US stingy tsunami relief?

[sandra]

Originally Posted by Arex

While I agree it's much too soon to be finger pointing, particularly if the pointing is done at those who're still offering more than any other nations at this time, in the grand scheme of things, even $15 Million is nothing compared to what the U.S. could be providing in the way of aid.

Look at how much we've wasted so far on the war in Iraq. There's talk now that the cost of the war through 2005 could reach $200 Billion. Now if you believe the Bush administration's position that we didn't invade for oil, that means we're now throwing away all that money simply because we we care about the Iraqi people and want them to enjoy democracy. Now if we can commit $200 Billion to the Iraqi people's cause, then certainly we can commit more than 1/13,333 of that amount to this cause. I'd much rather see my taxpayer dollars being spent on disaster relief than on more killing.

Edit: I'd rather see my future taxpayer dollars being spent on disaster relief than on this stupid war.

RX

i agree with alex. i don't think we should measure our charity against how much other countries are giving but rather how much we have given in the past to other causes (or "causes").

[applehead]

Originally Posted by Arex

While I agree it's much too soon to be finger pointing, particularly if the pointing is done at those who're still offering more than any other nations at this time, in the grand scheme of things, even $15 Million is nothing compared to what the U.S. could be providing in the way of aid.

Look at how much we've wasted so far on the war in Iraq. There's talk now that the cost of the war through 2005 could reach $200 Billion. Now if you believe the Bush administration's position that we didn't invade for oil, that means we're now throwing away all that money simply because we we care about the Iraqi people and want them to enjoy democracy. Now if we can commit $200 Billion to the Iraqi people's cause, then certainly we can commit more than 1/13,333 of that amount to this cause. I'd much rather see my taxpayer dollars being spent on disaster relief than on more killing.

Edit: I'd rather see my future taxpayer dollars being spent on disaster relief than on this stupid war.

RX

ah yes. all the money that can be used
for things other than this war. that does make me fume.
AUGH.
but what's the point. it's already happening.
it's not going to stop. not anytime soon...

i really do hope that more countries that can
afford to be generous continue to do so.
i'm sure they will.
and i'm sure this egeland guy meant well when
he said what he did. he's probably aware of
so much disasters and problems in the world
that the average person doesn't even know
exists and he's
feeling a bit frustrated.

[deez nuts]

we should definitely donate more money, machines and man power.

we can gain back the love of the world by buying it back with disaster dollars plus the future investment potential and economic ramifications, especially for american companies, can be huge.

[Faithless]

What some countries have given, so far:

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20041229-093913-6745r

Early today, Australia said it would more than triple its emergency aid to nations stricken by the tsunami and announced a joint initiative with the United States, Japan and India to coordinate efforts to cope with the disaster.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the government was adding $25 million Australian (about $19.5 million in U.S. currency) to an earlier pledge of $10 million Australian, with most destined for Indonesia and much of the rest to Sri Lanka.

"So far we've committed $35 million, and I think in the end we will have to commit considerably more," Mr. Downer said. "It's also a fact of life that we have very great responsibilities -- we are a prosperous and a successful country and when it comes to a situation like this we must be prepared to use some of our prosperity to help our fellow human beings."

Other big donors besides the United States and Australia include Japan ($30 million), Canada ($4 million), Kuwait ($2 million), Germany ($3 million), Netherlands ($2 million) and the European Union, which could release as much as $45 million.

.
But there is this: A "line of credit"?

Describing the U.S. aid as a "line of credit," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said the new total of $35 million is bound to be increased. The Bush administration expects U.S. aid for the catastrophe to eventually exceed $1 billion.

[deez nuts]

Originally Posted by ChottoMatte

But there is this: A "line of credit"?

that's a good idea. a low interest loan and/or with future economic incentives for the united states later on once the countries are back on their feet.

and if that dude from the UN or anybody else for that matter wanna keep bitching about america being stingy. refer those ingrates to canada with a whopping $4 million.

[Banana]

Don't get me wrong. I still believe that the original 15 million pledged by us is laughable when we spend more money in this country on frivolous endeavors. We spend more money on magic beans for crying out loud.

