U.N. official slams U.S. as 'stingy' over aid

[Moloch]

The Bush administration yesterday pledged $15 million to Asian nations hit by a tsunami that has killed more than 22,500 people, although the United Nations' humanitarian-aid chief called the donation "stingy."

"The United States, at the president's direction, will be a leading partner in one of the most significant relief, rescue and recovery challenges that the world has ever known," said White House deputy press secretary Trent Duffy.

But U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised.

"It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really," the Norwegian-born U.N. official told reporters. "Christmastime should remind many Western countries at least, how rich we have become."

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20041228-122330-7268r.htm

[Erika]

1. Bush only spends our $ for the select few

Poor Americans and world citizens suffering from drastic needs don't quite make his cut.

[jellybelly]

3. raising taxes will just give Bush more money for war

not relief. What a stupid idea.:crazy:

[Just Me]

94. Hilarious how you insert RW talking points,...

,..into a post that contained NO REFERENCE to taxationPHOBIA.

First, FAIR taxation is the tithe for living in a civil and opportune society. No one should complain about that.

Second, Bush doesn't give a damn about the consequences of throwing this nation into debt in order to funnel public wealth towards his military-corporate machinery.

Third, inciting a "depression" served his autocratic inheritance and there is little stopping this inhumane boulder,...short of boils consuming these people's bodies (which I imagine for emotional relief, every single day).

[0rganism]

104. Dunno if they're RW talking points, I tend to agree with her

Regardless of what you think "FAIR taxation" might be, there's no doubt in my mind that any extra revenues that arrive are not going to be spent shoring up our shakey humanitarian aid budget. The easiest way for Bushco to reap profit multiples from tax intake is to funnel it toward some defense contractors or oil industry stooges. With Social Security reform on the table, pretty soon they'll have options with Big Pharma and investment bankers, but for now... Yeah, it's going to the war machine.

The best alternative we have at this point is to solidify the revenue stream for state and municipal taxes, even though they tend towards the flat and regressive side of the spectrum. People who live in heavily republican states are just going to have to live with their failed farms and broken healthcare. :shrug: Guess they can always go to a mega-church and partake of the "faith based" funding.

[Just Me]

110. You agree that Bush would spend public wealth on imperialistic endeavors.

I certainly do NOT disagree with that reality.

I do ask that you read the foregoing posts.

Distraction and denial,...is such an effective tool against reality or truth.

[Seabiscuit]

121. I agree with both of you. Why the attack on JellyBelly???

[jdj]

106. the tax relief for the rich and war on social security IS a war

on the poor. I think they should fund the social security steal by repealing the richie rich tax cuts at the very least, dems at least need to make this stipulation.

[Tinoire]

2. They should just announce that the quakes/Tsunami unearthed oil

The Bushaliban would be there in a flash with their carpet of gold.

I hope more people take us to task for this.

[peacetalksforall]

99. Speaking of oil...there must have been some tankers that were

taken down...no? Cruise ships?

[FM Arouet666]

4. Brown Skin, non-christian, and, gasp, Muslims.

Tsunami hits a white christian nation and Chimp would visit with bible in hand and a camera crew to document his "second coming." Ironic, GOP evangelicals condemning liberals for relative moral values, proclaiming a strict moral compass. The hypocrisy of the Right is astonishing.

[Bono71]

39. Sri Lanka is mostly Bhudist.

[lebkuchen]

46. As if Bush gave a shit

They could be "born again," and he wouldn't care, unless they offered something for him to exploit.

[LibDemAlways]

62. Wingnut callers to c-span

this morning all suggesting that since the affected nations aren't "Christian," we don't have much of an obligation to help. Many suggestions that Saudi Arabia should be leading the relief efforts. Dispicable repukes.

[AllyCat]

98. I appreciate that you put their religion in quotation marks

These people are anything but the followers of the man they claim as their leader.

[forksofbuffalo]

66. How much have the Muslim nations pledged? n/t

[donheld]

5. The US is stingy because it doesn't give a damn

about all those south asian people. :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[jdj]

105. The comment by Eglund (sp?) was almost Rovian...

I heard it live on C-span and laughed out loud at the truth in it, finding out the U.S. just gave 65 million to sway the Russian election only underscores this.

I am sad that he had to shame the U.S. into giving more, but it was sure as hell a smooth move, got all the murikans panties in a wad...perfect manuever, even if unintentional.

