The Boxing-Day Tsunami Two Years Later
Asiasentinel
www.asiasentinel.com
22 December 2006
Thang D. Nguyen
Two years after one of the world’s worst natural disasters, Indonesia has made some unlikely gains but corruption and red tape still leave their scars
Sometimes a tragedy is the very thing that triggers progress. This is true in the case of Indonesia, one of the most-affected countries by the Asian tsunami that happened on Boxing Day two years ago.
Billed as one the world’s worst natural disasters, the 26 December 2004 disaster took approximately 230,000 lives in several Asian and African countries. In Indonesia, the worst hit areas were Aceh and Nias, both located in northern Sumatra, where 168,000 people died and thousands of homes, roads, and other infrastructures were destroyed.
Shortly after this tragedy happened, the international community reached out to Indonesia with food, water, medicine, and other logistical supplies and pledged generous aid packages for the reconstruction of Aceh and Nias.
While corruption and red tape have hampered the rebuilding of tens of thousands of homes even two years later, the tsunami, as devastating as it was, produced a remarkable political opportunity for the Indonesian government and its implacable foe, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). It was perfect timing for Jakarta and GAM to go back to the negotiating table for peace talks. Historically, GAM had fought for separation from Jakarta for 30 years. Before the Tsunami, many deals had been cut and agreements signed between the two sides, but peace never came.
This time, however, it worked. Following a series of quiet but intense meetings between GAM leaders and the Indonesian government, a peace pact was signed in the Finnish capital of Helsinki in August 2005—two days before the Indonesian Independence Day of 17 August. GAM put down its weapons and the Indonesian military (TNI) pulled its 24,000 troops from Aceh following the signing of the agreement. Indeed, this historical break-through has been so positive that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was nominated and considered for this year’s Nobel peace prize.
To ensure the peace process in Aceh, however, the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and five Southeast Asian countries established an Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM).
On the eve of the second anniversary of the tsunami, Aceh is not only more peaceful than ever before, but it has also become more democratic. About 2.6 million registered Acehnese voters went to the booths on 11 December to elect their local government.
For one thing, the December election was peaceful. Furthermore, it had participation from former GAM rebels. But most importantly, according to early polls, several ex-GAM rebels are expected to be elected as governor, mayors and regents.
With these successful elections, the AMM completed its mission and left Aceh.
“The page has been turned—people are looking forward,” said Pieter Feith, the head of the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM). There are concerns, however, about the future of Aceh. First, there is a call for GAM to ban its identity for good.
With former GAM leaders now in the newly elected government, it is hoped that they will ban this now-defunct organization. With AMM gone, however, it remains to be seen if GAM will forsake its past and continue to honor the Helsinki agreement.
Second, while the December elections were exemplary, a most formidable challenge for Aceh—and Nias, for that matter—is to revitalize the economy in this oil-rich province. According to a recent USAID-funded survey, Acehnese are most worried about economic issues: employment, poverty, social issues—not their physical security.
Third, there is a concern about the introduction of shariah (or Islamic laws) to Aceh. It is one thing to apply shariah only to Muslims; however, if it is applied to all people in Aceh it could, Feith believes, negatively affect the business climate, harming efforts to encourage investment.
Most importantly, despite all the aids from international donors, the reconstruction of Aceh and Nias is still far from adequate.
For one thing, while many aid packages have been pledged, not all have been delivered twp years later. According to a report by the BBC, of the US$6.7 billion pledged, a tenth has yet to be delivered, and only US$3.4 billion has been spent thus far. What is more, once aid packages have been delivered, it takes a long time for them to reach recipients—if they do.
Earlier this month, the head of the Aceh-Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR), Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, told reporters that US$6.1 billion has been funded and reported that 57,000 homes have been built. But that is only over a third of the permanent 128,000 homes that are needed for tsunami and earthquake victims in Aceh and Nias.
“Nearly two years after the tsunami struck, enormous strides towards recovery have been made,” said Robert Fox, executive director of Oxfam Canada. “But the poorest people of Aceh—squatters, renters and women--are still wondering when and where they will be resettled.”
