I dont know about everyone else but in Australia,the PM John Howard is urging people to donate money to the Asia Tsunami appeal.Now dont get me wrong,if i had a couple of thousand dollars lying around,i would donate to the cause,but why are they asking us mere mortals to be generous with our money when we struggle to live day to day financially anyway! Why dont they send this message out to Hollywood stars,since they are the people who find a hundred dollar notes in their couches! Its not like we have the kind of money they have! :mad:

Erm, well...as long as he isn't really guilting you into it. If he is, he can suck it. And yeah, what we can give is not a TON...but I don't know, if you can you can and if you can't you can'. If I was some rich celebrity I know I'd donate ****loads of money.

Ok, I know I am going to sound skeptical and inconsiderate but as usual this whole disaster is turning into another "media event". I feel really sorry for those poor people but the news agencies again are going too far! Anything for a story they love! It just kind of cheapens the whole thing IMO. Last month it was Scott Peterson and next month they will latch onto something else I'm sure. :rolleyes: When is the last time anybody overseas sent aid to the USA for disaster relief? I get so sick and tired of "media" show business.
Ok, done ranting! :lol:

Sandra Bullock just donated $1 million to the Red Cross due to this catastrophe. :thumbsup:

The media should report it. It's the biggest natural disaster in history. As for anyone knocking the U.S. relief efforts, what a crock! We initially pledged 35 million before the magnitude of the disaster was even known.

In addition to the 350 million, U.S. private funds have exceeded $200 million. We've sent over food and supplies as well as our military to assist. We are leading this effort.

The United States is there for any country in need, and the majority of them wind up being ungrateful. It really sucks when Americans knock the WONDERFUL relief efforts of the U.S.

Ok, I know I am going to sound skeptical and inconsiderate but as usual this whole disaster is turning into another "media event". I feel really sorry for those poor people but the news agencies again are going too far! Anything for a story they love! It just kind of cheapens the whole thing IMO. Last month it was Scott Peterson and next month they will latch onto something else I'm sure. :rolleyes: When is the last time anybody overseas sent aid to the USA for disaster relief? I get so sick and tired of "media" show business.
Ok, done ranting! :lol:

I don't see any comparison between this and "Scott Peterson." Murders happen just about everyday, where as the last big natural disaster happened in 1976, when an earthquake in China killed over 600,000 people. This is the biggest tsunami we've ever seen, with 135,000+ deaths, plus several cities being completely destroyed. It doesn't compare with Scott Peterson, nor does it compare with any natural disaster the US has ever seen. This actually hasn't gotten all that much media attention, compared to other big stories in the last few years.

Sandra Bullock just donated $1 million to the Red Cross due to this catastrophe. :thumbsup:

Imagine if EVERY celebrity did that. :clap The ones who make $EleventyMillion per picture? Imagine how much that would help. If there are only 100 A-list stars, that's $100 million bucks. And there are more 1-listers than that! They should be appealing to these celebs like Star Jones, :p who spends a couple mill on her stupid wedding! And the higher the cost of the wedding the less years the "marriage" lasts. :rolleyes:

Nevermind. I'm sorry I ever said anything on this stupid website. Can't have an opinion without everyone calling you a traitor.

I read last week that Bill Gates donated 3 million. That's like a nickel to him, but a very generous thing for him to do.

Imagine if EVERY celebrity did that. :clap The ones who make $EleventyMillion per picture? Imagine how much that would help. If there are only 100 A-list stars, that's $100 million bucks. And there are more 1-listers than that! They should be appealing to these celebs like Star Jones, :p who spends a couple mill on her stupid wedding! And the higher the cost of the wedding the less years the "marriage" lasts. :rolleyes:

Ha....like Star Jones cares about anything else but herself.

I know they should report it. I enjoy reading the stories myself. But just like every other disaster or big news story, the media blows it out of proportion and almost turns it into a circus. Who can get their reporters there faster, who can have the bigger story, who can give the most help. Like it matters in the long run to those people who lost loved ones to the sea.

I still stand by what I said about the government. Nothing will change my mind. It seemed to coincidental. And I hope private donations exceed the government.

And naturally...if we're going to go and insist on being the world's superpower nation, then we should help without question. And I was NOT knocking the efforts, though if I was, I have every right. That's what living in a free democracy is about.
Blown out of proportion? Are you serious? That is such flawed logic, I can't even comment on it.

We are helping, without question. And yes, you have every right to knock your country for doing something wonderful for disaster torn countries.

