Thursday, January 28, 2010

American Compassion

What's with all the people pissing and moaning about us helping out in Haiti? I truly believe that any time people are suffering in the world, we are obligated to help them. Not just as citizens of the USA, but as human beings. I don't like that we have people in our own country who don't have shelter or enough to eat. I know there are lots of folks that are going through terrible ordeals of abuse and/or neglect. But that doesn't mean we don't need to share our resources and compassion with others around the globe.

Many people don't realize that over 40% of the population in Haiti are under the age of 18. Half the buildings in the country sustained damage or were destroyed. How can we even beging to justify that we shouldn't get involved? I know this may be overkill, me talking about Haiti again, but I've just read a few things lately that are hard to swallow. We may be Americans, but we are human beings first and if we can't see others that way, we might just as well be blind. We are Americans and to me that means being the first to help in a crisis or defend those who can't defend themselves. Look at how much the Muslim world hates us. But you know what, everytime there is oppression or aggression against citizens in Muslim nations, we usually run to their defense. And rightly so. I wish we were quicker and more active in helping African nations who are seeing faux military powers eradicate certain religious groups or nationalities.

Well, that's my peace on the subject. I'm sure there are people who will disagree with me on this, but when you search your heart, you know it's not right to let anyone, anywhere suffer, simply because they do not share our nationality.