In addition to homes, roads, ports, and other badly-needed infrastructures in Aceh and Nias have not been built or rebuilt either. Many victims in Aceh and Nias are still homeless. With all the aid monies coming in from the international community, they thought that their lives could be rebuilt. But now, they are not sure about that. They remain victimized twice: First by the tsunami and earthquakes, and second by bureaucracy, corruption, and broken promises.
The writer is a Jakarta-based columnist. His writing can be read at www.thangthecolumnist.blogspot.com
www.asiasentinel.com
22 December 2006
Thang D. Nguyen
Two years after one of the world’s worst natural disasters, Indonesia has made some unlikely gains but corruption and red tape still leave their scars
Sometimes a tragedy is the very thing that triggers progress. This is true in the case of Indonesia, one of the most-affected countries by the Asian tsunami that happened on Boxing Day two years ago.
Billed as one the world’s worst natural disasters, the 26 December 2004 disaster took approximately 230,000 lives in several Asian and African countries. In Indonesia, the worst hit areas were Aceh and Nias, both located in northern Sumatra, where 168,000 people died and thousands of homes, roads, and other infrastructures were destroyed.
Shortly after this tragedy happened, the international community reached out to Indonesia with food, water, medicine, and other logistical supplies and pledged generous aid packages for the reconstruction of Aceh and Nias.
While corruption and red tape have hampered the rebuilding of tens of thousands of homes even two years later, the tsunami, as devastating as it was, produced a remarkable political opportunity for the Indonesian government and its implacable foe, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). It was perfect timing for Jakarta and GAM to go back to the negotiating table for peace talks. Historically, GAM had fought for separation from Jakarta for 30 years. Before the Tsunami, many deals had been cut and agreements signed between the two sides, but peace never came.
This time, however, it worked. Following a series of quiet but intense meetings between GAM leaders and the Indonesian government, a peace pact was signed in the Finnish capital of Helsinki in August 2005—two days before the Indonesian Independence Day of 17 August. GAM put down its weapons and the Indonesian military (TNI) pulled its 24,000 troops from Aceh following the signing of the agreement. Indeed, this historical break-through has been so positive that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was nominated and considered for this year’s Nobel peace prize.
To ensure the peace process in Aceh, however, the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and five Southeast Asian countries established an Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM).
On the eve of the second anniversary of the tsunami, Aceh is not only more peaceful than ever before, but it has also become more democratic. About 2.6 million registered Acehnese voters went to the booths on 11 December to elect their local government.
For one thing, the December election was peaceful. Furthermore, it had participation from former GAM rebels. But most importantly, according to early polls, several ex-GAM rebels are expected to be elected as governor, mayors and regents.
With these successful elections, the AMM completed its mission and left Aceh.
“The page has been turned—people are looking forward,” said Pieter Feith, the head of the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM). There are concerns, however, about the future of Aceh. First, there is a call for GAM to ban its identity for good.
With former GAM leaders now in the newly elected government, it is hoped that they will ban this now-defunct organization. With AMM gone, however, it remains to be seen if GAM will forsake its past and continue to honor the Helsinki agreement.
Second, while the December elections were exemplary, a most formidable challenge for Aceh—and Nias, for that matter—is to revitalize the economy in this oil-rich province. According to a recent USAID-funded survey, Acehnese are most worried about economic issues: employment, poverty, social issues—not their physical security.
Third, there is a concern about the introduction of shariah (or Islamic laws) to Aceh. It is one thing to apply shariah only to Muslims; however, if it is applied to all people in Aceh it could, Feith believes, negatively affect the business climate, harming efforts to encourage investment.
Most importantly, despite all the aids from international donors, the reconstruction of Aceh and Nias is still far from adequate.
For one thing, while many aid packages have been pledged, not all have been delivered twp years later. According to a report by the BBC, of the US$6.7 billion pledged, a tenth has yet to be delivered, and only US$3.4 billion has been spent thus far. What is more, once aid packages have been delivered, it takes a long time for them to reach recipients—if they do.
Earlier this month, the head of the Aceh-Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR), Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, told reporters that US$6.1 billion has been funded and reported that 57,000 homes have been built. But that is only over a third of the permanent 128,000 homes that are needed for tsunami and earthquake victims in Aceh and Nias.
