Shirley - No sympathy for Haiti

[DaddyMac]

In the midst of all of his judgements, did Shirley stop to realize that is by luck that he himself was born into the world, by upper middle-class parents, in the United States? What did he do to earn that huge break?
What if instead he had been born in Haiti?

+1.

I often think the same thing about my own such luck. We got problems here - but boy oh boy, they pale in alot of ways, don't they?

[benjay]

He's always had a pesimistic edge to him.

Apparently he lacks empathy and perspective.

[Stumpy]

He makes some valid points. Haiti is essentially rated dead last in the world in any positive ranking -- wealth, economic freedom, quality of life, human rights/human development index, etc. The entire infrastructure of the place is a mess. And while I disagree with Paul and think that donating is a necessity for the people involved in the disaster, I too recognize that it likely won't change a thing when it comes to the root of the issue.

[DaddyMac]

[/B]

Im guessing he wouldnt have that same opinion. But its a free country and can say what he wants.

We'll see what his next blog has to say about that....

[jsb]

I wonder what Paul proposes that we do with the people that are in Haiti?

[drmwevr08]

No, your response would have never existed...the butterfly effect.

I didn't comment in order to avoid calling Paul a *********. Oops, there I go.

I'm guessing that the thousands upon thousands of children in Haiti have very little say in where they get to live.

That would have been ok.


Paul is biased by the fact that he lives in one of the best places in the world and figures everyplace else could be the same if only they weren't idiots. Throughout history people have tried to make the best for themselves, mostly doing a poor job of it though. The only way to really fix it as he would propose is to appoint somebody king of the world and start kicking people out of all the places that are cheap and manageable to live, albeit often doomed to natural disaster. Oh, and of course, as he points out, stop breeding. He is pretty hostile, probably also a bit right, but it not going to happen so why say it if your only ******* people off. You could point out that doing things in a more sustainable way this time is adviseable without making people feel bad.

[clones_jer]

Whatever you think of Paul Shirley's comments, I'm impressed by the level of thought and articulation. We don't usually hear much of substance from former athletes.

I think he could have handled GM's 100 offensive sets without having to think too much on the court like WJ!

Paul's intelligent, and I enjoyed his book - but the more you read of him the more it gets to be a sort of "Catcher in the Rye" type of cynicism towards everyone. It wears you out.

Someone really needs to hug it out with Shirley.

[Flag Guy]

He does bring up some good (or atleast some interesting) points, but on a whole that is pretty cold hearted view and some balence should be struck between the points he raises and showing some compassion...

Maybe he took the complete polar opposite of the popular opinion in an attempt to get discussion going in the middle ground (since it's so polarized), though I didn't get that impression

[bos]

He makes some valid points. Haiti is essentially rated dead last in the world in any positive ranking -- wealth, economic freedom, quality of life, human rights/human development index, etc. The entire infrastructure of the place is a mess. And while I disagree with Paul and think that donating is a necessity for the people involved in the disaster, I too recognize that it likely won't change a thing.

Maybe it depends on the allocation. Food, clean water, etc, but limited. Do they have any export they can capitalize on and build some sort of job/income?

[Cydkar]

Donating can save a life. That's high on my list of important things if I ever compiled such a list. Will that life end up being properous? Debatable, but not the point.

I was having a crappy day last Friday until I watched about 10 minutes of coverage from Haiti. I think my day was just fine.

[Cyched]

The people of Haiti arent the problem are they? Wasnt their government kinda of shady? I havent kept up on the issues alot so please correct me.

Yeah they've been under dictatorial rule for a number of years. The main reason relief efforts haven't worked in the past is that the dictators have kept a lot of it for themselves

[Cycsk]

I love stupid smart people.

[Palmer]

safe to say Paul will be getting any bit parts in Ocean's 14.

[dtclones]

Paul's intelligent, and I enjoyed his book - but the more you read of him the more it gets to be a sort of "Catcher in the Rye" type of cynicism towards everyone. It wears you out.

Someone really needs to hug it out with Shirley.

That is my point exactly. You just worded it better.

Paul reminds me a lot of one of my really smart friends. It's almost like his level of perceived intelligence makes him want to go against popular belief because it's a challange to defend the unpopular opinion.

[bos]

Yeah they've been under dictatorial rule for a number of years. The main reason relief efforts haven't worked in the past is that the dictators have kept a lot of it for themselves

I guess that would make it hard for alot of Shirleys points to be valid. It hard for the poor to make something of themselves when the environment doesnt nurture success. Alot like parts of Africa. Hopefully the relief can remove some of that exposure.