Anderson Cooper just said that more people died this day than in the entire Vietnam War, yet he fails to mention the 100,000 "extra" deaths in Iraq since the war began...it's unsettling.

[Absolute Truth]

6. Sorry to be the skunk at the picnic..

..but until these assholes "find" the $21 BILLION they lost, I don't think they should be chastising anybody.

AT

[BulletproofLandshark]

7. Compared to the hundreds of billions missing from our treasury?

Please.

[Absolute Truth]

9. W's profligacy doesn't justify the UN's

I don't see why it has to be either "Hate W/Love the UN" or "Hate the UN/Love W."

I can't stand either of them!

The UN is of little use to the US and I repeat: two wrongs don't make a right! When Kofi Anan can explain the lost $21 billion, then we should think about pitching in more.

I'm tired of the US hosting an organization that serves little more purpose than to act as an Israael and U.S. Bashing Society.

Let 'em move to Somalia.

AT

[Kire]

10. yes, but Jan Egeland said we were stingy

not Kofi Annan

[Brundle_Fly]

11. you want the 21 billion?

look to Chevron, Connoco Phillips, Enron, and a few other Texas based oil companies, and you will find it. The UN made the program, Saddam and the Oil Whigs, barroned off the profits.

[Bono71]

34. I thought Euro companies profitted from this one.

[Brundle_Fly]

127. Welcome to CNN, MSNBC, FOX information.

[Sandpiper]

12. You're not fooling anyone

n/t

[Absolute Truth]

92. huh? About what? n/t

[Just Me]

95. Our own Pentagon "LOST" BILLIONS of "funneled" taxpayer bucks!!!

BILLIONS!!!!

Have you no drive, whatsoever, as to where BILLIONS could be LOST by our Pentagon? Does that not tickle your fancy or provoke your curiosity,...at all?

Or,...are you more interested in the usual SICK diversion of attacking others' weaknesses rather than addressing your own? I suggest you visit a "domestic violence" website or group. You may LEARN something about PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!!!

[Absolute Truth]

109. Yes.....I am interested in that!

Yes. If billions were lost by the Pentagon, let's nail the bastards who lost it!

And let's do the same with the UN. Agreed?

As for the second paragraph of your post: "Or,...are you more interested in the usual SICK diversion of attacking others' weaknesses rather than addressing your own?...."

At the risk of more attacks...and I'd like to discuss this calmly. But I have no idea what you're saying here.

Could you relax, take a deep breath, and tell me what point you're trying to make?

[Cooley Hurd]

15. If the US and Israel would stop misbehaving...

...and disregarding international law, then maybe the UN wouldn't need to bash them so much...

Oh, and welcome to DU...

[alcuno]

28. TURN OFF FOX NEWS! IT ROTS YOUR BRAIN.

FAUX viewers are becoming notorious for their ignorance on the issues.

[Barkley]

76. How do we spend $450 billion/yr on defense and our troops pillage...

Iraqi landfills for scrap metal for their military vehicles.

This Asian crisis is a perfect opportunity for the U.S. to use its own resources and show up the U.N.

We could show the Muslim world we really doesn't hate them.

[Absolute Truth]

91. No real problem with that...

I just think the UN isn't in any position to scold anyone about anything. They need to clean their own house first.

[Just Me]

96. You are seriously cracking me up with the "house-cleaning" stuff.

What planet do you live on? :bounce:

If you're a corporatist (which Mussolini equated to "fascism"), then the world must tow to your greedy, predatory, self-serving world view. You're a "screw others, I live for myself" kinda' sick human being. You are alone and will die alone,...per your pursuit.

Fine. BUT, no one bestowed any particular "specialness" upon you.

I imagine your "house" is spotless,...and grossly empty.

[Absolute Truth]

108. What on EARTH are you talking about???

Honestly, how do you derive any of this from what I've posted? I'm at a loss. Or were you responding to something else??

[Be Brave]

8. This is an emergency. If knowledgeable officials think resources are

lacking then they should speak up. If that includes calling out stingy nations, then so be it. I expect nothing less from them. I note that this country is no scrooge when it comes to war spending, except when the spending is for the soldiers.

[Phoebe_in_Sydney]

13. The oil for food scandal has been

Cooked up by the Bush admin to try to pull the rug out from under Annan because he wouldn't support the Iraq war.