Ok, I know I am going to sound skeptical and inconsiderate but as usual this whole disaster is turning into another "media event". I feel really sorry for those poor people but the news agencies again are going too far! Anything for a story they love! It just kind of cheapens the whole thing IMO. Last month it was Scott Peterson and next month they will latch onto something else I'm sure. :rolleyes: When is the last time anybody overseas sent aid to the USA for disaster relief? I get so sick and tired of "media" show business.
Ok, done ranting! :lol:

*cough*9/11*cough*biggest media event ever*cough*

Reading your and Pretty in Purple's posts makes me sick. God forbid you should care about anyone in the world if they aren't American. Hopefully when the US does need disaster relief, you two will be thrown into the pile of hundreds of thousands victims.

Blown out of proportion? Are you serious? That is such flawed logic, I can't even comment on it.

We are helping, without question. And yes, you have every right to knock your country for doing something wonderful for disaster torn countries.

What the hell?? I just said I wasn't knocking it. What, am I not kissing the flag enough for you?

And fine, don't comment on it. I have my opinion, you have yours.

What the hell?? I just said I wasn't knocking it. What, am I not kissing the flag enough for you?

And fine, don't comment on it. I have my opinion, you have yours.
I don't expect you to kiss a flag, and yes, you did knock our initial efforts. Called it pathetic. As if the U.S. is doing all this to save face with Japan.

The U.S. is doing what it's always done for countries in need....doing everything in its power. I don't question the motives of such overwhelming generosity. I think it's great.

Sandra Bullock just donated $1 million to the Red Cross due to this catastrophe. :thumbsup:

:nod: and Steven Speilberg(I think it was him) donated 1 Million Dollars out of his own pocket to the Red Cross. Pretty cool. :)

The U.S. is doing what it's always done for countries in need....doing everything in its power. I don't question the motives of such overwhelming generosity. I think it's great.

I'd like my country--the USA-- to provide me with health insurance. I'd like to see less people here sleeping on the streets. I'd like to see less people freezing to death in their apartments. But "we" can always come up with PLENTY of dough to pay our low-talent actors. ;) And we can always come up with PLENTY of dough to help other nations. How is this possible? Why does the USA neglect its own? Any explaination? Glen.

What a thing to be quarrelling over. The both of thee. Damn shame, yeah. :thudpile: :flabnabbi

I'd like my country--the USA-- to provide me with health insurance. I'd like to see less people here sleeping on the streets. I'd like to see less people freezing to death in their apartments. But "we" can always come up with PLENTY of dough to pay our low-talent actors. ;) And we can always come up with PLENTY of dough to help other nations. How is this possible? Why does the USA neglect its own? Any explaination? Glen.


I was under the impression that people were supposed to take care of themselves. The government is not there to provide you with health insurance or be your security blanket. In this country you are here to provide for yourself. You have every opportunity to make what you want out of yourself. There are exceptions to when the government must step in to help but to just think that the government is there to be the provider for the common person is wrong.

Janice, please ease up on dawsongirl. She has every right to voice her opinion. I, myself, agree with many of her beliefs regarding this issue. I also, however, agree with you.

Janice, please ease up on dawsongirl. She has every right to voice her opinion. I, myself, agree with many of her beliefs regarding this issue. I also, however, agree with you.
Ease up? It's called healthy debate. She has every right to voice her opinion, and I have every right to disagree. It's nothing personal.

Ease up? It's called healthy debate. She has every right to voice her opinion, and I have every right to disagree. It's nothing personal.

It seemed more like you were attacking her in my opinion. You were indirectly calling her a traitor.

I was under the impression that people were supposed to take care of themselves. The government is not there to provide you with health insurance or be your security blanket. In this country you are here to provide for yourself. You have every opportunity to make what you want out of yourself. There are exceptions to when the government must step in to help but to just think that the government is there to be the provider for the common person is wrong.

Heh...well I don't know how old you are, but the USA is the only (???) civilized country that doesn't have socialized medicine. In other words, healthcare available to all people regardless of income. This should be a GIVEN. Do you realize how much a hosptial stay costs? How much family independent healthcare coverage costs? There are elderly people here paying thousands a month for prescription drugs. There are companies now that have cut back and only pay a minumum of what they used to. And yet like I said, somewhere there is money to pay the "actor" Andy Dick. It's laughable at best. You do see that, don't you? We're the richest country and we can't help our OWN people.

It seemed more like you were attacking her in my opinion. You were indirectly calling her a traitor.
I attacked nobody, and I didn't call anyone a traitor. Don't put words, particularly that word, in my mouth.

