We are a generous nation-to a fault

[franmarz]

I see that Indonesia has told us to get out by March, as we are unloading tons of needed supplies to the people. I think that as a nation, we have given so very much, and many times we have gotten no thanks or acknowledgements of the same. I dont know whether we are a sucker nation of dummies, or a generous nation of do gooders. However, I would like to feel that we have erred on the side of good.

[Vincardog]

1. Indonesia does not want our military to invade their country too. Look what

happened to IRAQ.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Erred on the side of good? Like when we invaded Iraq?

------------------------------------------------------
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[DireStrike]

3. Much has been done to damage our nation's reputation

If I had a country, I wouldn't want any U.S. military forces inside my borders, even those offering relief. That's what happens when your leadership lies*.

*Yes freepers, apply this to Clinton if you want. Nobody with any sense would take that "lie" as a sign of America's designs on their resources and possible intent to invade.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. The American people have erred on the side of good...our government

has not specifically with Indonesia..read the history of Gerald Ford in Indonesia and the mass murders of civilians under Suharto..who was propped up by our govt.

[Lorien]

5. Compared to other countries, we are far less generous

than we could be. And we can hardly call ourselves "do gooders" after the horrors we've perpetrated on over 100,000 innocent Iraqi civilians. I don't blame any nation for being wary of our government's brand of "goodwill".

[Salviati]

6. While it's true that $350 million is not chump change

(Especially compared to what bush first offered... $15 million) To be realistic, this puts us at best 3rd behind Austrailia (~$750 million) and Japan (~$500 million). As far as the amount of forign aid per person normally given, the U.S. ranks 15th using 2002 data. I am not trying to minimize what we do give, but only point out there is room for improvement. There is a widely held belief that we give far more than we do, and this belief is a testement to our good spirit, but when people suggest that we could give more without confronting this misconception, problems can quickly arise...

from http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-generous31dec31,0,379722.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Government aid and private giving, per person, per day in 2002:
Country Government Private
Norway $1.02 $0.24
Denmark 0.84 0.01
Sweden 0.61 0.01
Netherlands 0.57 0.04
Switzerland 0.35 0.07
Belgium 0.28 0.02
Ireland 0.28 0.06
France 0.25 0.01
Finland 0.24 0.01
Britain 0.23 0.02
Japan 0.20 0.004
Austria 0.18 0.02
Canada 0.17 0.02
Australia 0.14 0.03
United States 0.13 0.05
Italy 0.11 0.002
Spain 0.11 0.01
Portugal 0.9 0.001
New Zealand 0.8 0.01
Greece 0.7 0.001

[MsTryska]

7. sucks to be us doesn't it?

we try to give them freedom and democracy (tm), try to buy them with charity donations, try to help them win their wars, and what do we get in return?

bupkes.

[Inland]

8. Well, Bush made sure we wouldn't get credit or thanks we deserve

by having to be forced and shamed into contribution smaller than Canada's.

If we had been quick out of the gate, instead of being dragged grudgingly, then I think there would be the gratitude commensurate with the dollar amount.

[LibertyorDeath]

9. See post 6.

Misinformed is one thing buying the Crap the MSM spews 24\7

is priceless.

"generous nation-to a fault"..... not so much