$40 Million for Inauguration - $35 Million for Tsunami

[molly]

what's wrong with this picture? My son just sent me this - looked but couldn't find it posted before.....

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php

[DeepModem Mom]

1. Unbelievable!

[Liberty Belle]

2. $20M of the $35 million is a LOAN.

Bush makes Ebeneezer Scrooge look generous in comparison.

[sam sarrha]

30. so what is the interest on the loan ???

[Arkansas Gazette]

3. The inauguration money comes mainly from private donations...

just as the $125 Million to $150 Million it took to build the Clinton Presidential Library did.

Pledges for Disaster Relief:
------- --- -------- ------
USA - $35 million
Britain - $30 million
Australia - $25 million
New Zealand - $5 million
Germany - $2.7 million
S. Korea - $600,000
France - $100,000
Cambodia - $40,000

But these numbers are changing rapidly...

Link
----
http://wwww.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vCD/Indonesia?OpenDocument&Start=1&Count=1000&ExpandView&StartKey=Indonesia

[nonews]

4. Clinton's ...

His cost over 41 million

[Arkansas Gazette]

5. President Clinton's inaugurations? The first one was $25Million,

and the second was $30 Million last I heard.

[Ripley]

6. I forget which War were we up to our necks in during Clinton's time?

And how was that deficit doing?

Oh yeah, we had money back then.

[nonews]

7. wrong

1996 was 41.7 million. Let's just drop this thread. The argument is pointless. The US is very generous.

[Ripley]

8. Really?

Pointless to point out the hypocricy of Bush offering 15 million to help in the world's largest natural catastrophe ever? Then weasling it up to $35 because of public pressure with "20 mill line of credit."

Do you think it is appropriate to spend our tax dollars on a PARTY for him, but not on humanitarian aid?

[nonews]

9. tax dollars

only 12 million comes from tax dollars; plus we all can go to it for free

[hatrack]

13. "Plus we can all go to it for free"?

Let me know how your glamorous DC evening works out, OK? :eyes:

[Misunderestimator]

89. LOL... Well, cool then... I get to crash an inauguration party... for free

In 2001, they wouldn't even let me get up to the procession, blocking us with armed police in riot gear. It's really fantastic that this year's inauguration is going to be so egalitarian. :eyes:

[Arkansas Gazette]

10. Our tax dollars "only" provide $1 Million for the inauguration

of any president. The rest is raised through private donations.

[nonews]

12. stand corrected

I thouhgt it was 12, but you sound like you know.

[Fla Dem]

122. Let's not forget the millions that will be spent for security

so that Bush Idol Worshipers will be able to gaze on their beloved Supreme Being In Chief without worry of a "Terra Attack".

Also, who do you think pays for erecting the the grandstand and throne for said Supreme Being. Our costs are substantial.

A small gesture to our troops in Iraq would have been a scaled down event.

[Bridget Burke]

14. "Let's just drop this thread."

Translation: Danger, Danger! Republican Bashing!

[nonews]

15. USA Bashing

With an upside down USA flag as an icon

[Ripley]

17. Wow are you ever smart.

Did you get through that 6th grade civics class with a D- ?

[nonews]

18. flag

why don't you see if you can find one that is burning too

[Ripley]

19. lol

You sure are edumacated. Why don't you ask your military buds what an upside down flag means. Oh yeah, they're over in Iraq dying for your sorry ass.

[nonews]

20. here

Q. Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down?
A. Yes, but only in an emergency. It means "Help Me, I am in Trouble!"

Somehow this seems appropriate in your cas

[UltraDem]

36. Holy Cow!

I have to agree with NONEWS... just cuz we're Democrats doesn't mean we get to spit on the flag. You're going a little too far. Show a little respect, would ya?

[SammyWinstonJack]

73. Holy Cow!

..."just cuz we're Democrats doesn't mean we get to spit on the flag." :eyes: Doesn't mean we get to have our votes counted either, apparently. :shrug:

[Name removed]

78. Deleted message

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

[UltraDem]

80. Wait, I'm confused...

I thought we were here to critize the administration... not the US. So defending myself as a generous American makes me a "Freeper"... even though I voted for Kerry? That doesn't make sense.

[UltraDem]

82. I get it...

So... a "Freeper" isn't just somebody who voted for BushCo and thinks he is doing a good job. It can also be someone who voted for Kerry but loves his country and gets annoyed at anybody criticizing it, especially our generosity?

