[antonia]

The gun in question is an AirSoft gun. It's a realistic-looking toy that shoots little plastic beads about hard enough to break through a sheet of tissue paper.

Using a prop like that makes it seem, even more, as a set up,a staged scene.

[antonia]

Please don't get me wrong, I am all for aid and helping those who are in need. I just don't appreciate being manipulated, let alone by false pretense. We have had more than enough of that, thanks to our 'free press'. Remember Katrina ? See:

Police Chief Says He Exaggerated Post-Katrina Crime
By CHANNING JOSEPH
Staff Reporter of the Sun
August 21, 2006

and

"If Anyone Rioted, It Was the Media"
February 22, 2006
House's Katrina Report Knocks Early Coverage

or

Media outlets exaggerated some of New Orleans' woes
By ERIC DEGGANS
Published September 28, 2005
It's the story of the moment regarding coverage of Hurricane Katrina: The news media likely passed along exaggerated tales of lawlessness in New Orleans in the storm's early aftermath, repeating accounts of murder, rapes and child molestations often delivered by misinformed public officials and traumatized hurricane victims.

and that was an event right here in America, let alone on the other side of the world.

[antonia]

The gun in question is an AirSoft gun. It's a realistic-looking toy that shoots little plastic beads about hard enough to break through a sheet of tissue paper.
Using a prop like that makes it seem, even more, as a set up,a staged scene.

There is nothing in that picture which convinces me of dire need. They have the time to go protest, they have the time and the materials to make decent signs. Other photos of the destruction; are of homes built with woven palm fronds in to mats that are hung on frames. leaning alarmingly, but are not so heavy as to be that difficult to fix. Clean water, and clean up and basic food is what they may need.