But on the other hand, is any country really obligated to actually help out?

[SunWuKong]

Originally Posted by Chasiubao_Boy

and if they wanna keep bitching about america being stingy. refer those ingrates to canada with a whopping $4 million.

again, that's an inaccurate measurement. Canada's 2004 estimated GDP is 958.7 billion USD. US's 2004 estimated GDP is 10.99 trillion USD. the 4 million that Canada gave is .0004% of its GDP. the 15 million that the US gave is .0001% of its GDP. Canada has actually given more of what it can afford, 4 times so as much as the US.

however, the EU is giving a lot less than the US, since its GDP is slightly higher than that of the US.

[deez nuts]

Originally Posted by SunWuKong

again, that's an inaccurate measurement. Canada's 2004 estimated GDP is 958.7 billion USD. US's 2004 estimated GDP is 10.99 trillion USD.

lol that's it? wow canada sucks.

we should definitely annex that country. we can probably use the extra land and resources more than they can.

[Mr.Lum]

and if that dude from the UN or anybody else for that matter wanna keep bitching about america being stingy. refer those ingrates to canada with a whopping $4 million.

He wasn't talking about the US, he was talking about the "rich countries" in general. He was saying mostly because it was just after Christmas also from what I could gather from watching the press conference. And those little bits of money the rich countries are sending is pretty damn stingy, look at fucking Kuwait. Stingy ass bitches these rich people are.

[deez nuts]

Originally Posted by Mr.Lum

He wasn't talking about the US, he was talking about the "rich countries" in general. He was saying mostly because it was just after Christmas also from what I could gather from watching the press conference. And those little bits of money the rich countries are sending is pretty damn stingy, look at fucking Kuwait. Stingy ass bitches these rich people are.

hahahahaha that is true. kuwait at a whopping $2 million.

[ellsworth81]

like dave chappelle said to the UN:
"oh, you don't have an army! so i guess that means you need to shut the fuck up."

he would make an excellent representative/ambassador

[Faithless]

Sidelight to all this monetary assistance giving:

IMF pledges help for Asia after tsunami disaster

Monday December 27, 10:01 AM

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said it will provide all the help it can to South Asian nations devastated by a tsunami that killed more than 12,900 people.

The giant waves, triggered on Sunday by the world's biggest earthquake in 40 years, wreaked the most havoc in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh were also affected.

"It is my intention to provide whatever possible assistance the IMF can to help South Asia deal with the aftermath of this weekend's earthquake and floods," Rodrigo Rato, the IMF's managing director, said in a statement.

"Each nation in South Asia will have its own specific needs. The IMF stands ready to do its part to assist these nations with appropriate support in their time of need," the statement, posted on the IMF's website, added.

Rato said he had instructed the director of the IMF's Asia Pacific department, along with country representatives in the region, to establish immediate contact with the authorities.

Bangladesh has been borrowing from the fund's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility window since June 2003.

Sri Lanka entered into a loan-for-reforms deal with the Fund in April 2003 but has yet to draw on it because political obstacles have prevented the passage of promised tax reforms.

Indonesia and Thailand signed up for IMF loans after the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis but the borrowing programmes have since expired.

.
IMF on Bangladesh's participation in loan-for-reforms programme
IMF on Sri Lanka's participation in loan-for-reforms programme

[Banana]

Some videos:

http://jlgolson.blogspot.com/2004/12/tsunami-video.html

[Faithless]

Originally Posted by Banana

Some videos:

http://jlgolson.blogspot.com/2004/12/tsunami-video.html

Whoa!

There's that one video that shows more than the TV news does -- clip of the beach front and building being washed over. It shows how the waves just keep coming and how the gigantic rush of water heads down the streets, moving along cars, etc.

[VV o n g B a]

Originally Posted by Chasiubao_Boy

hahahahaha that is true. kuwait at a whopping $2 million.

laugh it up. b/c this is such a funny subject. 80k ppl die and ur contribution is to laugh. good for u.