The bigger concern for the world is the "War for Oil" scheme cooked up by the US to benefit Halliburton and the other oil interests that put this government in power.

the UN isn't perfect but it's the best shot millions of people in south Asia have got for assistance right now.

The organisation needs improving -- but the US just wants to delegitimise it.

[Cooley Hurd]

14. Bingo, Phoebe!

...and welcome to DU!:hi:

I agree with you on all points!:thumbsup:

[susu369]

43. Welcome, Phoebe

look forward to reading your future posts.

:thumbsup:

[Absolute Truth]

93. I really don't understand this kind of thinking

I was against the war in Iraq (though now that we're there, we have to win of course). But why does the fact that once concern is "bigger" in your mind than another mean we shouldn't be concerned with both?

Someone help me....please! What don't I understand? The OfF program was ineptly run by any account - and billions are missing. Shouldn't we want the responsible people held accountable...just as we would with our own government? Or a U.S. corporation?

Is this incorrect? If I have the facts wrong, please correct me. It seems to me though, that the UN has "delegitised" itself in the past few years though, quite without Shrub's help!

AT

[rooboy]

16. The 21 billion wasn't lost, it was stolen.

Just like the FOUR TRILLION that is missing from the Pentagon budgets.

[bowens43]

22. we have 200 billion for killing innocent iraqis

but 5 million for providing aid? 'stingy' doesn't begin to cover it. We should be ashamed of ourselves.

[Guitarman]

26. Wasn't it $15Million...

not $5Mil. Not enough, granted. Let's hope that it is only a beginning. If there was ever a time for this country to step up to the plate and lead the world, this would be it.

[leesa]

25. It's probably right next to the 3 trillion our DOD "lost"

Or aren't OUR assholes in the same category.

[wicket]

41. EXACTLY!!!!!!!

:kick:

[forksofbuffalo]

68. Absolutely n/t

[Forkboy]

80. The tombstoned one agrees with Absolute Truth

what does that tell you?

[gnofg]

17. discrepency

What Bush pledeges and what he gives are 2 different things. Remember aids pledge and renege

[stevebreeze]

18. How much did Bush send to FL? funny no votes to be bought in Asia

so lets just send chump change.

[Bono71]

35. Excuse me, but shouldn't tax dollars be spent first on our own?

[goddess40]

53. The money was promised - it hasn't been delivered yet

Just like the money they promised for the help with AIDS, it might never be sent.

You're right that we should help our own but we know that isn't going to happen with the jerks that are running the government right now.
It wasn't even very news worthy until they found three dead Americans. This country is awfully self-centered, if it doesn't relate directly to us then we aren't interested. At least that's what is being projected. There are many like those that post here and are concerned with people outside our little circle - but we're portrayed as weak and whining liberals. If you have compassion instead of greed there is something seriously wrong with you - just ask any republican.

[Bono71]

57. Agree about the repubs, but at the same time,

I find it odd that we are giving 15 million with more to come (as Powell hinted) and we are labeled by the UN as "stingy."

It seems, rightly or wrongly, that we are constantly being labeled as the "bad guy," and that pisses me off. Granted, Iraq was a huge mistake and we lost a lot of integrity over that...

But we are just like every other powerful country in the world today...no worse. But I think we are an easy scapegoat for a lot of countries.

[goddess40]

84. we spend billions to kill so I agree that spending millions to save lives

appears stingy.

[toopers]

85. I agree that $15M is too little . . .

however, how much aid was already in stock piles that we had already given - how much rice was already bagged that will now be delivered, etc. I wonder if that is part of the $15M, or if it exists, is it not even accounted for?

[stevebreeze]

78. no problem there but the out sized disaster relief

would have been more properly called reelection funds.Also we spend about 1/10 of 1% of GDP in foreign aid, most of that in the from of weapons(which is also corp pork for the arms industry). We would do much better to buy friends then try to bomb people into friendship as in Iraq.

[CRK7376]

19. Little bitty Japan is

giving $30million and we are coming up with only $15million....I suspecvt we will be shamed into more relief, but that is a sad statement on US intentions...Got to spend more on the war effort.

Oh yeah, I guess we are now paying more for Up-Armored vehicles and body armor for the troops so we can't help South Asia.....

[Guitarman]

27. I thought that Australia was...

then next biggest single donor wit h$10Million. Where did you hear that Japan was coming up with $30Mil.

