So begins the 3 ring circus ala tsunami

[jbd]

As I mentioned in the thread Tsunami the politco's are on their way to see first hand the death and destruction that we are all so painfully aware of already. The USA is is sending Colin Powell and of all people Jeb Bush to lead the US delegations relief efforts. I have nothing against either of these two people in any way shape form or fashion but I truly don't see what good they can do by going to the affected region. I heard one spokesman say that this is symbolic of how important the relief effort is to the US administration. Kofi Annan is on his way there also.

Do the victims of this event need symbolism? I think not. What they need is people coming into the area that have the ability and the desire do pull corpes from the rubble, clean and remove the waste and debris, set up shelter, prepare and serve food and dispense water and rebuild sanitation systems. They need emergent and preventive medical care. They need roads rebuilt. Etc, etc, etc.

What is not needed in this area is people coming in oohing and ahhing over the obvious devastation and posing for pictures. They don't need high profile people bringing with them an entourage of security personnel along with secretaries and assistants and photographers that will only add to the burden on the system to meet their needs of food, water, lavatory facilities etc, etc not to mention that the resources being used to transport these people could be much better used doing actual relief work. High profile people and their entourages are a distraction to the work at hand.

 

[cool_hardware52]

As I mentioned in the thread Tsunami the politco's are on their way to see first hand the death and destruction that we are all so painfully aware of already. The USA is is sending Colin Powell and of all people Jeb Bush to lead the US delegations relief efforts. I have nothing against either of these two people in any way shape form or fashion but I truly don't see what good they can do by going to the affected region. I heard one spokesman say that this is symbolic of how important the relief effort is to the US administration. Kofi Annan is on his way there also.

Do the victims of this event need symbolism? I think not. What they need is people coming into the area that have the ability and the desire do pull corpes from the rubble, clean and remove the waste and debris, set up shelter, prepare and serve food and dispense water and rebuild sanitation systems. They need emergent and preventive medical care. They need roads rebuilt. Etc, etc, etc.

What is not needed in this area is people coming in oohing and ahhing over the obvious devastation and posing for pictures. They don't need high profile people bringing with them an entourage of security personnel along with secretaries and assistants and photographers that will only add to the burden on the system to meet their needs of food, water, lavatory facilities etc, etc not to mention that the resources being used to transport these people could be much better used doing actual relief work. High profile people and their entourages are a distraction to the work at hand.

My view is a little different. Colin Powell heads the State Department, and Jeb Bush, well he's the "First Brother" The symbolism is important not for the unfortunate victims, but to the functionaries in the institutions each represents. Sending the head of the State Department clearly sends the message to all State Department staff that this is an important task, same with Jeb Bush. Who in the current administration would now not understand the level of importance the President places on relief?

Such emphasis will help "grease the wheels"

Regards,




Tobin

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Tobin nailed it.

It also communicates to the political functionaries in the receiving states, and to a broader political audience as well.

 

[dlndavid]

I have to agree with Tobin also. It puts into perspective for others to see the importance and they are trusted people of the President to bring back reliable information.

 

[FredT]

As far as Jeb going, he does have EXTENSIVE and RECENT experience with administering disaster relief, and the pitfalls that will be common to that effort. Knowing the trap is there is the first step in avoiding it. I see him more as a teacher for the local politicos than a US funtionary.

FT

 

[jonnythan]

Everyone has made good points... jbd, understand that this is on top of everything else the US is doing. It's not replacing actual relief efforts.

 

[jbd]

My view is a little different. Colin Powell heads the State Department, and Jeb Bush, well he's the "First Brother" The symbolism is important not for the unfortunate victims, but to the functionaries in the institutions each represents. Sending the head of the State Department clearly sends the message to all State Department staff that this is an important task, same with Jeb Bush. Who in the current administration would now not understand the level of importance the President places on relief?

Such emphasis will help "grease the wheels"

Regards,




Tobin

I understand your point,(and the other respondents) but I believe the scope of this event is of such magnitude that "greasing the wheels" isn't needed. Action is already being taken. I also think that if anyone in the administration, at any level, couldn't grasp the importance of the relief effort for an event of this magnitude, they shouldn't be in the administration or in civil service.

At some point in the not too distant future I think it is correct for heads of state to travel to the affected countries and meet with the leaders of those countries, tour the devasted areas with the respective leaders and offer continueing assistance as needed or appropriate. There is just too much real work to be done at this time and sending high profile people and their entourages is not productive. Jeb Bush will not be there long enough to teach the local authorities anything they don't already know IMO.

 

[OE2X]

Jeb Bush will not be there long enough to teach the local authorities anything they don't already know IMO.

No, but what he does have to offer is the ability to advise congress when the issue of more aid is needed to support these countries. I think this is very important as not all of congress will going over there to see what sort of funding is required.

I thought it to be very interesting when a CNN analyst spoke of the fact that the US stands at a crossroads of humanitarianism. Not only is it our moral duty to help these countries, but the effects of being supportive in an area of the largest Muslim population in the world will be far reaching. It is a belief that I've personally stood by for a very long time that perhaps the best way of combating terrorism is to give the people the tools and aid to restore hope.

 

[RICoder]

As far as Jeb going, he does have EXTENSIVE and RECENT experience with administering disaster relief, and the pitfalls that will be common to that effort. Knowing the trap is there is the first step in avoiding it. I see him more as a teacher for the local politicos than a US funtionary.

FT

Beat me to it...I'm hard pressed to think of two better people to send.

 

[HarleyDiver]

. What they need is people coming into the area that have the ability and the desire do pull corpes from the rubble, clean and remove the waste and debris, set up shelter, prepare and serve food and dispense water and rebuild sanitation systems. They need emergent and preventive medical care. They need roads rebuilt. Etc, etc, etc.
.

And all that needs organization ,planning and loogistics. Why is half the stuff already delivered stuck in an airport ?

ALL projects need a project plan & project management. Otherwise all you have is a bunch of well intentioned people running around in circles & pointing fingers.

They are going there to help develop the plan & assure the aid we send gets to the people who need it.

my 2 cents worth.