[Mr. Mojo]

I also think what's bothing many is the appearance that the pressure applied from the American Left and the UN Socialists - calling the Administration "stingy" - forced the President's hand, which resulted in the amount being raised from $35 million to $350 million.

[Peach]

I agree there is that appearance and today, on another thread, Powell was quoted as saying this is not an auction at which the higehst bidder wins. (Or words to that effect). I thought it was a good response to those of us who were concerned about the appearance of how this played out.

[Conservababe]

Well, I can tell you what is bothering me. It is the assumption from the world that we have an obligation to give aid. No, we don't have to. I am sick and tired of giving to those who dance in the streets when our military or civilians are killed and then whine when help is not on the way instantly from us when disaster strikes them.

[Bernard]

Watching the liberals thunder and roar while this administration marches in an orderly fashion is the very best part of this.

That's why 61 million plus people voted for George W. Bush in November, despite all the words that the left could raise in anger.

Most of us get it. And the left hates it. Just a little sweetener.

[Peach]

I just realized as you and I discussed a thread I was on earlier, it's on the Smokey Backroom so you will not find it doing an in forum search.

I hadn't realized that's how those threads work but I just did a search to get back into it and it wasn't showing up.

Anyway, if you wanted to see some of the nuttiness there, just let me know and I'll link the thread via freepmail so I don't contaminate this thread.

[SuziQ]

If you look at the chronology of the event, the President pledged 15 million immediately, even before the first reports of destruction came in. When it became obvious, in the first 36 hours, that the loss of life was great, and growing, the President upped the offer to $35 million. At that point, more countries started publicly stating how much they'd donate. After the 5th day, when the toll topped 100,000, the President bumped it to $350 million.

Pres. Bush has been on top of this situation since it happened, and though the MSM won't say it, he had been in contact with the leaders of those countries since the first news of the earthquake, and the tsunamis that followed it. He was offering help, and issuing orders based on what the countries needed. He didn't have to convene a committee to decide what needed doing. I know this because he would not have been able to stand up and say all that was being done without it's having been put in place long before the press conference.