ForumGarden

Comment?

Thank you, Lon.

I hope more discover this.

Dafur

that is waful what is happening,:(

almostfamous;656220 wrote: Did they do this to themselves?? It's just weird with it being all the same limbs missing thinking:


Of course they didn't do it to themselves, don't you get out much? Basically if you take a population of amputees, you will eventually find some with the same bits missing and be able to take a photograph of them.

almostfamous;656525 wrote: I'm really sick of how rude some people on here are. What do you gain by making others feel stupid? I'm 28 for god sakes


If you're 28, you should know better than to be so bloody stupid, and treat a tongue-in-cheek remark as such without spraying diarrhoea. Oh, and if you have passed the grand old age of 28, you might consider reading the papers once a week.

Now, where are my carpet slippers?

Come on now!!

There's no need for that! No need at all!

God, there's enough crap in the world to keep up with about who maims and kills who, and frankly, I don't keep up with it either. It doesn't make me stupid or compassionless, it makes me tired of how people hurt each other.

And now someone's being hurt here.

Knock off with the BS! We don't need it here!

The conflict is very complex. It basically comes from the Chinese government seeing Darfur and Falun Darfur as a threat.

Falun Gong (Darfur) is a religious offshoot of Buddhism and very quickly became very popular. The government sees this as a threat and pulls people from their homes and kills or tortures or as in the picture maims them so others see what can happen if you defy the government.

Keep in mind this is only a small part of the conflict as China see's Darfur as an overall threat to the government.

Sick bastards.

It's a sad, sad situation.

JacksDad;656540 wrote: The conflict is very complex. It basically comes from the Chinese government seeing Darfur and Falun Darfur as a threat.

Falun Gong (Darfur) is a religious offshoot of Buddhism and very quickly became very popular. The government sees this as a threat and pulls people from their homes and kills or tortures or as in the picture maims them so others see what can happen if you defy the government.

Keep in mind this is only a small part of the conflict as China see's Darfur as an overall threat to the government.

Sick bastards.

It's a sad, sad situation.


Now I'm totally bewildered!

I understood the Darfur crisis to be ethnic cleansing by government backed militias in the aftermath of the Sudanese Civil War and the victims to be primerally muslims. Where do the Chinese and Falun Gong come into it?

Bryn Mawr;656556 wrote: Now I'm totally bewildered!



I understood the Darfur crisis to be ethnic cleansing by government backed militias in the aftermath of the Sudanese Civil War and the victims to be primerally muslims. Where do the Chinese and Falun Gong come into it?




Oh trust me the Falun Gong are always starting something. Its what theyre known for.

You should see them when they hook up with the Wuhan Chongquin's and start drinking fermented goats blood. Its trouble mister...big trouble !

Nomad;656569 wrote: Oh trust me the Falun Gong are always starting something. Its what theyre known for.

You should see them when they hook up with the Wuhan Chongquin's and start drinking fermented goats blood. Its trouble mister...big trouble !


come on nomad come along peacefully and no one will get hurt.

minks;656572 wrote: come on nomad come along peacefully and no one will get hurt.

RedGlitter;656534 wrote: Come on now!!

There's no need for that! No need at all!

God, there's enough crap in the world to keep up with about who maims and kills who, and frankly, I don't keep up with it either. It doesn't make me stupid or compassionless, it makes me tired of how people hurt each other.

And now someone's being hurt here.

Knock off with the BS! We don't need it here!


With all do respect and without patronising anyone, the Darfur Atrocities have been on CNN, all the major newspapers and radio for well over the past two years. It's not a matter of keeping up. It's just that some of us wonder how so many can go day to day in a state of oblivion as to some of the important issues in the world and how it affects us, and frankly this is one of the concerns I have for my fellow countrymen. I have stated it before in this forum and have been critised for what was considered to be my anti-American comments about how we know less and care less about what is going on in the world than any other people.