Heh...well I don't know how old you are, but the USA is the only (???) civilized country that doesn't have socialized medicine. In other words, healthcare available to all people regardless of income. This should be a GIVEN. Do you realize how much a hosptial stay costs? How much family independent healthcare coverage costs? There are elderly people here paying thousands a month for prescription drugs. There are companies now that have cut back and only pay a minumum of what they used to. And yet like I said, somewhere there is money to pay the "actor" Andy Dick. It's laughable at best. You do see that, don't you?


I would rather have the choice of who my doctor is and I would also like to be able to see him/her in a timely fashion. We like to have choice in the USA not having the government tell us who our doctor should be. And I don't think the government is paying Andy Dick anything. I would think that it is you and me who are paying his salary by going to his movies(which I don't).

I would rather have the choice of who my doctor is and I would also like to be able to see him/her in a timely fashion. We like to have choice in the USA not having the government tell us who our doctor should be. And I don't think the government is paying Andy Dick anything. I would think that it is you and me who are paying his salary by going to his movies(which I don't).


Hey speaking of actors....If I get an attack of apendicitis in the middle of the night, and need to have the thing out at little or no cost to me...as opposed to the tens of thousands it costs to have it done WITHOUT insurance...I say I don't care if Alan Alda operates on me just because he's worked on M*A*S*H. :lol: ;) :lol: PS...I hate Andy Dick! Glen :wave:

Hey speaking of actors....If I get an attack of apendicitis in the middle of the night, and need to have the thing out at little or no cost to me...as opposed to the tens of thousands it costs to have it done WITHOUT insurance...I say I don't care if Alan Alda operates on me just because he's worked on M*A*S*H. :lol: ;) :lol: PS...I hate Andy Dick! Glen :wave:

I got a pocket knife. I'll do it for $50.00. I'm cheap. Hope you don't mind whiskey as a pain killer. :D

I got a pocket knife. I'll do it for $50.00. I'm cheap. Hope you don't mind whiskey as a pain killer. :D

Can you douse the knife with the whiskey before you cut me? To kill the bacteria? Then it's a deal! :cool: Glen :wave:

When is the last time anybody overseas sent aid to the USA for disaster relief?

When is the last time that the United States had 150,000 people get wiped out by ONE. NATURAL. DISASTER?

Personally, I could care less if they've given us a trillion dollars for disaster relief in the past, or $1.98. Helping people out in their time of need is the RIGHT thing to do. Aid shouldn't be contingent on past contributions they've made to us. Never.

I attacked nobody, and I didn't call anyone a traitor. Don't put words, particularly that word, in my mouth.

I was not putting words in your mouth.I was just stating what your posts look like to me.

*cough*9/11*cough*biggest media event ever*cough*

Reading your and Pretty in Purple's posts makes me sick. God forbid you should care about anyone in the world if they aren't American. Hopefully when the US does need disaster relief, you two will be thrown into the pile of hundreds of thousands victims.

:clap :notworthy

People who think we shouldn't "help" FIVE MILLION people are without a home, food, or drinkable water tonight. Think about that... that's the entire city of New York. :rolleyes:

I was not putting words in your mouth.I was just stating what your posts look like to me.
Don't accuse me of calling anyone a traitor. I did no such thing.

Don't accuse me of calling anyone a traitor. I did no such thing.

I was only stating my viewpoint. I never said you called anyone a traitor, I said that it seemed like it. There is a difference.

I was only stating my viewpoint. I never said you called anyone a traitor, I said that it seemed like it. There is a difference.
There's no difference to me. I didn't imply, insinuate or hint that anyone was a traitor, and I'm losing patience with your repeated accusation. Drop it.

There's no difference to me. I didn't imply, insinuate or hint that anyone was a traitor, and I'm losing patience with your repeated accusation. Drop it.

For the last time, I didn't mean to accuse you. I just have a different way of interpreting your post than you. I apologize, and I didn't meant to cause such a fuss.

For the last time, I didn't mean to accuse you. I just have a different way of interpreting your post than you. I apologize, and I didn't meant to cause such a fuss.
Fine, but when I told you about five posts ago that I don't think anyone is a traitor, it should have ended there. That's a lousy accusation. Let's just forget it.

Heh...well I don't know how old you are, but the USA is the only (???) civilized country that doesn't have socialized medicine. In other words, healthcare available to all people regardless of income. This should be a GIVEN. Do you realize how much a hosptial stay costs? How much family independent healthcare coverage costs? There are elderly people here paying thousands a month for prescription drugs. There are companies now that have cut back and only pay a minumum of what they used to. And yet like I said, somewhere there is money to pay the "actor" Andy Dick. It's laughable at best. You do see that, don't you? We're the richest country and we can't help our OWN people.

