I really wish I remembered who stated this originally, but I can't remember.

Someone who was having a conversation much like this one about giving money to homeless people stated, "After hearing about how I shouldn't give people money because they'll likely just buy booze with it, I decided I was fine with that. If that's what they need to get themselves through the day and my dollar will help them, then so be it."

I think the same mindset applies here, in a way. Whether or not Haiti will be any more affluent in 30 years, everyone's donations are feeding people who otherwise wouldn't be able to eat right now. Isn't that worth it in the short term regardless of whether or not there are any long term effects?

mattbbpl

That quote is stupid. Contributing to someone's addiction is never a good idea.

We'll see how we'll they're doing in 30, then. I'll be back to discuss it.

[QUOTE="sbtim"]

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

Both are "lost causes". Both are "doomed" anyway. Why waste the time if you won't really help and just prolong the inevitable?

MystikFollower

The kid with cancer probably has a better life than any Haitian out there. Anyway, how would I even know that he has cancer in the first place?

The comparison is just not there, I'm sorry. Haiti is not a kid with cancer. It's a country that's on life support.

How can you know a Haitian would rather die then survive even if their country is a mess? Believe it or not some Haitians are still prideful and supportive of their nation and many of them want to rebuild and grow. Are you saying they shouldn't be given that chance because you don't think it'll make a difference and that they're doomed anyways? I feel sympathic of your mindset and I hope one day it changes. I'm just happy there's enough people still in this world without that mindset that are trying to help these people, cause that's more of what this world needs.

Like I said, I'm not going to try and stop them from trying, but that doesn't mean I'm going to help them, nor do I really think anyone should, because I know for a fact that 30 years from now Haiti will still be terrible.

[QUOTE="sbtim"]

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

You can, but I find it a really disturbing characteristic in a person. But I assume it only comes from the fact it doesn't seem real to that person because the death isn't actually infront of them, it's miles away. I doubt the same person would walk by a terminally ill child on the street who had been injured and just leave them "Why help? They're gonna die anyway."

Pixel-Pirate

I'd call an ambulance. But Haiti and an injured kid with cancer aren't really the same thing.

Both are "lost causes". Both are "doomed" anyway. Why waste the time if you won't really help and just prolong the inevitable?

The kid with cancer probably has a better life than any Haitian out there. Anyway, how would I even know that he has cancer in the first place?

The comparison is just not there, I'm sorry. Haiti is not a kid with cancer. It's a country that's on life support.

[QUOTE="sbtim"]

You can't?

Pixel-Pirate

You can, but I find it a really disturbing characteristic in a person. But I assume it only comes from the fact it doesn't seem real to that person because the death isn't actually infront of them, it's miles away. I doubt the same person would walk by a terminally ill child on the street who had been injured and just leave them "Why help? They're gonna die anyway."

I'd call an ambulance. But Haiti and an injured kid with cancer aren't really the same thing.

[QUOTE="sbtim"]

So what are we saving their lives for? What future do they have?

It's like keeping someone on life support, but they're brain dead and will never recover. Yea, you can keep them "alive", but are they really living?

peaceoutmedusa

would you want to die? regardless of what you say next, THEY dont want to die, and that is enough to help them right there.

If my country was that completely out of luck, maybe I would rather die now than continue to suffer.

. You can't simply stand back and watch people die.

You can't?

I appreciate it.

So what are we saving their lives for? What future do they have?

It's like keeping someone on life support, but they're brain dead and will never recover. Yea, you can keep them "alive", but are they really living?

and it's ultimately ineffective.. and creates no sort of social change. But only contributes to further problems.

Pretty much. This is why I don't donate. Nothing ever changes. Some countries and people are beyond help. Haiti is one of them.

I would bet every dollar I have that Haiti never recovers from this and spends the rest of it's existence as one of the worst countries in the world.