Lon;656601 wrote: With all do respect and without patronising anyone, the Darfur Atrocities have been on CNN, all the major newspapers and radio for well over the past two years. It's not a matter of keeping up. It's just that some of us wonder how so many can go day to day in a state of oblivion as to some of the important issues in the world and how it affects us, and frankly this is one of the concerns I have for my fellow countrymen. I have stated it before in this forum and have been critised for what was considered to be my anti-American comments about how we know less and care less about what is going on in the world than any other people.




What are you doing to make a difference ?

Lon;656601 wrote: With all do respect and without patronising anyone, the Darfur Atrocities have been on CNN, all the major newspapers and radio for well over the past two years. It's not a matter of keeping up. It's just that some of us wonder how so many can go day to day in a state of oblivion as to some of the important issues in the world and how it affects us, and frankly this is one of the concerns I have for my fellow countrymen. I have stated it before in this forum and have been critised for what was considered to be my anti-American comments about how we know less and care less about what is going on in the world than any other people.


Good point, and I would like to take a stab at the other side of the coin here and sorry it's a tad off topic.

I have not the resources to take on the world's crisis's so my contribution has been to raise 2 decent children with the hopes of them being assets to humanity and I have remained gainfully employed and out of jail so as not to be a burden on our society.

I have to also defend us ostrich heads in the sand by saying I had to take some pretty drastic moves to reduce stress in my life and one of the best things I cut out of my daily diet was... The news.

Lon;656601 wrote: With all do respect and without patronising anyone, the Darfur Atrocities have been on CNN, all the major newspapers and radio for well over the past two years. It's not a matter of keeping up. It's just that some of us wonder how so many can go day to day in a state of oblivion as to some of the important issues in the world and how it affects us, and frankly this is one of the concerns I have for my fellow countrymen. I have stated it before in this forum and have been critised for what was considered to be my anti-American comments about how we know less and care less about what is going on in the world than any other people.


Because many of us are struggling with our own demons. With the day today BS that weighs us down. Some of us have cancer, some of us have been suicidal, some of us have had house fires, divorce, death, miscarriage, bankruptcy, homelessness. Forgive us if we have all our limbs and our problems seem insignificant compared to that of other countries.



I'm getting really tired of other countries and their braggardly ways. They don't seem to know much more than anyone else about world goings-on but they sure like to go on as if they do.

Nomad;656606 wrote: What are you doing to make a difference ?


I write letters, send emails and an occasional phone calls to my elected reps, as well as letters and emails to different State Dept. folk. In addition, posting stuff like this on FG and other forums to try and get the unaware more aware. The more that know what is going on in this world, the more likely it will be that their is some outrage, then some action, then hopefully some results.

almostfamous;656542 wrote: It was just an unnecessary response to my question.


Sorry.

Lon;656627 wrote: I write letters, send emails and an occasional phone calls to my elected reps, as well as letters and emails to different State Dept. folk. In addition, posting stuff like this on FG and other forums to try and get the unaware more aware. The more that know what is going on in this world, the more likely it will be that their is some outrage, then some action, then hopefully some results.


you are a good man Lon.

almostfamous;656547 wrote: I should have pm'd him.


No. Please don't. I very, very rarely use PMs, and think that they are quite possibly the worst "feature" of "forums" such as this.

Lon;656627 wrote: I write letters, send emails and an occasional phone calls to my elected reps, as well as letters and emails to different State Dept. folk. In addition, posting stuff like this on FG and other forums to try and get the unaware more aware. The more that know what is going on in this world, the more likely it will be that their is some outrage, then some action, then hopefully some results.


Good on you.

Your right awareness is the 1st step. The more difficult hurdle is apathy.

RedGlitter;656619 wrote: Because many of us are struggling with our own demons. With the day today BS that weighs us down. Some of us have cancer, some of us have been suicidal, some of us have had house fires, divorce, death, miscarriage, bankruptcy, homelessness. Forgive us if we have all our limbs and our problems seem insignificant compared to that of other countries.