I agree with you. I mean, healthcare should be a huge issue, but the government doesn't have like, say, Canada, and have national healthcare, and insurance companies here are greedy as hell. I pay $900 a year for health insurance, which though it was supposed to, didn't even pay for a doctor visit. And whatever they pay on my prescription can't be much because I still have to pay $45 a bottle for 30 pills. :mad: Whoever's fault it is, they suck.

I was under the impression that people were supposed to take care of themselves. The government is not there to provide you with health insurance or be your security blanket. In this country you are here to provide for yourself. You have every opportunity to make what you want out of yourself. There are exceptions to when the government must step in to help but to just think that the government is there to be the provider for the common person is wrong.

This has nothing to do with the government directly, but I'd like to know how people are supposed to "take care of themselves" when no one will give them a job? Trust me, the job market is picky. Too picky sometimes. Can't take care of yourself on a Mickey D's salary either, when apartments go for $400 a month at the cheap end.

Fine, but when I told you about five posts ago that I don't think anyone is a traitor, it should have ended there. That's a lousy accusation. Let's just forget it.
You're right, it was a lousy accusation. I admit that. This is why I try my best to stay out of topics of this nature, but it doesn't always work. I just happen to have very strong opinions.I want you to know that I have nothing against you personally. I'm sorry for any misunderstanding. :) I'm done with this argument now.

You're right, it was a lousy accusation. I admit that. This is why I try my best to stay out of topics of this nature, but it doesn't always work. I just happen to have very strong opinions.I want you to know that I have nothing against you personally. I'm sorry for any misunderstanding. :) I'm done with this argument now.

Well, if you interpreted it wrong, then so did I. :tiphat:

Well, if you interpreted it wrong, then so did I. :tiphat:

Glad I'm not the only one. I just felt the need to defend you. :)

I pay over 600 bucks every two weeks

Glad I'm not the only one. I just felt the need to defend you. :)


Excuse me, I think she can defend herself.

*cough*9/11*cough*biggest media event ever*cough*

Reading your and Pretty in Purple's posts makes me sick. God forbid you should care about anyone in the world if they aren't American. Hopefully when the US does need disaster relief, you two will be thrown into the pile of hundreds of thousands victims.

They state their opinion, and you tell them they should be dead. And not just dead, but killed in some horrific manner. Classy response.

Well, if you interpreted it wrong, then so did I. :tiphat:
You want to go a round, I'm game. Where did I imply that you were a traitor? Micelli, stay out of this.

I agree with you. I mean, healthcare should be a huge issue, but the government doesn't have like, say, Canada, and have national healthcare, and insurance companies here are greedy as hell. I pay $900 a year for health insurance, which though it was supposed to, didn't even pay for a doctor visit. And whatever they pay on my prescription can't be much because I still have to pay $45 a bottle for 30 pills. :mad: Whoever's fault it is, they suck.

Think about this though-if we get socialized medicine then our taxes will go up. Then everyone will complain that we pay too much in taxes. And taxes will go up because the money has to come from somewhere to pay for that program.

Excuse me, I think she can defend herself.

I know she can defend herself. Does that mean I can't help? If it does, then I'm sorry for saying anything at all.

Glad I'm not the only one. I just felt the need to defend you. :)

Thank you. :)

And yes Brian, I am a big girl. But if someone wants to say something, I'm not gonna tell them no just because someone thinks people don't need friends.

Think about this though-if we get socialized medicine then our taxes will go up. Then everyone will complain that we pay too much in taxes. And taxes will go up because the money has to come from somewhere to pay for that program.

Yeah, but people complain about taxes all the time anyway. If you don't wanna go to jail, then you just pay them and fume to yourself. It wouldn't pass in Congress anyway.

Thank you. :)

And yes Brian, I am a big girl. But if someone wants to say something, I'm not gonna tell them no just because someone thinks people don't need friends.


True, but to jump in and make accusations of implying someone is a traitor is ridiculous and better off not said.

Think about this though-if we get socialized medicine then our taxes will go up. Then everyone will complain that we pay too much in taxes. And taxes will go up because the money has to come from somewhere to pay for that program.


I have friends in Canada that desperately want to move to the states because their taxes are through the roof.

It really sucks when Americans knock the WONDERFUL relief efforts of the U.S.

We are helping, without question. And yes, you have every right to knock your country for doing something wonderful for disaster torn countries.