[Tempest]

48. EU is the biggest donor at $27 million

n/t

[Bono71]

50. The article below says 4 million...is that true?

[Tempest]

54. Finish reading the sentence in the article

n/t

[Guitarman]

58. But that is a number of countries together.

Canada was listed at only $1Mil? Sounds like everyone needs to loosen up the purse strings a little.

[Tempest]

71. Number of countries with one economy

Just like the U.S. is made up of a number of states with one economy.

[Jack_DeLeon]

89. split how many ways...

amongst its member nations.

[Inland]

115. It doesn't matter

The EU is roughly equvilent to the US in population, wealth, adding up all the members.

[aneerkoinos]

124. EU aid

AFAIK EU aid is not split among member nations, but from EU budget. National governements are donating separately and in addition to EU.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

128. Aw, you'll make the EU/UN-bashers cry.

And for that you have my gratitude.

[TyeDye75]

20. Imagine if an Earthquake killed 40,000 in North America or Western Europe

The whole world would come to a stand still, but in the last few days ive encounterd many people who dont even know that this has happened or if they do, they just dont care.

[NJCher]

21. If you saw Colin Powell on Today Show this a.m.....

You'd know how insincere this administration is. He babbled on about sending commissions to "study" what would be needed and when the commissions had finished their investigations we would be determining how much aid they would be getting.

I wanted to scream "just send aid, as much as humanly possible!" And forget the commissions and the studies already!! What an a$$!!!

But I didn't scream. Instead, I just thought, "What would you expect of people who are there only to steal from the U.S. taxpayer?"


Cher

[ZR2]

23. Well, it would be nice

to make sure the aid is spent wisely, not just given away.

[HeeBGBz]

33. By the time the study would be done

Thousands more will have died.

[leesa]

24. Hey! We're too busy blowing things up and making people miserable.

Get off our backs!

[bunkerbuster1]

52. And there's the $30-40 mil to spend on the INAUGURATION

can't spoil that party, can we?

($1 to Atrios for noting the context)

[OnlyInAmerica]

29. To be fair

The entire EU has only pledged $4 million thus far. $15 million from the US isn't enough, but at least it's a start. I'm hoping there will be more to come once it is determined where the relief is most needed. It makes no sense to write checks blindly. The situation needs to be assessed first, and then the aid distributed. It's only been 48 hours, after all.

[Tinoire]

73. $4 million in Emergency aid + $27 million pledged + individual EU

countries like Spain, Germany, Ireland and Belgium each pledging an additional million. So far that's $35 million and I'm sure the figure has risen but only went by this article.

[aneerkoinos]

125. Euros not dollars

EU donates in euros, not dollars, so it's more than 40 million dollars.

UK has promised 15 million (dollars?)
Finland has already given 2,5 million euros.

[Rose Siding]

111. Europe already kicks our asses in aid contributions

Norway for instance contributes aid at a rate of $17/per capita. We do ONE DOLLAR/per capita. Maybe just once we could do the right thing and pull our weight?

[NYC]

118. Norway used to be the highest per capita donating country in the world.

I don't know if they still are, but they were the world's most charitable country.

[infusionman]

30. Call us stingy but...

Too many times we have given millions of dollars to relief efforts like this only to have it wind up in some dictator's pocket.

I wonder how much of someone elses money this "UN official" has stuffed in his.

[Arioch]

31. So- use some of the money

to send over people to administer the aid as well...

This admin will have 1,000,000 excuses for not aiding 1,000,000 people...

[kitkatrose]

65. If we're so concerned

then put conditions on it. So much can only be put to use for xx, xx, and xxx and we're gonna send people to monitor the uses. If not, all aid is forfeit.

Edit: Oops, I meant the other guy, not you. Although great minds do think alike. ;)

[Tanuki]

38. slandering Jan Egelund

The "UN official" whose integrity you have called into question is Jan Egelund, who has an outstanding record of service and dedication to humanitarian affairs. Do you have something specific that you know to the contrary? If not, he deserves better than to be gratuitously slandered.

[hatrack]

44. Such as . . . ?

I breathlessly await examples of what you describe. Oh, and feel free to include citations and links.

[TheKingfish]

61. Can you give an example?

[Bono71]

32. Nice headline...the US=15 million, the EU-4 million, but we are

the stingy ones. Ummm, ok.

