RKMBs Forums .::Important::. Politics and Current Events 8.5

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Jim Jackson said:
I don't have a political agenda.

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rex said:

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Jim Jackson said:
I don't have a political agenda.

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I think your pants just caught on fire.

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Rob Kamphausen said:
but to compare this to 9-11? to describe how this hits home, compared to that? thats a difficult task.

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Jim Jackson said:
I don't have a political agenda.

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We all have political agendas. Yours is to spotlight what you conceive to be the negligence of our President. bsams' is to spotlight what he conceives to be an underhanded politicizing of a horrific event. And you're both acting out of bias, just like me .

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Rob Kamphausen said:
the notion that people can sit around discussing money and politics and agendas i find enormously disheartening.

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Wednesday said:

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Jim Jackson said:
I don't have a political agenda.

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We all have political agendas. Yours is to spotlight what you conceive to be the negligence of our President. bsams' is to spotlight what he conceives to be an underhanded politicizing of a horrific event. And you're both acting out of bias, just like me .

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Rob Kamphausen said:
wednesday, i think our points are hand in hand.

instead of expressing the same emotion, people seem so detatched that they have to make news from news, and discuss the politics of it all. instead of caring about thousands or even one specific family from sri lanka, we're concerned about ... extra hours before america sent relief aid? its embarassing.

especially with the disaster still wreaking havoc and tumbling the death toll upward and especially with it all taking place while america is still recovering from its own disaster, the notion that people can sit around discussing money and politics and agendas i find enormously disheartening.

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Wednesday said:

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Jim Jackson said:
I don't have a political agenda.

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We all have political agendas.

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Jim Jackson said:
Sorry, Dad. Guess you raised us wrong.

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Jim Jackson said:
I'm not trying to get anybody elected.

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Rob Kamphausen said:
wednesday, i think our points are hand in hand.

instead of expressing the same emotion, people seem so detatched that they have to make news from news, and discuss the politics of it all. instead of caring about thousands or even one specific family from sri lanka, we're concerned about ... extra hours before america sent relief aid? its embarassing.

especially with the disaster still wreaking havoc and tumbling the death toll upward and especially with it all taking place while america is still recovering from its own disaster, the notion that people can sit around discussing money and politics and agendas i find enormously disheartening.

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Brian Fellow said:
Is a donkey and a mule the same thing?

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Rob Kamphausen said:

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Jim Jackson said:
Sorry, Dad. Guess you raised us wrong.

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pompous sounding though it may be, the point remains.

i just can't fathom what justifies the priorities of others.

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rex said:
You try to puch your gay agenda and your hatred of Bush agenda in almost every thread. That means you have a political agenda

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<shrug> OK. I have an agenda. As long as it's agreed we all do.

And what is my gay agenda? That I think gays should have the same rights as everybody else? Is that an agenda?

Does BSAMs have a gay agenda considering all his references to man-sex?

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush, under pressure over the pace and scale of American aid to Asian tsunami victims, abruptly raised the U.S. contribution tenfold to $350 million on Friday.

The White House suggested U.S. assistance could rise still higher after a delegation headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell tours devastated areas next week and reports back to the president on the needs of an estimated 5 million tsunami survivors.

"The disaster around the Indian Ocean continues to grow," Bush said in a statement that emphasized U.S. intentions to coordinate immediate humanitarian relief to Asia through an international coalition including India, Japan and Australia.

"Our contributions will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer," said the statement released by the White House while Bush vacationed at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

The president said the dramatic increase in assistance, which eclipsed a $250 million aid pledge from the World Bank, was based on initial the findings of U.S. assessment teams in hard-hit areas of southeastern and central Asia, and on a recommendation from senior officials including Powell.

The White House said Bush spoke to the prime ministers of Britain, Italy and Canada on Friday about the relief effort under way in devastated coastal areas of the Indian Ocean region.

The increased assistance was only the latest step the Bush administration and Congress to bolster America's contribution to relief efforts amid criticism that its initial response had been slow and miserly.

The $350 million sum far outstripped relief contributions from any other country and increased total aid pledges from nearly 40 nations by about 28 percent to nearly $1.36 billion. Before Friday's announcement, the biggest donors had been Britain with $96 million and Sweden with $80 million.

But even the larger number did not insulate the Bush administration from critics.

"It became more evident that $35 million was just not appropriate to the scale of the disaster. And $350 million is not appropriate either," remarked Brookings Institution analyst Ivo Daalder, who said the daunting humanitarian need required major involvement by the U.S. military and NATO.

"The administration's tendency has been to approach this like any other natural disaster," he added.

Bush initially waited until Wednesday, three days after the tsunami struck 13 countries from Malaysia to East Africa, to announce $35 million in aid for the region where at least 124,000 people have died in the catastrophe.