“Nearly two years after the tsunami struck, enormous strides towards recovery have been made,” said Robert Fox, executive director of Oxfam Canada. “But the poorest people of Aceh—squatters, renters and women--are still wondering when and where they will be resettled.”
In addition to homes, roads, ports, and other badly-needed infrastructures in Aceh and Nias have not been built or rebuilt either. Many victims in Aceh and Nias are still homeless. With all the aid monies coming in from the international community, they thought that their lives could be rebuilt. But now, they are not sure about that. They remain victimized twice: First by the tsunami and earthquakes, and second by bureaucracy, corruption, and broken promises.
The writer is a Jakarta-based columnist. His writing can be read at www.thangthecolumnist.blogspot.com
posted by Thang D. Nguyen at 12:18 AM
22 Comments:
"Shortly after this tragedy happened, the international community reached out to Indonesia with food, water, medicine, and other logistical supplies and pledged generous aid packages for the reconstruction of Aceh and Nias."
For "International Community" you may substitute "American & Australian military forces"
In the interests of accuracy, that's all.
In god's name, Steve, you blathering imbecile, in the first days of the tsunami it was:
- Local NGOs and volunteer organizations, including groups such as the Muhammadiyah, and even the Islamic Defenders' Front, that helped. There were also NGOs from Europe and the rest of Asia.
- It was foreign governments that pledged generous aid packages. The payment for the military assistance eventually came out of these aid budgets.
The U.S. and Australian militaries certainly did one of the things they do best -- setting up supply chains amidst shattered infrastructure, but to credit them for setting up the emergency phase is ignorant beyond what I'd even expect from you.
Given that you carped on and on about factual accuracy in this Blog, it appears to be a major piece of hypocrisy. Knowing you, however, it's just a combination of inward-looking Aussie bigotry, and a man who gets a hard-on from the thought of soldiers with guns. All that on top of being a drooling, cro-magnon moron.
I remain yours with the deepest respect,
Achmad Sudarsono
Achmad,
Good to see you can spell your own name correctly ! My question:
Could Steve be the missing link ?
If measured by conventional measures of academic intelligence, displayed admirably by yourself, Mr. Nguyen and others on this Blog, Steve certainly is a moron of unparalelled dimensions.
He clearly has the capacity to operate a keyboard, to read and write, and to make basic inferences about the world. He's not a chimpanzee.
But the content of his statements put him clearly in the camp of those who enjoy the likes of the comedians you mentioned earlier.
But from another perspective, Steve could be a relatively advanced specimen. Could it be possible Steve is an evolutionary remnant of the Australopithecus, or Neanderthal Man that roamed Australia eons ago ? In that sense, his ability to operate computers is a spectacular achievement.
Steve's forbears are likely to have rooted at least a few 'Sheilas' - he could be the biological bridge between Australpithecus and Homo Sapiens-Sapiens.
Steve could be the missing link.
"The payment for the military assistance eventually came out of these aid budgets." Rubbish, name one and just for change supply a reference.
"Islamic Defenders' Front,that helped." If you call stalking female aid workers helping! Twit
P.S Still waiting for the follow up on the Coup that Thailand had to have..ain't all as Rosy as you thought it was going to be hey Thang...
Oigal,
You've obviously been doing your research at a filthy Blok M bar again ! Or at the very least, just reading Steve at the Pub's blog !
As I understand it, the Australian army eventually charged AUSAID for the assistance. They certainly did in Papua New Guinea.
Militaries do pretty well out of disaster assistance. The soldiers certainly get a decent per diem. But it's a very EXPENSIVE way of emergency relief, although necessary in the early stages because alot of other infrastructure, including human, has been destroyed.
The point about the Islamic Defenders' Front was just to illustrate that there were alot of groups up there aside from and before the U.S. and Australian militaries.
It was a real zoo up there in the first, weeks, Oigal. Main point is that the first wave of tsunami assistance came from the Indonesian NGO community and general public.
Perhaps you'd know that if you weren't lying face down and semi conscious in a pool of stale Bir Bintang.
