A Presidential Triple Plea for Haiti Fund

[undeterred]

Source: The New York Times

By HELENE COOPER
Published: January 16, 2010

WASHINGTON — Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton began a new venture on Saturday to raise money for the Haitian relief effort from corporations, foundations and ordinary Americans, as President Obama continued his efforts to ramp up the American response to the devastating earthquake.

The three men who have collectively occupied the White House for the past 17 years stood side by side in the Rose Garden to announce the effort. “We just met in the Oval Office — an office they both know well,” Mr. Obama said. Describing the phone calls he made to the two men in the aftermath of the earthquake, he said: “They each asked the same simple question: ‘How can I help?’ ”

It was a historic moment: Mr. Bush, in his first visit back to the White House since he left office, standing next to Mr. Obama, the man who during the presidential campaign had criticized Mr. Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina. And, standing on the other side of Mr. Obama was Mr. Clinton, whose relationship with the president remains complicated after the bruising Democratic primary campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton — now secretary of state.

But the widespread devastation in Haiti apparently gave the three a rallying point to express their deeply shared concern and a belief in the American spirit of giving. “I know a lot of people want to send blankets or water,” Mr. Bush said. He flashed a familiar grin as he echoed what the relief organizations have been saying for days. “Just send your cash.”




Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/world/americas/17prexy.html

[Demeter]

1. Why am I so Profoundly Unmoved?

Perhaps because these three men could pay for the whole recovery by themselves and still lunch at Sardis.And if they called a half-dozen of their cronies each, they could fix the entire Island. Especially if they arrested the crooks they know.

[bonnieS]

2. or maybe one banker's

bonus could mach everything all of us have already given--I heard a 16 million dollar figure earlier.

[EFerrari]

4. Hell, if they arrested George Bush, the Earth might stop objecting

to his continued presence on her soil.

[blackbear79]

6. Combined Net Worth

Clinton estimated $40m, Bush $30m and Obama $10m. I get your point but $80 million is not paying for the recovery of Haiti.

Don't let your hatred for Bush stop you from donating to the disaster fund.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. "Just send your cash." So have you sent your ca$h, Mr. Bu$h?

:eyes:

[BumRushDaShow]

5. When I read an article earlier today that said "Bush and Clinton"

I automatically assumed Poppy & Clinton, because they have become a father and son team wondering the earth. I was even yelling at my screen about the lack of editing and whatnot and how they meant G.H.W.... until later, I saw a picture on a news site of Chimpy with Clinton and Obama. I promptly fainted. :rofl:

[izquierdista]

7. Taxes

'Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim'. -- Clement Attlee

I'm glad to see the U.S. military helping out. I'd like to see more official government help and less loud banging of the tin cup at the unemployed.

[lobodons]

8. Is it safe for Bush to leave the country?

Kudos for him stepping up in this situation and all, but by definition Bush is an international war criminal.

[undeterred]

9. Maybe he'll be arrested in Haiti.

I can dream, can't I?

[Jefferson23]

10. Scum bag Bush, he has no right to be involved at all, a living disgrace.

From 2004, Pacifica Radio's Democracy Now (www.democracynow.org), French radio and
The Black World Today (see below) are reporting that, contrary to Bush
administration/mainstream reports that Aristide has resigned
voluntarily, the democratically-elected Haitian president says that he was kidnapped by US military and forcibly removed from the country, in an airplace with blacked-out windows, and held incommunicado.

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/03/281954.shtml