Bush's Feeble Response to the Tsunami Crisis
Bush not only fails to provide moral leadership - at a time when the supposed wisdom is that he was re-elected on "moral" issues - but he lies about the US Government's response as well. The US government's initial response was stingy, and everyone knows it. The government of the richest, most powerful nation on earth will spend $40m on the president's inauguration ceremony, and initially offers $35m for aid!
This article, from the Nation (a liberal magazine in the US), explains.
I have no doubt about the generosity of individual americans, but the US is being shamed into doing better.
Since this news broke, Bush has raised the amount to $350m. A lot, lot more will be needed, and I'm sure a lot more will be provided - but only after they conduct their "assessment", a way of saving face. But in the end, as long as they get on with it, that will be the most important thing.
The initial response amounted to 12 cents per person. The new response amountes to around $1.20 per person. By comparison, Australia has offered $60m to date - about $3.00 per person. Sweden pledged $75m, amounting to $8.40 per person.
Surely Bush must realise that the effort they put into this kind of thing will do more to counter terrorism in the future than anything else his militaristic mind can think of.
Update: Japan has now upped their support from an initial $40m to $500m. I expect they have a certain sympathy with the consequences of a tsunami.
Bush not only fails to provide moral leadership - at a time when the supposed wisdom is that he was re-elected on "moral" issues - but he lies about the US Government's response as well. The US government's initial response was stingy, and everyone knows it. The government of the richest, most powerful nation on earth will spend $40m on the president's inauguration ceremony, and initially offers $35m for aid!
This article, from the Nation (a liberal magazine in the US), explains.
I have no doubt about the generosity of individual americans, but the US is being shamed into doing better.
Since this news broke, Bush has raised the amount to $350m. A lot, lot more will be needed, and I'm sure a lot more will be provided - but only after they conduct their "assessment", a way of saving face. But in the end, as long as they get on with it, that will be the most important thing.
The initial response amounted to 12 cents per person. The new response amountes to around $1.20 per person. By comparison, Australia has offered $60m to date - about $3.00 per person. Sweden pledged $75m, amounting to $8.40 per person.
Surely Bush must realise that the effort they put into this kind of thing will do more to counter terrorism in the future than anything else his militaristic mind can think of.
Update: Japan has now upped their support from an initial $40m to $500m. I expect they have a certain sympathy with the consequences of a tsunami.
posted by Vergil | 11:52 AM
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