That's what happens if your diet is basically Bir Bintang, chips and meat pies. First your body, then your mind goes.
I offer these thoughts to you as a gift for the New Year, my fried. With luck you won't chunder them up like last night's 'food'.
AS..
Try really really hard to act as an adult and skip the boring, immature little insults as it demeans you far more than anyone else.
Hunting through your verbose rant, I see you are still trying to make the same incorrect and unsubstantiated point;
"As I understand it, the Australian army eventually charged AUSAID for the assistance. They certainly did in Papua New Guinea"
I don't doubt that is the way you understand it! Amongst other things it is, of course as usual incorrect. Aid and or assistance provided by the OZ Military is not charged to Aid Organisations (besides being totally incorrect, it is a silly claim as the cost would far exceed the even the most funded Aid Organisations).
Your terminology (amongst other things is also incorrect), do try and do some basic research before you write. Should you wish some good reference sites, please let me know and I can assist as I spent a considerable amount of time working with a number of various Aid Organisations over the years.
I do grant you "there were a lot of groups up there aside from and before the U.S. and Australian militaries."
Although there were not a lot "before" the OZ and US military and certainly not the FPI (Again the most basic research would tell you that). I would add however I never disputed that particular point, so I am not sure why you mentioned it.
A couple of final points:
1. I would thank you not to make the assumption that I am your "fried" (sic) as that would be more than a little presumptuous at best.
2. If you want people to take you seriously skip the insults and structure your argument around some researched and verifiable facts.
3. Stick to the debate, if you feel the need to introduce new material, verify and be very sure it is relevant or you run the risk of appearing very silly.
4. And finally and most important always remember the old adage "Sometimes it is better to remain silent and let people think you are a fool than open your mouth and confirm it"
Oigal,
My dear old Chum,
Actually, that'd be great if you could forward some websites shedding light on this.
You were obviously bent prone, slurping up last-night's Bir Bintang from a dirty puddle in the My Bar toilet at Blok M !
OK. To be fair, wherever you where, it wasn't in Banda Aceh.
* It was Indonesian community, NGO, and other organizations that flooded (excuse the pun), up to Banda Aceh in the first days after the tsunami. It just takes governments longer to get moving. Let's leave the FPI out of it; like I said, just one (controversial) example of a community group that took their own initiative and didn't wait for endless meetings, approvals, consideration of donor's agendas etc. etc., all unfortunately a necessary part of live in government. In the end, if you're a mahasiswa or a church volunteer, you can put on a backpack and hope on a plane, bike, or car, and get up there. If you're in AUSAID, things take longer.
(In your case you'd have to sober up, pay the bar girls, and get a few VD shots ahead of time for the trip back through Medan !! :-))
I'm sorry: that NGO and community organizations move faster alot of the time is just a fact, 'sunshine'.
* Check your facts, mate: AUSAID was charged for military help in averting a famine a few years back. (Such facts aren't as flexible as a bar-girl's fee from Blok M ! :-))
Finally, I'd be very grateful if you could pass on some information about who paid for the U.S. and Australian militaries' intervention.
So far as I can see the tsunami aid has seen many gigantic farces. Alot of greedy Western NGOs have spun funding requests and essentially done nothing but party at Pulau Weh, womanize in Medan, and then come down to Jakarta and Bali for drinking and womanizing binges. (The women have gone for the Kuta Cowboys!).
It's just another case of how Westerners have exploited my country...
I remain,
Your FrienD (yes, that's friend)
Achmad Sudarsono
Oigal,
Just an afterthought - I think in future, it'd be better if you addressed me as "Mr. Sudarsono," or "Bapak Achmad Yth," and avoid the kind of disrespectful comments you made in the last few points. Baseless insults don't really help your case.
And Steve, if you're reading this, the above goes for you too.
Thanks,
Mr. Sudarsono
AS
You seem to be simply incapable of conducting a civil conversation without puerile and infantile insults. I feel sorry for you in a lot of ways; to carry such a chip on your shoulder and always seeking to blame and insult others for your woes cannot be a nice way to lead a life.
