December 30, 2004
I wanted to comment on the ongoing tsunami disaster. I, aside from the feelings of compassion for the victims and survivors of the Asian Tsunami that we all feel, have some other comments to make on this disaster.
And by the way, check out the Command Post for a comprehensive listing of charities to which you could donate.
Some of the science concerning what has happened is quite fascinating. The Earth's rotation itself may have been affected. And islands around the earthquake area may have actually moved. Some islands, rather than moving, appear to have been swallowed by the sea.
Scientists also are reporting that while there will be aftershocks, they do not anticipate more killer waves. One hopes this is a minor blessing.
And, outside the science of the tsunami there is, as always, the politics of disasters. Much hay has been made concerning the "stingy" comment from Jan Egeland of the United Nations. At the time the comment was made the US had contributed $15 million to disaster relief. At the time the comment was made, that $15 million represented the largest donation from a western nation to date. The US has now donated $35 million to relief. President Bush pledges more money and other aid.
I was stung by the "stingy" comment. As were many others. That comment showed a number of things. First off it showed the insularity of the world in which so many UN officals live. They don't understand anything outside their organization, and they only see the UN as an altruistic world-government-in-waiting that only needs more money from rich countries to solve the world's problems.
The second thing it showed was a stupendous ignorance of how the US appropriates money. In case you didn't know (and I don’t suspect the informed readers of The Jawa Report wouldn’t know this), the President or Secretary of State don't just take money out of the Treasury and spend it. It is appropriated by Congress. It can only be appropriated by Congress. Every year the Congress appropriates money for the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) for disaster relief. Money is also appropriated for other departments to be spend for disaster relief. It is this previously appropriated money that is being spent now. Additional funds will need to be voted on and approved by Congress. And in case commentators didn't know it, Congress is not in session right now. Our nations law-makers (and money appropriators) are on holiday and will not be back until around January 10. This limits the amount of money the United States has to allocate to relief at this point. Why isn't that little tidbit being reported?
Do not fear, we will donate more. We will be the leader in this effort. Just as we always are. In 2004 nearly a quarter of all money given in relief for natural disasters around the world came from the US. We are the largest donor in these situations. We may have been a little slow to act (and even that claim is debatable), but we are in it for the long haul.
And all this talk of relief by governments doesn't even begin to count the millions that will come from normal Americans donating their own money from their own pockets to help those people around the world they've never met, seen, or in some cases heard of before. We are the most generous people in the world, and we rarely get credit for it.
Now I mentioned that we may have been a little slow on the uptake. I believe that President Bush was too slow in making some sort of visible public statement of compassion. I do not feel that the President doesn't feel compassion for the suffering (as was implied by Matt Lauer on the Today Show this morning – Lauer and his guests speculated that the President didn’t care because he didn’t know anything about the region). The President and his staff probably wanted to wait and get more information before speaking publicly about what the US response would be. While that may be a smart move tactically, it was not a smart move from the perspective of image-building. The President should have made some brief remarks sooner and said that details of the US response would be forthcoming.
I do not doubt that the role of the US will be great in this relief effort. I only hope that the full role of the US will be appreciated when all is said and done. That is very unlikely, but I can still hope.
Carry on.
This was cross posted on Nakedvillainy.com
Posted by: Maximum Leader at
10:33 AM
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Are they going to take their ball and go home?
Posted by: Brian B at December 30, 2004 08:21 PM (CouWh)
President Bush most certainly is insensitive. First of all, none of these countries have any 'strategic' or financial importance to the United States, so why should he be bothered? Secondly, it is all second-class citizens and dogs choking away to death in third world countries, so why bother?
Most importantly, a man who is moved would make a spontaneous gesture, not after being coached by his 'advisers'.
I am from one of the affected countries. I dont want your dirty money, take your crumbs. It may be better used in killing off Iraqis in Iraq, so take it. The people who spend $200 billion to kill Iraqis can most ccertainly deliver lectures on generosity.
