Thomas Sowell: Two earthquakes -

Townhall.com ^ | December 30, 2003 | Thomas Sowell

[joltinjoe]

Iranians should be very wealthy, but their Mullas piss their money away on terrorism. If I were an Iranian I would be pissed.

[facedown]

Sowell bump.

[ElkGroveDan]

Massive bump to the top!

This is what its all about.

[steveyp]

I was waiting for someone to make this observation. Both quakes at 6.5 but death tolls > 25000x different.

Pathetic.

They're living in an islamic paradise.

[OldFriend]

Sorry but his thesis is ridiculous. This Iranian city was built of mud brick a VERY VERY long time ago........is he suggesting it ought to have been levelled and rebuilt to modern specifications?

[CyberCowboy777]

money and power bump.

[HarleyD]

Perhaps if they stop spending their money on nuclear weapons and military hardware and instead put it into other industries they would be a wealthier nation. I guess the author would like us to pay for their industries while they continue to build their military.

[SamAdams76]

is he suggesting it ought to have been levelled and rebuilt to modern specifications?

In a word...yes.

After all, many Americans were living in log cabins just 150 years ago. So what's your point?

[Salvation]

**There is another side to the story of these two earthquakes and their consequences.**

The rest of the story..........


Gotta love that line!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Before Saddam took power in Iraq, it was set to be the jewel of the Middle East.

[Hildy]

Of course. Ever hear of RETROFITTING????

[Fester Chugabrew]

"Wealth is the only thing that can prevent poverty."

"You can observe a lot by watching," too.

[CyberCowboy777]

to save 25,000 lives?

yep.

you might be surprised at the number of buildings up to code in other "old" countries. Of course.....they could afford to rebuild.

also - I am pretty sure most of the building affect were built from the 1920's on. Even the fortress is newer construction on top of old ruins.

[rwfromkansas]

Well, I think the California earthquake struck out in the middle of nowhere, while the one in Iran struck near a major city. That had a lot of impact also.

But, he is correct that the amount of wealth also had a major impact.

[Conspiracy Guy]

That's what we would do. Tear down history and put in a Walmart Superstore.

Like the Taliban did with the giant Buddhas.

[Old Professer]

More likely that the people living there were too poor to live anywhere better.

Now that it is down would you have it rebuilt as it was?

[Conspiracy Guy]

Good point! I often hear by listening.

[NittanyLion]

This Iranian city was built of mud brick a VERY VERY long time ago........is he suggesting it ought to have been levelled and rebuilt to modern specifications?

Were 18th & 19th century American buildings constructed using steel and concrete?

[CyberCowboy777]

This is a good point, I think the big quake of 88? (my dad was in San Jose for that one) makes his point better..

No way that 25,000 people die in a 6.6 in L.A. or SF.