I'm getting really tired of other countries and their braggardly ways. They don't seem to know much more than anyone else about world goings-on but they sure like to go on as if they do.


I'm sorry, I guess I should have realized that all the Movers & Shakers in this world, and all the contributors to charities, famous authors and statesman and women etc. have never had to struggle with their own demons, have never had cancer, been suicidal, had a divorce.

I think for Lon and and anyone else to do what they can to help Darfur is a good thing. But keep in mind that no one can do everything. It's impossible. So you pick your causes. Mine are animal related, as you know. I also support the cause of stopping FMG (female genital mutilation.) I also support literacy and anti-censorship. Those are my battles. I can't do everything and I don't keep up with everything. But I make no apology for that as I do what I can.

So just help where you can. It's enough.

Lon;656642 wrote: I'm sorry, I guess I should have realized that all the Movers & Shakers in this world, and all the contributors to charities, famous authors and statesman and women etc. have never had to struggle with their own demons, have never had cancer, been suicidal, had a divorce.


Your remarks are bordering on obnoxiousness there, Lon.

You consider yourself a mover or a shaker? That's odd, because I don't see that. Not everyone need be a mover or shaker. There are those who do what they can as they can in a quiet fashion and that works just as well.

RedGlitter;656619 wrote: Because many of us are struggling with our own demons. With the day today BS that weighs us down. Some of us have cancer, some of us have been suicidal, some of us have had house fires, divorce, death, miscarriage, bankruptcy, homelessness. Forgive us if we have all our limbs and our problems seem insignificant compared to that of other countries.



I'm getting really tired of other countries and their braggardly ways. They don't seem to know much more than anyone else about world goings-on but they sure like to go on as if they do.


Wonderful, you're always game.

I'm trying to lose weight, BTW, as well as carry the burdens that life brings - alle voorspoed.

RedGlitter;656649 wrote: Your remarks are bordering on obnoxiousness there, Lon.


I think he's trying to say that many people in this world have personal difficulties, but there's always an opportunity to try and help others. Maybe something's "lost in the translation".

RedGlitter;656645 wrote: I think for Lon and and anyone else to do what they can to help Darfur is a good thing. But keep in mind that no one can do everything. It's impossible. So you pick your causes. Mine are animal related, as you know. I also support the cause of stopping FMG (female genital mutilation.) I also support literacy and anti-censorship. Those are my battles. I can't do everything and I don't keep up with everything. But I make no apology for that as I do what I can.



So just help where you can. It's enough.




I hear this sentiment thrown around quite a bit lately, supporting this cause or supporting that cause.

Especially by Republicans concerning American troops in Iraq.

If you support our troops you will do this_______.

If you do ________ you wont be supporting our troops.

What is support anyway besides a word unless tangible action is involved ?

And why cant you disagree with the war but still hope our guys and gals make it home in one piece ?

I heard a general say today cutting off funding would be sending the wrong message to our troops. WTF is that ?

Were basing decisions now on how soldiers will "feel" ?

Something aint right.

RedGlitter;656649 wrote: Your remarks are bordering on obnoxiousness there, Lon.

You consider yourself a mover or a shaker? That's odd, because I don't see that. Not everyone need be a mover or shaker. There are those who do what they can as they can in a quiet fashion and that works just as well.


Your initial post sounded more like a cop out on why people are uninformed about what is going on in the world, using cancer, dovorce etc. as an excuse.

Selfish, indulgent self centered people typically don't give a rat's ass for anything but their own problems. There are fortunately tons of people that have cancer, have attempted sucide and been crapped on that still manage to be aware.

At my age I no longer Move or Shake as in my hey day, but trust me, I have had my moments.

The initial subject however had to do with awareness and what's going on in the world, not what one is doing about it. There is no valid reason for not knowing what is going on in the world.

