Report: U.S. to Increase Tsunami Aid to $350 Million

http://reuters.myway.com/article/20041231/2004-12-31T175516Z_01_N31255054_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-QUAKE-USA-AID-DC.html

Dec 31, 12:55 PM (ET)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States plans to increase its aid to victims of Asia's devastating tsunami to $350 million from $35 million, CNN reported on Friday.

Tsk tsk.

At least it happened!

Bush has pledged financial support over and over and then when the media walks away from the story, the financial support withers up and dies. I won't believe the money actually makes it into anyone's hands until I see the cancelled check.

as a tsunami barrier.

Just his next step in his undeclared war on nature.

with that. I'd say a letter to Senators every week until the money is actually given and it's a done deal, might do it. I know its a lot of nudging, and we all have busy lives, but we have to follow through.

This seems to be the real story behind many of those pledges.

>> ...

Bam's 6.6-magnitude quake came a year to the day before the much more powerful 9.0-magnitude quake that struck near Indonesia on Sunday, causing massive waves that wiped out coastlines in 11 nations around the Indian Ocean, killed tens of thousands and left millions homeless.

U.N. officials are saying the region will need the biggest international relief effort ever seen -- surpassing that for Bam.

But one of Bam's lessons is that pledges do not equal cash. Iranian officials have complained that of the $1.1 billion in aid promised by foreign countries and organizations, only $17.5 million has been sent. Most of the $415 million spent so far on reconstruction has come from government coffers. ...

<<

http://tinyurl.com/5d28l

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-tsunami-bams-experience,0,5435356.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

I would bet it will be with strings, a la AIDS funding for Africa.

This administration reneges on its promises of funding for its own citizens. Why would we expect anything different for a foreign country?

This is not a "defend Bush" post, but rather a "defend American generosity" post. It was rather obvious that the initial $35 million was merely the first wave of monetary commitment from the US. In fact, I'm sure the US gov't contribution will rise far above the now-announced $350 million. Would it have been better to just say, "Okay, here's $10 billion. Go spend it!"? Obviously it takes a little time in these situations to assess which areas were most affected, what type of aid is needed in which area, etc. I actually prefer that our aid organizations assess all the areas hit prior to disbursing funds. This ensures that those who need it most get the most, and get it quickly.

Why did bunkerboy and his spineless heartless gang of criminals wait FOR 3 DAYS TO MAKE A FUCKING STATEMENT?!?!?! That "costs" nothing but an ounce of compassiona and caring beyond one's self and political strategizing.

They could have pledged "whatever it takes" - that would have been a good start.

Notice how fast they drop 80 BILLION here and 80 BILLION there at the drop of a hat for their pet project - the illegal Iraq slaughter.

Yeah - the American People may be generous - as prooved by the 500 million in INDIVIDUAL donations so far starting IMMEDIATELY after notice of the disaster - but this gang of shits currently in charge of ALL BRANCES of our government have once again shown the shits they are for all the world to see.

I'm not defending Bush or his actions. He was inexcusably late with both words and actions, but I never doubted that the final amount of aid the US would send to afflicted areas would dwarf the initial $35 million. In addition, I have no doubt the final amount of US gov't aid will vastly exceed $350 million.

The contempt that bush & America - the face of America now that 51 million idiots put him there with the help of Diebold - has shown in this tragedy speaks volumes.

I am NOT proud of America under this dumbass.

You are defending him by you words.

Bush = America since the last election.

I'd like to see what the final official US "government" contribution will be - I doubt it will reach what he says.

I only have their records to go on.

I am not willing to give them the benefit of the doubt - EVER.

By your logic of Bush=America, we are all like Bush. Because after all, what is America but the American people? I'm not defending Bush, I'm defending the notion that America is still a generous nation when other nations are in need, regardless (and sometimes, like now, in spite of) of who is in the White House. I think the $350 million of gov't funds, plus the money raised via private contributions, bears that out, and I believe we will disburse much more than the $350 million. If I'm wrong a month down the road I will admit it. That's not giving Bush the benefit of the doubt, that's giving the U.S. the benefit of the doubt.

Whether you like it or not or wish otherwise.

I will seriously doubt ANY and EVERYTHING this criminal ever says.

