Posted on 12/31/2004 5:52:31 AM PST by NorthOf45
No one gives more than U.S.
Americans face unfair criticism over big relief contributions, Peter Worthington writes
By PETER WORTHINGTON -- For the Toronto Sun
December 31, 2004
The Boxing Day tsunami catastrophe may well be the worst natural disaster in human history.
It probably is in terms of lives lost, although one should remember the world's population has gone from under one billion in 1800 to over six billion in 2004 (it's tripled since 1927), so death from disasters keep increasing.
When Krakatoa erupted on the Indonesian island of Rakata in 1883, it sent a tidal wave circling and re-circling the globe and killed 36,000 people.
The death toll from the tsunami may approach 150,000.
Many see the catastrophe as a chance to forgo political differences and offer help to the dozen countries that endured deaths due to the tsunami.
Individuals' generosity
Indeed, generosity from individuals has been extensive and heartfelt -- and more spontaneous and altruistic than the reaction of some governments.
A reason that Canada hasn't sent its heralded Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is not just that it hasn't enough transport aircraft, but also because DART exists more on paper than in fact. It's more government smoke and mirrors.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga of Sri Lanka, where the known dead exceed 30,000, has said: "I truly believe it is a time to shed our differences and unite to meet the challenge of rebuilding our country."
It is a sentiment shared by the world.
Why, then, would Sri Lanka refuse a plane load of aid along with medical and security personnel from Israel, among the first to offer assistance?
It seems Sri Lanka objected to the Israeli military helping. Some example of "shedding our differences."
Also the reaction of the UN's undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Jan Egeland, was boorish when he suggested all developed countries except Scandinavian ones were "stingy" with aid.
Many saw this as a slap at the U.S., which donates 0.14% of its gross national product (GNP) to foreign aid, which is below the 1% of GNP goal set by UN bureaucrats, which no country matches.
Egeland subsequently claimed his remarks were "misinterpreted."
Yeah, but it's an attitude prevalent in the UN and among those who resent America.
Egeland explained his "stingy" remarks applied to the GNP percentages, not to the total amount given. This makes no sense. It's money that buys aid, not percentage points.
Top $1 billion
Although oft resented, the U.S. is the most generous country the world has ever seen -- which brings to mind the Chinese proverb: "I don't know why he so hates me -- I never tried to help him."
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell took umbrage at Egeland's "stingy" quip.
He noted that U.S. aid in the tsunami disaster will top $1 billion and that the U.S. has given more aid in the last four years than any combination of developed countries.
President George Bush, also miffed at Egeland's remark, said the U.S.'s $2.4 billion in disaster relief last year was "40% of all relief aid given in the world."
While the tsunami is a catastrophic reminder of the power of nature -- it is also a reminder of America's enormous generosity.
Something for which it gets little thanks from people who should know better, like Jan Egeland.
Devries's line is a play on that. Think about it.
Cheers, my FRiend, and Happy New Year!
People in the true east (Atlantic Provinces) are waking up finally. I'm sure that as a whole, they have more Conservative values than Ontario/Quebec. We (Conservative Maritimers) just need to get them to make an effort and see that the libs do not truly support them.
That is another issue that is working against us. I'm hoping Fox will take more of a hold here ... and soon.
It could be my imagination but it just seems like even the local WPTF radio station in Raleigh is giving way too much air time to Kofi Anan's quotes.
I personally would be pleased never to hear or see any UN anything.
It is like the media is setting the stage for the coming super importance of the UN and world governance.
They want to get us used to hearing UN opinion.
All they are doing is making me more disgusted.
Peter Worthington is a good Canadian. More of us need to speak up.
woofer - I understand your anger at us. We are not all like that. Unfortunately, our government is pure evil.
Good for Peter Worthington. A worthy successor to the late Gordon Sinclair, who lambasted those who denigrate America. Sinclair teed off many years ago. I saw repeat after repeat of his broadside. This was just following 9/11. No, the Canadian press- as far as I know did not plaster the media with Sinclair's old salvo. It was on Free Republic.
Happy New Year to virtually every one.
ping
Thanks for posting this current article.
I posted a thread with another nice (and vintage) note from Canada today:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1312134/posts?page=1
"Good for Peter Worthington. A worthy successor to the late Gordon Sinclair,
who lambasted those who denigrate America. Sinclair teed off many years ago. I saw
repeat after repeat of his broadside. This was just following 9/11. No, the
Canadian press- as far as I know did not plaster the media with Sinclair's old salvo.
It was on Free Republic. "
Reposted today to start off 2005 right:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1312134/posts?page=1
Nice to hear some words of support from a Canadian friend.
What was the accuracy of world wide death tolls in 1863.?.
Even area-wise death tolls.. I believe the Yellow and Yangse river floods in China have killed more, fairly REGULARLY... not counting the deaths from post flood disease deaths..
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