Posted on 09/07/2005 4:59:31 AM PDT by SJackson
It is often noted, generally with unwarranted consternation, that America is the world's only superpower. Natural disasters, like the southeast Asian tsunami and now hurricane Katrina, can make a mockery of such labels. This one, more importantly, should remind us of how much America helps the world, and what the world owes in return.
Normally, when disaster strikes, America is expected to come running. No one was surprised when President George Bush appointed two former presidents, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush, to oversee relief efforts after the tsunami off the coast of Indonesia. It is taken for granted that the US is by far the greatest contributor to the United Nations and many of its agencies, despite the poor treatment the US often receives from that organization.
Now American generosity, and the spirit of responsibility that this great nation so often takes toward the world, is being directed at itself.
Americans can be expected to donate millions to their fellow citizens to assist in recovery efforts, on top of the billions that the US Congress will budget for the task.
The most deadly and devastating natural disaster in American history is being matched, despite all the evident heartbreaking and maddening snafus, with an equally unprecedented human and logistical response. But what can the rest of the world do, as it watches the footage of desperate refugees, submerged city blocs, floating bodies and homes turned to matchsticks, to help America?
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that the US "has turned down no offers" of assistance from nations around the world. Over 70 nations, she said, have offered assistance. Even poor, Muslim, tsunami-hit and war-torn Sri Lanka offered $25,000.
Israel, of course, was publicly and privately among the first to offer practical assistance of all kinds from scuba divers to doctors, forensic experts and other forms of logistical, engineering and medical assistance that we have developed in coping with disasters both at home and abroad. Tel Aviv University's medical school has offered to accept students from Tulane University in New Orleans.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has dispatched a team of government and military experts to the US to determine what we can best do to help. "The United States has stood with Israel in difficult times," he said, "and I believe it is our duty to help her in those areas in which we can be of assistance." American Jews have also mobilized on a tremendous scale to help the Jewish communities in the stricken states and raise money for general relief efforts. By last weekend, a hurricane relief fund established by the United Jewish Communities had already raised more than $1.5 million.
In addition to the specialized areas in which Israel can offer disaster assistance, another measure should be considered.
Though US economic aid to Israel has been shrinking on an agreed-upon glide path – from $1.2 billion in 1999 to $240 million slated for 2006 – it is still substantial. And in addition, the US is considering a special aid package associated with disengagement and directed to development of the Negev and Galilee. The amount will not be finalized by Congress until early next year and will likely be lower than the $2.2 billion multi-year package reportedly under consideration.
Israel wisely decided to postpone sending a team to discuss the aid package as had been planned before the hurricane hit. We obviously should not press for this additional aid package in the near term, given the financial burdens America is shouldering from the hurricane – which has caused an estimated $100 billion in damage – and the US military deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
These burdens do not diminish the American interest in showing support for Israel, including in the form of military and economic assistance. Such support remains integral to advancing American values and strategy, all the more so in the context of the global struggle against militant Islamism and the extraordinary risks and sacrifices Israel has just taken for peace.
In the longer term, US assistance for Israel is still in America's interest. But in the painful weeks ahead for the American people and its leadership, Israel should concentrate on offering its finest in the search and rescue field and providing disaster assistance for the refugees. Even superpowers, especially this superpower, deserve a helping hand in their hour of need.
Too predictable that this mindset would come out of Israel and not Europe.
Let alone Chicago.
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They owe us nothing. We gave freely.
However, if they wish to help... It would certainly be an improvement their behavior and demeanor.
Thank you very much India, Russia, Israel and any other nation that has offered or contributed aid.
Israel is a Good friend and ally.
Sorry, but Sri Lanka ain't no muslim.
At the suggestion of writer Michelle Malkin last Friday, I have cobbled together a blogsite called Texas Clearinghouse for Katrina Aid to serve as a clearinghouse for refugee efforts in Texas.
Texas is getting more refugees than any other state -- that's fine, we'll take them all -- but we need help providing them with food, clothing, and shelter.
If you are a refugee, you can information that will help you find relief. If you want to donate or volunteer, you can find someone who needs you.
Right now the site mostly covers Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas but I will add various churches, schools, and other charities in Lubbock and Austin tonight. My wife was down at Reunion Arena in Dallas yesterday handing out care packages and spiritually ministering to the refugees as a representative of her employer. She says that the situation is tragic and that there's a lot of work to be done. There are so many children who don't know where their parents are or even if their parents are still alive.
There are a lot of churches and other organizations in Texas that need help in dealing with the problem and I would appreciate it if you would get the word out.
Many thanks,
Michael McCullough
Stingray blogsite
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