Whilst it should be you to verify your outlandish claims. I will assist you one more time. Try www.care.org and use the search function for annual report, be prepared to do some reading though, it has all the information you need. The other aid agencies have similar WebPages, do such for the annual reports as they do detail funding and expenditures (at least the professional ones do)
Again you cannot help yourself, with the following comment
"Check your facts, mate: AUSAID was charged for military help in averting a famine a few years back"
Really? You are not changing your story now are you? In your previous comment it was in PNG now it’s a famine..where? when? and references? This would be more than doubtful as both organisations are funded by the Federal Government.
Just to help you out a bit AUSAID is not a NGO (Non Government Organisation)it is the
The Australian Government's overseas aid program. Perhaps the following will enlighten:
AUSAID Indonesia agreed with the government of Indonesia to form a A$1 billion, five-year, Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development (AIPRD) to support Indonesia's reconstruction and development efforts, both in and beyond tsunami-affected areas. From 1 May 2006, the Australian bilateral aid program in Indonesia will be promoted under the brand Australia Indonesia Partnership (Kemitraan Australia Indonesia): a whole of government aid program encompassing expenditure of around A$2 billion over five years.
If you need more information try http://www.indo.ausaid.gov.au/aboutausaid.html
That kind of makes your statement "It's just another case of how Westerners have exploited my country..." seem infantile beyond belief. Fortunately, the vast majority of Indonesians, Australians, Singaporeans, Americans and everyone including Indonesian NGO’s and all the others who opened up their hearts have got on with the job of rebuilding lives, families and homes. Perhaps a little bit less hate and bile from people like you may one day be a pleasant result as well.
Yes, there has been corruption and missing funds but invariably that is by miserable, hate filled, selfish individuals. Their acts cannot and should not be used to slander the fine work being done by a of fine people and
organisations.
" I'd be very grateful if you could pass on some information about who paid for the U.S. and Australian militaries' intervention"
In Australia’s case (as for most countries) called taxpayers, the same ones who fund AUSAID...Fortunately, the vast majority do not suffer the same amount of xenophobia as yourself.
As for your other insults and comments, as I said before they reflect far more on you than anyone else. Still I can only hope you are a young man who still has time to mature as a person.
Ho..Ho..Ho Now that was funny
Reminds me of a quote by Marguerite Gardiner:
"We never respect those who amuse us, however we may smile at their comic powers"
Oigal,
I notice you have yet to address me as "Mr. Sudarsono." As mentioned, "Bpk Achmad Yth," would also be appropriate.
I'll try to steer the conversation back from the diversions and side-avenues of personal slurs that you've hurled. I'm more interested in the substance of the discussion rather than personal insults.
* There was a near-famine in Papua a few years back as I recall it. I'll try to dig up some stuff. AUSAID ended up footing the bill for the Australian military's emergency and disaster relief. The main job of armies is to fight and defend.
* You'll find articles in the SMH online about the FPI up in Banda Aceh - ironically enough, working with the Australian troops.
Otherwise, Oigal, I urge you in the strongest possible terms while you're in Indonesia to look beyond the bars, the ex-pat haunts, to see the beautiful country that this is. It's such a shame to come all this way and never see anything besides the likes of Jalan Jaksa, B.A.T.s, and the 6th floor of the Melawai Hotel.
People like Mr. Jaya and myself are just trying to help.
I remain yours, with the deepest respect,
Achmad Sudarsono
Oigal,
Please find included a web address and first couple of paragraphs from an Australian military press-release. Enjoy.
You'll also find on the SMH articles about the FPI up in Banda Aceh.
From Achmad the Twit.
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/1998/04798.html
MEDIA RELEASE
DPIO 047/98 Friday, 3 April 1998
ADF FLIES FINAL AID DELIVERIES INTO PNG
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is winding up its highly successful drought relief operation in Papua New Guinea as final aid delivery missions to remote communities are completed.
Defence personnel, working closely with the PNG Government, PNG Defence Force (PNGDF), and the Australian Government's overseas aid program AusAID, helped bring many of the isolated drought-affected villages in 10 provinces back from the brink.
