One of the few times I'm proud of my country

[SnoopDog]

It doesn't happen often that I can say I'm proud of 'Germany'.
However, yesterday it occured to me that right now I'm REALLY proud. Because Germany leads the list of donating countries to help the people in South-East-Asia. When it comes to charity and donating money we're there. About 40 million € in charity shows, celebrities who share their wealth (Michael Schumacher - 7,5 million €) and most of all Germany is on top of the government-donations with about 500 million €.

I also did my part, even if it wasn't much. (Because I don't have too much money myself)

I'm really proud to see that if there is a catastrophe, there are always people willing to help.

(And yes, I know, there are some sick people who neither care nor want to quit their vacation in that area)

Snoopy

 

[cantdog]

Go Germany! This "heart of Europe" thing is for real, I see!

cantdog

 

[NoJo]

Okay, let's big up Germany. I'll add to the list:

The best bread in the world

 

[Liar]

Yeah. Big ups to Germany.

(And yes, I know, there are some sick people who neither care nor want to quit their vacation in that area)

That they don't want to quit their vacation might not nessecarily be a bad thing. it depends on the reasons why, i guess.

I read in the paper today that Thailand makes about 5 billion EUR/year in tourism. Money that they need badly now. The country needs to get their economy afloat, and tourism is ther major economic motor.

Many Swedes, on top of donating money to the direct catastrophy aid, now choose to travel there to the places that were not hit, or those that are restored. An act of solidarity of sorts, and a way to affirm the country's status as a resort paradise. It has to be, or else the economic and social effects of this disaster will be tanglible for much much longer. If people are afraid to go there, or stay away out of respect, Thailand, and I suspect other countries nearby depending on tourism, will not be helped in the long term.

#L

 

[hunting_tiger]

I heard some good news even if it will push you down to second Snoop. The aussies has pole position now but I hope that it will not be for long.

Lots of credit to a guy like Schumi that remembered to check all his pockets.

A woman from the Red Cross told a story about what happened to her a few days ago when she was collecting money outside a liquor store. An alcoholic came up to her, digged deep in his pockets and pulled out his two dollars and gave it to her saying
"They will need the money more then I need this beer".

I hope that lots of others will follow their example and contribute in a way they can afford.

I read that 15 £ (30 $ ) gives a hot meal for 125 persons so why not give a pound and make 10 people happy if only for a day.

 

[SnoopDog]

Yeah. Big ups to Germany.

That they don't want to quit their vacation might not nessecarily be a bad thing. it depends on the reasons why, i guess.

I read in the paper today that Thailand makes about 5 billion EUR/year in tourism. Money that they need badly now. The country needs to get their economy afloat, and tourism is ther major economic motor.

Many Swedes, on top of donating money to the direct catastrophy aid, now choose to travel there to the places that were not hit, or those that are restored. An act of solidarity of sorts, and a way to affirm the country's status as a resort paradise. It has to be, or else the economic and social effects of this disaster will be tanglible for much much longer. If people are afraid to go there, or stay away out of respect, Thailand, and I suspect other countries nearby depending on tourism, will not be helped in the long term.

#L

I agree, it's a good thing to continue spending money by tourism for that area. BUT there are some tourists who sit on the beaches, enjoying their beer and the sun and telling you how much they enjoy the fct that the beaches are not crowded. That is sick.

I heard some good news even if it will push you down to second Snoop. The aussies has pole position now but I hope that it will not be for long.

Lots of credit to a guy like Schumi that remembered to check all his pockets.

A woman from the Red Cross told a story about what happened to her a few days ago when she was collecting money outside a liquor store. An alcoholic came up to her, digged deep in his pockets and pulled out his two dollars and gave it to her saying
"They will need the money more then I need this beer".

I hope that lots of others will follow their example and contribute in a way they can afford.

I read that 15 £ (30 $ ) gives a hot meal for 125 persons so why not give a pound and make 10 people happy if only for a day.

I can live with being in second place. It's also the realtion of inhabitants/money donated that counts. I also didn't want to stress the fact so much that germany is/was in first place. Just being up there is fine.

Snoopy

 

[cantdog]

Good bread

Bread was good in Germany wherever I went. Beer ditto, cheese, sausage. Amazing place.

 

[SensualCealy]

If more people that had a million or more would contribute as much as those who have less than 30,000.00 , they wouldnt need to continue the money drive!

If we all do something, whether it be money, clothing, time, etc. Things will work out for everyone that was hit.

My husbands company had 300 die , their plant was swept out from underneath them. They are doing money drives within their other companies to raise money. Our kids school is having a money drive on Monday, each kid is to bring money and each family is asked to donate $10.00 , I think I may add some extra to that even though money is tight, we can all eat a little lighter this month!
C

 

[Liar]

I agree, it's a good thing to continue spending money by tourism for that area. BUT there are some tourists who sit on the beaches, enjoying their beer and the sun and telling you how much they enjoy the fct that the beaches are not crowded. That is sick.

Yep. As I said, for the right reasons...

 

[snooper]

A lot of ordinary people have donated money in many countries, including over $160 million in the UK.

A lot of governments have promised money.

Please spot the difference between the two sentences above, and note that Kofi Annan says that governemnts should hand over the promised money soon. He also hinted that sometimes governments make pledges in situations like this, but do not keep them.

 

[SensualCealy]

Snoop,

Did you see on tv last night, the dude from the UN saying that alot of nations are saying instead of giving money they are forgiving debt!

Can you believe that, like they really care at this point what debts their nation has, they have NOTHING as it is, you cant get blood from a rock!

To me that should be a given, forgive their debt and GIVE them some relief!

I was sitting and reading the paper last night and thought, our school council has quite alot of money sitting around to buy stuff for our kids, now to a school that is out under a thatched roof with no walls and a teacher passing, they could use it more. When we have our meeting on Tuesday I am going to motion that we give a conciderable amount to the schools hit in those areas.

Now today I think Ill do some internet research on the schools hit and how to get money directy to them, any ideas?

C

 

[hunting_tiger]

I hope that the governments doesn't cheat this time but I don't think that will be a problem considering the very modest contributions they have made.

I checked what the 5 billion dollars promised so far ment for us in sweden.

It is about 1.4 % of our gross national income and less then what we spend on our defence every year.

Makes you wonder doesn't it ?

 

[SnoopDog]

Snoop,

Did you see on tv last night, the dude from the UN saying that alot of nations are saying instead of giving money they are forgiving debt!

Can you believe that, like they really care at this point what debts their nation has, they have NOTHING as it is, you cant get blood from a rock!

To me that should be a given, forgive their debt and GIVE them some relief!

I was sitting and reading the paper last night and thought, our school council has quite alot of money sitting around to buy stuff for our kids, now to a school that is out under a thatched roof with no walls and a teacher passing, they could use it more. When we have our meeting on Tuesday I am going to motion that we give a conciderable amount to the schools hit in those areas.

Now today I think Ill do some internet research on the schools hit and how to get money directy to them, any ideas?

C

I agree about the debt thing. It's quite shameful to insist on debts or anything. I mean, those people SUFFER right now. And I think if it means that we 'wealthy' europeans and americans (or whatever 'rich' country for that reason) might get a little less luxury, it'S okay.

Snoopy

 

[SeaCat]

Just read a story in the local paper about a younger guy, just started his bussiness here building homes, who put everything on hold to go to Thailand to help rebuild. AS he put it in the interview he doesn't worry about wether or not his comapny is still there when he gets back, he can always start over. (The airline, I don't know which one, waived his weight penalties for his bringing some five hundred pounds of hand tools in cargo. Things like Augers etc.)

Cat