Bill Sikes;656650 wrote: Wonderful, you're always game.




Not sure how you mean that, Bill.

Bill Sikes;656654 wrote: I think he's trying to say that many people in this world have personal difficulties, but there's always an opportunity to try and help others. Maybe something's "lost in the translation".


Perhaps so. Lon and I often butt heads because our translation leaves much to be desired. Or we clash or something. Or perhaps our wit just does not translate well in the written word.

Nomad;656656 wrote: I hear this sentiment thrown around quite a bit lately, supporting this cause or supporting that cause.

Especially by Republicans concerning American troops in Iraq.

If you support our troops you will do this_______.

If you do ________ you wont be supporting our troops.

What is support anyway besides a word unless tangible action is involved ?

And why cant you disagree with the war but still hope our guys and gals make it home in one piece ?

I heard a general say today cutting off funding would be sending the wrong message to our troops. WTF is that ?

Were basing decisions now on how soldiers will "feel" ?

Something aint right.


I don't know Nomad, but I understand your point.

When I say I support those causes, I mean that's what I stand behind, I give my money, I write letters, I spread the word. I have helped a few people learn how to read, locally, and that means something to me because I believe in helping your own community first. You all know what I do and have done for animals but few of you know I do anything else. That doesn't matter if you tell people or not,it just matters that you do *something.* IMO.

Lon;656664 wrote: Your initial post sounded more like a cop out on why people are uninformed about what is going on in the world, using cancer, dovorce etc. as an excuse.

Selfish, indulgent self centered people typically don't give a rat's ass for anything but their own problems. There are fortunately tons of people that have cancer, have attempted sucide and been crapped on that still manage to be aware.

At my age I no longer Move or Shake as in my hey day, but trust me, I have had my moments.

The initial subject however had to do with awareness and what's going on in the world, not what one is doing about it. There is no valid reason for not knowing what is going on in the world.


Homeless people

Hungry children

Refugees

Genocide

The rain forest

Global warming

Polar caps melting

Tsunamis

Perverted child rapists/killers

The death penalty

Pesticides

Pollution

Castro

North Korea

Iran

Gasoline prices





Its a cluster**** Lon.

Nomad;656670 wrote: Homeless people

Hungry children

Refugees

Genocide

The rain forest

Global warming

Polar caps melting

Tsunamis

Perverted child rapists/killers

The death penalty

Pesticides

Pollution

Castro

North Korea

Iran

Gasoline prices





Its a cluster**** Lon.


You are right, it is cluster, and I'll bet that you could write at least two intelligent paragraphs on each subject, despite any personal demons that you might have.

Lon;656601 wrote: With all do respect and without patronising anyone, the Darfur Atrocities have been on CNN, all the major newspapers and radio for well over the past two years. It's not a matter of keeping up. It's just that some of us wonder how so many can go day to day in a state of oblivion as to some of the important issues in the world and how it affects us, and frankly this is one of the concerns I have for my fellow countrymen. I have stated it before in this forum and have been critised for what was considered to be my anti-American comments about how we know less and care less about what is going on in the world than any other people.

Lon, I actually don't think the statement about Americans being less knowledgeable on world events valid. I bet in every single other country in the world there will be approximately the same percentages of uninformed people as in America and possibly more.



Do you actually think that Mexico, the Korea's, South American Countries etc. etc. are more informed than U.S. citizens?

Lon;656678 wrote: You are right, it is cluster, and I'll bet that you could write at least two intelligent paragraphs on each subject, despite any personal demons that you might have.




You just slammed me didnt ya ? :-6

Lon;656664 wrote: 1. Your initial post sounded more like a cop out on why people are uninformed about what is going on in the world, using cancer, dovorce etc. as an excuse.

2. Selfish, indulgent self centered people typically don't give a rat's ass for anything but their own problems. There are fortunately tons of people that have cancer, have attempted sucide and been crapped on that still manage to be aware.

