ROFL -- Bush plea for cash to rebuild Iraq raises $600

[CatWoman]

By Mark Townsend, The Observer (UK)

An extraordinary appeal to Americans from the Bush administration for money to help pay for the reconstruction of Iraq has raised only $600 (£337), The Observer has learnt. Yet since the appeal was launched earlier this month, donations to rebuild New Orleans have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars.

The public's reluctance to contribute much more than the cost of two iPods to the administration's attempt to offer citizens 'a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq' has been seized on by critics as evidence of growing ambivalence over that country.

This coincides with concern over the increasing cost of the war. More than $30 billion has been appropriated for the reconstruction. Initially, America's overseas aid agency, USaid, expected it to cost taxpayers no more than $1.7bn, but it is now asking the public if they want to contribute even more.

It is understood to be the first time that a US government has made an appeal to taxpayers for foreign aid money. Contributors have no way of knowing who will receive their donations or even where they may go, after officials said details had be kept secret for security reasons.

USaid's Heather Layman denied it was disappointed with the meagre sum raised after a fortnight. 'Every little helps,' she said.

http://smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=22893&mode=nested&order=0

[NYC Liberal]

1. "Every little helps"

LOL....they aren't even TRYING to spin it! :rofl:

[gristy]

2. dupe

discuss here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1804184

[CatWoman]

3. Why can't we discuss it in two forums?

[patdem]

7. You ain't a moderator...get of the moderator pedestal..hey,..they need

moderators..maybe, since you are so concerned..you need to apply?

I am feeling feisty since the march on DC! :grr:

[gristy]

10. Feeling feisty, huh?

Did you also kick your dog when you got home?
As far as applying to be a moderator, I have applied in the past (when I had more time). How about you?

[geomon666]

12. Don't make me use the wooden spoon on you two.

:)

[patdem]

15. If I ask REAL nice...willya? Please? PLEASE?????

[geomon666]

18. .....No

:popcorn:

[patdem]

16. Yes I was a moderator..but I doubt I will be asked back.I am also an

anarchist..we do not make good moderators! Oh..and I do not have a dog...except the one I had cremated who rides with me everywhere in my car..I do have 4 cats...If I were to kick them..they would scratch my eyes out!

[patdem]

4. Catwoman..when I saw that in LBN..I thought they left off the million

and I was about to complain that Katrina only raised 300 million..till I realized it was $600.00 cash...EVEN I have more than that in MY bankaccount!!!! :rofl:

[CatWoman]

5. LOLOLOLOL

Certainly put's *'s "leadership" in perspective, doesn't it?

:rofl:

[PsN2Wind]

6. Wow!! $600.000000 dollars

Probably paid a weeks salary for the person that counted it.

[Skidmore]

8. He'll pry those tax cuts from the war supporters' cold dead hands

before he gets financial support for this boondoggle.

[npincus]

9. Nominated- this is really funny.

I am not familiar with the gov'ts. request re: charity for Iraq. They have their nerve, don't they? (Understatement)

[charlie]

11. If he'll go on TV

and sing You'll Never Walk Alone, I'll pitch in a fiver.

[CatWoman]

13. hey!! great idea!!!

he should do a telethon!! :D

[left is right]

14. You'll Never Walk Alone

I always pitch in at least $5 whenever I hear that sung, $10 if the singer can sustain the high notes. But for this cause you are right it has to be the "First Drunk" or it's nothing

[Mabus]

17. That is about $1 for

each person who benefitted from Bush's tax cut or each real person behind a freerepublic account - take your pick.