The tragic events in Japan have been unfolding in the media since the devastating earthquake and tsunami. The Japanese people have had to deal with terrible loss of life, devastation to towns and villages and now the potential nuclear disaster. Could we be doing more to help the people of Japan? Do you think our government has handled the situation well in helping and supporting British citizens in Japan? Are you concerned about the global effect the Japanese nuclear situation may have on the world?
Brian, going back on what I said previously, if there was a move to channel some of our aid to New Zealand I'd be much more motivated to give something. I agree with your sentiments about the support given during WW1 and WW2.
Posted by: doug | 01/04/2011 at 20:27
Barbara, could it be because the majority of NZ's population is white?
Posted by: I.S. | 01/04/2011 at 17:35
Welcome back Brian. I agree with you on our aid going to New Zealand. And hope it can be arranged. I have yet to see anybody asking for this to happen on TV or in the papers. Unlike tragedies in other countries, when to be quite honest I stop listening. I wonder why no one has put an appeal out for them?
Posted by: Barbara | 31/03/2011 at 23:24
This disaster is a terrible tragedy for the people of Japan.
However they are a wealthy Country, and do not need financial help from us or others.
They may need technical assistance, and we should be ready to give whatever we can.
I would imagine that the Americans are closely involved in giving technical advice and assistance regarding the Nuclear situation.
What puzzles me is that for a Country that knows it is at risk from earthquakes and possible tsunamis, they do not appear to have built these factors into there fail safe procedures with regard to the Nuclear Power units.
One thing I am sure of, is that the general public there and here will not be given all the facts with regard to health risks.
Going sideways on the aid question, I have just returned from a 9 week stay in New Zealand, during which of course there was the tragedy of the Christchurch earthquake.
NZ is a young Country with a relatively small population, and a fragile economy. They desperately need financial help to rebuild Christchurch, and we should be forthcoming.
During two world wars, they did, without question send their young men (who they could ill afford to lose) over to fight for the "mother country" alongside our troops. Sometimes with devasting tragedies such as Gallopoli where they lost many good men due to the incompetence of our Generals.
We give billions of pounds in aid every year to countries where most of it ends up in the back pockets of despots.
May I suggest that we do, for one year, suspend this and give it all to New Zealand.
Sorry this might seem a bit emotional, but I have become close to these proud people, and I love them.
Posted by: Brian | 31/03/2011 at 15:07
As I said on another subject, WHY do we feel we must always get involved? We can't afford it, we can't get things right in our own country, so why must we rush hell for leather into everybody else's business. We will not improve the situation in any way.
Posted by: doug | 28/03/2011 at 19:48
I agree I.S.what you said was foremost in my mind.The manner that Governments cherrypick the countries that are most benificial financially to them before assistance is given is disgusting,good examples are Saudi Arabia,Jordon,B.A.E.and Yeman were most of the ruling class are very rich and ordinary folk make do on the equivalent of £80 per month....i think what we are witnessing is that people in these countries have just had enough of vast differences in lifestyle ....no masterplan...just fed up with the injustice of it all.
Posted by: Laurel | 22/03/2011 at 21:44
We should not forget that the first to be robbed, murdered, raped & terrorised in Mugabe's Zimbabwe were the whites [mainly of British stock] which gave the country its prosperity.
Many of those now suffering in Zimbabwe were complicit in this.
Posted by: I.S. | 22/03/2011 at 17:18
Well said Emtycee..
Posted by: Laurel | 22/03/2011 at 12:12
Is'nt it a pity that Magabi's country dos'nt own huge oil deposits,then the UN would have stepped in to stop the genocide and mass murder that is still being dished out to these poor people.
Posted by: emtycee | 22/03/2011 at 07:54
Although I fully agree with the Health & Safety comparisons raised here I do believe that it is right to offer help and assistance to other countries when disaster strike. I agree that the Japanese are a very wealthy and very resiliant country but I also believe that we should help when and how we can. As for Lybia I don't think of it as war mongering. I think it is protecting a country's people being mass murdered by their own ruler who is obviously a mad, tyranical despot and needs to be stopped.
Posted by: Gwen | 21/03/2011 at 10:44
I agree I.S. thought it was dreadful about the poor chap who fell into 3ft of water. And no bystanders tried to help either. The sooner this ridiculous health and safety thing is scrapped the better. What a showing up for the services involved, but having said that they don't seem to have any shame these days.
Posted by: Barbara | 19/03/2011 at 23:32
Japan is wealthy enough to look after itself.
What annoys me is, when disaster struck Japan emergency services from Britain were soon over there; rushing into an unknown situation, and yet when somebody in this country has a blackout and falls into a park pond the crews of 2 fire-engines, 2 ambulances and 2 police cars don't wade into 3 ft. deep water to pull him out because of 'health & safety'!
Posted by: I.S. | 19/03/2011 at 17:07
I am concerned about the nuclear situation, but believe the Japenese are doing everything possible, the 150 engineers involved will no doubt die very soon due to the hgigh doises of radiation they are working in.
The british government screwed up once again with arranging proper papers to allow a rescue agency yto enter and assiost in looking for survivors. The survivors are now in desperate need of food and water, yet we seem more concerened about Libya
We may not be finacially well off as a country, but I would rather see our debt increasing by helping the Japanese instead of getting involved in more warfare. We just got rid of a warmonger, now Cameron appears to be one also.
Of course oil comes into the equation.
Posted by: jim | 19/03/2011 at 15:48