Critics quickly compared the dollar sum to $13.6 billion in aid for hurricane-battered U.S. states that Congress passed speedily in the run-up to last month's U.S. elections.

On Thursday, the president announced that his brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and Powell would lead a delegation of experts to the region to assess the need for further U.S. assistance.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress are set to work on an tsunami aid package that lawmakers promised would provide generous assistance soon, while the U.S. military has sent about 20 cargo and patrol planes and an aircraft carrier group to assist in relief efforts.

It was not clear which government programs were being tapped for the $350 million in tsunami aid.

White House spokesman Trent Duffy said none of the funds were from an $18 billion sum set aside for reconstruction in Iraq, which some lawmakers have identified as a ready source of relief financing.

Duffy said the White House would work with Congress to replenish funding being redirected to relief efforts in southeastern and central Asia. (Additional reporting by Anna Willard)

Copyright 2004 Reuters News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Pariah said:
Dude. That SUCKS! We should not involve ourselves in foreign affairs!

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rex said:
The thing that is wrong with your agendas is that you use them to derail threads.

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britneyspearsatemyshorts said:
mxy i expected that shit outta everyone else but not you! i suppose you think you can find better man-sex comments elswhere too? well fuck you! thats some of the most upatriotic american stuff ive heard from a foriegner!

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CARE Australia donations can be made by calling 1800 020 046 or going to www.careaustralia.org.au

The Australian Red Cross is collecting funds for its international body's appeal. Call 1800 811 700, visit its website at www.redcross.org.au or post a cheque to GPO Box 9949 in your capital city.

Oxfam donations can be made by calling 1800 034 034 or visit www.oxfam.org.au

World Vision Asia earthquake disaster appeal fund is taking donations on 13 32 40 or www.worldvision.com.au

UNICEF is appealing for funds to help those affected by the disaster, particularly children. Call 1300 884 233 or click www.unicef.org.au

UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, appeal can be accessed at www.australiaforunhcr.org.au or by calling 1300 361 288.

The Australian Foundation of Asia and Pacific (AFAP), based in Sydney, is sending a team to Sri Lanka to provide logistical support and coordinate medical shipments. To make a donation call 1800 007 308, download a donation form from www.afap.org or send a cheque or money order to PO Box 12, Crows News, NSW 1585.

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How much of your hard earned donation dollars are really finding their way to the tsunami victims? Today Tonight took a closer look at some of the bigger organisations.

It is staggering the enormous amount of aid that is still required to reach the millions affected by the biggest natural disaster of our time. From food to shelter, medicines and heavy machinery.

UNICEF is leading a mammoth world-wide relief operation. Its target is $130 million and its Australian chief, Caroline Hardy, said already Australians have generously opened their hearts - and their wallets.

"People can rest assured that all the money donated to UNICEF is going to field," Ms Hardy said.

"We've had individual acts of extraordinary generosity. One man called into donate $25,000 yesterday and another donated $10,000 today."

In just three days UNICEF has collected more than $2 million. But how can Australians be sure most of their charity dollar is reaching those who need it most?

Last week Today Tonight exposed how some charity consultants were pocketing up to 80 per cent of donations in commission so we asked five major charities where their tsunami relief funds were going.

For as little as $1.50, through UNICEF, you would be saving a life with a health care kit. UNICEF has already distributed 300,000 of them.

"The kits contain water purification tablets, oral rehydration sachets and high protein biscuits and that's initially the most important thing for us to get to children because water is our biggest concern at the moment," Ms Hardy said.

"Water sources are contaminated, if they start drinking contaminated water they'll get sick."

The Red Cross has so far collected over $10 million but secretary general, Dale Cleaver, said this time his organisation has taken steps to avoid a repeat of its controversial handling of the Bali Bombing Appeal when it was accused of sending $4 million of the $14.5 million raised to victims.

"We've learnt from Bali," Mr Cleaver said. "There were some key lessons that we took on board despite the fact that we were obviously cleared."

Toby Hall from World Vision said about 90 per cent of the money donated will go directly to relief projects.

"That's a fairly good proportion as far as we're concerned," Mr Hall said. "Obviously we have some costs of running but the main thing is to get as much into the field as we can."

Mr Hall said communication was the key to show what funds are being raised, the cost involved, and communicating to people about where the funds are actually going on a regular and informed basis.

Care Australia's Grant Thomas said 93 per cent will go directly to the needy with the remainder covering costs.

"Our ultimate aim is to get as much of the funds into the region as quickly as possible because it's an emergency and aid agencies aren't in the business of making profit from emergencies," Mr Thomas said.

