The "stingy" talk should not be politicised right now.

[Lucky Luciano]

Though it would have been nice if our emporer could have come out with some public statements immediately after the tragedy and got his ass back to DC. It would be a great statement, albeit only symbolic, if he would order flags at half staff. Other countries were really cool to us when 9-11 struck. The emporer seems a little callous right now, although I do believe aid will be in the billions from the US. The help will not come from the emporer's heart - it will be a nusiance to him, but the money will get there.

The $35M the US is putting up now will probably be a pittance compared to what the long range aid will be. France will also put up more as will the rest of first world Europe. It will all come in due time. The situation is still being assessed and money will be earmarked. This is no small project. At no time in recent history have so many nations been so heavily affected in such a short period of time. This will take huge amounts of organization and coordination.

The Swedes may have lost as many as 2000 people that are currently unaccounted for - they are a very generous nation per capita and have felt the pain personally. The Norwegians are the most generous country per capita donating .93% of their GDP each year to efforts like this. France will come through, the UK will come through, Germany will come through, Japan will come through, etc etc. The US - even under our current emporer - who in his heart hates helping brown people, but knows the bad PR he would get if he did not, will even come through. This will require billions. Let us try to get something positive out of this. Let us hope that this can unite the world in its time of need.

[quaoar]

1. You mean we should cut Bush some slack?

Hmmmmm......

Nah.

[Lucky Luciano]

4. no...the emporer is an asshole about this,

I made that clear, but everyone here knows that $35M will not be the final tally for our aid. That is all.

[Skittles]

10. true

and the amount donated personally by American people will be staggering. I think the "stingy" remark has been way overblown by the republican lie machine when what should be discussed is what a pathetic excuse for a leader we have.

[Lucky Luciano]

11. Exactly Skittles...

The aid will get there, but the emporer's leadership during the crisis was sub-par - even for him - that is pretty low.

[Gnaeus]

2. With all of *'s wars

we don't have what we should to give. Not condoning this horrible behavior, but we don't have that much cash that isn't being given to BushCo's friends.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. Disgusting.

We spend so much money on tax cuts for rich people and political pork for Republicans and for killing people in needless wars that we haven't got any left to help people when it's desperately needed. Sort of like if you'd spent all your money and maxed out your credit cards on expensive cars and clothes and vacations, and one day your neighbor comes to your door collecting for the Cancer Society or UNICEF and you shuffle and mumble lamely about how you're really sorry but you're just a bit strapped for cash right now...

[Inland]

3. Too late, as the right wing press goes on a chest thumping rampage

congratulating Bush and America for their generosity.

In my mind, calling the aid announcement what it was--and stingy is about right--isn't merely political. Noting that our head of state is on vacation and can't be bothered even with face time for a message of sympathy and solidarity isn't merely political.

In my mind, nothing is going to "come through" until Bush and Co. are shamed into action by demands by US citizens. It is sad, but true.

[Lucky Luciano]

7. As I said, the emporer is being a shithead about this,

but the aid that comes from the US will be far more than $35M. If it is not, then I will stand corrected. I also made it clear that the emporer does not give a shit, but that he is also in a position where he has to give the money though he will not want to.

So, to complain about the $35M is bad...unless after one week it is still $35M - then BOMBS AWAY.

[bpilgrim]

5. you're right, it should be dealt with VERY SERIOUSLY

and remember $20m of it is only a LOAN :puke:

the more this gets talked about, the more money they will get. i actually hope to see a bidding war break out.

it's a disgrace that the industrialized nations have to be humiliated to take the appropriate actions but i say, by any means necessary :bounce:

peace

[Bozita]

6. Your case is well argued. But, the US lost a leadership opportunity ...

... bigtime!

[Lucky Luciano]

9. I Completely agree!!!!!

The leadership opportunity we had was blown to bits. Most definitely.

[gratuitous]

12. Is that $35 million in direct aid or loan guarantees?

Seems to me it's the latter. Why couldn't the corrupt Bush administration simply have come out with a general statement of sympathy and support, without naming a specific number? First it was $15 million, then $20 million, then $15 plus $20 million. But not in direct aid, but to co-sign for a loan.

Who's lending the money? At what rate? What's the repayment schedule? What if the poor countries and peoples devastated by this natural catastrophe can't make payments? Will their governments have to forego essential services to their own people to satisfy foreign bankers? How far in default would they have to go before U.S. taxpayers got on the hook for the loans? And would we have a repayment schedule, or would we be liable for it all at once? With interest, I presume.

A disaster such as this one should indeed unite the world; the Bush administration hid out for three days before emerging with dollar signs in their eyes.

[Catchawave]

13. Canada's giving 40 million !

Just read the article at LBN.

[Fleshdancer]

14. if calling this admin stingy makes them ultimately give more....

than I'm all for it. This has to be the worst natural disaster of my life time...not just up to now, but my entire life time.

The first news stories about US aid involved only $100,000 to four countries and the discussion of 4 million dollars later. Then it was raised to (I think) 15 million, then 20, and now 35 (with a 20 mil. dollar credit).

From where I'm sitting, it looks as though the constant rise in the $$ amount this early on has been partly due to the balking and disgust of the general public. If this is what it takes to get the humanitarian aid necessary for this situation, then so be it.

[sonicx]

15. i agree. And I'm glad Clinton spoke up for the need of a leader

and the WH getting all pissy cuz they have none.

[SheilaT]

16. Imagine if this disaster had occurred

while Bill Clinton was still President. He would have made some public statement during the first 24 hours, before it was clear how terrible the tsunami was. And he'd have spoken out again some time in the next 12 hours, with assurances of U.S. aid. And by the time 48 hours had passed, planes with relief supplies from the U.S. would have already been on their way, along with a commitment for whatever it would take to alleviate the suffering in the affected countries.

Stingy doesn't begin to describe it.