3. At my age I no longer Move or Shake as in my hey day, but trust me, I have had my moments.

4. The initial subject however had to do with awareness and what's going on in the world, not what one is doing about it. There is no valid reason for not knowing what is going on in the world.


1. I don't make cop outs. But people can only do so much. And there's nothing wrong with putting your own problems first. My point was that we have our own problems too.

2. This should be self evident, so no comment.

3. Ok, now*that* might sound like a cop out if I didn't know better. I see too many older people who want to sit back on their laurels, believing they've earned a cushy life. What are they doing to better the world? Not all, mind you. But enough of them.

4. One leads to the other. Nothing wrong with that. That's how conversation goes. As far as no valid reason, Lon, just to single you out, are you aware and knowledgable on *everything* that is currently happening right now? I ask this seriously.

YZGI;656685 wrote:

Lon, I actually don't think the statement about Americans being less knowledgeable on world events valid. I bet in every single other country in the world there will be approximately the same percentages of uninformed people as in America and possibly more.



Do you actually think that Mexico, the Korea's, South American Countries etc. etc. are more informed than U.S. citizens?


Yes I do--------if they are at least High School Graduates (not sure about Mexico) I am convinced that they not only know more about what is going on in the world, but in many cases know more about the U.S. than even many U.S. citizens. New Zealanders are a good example. A high percentage have lived and worked abroad.

Americans will take a 10 day cruise and spend one day in Athens and another Istanbul and all of a sudden become experts on Greece and Turkey.

Believe me it's true. I hear it all the time from my age group.

I have been quite impressed and sometimes embarassed about how knowlegeable some foreigners are about the U.S. and the world in general.

It's really a fact, Americans tend to be very provincial and in many cases don't know or care what is happening outside of their immediate neighborhood.

Lon;656735 wrote: Yes I do--------if they are at least High School Graduates (not sure about Mexico) I am convinced that they not only know more about what is going on in the world, but in many cases know more about the U.S. than even many U.S. citizens. New Zealanders are a good example. A high percentage have lived and worked abroad.

Americans will take a 10 day cruise and spend one day in Athens and another Istanbul and all of a sudden become experts on Greece and Turkey.

Believe me it's true. I hear it all the time from my age group.

I have been quite impressed and sometimes embarassed about how knowlegeable some foreigners are about the U.S. and the world in general.

It's really a fact, Americans tend to be very provincial and in many cases don't know or care what is happening outside of their immediate neighborhood.




And Johnny Fufuti from Mogadishu knows what the political climate in Arkansas is like ?

Nomad;656737 wrote: And Johnny Fufuti from Mogadishu knows what the political climate in Arkansas is like ?


Let's exclude third world countries, and limit it to at least high school grads.

Nomad;656737 wrote: And Johnny Fufuti from Mogadishu knows what the political climate in Arkansas is like ?


....And cares? :-3

Nomad;656737 wrote: And Johnny Fufuti from Mogadishu knows what the political climate in Arkansas is like ?


I'd suggest a damned sight better than most Americans know the political climate in Mogadishu - for one thing American politics are broadcast worldwide far more than politics in Somalia, even with the recent fighting there, and for another, it has more effect on the rest of the world.

And what does all this awareness equal? Are those countries helping us feed our poor? Are their doctors fixing our deformed? Are they supporting our causes? What's the point here?

Lon;656749 wrote: Let's exclude third world countries, and limit it to at least high school grads.




The point being while the world may seem smaller thanks to leaps and bounds in communications technology or communicable diseases for that matter :-3 its still a rather large undertaking to "fix" the problems of the world. For every cause you take on theres half a million others that want to fight you on it. I think mom and dad who are teaching their children well are taking on the most important cause of all. Thats real and its tangible.

Maybe thats what it is, if you cant get in there and get your hands dirty it just doesnt seem like your efforts take on any significance.

