Richard Gere boards migrant ship stuck in the Mediterranean

Anyone that saves lives in immediate danger is doing a very good thing. Period.

But it would also be very good if they could focus their rhetoric upon the fundamental causes, rather than those trying to cope with the side effects. That usually means following the money in one way or another and that’s a dangerous quagmire.

It’s up to them to choose how far they commit themselves; trying to speak out about the 1st world powerbrokers that surely hold influence in the 3rd world would no doubt endanger the personal prosperity, even the lives of these philanthropic celebs.

Perhaps the ripple effect of these life saving gestures becomes negative if it inspires others to make dangerous crossings in hope of rescue who then die, because Gere didn’t show up. But those lives he did save are real people who didn’t die thanks to this guy. How can anyone say those individuals should’ve died, so I salute him for that.

It’s complex.

a reply to: oloufo

If we build 20 powerplants in Africa they'd stop cutting trees and making babies in the dark.

That sounds like a pretty accurate observation and I can't find the racism in it.
But oh the outrage!?

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: oloufo

If we build 20 powerplants in Africa...

...It would lead to an Africa with real industry and power, making it far harder to exploit. In fact Africa would compete at the highest levels.

Can’t imagine why no one really wants to fix it’s problems with help building power plants etc.

Can’t imagine why anyone would prefer Africa to remain feudal with never ending corruption and infighting preventing it from utilising it’s own resources!

a reply to: McGinty

How dare you to even think that, you racist!

*sarcasm

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: oloufo

If we build 20 powerplants in Africa they'd stop cutting trees and making babies in the dark.

That sounds like a pretty accurate observation and I can't find the racism in it.
But oh the outrage!?

Yeah, it's ignorant statements like that the poster was talking about.

It's hardly an accurate observation, it shows ignorance and you not being able to see the racist tone of it says more about you than anything else.

On topic

Why can't this ship not dock? It's rescued people at sea, the port it docks at shouldn't really be relevant whether it be a European, African or Middle Eastern port.

originally posted by: RAY1990

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: oloufo

If we build 20 powerplants in Africa they'd stop cutting trees and making babies in the dark.

That sounds like a pretty accurate observation and I can't find the racism in it.
But oh the outrage!?

It's hardly an accurate observation, it shows ignorance...

Darn it, I feel dumb now, because I thought it was a great point. Didn’t realise there’s a good reason why Africa can’t have power plants.

I’m look forward to you telling me why, cos learning is my favourite thing to do. Go ahead, please, and tell me why? (And why it’s racist too would be great to know)

So let me see if I have this straight....
Someone brings food and supplies to people in need.


The son of a bitch....


Is that about it?

a reply to: RAY1990

It's what humans do. Without electricity they cut trees to cook and stuff, without entertainment they #.
Do human standards somehow not apply to Africans? Now that is really racist.

Celebrity, or not, we should not ridicule people who try to do what they think is right.

Personally, I think these so called "rescue ships" make matters worse, as they may encourage crossings and increase people's cynicism, especially in places like Italy who are bearing the brunt of migration.

Some of these charities have even been accused people smuggling, as they are arranging to meet unseaworthy vessels just off the Libyan coast and bringing them over. People smugglers are able to extort more from a migrant if there is a guarantee they'll be picked up and transported to Italy, Malta or wherever.

originally posted by: IkNOwSTuff
What I want to know, and this is a serious question, if these people are genuinely fleeing war and persecution why are they leaving their families behind?

They are not refugees, they are migrants.

Even the news sources used called it "migrant ship", so I don't understand why are you talking about it as if they were refugees.

originally posted by: RAY1990

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: oloufo

If we build 20 powerplants in Africa they'd stop cutting trees and making babies in the dark.

That sounds like a pretty accurate observation and I can't find the racism in it.
But oh the outrage!?

Why can't this ship not dock? It's rescued people at sea, the port it docks at shouldn't really be relevant whether it be a European, African or Middle Eastern port.

The ship isn't permitted to dock because the NGO is accused of being complicit in human-trafficking and aiding illegal immigration . ..

www.breitbart.com...

Italian populist interior minister Matteo Salvini is refusing to allow migrant ferry operator Sea-Watch from landing in Italy, accusing them directly of human trafficking.

Salvini directly replied to the German-based NGO on Italian radio, saying, “Sea Watch does trafficking in human beings and doesn’t care about the rules,” adding that he would never permit the ship to land in Italy with migrants no matter the day.

The accusations of human trafficking from Salvini come as Sea-Watch captain Pia Klemp faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years after being accused of aiding illegal migration.

originally posted by: ArMaP

originally posted by: IkNOwSTuff
What I want to know, and this is a serious question, if these people are genuinely fleeing war and persecution why are they leaving their families behind?