I guess I need to find a forum for those of us who are registered Democrats, dislike Bush, but is still proud to be called American.

My bad.

[Misunderestimator]

90. "Just cuz we're Democrats"... LOL

[d_b]

47. My cross is better than his flag

[Fla Dem]

123. Typical RW response to Bush criticism...bashing US.

Criticizing the current administration is not bashing the U.S.A. In case you've forgotten, this is a free country, and we are not put in gulags for criticizing politicians. I resent implications from people of your ilk that in order to be a patriotic American, you must march in lockstep with the RW agenda, and stifle any criticism about their misguided policies.

:mad:

[Ripley]

16. Translation:

I hope I can get to touch the Chosen One at his Coronation.....I might just faint! Yet, that damned Clinton had the fucking gall to speak out about an immediate need for international relief efforts for Asia. He should STFU trying to upstage our Chimperator.

[UltraDem]

35. Oh brother...

They're just posting numbers. Relax.

[Forkboy]

93. LMAO

:)

[stubertmcfly]

23. um...

i beg to differ. $35 mil (with $20 mil of that as a loan) is not particularly generous. especially when you consider that we have spend upwards of $200 BILLION blowing things up in iraq and our "generous" country spent over $40 million last weekend alone on meet the fockers.

$35 million is an embarassment. i am frankly appalled.

and it takes (p)resident jackass 3+ days to make a statement? nice leadership. and compassion.

[lancdem]

24. Do you have a link for the Clinton figure?

[imabadman]

56. Yes, I agree

We are the most generous people on the planet.

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

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

[imabadman]

81. I'm a freeper...?

Because I contend that we are the most generous people on the planet?

Interesting.

[UltraDem]

83. I'm just as shocked as you...

Here, all this time I thought "Freepers" were the religious nut jobs who put Bush in office. I guess it's anyone that has a kind word about the US. Sorry, but just because I dislike this administration doesn't mean I'm into self-hatred. That's just sick.

[Misunderestimator]

91. Too funny...

and transparent...

[UltraDem]

95. thanks, but....

but don't sell yourself short.
It's only "transparent" if you're ultra-cynical. :)

[Misunderestimator]

98. Ultra-exaggerating to say "We are the most generous people on the planet"

don't you think?

[UltraDem]

100. Perhaps...

but I'm still not embarrassed by our generosity. We do very well by any standard.

That doesn't mean we don't fall short in other areas, war being the at the top of the list.

But when it comes to giving, I believe America has a good soul. Sometimes a little misguided, as in the 2004 election, but a good soul over-all. We're a good people.

[imabadman]

107. Yes, self-hatred is sick...

and it demonstrates a lack of confidence.

I will never understand why some people cannot tolerate someone having something good to say about this country and its people.

I’m with you, we may not have a very good administration, but we have a great country.

[UltraDem]

112. Plus...

I sincerely believe that we will regain the White House AND all of Congress in 2008 with a more positive message. The one good thing that came from this last election was Barak Obama. Man, did you listen to him during the DNC? He had me (and millions of others) entranced.

This kid is truly the New Model Democrat. Very posititive, very upbeat, loves this country, great orator, brilliant, is the traditional American success story (immigrant poor parents, went to college on a scholarship, becomes U.S Senator). I mean, you talk about someone beating the odds!!! I honestly think if he had ran as Presidential candidate, he could've easily beaten Bush.

That's the guy to keep an eye on. The "skinny kid with a funny name." Gotta love him!!!

[UltraDem]

113. Ever watch 'Enemy at the Gate'?

For those of you that haven't, it's about a young Russian sharpshooter during WWII who manages to almost single-handedly turn around the Nazi advancement on Stalingrad, virtually saving all of Russia and handing the Germans a major defeat. I forget his name. Anyway, at the beginning of the movie, before our young hero is recognized, Nikita KHRUSHCHEV is having to shoot his Generals because they can't seem to stop the Nazi's advancement on Stalingrad, thereby making an example of failure. Then, a young politcal officer (having seen the shapshooter in action first hand) offers a novel idea: "Yes, we need to make examples... but examples that the men CAN FOLLOW. We need heroes!" He was, of course, speaking of our young Russian soldier who would later go on to become Russia's greatest hero.

I honestly believe our hero will be Barak Obama in 2008.

