Come off it, we both have extensive experience of Asia and the fact is life is cheap. Roma beggars on the streets of London are nothing compared to the systemic misery in Asia, there is just no comparison. Name anywhere in Asia where they pay welfare benefits.
I am not putting myself up as an apologist for China or for anywhere. I was asked for my opinion which I gladly gave. Two points I thought were evident. First Man has about him little charity and leaps to point the accusing finger in an attempt to steer the spotlight from himself. We have been fed, for generations, the belief that the 'west' (WASPs) has the right to set human and humane standards and that little brown, yellow and black people must look to us for guidance.
That is patently untrue. Our history is no better than that of any nation(s). Our morals are no better and often considerably worse, that other societies, our respect for life is at least as bad as other peoples.
Second, in a predominantly agricultural country, where child mortality is high, standards cannot be as they are in the west. We can work towards those standards, but I doubt we will ever achieve them.
You cant say that life is cheap in China. Mothers shed the same tears. Fathers drive themselves into the same ground in an effort to improve the lot of their families.
We are no better than the worst of them. We deny slavery, but practice it. We deny cruelty, but practice it. We deny immorality yet lead the world in the production of all things immoral.
Eighteen people walked past that little girl. We can only guess at their reasons. Hundreds walk past the Roma child slaves in London every day. Hundreds walk past the guy in Philidelphia whose only home is in the shelter of a bridge.
We are no better than those eighteen. The shame of that little girls life and death is to be equally shared.
Remember that when you point your finger the other three fingers point back at you.
