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10/13/2005 11:08:35 PM · #1 |
OK, I agree that is a strange subject line, and what I'm about to say is probably no less unusual:
I've been contacted by a US military commander who works with the group in charge of the US military relief effort in Pakistan. They want a website to help communications and coordination - presumably between both military and civilian relief workers. To be honest, I'm not sure of all the details yet. What I do know is they need a communications site and all their normal IT support is on the ground in Iraq. They've asked me to create it.
My question to you: Assuming they need some sort of communication capability, I imagine a Bulletin Board-style structure might work best. Something along the line of PhpBB or YaBB. But can you think of something else that would provide as much or more intercommunication capability while remaining FREE? This will be a pro bono job, so I have no budget.
Your feedback is genuinely appreciated. |
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10/13/2005 11:22:29 PM · #2 |
Why would you want to help a country that harbors Osama Bin Laden?
They are not our "friends" |
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10/13/2005 11:50:06 PM · #3 |
While my gut reaction is much like photodude's, I am willing to provide what you need for 2 reasons: I'm doing it mostly to help out a fellow DPCer who I like and respect and also because I am an American and a Christian and in spite of all the anti-American ranting that goes on (even on this site), I believe in setting aside my American propencity to take over the world, to help others in times of great tragedy. This would apply to the Tsunami, Katrina, etc. as well.
And while there are many Pakistani's who are not our friends, Musharef has stuck his neck out time and again to try to be our ally.
Anywho - it's not about the Politics, but as I said, I can relate to photodude's reaction.
David - I'll PM ya. |
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10/14/2005 12:31:12 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by photodude:
Why would you want to help a country that harbors Osama Bin Laden?
They are not our "friends" |
did you know Osama Bin Laden was trained by the USA. and the USA gave him weapons.
James |
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10/14/2005 12:42:05 AM · #5 |
| That was when he was fighting a common enemy. Have you ever heard "the enemy of our enemy is our friend"? Happens all the time throughout history - alliances change as necessary for any country's self interests. |
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10/14/2005 12:53:08 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by jab119:
Originally posted by photodude:
Why would you want to help a country that harbors Osama Bin Laden?
They are not our "friends" |
did you know Osama Bin Laden was trained by the USA. and the USA gave him weapons. |
The same way that Americans should NOT generalize, generalizations are inappropriate as well when it gets applied to Americans. It wasn't "the USA" that helped Bin Laden and his crew. It was the CIA and a part of the American government. Most Americans are ignorant of the fact that Bin Laden finally bit one of the hands that fed him earlier in his career.
Originally posted by kpriest:
And while there are many Pakistani's who are not our friends, Musharef has stuck his neck out time and again to try to be our ally. |
Pervez Musharraf is an undemocratic thug who SEIZED power through an undemocratic military, albeit bloodless, coup in October 1999. If the US government were to be consistent about its intent to spread democracy in the world, Musharraf should then be a target for another "operation freedom." But yeah, he's OK as he's "stuck his neck out time and again to try to be our ally." I wouldn't be surprised if US foreign policy yet again proves to be catastrophic, and that in some years' time, Musharraf becomes yet another thorn on the side of the US government.
Message edited by author 2005-10-14 00:54:17.
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10/14/2005 12:55:01 AM · #7 |
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10/14/2005 12:57:10 AM · #8 |
| Let's please keep this post for answers to aboutimage's question. Feel free to discuss politics in the rant section. |
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10/14/2005 12:57:36 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by photodude:
Why would you want to help a country that harbors Osama Bin Laden?
They are not our "friends" |
that is so very very sad. Such narrow mindness. The war is a disgrace and I am by no means backing Bin Laden but "innocent" people are dead. I am just shocked that you would say that.
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10/14/2005 01:05:44 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by mk:
Let's please keep this post for answers to aboutimage's question. Feel free to discuss politics in the rant section. |
Agreed. :) |
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10/14/2005 01:07:50 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by kpriest:
That was when he was fighting a common enemy. Have you ever heard "the enemy of our enemy is our friend"? Happens all the time throughout history - alliances change as necessary for any country's self interests. |
Because it happens all the thime throughout history, it makes it all the more shameful that people don't learn to NOT make irrational alliances. It's shameful (and potentially catastrophic) that entities like the US government time and again shies away from doing the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do, and rather base its actions on what is expedient and in turn commit a long-term mistake.
Makes me wonder:
(a) Did Bin Laden have anti-American sentiments even during the time that he was receiving American assistance, OR (b) did he develop such sentiments after the Americans decided there was something else or someone else more expedient to American agendas, and abandon and somehow screw Bin Laden and his cause?
If it's a, then why was it American policy to STILL give him assistance. If it's b, I guess you've got at least one "root cause" for 9/11.
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10/14/2005 01:09:48 AM · #12 |
OK, folks, this is not a political thread. It's a thread about helping people in need. Anyone who's traveled the world knows that people are about the same wherever you go. While their governments might be catastrophic messes all or some of the time, the people themselves are typically innocent, blameless, and harbor no true ill-will against much of anyone. I've been around the world several times and have met hundreds if not thousands of people from probably 30-40 countries. And I can't think of any who wouldn't merit our help and assistance in a time of need. These people lost approximately 40 times more lives than the US did after Katrina and Rita hit. How could you not want to help them?
(and still no one has answered my original question ;-) |
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10/14/2005 01:10:47 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by aboutimage:
(and still no one has answered my original question ;-) |
Did too!
edit: 3rd post - embedded in rhetoric. ;-)
Message edited by author 2005-10-14 01:11:35. |
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10/14/2005 01:12:35 AM · #14 |
OK, other than kpriest in his PM to me. Thank you, by the way. I'll be talking to the commander again tomorrow to find out where they want to go with the hosting. I do have my own URL, but it's a .com, so if your .org offer makes more sense to them, I'll be hitting you up for it.
Message edited by author 2005-10-14 01:13:37. |
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10/14/2005 01:14:45 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by aboutimage:
OK, other than kpriest in his PM to me. Thank you, by the way. I'll be talking to the commander again tomorrow to find out where they want to go with the hosting. I do have my own URL, but it's a .com, so if your .org offer makes more sense to them, I'll be hitting you up for it. |
no problem - just let me know. |
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