Together they delivered more than 3.2 million kilograms of aid with military precision into the worst affected areas which could only be reached by air.
The $30 million six-month-long operation was the ADF's largest ever-humanitarian effort and AusAID's biggest and longest running emergency operation. The final sortie was flown yesterday and today the ADF and PNGDF personnel will hold a closing parade at their Air Transport Squadron base in Port Moresby.
This achmard/achmad (he/she spells it either way) sudarsono in his/her very first sentence calls me a “blathering imbecile”.
Then goes on to prove my point for me. It WAS Australian & US military aid which was so quick off the mark. The only contention by achmard/achmad is which part of the Australian budget were the funds ultimately booked to?
Gee, what a counter argument!
Achma(r)d then goes on to term me a “drooling cro-magnon moron”, after stating that I get a “hard-on from the thought of soldiers with guns”
Then in one of his/her alter-egos (or perhaps this time inadvertently his/her real name) achmard twice speculates that I may be “the missing link” states with certainty that I am “a moron of unparalleled dimensions”
He/she then suggests that Oigal: Never gets out of a filthy Blok M bar, is perpetually face down in a pool of stale beer, exists on a diet comprised solely of beer, chips & pies, vomits each morning from excess alcohol in his system, before going into a toilet to slurp up a puddle of beer from that toilet floor. Before suggesting that before traveling anywhere Oigal would need to sober up and pay debts incurred to bar girls.
Then achmaddy demonstrates that he occupies a parallel universe by suggesting that it is Oigal who has been making disrespectful comments and baseless insults. Achmaddy compounds his loopyness by stating that he is more interested in substance than personal insults. I am too bored with his litany of rubbish to go on with listing his every instance of personal insults & racism.
Acma(r)d then has the temerity to demand to be addressed as “Mr.”
(You can shove that demand up a pig’s arse, I am an Australian citizen and free, I call nobody “Mister” unless they earn it.)
Such an arrogant, petulant & misplaced demand would actually be worthy of little Lord Fauntelroy.
A buffoon is never addressed as “Mister”.
Achma(r)d, you can argue with yourself over which arm of the Australian Government pays to support Indonesians, I don’t care, you are not worthy of debate.
If you can prise yourself away from mounting your goat, you may choose for yourself a title from the following:
Imbecile
Cro-Magnon
Moron
Drunk
VD Carrier
Bar Girl
Toilet Floor
My favourite is “Achmad the Twit”.
For not only is it apt, it denotes a remarkable degree of self-awareness!
Steve,
My, my, now someone has got your goat today! If by free you mean the Chinese government buying up all your government's bonds to fund that stupid misadventure in Iraq, then go ahead.
It's Achmad, but to be honest, it doesn't matter all that much because my name is transliterated from the holy Arabic language into this Romanized alphabet for swill.
'Mate' (as you say down under), let's get back to the discussion:
- It was NGOs and community organizations that got up there the fastest. Indonesians got there the first because they were the closest. The groups were many, Christian, Muslim, Red Cross, university students, you name it, but they got there before the government aid organizations or military. That's just how government operates, Steve.
Although I'm sure the only government you've seen operating is the local town shire deciding on what brand of sheep dip should be allowed or even just the local Rugby club deciding on which member committed the worst foul (I think it was that South Pacific Islander sticking his finger where the sun don't shine !! :-) :-) )
The main question, Steve, is whether or not you enjoyed my short story ??
Of course, no resemblance to persons living or dead was intended ; P
Achmad
Oh Well, its my own fault for feeding the Troll. Its been amusing but all good things must come to an end. Its time to look for a challenge, this is too easy!
Meanwhile..
"I notice you have yet to address me as "Mr. Sudarsono." As mentioned, "Bpk Achmad Yth," would also be appropriate."
I grant you it was the funniest thing you said so far but hardly worth a second run. In the interests of fair play, I shall not address you as "AS" anymore ..how about I add another "S"
Thanks for links backing my point and further noting that AUSAID is not an NGO but part of the Federal Government.
As for the insults, YAWN!!!..
Gentlemen and other readers,
I just thought I'd offer a plea for the New Year.
