USS Ronald Reagan Assists Typhoon Victims
So now we are outside the coast of the Philippine’s [not yet in their waters], assisting the victims of the typhoon that hit the area. However, I get the sneaking suspicion that our benevolent gestures are geared more toward positive publicity for the States [and more specifically, the President]. The reason I say this is because the damage out here in the Philippine’s really isn’t as bad as first portrayed. Reports have come in that their necessary infrastructure is relatively stable, and aside from needing food and drinking water, there really isn’t much more of a reason to be there. We’ve airlifted more than 16,000 pounds of supplies to the people, aside from that, there really isn’t much else for us to do. We’ve all volunteered to go ashore and help rebuild, move debris, and help the people with whatever they needed, but the consensus is that the damage isn’t great enough to warrant that. But the perception that we’re portraying is that we’re coming to save the day. We’re doing enough, sure, but we can do so much more… Now, that’s not to say that these people don’t need help. However, is a kind deed under a superficial guise still a good deed? Would we have come out here without being under the public eye, without the President letting everyone [and their mom] know that we are willing and glad to help? Granted, I know everyone on this ship, myself included, would gladly jump at the chance to help these people with rebuilding and recovering, but I don’t think it’s something that needs to be advertised in the way that it has. The people are grateful for assistance, but I feel that we are trying to benefit ourselves with a positive public image in exchange for our services. Millions are reportedly left homeless, so let’s put forth all our efforts to assist, instead of just airlifting them trivial supplies. Let us go forth and be true ambassadors of
America. Let us show them the kindness, the compassion, and willingness that we have to truly help them, instead of bearing perishable gifts of well-wishes and “good luck to ya’s.” I say we either go in and do the job that matters, or stop championing half-hearted relief efforts to improve “foreign relations.” .//chris