[Fla Dem]

124. Agree, can despise administration, and still love your country. n/t

[JaneDoughnut]

114. I won't call you a freeper

But I will disagree with you. I think we are some of the greediest people on the planet, often without realizing it, because we were born into wealth and don't realize how much we have in relationship to the rest of the world. In dollar figures, yes, we are one of the most generous nations on the planet. But as a slice of the huge American economic pie, we tend to be pretty stingy with our foreign aid.

[saigon68]

84. Lately we are the Most Genocidal on Earth

IE Kill those (100,000) Islamic "Rag-Heads" for their OIL</sarcasm>

[imabadman]

108. We are far, very far

from being the most genocidal people on Earth.

We do more to PREVENT genocide than any other country on Earth.

[vinnievin777]

58. Of course the people are generous

It's this administration that is greedy.

Vinnie Vin
http://www.vinnievin.com


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932852344/qid=1086103239/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-2438201-2251026?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[imabadman]

110. The way this administration spends money

I think you could hardly call them greedy.

Irresponsible? Yes
Careless? Yes
Wasteful? Yes

But greedy? Oh, I forgot about the power thing.

[spanone]

77. Spain 67 MILLION

[saigon68]

85. enjoy your stay

It will be short

[Amaya]

11. It's a waste of fucking money on both sides

nt

[UltraDem]

34. Thanks, Arkansas

I was trying to find those numbers but couldn't.

Are you sure France's numbers are correct?

[Swede Atlanta]

50. The point is the % of GDP

I think what we miss is that when we compare the U.S. contributions year-over-year is that we fall miserably behind in terms of the % of GDP that is contributed. Surely we all appreciate that when a pauper of meager means contributes $10.00 out of a total asset pool of $100.00 that contribution, in terms of sacrifice and integrity has greater personal and individual merit than the contribution of $1,000,000 by a man who has assets of $300,000,000.

I fully respect the U.S. will, in terms of dollars, be one of the largest contributors to the relief effort. My problem is we simply miss the point that, as a % of our total economic assets, we lag far behind almost all other industrialized nations.

I believe the opportunity for George Bush to seize the moment and make this a shining point in our history has passed. He could have redeeemed some of the international goodwill lost to the war in Iraq by demonstrating PERSONAL leadership and commitment. But once again he fails. We all agree this is a tragedy of unseen dimensions but he lacks "the vision thing" to appreciate what he could do if he truly was a follower of his "Christ".

[UltraDem]

55. Well, if I were homeless...

(and I have been) and somebody wanted to give me money, I certainly wouldn't give them grief about what percentage of their paycheck they were giving me. The only thing that would matter to me is HOW MUCH!!! Man... when did we become so nitpicky about charity?

[Zynx]

62. The point is that we can and should give A LOT more.

$35 million is a small amount of money in absolute terms as well. This disaster will cost billions upon billions and these countries who have been hit can't afford it.

[UltraDem]

64. What my neighbor

decides to donate, or not donate, is his/her business. I worry more about what I'm doing for this relief effort. Last night, I pledged $250 to the Red Cross. I could probably pledge alot more since I make quite a bit... and I may still do that... or not. But, frankly, I couldn't care less about my next door neighbor is pledging.

[Zynx]

65. Spain is giving $68 million and they have about 6% of our GDP.

Doesn't that bother you a little bit?

I've personally given 2% of what I have, which isn't very much, but it is a lot better than what we are doing. $35 million is a pathetic amount for our country to be giving and you can use whatever bizzare argument you want to justify it, but it is downright uncivilized to do what we are doing.

[UltraDem]

71. Not at all...

because, in every single disaster since WWII, both national and abroad, the USA always ends up out-giving all other countries combined, both in tax dollars and private donations, regardless of the administration. Whether Bush does it of his own accord or if he is shamed into it (the more likely scenario), we will always end up being linchpin of any international relief effort.

Just sending those aircraft carriers *alone* is more valuable than anyone realizes. The first thing that cities in a disaster need is power. Just one of those aircraft carriers can generate enough power to light up a small city. And that is YOUR tax-paying dollars at work. And not to mention the value of technical expertise of the people that work on those carriers.

Believe it or not, sometimes having the most advanced military in the world is a huge advantage *other* than war related activities.

[Zynx]

72. We are not out-giving the rest of the world here.

Even if you include the force deployments, the European Union is giving far more than we are.

[UltraDem]

75. We will.

like I said, we always do. It something that transcends administrations... even ones like this one. It's who we are.