They are not refugees, they are migrants.

Even the news sources used called it "migrant ship", so I don't understand why are you talking about it as if they were refugees.

Does it really matter what they’re called in the context of saving lives in immediate danger?

a reply to: McGinty

If there’s proof of trafficking, then the ships shouldn’t be aloud to dock. But they should be escorted safely back and the passengers protected and fed if necessary en route.

This should be funded by the EU and any parties making profits from the fled regions.

originally posted by: Sillyolme
So let me see if I have this straight....
Someone brings food and supplies to people in need.


The son of a bitch....


Is that about it?

If a gambling addict just put all his money on a spin of roulette and lost should you help him pay his rent?

These people most likely werent in need till they put themselves in a position where they would be in need.
Plus theres plenty of people closer to Geres home who are in genuine need, I dont see him taking photo ops to help them out.

The "migrant crisis" is manufactured, these people get in dodgy little boats that arent much better than life rafts and take off from the African coast, they get a few miles out to sea and are then "rescued" by NGOs that take them the rest of the way to Europe.
If it was about saving lives instead of bringing hordes of bottom feeders into Europe then they would be taken to the closest port and not ferried 3/4 of the way to Europe

originally posted by: ArMaP

originally posted by: IkNOwSTuff
What I want to know, and this is a serious question, if these people are genuinely fleeing war and persecution why are they leaving their families behind?

They are not refugees, they are migrants.

Even the news sources used called it "migrant ship", so I don't understand why are you talking about it as if they were refugees.

They are opportunists taking advantage of peoples good nature and gullibility spurred on by people who are trying their best to replace Europes native population.

I dont think they are refugees at all, I was trying to make the point that even if you are a deluded bleeding heart who uses they argument that they are refugees then they are scummy people for leaving their female kin behind

originally posted by: IkNOwSTuff
They are opportunists taking advantage

Every single one of them?

originally posted by: McGinty

originally posted by: IkNOwSTuff
They are opportunists taking advantage

Every single one of them?

Most likely, genuine refugees are in camps and dont have the resources to pay people smugglers or travel from 1000s of miles away to get on these boats

a reply to: IkNOwSTuff

Well it’s an honour to meet someone with first hand experience, cos only someone who’s seen an awful lot of it with their own two eyes would dare make such sweeping statements. Only a dummy would do that and I certainly don’t think you sound dumb! After all, you NOwSTuff

originally posted by: McGinty
a reply to: McGinty

If there’s proof of trafficking, then the ships shouldn’t be aloud to dock. But they should be escorted safely back and the passengers protected and fed if necessary en route.

This should be funded by the EU and any parties making profits from the fled regions.

The UNHCR and IOM have said that the migrants should not be returned to where they came from .. .

www.breitbart.com...

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have both called on European nations to take in the 43 migrants, arguing that they should not be returned to Libya.

(bold emphasis, mine)

Also .. .

Why safe ports in nearby African countries such as Tunisia are unsuitable was not made clear.

Does anyone know the reason such countries are unsuitable?

originally posted by: McGinty

originally posted by: RAY1990

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: oloufo

If we build 20 powerplants in Africa they'd stop cutting trees and making babies in the dark.

That sounds like a pretty accurate observation and I can't find the racism in it.
But oh the outrage!?

It's hardly an accurate observation, it shows ignorance...

Darn it, I feel dumb now, because I thought it was a great point. Didn’t realise there’s a good reason why Africa can’t have power plants.

I’m look forward to you telling me why, cos learning is my favourite thing to do. Go ahead, please, and tell me why? (And why it’s racist too would be great to know)

Who said Africa shouldn't have power plants?

Africa is a continent with many nations, some of them have a terrible electrical grid but they all have powerplants.

Some African nations thrive.

I never said it was racist either I said it (seemingly) had a racist tone, insinuating that they're all breeding like rabbits because they don't have electricity for lightbulbs. But hey I didn't look it up so he might've had the greatest of intentions with his words. I'm doubtful though, seems to be an ignorant statement that stereotypes people from Africa.

Like me saying the US should encourage migration from Asian nations to improve national education.

I'd be insinuating that Americans are thick and Asians are clever, having Asians in your school's would improve the overall education of the nation...

Or maybe China should build you more schools?

Point being, words have consequences. Say stupid stuff expect to be pulled up on it, the person I replied to is someone I'd call somewhat racist and ignorant, I've read plenty of his posts. The fact he's an Aussie Trump supporter is just coincidence or ironic maybe?