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The Royal National Lifeboat Institution was set up in 1824 as the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck to save lives at sea all around the British Isles. It is a charity and staffed by volunteers. The RNLI does not discriminate. Every life matters.
If you are at sea around the British Isles and you are taken ill, get into difficulties swimming, or your vessel is in distress, you will probably be helped by the RNLI.
In recent years, desperate refugees from often war-torn countries have often made their way to the UK across the English Channel. Some of those war-torn countries are run by dictators, have been infiltrated by Islamic terrorists and have even been on the receiving end of British and American bombs. Frequently, the people are so desperate to get here that they resort to paying people traffickers to get them across the sea, often in unsuitable vessels, overloaded, open to the elements and with no safety equipment. Every so often, a dead child washes up on the shore. The RNLI is called out to assist, to save the lives of these people.
Of course, the Alt-Wrong aren't happy about these brown-skinned and sometimes Muslim people coming to the UK, with Alt-Wrong football hooligans mounting foul-mouthed and sometimes violent protest at south coast ports.
Alt-Wrong leader Nigel Farage, recently accused the RNLI of being "a migrant taxi service" by rescuing people at risk of dying while crossing the Channel.
Farage's comments are very un-British. And, as the Alt-Wrong often claim, with no sense of irony, all lives matter: one of the RNLI's core beliefs.
From the RNLI:
While the charity does not take a stance on political matters, Dowie said: “These islands have the reputation for doing the right thing and being decent societies, and we should be very proud of the work we’re doing to bring these people home safe.”
The good news is that the decent people of the UK have rallied around the RNLI with donations rising 3000% following Farage's recent stupid signalling.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has raised more than £200,000 in a single day after defending its work rescuing migrants at risk of drowning in the Channel, while volunteering inquiries have almost quadrupled.
If you would like to contribute to the RNLI's good work, please visit their website.
All lives matter, including foreign, brown, black and Muslim ones.
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 31 2021, @10:57AM (2 children)
In an alternate universe, the RNLI caves to their demands. Later on, some Brit capsizes and drowns because they don't respond. The right wingers then complain about how the RNLI is another failed program that needs replaced. Funding collapses as they funnel money to their donors and more people die, while they scream all the while about how someone needs to do something about all the drowning Brits.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 31 2021, @04:49PM
Probably not so much for the East Enders..
(Score: 4, Touché) by DeathMonkey on Monday August 02 2021, @03:44PM
Let 'em drown!
Also, we're PRO LIFE!
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 31 2021, @05:22PM (19 children)
This charity should be commended for rescuing people and returning them to their home countries, irrespective of whether that may be domestic or international.
Agreed.
The charity is not breaking any immigration laws, so it could act as a deterrent for other foreigners who may be less inclined to risk their lives to illegally enter the country knowing that they will be returned home anyway. Some may even decide to go through the proper legal channels to immigrate instead.
What monsters would rather let people drown than allow a charity, funded by donations, to rescue them and return them to their original homes? Unbelievable.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday July 31 2021, @05:52PM (9 children)
The world is full of monsters. I learned a long time ago that just because something is human-shaped doesn't mean it's human anymore. Many, many people have willingly thrown their humanity away, often for nothing more than a few tiny hits of self-righteous dopamine, and to hell with everyone else.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 2) by turgid on Saturday July 31 2021, @07:16PM
Say it again.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 31 2021, @10:34PM (7 children)
>> I learned a long time ago that just because something is human-shaped doesn't mean it's human anymore.
This is a lazy way to dehumanize people who do not share your viewpoint. Friedrich Nietzsche has a few choice words for you.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 31 2021, @11:20PM
C'mon! She's talking abour Nigel Farage! Nobody wants to become him! The man is false and reprehensible.
(Score: 2, Touché) by Azuma Hazuki on Sunday August 01 2021, @02:31AM
No, no, you're supposed to go "sO mUcH fOr ThE tOlErAnT lEfT!"
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 01 2021, @05:54AM (3 children)
Hey crybaby, she didn't specify any particular group, and as we all know there are monsters in every large group of humans. Plenty of democrats, socialists, anarchists, libertarians, communists, christians, muslims, and fuck even buddhists that are monsters. If you feel attacked, or like she was singling some group out, you just might want to do some meditating on that there insecurity. Fuck it, I'll call a group out, Republicans went off the deep end and g-d CELEBRATED one of the worst fuckers around and many of em are still supporting the asshole that robbed them blind and spat in their faces, but he smiled and said nasty things about people you don't like so they took that spit with, ummm, pride?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 03 2021, @08:04AM (2 children)
>> If you feel attacked, or like she was singling some group out
That is as silly a conclusion to draw as to assume that only a black person* would criticize her thinly veiled "Uncle Tom" reference to Justice Clarence Thomas.
