What we don't know, Won't hurt us

The California mud-slides killed 10 people, by last reading. During the rescue operation, a statement was made by a rescue worker, "this is mother nature at her worst". I was shocked. Had he forgotten about the tsunami that had taken the lives of more than 200,000 people only a few weeks before? Did he know that rescue workers in Tsunami effected areas were (as of last night) still finding an average of 1000 bodies a day?? I decided to check see what the American news was reporting. So I went to msn. The leading news headlines were:

1. 36 die in worst day for U.S. in Iraq
2.Calif. train derails, at least 10 die
3.Bush to Iraqis: ?Defy ... terrorists?

I know that often msn isn't the leading source for news so I checked CNN. The leading news stories were:

? General: Chopper crashed in bad weather 3D model
? Bush: I have 'planted the flag of liberty' Transcript
? Rice wins confirmation Panel OKs Gonzales Video
? Music mogul surrenders in drug money probe
? SI.com: Kidnappers demand $3M for MLB player's mom
? 10-pound meteorite hits Cambodia, sparks fires, prayers
? No UK charges for Guantanamo four
? Entire staff of NYC radio show pulled over tsunami slur
? Passenger subdued on Southwest flight

At least they mentioned the Tsunami. However, the story really had nothing to do with the disaster. I had to do with radio shows being careless in their broadcasting.

SBS is a leader in new for Australia. Its top stories were:

1. Deadly Day for US Troops

2. 10 Die in Train Crash

3.BUSH UPBEAT ON IRAQ ELECTIONS

4. Auschwitz liberated 60 years ago

5.Tsunami toll reaches 280,000

6.Cops strip in the line of duty

There used to be a saying, "If it bleeds, it leads". Could it be though, that people are more interested in hearing stories that don't make them feel bad? The America government gave $350 million dollars to the tsunami relief. In addition to this many of their celebrities donated more than $10 millionUS. England gave 76 million pounds plus cancelled debts of the countries which totaled about $3 billion USdollars. Along with that the soccer clubs have pledged $1.8 millionUS . Australia has pledged $6 billionAU over the next 4 years. Not only that but the television networks worked together to raise a further $20 millionAU. While each of these countries were willing to give something, both England and the USA have been out done. Could it be that Americans and Britain's don't want to know where their money is going? Or do they not want to know where someone else's money is going?

The obvious argument against this is that Australia is closer to these countries effected and thus, has more to gain by helping them. This is true. Can't argue against it. But when you think that England and America are BOTH much wealthier than Australia, have bigger populations than Australia, AND had a bigger death toll due to the tsunami, it is pitiful.

For more info about the tsunami. Go to Wikipedia.