Fear, pain and hunger: The dire impact of shutting down USAID in Africa, leaving a vacuum for China and Russia

Fantine · 2025-10-10T08:06:56-0500

Re: Myanmmar
The thread title, however, has a much broader scope, and the children dying are from all over the world.
When I hear children are dying, I don't go looking for an outlier (Myanmmar) to encourage Americans to ignore their part in this global tragedy.

essentialsaltes · 2025-10-10T08:16:03-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
So Jesus knew how hurtful his words would be for the woman, but told her that she had to change her sinful lifestyle anyway. No different than if I told a gay couple that their relationship is sinful and they need to end it.

Nobody even bats an eye at such typical behavior from some Christians.

Oompa Loompa · 2025-10-10T09:15:27-0500

essentialsaltes said:
Nobody even bats an eye at such typical behavior from some Christians.

Yet a poster on this thread does otherwise in post 127. So your statement is obviously false.

Oompa Loompa · 2025-10-10T09:18:41-0500

Fantine said:
Re: Myanmmar
The thread title, however, has a much broader scope, and the children dying are from all over the world.
When I hear children are dying, I don't go looking for an outlier (Myanmmar) to encourage Americans to ignore their part in this global tragedy.

So what are you doing about the dying children all over the world?

essentialsaltes · 2025-10-10T09:30:04-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
Yet a poster on this thread does otherwise in post 127. So your statement is obviously false.

I don't think so. The quoted material is a description of the caricature of empathy that is promoted among those who believe empathy is a sin, not the actual beliefs of people who think empathy is hunky dory.

Fantine's actual message is that churches should not have a "callous disregard for human suffering:"

Lukaris · 2025-10-10T13:09:41-0500

I have concerns about the US foreign aid cuts but I also have concerns as to what the truth of this matter is. It seems like much of the media reporting indicates that the impact of such cuts is portrayed as the worst thing to happen beyond natural or man made disasters.

Then there is the matter of the void said to be created from these cuts and which nations might try to take advantage of it. China clearly seems likely but Russia?

Even where China has extended its influence, there seems to be situations beyond their control. For ex. In Angola there has been a lot of Chinese investment but there was recent economic discontent resulting in anti Chinese riots. While there was anti Chinese sentiment in Angola over supposed exploitation, the original grievances were over Angolan government fuel price increases & subsidy decreases. Somehow the riots became mostly anti Chinese in their discontent. Whatever the shortcomings of the Chinese are here, I think the biggest negative will be more poverty in Angola.

When things like this happen & are ongoing what would seem to be way out of the scope of US dollars, it seems convenient to explain it all away on Trump whatever someone thinks of him.

Later add, the wiki I read last summer had much more info on the China factor; it seems to have been revised & deemphasized. Anti Chinese sentiment was a major element in the chaos. Pilate’s ghost should ask a lot of know it alls today what is truth?

See:

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/china-under-fire-angola-riots-trigger-mass-exodus-and-factory-closures-5157714

July 2025 Angolan protests - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Fantine · 2025-10-10T13:47:15-0500

Pope Leo's apostolic exhortation points to the need for structural change. As we move globally towards oligarchy, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer--due to governmental policies and an over emphasis on individualism and greed.

My principal focus is our mission program in Guatemala where I sponsor two children and participate in mission trips and our benefits, but i strive to live a life of generosity and kindness overall. I have signed up to be an immigrant ally but the program just got underway.

We give to our churches...but how do our churches use their resources? A church may be our charity, but much goes to buildings and salaries. A non-denominational church in our town rents space because the pastor wants to spend donations on direct ministry. Not many churches do that

Oompa Loompa · 2025-10-10T15:31:39-0500

essentialsaltes said:
I don't think so. The quoted material is a description of the caricature of empathy that is promoted among those who believe empathy is a sin, not the actual beliefs of people who think empathy is hunky dory.

Fantine's actual message is that churches should not have a "callous disregard for human suffering:"

From what I have read, they are not saying that empathy is a sin. Rather that people try to take advantage of other's empathy to manipulate them into accepting sin and compromising their values. For example, being told that if you are not pro-choice, you don't care about women. When people on these forums try such a tactic, I just tell them that I first need to have a heart for them to pull my heartstrings.

Bradskii · 2025-10-10T15:41:55-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
So Jesus knew how hurtful his words would be for the woman, but told her that she had to change her sinful lifestyle anyway. No different than if I told a gay couple that their relationship is sinful and they need to end it.

