A human catastrophe occurred along the shores of the Indian Ocean, destroying the lives of over 100,000 people and affecting millions. Everyone with concern for his fellow man should focus on the efforts to relieve the suffering and grief of the survivors. Yet … yet, the worst natural disaster of the last 50 years has turned into a nasty squabble about who is more generous, who is “stingy” and the bizarre demand that George Bush give a speech.
Juan Cole writes begins his comment on his web site “Informed Comment” thus:
Tsunami Toll Nearly 70,000 and Rising Where's Bush?
..If Bush were a statesman, he would have flown to Jakarta and announced his solidarity with the Muslims of Indonesia…
There is a particular idiocy in professors, and in Leftists, but I repeat myself. The people suffering today are looking to find out what happened to their families. They want supplies of clean water so that they won’t die of dysentery; clothing and shelter for those who lost their homes and possessions. They will soon be looking for some way of making a living amidst the rubble left by the tsunami.
Local and national leaders will show their concern by touring ravaged areas. But the last thing that the people on the shores of the Indian Ocean need or want is for the “Great White Father” from Washington to swoop down on Air Force One and give a speech. But that is the reaction of the chattering classes for whom “assistance” always arrives in the form of a speech or lecture, giving them a chance to preen and strut their superiority, while lesser creatures provide food and drink, shelter and clothing.
"Professor" Juan Cole misleads students at the University of Michigan. Having grown up in Michigan, I am ashamed of the association.
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