quote:

Originally posted by NYGblue Personally I am donating to Red Cross because I am very concerned about medical supplies arriving to the region. Thats all I have to say on this topic.

Yup amazon seems to be doing a bang up job with their collection effort.

___________________
Retro ...

"...bunch of Tranceaddicts though." That's a very nice way to end a comment.

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by occrider Yup amazon seems to be doing a bang up job with their collection effort.

I was wondering what this meant, then I went to Amazon's website and got it. Apparently they have collected 3 million. That is fairly impressive I must say.

___________________
You have one life to live... SO DANCE!

www.protonradio.com <--- A Higher Experience.

quote:

Originally posted by occrider A bunch other countries are sending in military forces to help in the aid effort but I don't know the details. The US is sending in a carrier battle group along with 6 other navy ships. I heard on NPR that these ships have mobile feild hospitals plus fresh water generators which will be the most critical need in warding off disease. http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/200...et-12-28-04.asp

Where abouts was this US carrier located before the disaster?

true abuot US / Aus exchange rates

quote:

Originally posted by tathi Where abouts was this US carrier located before the disaster? true abuot US / Aus exchange rates

Hmmm it seems that the US carrier battle group was in Hong Kong, and the 6 other ships to join the fleet are being redirected from Japan (sailed from San Diego in early december). So I guess the carrier is probably going to take a few days while the ships might take a week or so.

/no clue how fast navy ships move

___________________
Retro ...

quote:

Originally posted by Shakka I love how it is America's categorical and moral imperative to send endless aid and no matter how much we send or help, it will never be enough. Name me one country that is currently doing more.

Well, the EU countries have pledged about 70 million dollars so far (just added the sums from the link below).

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/new...10433536336.htm

quote:

Originally posted by BadBadNeil I can't believe people bitch and moan about the US giving aid. Take the US out of the world aid equation and you basically destroy the global aid system.

and without europe its even less...

oh, btw this thread is stupid

quote:

Originally posted by NYGblue http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiap...ites/index.html Make a donation and stop bitching.

^^^^

quote:

Originally posted by St_Andrew Well, the EU countries have pledged about 70 million dollars so far (just added the sums from the link below).

Yeah, there's EU as in "the common funds" and then there is the members of the EU themselves. The main wealth is located with the latter, and that's where we should expect it to come from. Don't know if it is the same with the US and its constituent states. If so, then the $35 million should be seen in a different light.

quote:

Originally posted by ::TranceVanDyk:: u say the usa is so wealthy. it is, but europe's currency currently has the highest value in the world. they should be paying the most.

I'm no expert on economics, but if you investigated I think that you will find that the value of a currency has little to do with the financial status of the countries where it is used. Compare the british pound with the Swiss franc for example.

quote:

Originally posted by Yoepus Blame mother nature on her perfect timing. The Western world, and by that I mean Europe/USA and most the world with money is in the 'Holiday season'. That means congress is out of session and people are at home with their families, not in offices near their parliment buildings or congress. Bush is in Crawford celebrating Christmas with his family when this event happened...

Well, vacations can be cancelled. In Denmark some government officials had theirs cancelled immediately. The same happened to aid workers. It's a question of priorities: Having a little extra time with your family or trying to prevent a few thousands of deaths due to diseases or malnutrition.

quote:

Originally posted by Yoepus The USA still gives out quantitatively more aid than any other nations in the world. Just because this is a small percent of GNP shouldn't have a bearing on the matter.

If it is a pissing contest, then it does have a bearing on the matter. You wouldn't expect a man crawling his way out of a desert to piss longer than a guy crawling his way out of a bar.

quote:

Originally posted by Yoepus In addition the USA funds a military that allows it to become a superpower. The fact that the USA waste about 1-4% of its GNP on military expenditures to afford it with the ability of a superpower contributes immessurably to other nations and people across the world. USA superpower is a international public good that only Americans pay for.

To say that you clearly need to believe that the US is "the moral leader of the world", as the US military answers to the US government only. As you also said

quote:

Originally posted by Yoepus I think you claim that. I don't recall the American government ever making such claim.

I am curious to know from where you got your impression of the US being morally superior to other countries?

It is generous that people and governments donate their time, resourses and money. Western nations with excess wealth are able to give to victims of disasters.
When there is a problem, we need the American money and aid. But after the problem is resolved, America is bitched at for being evil, supporting Isreal, Invading Iraq for oil or oppressing minorities, etc.

Just take the money and run hypocrites! I understand that there is a true need for this aid but the world tends to bite the hand of the United States after they have been fed.

quote:

Originally posted by Reverend_Trance It is generous that people and governments donate their time, resourses and money. Western nations with excess wealth are able to give to victims of disasters. When there is a problem, we need the American money and aid. But after the problem is resolved, America is bitched at for being evil, supporting Isreal, Invading Iraq for oil or oppressing minorities, etc.

i dont get your logic. You say that since USA is helping countries in some aspects (although not as much as other countries) people have no right to critizice them for other thigns that they do? kindalike a bribe, doesnt make sense to me.

any help is good help IMO

___________________

insignificant cor member alliance

quote:

Originally posted by Reverend_Trance When there is a problem, we need the American money and aid. But after the problem is resolved, America is bitched at for being evil, supporting Isreal, Invading Iraq for oil or oppressing minorities, etc.

Did anyone in Iraq ask for your help? And for that matter, has the problem even been resolved?

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by St_Andrew i dont get your logic. You say that since USA is helping countries in some aspects (although not as much as other countries) people have no right to critizice them for other thigns that they do? kindalike a bribe, doesnt make sense to me.

I was just reacting to the B.S. of Mensa. What do you want him to do? He spoke three days after the event. What should he have done? Create a Department of Tidal and Earthquake Security? Said "I feel your pain" comment like Clinton?
Also my money comment was to nations who critizise the policies of the United States. It is not a bribe but genuine aid. This board to a certain extent describes this. The policies of the United States affect its citizens and the world. The president and Congress of the United States make decisions that seem good or beneficial to the US at the time. The world does seem to nit-pick over everything from the debt to Iraq to the color of Bush's crap. I understand it is important to give input and your influence but it is not likely you are going to change his mind.