In addition to our efforts to try and get more helicopters to the region, we also need to reevalute our strategy regarding saving lives.

As many of us know, there has been a huge effort to provide "shelter" to these victims who have lost their homes. And these shelters have been tents. But we really need to think whether by setting up tents in these areas where there are harsh winters really amounts to helping these people. Given the extreme climate in these regions this amounts to but a temporary band aid type of a solution and though our intentions are good, thousands upon thousands will die. We really need to reevaluate this strategy and come up with a more realistic solution if we are to be sincere in saving lives in the winter.

I believe that one of the solutions is that these tents be set up in warmer areas of Pakistan and these people be evacuated from these cold, mountaineous regions. I don't think we realize how cold it gets on those mountains, and with the rain, snow and freezing winds, thousands are literally just going to perish by the weather alone.

Admittedly, this 'evacuation' response and idea is somewhat too naive and idealistic in the world we currently live.... but may be together it can at least be discussed and at the very least a "thought movement" started. If we can even get a thousand tents set up some place in a warmer area of Pakistan, it will be a few thousand that will be saved from dying. After all, we could never have predicted the earthquake and the deaths from it.... but this is our chance to prevent the deaths that we know are bound to happen in the upcoming winter......

The www.democracynow.org I provided below was an interview with Tariq Ali in Lahore pointing out many idle US helicopters are readily available across the border in Afghanistan. Today, one week later they are being deployed for the relief effort.

Tariq Ali knows where the extra helicopters are -
www.democracynow.org