Disqus - Latest Comments for RFS

Re: Cold-hearted conservatism | Columbia Spectator

RFS — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:24:59 -0000

No, criticizing the system of handouts is not indicative of a cold heart, but criticizing it after putting oneself in the position that she did is somewhat contradictory. I am simply pointing out that the sheer fact that she, as an American privileged enough to get to take a year and go help whoever she felt needed help, is essentially playing into the very system she's rallying against. It also has nothing to do with conservative vs. liberal economic policies. Reducing liberal economic policies to just "handouts" like she did with the orphanage is simply not true. Regardless of political leaning, you have to see that the metaphor doesn't work, right?

Also, let me just say, that I have spent more than just "a year" of my life "watching people die" if you mean traveling, being that my family is FROM Ghana, and it is actually quite sad to see people from other countries coming, and then (with very good intentions, but the road to hell...) either spending all their money in misguided attempts to help people, or trying to influence situations they do not understand. I am not attacking, simply pointing out the flaws inherent in this article, which are flaws inherent in the very idea of going abroad for a year to help people.

And the fact that this experience has nothing whatsoever to do with American domestic economic policy, liberal or conservative. . . in any way, shape or form.

Re: Rethinking Holocaust memorialization | Columbia Spectator

RFS — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:34:22 -0000

This is a very good article. Thank you.

Re: Cold-hearted conservatism | Columbia Spectator

RFS — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:17:19 -0000

You know what? All politics aside, just as a "humanitarian" issue you really should examine how much privilege it takes to be able to take a year off and to be able to go to a developing country in the first place. That's great that you, as a privileged high school student whose parents were able to pay to send her to volunteer for a year, were able to help some orphans out monetarily. It's too bad that when you showed you were able to raise money, demands raised.

However, have you thought about what your being there signified? You put yourself in this position. You went to an orphanage that "needed help," but did you ask them if they wanted your help? And if they were looking for help from an American high school student, then did you think about what kind of help that represented?

If you really want to help people "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" or whatever platitude you're using this week, look at the economic policies OUR country promotes vis a vis other countries, and examine whether or not it's conservative or economic policies that create situations of poverty.
Honestly, donating money is not quite the answer, but blaming poor people for asking for money when in the position to be able to actually feed themselves (and then they actually asked for money to get soap! a new orphanage! god forbid!) is not the answer and it IS, in response to your question, cold hearted.

If you want to blame someone, you can blame the government, you can blame policies, I don't care. But don't use an experience you were able to pay to embark upon as some sort of basis for anti-humanitarian articles about how poor people are greedy. It does not make you look good, and it does not really support "conservative economics" in any way, shape or form, because obviously conservative governments give aid too. . .

Re: The daily mugging | Columbia Spectator

RFS — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:45:44 -0000

"This article is meant to be philosophical, in that it discusses the relation of the individual to the government in a free society."

...

Yeah, this is totally on the level of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Smith, insert influential philosopher of your choice.

We should have read this in CC, it's so philosophical, original and well-relayed.