Lando 
Posted on 12/30/2004 5:16:12 AM PST by Lando Lincoln
Tragedy is an incredible thing. In the face of disaster, death and destruction it brings out unknown facets and hidden strengths in people, as well as great compassion and, in many, a sense of duty. The quality of great human compassion isn’t derived of any one nation or people. Instead it is innate to the human soul. We saw it in the tears of those laying flowers at the gates of American embassies all over the world after September 11th and we see it again today in the compassionate outreach of individuals and governments from around the world in the aftermath of the tsunamis that devastated the Indian Ocean nations. Why then did the UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs decide to lash out at the UN’s greatest benefactor by calling us “stingy?”
The United States, without question, is the most philanthropic nation on the face of the planet. As a government – through taxpayer dollars – and on an individual basis, the people of the United States give more to charity and causes than any other peoples of the world. This isn’t gloating: it’s a fact.
On December 27th Secretary of State Colin Powell declared that the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), committed an initial $15 million in response to the disaster in the Indian Ocean. The key word here is "initial" and the larger point is that this amount comes from just one US agency. To be sure, much more monetary and physical aid will pour into the region as time progresses and the need remains.
The aid the US has committed doesn’t stop at monetary aid. USAID is sending a 21-member Disaster Assistance Response Team, which includes probably the most experienced water and sanitation experts and field and information officers in the world. The Pentagon has sent military patrol planes from its Pacific Fleet to help as they can. Add to this the individual contributions of the American people to relief agencies around the world and one can see that “stingy” is not a word best used in this situation.
(It should be noted that the country sending the second greatest amount of aid is Australia, initially offering $10 million and transportation aid. Should it be surprising that two of the countries currently offering freedom to the Iraqi people are also two of the largest contributors in the tsunami humanitarian relief effort?)
With this in mind, the words from Norwegian-born UN Undersecretary Jan Egeland are disturbing. Egeland is quoted as saying; "It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really." He continued, "There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy." He added that politicians in the US and Europe "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."
Stingy? We want to pay more in taxes? Really? How come I wasn’t alerted as to the change in my feelings regarding these statements?
I suppose such an arrogant and ill-informed statement shouldn’t surprise me given the source – the United Nations. This begs the question: what monumental task has the UN ever undertaken where it hasn’t failed? From the Korean Conflict, Haiti and Sudan, Congo to the Balkans – and let’s not forget about Iraq – the United Nations has three avenues of action, throw money at the problem (mostly money derived from the United States), take action and fail dismally, or cry until the United States comes to its aid.
I don’t know too many people who agree with either of Mr. Egeland’s assertions. We Americans are a giving people and given the opportunity – let’s say in the form of lowered taxes – we would probably give more. When the average American has disposable income he is more inclined to “share the wealth” with those in need. Such is the compassionate nature of American culture.
But make no mistake, Americans do not look kindly on those from other countries who suggest we should pay higher taxes in order to fund the very organization that allowed Saddam Hussein to bilk billions out of a humanitarian aid project.
Not to mention an organization that continuously takes from the American taxpayer and when called on to support an American freedom initiative chooses to line its pockets with blood money instead of fighting to free an oppressed people.
So. Mr. Egeland, if you want more than we are willing to give out of the goodness of our hearts, I suggest you petition France, Russia, China and Germany for the funds. I hear they have a few billion dollars in ill-gotten gains they could afford to share.
(God keep those who perished in the horrors of the tsunamis)
Lando
Maybe if the UN staffers actually paid income taxes, we'd have more money to donate. But they don't. Pay income taxes. They are exempt.
The international media will never say the USA is the country that is giving more aid to the affected countries and will never talk about the facts that shows America is the most compassionate nation in the world.
Now there's a nice way to say war.
Mrs VS
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
The subject of this comedy was Sister Bertrille, a bright,
exuberant young novice who brightened the lives of all at the
ancient Convent San Tanco, situated on a hilltop near San Juan,
Puerto Rico. Not the least of Sister Bertrille's attributes was
that she could fly. How? Well, "when lift plus thrust is greater
than load plus drag," any object can fly, including Sister Bertrille,
who weighed only 90 pounds. Whenever a stiff wind caught the
starched cornette worn by her order, off she went. These
aerodynamics were not always pleasant.
Least impressed was her staid, conservative Mother Superior.
But Sister Bertrille got along well with the wise and humorous
Sister Jacqueline, and with Sister Sixto, the Puerto Rican nun
who fought a running battle with the English language. Sister
Bertrille was also admired, from a distance, by Carlos Ramirez,
the rich, handsome playboy owner of a discotheque in town
who was a patron of the convent. Sister Bertrille's knack for
finding trouble was overshadowed by her sincere desire to
do good and benefit her poor community.
Not to mention an organization that continuously takes from the American taxpayer and when called on to support an American freedom initiative chooses to line its pockets with blood money instead of fighting to free an oppressed people.
Ditto
You forgot to mention that the Little Satan has also promised lots of aid to Thailand,Sri Lanka etc!!
Yes it is, but then again just par-for-the-course for those of the Leftist persuasion.
When the U.N. or the U.S. does throw money at a problem the money largely doesn't wind up in the hands of the needy but rather in the hands of corrupt tyrants, warlords or bureaucrats ( see Oil for Food ).
The statement made by the UN offical was not directed to the US but to all Westerners in general.
I'm sure all the facts and figures demonstrating our generosity will be prominently aired on Al Jazeera, CBS, and other trustworthy media organizations. < /sarcasm>
The UN can kiss my gun toting, commie hating, UN detracting a$$.
It is time for them to be disbanded and leave so Trump can redevelop the site to something productive that benefits the UNITED STATES.
The US is committing the Abe Lincoln Task Group and an Amphibious Assault task group to Indonesia and Sri Lanka respectivelly. Their purpose: The LHA and CV have large de-salinization plants that can provide upwards of 90,000 gals/day of fresh water tach and large power plants that can provide electricity. Marines are accompanying the task groups to provide security.
The cost of those 'interventions' will never make it into the UN's hypocritical computations (purposely devised to eliminate military costs). Needless to say, the fact that nearly 20,000 military persons will be providing various forms of aid, comfort, and security will go uncounted also. But the locals won't forget, at least not for a while.
It's got to be an awesome sight to the locals of those countries: an aircraft carrier (CV or LHA) tied up to the pier sending water and electricity to shore.
God bless America.
Thanks for the ping!
I'm glad the U.S. is sending aid to Asia before the UN.
Because, by the time that wasted organization acts, half
of the affected live victims will be dead.
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