Current tsunamis in Asia, What should be done? Options

[comeupon]

With the current death toll and fear of outbreaking epidemic what should be done by the countries affected, mainly India, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldives --less than a 100 reported deaths. At this point and time the rescue workers in some of the highly affected areas are not even stopping to identify or transport dead bodies but rather burning them on the spot. Many small islands have been burnt completely because of whole villages being killed off. Technically the affected countries cant close their borders yet because of the attempts by rescue personal to get some sick and injured people to safety. People however continually keep going to these ransacked places for vacations. Thailand and the Maldives being really the only 2 as they suffered the least amount of casualties. Some travel companies are refusing to return fares, mainly in Russia and some other parts of the former USSR. Should these travelers/tourists be let out of the country after they have arrived and spent a week there? If they are released from the country there could a spread of diseases like Cholera and Maleria, caused by the dead bodies laying on the beach for 3-4 days in temperatures of 90+ degrees. The bodies have become bloated and infected (pic). It probably would not become as big of a epidemic as the Black Plague, but a widespread of Cholera or Maleria could really hurt a lot of the big cities in Europe. Though if all travel in and out of these countries is brought to a halt the percentage of sick people could keep increasing and increasing. Just looking for some opinions on some international matters, and yes I know the picture is kind of gruesome but I feel the American media does a poor job covering this topic.

[ComradeRed]

That was a serious comment... this is a CIVIL issue, not a military one.

Other countries have proved that they DO NOT LIKE IT when the United States military occupies their territory. This is to be expected. I'm sure a lot of Americans would hate for Singaporean soldiers to be in our country, tsuanmis or not.

Of course natural disasters aren't a joke, but neither is taking money from hardworking Americans to fund an occupation of Southeast Asia and THEN ask those hardworking Americans to put their lives on the line the next time a terrorist from one of those countries bombs one of our barracks or our homelands.

And yes, the tourists should be let go. There is not going to be an epidemic in Europe, as modern medicine is more than able to deal with malaria.

[.kyan]

Also the American and European officials officially contacted I belive Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand and told them to get everyone out of there. The countries simply ignored it. No one knows why, personally on my own research I say that these countries simple didnt have enough money to pay for a mass evacuation. So they simple ignored it.

I agree with you on that.

That was a serious comment... this is a CIVIL issue, not a military one.

Other countries have proved that they DO NOT LIKE IT when the United States military occupies their territory. This is to be expected. I'm sure a lot of Americans would hate for Singaporean soldiers to be in our country, tsuanmis or not.

Of course natural disasters aren't a joke, but neither is taking money from hardworking Americans to fund an occupation of Southeast Asia and THEN ask those hardworking Americans to put their lives on the line the next time a terrorist from one of those countries bombs one of our barracks or our homelands.

And yes, the tourists should be let go. There is not going to be an epidemic in Europe, as modern medicine is more than able to deal with malaria.

Yes it's a civil issue but you brought in the topic of the military. Maybe you should have asked yourself on what grounds it was when America occupied other territories. And right now I dont think its about asking America troops to be stationed there but to merely dispatch cargo and other relief materials. For example, UN has a peace keeping force which can be enlisted to help in such dire times of natural disasters. That should be what the American troops should do for the affected countries.

Perhaps you do not appreciate help when needed in times of trouble but that is your solo opinion.

I do not understand your second paragraph as i bear in mind the topic we are discussing - whether it is apt for american troops to be involved in the relief aid.
This topic, to the best of my knowledge and the way i interpret it, is not about terrorists but about the tsunami, the affected countries and people, and of course, if the tourists should be allowed home.

Yes everyone's money is hard-earned but i think its proper for me to say that the average income a US individual takes home a month is perhaps a portion of what some from the affected countries are raking in. Donating perhaps USD$10 would be sufficient and that will definately make a difference.

Some of the countries affected are third-world countries and they do need the money to help rebuild what they've lost. If you can put it past your conscience to not help out, then so be it. To each his/her own.

(sidenote: As we know, there's such a thing as goodwill. perhaps with US chipping in to help out in this situation, its international standing will improve. Or if you need another explanation, let it be karma.)

[ComradeRed]

Yes it's a civil issue but you brought in the topic of the military. Maybe you should have asked yourself on what grounds it was when America occupied other territories. And right now I dont think its about asking America troops to be stationed there but to merely dispatch cargo and other relief materials. For example, UN has a peace keeping force which can be enlisted to help in such dire times of natural disasters. That should be what the American troops should do for the affected countries.

Someone else brought up the military. In order for the military to dispatch relief, the soldiers will need barrracks, the machines will need refueling stations, etc. Especially because of the magnitude of the disaster, it will turn into a long-term occupation.

Perhaps you do not appreciate help when needed in times of trouble but that is your solo opinion.

If other countries appreciated US military aid, why is there terrorism? Why were we attacked by Afghanistan even though we gave them millions in aid?

I do not understand your second paragraph as i bear in mind the topic we are discussing - whether it is apt for american troops to be involved in the relief aid.
This topic, to the best of my knowledge and the way i interpret it, is not about terrorists but about the tsunami, the affected countries and people, and of course, if the tourists should be allowed home.

If we send our military there, we will create new terrorists as people dislike American military intervention, something that has been proved time and time again in the Middle East. The US just doesn't have a whole lot of credibility.

Yes everyone's money is hard-earned but i think its proper for me to say that the average income a US individual takes home a month is perhaps a portion of what some from the affected countries are raking in. Donating perhaps USD$10 would be sufficient and that will definately make a difference.

I'm sure there are very rich people IN THOSE COUNTRIES who would not think twice about using that much money. Why don't they relieve their own countrymen?

After cost of living adjustments, the average American family making $35,000 a year barely gets by WITHOUT income taxes. If we set a precedent that we can invade other countries to perform "humanitarian" tasks, the chain will never stop.

Some of the countries affected are third-world countries and they do need the money to help rebuild what they've lost. If you can put it past your conscience to not help out, then so be it. To each his/her own.

(sidenote: As we know, there's such a thing as goodwill. perhaps with US chipping in to help out in this situation, its international standing will improve. Or if you need another explanation, let it be karma.)

The last time our military attempted humanitarian aid, it caused half of Africa to hate us.