Bush forms coalition to coordinate [earthquake] relief efforts; promises long-term help

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Dec. 29, 2004 | AP

[FairOpinion]

President Bush assembled a four-nation coalition to organize humanitarian relief for Asia and made clear Wednesday the United States will help bankroll long-term rebuilding in the region leveled by a massive earthquake and tsunamis.

U.S. officials braced for the death toll to exceed 100,000.

From airlifts of rice and water purifiers to the deployment of an entire Marine expeditionary force, the United States marshaled resources across the globe to augment its initial $35 million aid package and make sure the hardest hit locations got the short-term help they requested.

[FairOpinion]

Another article mentions which countries comprise the coalition: US, India, Japan and Australia.

I am glad we are doing it outside the UN, which would waste half the aid by their bureacratic inefficiency and steal the other half, the way they stole the food out of the mouths of Iraqi children, during the "oil-for-fodd" program.

[TheRatHunter]

The UN is basically a glorifed version of one of those scam charities that go buy themselves Porsches instead of giving the money they raise to the cause they claim to represent..

[FairOpinion]

Just another comment -- France is the world's 5th largest economy, they pledged just barely over a hundred thousand dollars, while the US is already over $35Million, and the UN calls us "stingy". Germany is the 3rd largest economy, and they didn't pledge that much, maybe a $million or so. For list of top 20 economies, see here:

The World's Largest Economies

[miliantnutcase]

Oh great...another coalition.

[TheRatHunter]

Hey, coalitions can be great things, as long as you leave the baggage behind. Meaning the frogs and the castrated nazis.

[rodguy911]

John,the big blond guy, on FNC just pulled it out of some rat he was interviewing that many countries of the world are trying to blame Bush for not coming up with more money faster for tsunami victims because they are still pissed off that we went into Iraq. It's a sick, sick world.

[primeval patriot]

How much is China going to contribute?

[mtbopfuyn]

That's great and all but can't France send them some air conditioners?

[FairOpinion]

I saw that. It's really pathetic, that the liberals in the US, not to mention our foreign enemies, like the UN, are trying to use such a global world catastrophy as an opportunity for bashing Bush.

They are confusing cause and effect.

We went into Iraq with the "coalition of the willing" because countries, who were supposed to be our friends, such as France and Germany wouldn't support us. It isn't that they are not supporting us, because we didn't ask them to help us before.

[My2Cents]

So, I guess the MSM, the UN guy, and assorted lefties, are upset that Bush didn't act more "unilaterally" in South Asia relief efforts.

[miliantnutcase]

Good point.

[TheRatHunter]

Thank you!

Although I will admit, the Brits tend to get a little rowdy sometimes. I think it has something to do with football season.

[USMC79to83]

So when will John F'n Kerry and the Leftie Bunch start sniveling about the U.S.A "Going it alone" in the efforts to help?

Just wondering...

[FairOpinion]

Some facts about US foreign aid: government and private:

American Generosity
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1310515/posts

"Last year Paula Dobriansky, State Department undersecretary for global affairs, reported "Americans privately give at least $34 billion overseas annually."

That does not include the $10 billion in official U.S. foreign aid, though it does include $18 billion in remittances immigrants send to their home countries.

That still leaves $16 billion sent across the world, which doesn't sound too stingy to us."

That's $10 Billion EVERY YEAR by the US government and $16 Billion by private contributions.

[rodguy911]

I really think there is a determined mind set against our President that no matter what he does, with few exceptions, he will always be criticized by someone somewhere..

[Clara Lou]

I am glad we are doing it outside the UN Can I give you a hearty "Amen!"? I'd like to add that I think the four make an impressive group.

[Clara Lou]

I really think there is a determined mind set against our President that no matter what he does, with few exceptions, he will always be criticized by someone somewhere.
Those who dislike him will nitpick at every opportunity for the next four years.

[mewzilla]

Gee, no wonder Mr. Stingy got cranky. Sounds like the easy money's drying up...

[eureka!]

I saw on another thread that China was in for $2.6 million for now. I'll see if I can find the thread and ping you....

[rodguy911]

You are right,thank God for freerepublic.