Originally Posted By DAR <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080624/us_nm/usa_flooding_dc_4" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/200...ing_dc_4</a> It's been pretty rough the last month for people in Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri and Illinois. Of course it might not be getting the same media coverage as Katrina, but people's lives are being affected all the same. I think Obama made a visit to one of the areas, but McCain or Bush haven't yet. My personal belief is none of them should have gone or go there. They just become a distraction for the work that needs to be done. So take a few minutes to pray for these people and hope they can get back on their feet.
Originally Posted By X-san ***My personal belief is none of them should have gone or go there. They just become a distraction for the work that needs to be done.*** That's idiotic. A president or presidential candidate can bring much needed attention and funding to affected areas. They are hardly "a distraction", they are bringing the issues to the forefront and that's how efforts and funding become a reality. You really don't understand that? OR, are you taking this opportunity to subtly slam Obama once again? (I'll go with option "b") Your agenda is getting the better of you, Dar. Try being more subtle next time.
Originally Posted By DAR X X X X, you're the one that really doesn't get it. There is work that needs to be done at these areas. Bringing the President or any of the two candidates creates a distraction. It takes away valuable time from people working. The Secret Service has to sweep the area for any potential dangers. And even then it's not a very safe place for either the President or candidates to be, due to potential health hazards it creates.
Originally Posted By X-san You're just making stuff up as you go along, aren't you? Try and find some facts before you post. Episodes of "the West Wing" don't count. You have absolutely no idea what goes into bringing a "VIP" into an affected zone, and neither do I. So don't pretend you know what you are talking about, because you don't. What I DO know is that public figures SUCH AS the president and other famous people do have the ability to bring attention to situations that need public attention. You can't argue with THAT, can you? Thought not. Post three is utter and complete fiction, brought to you from the mind of DAR. (and the creators of "the West Wing" or some other fictional drama, most likely). Someday maybe you'll grow up, Dar.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 But DAR, this is a democratic society and the voters there want to see that the president, and the candidates, actually "care" about them. It's the same reason that Bush and other politicians visit war zones. Sure, they get in the way a bit and cause a disruption, but they also boost morale. And besides, could you imagine the backlash among the voters if they didn’t visit? You know that would become an issue come election time…
Originally Posted By DAR <<But DAR, this is a democratic society and the voters there want to see that the president, and the candidates, actually "care" about them. It's the same reason that Bush and other politicians visit war zones. Sure, they get in the way a bit and cause a disruption, but they also boost morale.>> I realize that it's just for me the work needs to be done that should be be at the forefront. Let these people pick up their lives. <<And besides, could you imagine the backlash among the voters if they didn’t visit? You know that would become an issue come election time…>> I realize I'm in the minority on this but that doesn't necessarily make me wrong, it's just an opinion. And thank you for responding to me in a reasonable grown up matter. I appreciate that.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 " realize that it's just for me the work needs to be done that should be be at the forefront. Let these people pick up their lives." In a way, I agree with you on this. I think it's silly that people would actually make a decision about a nominee based on whether or not they visited some disaster area. But, people do, and so that politicians need to take that into account. But there is also the need to bring attention to the disaster area, which helps bring in donations. I don't know how much it helps, but I'm sure having the president there and visible helps bring in more money in disaster aid.
Originally Posted By mele I think DAR has a valid opinion about this. It does take a lot of effort when a VIP visits town. To say that it doesn't is just flat out untrue. What is debatable is does the effort outweighs the benefits of having more attention brought to the situation.
Originally Posted By DAR It's the logistics of the whole thing. But I digress what matters most is the people affected.
