To read the tribute to SFC Marcus Muralles, please click here
Thursday, January 06, 2005
A Little More Face Time
This morning, I saw an interview with a US Senator (doesn't matter which one- they're probably all going to end up doing the same thing, so...) He's planning a trip to some of the areas more severely effected by the tsunami in order to assess the situation and decide what needs to be done.
He has to travel there to get that information? He will take people away from their jobs (from military transport staff who could be moving food and other supplies into the area to the people who will have to show him around and wait on him.) He'll get in the way. He won't be there to help- he'll be there for the photo op, to show his people back home that he's important, that he's doing something. It's the same as the head of the IRC and other relief organization going out in their dress slacks and shirts, passing out a couple of bundles of food for the photo op. This isn't part of their job- they're just out "in the field" because it looks good.
I understand why Sec. Powell and Gov. Bush are there- they are officially representing the US Government. They have experience dealing with disasters and diplomacy. They are there because they need to reassure the governments that the US will be there for them, that we will help them get through this.
Senators and Representatives should do what they were elected to do (and that wasn't trapsing all over the world). This senator can get all the information he needs on what needs there are in the area from the people who are in the know, who are there, working. He and the rest of our elected officials, unless sent by the President, should stop wasting our tax payer money to make themselves look special.
He has to travel there to get that information? He will take people away from their jobs (from military transport staff who could be moving food and other supplies into the area to the people who will have to show him around and wait on him.) He'll get in the way. He won't be there to help- he'll be there for the photo op, to show his people back home that he's important, that he's doing something. It's the same as the head of the IRC and other relief organization going out in their dress slacks and shirts, passing out a couple of bundles of food for the photo op. This isn't part of their job- they're just out "in the field" because it looks good.
I understand why Sec. Powell and Gov. Bush are there- they are officially representing the US Government. They have experience dealing with disasters and diplomacy. They are there because they need to reassure the governments that the US will be there for them, that we will help them get through this.
Senators and Representatives should do what they were elected to do (and that wasn't trapsing all over the world). This senator can get all the information he needs on what needs there are in the area from the people who are in the know, who are there, working. He and the rest of our elected officials, unless sent by the President, should stop wasting our tax payer money to make themselves look special.