Oxfam was the only organisation which refused to reveal the cost and distribution breakdown of its charity donations, making it difficult for us to recommend them.

Unicef: www.unicef.org.au
Red Cross: www.redcross.org.au
Care Australia: www.careaustralia.org.au
World Vision: www.worldvision.com.au
Oxfam: www.oxfam.org.au

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I'm Not Mister Mxypltk said:



I'll have you know I've donated loads of cheese to tsunami relief effort.

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I'll have you know I've donated loads of cheese to tsunami relief effort.

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Wednesday said:

ABC News

Reuters

Bush Raises Tsunami Aid Tenfold to $350 Million
Dec 31, 2004

By David Morgan

[LIST]CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush, under pressure over the pace and scale of American aid to Asian tsunami victims, abruptly raised the U.S. contribution tenfold to $350 million on Friday.

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whomod said

BSAMS> IMO, if 'politicizing' this crisis brings releif, faster and more of it to people whose lives are literally on the clock, then why not?

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America Finds Creative Ways to Aid Victims

BOSTON - A Kentucky widow, moved by the cries of grief she heard in reports about the tsunami disaster in south Asia, invited her entire town to a New Year's Eve bash to raise money for the victims. In California, a college offered free basketball tickets, with a gift for relief efforts the only price of admission.

A group of children in a Seattle suburb stood out in the rain offering "Hot Chocolate for Tidal Wave Relief!" and raised $255.

In ways large and small, people around the country have found ways to help victims of one of history's worst natural disasters.

"I can say the outpouring has been amazing," said Coco McCabe, a spokeswoman for the Oxfam International relief agency. "Even though it's happening on the other side of the world, it feels so close."

Oxfam said Friday it had received almost $6 million in unsolicited donations since the disaster on Dec. 26. The American Red Cross (news - web sites) reported almost $44 million in donations from Americans by Thursday evening.

Three brothers ages 3 to 7 each dropped off sandwich bags containing a few dollars at the Mile High chapter of the Red Cross in Denver, according to spokesman Robert Thompson. The same chapter also accepted a $50,000 donation from a man who requested anonymity.

A group of children in Sammamish, Wash., a suburb of Seattle, stood in steady rain Wednesday selling hot chocolate to fight the chill. Eleven-year-old Thomas Wilson said he couldn't get the rising death toll of his mind

"It's so horrid, so terrible — such a huge loss of family. And I couldn't do anything about it," he said. "Then I did this hot chocolate stand and it made me feel better."

Kids elsewhere around the country were similarly moved.

In New York City, six children ages 12 to 18 worked late Thursday and early Friday to make dozens of cookies, brownies and cupcakes for a door-to-door bake sale organized by Do Something, a youth service group.

Jeffrey Arias, a Boy Scout from Newbury, Mass., attends Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., with several students from areas hit hard by the giant waves. He and 15 friends stood outside banks and convenience stores Thursday and Friday with donation cans for the American Red Cross

"There's quite a big chance that friends of mine were hit," Arias said. "I can't just stand around and watch the news."

After hearing the victims' cries on news reports, Claire Neal, decided to throw a New Year's Eve fund-raiser at her house in Owensboro, Ky., a city of 54,000 on the Ohio River. A local business donated gourmet candy for the $50-per-ticket event.

"When I woke up, I thought 'I can do this, and I can do it right now,'" said Neal, 75, a widow who has hosted several community fund-raisers. She said people donated more than $7,000 Friday night and she expects to get more in the mail.

The University of California at Santa Barbara athletic department offered free admission to the Gauchos' basketball game Thursday to anyone who brought a donation of canned food, bottled water or a piece of clothing.

"You look at the number of children and the amount of damage and the shape the world is in over there compared to the lives we get to live here," head coach Bob Williams said. "It's a chance to do a small, minute thing."

For the next month, Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market will collect donations in a 4-foot bronze pig that stands in the center of the farmers' market. In Elizabeth City, N.C., Jacklyn Phillips, plans to collect 1,000 used bicycles and, with the help of local prison inmates, refurbish them and ship them to Indonesia so people can get around on damaged roads.

Sri Lankan native Preethi Burkholder is charging $15 for a benefit slide show of her homeland Monday in Aspen, Colo. In Hawaii, North Shore Catamaran Charters plans to donate all proceeds from a special sunset whale watch cruise on Jan. 14 to tsunami victims.

New Delhi native Naveen Sachar hopes to net $10,000 from a Jan. 7 fund-raiser he arranged at a Chicago bar. His relatives in central India were unhurt, but he said he mourns for victims and survivors who've lost everything.

"We were opening Christmas gifts that morning and people there were trying to recover bodies," said Sachar, a 36-year-old business consultant. "The least we can do is raise some money to help."

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