why the news gives me a stomachache these days

Posted on October 8, 2005 by Megan

i’ve been ignoring the news lately, reading it but not paying too much attention – i find the downward spiral distracting from my goal of just being ready for whatever is coming – and this news item is a reminder of why i just *can’t* think about this shit too much – an earthquake in pakistan yesterday is reported to have killed at least 18 000 people, not to mention tanking massive amounts of infrastructure – and the US initial response is to offer $100 000 in aid. that’s right – not a million, one hundred thousand dollars.

i hope some of the billions raked in by the red cross over the katrina debacle make their way over – since the world response is likely to be paltry (global compassion-fatique? or is it really just the belief that american’s lives are worth more than anyone else?).

which reminds me of an article i read a couple of weeks ago in the british observer noting that the bush plea to americans to donate money for the “rebuilding” of iraq had so far netted a measly $600. i don’t know what is more ludicrous – the us government doing a fund-drive to raise money to fix a country they systemically obliterated over a 15 year period (leaving behind long term genocidal implications in the form of depleted uranium), or that the plea has fallen on deaf ears, indicating a monumental lack of support for either a) george bush himself, or b) the people of iraq (guess it depends on how you felt about the war in the first place).

oyyyy – it’s late, and i think i should stop thinking about such things and go to bed.

One Comment on “why the news gives me a stomachache these days”

brad
October 9, 2005

I think most Americans who would otherwise care enough to contribute to the rebuiding of Iraq (out of guilt and shame if nothing else) realize that every damn dime we send is going to end up in the hands of Halliburton or Blackwater or Bechtel or one of the other fine bastions of American mercenary capitalism in charge of the mess over there.

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