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.
D'OH, that should have been "Toronto Sun" in the title.
Chinese proverb: "I don't know why he so hates me -- I never tried to help him."
Hadn't heard that one before but a good one.
Thanks you, Peter Worthington.
[Not all Canadians are 'french'.]
As my Mom used to put it "no good deed goes unpunished."
I had heard and have used this one attributed to several, but most likely Clare Booth Luce: "No good deed goes unpunished."
(Canada)? Whatz dat? Oh. You mean that frozen block of condescension to the north of the USA. It require parentheses around it's name.
How much has the entire country and their government pledged for Indian Ocean Tsunami Relief?
What team have they sent to assess to amounts and types of aid needed in the region?
Oh yeah, I forgot. They're probably too busy harping at us and trying to score some cheap PR points on the world stage so they forgot to open their wallets, their hearts, their eyes and actually do something.
Or as Peter Devries wrote, "The road to good intentions is paved with hell." :)
Quote of the Day. Already! :)
You obviously know nothing about Canadians other than what you see from our idiotic left wing media.
Not all Canadians are bad people.
Never meant to imply that, although my reply post sounds like I did. Apologies extended if you, or any other Canadians on this forum were insulted by my phrasing. The Ottowa government kinda p*sses me off when they start flapping thier gums. Then I generalize, much to my belated chargrin.
I, for one, will not bad mouth Canadians. I do business with folks up in Abbotsdford, BC and folks at Bombardier Aerospace in Toronto and Montreal. We not only do business, but we are great friends. They respect the United States and we respect Canada. They have their lunatics and America haters in politics, and we have ours in the current Democrat Party.
Mitch,
Please see my reply to Issaquahking.
And I do know somethings about some Canadians, albeit they are from the Prairie Provinces, but can probably stand to learn more.
Thanks for updating me as to Canada's citizens efforts and generosity.
I am PROUD US CITIZEN, but have gold mined in northern Canada, and have a lot of time passing through their part of the frozen north. The Quebec frogs for the most part, can all go to hell in a handcart!
Ditto. I'm up in the Calgary oilpatch regularly and have never met better people.
Will someone PLEASE! take this shovel away from me.
I don't wanna dig anymore!
Listen, the libs were knocked down from a majority government to a minority in the last election and the Conservatives picked up a number of seats. Minority governments can be short lived ... it should get interesting this spring. We Conservatives are here and growing ... just not fast enough.
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