How about a year when we appeal on this Blogs to people's higher instincts, to their capacity for understanding, compassion, and a spirit of brotherhood or sisterhood ?
The internet and blogs like this one can be a tool for understanding and brotherhood. It can be a tool to dispel prejudice and a bridge to leave everyone better informed, while recognizing our differences.
Yet all too often Bloggers and humans in general fall prey to spreading easy accusations, making false claims and submitting to ethnic or racial stereotypes.
I won't name anyone with this posting, but you people reading it know who I'm talking about.
Let's spread light, not heat, and use words to heal, not to harm.
It's what the Prophet Muhammad would have wanted; it's what Jesus would have wanted; hey, it's even what James Brown (R.I.P.) would have wanted.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Achmad
Dear All,
I look forward to talking to you soon. Feel free to drop in at my online 'housewarming' at a brand-new cyberaddress this week.
Friends,
I just thought I'd offer a final word.
We need to be on the watch for thoughts and sentiments like those offered by Oigal and Steve.
As individuals, they're not beyond redemption: the Lotus flower grows in the most fetid water.
But more generally:
* Steve at the Pub...
Is indeed a moron of absolutely unparalelled dimensions, as Sudogiman (whoever he is), pointed out. There's just something wrong in the hard-wiring of his brain that he can't see the logic and power of my arguments.
* Oigal...
Is not as blatant as Steve, but his pasty-gray assed mediocrity makes him more dangerous. For an example see his golf blog, for anyone suffering from insomnia.
If either of these specimens had any cojones, they'd address my - and Mr. Thang's - points front on instead of trying to divert the conversation into racial slurs.
'Nuff said here, Friends...
Double Yawn!!
Oigal,
I don't know what to say. I feel like I damned if I do, damned if I don't.
Didn't mean to give the impression that AUSAID is an NGO. That was probably poor expression on my part. Indeed, AUSAID is am amalgamation of the Australian Aid Agency or some such thing.
Point of the whole exchange was to discuss that:
1) Militaries have a vested interested in emergency relief. People don't often understand this.
a) Emergency relief looks fantastic and it gives an army that struggles for a purpose, like Australia's, something heroic to do.
b) It's safer than war. Soldiers would prefer to hand food packages to grateful Mums that get shot at in Falluja.
c) It's lucrative; allowances, per diems .
2. In the Papua case, and I think the tsunami, military aid comes out of the general aid budget. That means there's a CHOICE between military emergency relief and other kinds of aid.
Military relief is very capital intensive, involving helicopters etc. The point is, it's a good idea to get it over with as quickly as possible.
Amartya Sen, the nobel prize winner and famine expert, has written extensively on policies for famine relief. No where does he recommend sending armies in to do the job.
3). So it's not a question of which part of the Australian government pays for the aid -- it's a question of a transfer from the aid budget (meant to help the world's poor) to the military (no problem with funding under John Howard).
Ultimately, I'm saying that military relief looks good, is very helpful in the earliest phases, but is expensive and they have an agenda not unlike some NGOs; PR and funding.
To anyone who'd accuse me of being a peacenick, treacherous, or anything else for criticizing uniformed men, I'd say: grow up. Just ask a footsoldier in Iraq what he thinks of the 'uniformed politicians in Washington.'
Peace, Achmad.
*Yawn*
*Yawn*
*Yawn*
Friends: Thang, Steve, Oigal, and others,
I have a favor to ask. I'm going to apply for some writing fellowships in the U.S.A., in Australia, and also some grant money. Could you guys could give me a reference or writing testimonial ?
Amongst others, I'm hoping to get in to the Iowa Writers' Program, Stanford University, and Columbia University's business journalism program for 2007-2008.
It'd be good if you could mention my debating ability as well. This applies to Steve and Oigal in particular, as we've debated the most.
The board, of course, expects some flowery praise and over-the-top fan-type comments, but if you could mention my clever rhetorical flourishes, blending word-play into a laser-sharp argument, that'd be spot on.
Thanks guys, that'd be great. Keep the spirit of hot debate (call it mass debate!) alive.
Peace,
Achmad
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