I have zero interest in what you think about gay people. I'd presume that they feel the same. Whatever it is you think has nothing to do with empathy.

Bradskii · 2025-10-10T15:46:13-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
...I just tell them that I first need to have a heart for them to pull my heartstrings.

Isn't that telling...

essentialsaltes · 2025-10-10T16:09:08-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
Rather that people try to take advantage of other's empathy to manipulate them into accepting sin and compromising their values.

Is that what Fantine was doing in post 127? If not, your last few evasive replies have been off-base.

Oompa Loompa · 2025-10-10T16:46:55-0500

essentialsaltes said:
Is that what Fantine was doing in post 127? If not, your last few evasive replies have been off-base.

She was implying that Christians are lack empathy if they refuse to make compromises to accommodate another's sinful lifestyles. Jesus never done such a thing. Therefore, one must conclude that Jesus lacked empathy.

essentialsaltes · 2025-10-10T16:51:31-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
She was implying that Christians are lack empathy if they refuse to make compromises to accommodate another's sinful lifestyles.

Again, that is the caricature promoted by the anti-empathy brigade with whom she disagrees.

Fantine · 2025-10-10T20:32:50-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
She was implying that Christians are lack empathy if they refuse to make compromises to accommodate another's sinful lifestyles. Jesus never done such a thing. Therefore, one must conclude that Jesus lacked empathy.

Jesus approached people with love. Our deacon, in his Eucharist retreat, described his death on the cross as the ultimate act of solidarity. So fully human that he experienced the very best and the very worst of experiences a man can have.
I found that insight so compelling. What if God became one of us is more than a slogan or a song. He was our brother.
Saying things with unconditional love is very different from rebuking.
Conservative preachers and politicians often come off as rebuking, punishing, hateful. WWJD? What are many of your leaders telling you?

Bradskii · 2025-10-11T01:15:55-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
She was implying that Christians are lack empathy if they refuse to make compromises to accommodate another's sinful lifestyles. Jesus never done such a thing. Therefore, one must conclude that Jesus lacked empathy.

If you say something that hurts another then either:
a) you know it's going to hurt them
b) you don't care if it hurts them
c) you don't know that it hurts them

C is an example of a lack of empathy. It has nothing to do with what you think you might say. Examples of a, b and c are found all too frequently in this forum. C will at least give you an excuse.

Oompa Loompa · 2025-10-11T01:31:17-0500

Bradskii said:
If you say something that hurts another then either:
a) you know it's going to hurt them
b) you don't care if it hurts them
c) you don't know that it hurts them

C is an example of a lack of empathy. It has nothing to do with what you think you might say. Examples of a, b and c are found all too frequently in this forum. C will at least give you an excuse.

D. You know that it will hurt their feelings but you are saying it because their survival is more important. Just like how a doctor tells their patient that they need to make lifestyle changes lest it kills them. Got it.

Bradskii · 2025-10-11T01:36:20-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
Just like how are doctor must have no empathy when they tell their patient that they need to make lifestyle changes lest it kills them.

No, that's not a lack of empathy!

Oompa Loompa said:
Got it.

No, you don't got it. And I'm completely wasting my time trying to explain it to you.

Oompa Loompa · 2025-10-11T01:46:29-0500

Bradskii said:
No, that's not a lack of empathy!

No, you don't got it. And I'm completely wasting my time trying to explain it to you.

Please, explain. Because the way I see it, warning people of their path to eternal Hell fire is far greater than telling a patient they are pre-diabetic and need to eat healthier and exercise more.

Bradskii · 2025-10-11T01:59:10-0500

Oompa Loompa said:
Please, explain. Because the way I see it, warning people of their path to eternal Hell fire is far greater than telling a patient they are pre-diabetic and need to eat healthier and exercise more.

It looks like I was wasting my time telling you that I was wasting my time.

It's quite valuable. Please don't waste any more of it.

Fear, pain and hunger: The dire impact of shutting down USAID in Africa, leaving a vacuum for China and Russia

Dona Quixote

Fact-Based Lifeform

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Fact-Based Lifeform

Orthodox Christian

Dona Quixote

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Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Fact-Based Lifeform

Well-Known Member

Fact-Based Lifeform

Dona Quixote

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Well-Known Member

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Well-Known Member

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

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