<p>days ago certain people on this board got their tighty-whities in a twist when other users blamed the death of the good Germans (the "innocent civilians" on the london subway) on the english government. they posted by the dozens to make it clear that it was ONLY the terrorists' fault and that "the civilized world" should kill each and every one of "those animals." anyone who didn't concur was obviously a pathetic leech. </p>
<p>but notice that NOW-when the middle east itself gets attacked by terrorists and dozens of innocent civilians FROM NON-WESTERN "BACKWARD" NATIONS get killed and hundreds injured, nobody says anything. </p>
<p>Perhaps it is because in these back-washed areas bad stuff happens all of the time. If a bad thing happens to a western society, where prosperity is the standard, it's only natural to expect more outcry.</p>
<p>I know im going to get a big beating for saying this.. The 9/11 thing. Ok so people died. And they make a humongus deal out of it. It was in the news like for 3 weeks. Like, headline news. All of america seemed to be very angry, sad, etc.. The u.s government made such a big deal about this whole thing. It was all over the world and the u.s wanted it to be all around the world, to try to get the world to be on their side.
Ok, so people in the middle east die everyday. They live through poverty everyday. They live with no luxury items whatsoever. And only less than half the fuss is made about it.
I don't really care about politics and all but I find this truly hypocritical.
(i'm not implying every single person living in ameria. if im wrong, im sorry.)</p>
<p>NoFX, you listed the reason why noone cares in your own post. It's not big news for people to die and live in poverty in BACKWASHED, third world, backward-thinking, dictatorial establishments. </p>
<p>But for people to die in the prosperous west, in our culture of PEACE in America, is a different story all together.</p>
<p>Look, I am a liberal opposed to the war, but terrorists are DOGS for killing innocent members of the public however you want to slice it. This was an attack in cold blood, and anyone who attacks innocent civilians is a disgusting human being. The US gives more than any other country in the world in humanitarian aid. The US is home to some of the most influential organizations aiding the world, including The Peace Corps, The Red Cross, and many others. The United States gives $11.4 billion in humanitarian aid each year, more than any other country in the world. And what countries recieve our aid? Iraq, Irael, Egypt, Columbia, Jordan, Russia, Pakistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Afganistan. During the tsunami, who did the hurt countries cry for? The United States, of course. Don't worry, though, Japan, Australia, and The US held SE Asia's hand and aided them in a time of need.</p>
<p>Look, you can call the US evil all you want...but stop taking our money, our resources, stop getting angry when Americans are offended by your insults, and most definitely DON'T move here!!!</p>
<p>And if you bomb us, hell yes we are going to react in anger! The United States might make mistakes globally, but countries like Saudi Arabia and Iraq don't exactly deserve too much respect either. You don't see U.S. civilians going over to Afganistan and blowing up subways or crashing planes into buildings.</p>
<p>"but notice that NOW-when the middle east itself gets attacked by terrorists and dozens of innocent civilians FROM NON-WESTERN "BACKWARD" NATIONS get killed and hundreds injured, nobody says anything."</p>
<p>Of course the U.S. media is going to place emphasis on British and U.S. attacks! The U.S. wants to report on what affects us most, and many Americans have British decent or British relatives.</p>
<p>Hoo, Israel doesn't recieve Humanitartian Aid (from anyone). Israel Recieves money with a pre-decided use - buying weapons from the US and later on upgrade it and share it with the US. All money coming from the US to Israel is either for political use (say for the disengagement plan) or, as I said, in order to buy weapon and army tools from the US.</p>
<p>Compare the amount of coverage the tsunami got with the amount of coverage the Bam earthquake got. Granted, the tsunami's devestation was much more widespread....but the Bam earthquake killed over 50,000 people and destroyed one of the world's oldest cities. In total, I heard three news reports and saw one blurb about it on CNN.com. Even bigger newspapers (eg the NY times) didn't seem to care too much about it. Imagine if "Tsunami kills hundreds of thousands" was right between "Lance Armstrong wins some other european bike race" and "Texas congressman calls for more faith-based initiatives." That was pretty much the case with the Bam earthquakes. Of course, the US was quick to give aid, but it was much, much more quiet. And there was no need for 9,000 celebrities to get their hands dirty at a red cross station or throw a benefit concert. I think, more than anything, American media (and probably all media) are more sympathetic to people with whom we can relate. Iran seems too foreign...we don't vacation there, many of us don't understand their culture, and the majority of americans have absolutely no connection to it...we don't make products there, we don't vacation there, etc etc.</p>
<p>Well, I think that is due to Iran being an anti-US country since the revolution, I don't think Iran would accept anything offered by the US, just like many muslim coutries don't accept Israeli assistance (egypt these days...). Iran is much more isolated politically than the coutries suffered the tsunami.</p>
<p>We still give more than any other country in the world. Maybe we don't give as much as we can, but I was not incorrect. How do I not have perspective?</p>