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On things that we wish had never happend
Jan. 3rd, 2005 12:11 amIt cant be left unsaid that the Tsunami and its after effects are a huge disaster. I dont really want to dwell on it as its depressing my quite seriously. However:
On Friday an email was sent by our manager saying that the Australian Government had contacted the company asking them to provide any skills they can in helping with the task of recovery. The email asked for staff who have the skills required to let them know immediatly, for a possible assignement to the region. Our company deals with water testing, and water quality. Including design and construction of water monitoring stations, and water storage and purification plants. Mainly these are for developed countries. However a couple of the people in the company have third world water purification and management skills and I beleive they are currently trying to pass their work off onto other staff and arrange the assignment. Unfortunatly I dont have any skills required. Mainly Medical and infrastructure management.
On that note: The aide agencies are asking for money. They say that if we give money they can use it to purchase goods and equipment in bulk close to the disaster region. I saw a report on TV (im not sure which channel.. it was on one of the trash nightly docu-trash-ies "current affair" programs.) If I understand the report correctly some lady had set up a call center of her own and she was ringing people up asking for medical supplies and stuff. and she was begging for Anything in small boxses or anything. Now the military and other aid agencies have begged that people dont to this as they cant get these items to the region required. But WHY OH WHY do people still do it? are they stupid? Some of the lines I've heard are along the lines of "Well its the only thing I can do". but, like.. your've been asked NOT TO as they cant USE what your doing so your actually WASTEING your energy doing it.
On the radio the other day one of the presenters was asking for people to make suggestions on how we could all help with the disaster relief. He asked people to call in with their ideas on how to help. Some idiot called in and suggested that on every tax return people are charged a $5 levy to go to helping the appeal. I was stunned at this. HE then went on to say that this levy should be applied to ALL tax returns. Even those people who didnt earn enough to have any tax taken out. So for instance a student who earnt nothing but did a return would get a $5 levy aginst them and the person who earnt $1 million would pay the $5 levy. THe person swore black and blue that it was a fair and reasonable thing to do and that nobody would complain and every body would be happy. But I'm sorry but I felt that that idea was just stupid and out of place. I have a problem with it and im sure other people who earn NO money would have a problem with a forced "donation". When I donate money I want to choose exactly where it goes, who it goes to and how much I donate. I do NOT want the government garnishing a forced $5 donation from me for them to choose where it goes.
On that note, It's REALLY great to see people donating money and in the volumes they are donating it. Its really heartwarming to see the generosity of people in times of need. Its just a shame that they cant be as generous for other Charities that are desperatly in need of money such as African charities and such.
I wonder how long it will take before people get charitiy fatigue and dont feel like donating any more.
On Friday an email was sent by our manager saying that the Australian Government had contacted the company asking them to provide any skills they can in helping with the task of recovery. The email asked for staff who have the skills required to let them know immediatly, for a possible assignement to the region. Our company deals with water testing, and water quality. Including design and construction of water monitoring stations, and water storage and purification plants. Mainly these are for developed countries. However a couple of the people in the company have third world water purification and management skills and I beleive they are currently trying to pass their work off onto other staff and arrange the assignment. Unfortunatly I dont have any skills required. Mainly Medical and infrastructure management.
On that note: The aide agencies are asking for money. They say that if we give money they can use it to purchase goods and equipment in bulk close to the disaster region. I saw a report on TV (im not sure which channel.. it was on one of the trash nightly docu-trash-ies "current affair" programs.) If I understand the report correctly some lady had set up a call center of her own and she was ringing people up asking for medical supplies and stuff. and she was begging for Anything in small boxses or anything. Now the military and other aid agencies have begged that people dont to this as they cant get these items to the region required. But WHY OH WHY do people still do it? are they stupid? Some of the lines I've heard are along the lines of "Well its the only thing I can do". but, like.. your've been asked NOT TO as they cant USE what your doing so your actually WASTEING your energy doing it.
On the radio the other day one of the presenters was asking for people to make suggestions on how we could all help with the disaster relief. He asked people to call in with their ideas on how to help. Some idiot called in and suggested that on every tax return people are charged a $5 levy to go to helping the appeal. I was stunned at this. HE then went on to say that this levy should be applied to ALL tax returns. Even those people who didnt earn enough to have any tax taken out. So for instance a student who earnt nothing but did a return would get a $5 levy aginst them and the person who earnt $1 million would pay the $5 levy. THe person swore black and blue that it was a fair and reasonable thing to do and that nobody would complain and every body would be happy. But I'm sorry but I felt that that idea was just stupid and out of place. I have a problem with it and im sure other people who earn NO money would have a problem with a forced "donation". When I donate money I want to choose exactly where it goes, who it goes to and how much I donate. I do NOT want the government garnishing a forced $5 donation from me for them to choose where it goes.
On that note, It's REALLY great to see people donating money and in the volumes they are donating it. Its really heartwarming to see the generosity of people in times of need. Its just a shame that they cant be as generous for other Charities that are desperatly in need of money such as African charities and such.
I wonder how long it will take before people get charitiy fatigue and dont feel like donating any more.