[Tempest]

55. EU donating $31 million

So yes, the U.S. is the stingy ones.

$15 million from an economy of over $3 trillion is insulting to me as an American.

[attitudewins]

86. I think

it's up to $35 million now.

[Harry S Truman]

36. Five Bucks!

Hmmm. Let's see... $15 million divided by 1 million homeless tsunami victims equals five bucks for every person now living in squalor under a tree. Nice country we have here, eh? When did the US become such utterly selfish scum????

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[indepat]

40. Nothing stingy here: just following the spirit of the parable on giving

for we have so little left to give, for it's already been spent on war and tax cuts.

[drscm]

42. Sorry. We need billions to wreak havoc on another defenseless nation.

Who do they think we are? Christian, or something? We are only concerned about those land masses (sans people) from which we can benefit economically.

[JoFerret]

45. The US has always been "stingy"

with aid. And $15 million for this disaster is an insult to the world (including America.)

[Bono71]

47. delete

1

[Tempest]

49. Read the article - EU is donating $31 million

n/t

[Bono71]

51. Aha...it pays to be literate.

[OnlyInAmerica]

59. EU only released $4 million

Pledged $31 million. There's also this part:

"Canada and several European nations — including Spain, Germany, Ireland and Belgium — each pledged about $1 million yesterday. "

$1 million? That's weak

[Tempest]

72. In relative size, $1 million is more than $15 million

Look at the size of each country's economy and do the math.

[aneerkoinos]

100. EU is hard to count

Because EU and member states (which have separate budgets) act also independently. The number 4 sounded shamefull, if that 4 now + 27 soon is from EU alone, I'm much happier. Because then the all over number from Europe will get much higher, as member states and citizens donate through UN and NGO's possibly manifold of that.

[JoFerret]

56. With $40 mill for the coronation in January

we can't afford it.

What if we had a leader as president who said to people:" ---look - the world is in trouble, we have a moral duty to act, it's going to cost all of you a little bit and those who can afford the most will pay accordingly. Are you with me?"

[truthseeker1]

60. Skip the grand coronation

How about if we had a leader who said, "You know....let's just have a modest ceremony in my office or a modest luncheon and donate the money saved the emergency relief efforts." Now, THAT would be heartwarming.

[VegasWolf]

107. That would be, therefore, chimp would NEVER do it. His flowers

are more important.

[Massachusetts]

63. Good Christian Influence...

If this is any indication of the "Good" Christians(hahhahah), that have been loaded into this TREASONOUS administration, then what did you expect.....(Heavy Sarcasm):hippie:

[ObamaFan2500]

120. I am Christian, I don't think it matters.

I don't see what it has to do with this. This isn't the Church.. Please don't say that.. I am progressive too, though, and I thin taht the divine evolution is crazy.

[redqueen]

64. $40 million for Georgie's coronation, $15 million to tsunami victims

Typical demonstration of compassionate conservatism.

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Moloch]

74. What a callous remark to make...

25,000 people have died.

I don't think it is at all unreasonable to ask the richest nation on Earth for money for help.

$15 million is NOT adequate, hell John Ashcroft spent more than that covering up breasts on a statue.

[realvirginian]

79. I think it's getting closer to 40,000

and that is sad.

However, I agree with forksofbuffalo. The Mr. Egeland is out of line.

[fooj]

69. the election and the inauguration cost those boys lots of $$$$$$

What an innapropriate time for a natural disaster.....

[radric]

70. Might be a good time...

to wait and see how much relief is sent to SE Asia don't you think? You don't just ship money or aid off without knowing where or how much is needed. The Red Cross, Red Crescent and other relief agencies as well as the governments involved have no idea themselves what or how much is needed at this point. If 15 mill is the sum total then you have a reason to whine but I'm betting the total will be far more given than that...

[ScreamingWhisper]

75. I don't understand...how is it stingy if this is only the beginning?

1) US - $15 million to Asian nations, American ambassadors released $100,000 each to India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka,with $4 million given to the Red Cross. A spokesman at U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii said Monday that in addition to three Navy P-3 Orion surveillance planes sent to Thailand, the military also is loading five or six Air Force C-130 cargo planes with tents, clothing, food and other humanitarian goods for delivery to Thailand

2)Besides the United States, the largest single national donor was neighboring Australia, which offered $10 million and transportation aid

3) EU - executive arm releasing $4 million in emergency aid and (pledging, but not delivered, an additional $27 million)

4)Canada and several European nations — including Spain, Germany, Ireland and Belgium — each pledged about $1 million

...And We're the "Stingy ones". not to mention the $15 Mil was only an initial part, easily and IMMEDIATELY released of a larger package

[Don Claybrook]

77. I'll help you understand

How about we start with 2 or 3 billion dollars? We can work up from there, but it's a start. This small pittance would make me feel somewhat better about the country I live in.

