I'm not sure I can take this anymore.

[Mythsaje]

Early today I posted a thread based on an e-mail a fellow author had written me regarding an acquaintance of her's, a refugee from Kenya who's looking for a line to a better job. I told her I'd post his story here in the hopes that one of the fine progressive folks who've so often gone out of their way to help those in need might be willing to help.

I forgot it was a weekend and, for some reason, my posts tend to get no traction whatsoever on weekends. I can live with that when it's just me posting one of my rants. It's not that big a deal. But THIS? I worked with a refugee from Sudan a few years ago--a great guy I've since lost contact with, so I have some idea what kind of things these people are fleeing from.

I didn't get a single response. Nobody bothered. Are we SO fucking wrapped up in the primary wars that the generous and compassionate quality that made this place special is now on life-support, if not rapidly descending into an untimely death?

I mean, wtf?

Here's the thread. At least it got a single Rec and I thank the person who gave it that, whoever he or she might be.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2769756&mesg_id=2769756

On top of it I just read a thread in which someone suggested that an old woman should consider herself lucky that a cop didn't "take a billy club to her withered head."

Seriously? I don't even know this place anymore. I'm more disappointed and disgusted than I can ever remember being since I started posting here. I'm really not sure it's worth the effort anymore. It's more than just the in-fighting. I WISH that was all it was.

Oh, what's the point?

[unhappycamper]

1. It can become quite ugly at times.

I'm hoping things get better after 2.5.2008, but that's just me. :hi:

[baby_mouse]

4. Well, lets hope the sirit of generoisty referenced in the OP lasts that long.

It's long term chances are looking pretty grim ATM.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sandnsea]

3. Maybe no one owns a restaurant

:shrug:

[baby_mouse]

5. "take a billy club to her withered head."

The site is SWARMING with these little monsters and has been for about 2 years. Frankly, I wish they were all just banned.

[teacher gal]

6. my p rayers

and best wishes for the refugee. And the old woman, whoever she is and whatever the circumstance is. I sometimes come to this site begging for attention for our nation's children but I should be more aware of others' concerns as well. I'm giving this a rec and wish I could do more.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. I missed that post the first time it wenta round, as I...

miss so many important posts lost in the flood of of election nonsense and general gaspassing around here. I suppose many others missed it, too. And some will throw this into the immigration mix when they look at it.

There is nothing I can do to help him, and I suppose there are few here who can. He is not looking for asylum, but a better job, and that's not something too many can help with.

[troubleinwinter]

8. I think you're a bit hard on DUers

for not jumping up to produce a job for Henry, having never seen or met him. Not truly knowing what his skills are. Not knowing Kathe or a thing about her or her judgement. Not knowing where Henry is located. It's not possible from reading to know if you even know Kathe personally yourself.

Is the DUer who finds a completely unknown stranger a job supposed to buy an airline ticket? Arrange housing? Transportation?

Henry has been here just 4-1/2 months, and has managed to find himself a job. That's pretty much what most of us do. I can understand that he wants a better job, so perhaps he might try an employment agency? Make applications to local restaurants and bars?

He currently has living arrangements with friends.

I don't understand why you are so angry at DUers, many of whom would like a better job, too. Many haven't been able to get a job at all for some time.

We don't know Henry at all. Maybe if I learned that he lived in my town, I might talk to him and suggest placing applications at businesses and an employment agency, but he seems to be competent enough to do it on his own. He has a phone, e-mail, a job and living arrangements.

I hope all will work out for Henry, but he seems to have the wherewithall to do OK.

[Faux pas]

12. Totally appropriate response. Call me crazy, but I'm more

worried about my fellow Americans who don't have jobs, food or a home. Not that Henry doesn't deserve our empathy/sympathy, he does, but he might have to wait like those of us who have been waiting longer.

[ixion]

9. happy to be kick number five Mythsaje

didn't see the other thread, sorry. don't give up. there are a few old time DU'ers left on the board who agree with you, and I am one those. :hi:

[Wednesdays]

10. K&R

[Joe Fields]

11. All you can do is try. If you get no responses, well, at least you

gave it an effort. Remember, there are a lot of needy people right here on DU.

[Orangepeel]

13. threads that don't have much to discuss don't get a lot of hits

I wouldn't be disappointed if a controversial thread got more responses in GD than a call for sympathy. Of course there is going to be more activity on a subject where there is argument. That doesn't mean that it isn't a worthwhile thread or something worth reading. Just that there isn't a lot to discuss.

If I had seen that thread (which I didn't) and posted (which I may or may not have done), I would have only been able to say, "I'm sorry I can't help, but I'll kick this thread in the hope someone can." If you had posted it in the lounge, the thread probably would have gotten quite a few of those kind of responses. But I don't think that it is disgusting or should be disappointing that you didn't get them in GD.

[applegrove]

14. Many people help refugees through their own church or social action

group. Don't loose heart..we just have election fever.

[IsItJustMe]

15. I have felt the same way many times here. I have posted things that were near and dear to my heart,

something that I thought people should/or would be interested in, and nothing.

I believe it all has to do with timing. Sometimes I notice that a post will sink like a rock. I don't know what algorithm that they use hear to keep things on the front page, but I sure would like to know.

It seems down right mysterious to me at times.


On Edit: And yeah, people do give a damn. I have also had friends from Africa that have made my head spin with some of the things that they went through.