Indirect, sure, but that's what it said to me.

True, but to jump in and make accusations of implying someone is a traitor is ridiculous and better off not said.

And honestly, SO wouldn't be SO if people kept their mouths shut. Everyone has done it once or twice. Or more.

True, but to jump in and make accusations of implying someone is a traitor is ridiculous and better off not said.

Yeesh, sorry for stating an opinion. :(

People who think we shouldn't "help" FIVE MILLION people are without a home, food, or drinkable water tonight. Think about that... that's the entire city of New York. :rolleyes:


:confused: If you don't quote a person I don't know who you're posting to. Glen :wave:

Yeah, but people complain about taxes all the time anyway. If you don't wanna go to jail, then you just pay them and fume to yourself. It wouldn't pass in Congress anyway.

They would complain bigtime if that program was in effect. I went to Scottland(about 6 or 7 years ago) and I was told that they are taxed around the 65 to 70% range when it came to their earnings. They have government run medicine. People don't even look to move up the ladder because the more money they would make the more they would get taxed.

And honestly, SO wouldn't be SO if people kept their mouths shut. Everyone has done it once or twice. Or more.


Again, there is nothing wrong stating an opinion, but this was between you and Janice, not Janice you and Sara

They would complain bigtime if that program was in effect. I went to Scottland(about 6 or 7 years ago) and I was told that they are taxed around the 65 to 70% range when it came to their earnings. They have government run medicine. People don't even look to move up the ladder because the more money they would make the more they would get taxed.

Well, then it's a nice idea on paper.

Again, there is nothing wrong stating an opinion, but this was between you and Janice, not Janice you and Sara
I had every right to defend her. This is America. Since when is there a rule against defending someone? I realize that the debate didn't involve me personally, but I had something to say.

Indirect, sure, but that's what it said to me.
That's a quantum leap there. I stated that I think it sucks that Americans are knocking the U.S. for their generous relief efforts. And I do. You had called it pathetic and said we were only doing it because Japan gave more.

You told me you have every right to knock the U.S., and I agreed with you.

Where do you get traitor out of that? I don't think that anyone who criticizes the government is a traitor. I criticize many of their policies myself.

That's a quantum leap there. I stated that I think it sucks that Americans are knocking the U.S. for their generous relief efforts. And I do. You had called it pathetic and said we were only doing it because Japan gave more.

You told me you have every right to knock the U.S., and I agreed with you.

Where do you get traitor out of that? I don't think that anyone who criticizes the government is a traitor. I criticize many of their policies myself.

I interpreted it one way, you meant it another. Whatever.

That's a quantum leap there. I stated that I think it sucks that Americans are knocking the U.S. for their generous relief efforts.


I don't know about YOU...but I agreed not to disuss POLITICS on this board when I signed up. You're a "moderator" and I plan to report you for your behaviour. You should KNOW better! :wave:

I don't know about YOU...but I agreed not to disuss POLITICS on this board when I signed up. You're a "moderator" and I plan to report you for your behaviour. You should KNOW better! :wave:
This isn't politics. We're discussing a disaster and the relief effort. :wave:

This isn't politics. We're discussing a disaster and the relief effort. :wave:

The relief effort from the USA. And what YOU want to prevail. :wave:

The relief effort from the USA. And what YOU want to prevail. :wave:
What I want to prevail? What are you talking about? I want the victims to get the help they need. Yeah, that's as political as it gets.
I can see you're going to be a barrel of laughs around here. Something tells me we've 'met' before. :lol: :lol:

They would complain bigtime if that program was in effect. I went to Scottland(about 6 or 7 years ago) and I was told that they are taxed around the 65 to 70% range when it came to their earnings. They have government run medicine. People don't even look to move up the ladder because the more money they would make the more they would get taxed.
Yes, those who live in countries with socialized medicine have to put up with two big disadvantages:
- Very high taxes
- Waiting, in some cases, for months for non-emergency care.

I've read that some people who live in Canada are coming to the U.S. for things like bypass surgery because the waiting list is too long over there and they want to have surgery done before they get a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

:confused: If you don't quote a person I don't know who you're posting to. Glen :wave:

I don't have to name names... the ones who believe we shouldn't help them is who I was refering to.

What I want to prevail? What are you talking about? I want the victims to get the help they need. Yeah, that's as political as it gets.
I can see you're going to be a barrel of laughs around here. Something tells me we've 'met' before. :lol: :lol:

:rofl:

Something tells me we've 'met' before. :lol: :lol:

I agree, I have a feeling that glen is someone we've "met" before too.