to the morning.

of America. Thanks.

You won't see something like this on American TV either.

Republicans tout "freedom," which to them, means no government charities.

Disclaimer: I use a different definition.

--imm

The guy does not promote the profit motive or the all mighty dollar.

done.

Makes a grown man cry.

Last edited Thu Apr 10, 2014, 09:12 AM - Edit history (1)

give this more recs...

Sometime we get so demoralized trying to make changes for the better. It is easy to lose heart and give up. That is when we need deeper understanding the most.

...if this were done in the U.S., showing this same kind man praying to a cross, say, then it would imply, would it not, the conservative message that religious charity (and those who, out of faith, are charitable) should take care of everything for us? That the government should not be involved even in schooling children? That everyone who wants their kids schooled should pay for it, and if they can't, well, then it's up to those who want to fund their education to get them educated?

Because when I saw this video the one thing that hit me was...why isn't that child being educated and fed by the government? Why does that mother and her child have to beg? Is there no public housing for her? Food stamps? Anything like that?

So, no, I would not want to see this video, as is, in the U.S. It sends a good message--but in that the "surprise!" is the little girl getting an education thanks NOT to the people of her land wanting her to get one, but from one man's charity...that doesn't seem quite the right message. I *do* want to see a video urging people to be kind and good and think of each other. But I want one which also says that even those who do not help the old woman with her cart or feed the lost dog pay their taxes and are happy to do so. Because they know it will feed and house those who are in trouble or have lost their homes in a disaster, because they know that money goes to making sure they have untainted food and clean water and healthcare, because they know that money will be used to educate ALL its citizens.

Because they know that helping others alone, giving a little out of your wallet to the beggar, is not enough if you want everyone in your country to thrive and be the best they can be.

The video has a wonderful message as is, and I don't begrudge it that. But one like it in the U.S.? You're wrong if you think conservatives would hate it. They'd love it. It sends exactly the message they want to send. Charity is "good for the soul." So get government out of the "charity" business. Let the poor find charities or charitable people if they want food, education, healthcare.

It promotes private charity. No government assistance.

--imm

So when the mood strikes someone to help another, they'll have more money to do so. If ti doesn't well, meh. Moonwalk covered it much better than I did.

The government to ensure availability and consistency, the individual to help those who might still fall through the cracks.

I brought it up. You have to know your "enemy" and the fact is, this video would absolutely delight the "cut food stamps" and "privatize schools" crowd. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some Libertarian site is playing it now, saying what a great message it is. Remember, they're the ones arguing that food given to children by the government is "bad for the soul." It needs to be stopped and replaced with private/religious charities that are good for the soul.

As this video appeals to our view that selfishness is it's own reward, we tend to miss the other side of it. Which is that the little girl is not getting a free education, and that the video doesn't argue that she should. To the contrary, it implies that if the girl was being educated on the government's dime, that man would have never had the joy of helping her out, and she would not have had the benefit of having to "work" for that education and so value it.

I know it comes across as a beautiful message about kindness and generosity, but it's most powerful moment is that of the little girl getting an education thanks to an individual's charity. That should give us pause. This reads to me as a Trojan horse. What we want to hear and see on the outside, but a vehicle for the enemy on the inside.

But if I could seriously spend the rest of my life as this protagonist is portrayed I'd want for little else.

My son considers me 'too sensitive', which in his eyes it a bad thing for his father to be but I take it as a compliment and think at what age he will also.

and then be able to help so many people with it. One of the most frustrating things in my life is that giving of myself isn't enough ... I can't provide the opportunities that so many around me need to make their lives better and give them a good future. It would be divine to be able to fill food pantries and give the help to so many who are down on their luck and get them over the speed bump. I could go on and on - silly me ... but I won't give up on dreaming.

Just seeing that sweet face made me smile (inside & out) at a success.

and the Thai people are so very warm and wonderful. This video represents them well and truly.

in his 20 years in the USAF. Thailand was his favorite post. He still talks about it today, over 40 years later.

People told me that 3 to 4 days in Bangkok were enough as it is just a large, smoggy city. I followed their advice (great city and not smoggy in January at least) and regret it except that the day after I left to go up to Chiang Mai was the day (Monday) that the big demonstrations started in the city.

I stayed in the walled old city part of Chiang Mai which was very nice and very friendly and did not seem like a large city at all while Chiang Mai itself is the second largest city in Thailand.

I loved the Sunday market in Chaing Mai and the $5 massages and the temples and .... .

Many people "winter" in Chiang Mai from around the world. I met many Americans who spend their winter in Chiang Mai (as opposed to Florida, I guess). While Thailand is not a inexpensive as Bali or Vietnam, you can get by easily speaking only English as in the tourist areas, everyone seems to speak English (which isn't true of the locals in Bali or Vietnam!!!!)

I want to go back and spend October through January in Thailand and Vietnam.

all should reach for and aspire to the betterment of those around us

even though the destitute mother should not have to be begging for school funds for her daughter. True enough, we may not see that in the U.S., but school districts have been economically hammered for years in this country.

Otherwise, does not our culture have opportunities to water a tree, help an older woman carry (or push) a load, feed and adopt a stray animal, drop off some fresh fruit to a senior citizen who may be isolated, and give up a bus seat?

YES!

It does make me sad to see that the Mom and girl have to beg for money for an education, but overall the message of kindness towards others is a good one.