Bangladesh pledges $1 million aid for US

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7598_1482845,000500020001.htm

Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest countries, has pledged to donate $1 million (euro797,830) for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia declared that the assistance to the United States from Bangladesh was a "token of goodwill and sympathy for the victims," according to spokesman Zahirul Haque. Bangladesh has also offered the services of trained rescuers and disaster experts, Haque said.

[psychopomp]

1. THANK YOU Bangladesh!

When the neediest amongst nations gives twice as much as one of the wealthiest (the gov't of Japan pledged goods and services amounting to about 500,000 dollars) to the most powerful, you know the world is truly upside-down--but I am not complaining!

The kindness and generosity towards the victims coming from both the impoverished peoples of the U.S. and the world is heartwarming!

[tjwmason]

7. Much of Bangladesh is vulnerable to flooding

They know what this is like - I can see why this was their response.

[LynneSin]

13. I think the bulk of their country is below sea level

:cry:

http://www.weathernotebook.org/transcripts/2002/07/09.php

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with over 131 million people living on land that is smaller than the state of Iowa. Most residents live in the coastal areas. Atiq Rahaman, chair of Climate Action Network, South Asia.

AR: With a one meter in rise, about 20 percent of the coastal radius, 70 percent of the countries population will be displaced and inundated. Now, that is serious impact.

That means nearly fifty cities underwater and millions of residents displaced. Resettling so many people would be difficult. Building dykes, as in the Netherlands, could be one mitigation method. But, Rahaman says prohibitive costs and extreme weather in Bangladesh could make such a plan impossible.

[aquart]

2. God, I wish this was a joke.

You know, after 9/11 every demonstration overseas with candles and mourning was sincere and genuine. We were offered nothing but honest hearts.

Now, they're giving money and I feel like they are laughing themselves sick while they do it.

[underpants]

3. Um

I hate to say this but this actually made me laugh. Wow we get aid from Bagladesh now huh?

[Nihil]

8. *Chortle*

That headline would have been written off as "off-beat humour" a few
years ago ... now the joke is, umm, elsewhere?

"Team America, f*ck yeah!"

[goclark]

10. Bush should be ashamed to receive it

To think that a country that needs it so badly would be kind enough to offer.

That really makes me hurt to think what our country has come to- all this money into Iraq and we can't take care of our own people.

[roguevalley]

31. Bangladesh has a heart of gold to do this. They are so damned

poor. God/Allah bless you, Bangladesh.

[TrogL]

34. Dubya already was ashamed to receive aid

Rather than let Canada send resources, he decided to stand on the "rugged individualism" meme and let people starve.

[smirkymonkey]

25. I know it's pathetic that we are supposedly the "richest, most

powerful country in the world" and yet countries like Bangladesh are offering aid money (which is nice of them, don't get me wrong) because our own fucking government can't or won't properly address this disaster.

Funny how we can always come up with tens of billions for the goddamn quagmire in Iraq though.

[lebkuchen]

4. How much aid has Bush pledged to Bangladesh in the last 5 years?

Anybody know?

[djack23]

5. We should accept and then send the money right back

It is a lovely gesture. :-) However, they are a really poor country and money should not be transferred to our country from them for this. We should accept and then send the money right back.

[psychopomp]

6. Yes, you are right

we cannot really accept their money. It is just so frustrating to know that our own Fed cannot be relied on to provide anything near adequate relief for the victims of this disaster.

[Nihil]

9. That would be the right thing to do except that ...

1) You need the money (well, New Orleans citizens need the money)
2) If it did get returned, you just *know* it would be reported as
a "million dollar handout to a Third World nation".

Mind you, maybe that's how it's being reported now ...?
:evilgrin:

[LynneSin]

11. We love you Bangledash but you should keep your money

Because believe me - next flood you have and we'll barely give you a piddliance of money to help out those who are affected. But that's only because our government sucks. Let's hope your next major flood happens with a democrat in the White House or better yet - let's hope it doesn't happen at all!

