(Warning Confronting Picture) The Power of one Picture

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I checked my Facebook account this morning and came across an English article. The article itself was no different to that we see in Australia about boat people. A real issue worldwide and an issue that generates a multitude of differing stances for most people depending on what side of the political and moral fence you sit.

HOWEVER, no matter what, the one picture that moved me beyond any first world attitude or uninformed preconceived ideas was the one that follows. There are no words, there are no excuses, no finger pointing and no political point scoring messages. Just a harsh reality of how sad this is. For the record, I am a liberal supporter, I can live with the Australian government's position on turning back boats, BUT nothing changes the reality we must accept more desperate people than we currently do. As a fortunate Australian that pays a lot of tax I would rather contribute to the ultimate well being of 100 refugees over the scum that abuse the dole system. I wish I could turn back time for this young life, but cannot. Hopefully such images will move enough people to make sure this does not happen again.

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

Well that hit like a freight train...

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

A change of pace for mlc, good onya. I've posted it on facebook. Let's see how long before it gets removed.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I think these types of pictures have been "not made public" for most of my life. Social media has changed what is acceptable and what reaches the general community. I admit I have stared at this picture for a longtime with the same thoughts and no answers. How do I save him? why has this happened. I really don't know how it affects others but it will effect every aspect of my remaining time on this planet. How I vote, what I donate both time and money to, what is important and what's not.

You have summed it up Spilsy, unfortunately the train keeps hitting me and I suspect it will have the same effect on anyone that does not simply look away to pretend it does not exist.

[Ages Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ages]

i have a little man about this age, and this is devasting, angering and saddening all at once.

[RanJ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close RanJ]

I've never taken a political stance on the boat people for so many reasons. Reasons that 100% justifiable for one of the two sides. The biggest reason against the boat people (please keep in mind I have just as many reasons FOR the boat people) is that it's a choice.

But that little fella had absolutely no choice in the matter.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

http://www.theladbible.com/articles/...es-into-the-uk

This is the original article.

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

I also have a boy the same age, and when i saw that picture, all i could see was my boy... and it hurt like hell. I've worked in Border Protection Command and have dealt with boat people first hand. I hate to see people in this situation, but as RanJ says, they made a choice to get on a boat and try to get to a country of their choice, rather than get to the nearest country of safety or a refugee camp. As horrible as those conditions are, at least the boy would still be alive.

It's easy to say these things from the comfort of our lounge rooms, but i'd encourage anyone who feels compelled to act beyond re-posting to Facebook, to donate to the Red Cross or similar humanitarian organisations. Also, lobby your federal government representative to take firm and decisive action against any of these vermin who travel from Australia to fight with any terrorist organisation.

Keep in mind, these pictures are not an isolated event. Every day there are kids this age in many countries around the world who starve to death, are beaten to death, sexually abused, or abandoned by their parents. This event just has the media's attention at the moment.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Very often we forget that there are real people and real suffering behind the headlines and the 3 word slogans. I'm with MLC. We should accept more than we do. I'm all for screening and making sure only genuine refugees get in. I just think we can do it in a more humane way.

I've got 3 kids. I know that if it was a choice between getting on a boat or having them being bombed,executed,raped. I know which I would choose.

I came across this video from save the children the other day which I found not as confronting as the OP, but still equally powerful. We worth 1:30 of your time

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Reminds me of the video shown during the fall of Saigon that featured the naked young girl running down the road (for those of us that are old enough to remember this live). It has been shown many times since. However, in recent years the media have decided to not show us the grissly bits from various parts of the world. They sanitise what we see and as a result generations grow up wrapped in cotton wool. No wonder the current lot have no respect for other lives.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

.... to donate to the Red Cross or similar humanitarian organisations. Also, lobby your federal government representative to take firm and decisive action against any of these vermin who travel from Australia to fight with any terrorist organisation.

Keep in mind, these pictures are not an isolated event. Every day there are kids this age in many countries around the world who starve to death, are beaten to death, sexually abused, or abandoned by their parents. This event just has the media's attention at the moment.

Seems I have had quite an eye opening day. I was discussing the picture with a Sri Lankin work colleague who told me about his first hand experiences. He suggested I sponsor a child, not dissimilar to a general theme developing on this thread. He too felt powerless and even knows of abuse of the current immigration policies where the wrong people are claiming spots. His answer, he also sponsors a child through world vision. So i guess that's my starting point, but NOT where I stop.

[Joe Lighty Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lighty]

This picture hit me hard also, as I've got two young boys around the same age. There is no easy answer to a situation where people are just trying to desperately find a better, safer life for their family. Devastating.

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

If the Australian people really knew the truth about our asylum seekers and their personal stories, rather than the careful management of information released to the media, I believe we would collectively have a very different opinion.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

If so many people are leaving why don't they stand united and over-throw their own governments for a better life? Oh, what's that you say, they don't have guns. People power surely could make a difference. Or heading for Germany is seen as the easy solution.

[REN470 Member Find all posts View Profile Close REN470]

If so many people are leaving why don't they stand united and over-throw their own governments for a better life? Oh, what's that you say, they don't have guns. People power surely could make a difference. Or heading for Germany is seen as the easy solution.

There not running from their Government, we (the West) helped overthrow them and now ISIS is butchering their way across Syria - doh!

Maybe what we should do is mind our own business - The West isn't perfect when it comes to knowing whats right for other countries.


It's very sad but kids are dying every day, here in our own country, I say look after them first and when we have utopia then help other countries