[Zynx]

104. Britain is at $95 million, Spain at $68 million. We are far short of that.

[saigon68]

88. Like killing the Black and Yellow Man (nt)

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

94. To whom much is given, much shall be required. n/t

[Forkboy]

96. How does an aircraft carrier hook up to someone else's power grid?

Just one of those aircraft carriers can generate enough power to light up a small city.

Just curious.

[UltraDem]

97. The same way you would any other power source...

It depends how sophisticated the city's infrastructure is. In an American city, most port cities are set up for such a contingency. For other cities that arent as developed, it might require a more sophisticated set up.

[Forkboy]

101. Do you know where I might get more info on this?

It's pretty fascinating.

[UltraDem]

102. I guess you could try to

find it from two directions.

Port Power Plants -> Emergency Contingencies, natural disasters, etc

or

Aircraft Carriers, Power Plants, (U-235)

When I was in the Navy (85-89), they sent us to Orlando for Nuclear Power Training School. After finishing there, they would send us to one of 5 or 6 Power Plants throughout the US that used the exact same type of reactors you would find on Ships. The one I went to was in upstate New York... near Saratoga Springs.

The type of reactor I worked on was something called a "Natural Flow Reactor"... this was a reactor used in Los Angeles Class Submarines. It was useful in submarines because it could operate at 40% power without the use of pumps, which meant less noise underwater... something obviously important to submarines.

[Forkboy]

105. thanks for the suggestions

I will do just that!

[UltraDem]

106. Hopefully, I didn't give anything away...

I just remembered they had us sign confidentiality agreements under penalty of jail... but I'm sure it's nothing you couldn't find in a Tom Clancy novel. I remember when he wrote "Hunt for Red October", the Pentagon called him in and wanted to know exactly where he got his sources. He confidently showed them sources you could find at your local library or at least the Library of Congress. They were mainly concerned on how he found out about the Worm Drive... something that was supposed to be Top Secret.

Just a little bit of trivia... and a little CYA in case anyone from the Pentagon is reading this thread. :)

[Zynx]

60. Those are tiny amounts of money all the way around.

The first world countries should be donating hundreds of millions.

[THUNDER HANDS]

68. wow, you'd think France could pony up a little more

$100,000? By scale, that's an even bigger insult than our $15 million non loan aid.

[chaz4jazz]

69. France donates 20.5 Million

As noted in news report on Wednesday.

[THUNDER HANDS]

70. oh

i didn't see that report. Thanks. I guess we do suck then.

[Tinoire]

21. Makes us proud doesn't it Molly?

There's something very wrong with this picture. Terribly wrong and I'm glad the entire world is seeing our shame. Thanks for posting

[molly]

29. The arrogance of the mis-administration is embarrassing

the very least he could have done during his little "rant" on TV today was ask people to send donations to their chosen charity to help those victims. Instead he did a CARLA FAYE.

He's the most disgusting president we've ever had! And, why does he walk like he has something between his legs?

[evolvenow]

22. When will the value of Life supersede unindividuated narcissistic Egos?

The love, support, and organization that is going on in the disaster areas, is a model for the way the rest of the world could operate.

If the killing and greed could ever lessen, so much good and beautiful would be accomplished.

Saving life is much cheaper than destroying it.

[molly]

31. AMEN!!!

unfortunately this administration does not share this view.

[stubertmcfly]

25. private donations

it matters not if the money for shrub's innauguration comes from private donations. that money could (and should) be spent more intelligently. clinton's too. $40 mil for a fucking party is simply gluttenous. and disgusting.

and yes, i fly my flag upside down. with attitudes like those demonstrated by nonews, we are indeed in distress.

[molly]

32. Probably at least half of it is for security

[Bridget Burke]

67. Most of the security is "extra".

Not included in the $40 million, not contributed by Bush toadys.

We're paying!

[UltraDem]

39. But what if ...

The private donations to the disaster exceeds 40 million? Is it still disgusting?
Anybody got those numbers? Arkansas?

[Zynx]

66. Even if it does, it is a fraction of what should be given.

This disaster calls for BILLIONS in disaster relief.

[janetle]

26. Paul Begala...

...on Crossfire just brought up this interesting comparison and frankly, I couldn't believe my ears and came on the internet to find out if I heard him right and here it is.

To me the $87 Billion with a capital B for flattening Iraq which is stuck in everybody's head because of the election (and we know is now more like 200 billion as mentioned above) is the shocking comparison.