[NNN0LHI]

12. Just let Bush suggest more tax cuts for the wealthy after this n/t

[Massachusetts]

14. "Bangladesh pledges $1 million aid for US"

Thank you Bangladesh.

Its not Bu$hco that they see, its the American citizens that are in crisis.

Bye, bye RETHUGLICANS!

[arwalden]

15. What Percentage Of Their GNP Is That?

I'm guessing that this donation is MUCH MORE MEANINGFUL than we might expect.

[nsd]

24. Bangladesh GDP = $60 billion /nt

[napi21]

16. I am ashamed of my Country for even considering accepthing this!

That poor country really can't afford it! I say tell Ken Ley or one of Shrub's other rich buddies to offer the Million in place of such a poor country's generosity!

[Orrex]

20. This could be a tricky moment of diplomacy

It strikes me as a potential insult if we snub this incredibly generous gift of aid.

I think it would be better to accept the gift and apply it immediately, and thereafter to repay it several times over as grants to Bangladesh.

The generosity of such a historically impoverished nation is truly humbling.

Thank you, Bangladesh!

[acmavm]

17. The United States of America has never been at such a low point

as when poor countries such of this are offering to send us aid because our worthless government isn't up to the task of taking care of people in our own country.

I hope Dick enjoys his new mansion, Condi loves her new shoes, and John McCain's birthday cake was damn good because those people sold thier souls for those worldly goods and good times.

[napi21]

18. I am ashamed of my Country for even considering accepthing this!

That poor country really can't afford it! I say tell Ken Ley or one of Shrub's other rich buddies to offer the Million in place of such a poor country's generosity!

[Boomer]

19. From one third-world country to another

Sounds like the global community sees us for exactly what we are now, as opposed to the glory days of yore.

[progressivebydesign]

21. Thanks Bangladesh. But, dude, feed your own people first. n/t

[Minstrel Boy]

23. I dunno. That kinda money could build a nice porch for Trent Lott. n/t

[mod mom]

22. THANK YOU KIND people of Bangladesh. Your generous gift is truly heart

felt, unlike the empty souls that run our country. PEACE!

[nsd]

26. Let's be careful not to patronize

While I realize the people who want to refuse the gift or give it back are well-meaning, I think it's important not to be patronizing or tell Bangladeshis what's best for them. It's not for us to say what Bangladesh can or cannot afford. It's not a child that needs us to look out for it; it's a real country with a real government, run by adults.

The Bangladesh government, which has an annual budget of over $8 billion, has decided it can chip in $1 million (or just over 0.01%) for the common good. Excellent. We should just thank them for their generosity. Bangladesh doesn't always have to play the victim or the one in need; sometimes they get to be on the rescue team.

[Benhurst]

28. I agree.

[Skittles]

30. yes

they have seen on TV what we have seen and are appalled - I think it is a very sweet, humane gesture.

[Laughing Mirror]

27. The poor helping the poor as it always is

"This is working very well for them."

[DoYouEverWonder]

29. In a way this is really sad

When one of poorest countries in the world has to send financial aid to the US.

Thank you Bangladesh.

[angryxyouth]

32. Thank you Bangladesh

But it is bad enough that the majority our own money will end up in the pockets of the Bush cronies and not for victim relief. Take care of your own. 50% of our population got us into this mess, now the other 50% will have to get us out of it.

[PATRICK]

33. I can't let this one pass

Richard Nixon upon the creation of the new state of Bangladesh, none of those "unpleasant" liberation sagas sneered about helping it out, calling it a "basket case" because of it being a massive overly populated and poverty stricken flood plain.

A basket case, his exact words.

Who is the basket case now with a nation ruled by incompetent, savagely ruthless frauds magnifying human suffering in this country like some plague out of hell?

Why are these people allowed even by their "allies" to still squat in their offices?