You could bet your life on the opposite happening.

Individual Americans have a generous heart.

The US - as represented by bunkerboy - does not - and the US will not get any benifit of the doubt as long as these thugs are in charge.

Yeah, I notice all the Neo-cons saying no wait, we're about to increase the amount by all so much. Unfortunatly the "liberal media" reported the following:

Bush under fire for slow response and small aid:
New Kerala, India - 11 hours ago

Are we stingy? Yes
International Herald Tribune, France - 19 hours ago

US is 'stingy' - NY Times
News24, South Africa - 21 hours ago

NYT calls US aid for tsunami 'stingy'
Times of India, India - 22 hours ago

The stingy giant
San Francisco Chronicle, CA - Dec 30, 2004

The US really is ‘stingy’ in giving development aid to poor ...
Newsday, NY - 8 hours ago

AMERICANS STILL GENEROUS; AMERICA INCREASINGLY LESS SO
Yahoo News - 13 hours ago

Repuke spinners missed the (swift) boat (lies) on this one.


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but the amount... just after the others upped their giving vastly... seems more to after the fact try to play the "we give more than everyone else combined" game.

That said, I am glad that we are finally giving serious aid.

It was rather obvious that the initial $35 million was merely the first wave of monetary commitment from the US.

Isn't that what Colin Powell claimed during his interview with George S.?

Hm.

Why, yes. It was.

Those were his exact words...

Days and days after the tsunami hit.

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Okay, when the 'crack-truck' drives through your neighborhood this afternoon, tell them "no thanks", you've smoked enough.

$35M?!??! Come on!

When the inauguration/corronation event costs more than your relief fund to the single largest natural catastrophe in this lifetime, that says alot, and should never EVER be defended on any level.

And, yes, you seem to be defending them. You had to know that this reaction would happen here. Asking if your last name is 'Coulter' is actually accurate - in that Ms. Coulter was expressing your same views just yesterday.

I have no idea what Ann Coulter said regarding the tsunami, aid, etc. The last time I heard anything she said was when she appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher a month or so ago. You, on the other hand, seem keenly interested in listening to what she has to say.

I listen, I read, I subscribe to different publications because I like to be informed and eduated on all sides of issues. I listen to Rush. I listen to Coulter. I'd be willing to bet that most people here listen to them, as well. Sure, it makes our blood pressure skyrocket, but being educated on all viewpoints is just part of being an asset to civilization. If you are somehow offended by this, I'm confused. I was merely trying to point out that a reference to your Coulter-esque ideology was not, in any way, a stretch of the imagination. And, if you were being snarky with you "you, on the other hand" remarks - it takes alot more than rudimentary rhetoric to flare my gills.

That believing in the generosity of America was Coulter-esque ideology. Sure, I occassionally listen to/read RW sources. I like to hear both sides of a debate. However, Coulter is not someone I would listen to if I was interested in hearing a well-thought-out position. Anytime she speaks all I hear is "Liberals bad, conservatives good."

amd not US $ 35 million!!

Then Canada pledged US $ 40 million.

Bush had to be pushed and shoved.

But watch carefully whether any of this will reach the people in need!!

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

I don't think Bush announced anything. I think it was the WH spokesman, but I could be wrong. I think Bush stayed in seclusion until Tuesday(?). However, as I've stated, I still believe that we Americans are a generous people, and regardless of who is in the White House, we would send a substantial amount of aid. And as I've also already said, I doubt the $350 million will be the final amount of aid we send. I'd put money on a total of minimum $1 billion. Maybe I'm naive, but I still believe in America.

somehow EXCUSES him from the pathetic inadequacy of that pledge? So Bush has turned over running the country to a "WH spokesman"? Come on, you can come up with a better excuse for your hero than that. Perhaps blame Clinton somehow. Oh, wait, that was already tried.

Explain please the "logic" of equating support for Bush with "believing in America"? While Bush was off riding his bike or getting drunk or whatever that despicable excuse for a human being was doing, some of us had already made personal donations to relief organizations. Oh, but excuse me for offending your "belief in America" by criticizing the narcissist in chief.

First, I didn't say it excuses him. I was implying that he didn't even bother to announce it himself.

