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From: barry@ames.UUCP (Kenn Barry)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: How about helping our own
Message-ID: <702@ames.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Dec-84 16:02:13 EST
Article-I.D.: ames.702
Posted: Fri Dec 14 16:02:13 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 17-Dec-84 03:18:57 EST
References: <710@loral.UUCP>
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 46

[]
	From loral!rfs:

>I feel real bad about the starving people in Ethiopia.  What about the starving
>people in the USA. I mean the street people and the bag ladies.  The winos
>that sleep in gutters and under bridges. Don't you think we should help our
>own first.
 
	I believe in helping both. As to what group has priority, there
is more than one factor to consider. One factor is, indeed, proximity.
If there are two people in equal need, I would give first priority to
helping the one closest to me, yes. But if one person is in greater need
than another, that is also a factor. The needs of those starving in Ethiopia
is greater and more immediate than that of most poor people in the US.
Few if any Americans are in danger of starving to death over the next
few days. Many Ethiopians are.

>Cliff Roberts and Charalton Heston seem  to be the media  spokesmen for the
>relief effort in Ethiopia. I'm sure each of them have cut big fat checks
>for the  relief effort.  Have each of them given a 'dime' to any needy people
>in their own country. I doubt it!.  You see its politically fashonable  to
>contribute to the starving people in Ethiopia.
 
	Your doubt is not convincing. If you have information on what
these two gentlemen do or don't give to charity, fine, but your comment
is idle speculation as it stands.

>Just before you  give away a check to the Ethiopia relief drive find out
>if there are any charity organizations for our street people or  farmers
>relief funds. I say when every  person in america is fat and healthy and
>we don't know what else to do with our money then send it over seas.
>
>LETS QUIT SHIT'NT ON OUR OWN PEOPLE for the sake of others!
 
	I repeat: the immediate need in Ethiopia is far greater than the
immediate need in this country. But let's help both, and not create false
dichotomies between helping others and helping our own. Your message
clearly shows that there are some in this country who really need help
(with logic and the English language, if nothing else).

-  From the Crow's Nest  -                      Kenn Barry
                                                NASA-Ames Research Center
                                                Moffett Field, CA
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