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Wed 29 Dec, 2004 04:39 pm
I hope he has more success than he did with this Iraq "coalition."
He's using this as a way to diplo with all the former cronies.
a coalition? How about some aid NOW????
If this had happenend before the election, the aid would have already been sent.
Everyone is already sending some. This is one of the most monstrous disasters in modern history. Its going to take a lot more than some checks.
There will be an enormous amount of rebuilding.
Quote:The most widely publicized criticism came from the United Nations' emergency relief coordinator, Jan Egeland, who said this week: "It is beyond me why we are so stingy. Actually, foreign assistance for many countries now is 0.1 or 0.2% of gross national income. That is stingy."
Asked about that remark, Bush was prepared with statistics.
"Take, for example, in the year 2004, our government provided $2.4 billion in food, in cash, in humanitarian relief to cover the disasters for last year. That's $2.4 billion," he said. "That's 40% of all the relief aid given in the world last year, was provided by the United States government."
Addressing reporters at the State Department later in the day, Andrew Natsios, director of the U.S. Agency for International Development, offered a similarly vehement defense of the U.S. record.
"We're the leaders," he said.
Bush noted that the cost of the U.S. military response ?- which included sending the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln to the affected area ?- is not included in the overall total.
"It takes money, by the way, to move an expeditionary force into the region," he said. "In other words, we're diverting assets, which is part of our overall aid package. We'll continue to provide assets."
source
Did'ya all heah?? We're spending
American dollars on you lot!! Greenbacks, not Euros or Canuck dollars!! Quit your whining!
The U.S. will, as always, do more than its fair share I expect. As well we should being the international leaders we are.
Um, I read yesterday that out fair share of aid in general is far below that of other nations as far as % of GDP.
...and, we'll STILL be criticised.
too late, too early, not enough, earmarked for the wrong thing, not enough of the GDP <for chrissakes>, the US Red Cross are too uppity, they have BIBLES, they aren't serving ethnically-sensitive meals, why are the bandages white?...
Larry434 wrote:The U.S. will, as always, do more than its fair share I expect. As well we should being the international leaders we are.
Do you ever question what the gov't wants you to think? Because that statement is patently false.
D'artagnan wrote:Larry434 wrote:The U.S. will, as always, do more than its fair share I expect. As well we should being the international leaders we are.
Do you ever question what the gov't wants you to think? Because that statement is patently false.
If people did that, Bush wouldn;t be about to serve a second term.
41 Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. 43 He called his disciples to him and said, "I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."
?- Mark 12:35-44
But, that US portion will buy many widows and children sandwiches...forsooth...
Lash wrote:But, that US portion will buy many widows and children sandwiches...forsooth...
OMFG, you mean they are planning on recycling the dead? Gross!
Chrissee - A mighty welcome addition to A2K. Gotta love a gal that jumps right into the politics threads and lets 'em rip.
squinney wrote:Um, I read yesterday that out fair share of aid in general is far below that of other nations as far as % of GDP.
Actually, the United States is the leader in amount of dollars given, but
last in % of GDP.
In other words.... we're some cheap bastards
Because when you give kabillions, you don't need to give a kabillion kabillions.
<Sounds like a bumper sticker>
So, like, if I donate $100 to a cause and Bill Gates donates $100, we're equally generous?
Ah, kabillions. I was just wondering th other day what came after billion.
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