Secondly, I'm not equating support for Bush for believing in America. My point is that in spite of Bush, I have faith that America will do the right thing.

Lastly, I too have made a personal donation to charity to go towards the relief efforts.

You seriously need to calm down.

Bush's arrogance and insensivity puts all Americans at risk by further engendering hatred of the US in the Muslim world. It was Bush's choice to portray all of America as greedy insensitive warmongering bastards. Bush is the face of America to the rest of the world.

This isn't about Bush bashing. This is about the very security of our country. The world was watching and waiting, and Bush was too busy vacationing to even make a single phone call or public statement for more than THREE days. He blew it. Open your eyes and read what was said about Bush's pitiful failure to respond in the international press.

You can "believe in America" whatever the hell THAT means, as much as you want, but it does not change the growing hatred of Americans in the rest of the world, most notably in the Muslim world.

When you don't misinterpret what I say. Hopefully Bush will learn from his inept response to this disaster, and if a catastrophe hits the Middle East he will react faster so as not to stoke anti-Americanism. You do realize that we aren't hated in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia? My sister and her husband just vacationed in India and Thailand during Thanksgiving and they had a wonderful time. In addition, apparently there are roughly 3,000 American tourists unaccounted for from the disaster. If anti-Americanism is so strong in that area of the world, what were thousands of Americans doing vacationing there? I would venture to say that for those who truly hate America, nothing we do would be enough to stem their hatred. Sort of like those that are so blinded by their hatred for Bush that they fail to recognize a good deed by the US when they see it. They always say, "It's not enough, it's too late, etc.".

where the vast majority of the population now has an unfavorable view of America. This represents a drastic shift in public sentiment against America since Bush took office, so it is completely unfair to write off these people as America-haters who aren't worth our efforts.

The swing was even sharper in Indonesia, where Islamic radicalism has been rising since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

While 75 percent had a favorable opinion of the United States in 2000, 83 percent now have an unfavorable view. Similar levels of animosity hold sway in the Palestinian Authority and Jordan.

In fact, feelings are so intense in the Islamic world that Osama bin Laden was chosen by five Muslim publics - in Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan and the Palestinian Authority - as one of the three political leaders they would most trust to "do the right thing" in world affairs.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0603-14.htm

Make that India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka don't hate America. Good morning, by the way

spelling edit

make a public statement regarding his heart felt empathy.

Hook line and sinker my friends...
and a .5 acre lot of swamp land for the 'obviously' challenged.

What you're getting at here so I refrain from responding

Talking about laundering money

we drag Bush kicking and screaming into doing the right thing. I'm glad. This disaster is incomprehensible.

pals could make some big bucks.

huh?

Give me a break. Take your right wing talking points somewhere else.

and it's only after the whole world gawked at the miserliness of chimpy and his ilk.

Oh wait....never mind

and navy ships that produce 90,000 gallons of clean, not contaminated water per day, troops, planes with supplies, md's and food.

killing people in Iraqi.

:eyes:


Note: the "search" feature can be a real lifesaver.

n/t

stngy stngy? Not that i know what the frigg that is.

a Norwegian said we ie the west collectively. The Republicans simply assumed they were talking about them - out of guilt perhaps?

This amount is still only what you spend in just over 2 days of the Iraqi war. How about an amount similar to what is spent for a week.

Just wondering.

is simply inadequate for a nation this wealthy . . . if we can spend $200 billion on a war, we can spend a billion or two or ten on helping the five million people in dire need . . .

now we Have to rape social security, because of the tsunami.

This is just like that Africa AIDS scam I bet, where he pledged $5mil, then $15 mil after being shamed, but then it really WAS only $5, and that was graduated, and I think they've only gotten $2 mil... I haven't followed this that closely, but he makes these pledges while under public pressure then backs off after a few spins of the news cycle.

Or there were those CONDITIONS, like the intellectual property b.s. with the drug companies, and the GMO crops they tried to force on Africa

Remember, this isn't a western country and there isn't as much to rebuild. The average home in that part of the world is built with a simple wood frame and uninsulated single wall design, and most are less than 500sf. These types of homes can typically be built for less than a few hundred US dollars, and entire towns can be rebuilt for a few hundred thousand (the cost of a single large house in much of the US). Larger buildings, typically built of brick or concrete, survived the wave and simply need the bottom floors cleaned out. The resorts are typically insured, so aid isn't required for them.

