And for the record, I DO understand Cohen's stance. However, the U.S. is always going to be hated by many countries across the world REGARDLESS of what we do. Pledging our support for this disaster whether it was immediate after the disaster or several days later really is not going to matter in many countries' eyes. It is almost a "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation that we are in.
Originally posted by TL Wow, man. You're getting too into this. You, MadMax and Major (when he used to post) are among the calmest and most rational posters in this bitter forum. I was just thinking about that after walking away after the last few posts. I usually do try to contain my emotions because it does not help a discussion at all. But I tend to let it go under certain circumstances ... when someone attributes the wrong opinion to me because they're too lazy to read ... that's one example. If people can't understand that you're criticizing the president for not speaking out early enough, why bother to argue with them? If people can't read the words that are typed, no amount of arguing is going to make them understand. Prescient post. I was coming back one last time to say I was done in this one. And for the record, I agree with you. By Monday, it was clear that this was a horrible disaster to me (I was with family all X-mas wkend and had no interest in watching television) and was certainly worthy of a verbal response from the prez. It took too long for him to give one, and that's a shame. I'm not sure if the rest of the world noticed, but I did and it bothered me. I think many did, but with the current state of affairs, I am most concerned about appearances with the most populous Muslim nation in the world. I do however think he and the rest of the country have done a great job since then. Hopefully it will make a difference in these poor peoples' lives. I agree, on both accounts. I hope everyone that is proclaiming the generosity of the USA with words is also doing so with their wallet. I will be. We gave quite a bit on 9-11, and I've been carefully measuring which tsunami charity to give to now. I want 'USA' stamped all over everything I pay for ... Thanks for your post.
I think it was done in reasonable fashion, the scope of the devestation was unknown at first. I am glad we are helping out the world, it just pains me that the world doesn't seem to appreciate it. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. DD
well, not to further indulge your pettiness, but gay marriage, gun control. perhaps i can't count the number of days bewteen the 26th and the first, but i do recognize that's two shortcomings, not one...
No. I'm pointing out that its not always possible to reconcile someone's impression of you if that impression is illogical at its core. Well, Bush could have immediately announced $500 billion in aid, but what sense would that have made? Damage estimates went up, so do our aid package. You seem to be suggesting that Bush should have announced something BIG immediately, so people wouldn't think we're stingy. I think that is a terrible way to judge policy decisions. You really got a hair up your ass today, Cohen. I agree he should have issued a statement immediately. But you're overestimating the upside to our image had he acted immediately.
FYI. The US Navy has built a major base and repair facility in Singapore which is very close to the disaster area. I don't know where most of the US forces responding came from but I'm sure that some were available to be practically on scene as soon as the tsunami struck.
I'm a little bothered by all the people saying that the response wasn't more vigorous because people didn't know the extent of the disasters. From the initial scope of this disaster IMO it should've been obvious that the disaster was going to be massive. We didn't get large immediate death reports because it struck in many remote places with few media sources on scene. As I've said I think the Admin could've do more but I'm not going to criticize them for what they've done so far and applaud them for upping the aid commitments. At the moment I'm more concerned with making sure they follow through with the aid promised.
Heck the amount of aid that region is getting is probably more than their GNP for the last few years. DD
f*ck the french. they have such an inferiority complex it's ridiculous. what's funny (or sad) is that i bet there's people on this board who would side with those french pansies.
Highly doubtful considering Thailand is one of the Asian Tigers and India has been having a hi-tech boom. Heck Singapore, in the region but not affected, has per capita income about the same as the US.
Regardless of who's embarrassing... or whatever... you can help out through my church here (for relief donations) . Of course if you'd like a less Christian outlet... use the redCROSS. I think the world is no less inclined to take the aid we offer regardless of Iraq or the "torture scandal." And I find that this thread's premise had been severly disproven LOoooooooooooooOng before I saw it. We embarrass only ourselves.