*A black person with the wrong opinions, no less, by wandering off the race plantation and daring to vote in a way that Lyndon B. Johnson would not approve of.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 03 2021, @04:53PM (1 child)
Really great retort there /sarcasm
Even your gotchas are kinda racist
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 05 2021, @06:38AM
Those who deliberately take a figure of speech out of its wider context may interpret it that way. Sure. But that's on them. [washingtonpost.com]
(Score: 3, Insightful) by https on Sunday August 01 2021, @02:56PM
It takes a lot of work to dehumanize someone, even Mr. Farage, but he has already chosen to do the heavy lifting for us.
Offended and laughing about it.
(Score: 3, Informative) by turgid on Saturday July 31 2021, @07:15PM (8 children)
You see, this charity does the rescuing part. The "returning them to their home countries" bit is someone else's responsibility. Did you know that some people have the right to seek asylum or refuge in the UK? If they get here, then depending on where they came from and what risks or oppression they faced in their country of origin, they have the right to seek asylum. We'll even give them food and shelter. We won't let them work, though. Not at first. Despite what the Alt-Wrong would have us believe.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 31 2021, @08:16PM (1 child)
Good on the Brits for doing the right thing! Much respect! Now if only you guys could teach some of my fellow Americans how to do compassion properly the world would be a much nicer (and saner) place.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by turgid on Saturday July 31 2021, @10:17PM
Like-minded people around the world need to get together and stand up for what's right. It should be much easier nowadays with the Internet. The human spirit must prevail.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 31 2021, @10:14PM (5 children)
Judging from what I've seen post-Brexit, the U.K. needs all the foreign workers it can get.
(Score: 2) by turgid on Saturday July 31 2021, @10:20PM (4 children)
Yes, and especially here in Scotland where the population is in decline. Want to work? Come to Scotland!
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 31 2021, @11:24PM
I've had offers. Never quite enough to make the risk worth it considering that I like my current job and I'd have to bring everyone else with me. But the tour made the place and people seem very nice (if not unintelligible at times) and the area was absolutely beautiful. Well, beautiful on the days without fog or rain when I actually could see it.
(Score: 3, Funny) by c0lo on Sunday August 01 2021, @12:19AM (2 children)
Did they get over their proverbial... ummm... frugality [celticcountries.com] yet? (grin)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 01 2021, @10:01AM
Never forget about https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2q0T7QXETs [youtube.com]
(Score: 2) by turgid on Sunday August 01 2021, @12:28PM
That's really funny! I especially appreciated the one about the Aberdeen pub. I grew up in that area. Here's one:
Q: How do you kill a Scotsman?
A: Throw 50p under a bus.
Q: How do you kill an Aberdonian?
A: Throw 5p under a bus.
The Scots and people from Yorkshire have a reputation for stinginess, and sometimes it's well deserved. I remember once something I owned broke, and one of my Scottish friends said, "What's the matter, are you too Scottish to buy a new one?" I think the frugality comes from the fact that Scotland has always been a relatively poor country. However, having visited many parts of the UK and lived in a few, the stingiest, meanest people I have ever met have been are from Kent. They're in a league of their own.
I'm working in Scotland again having lived in England for 25 years. Things have changed a lot. Working in Scotland used to be very unpleasant, surrounded by sexist, racist, ignorant bigots and for people with too much of a "work ethic." "Why did you just look up? Get on with your work!" Things are very much better now. I've been pleasantly surprised.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by khallow on Sunday August 01 2021, @04:06AM (4 children)
(Score: 3, Informative) by turgid on Sunday August 01 2021, @12:30PM (3 children)
I dare say being half drowned, hungry and suffering from hypothermia it would be very difficult to attempt to flee emergency services, or even to want to.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 1) by khallow on Sunday August 01 2021, @05:36PM (2 children)
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 02 2021, @07:04PM (1 child)
You get bronze for those mental gymnastics. Do better next time little buddy.
(Score: 0, Troll) by khallow on Tuesday August 03 2021, @05:58AM
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday August 03 2021, @03:21PM (6 children)
"Hello. This is the German Coast Guard. What are you Sinking about?" -- Look up "German Coast Guard Sinking" on Youtube, if you feel so inclined. It's hilarious and a real commercial for a real service.
Just whipping up a bit of a frenzy with your post or trying to make a point? Think of the children? Think of the *insert race here*? Think of the illegal immigrants? Why aren't Russia, China, or India complaining about illegal immigrants?
Russia: expelled, can't re-enter country for ten years.
China: active police action to round up illegal immigrants.
India: likely 2-8 years jail time and fined.
