Doctors and plumbers rush to offer their services

[emad]

The Independent
By Terri Judd
03 January 2005


Plumbers, builders and doctors have been overwhelming charity lines, offering to travel to areas devastated by the tsunami. In the past week, Britons, and particularly those with origins in the 12 countries struck by the disaster, have offered help.

People have also continued to give, with the total raised so far at £60m, and £50m more promised by the Government. In a further boost, Independent News & Media, publishers of The Independent, has announced contributions of more than £110,000 to emergency relief for the victims of the tsunami.

Sir Anthony O'Reilly, the chief executive officer of Independent News & Media, said: "A disaster of this magnitude leaves us all feeling somewhat helpless. The enormity of it is almost incomprehensible. The agony of it is evident from our screens and our newspapers, and in many cases is becoming increasingly personal to our readers around the world.

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims and those who have been left destitute by its impact. However, we also need to offer practical and immediate aid."

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=597342


WOODY ALLEN'S quip about "not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on the weekend" comes to mind.....

[signmike]

1. Plumbers & Doctors. The 2 highest priced professionals

[Retrograde]

4. and plumbers deserve it

I've done some minor plumbing (fixing faucets, replacing u-bends and other simple things) and having just paid big bucks to some professional plumbers for some major pipe work I gotta say the guys deserved it. It's a messy and necessary job, and as important to civilization as - for example - medicine.

[CBHagman]

2. I had wondered about this.

Given the urgency of getting aid in and handling water treatment and medical crises, I am glad to hear of the volunteer physicians and plumbers. Strange bedfellows and all that, but...

On edit: Get some more people in there with practical skills. Mucky-mucks from various countries (ARE YOU LISTENING, COLIN POWELL AND JEB BUSH?) might prove more of an obstruction than a help at this moment. Better we should get nurses, doctors, and carpenters in.

[librarycard]

3. When considering how little the US is donating

why can't Jeb's trip costs be contributed to OXFAM et al in lieu of his making the trip at all?

I don't understand the necessity of Jeb's presence. It's not as though he has any saleable skills.

[Bono71]

5. Aren't we giving about $350,000,000? n/t

[librarycard]

6. yes, eclipsed by Japan's $500,000,000

Think that $350,000,000 will boost US spending for real aid (as opposed to military aid) above its current pathetic one tenth of one percent of GDP?

[saigon68]

7. Rove is tuning up the IDIOT for a run in 2008

Another (mental midget) lapdog for the NEOCONS

Maybe he's there to score some dope for his daughter??

[0007]

8. Jeb is very suave and savvy!

Jeb's daughter is also very savvy in doctor shopping, much like Rush Limbaugh.