NNS,
<< What is within our means to help another country? And what can we do that actually help. (Throwing money away at a corrupt government isn't helping impovished (sic) countries).

That said, apparently this question is a waste of time and effort. Even to explain. Is this that hard of a concept?>>

The problem is not with our callous country. ‘In 2019–20, we will provide a record level of assistance of $1.4 billion to the Pacific’. That’s hardly a pittance for a country of 24 million: http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/corporate/portfolio-budget-statements/Documents/2019-20-australian-aid-budget-summary.pdf

I’m not supportive of the view that we can help/love our neighbours by money given through development programs as Australia still deals with a country and it ethical or unethical standards.

For me, a better approach is what I’ve done for many years in sponsoring children through Compassion International, http://www.compassion.com.au/where-we-work/indonesia
Compassion currently sponsors 75,000 children in Indonesia.

World Vision sponsors children and offers humanitarian and disaster support in Indonesia: http://www.worldvision.org/our-work/country-profiles/indonesia

Samaritan’s Purse sent planeloads of supplies to Indonesia in 2018 after the tsunami: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/samaritans-purse-sending-planeloads-of-aid-to-indonesia-to-help-victims-of-deadly-tsunami-694958511.html

Armchair Critic,

<< We should focus on our own lot, and leave others to do the same.

The best neighbours are the ones who mind their own business and don't impose on you. But who, in times of trouble would willingly open their door to help if they can.>>

What a selfish view! We’d be in a sad state if others followed your anti-Good Samaritan view.

Last Monday, a mother with 4 children under age 6 wasn’t coping with pre-natal depression in a Centrelink office. She discovered that, through an administrative error she would not receive paid parental leave payments for 4 months.

She and her husband had just finished moving into their new house. It was in a state of ‘chaos’. She went to Centrelink with her 4-month-old baby and 2 toddlers. She was not coping and burst into tears. Her children had begun to misbehave.

It was then that a beautiful lady did not follow your philosophy but sad down with the kids, gave them her phone to watch shows on and handed the crying mother a tissue.

She didn’t know the issues of the crying mother but also had been a struggling mother herself. She was unknown to the mother but the simple act of a stranger meant the world to the upset mother.

“She didn’t know that I have bad post-natal depression and everyday is a battle and lately it’s been taking a toll.

“She just knew that I was a struggling mum.”
The 2 women have now connected: http://au.news.yahoo.com/sydney-womans-kind-act-for-broken-mum-crying-in-centrelink-114100200.html

I now know of one young woman who won’t have a bar of your ‘focus on our own lot’.

All this virtue signalling is pompous prattishisness given that people don't even know their neighbours' names these days. People are so suspicious of each other that they can't even look you in the eye, or greet you in passing on the footpath. I walk ever day, and always look to speak to people going in the opposite direction. Rarely do people not look at the ground or across the road to avoid a simple g'day.

ttbn,

<<All this virtue signalling is pompous prattishisness (sic) given that people don't even know their neighbours' names these days. People are so suspicious of each other that they can't even look you in the eye, or greet you in passing on the footpath.>>

I wish you would do research before coming up with your personal view, which you've given us here. 'People don't even know'. How do you know? 'People are so suspicious of each other'. Which people?

That might be the way it is for you, but it certainly is not for me. I know and speak to ALL of the people in the street where I live. We can chat anytime we have the time.

You have committed Hasty Generalization logical fallacy with your view that 'people don't even know their neighbours' names these days. People are so suspicious of each other', http://www.logicallyfallacious.com/tools/lp/Bo/LogicalFallacies/100/Hasty-Generalization

This fallacious reasoning demonstrated you drew a conclusion from a small number of people or an alleged group. You didn't provide us with stats to demonstrate your points.

You have given your opinion but it is not based on evidence you supplied.

OzSpen you are looking for fish in a long dry dam asking that poster anything

OzSpen,

"I wish you would do research before coming up with your personal view, which you've given us here. 'People don't even know'. How do you know? 'People are so suspicious of each other'. Which people?"

Do you now? How do you know what 'research' I've done or haven't done?

Have you heard of 'experience'? Do you have any? Or do you just rely on research - and repeating what someone else thinks?

How do I know? Experience. I've been around a good while. How old are you?

Which people? Most people. Not me and people of my generation.

I have " committed Hasty Generalization logical fallacy", have I? You sound as though you have just been put through a jargon generator brainwashing session during a Mickey Mouse degree course at a third rate regional university.

'Evidence' - being, of course, whatever bullshite you have read that appeals to you.

Unfortunately, in these times, people like you are never likely to mature and eventually see the light as people once did after they experienced actual life and reality.