today.
At this point, several countries and leaders, normally friendly, hostile, or otherwise, have offered their sympathy and assistance, something American citizens should fully appreciate (I can’t speak for them, but I’m going to guess that they do appreciate the support regardless of where it comes from).
Actions speak louder than words and I’m not so sure that some individuals from the “justice and compassion” crowd are pillars of support in such times. I have no statistics which prove or disprove the actual assistance given is such times by various political persuasions. In the U.S., I’d guess that Republicans and Democrats are likely putting their money and time where there mouth is to relatively equal degrees. It’s merely anecdotal, but I’ve personally found that the more radical demagogues are the least likely to come through when genuine emergencies occur. In past calamities, I’ve heard the usual rants about America’s fault or nature's “punishment for our greed” (a rant one can hear from both fundamentalist religious nuts as well as the hard left). Among those who regularly spout the Jacobin party line, I haven’t known many who actually come through with actual donations in such times. Being so busy spouting the usual tirade regarding other’s “greed” and other’s “responsibilities” I don’t think it would occur to many of them to actually fork over some of their own discretionary cash – let alone time – to real people in need. I think it would be bad form to actually ask the leftists I know if they’ve contributed anything to the current natural disaster (let alone others that have occurred in recent years), but what I know of them I’m going to guess that they’ve given nothing. The “poor and oppressed” are abstractions to them; talking points to prove to themselves that they’re on the correct side of things. A victim of a natural disaster doesn’t qualify – a Hurricane or Tsunami’s destruction is more easily tolerated than a corporate executive’s wealth.
The sects from the Eco-left in general love -- so we are told -- nature. It’s only when supposed connections between free society and nature's less idyllic actions can be conjured that the darker aspects of nature may be noted. Of course, natural disasters have been occurring since the birth of the planet and even in our limited time frame their frequency or intensity are still cyclical factors beyond the control of foundation grants and recommendations to stifle economic development in the hated country of choice.
Actions do speak louder than words. Some ideologues are typically more full of words (and other things) than the genuine will to sacrifice to the degree they demand of others.
Now’s your chance; all you “progressive” authoritarian statists and Islamo-fascist sympathizers, fork up some cash. “Sacrifice” (your favorite word?) that new Che T-shirt, Audio-slave CD, or Michael Moore DVD collectors set and contribute to something worthy – for a change.
p.s. I’m just an English teacher, but you can surely match my meager $115.00 donation to the American Red Cross or some other institution that does more than merely conjure villans to explain the misfortunes of others. (…and, yes, my own contributions have been made in the past when other countries were the victims of natural calamity).
It’s strange what passes as good to some people. To merely utter general support for “the poor and oppressed” can gain enormous points for all types of power seeking scoundrels. Communist dictators destroy whole societies, thwart human progress, and – always – kill lots of people (enslavement to the state being mere icing on their cake), but somehow, from some people, they get a pass. If you’re Che, Castro, Mao, even Stalin, all you need to do is say (words speak louder than actions) the magic words; something to the effect that you “care” about “the poor and oppressed” (P&OP?). Of course, seizing money and property from others and rationing some of the crumbs will always help to press the point, and even convince a few of the less perceptive (which will often include a good portion of intellectuals of course). Somehow merely offering lip-service to the cause of P&OP will give some a blank check to organize firing squads, send people from their homes, intrude upon family ties, induce famines, and erect prison states that destroy every last remnant of free and open information, discussion, or disagreement.
Everyone knows dictatorship is bad and bloodbaths and purges are horrible but, say its for “the poor and oppressed” and you get a free ride from every phony spoiled brat with a trust fund, hip CD collection, or reputation as a popular movie actor or director.
So, by all means, show you “care” about people you have nothing in common with. By all means donate money, time, and spirit to the causes you can scream loudest about. Go for it. Knock yourself out but…please have some decency, and leave acceptance and adulation for dictators out of your phony tirade.