[vinnievin777]

59. Exactly

When it comes to spending money if it is for war then this administration gives a blank check-- if it is to save lives they are as callous as scrooge. No one is saying that the people of the US don't give --the people of the US give to everyone including corporate wellfare.
This administration waiting four days to even give out heart felt sympathy is pathetic.

Vinnie Vin
http://www.vinnievin.com


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932852344/qid=1086103239/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-2438201-2251026?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[tjdee]

27. Not to mention, Julia Roberts makes more than that in 2 pictures.

And her money comes in hard cash, not a bogus fucking "line of credit".

Our contribution is an embarrassment, plain and simple.

[sundog]

46. uggghh, sick thought

but very true - puts it in perspective

really sick

how much does it take to make a movie? 50 mill?

really, really sick :puke:

[Vinca]

28. Now is the time for Bush to put up or shut up.

We've been subjected to his "born again" religious leanings ad nauseum, including appearances by Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and the like. If ever there was a time Bush should step up to the plate and be a real Christian (think Mother Theresa), it is now. With a disaster of epic proportions and a war taking place, he should cancel the inaugural festivities and donate the 40 mil to a better cause. It might even earn him a shred of respect.

[Disturbed]

33. 100, 000 Dead

and who knows how many mained, in Iraq and more being killed and maimed everyday. Where is the mass concern for that?

[UltraDem]

37. Hmmmm....

So... are you saying we are being distracted by this from the real tragedy?

[janetle]

38. You are right

As I hear the staggering numbers of people killed by the earthquake/tsunami disaster, I keep thinking of the 100,000 mostly children who have been killed in Iraq because of OUR invasion.

[UltraDem]

40. Oh my GOD!!!!

We killed 100,000 children!?!?!? HOLY SH*T!!!
And they say the media has a LIBERAL bias... if only it did, this wouldn't be news to people like me.

[ProfessorGAC]

74. It Depends

The British med journal, Lancet, has people on the ground who have actually confirmed 98,000 civilians. Not combatants, civilians.

That of course, excludes, by their own admission, dead people who were blown into too many pieces to find. That same article mentioned at least another 20,000 considered by their families dead, because they can't find them.

I doubt all of them were children, but the number of total non-combatants is now estimated at >100k, by scientific/medical professionals. Even the Pentagon now admits to at least 60,000.
The Professor

[Undercover Owl]

117. this one fell off the turnip truck yesterday.

No dear, the "liberal bias" in the media really is an untrue myth. Nice to see you catching on.

[Undercover Owl]

118. I agree

The president really should go for a reasonably priced inauguration. What the heck is driving up the price so high? I can't imaging why an inauguration would cost so much.

[taverns voice]

41. US aid...

http://www.wfp.org/appeals/donors_list/index.html
still think the US doesn't care? this also does not count private donations

[UltraDem]

42. 826 million!!!!

Wow!! We must be loaded with money to give that much away. I wonder what the estimate for private contributions is... anybody?

[G_j]

43. US Spent $147,403,701,409 to kill 100,000 Iraqis

www.costofwar.com

[UltraDem]

44. And lets not forget...

the billions of dollars the tobaco industry has *made* off of killing people every year.

Sometimes death is a profitable business.

[Shopaholic]

45. Family Values!

That's why we're not giving $$$ to these poor folks. I mean, if they were all blonde, blue-eyed, and very white and Christian--then there would be no problem-we'd be giving them TONS of money but since they're not. . . . fuck 'em!

[UltraDem]

63. You think that's bad...

check out this site: www.costoffallingballpinhammersfromspace.com

[G_j]

87. link doesn't work

but from the name, it sounds interesting.

[UltraDem]

92. That's odd...

did you try re-setting your cookies?

[TWiley]

48. In the end, it will add up to a $75 million photo op

for the me-publicans. Never mind that at least 50% of this tax money to be spent was contributed by Democrats

[vogonjiltz]

49. Director of USAID...

said on the News Hour that if we gave more, we would overwhelm everyone else adn somehow make us look bad.

[DarkSim]

51. That doesn't even make sense.

I'm sure that even my communist buddies here in china would respect the US and/or Bush had he given more than what some fuckead actor can earn. And possibly even taken this money out of his national security budget. Or better even - his inauguration cash stash.