Nomad;656737 wrote: And Johnny Fufuti from Mogadishu knows what the political climate in Arkansas is like ?


I would suggest that he neither knows nor cares, and furthermore that the political climate in Arkansas is only of real relevance to people who live there, and aren't having their parts traumatised.

What a funny name Mr. Johnny has! I can't find it in my telephone directory.

Bill Sikes;656768 wrote: I would suggest that he neither knows nor cares, and furthermore that the political climate in Arkansas is only of real relevance to people who live there, and aren't having their parts traumatised.



What a funny name Mr. Johnny has! I can't find it in my telephone directory.


Right.

So is Johnny apathetic or just consumed with the business of his own life ?

I mean our own lives are fairly consuming right ?

RedGlitter;656759 wrote: And what does all this awareness equal? Are those countries helping us feed our poor? Are their doctors fixing our deformed? Are they supporting our causes? What's the point here?


Red---you are so far off what this Darfur thing is all about I am not sure I have the time or energy to bring you up to date other than to say, it's not about feeding the poor or fixing the deformed. As for the point? I give up if I haven't already made it.

Nomad;656766 wrote: The point being while the world may seem smaller thanks to leaps and bounds in communications technology or communicable diseases for that matter :-3 its still a rather large undertaking to "fix" the problems of the world. For every cause you take on theres half a million others that want to fight you on it. I think mom and dad who are teaching their children well are taking on the most important cause of all. Thats real and its tangible.

Maybe thats what it is, if you cant get in there and get your hands dirty it just doesnt seem like your efforts take on any significance.


It certainly is a darn fine place to start Nomad.

RedGlitter;656759 wrote: And what does all this awareness equal? Are those countries helping us feed our poor? Are their doctors fixing our deformed? Are they supporting our causes? What's the point here?


Many of "those countries" have a very high percentage indeed of "poor" of their own, in very "poor" countries, and hardly any doctors per head of population. They quite possibly would support "your" causes, had they the time and energy over and above that necessary to survive to do so. I am not attacking you, or trying to cause grief - but the poorness of some of these places has really to be seen to be believed. I think that the point is that they are all part of the world, just like us - but it is getting late, so I may be mistaken.

Lon;656774 wrote: Red---you are so far off what this Darfur thing is all about I am not sure I have the time or energy to bring you up to date other than to say, it's not about feeding the poor or fixing the deformed. As for the point? I give up if I haven't already made it.


You're being pompous again, Lon.

Our conversation has expanded beyond Darfur and is encompassing related issues now. Keep up, man!! :wah:

Bill Sikes;656777 wrote: Many of "those countries" have a very high percentage indeed of "poor" of their own, in very "poor" countries, and hardly any doctors per head of population. They quite possibly would support "your" causes, had they the time and energy over and above that necessary to survive to do so. I am not attacking you, or trying to cause grief - but the poorness of some of these places has really to be seen to be believed. I think that the point is that they are all part of the world, just like us - but it is getting late, so I may be mistaken.




Except Papua New Guinea...theyre on their own.

Nomad;656773 wrote: Right.

So is Johnny apathetic or just consumed with the business of his own life ?

I mean our own lives are fairly consuming right ?


a) Both.

b) We have it far, *far* easier than possibly 3/4 of the rest of the population.

Bill Sikes;656777 wrote: Many of "those countries" have a very high percentage indeed of "poor" of their own, in very "poor" countries, and hardly any doctors per head of population. They quite possibly would support "your" causes, had they the time and energy over and above that necessary to survive to do so. I am not attacking you, or trying to cause grief - but the poorness of some of these places has really to be seen to be believed. I think that the point is that they are all part of the world, just like us - but it is getting late, so I may be mistaken.


Bill, that's my point exactly.

We all have our own grief.

Nobody's coming down on those countries for not doing something for others or knowing about others.