Paul McCartney Benefit Concert

[Jodee]

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of the WTC disaster, but is there really a need for a benefit concert? Money will not bring the lost back. America is the richest country in the world and in the West even when we consider ourselves poor, we are rich compared to the situation that the poor Afghani refugees find themselves in. There is an imminent humanitarian disaster on the Pakistani border with Afghanistan. These poor people have suffered for years under the Taliban and now they have to endure the threat of US attacks. I am in no way supporting the terrorists, they should be punished but the Afghanis have suffered enough. If Paul McCartney wants to hold a benefit concert he should spare a thought for the Afghani's who barely have any food to eat let alone a roof over their heads.

I was going to say the same thing. Did you know that a song that was planned ages ago to help educate people in Africa about HIV and AIDS is now going to benefit the US as well or even instead of as I read in one report?!

Africa desperately needs this. They don't have much sex/health education. On a separate note, in the UK we do have adequate education about HIV which we've had since the 1980's and still people take no bloody notice! Maybe they should send the money they waste trying to educate some people here to the African continent where they will appreciate what they are being told!

I agree totally about this concert.

I must admit, I wondered about the benefit concert, too. I realise that not everyone who died was a well paid executive, such as cleaners and restaurant staff, and that some families will need help, but in general, I'd have thought America could look after its own. (I don't want to seem to be minimising anyone's loss, though - personal friends were involved in the WTC attack.) I just hope this 'Humanitarian Coalition' comes to something and isn't merely a talking shop.

I agree that the need isn't as obvious or pressing as in other disasters but there were a lot of cleaners, waiters etc etc killed. Also many of those working in brokers office are young and very poorly paid. Remember also that US penion and insurance schemes aren't nearly as generous as our own, nor is their social security system. With up to 15,000 children orphaned (in most cases losing their breadwinner), I do think there will be some heart breaking cases.

oops - losing a preant rather than orphaned of course.

Quite a few people who died or were injured were apparently illegal immigrants and have left dependents destitute. Everyone involved has suffered a shattering loss, but some were well-insured and their families are not going to lose their homes and way of life on top of their bereavement. Only yesterday it transpired that four Irish labourers who were listed as dead were in fact safe and well - but they had been too frightened to own up in case they were deported. That said, one would hope that a well-meaning soul like Paul McCartney could ensure that plenty of the money went to alleviate the horrific suffering in Afghanistan and on the Pakistan borders.

Where did you see the figure of 15,000 children losing a parent, Croppy? I haven't read that, though I must admit, I'm not paying quite as much attention as I was to the issue. I can't imagine any of them will starve to death like some of the Afghans appear to be in danger of doing. I don't think anyone is saying that aid shouldn't be given to the families in America - it's just that others are also suffering due to the terrorist attacks, through no fault of their own. I saw in the paper this week that (?)Christian Aid has launched an appeal for Afghanistan, so those of us who wish to, can give help in that manner.

Just been in a couple of papers - the estimate is 10 - 15,000 children lost a parent which certainly at the lower end is what you'd expect given the death toll now stands at 6,700. The Cantor Fitzgerald workers killed alone had more than 1250 children.

Also worth pointing out that much of the aid to Afhganistan has of course been paid for by the Americans over the years - they have just today committed to giving ann additional 1 million tonnes of wheat. Just like the refugee camps in Palestine are mostly funded by America (although of course it can be argued that their support of Isarel necessitates thei establishment but best not to go into that one!!).

Britain and the US give a phenomenal amount in terms of aid. In any case, at the end of it all it is entirely up to invidiuals concerned as to which causes we choose to support - I don't think Sir Paul will be forcing anyone.

Gosh, that's an amazing number of children. I somehow didn't think it would be that high, having made the assumption that there would be loads of DINKies working in that environment and also that my friend who teaches in NY said that not a single child in her school had lost a parent. They must have been astonishingly lucky, though some have lost aunts/uncles etc. She said it was nerve wracking on Sept 11th, waiting with the children to see whose parents came to pick them up.

It was a real shock to learn about the number of children affected, too. On the same note I regularly go to the hunger site (www.thehungersite.com - can't 'do' links sorry) an American website that let's people visit and click to donate 1 cup of food (1 click per person per day) for free paid for by the site's sponsors. Usually this goes to the third world (Explains all on the site) but for a month it is going to help the American charities deal with this crisis. It seems a shame to me that the third world is somehow 'losing out' on their share of the donations. It is an American website and it is a great tragedy, but I agree with Jbr's comment's on Africa, and with Jodee's original point.....