U.S. increases tsunami aid to $350 million

[Doremus]

CRAWFORD, Texas -- The United States is pledging $350 million to help tsunami victims, a tenfold increase over its first wave of aid, President Bush announced today.

"Initial findings of American assessment teams on the ground indicate that the need for financial and other assistance will steadily increase in the days and weeks ahead," Bush said today in a statement released in Crawford, Texas, where he is staying at his ranch.

"Our contributions will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this epic disaster."

Bush also is sending Secretary of State Colin Powell to Indian Ocean coastal areas ravaged by earthquake and tsunami to assess what more the United States needs to do. The president's brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, will travel with him.


http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-usaid1231,1,3447052.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines

[Shopaholic]

1. But I thought the original, paltry amount * was more than sufficient-

at least that's what all the right-wing PUGS were saying. . . . Gee wonder what made them make this big turnaround????

These people are so damn transparent to everyone except your average Repug, I guess.

[lazarus]

2. big turnaround?

Their "teams" basically found that another mint is in the offing. That $350 million is going to Halliburton, et al, to do the rebuilding. Guaranteed.

[Telly Savalas]

5. Agreed that much of the $ will go towards shameless profiteering

Nevertheless, the boost in the "aid" level is a classic GOP flip-flop.

[LuCifer]

6. OH BUT THE DEMOCRATS FLIP FLOP AND WE REPUKES DON'T...

...yeah right...

Hey, maybe they are uping the aid so they can scout for oil? Like anything this bunch of crooks would do would surprise us...

Lu Cifer, BTW rightwing trolls (sorry to be redundant), France is giving the MOST aid...I just mention that in passing...

[Catherine Vincent]

3. That's more better.

That is what they should have given from the beginning. The UN guy that called the US stingy should be congratulated for saying this.

[morgan2]

4. bush wanted to wait to give aid

so the money goes to rebuilding contracts, not to food/supplies.

[readmylips]

7. bush spent more than 350million to rig the elections...

plus how much for his January parties?

I'm sure part of the 350mils include the jebby's and colon the ass kisser's expenses.

And what happened to that announcement earlier in the week about the Abraham Lincoln carrier and another big carrier making a detour to help out in the tsunami mess? Didn't here again about this generous offer...hee...hee...pure PR job.

[KSAtheist]

8. From the AP

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041231/ap_on_re_as/tsunami&cid=514&ncid=514

"France has promised $57 million, Britain $95 million, Sweden $75.5 million. The United States had pledged $35 million, but on Friday President Bush (news - web sites) set the new figure of $350 million and said: "Our contributions will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer."


A dozen U.S. Navy (news - web sites) vessels including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln headed for the Indonesian and Sri Lankan coasts, some 2,000 miles apart, carrying supplies, medical teams and more than 40 helicopters to distribute them."

[imax2268]

9. now...

let's see if he actually comes through with his promise of that money...
All the billions that he promised for Aids...not one dime has been paid yet...