USA: "Think of the children" Debate, debate, debate.
UK: Can't keep them from coming, erect a £7M fence to help keep them out.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_Russia [wikipedia.org]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_China [wikipedia.org]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_India [wikipedia.org]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_States [wikipedia.org]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_Kingdom [wikipedia.org]
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by turgid on Tuesday August 03 2021, @04:59PM (5 children)
Yes, I made some points, firstly that Nigel Farage is an ignorant, stupid fascist xenophobe and racist, that he espouses Alt-Wrong values in public and has tried to make them mainstream. Arguably he has succeeded in getting Brexit and in the ERG takeover of the once centre-right IK Conservative Party. Secondly, his stupid signalling backfired, such that the object of his criticism, the RNLI, received substantially increased public support.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday August 03 2021, @06:21PM (4 children)
Just stirring the pot, then? Is it wrong to voice frustrations about people immigrating illegally to your country? Is it wrong to voice concern that the majority of time you spend is making sure illegal immigrants aren't drowning? In the event that legal citizens of your own country drown due to an accident. When you were instead helping a bunch of people who were trying to illegally immigrate. Is that tragic? Is that wrong? Who's fault is it? Sure would be nice, if the illegal immigrants would stop trying to illegally immigrate. Then again, they are taking the risk of death over staying where they are. So, who is really at fault? Sure doesn't seem to be the people who are providing "a migrant taxi service", because they don't want them to drown. How about whatever crap is happening in whatever country the people are fleeing from? Ah, but the USA/UK/World should keep their hands to themselves and not bother the poor down trodden terrorists/dictators/genocidal maniacs.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by turgid on Tuesday August 03 2021, @08:39PM (3 children)
You see the likes of Farage and his backward and abhorrent views have been given prominence in the mainstream media over the last half decade or so, and I'm taking the opportunity to have my opposing views exposed and discussed here. Thanks Soylent News staff for providing the service, by the way.
It is when the frustrations are with the very people themselves, their "type" (i.e. race and/or religion). It's inhuman and mean.
Yes, they're fellow human beings, illegal immigrants or not, and making sure they aren't drowning is our duty as their fellow humans. Drowning (and death in general) isn't a fitting punishment for any crime, least of all being an illegal immigrant.
I don't know the technical term for it, but that sounds like a straw man or a false dichotomy, and is particularly offensive. You are somehow suggesting that some people's lives are more valuable than others by accident of birth and proximity to birthplace.
See my previous answer. (Hint: yes, it's wrong).
Who's fault is what? Are you looking for a simplistic answer to a complex question?
Yes, well, most of them are absolutely desperate due to terrible conditions in their home countries, and often we are partly to blame due to war and so on.
They're certainly very brave, resourceful and motivated. They sound like the sort of people a business would like to have as employees. They would be valuable contributors to the country in which they landed, surely?
I don't know. They've already got their money...
We're getting somewhere...
A trite and flippant sarcastic statement.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday August 03 2021, @09:50PM (1 child)
Last statement, I figured I was going to get flame-baited at that point anyway, sorry.
Generally, a particular countries' military, coast guard, etc. was created for its' own benefit. Not for the benefit of an invading force and thousands, if not millions of illegal immigrants count as an invading force. Albeit, hopefully a peaceful invading force.
That may suck for the illegal immigrants, but it also puts strain on the limited resources of the country that is being inundated with illegal immigrants.
Those at fault are the illegal immigrants themselves and the dictators, terrorists, and/or genocidal maniacs who are causing the problems. The illegal immigrants were at one point, part of the country they lived in, they should have done something or called on outside forces for help. They didn't do that or it all went pear shaped anyway.
Personally, I think they should be helped, if they can be. There's not a whole lot I could do, because the problem is pretty near 1/2 the world away. The USA does have its' own immigrant problem, but it's essentially in constant debate. The main source of illegal immigration for the USA is Mexico and part of that problem are the Drug Cartels. Still, I could get behind sensible legislation, but usually it's swinging one way or the other. With no middle ground to be seen. Which leaves a lot of people stuck in various forms of miserable conditions.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 05 2021, @04:31AM
What were you expecting? The journal entry is a disingenuous attempt to conflate two separate topics.
It paints opponents of illegal immigration as supporters of people drowning. Ignoring that enabling people to circument immigration law encourages others to take the same risk -- increasing the likelihood of even more drownings.
People who immigrate through the proper legal channels are welcome provided that they obey the laws of the country taking them in. It is unfortunate that illegal aliens from the very start do not respect immigration law.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 04 2021, @05:09AM
Don't feed the trolls. Your point is obvious but they are either unable or unwilling to see it, so they try to baffle you with tangentially bullshit instead.