From what I've seen, these people need food, water, medicine, and clothing, not money.

One of those billions would do a lot of good in SEAsia right about now, and Israel seems to have a pretty solid economy these days.

What will Bush ask, that these countries have to commit soldiers to Iraq? Does anyone know if any have soldiers over there?

but they were all withdrawn in August of 2004 (in any event I think the number was fewer than 100 people).

I'm all for donating tons of cash to help humanity. The irony though, is how bankrupt the gov is in this instance. We now have no moral authority nor monetary strength to aid in humanity due to these sick Wonder-Bread-Head-Leave-It-To-Beaver fascists.

W has turned this nation into a crack whore

I was quick to be critical of the original amount of 15 million donation and a 20 million 'line of credit' so I must applaud the US for this increase if I am to be fair. Will watch for the article on it to see the details.

I'm glad that the administration is finally raising the amount, but I suspect much if not most of it will be loans.

And you, George, are always a day late and a dollar short.

Hell, you're always three days late.

:grr:

If it wasn't for the rest of the world - ie the intelligent and compassionate, as opposed to the selfish repukes - noting how ineffectual and stingy and late any responses have been, you can be damn well sure that bunkerboy would still be clearing brush.

These repukes have no shame.

God I hate these people FOR WHAT THEY DO AND HAVE DONE.

I wish for them 10 fold what they have given the rest of us.

so it was essential that it at least appear to take the lead and set the bar high enough so the "giving" actually means something. Three days? This a national disgrace.

though i'm sure there are little strings attached. it is nice to see !!!!

Pledge will deflect criticism, provide major boost to relief effort

The official said final details of the aid package were still being worked out and it was not clear whether the money was in addition to the $35 million already pledged. The news will likely silence criticism of the U.S. aid effort that surfaced when Washington announced its initial aid package.

As of Thursday, nations had donated about $500 million toward the world's largest-ever relief effort, including $250 million from the World Bank, but U.N. chief Kofi Annan said even more was needed.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6767190/

Bush's innaugeral ball cost has now climbed to $500 million.

forgo some of the festivities and donate the money to disaster relief?

You know, he'd do it too. Just so HIS day was more expensive than anything else in the news. :evilgrin:

and for once in this administration, we're acting like the kind of superpower that we should be.

...Bush should have addressed the world the day of the tsunami and merely said the USA is prepared to assist in any way necessary to bring relief, yada, yada, yada. (( Compassion is priceless :)))

Why has the US formed a coalition with 4 other nations to provide aid instead of working through the established aid channels of the UN? $350 million is great, but don't forget it is 35% of what we spend EACH DAY "freeing" Iraqis. I wish we could invert those numbers.

In the end, we will have to spend several billion just to get those countries back on their feet.

It seems some are forgetting that regardless of the dollar amount our govt has pledged thus far, there are people in dire need.

Too late? Why? How?

Along with the millions of private donations coming from the people across the nation, why can't this be a proud moment, instead of a political one?

Frankly I don't care why the decision was made to increase the amount of aid relief, I only care that it was made.

fodder on a daily basis.

Everyone knows that when it's all said and done, US taxpayers will have done more than the rest of the world combined when it comes to helping these people get back on their feet.

Once they're healthy and have food, shelter, and water, they'll be back to hating us again.

It's too bad that * didn't make a major statement with both his mouth and our money at the outset that might have given these people reason to rethink their hatred of us, if even for a second.

though some have no clue living in teeVee land, apparently.

peace

Everyone knows that when it's all said and done, US taxpayers will have done more than the rest of the world combined when it comes to helping these people get back on their feet.

I don't think so. Europe will donate far more both via its governments and personal donations... Watch.

Someone I know on another board who tends to be fairly conservative said "oh, that's better - the reporter I heard this morning said $35 million and I knew that had to be a mistake". Everyone knows $35 million was pathetic.

But I have to admit that my very cynical first thought on hearing this was "see who has the biggest dick now!" The chimpster wants to make sure none of those pansy-ass nations like France can possibly pledge more than us. :eyes:

Jeesus! Somebody find the auctioneer and give that man a RAISE!!!