[kerrygoddess]

52. A lot is wrong with this picture!

A little late to the effort, George W. Bush, who is vacationing in Texas, pledged today that $35 million would be made available for aid to the Asia tsunami victims. Critics say that billions of dollars will be needed for the area. Last October Congress approved $13.6 billion in domestic hurricane assistance, most going to Florida.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=175

[Redstone]

53. Maybe I'm dumber than a sack of hammers, but...

what I don't get is why we're sending an aircraft carrier into the area.

Those boats are, after all, not loaded with C-130s that can deliver supplies. They're loaded with strike aircraft.

Can someone explain this to me?

Redstone

[Learning2Fly]

54. I've got no idea

but $15M isn't going to cover much. Maybe the cost of the fuel to deliver emergency supplies purchased by the affected countries with the line of credit? Pretty pathetic, but not surprising. Bush needs to impress the neocons with his fiscal responsibility this term. What better place to start than minimal aid to nations not supporting the coalition.

[UltraDem]

57. I worked on an aircraft carrier...

You'd be surprised how much useful they are. Aside from sheer room to ferry supplies and personel, they can also use the nuclear reactor to supply power to a small city. They truly are amazing. Hell, they really are a floating city.

[geekgrrl]

61. we're spending $35 million every 4 hours occupying Iraq.

where are our priorities?

[maduroftime]

76. I just went to the Red Cross website

and dontated..if our selfish government won't do it, I will.

http://www.redcross.org/

[saigon68]

86. We must kill "Islamics" in the 9th Crusade

We need their oil. Halliburton Execs need new yachts and Private jets.

Those are our priorities.

[shance]

99. 80 to 100 million for Ken Starr to try and ruin Clinton's career.

Such are the priorities of this Administration.

[Be Brave]

109. Good point. But it was the republicans in general, and not just

"this administration".

[shance]

116. Absolutely. That is what I meant to express.

Thanks for the clarification.

[RUDUing2]

103. did you also know that Spain is donating 68 million dollare..

Germany is donating 27 million dollars...and Pfizer is donating 35 million dollars..

so little bitty spain is donating almost twice as much as the US..nope we aren't stingy..

[Be Brave]

111. I read about Spain's $68 million, too. But upon reading the article

further, the wording was "line of credit", so this might not be straightforward aid.

[nascarblue]

115. Bush spends 166 million a day in Iraq, Spain sends 70 million to Tsunami

And Spain is the size of one or two of our states? Unbelievable..

Lets not forget how the world reacted when we lost 3000. Now Bush is riding his bike and thinking about tax reform in Crawford while the numbers climb about 3000 every half hour.

The American aid figure for the current disaster is now $35 million, and we applaud Mr. Bush's turnaround. But $35 million remains a miserly drop in the bucket, and is in keeping with the pitiful amount of the United States budget that we allocate for nonmilitary foreign aid. According to a poll, most Americans believe the United States spends 24 percent of its budget on aid to poor countries; it actually spends well under a quarter of 1 percent.

Bush administration officials help create that perception gap. Fuming at the charge of stinginess, Mr. Powell pointed to disaster relief and said the United States "has given more aid in the last four years than any other nation or combination of nations in the world." But for development aid, America gave $16.2 billion in 2003; the European Union gave $37.1 billion. In 2002, those numbers were $13.2 billion for America, and $29.9 billion for Europe.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/30/opinion/30thu2.html?oref=login&oref=login


Palestine

Bangladesh

India

Amman, Jordan

[Jens_Wenzel]

119. $55 million from Denmark

The danish government has just upped the contribution to $55 million. We are ~5 million inhabitants, which in corresponding terms per capita would mean that the US should contribute with about $2.4 billion. That should buy you a lot of inaugurations.
Best regards,
Jens

[rman]

120. tsunami aid 450 million globally. Iraq war 9.5 million per hour. n/t

-

[lawladyprof]

121. With the virtually unprecedented loss of life in a single incident/tragedy

a lavish inauguration is unseemly.

[indepat]

125. One must keep all things in perspective

[riffraff_va]

126. Bush is wrong!!!

Bush stated: "I felt like the person who made that statement was very misguided and ill-informed," Bush said Wednesday. "In the year 2004, our government provided $2.4 billion in food, in cash, in humanitarian relief to cover the disasters for last year. That's $2.4 billion. Forty percent of all the relief aid given in the world last year was provided by the United States government."

Well, comes to find out that information is wrong. According to http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/reports/pdf/ocha_18_2004.pdf and www.reliefweb.com, the US only provided a little over $1 billion dollars and only 22.16 percent of relief aid given.

But to be fair, America have given the most aid in 2004.