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The Misguided Meddling of America
1/9/06 11:42 pmOkay, this is probably going to be a rather unpopular take on a situation that some of you may or may not be aware of in the lovely state of Georgia... Here's a link to the situation.
Now here's my problem with this whole "humanitarian" mission.
1) There are probably lots of kids in the US, Canada, UK, or any number of friendly countries that need this surgery just as badly as this kid. How many of them are being offered free transport, surgery, and all the additional benefits (like lodging and meals for relatives)?
2) The American taxpayer is footing this entire bill, with no input from any of us.
3) After this surgery is complete, the girl will require intensive therapy and follow-up for the rest of her life. Is Iraq capable of providing this, or will we (the American taxpayers) have to step up to the plate again?
4) Kids who have this sort of intervention at this stage, instead of immediately after birth, don't do as well. The doctors already know she's paralyzed from the waist down, she most likely won't get better, and she may have brain damage as well.
5) They did the first surgery today, and now they're talking about putting in a shunt due to possible hydrocephaly. Ditto the question of aftercare in Iraq.
6) Is this really humanitarian aid, or is it just grandstanding? My opinion is it's a bunch of Bush/Cheney spin doctoring.
For the record, I think this baby should have been left alone. The infrastructure is not in place to provide her with the care she will need for the rest of her life. She is being used by the crazed megalomaniacs currently in power to make the US look all nice and fluffy and sweet, and to take the attention away from ending the war. Do the Iraqis see through it? Do the citizens of the US? I also find it hard to believe that this is the only handicapped kid found in Iraq.
Not all children live past their first year. This little girl was predicted to die within the first month by her physicians. She is now 3 months old. I think gambling for more in a situation like she will have to live in is irresponsible.
JMHO, YMMV
Lorri
Now here's my problem with this whole "humanitarian" mission.
1) There are probably lots of kids in the US, Canada, UK, or any number of friendly countries that need this surgery just as badly as this kid. How many of them are being offered free transport, surgery, and all the additional benefits (like lodging and meals for relatives)?
2) The American taxpayer is footing this entire bill, with no input from any of us.
3) After this surgery is complete, the girl will require intensive therapy and follow-up for the rest of her life. Is Iraq capable of providing this, or will we (the American taxpayers) have to step up to the plate again?
4) Kids who have this sort of intervention at this stage, instead of immediately after birth, don't do as well. The doctors already know she's paralyzed from the waist down, she most likely won't get better, and she may have brain damage as well.
5) They did the first surgery today, and now they're talking about putting in a shunt due to possible hydrocephaly. Ditto the question of aftercare in Iraq.
6) Is this really humanitarian aid, or is it just grandstanding? My opinion is it's a bunch of Bush/Cheney spin doctoring.
For the record, I think this baby should have been left alone. The infrastructure is not in place to provide her with the care she will need for the rest of her life. She is being used by the crazed megalomaniacs currently in power to make the US look all nice and fluffy and sweet, and to take the attention away from ending the war. Do the Iraqis see through it? Do the citizens of the US? I also find it hard to believe that this is the only handicapped kid found in Iraq.
Not all children live past their first year. This little girl was predicted to die within the first month by her physicians. She is now 3 months old. I think gambling for more in a situation like she will have to live in is irresponsible.
JMHO, YMMV
Lorri
