To be annoyed with the "something must be done" attitude

[Flashbangandgone]

Another refugee crisis related one - sorry - but it really annoys me that:

1. Something catches the media's attention (e.g. dead boy washed up on shore, even though similar things have happenned countless times over the past few years) and a bandwagon begins

2. People quickly jump on the bandwagon proclaiming "something must be done"

3. The Government shows phoney concern at the outcry and gives a pathetic and seemingly cynical response (4,000 refugees a year from camps when those that are in real need are the thousands not lucky enough to be in camps)

4. The bandwagon is satisfied that "something has been done" without any real thought about what that "something" is, and move on, self-satisfied that their clamour has delivered results.

It's all so superficial and pathetic....

With regards to "Disneyification" of refugees.

To worry that some people fleeing from a horrific war zone may have done horrific things themselves is a valid concern. However, it's extremely difficult to screen for. Unless you want to automatically bar all men of fighting age from seeking asylum, which IMO, is abhorrent.

However, most "concerns" about the refugees seem to be along the lines of them being Muslim and Middle Eastern and therefore unBritish and subhuman. I think such comments are racist and deserved to be named as such.

If you were them, you'd be glad for someone giving whatever their motive.

Sometimes its the little things that help the most. There seems something quite low about the readiness to scorn people who are moved to give even as little as a fiver.

Sometimes its the little things that help the most. There seems something quite low about the readiness to scorn people who are moved to give even as little as a fiver.

My sentiments weren't directed at those who actually do something, however small. Rather those who say 'something must be done' only when it becomes fashionable to say so, and then expect others to do 'something' magical that will just sort the problem.

I think the notion that people expect others to do something magical that will just sort the problem is a strawman you have invented to rationalise your position. The majority of people will be quite clear that this is not an easily resolvable problem. They don't want the problem addressed quickly because it is simply resolved. They want the problem addressed quickly because the needs are urgent. They don't want someone to do something magical to just sort the problem; they do want the government to take relatively simple steps that are within its capabilities quickly, because going slowly means leaving more people to suffer in the immediate future, and they are rightly suspicious that without prodding and pressure the government will prefer to take no action at all, claiming that it is all very complicated and needs detailed, lengthy, analysis before action.