Thank God For Tv

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gksaoh

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The Niger government has known for 2 years that the country faced famine. They appealed to other governments but nothing happened. Thank God for TV! Now that we see starving babies on television we are moved to act.

In the 1840’s a million Irish died of hunger because there were no potatoes. Politicians ignored their plight even though other food was available for those with money. TV could have saved them.
 
Is this a Joke ? We can see Pornographic things on TV too and be “moved” as well.
 
You disappoint me, gksaoh; your threads are usually much more inflammatory than this.

Your final sentence makes me wonder how old you are.
 
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gksaoh:
In the 1840’s a million Irish died of hunger because there were no potatoes. Politicians ignored their plight even though other food was available for those with money.
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There were relief efforts.
 
I thank God for TV and computers. With six children, it’s nice to have electronic babysitters. 😉

Alan
 
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philipmarus:
Is this a Joke ? We can see Pornographic things on TV too and be “moved” as well.
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Thousands of chidren dying of starvation, millions on the move because of drought, images of children witrh swollen bellies and arms and legs no thicker than a matchstick, and you say “IS THIS A JOKE!” Some joke!!!

A little less insularity and a little more charity might not go amiss in this situation!!!:mad:
 
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walstan:
Thousands of chidren dying of starvation, millions on the move because of drought, images of children witrh swollen bellies and arms and legs no thicker than a matchstick, and you say “IS THIS A JOKE!” Some joke!!!

A little less insularity and a little more charity might not go amiss in this situation!!!:mad:
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I think he meant that the comment concerning TV saving the Irish was a joke. Not the children dying.
 
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walstan:
Thousands of chidren dying of starvation, millions on the move because of drought, images of children witrh swollen bellies and arms and legs no thicker than a matchstick, and you say “IS THIS A JOKE!” Some joke!!!

A little less insularity and a little more charity might not go amiss in this situation!!!:mad:
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???

OK, well according to the original post I guess I wasn’t sure what to say. What were we to do?

Since I don’t know where you or the OP are from, you may not be aware that here in the U.S. many believe that images of starving children on TV have been poorly done, and have resulted in a great deal of noise for a small amount, if any, of relief. “Sally Struthers” comes to mind from years ago when she used to show miserable children and use large guilt trips. Many comedians have spoken on it; my favorite is the lat Sam Kinison on World Hunger, and there was a South Park episode about Sally Struthers.

IOW, we are very skeptical of some of these relief efforts, whereby famous people seem to exploit the poor for their own image and provide unknown actual help where it is intended. For that reason, I don’t know your style or that of the OP, but I had to admit I wondered whether it was intended to be truth or satire. I don’t keep up on the same world news you do, so do not assume we know of what you speak, and whether it is an effort that is going well, or that is going stupid like previous “feed Africa” media events that resulted in large profits for the music industry but mostly what was delivered did not get to where it was supposed to, so the money and the “good feelings” were empty. Please enlighten a little if you want us to rejoice with you, and let us know what sort of results the tv has brought about. I think mass communications have given us a lot of power, so I am ready to agree it’s a Good Thing, but by now I’m not sure. Maybe this whole thing is a joking banter and I wouldn’t know.

To the OP at 93 years old, then I congratulate you for taking care of yourself that long, for becoming involved in the computer-connected community, and I hope I get to claim that age one day, God willing. You have lived over twice my years, and are still active in helping the world be a better place, and I respect that a lot. There’s a really cool retired engineer with whom I get to talk after Mass on Sundays, who is also well connected and active in the lives of his children and friends.

More succinctly:

Give your issue some greater clarity,
maybe I’ll know how to have more charity. 🙂

Alan
 
The answer is simple, just type in “Niger Famine” on your search engine and you will get all the information you need.

Oh… and before anyone goes down the “Leaders Lining their Pocket” route, Niger is one of the few totally democratically elected governments in Africa, they hold free elections every five years that have been observed by independant observers from numerous charities and ALL have commented on there fairness and freedom from pressure. So that blows that argument.
 
Funny, I encountered this statement of gksoah’s at another forum and I took it totally different then most here are. I honestly just thought he was commenting on the modern age of technology and media and it’s usefulness in helping people be “moved” to act in helping to stomp out this global problem. It seems gksoah is saying pictures speak louder then words.

gksoah–I thought your birth year was a typo in your profile.😉
 
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walstan:
Check your history, no there weren’t.
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In fact, there were – but they were simply inadequate, and no effort was made to stop evictions and other associated evils.

The British government bought “indian corn” and distributed it at reduced prices. They didn’t distribute enough, and they stopped the distribution too early, but they did make some effort.

There was one special case of relief, the Choctaw indians heard of our plight, and being reminded of their own sufferings on the Trail of Tears a decade earlier, gathered up all the hard money in the tribe and sent it to us – $710. We owe them a great debt.
 
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