27.07.07
Third World Country
Ooh this feels like this will be a rant coming.
I’ve just been listening to a debate about Britain’s response to this flooding malarky wots going on.
Cue the idiots phoning in droves. “We can give away huge amounts of money to Bangladesh and Pakistan when they have disasters. So why can’t we do the same for our own?”
This is precisely the sort of lazy imbecility that leads to crap like “You know who the most oppressed minority in Britain is? Working, white men!”
OK so where to start?
Firstly when Bangladesh last had a decent sized flood it covered 60% of the land, displaced millions of people and killed more than 600. All this in a country with very little money, poor infrastructure and wider problems of public health. Hmm? I wonder why they might have needed more help than some middle class folk in Gloucestershire who dealt with their flood by getting grumpy and then finding a hotel room in the next town along. I know I’m over egging this a tad but the point remains. We have the infrastructure, we don’t have the public health issues and we have the insurance back up for the majority of those affected.
How many of the current flood victims would swap their lives for that of a Bangladeshi farmer I wonder? “But they have clearly have it better ‘cos we obviously care more for them ‘cos we’ll send them food aid.” Idiots.
The other annoying thing was all this “We must help all these homeowners”. No we mustn’t. We live in a capitalist country and we’ve consistently voted for capitalism for decades. In other words “Look after yourself matey”. Get your own bloody insurance and don’t expect me to stump up to stop you suffering through your own negligence.
Actually we’re not even that extreme. Taxes will pay for reconstruction and help for the affected areas (which is at it should be as far as public infrastructure is concerned). Good.
Sigh. Still if we’re lucky we might still have time to get some sun in before Autumn.
Have fun.
PS I never thought I’d say it but I’m so pleased I’m not going to Athens for EJC. Not sure how much I’d enoy camping in 45degree heat.