Posted by: dirtyangel at December 31, 2004 06:14 AM (9axDF)
As for President Bush. First off, if you believe that the affected nations are not strategically important, you need to read a little more. All the countries in affected area are of strategic importance to the US. And secondly, when you are the President of the United States you shouldn't be prone to speaking extemporaneously about events. This doesn't excuse the President in my eyes for not speaking sooner. But I wouldn't intend for him to just get some reporters together and make a statement. While we are talking about leaders and statements, where the hell was Kofi Annan? By my estimation he waited until yesterday afternoon to say anything publically about the disaster. And no one seems to be taking him to task.
Posted by: The Maximum Leader at December 31, 2004 10:55 AM (zHoql)
Everyone knows how the US uses aid as a political lever. Even this blog says aid should be used for 'good pr', cut a neat image with Muslims etc etc, among others.
The US now says it is willing to shell out $350 million. I wonder what 'sudden schooling' was inflicted on the US.
I am hardly a fan of the American people, but I respect American ideals. I was enraged when the US was attacked on Sept. 11, at a personal level. I felt genuine support and empathy for the US. But what does the US do?
It kills Iraqis everyday and sinks $200 million dollars into a lie of a war, and tosses $15 million dollars to 'Asia' as aid. You can take all your blood money and oil money and shove it.
The world doesnt need US money, it needs the US to set an example.
You are hardly able to throw any light on the appropriations issue. Let me do it: suppose a massive tsunami washes across the East Coast one day, a day when Congress is in holiday, will you guys wait it out eating apples and oranges till Congress reconvenes and opens the floodgates of relief funds and moneys?
All that was needed was a gesture. It is only in times of unexpected calamity that the true nature of man is revealed, and who your true friends are.
Posted by: dirtyangel at December 31, 2004 12:50 PM (9axDF)
Cindy
Posted by: firstbrokenangel at January 01, 2005 12:47 AM (D39Vm)
If I put Bush down, I hate America?? It is stupid thinking like this that is keeping a doofus like Bush in the seat of the American presidency. People have voted Bush back, because only then they love America... what a trap!?!
I know Americans are not stingy or unwilling to help. It is the American government that is. And it is Bush that is.
Think about this: The UN calls the wealthy nations of the world stingy, and Colin Powell comes around dancing and howling, defending the United States. Why?
Posted by: dirtyangel at January 01, 2005 02:30 AM (9axDF)
We support our duly elected president because he is elected by the majority of American voters. That is the American way. Saying he is different from the majority of Americans is simple not true. The majority elected him therefore he represents the majority of America.
That is our way. If you cannot handle it, fine.
Stay in your own country and be happy. I'm sure
many in your country and looking forward to our crumbs. They always have.
What if a major catastrophy comes to our east coast? It already did. It is called 9/11. How much did your country contribute? America doesn't beg. We take care of ourselves.
Another jealous little dog?
Posted by: greyrooster at January 01, 2005 03:24 PM (VsBCt)
I don't tag along my President just because he's been voted in by a majority.
If you think doing something like that is good, you need to think again.
And what margin of majority does your president have? Two percent? Three percent? Does it mean that the rest of the Americans are against America itself?
America doesnt beg? It takes care of itself? I sure do remember the time when the US went a-begging around the world cobbling together its murderous 'Coalition of the Willing'. The US was at my country's doorsteps too.
A major catastrophe didnt occur along your coast, a catastrophic attack was directed at two buildings. It is a tribute to Bush's brainwashing propanganda if Americans think that entire coastlines were under attack on that account and have become jittery and paranoid.
Dont ever assume that the rich nations (including the US) *have* to aid the poor nations and prop them up for their very survival. Aid, international debt also contribute in keeping the poor countries down. No one needs aid, and then be looked down upon, as is evident from your post(s). It is better to rot and die in seawater, than to touch American aid money then.
Posted by: dirtyangel at January 02, 2005 01:47 AM (9axDF)
Where is Somalia?? That statement tells how much you know. Frigging dummy can't read a map. Shut up. Take your crumbs and buy a world map.
Posted by: greyrooster at January 02, 2005 06:34 AM (eLjJa)
ernie
Posted by: ernie at January 03, 2005 03:50 AM (ursvs)
Idiot.
I wonder why I wasted my time posting here talking to fools.
Posted by: dirtyangel at January 03, 2005 06:57 AM (9axDF)
Posted by: greyrooster at January 03, 2005 09:11 PM (XioYD)
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