I'm not that concerned about what other countries do, how much they spend, etc. We're the biggest, baddest, greatest, blah, blah, insertfreepersuperlativeshere, and I'm embarrassed that my country is so greedy and stingy. So start with a couple of billion and work it up.

How would you feel about that?

[ScreamingWhisper]

90. I agree that being the "Biggest, and Baddest" by default requires

the US to contribute more than others...and we do. Look at the total of aid and support that goes to the world around us, both via government, private and corporate sponsorship.

What I wonder is what is a confortable limit to stop (start) at.
Powell has said that the US portion of the aid for this ONE catastrophe will be into the billions.

Is that enough? What about a trillion?

Would 120 trillion dollars solve this issue?

[daleo]

123. Canada has pledged 4 million as of today

Canada pledges $4 million in aid
Last Updated Tue, 28 Dec 2004 12:17:11 EST
OTTAWA - Defence Minister Bill Graham defended the $4 million Canada is providing in relief efforts to Southeast Asia in the wake of the deadly tsunami, promising that more aid is coming.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/12/27/graham-tsunami041227.html

[Forkboy]

81. I love UN threads

they attract such an interesting crowd.

[NYC]

119. I noticed that, Forkboy.

I noticed a lot of it.

[m0nkeyneck]

82. donate

http://www.ktvu.com/news/4025132/detail.html

[eaprez]

83. It IS stingy

we can spend $200 billion killing people and destroying a country but can only cough up a paltry $15 million for the worst disaster EVER.

[ZR2]

88. EVER ?

I'm sure the dinosaurs would be willing to challenge you on this one

[attitudewins]

87. He's backing off...

By Irwin Arieff

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The international response to a catastrophic tsunami in Asia has been quick and generous, a senior U.N. official said on Tuesday, playing down his earlier comments that wealthy nations were stingy.

U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland rowed back from statements he made on Monday after an annoyed Secretary of State Colin Powell said Washington was "the greatest contributor to international relief efforts in the world."

http://reuters.myway.com/article/20041228/2004-12-28T190549Z_01_N28706943_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-QUAKE-UN-DC.html

[peacetalksforall]

97. Caution...Bush ONLY PLEDGED 15 million....you know what happens to

his pledges.

[aneerkoinos]

101. No shame

That is still twise as much per capita (20 bucks) as Finland (10 euros) no matter that dollar is Monopoly funny money. We should do better than Bush.

[oasis]

116. Ask the people in the homeless shelters about Bush's empty promises.

He and Rove are engaged in another public relations sham.

[peacetalksforall]

102. cost of war is up to

147,255,700,000 dollars. If you divide 30000 (my guess) of Iraqis killed by our cost of war - you will see where our priorities are focused. We are broke in our war against innocents in Iraq. They had a miserable leader, but we have to take them out to pay for the sins of thier leader. We prefer to spend our dollars in Iraq. Thank you very much, pnac and the cabal.

[aneerkoinos]

103. That is shame n/t

[pacifictiger]

112. When I first heard the sum of $15million

I was astounded. And how much does a 'smart' bomb cost?

To relate to how stingy that offer of assistance was, consider this:
Australia's immediate assistance offer was $10 million, which correlates to about 50c per Aussie citizen.
The US offer correlates to .05c per US citizen. Disgusting.

[VegasWolf]

113. awol, the compassionate chimpanzee. Spend trillions for OIL but

little for humanitarian efforts.

[BrightKnight]

114. Australia is giving 27 million USD.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11804176^661,00.html

$35 million AUD = $27,210,000 UDS

[norml]

117. One thing missed in this is that he was not singling out the USA

He was talking about all of the wealthy western nations, including his own.

[Old Mouse]

122. quite true

but some find the facts less fun than the fight.

[LynnTheDem]

126. WA TIMES JUST MADE THIS SHIT UP. Rightwingnuts just can't help LYING.

The UN DID NOT call the US "stingy".