Going once,

And Haiti pledges $425 million

Going once, going twice

And the EU doubles its contribution

Going once, going twice....



Remind me again about the 2 BILLION Bush gave Jeb for Florida.

What macabre comic entertainment.

USA!~ USA!~ USA!~ USA!~ USA!~ USA!~

...prick. More lip-service to 'compassion'.

I saw the three days of vacation photos from his ranch, clearing brush, ignoring the problem. 160 Billion to destroy Iraq, and then 'rebuild' it, and 350mm for the 5 million displaced people in the Indian Ocean basin? No wonder other countries think * & co are a bunch of greedy, heartless thugs. It's because they are...inaction certainly spoke louder than words this time.

I will hold my applause until he actually provides some aid given his track record on such matters. This will be a great start if it is not just another empty gesture from the jester.

Like the money pledged for fighting AIDS? Like the NCLB act? Like funding for education for people who's jobs are now in India and China? Like Laura's big talk about funding schools for Afgani women and girls? Like everything else bush** has said he was going to do, but never followed through on?

I hate feeling this way about my government. But I've also been paying attention to the way this administration operates. I would hope to be proven wrong, but I doubt I will be.

like "fully funding" the No Child Left Behind act? Like posing with kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, saying what a great group they were the very day before cutting all funds for them out of the budget? Like the Aids relief promised for Africa?

"Trust us" bush & company say, we're gonna give lots of money in aid - of course once the photo op is over and the praises are heaped upon him for doing the honorable thing, and being so generous, well i'm sure bush just "forgets" to actually send the money. it's not that he is cynically counting on the average american's short attention span and planning to never follow through on his promises... he wouldn't do that - after all - georgie is a good christian man. god annointed him to be leader of the universe.

:puke:

.

sort of like all those billions Bush was going to spend to help AIDS victims?

"It was not clear which government programs were being tapped for resources.

White House spokesman Trent Duffy said none of the funds were from an $18 billion sum set aside for reconstruction in Iraq, which some lawmakers have identified as a ready source of relief financing."

http://reuters.myway.com/article/20041231/2004-12-31T200607Z_01_N31256228_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-QUAKE-USA-AID-DC.html



We KNOW it's not Government SERVICE salaries.......

Bush Signs Order to Raise Fed Workers' Pay

Dec 31, 12:04 AM (ET)

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - President Bush spelled out in greater detail Thursday the pay raise that takes effect Jan. 1 for federal workers, members of Congress, judges - even Vice President Dick Cheney.

Congress passed the pay raises earlier this year, but Bush was required to sign an executive order detailing the pay hikes before the end of the year. He did so Thursday.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041231/D87ADRL04.html

Took him long enough. Now I want to know what all these millionaire Senators have given personally - betting the $100 I gave means more to me than whatever repuke senators have given, if they've given anything.

Good--let them be assholes. I hope they're the ones left stranded next time.

Shamed into it--well, shit, it's better than nothing. If we can continue to put pressure on the RW this term, perhaps we WILL win. Showing off this regime for the jerks, liars, hypocrites and corrupt bastards that they really are is our goal this term. No allowing these troglodytes to get away with ANYTHING this time around, with or without the media needs to be our only way of getting justice done.

body bags. We're providing 80,000 :-(

By now it should be $3.5 Billion. $350 Million won't even pay the bar tab for all of the bureaucrats involved with this by the time it is over with. Wonder what Jeb, Colin, their wives, kids, and their entourage, will be drinking at pool side while they are all surveying the damage?

Don

package before he voted for it?? Shocking.

First, they better keep this pledge 100%. Second, I'm glad this happened but it should have happened a lot faster and the US should not have been shamed into it by the rest of the world.

After one of the worst disasters in history he goofs around for days without publicly saying a word, then commits a measly $15 million, the next day $35 million but most of it is a loan, a day or two later it's $350 million! WTF happens tomorrow?

Somebody that impulsive has gotta be on drugs. Probably getting them from Rushbo the Clown.

the Japanses just increase their to US500 million.
Me think they fighting for who got the biggest say base on contribution.