And this helps whom?

[pointedview]

I donated tonight to the tsunami victims, and will try to do more as I am able

Comments

[quandry]

For what it's worth, US AID nearly immediately contributed it's whole budget to the crisis. For any more money, they have to get clearance from Congress. It's normal that US government agencies have to clear a budget through Congress. (Would you want them to be able to cut billion-dollar checks without asking your elected representatives?) What isn't normal is the size and immediacy of the crisis. Usually with wars or famines, you have a few weeks at least to see them coming and get organized

[mumpish]

Agreed. Complaining about US action is ludicrous. But I also disagree, strenuously, that we could have or should have done more. America will once again lead the world in sorting this out, and it will do it amidst carping that it simultaneously isn't doing enough and is doing too much, or isn't doing it right (as the UN has already stated). Charity is a gift - it's not required and there are no rules. People who die in spite of US charity are not the fault of the US, although many will claim otherwise.

[cris]

From what I've read, the amount of actual aid support has been pretty overwhelming and it's not a question of how much has been given, but how those supplies are being managed and transported. Most of the hardest hit areas are remote, require air transport and/or are under the control of various military forces (either government, paramilitary, or rebel). So there have been very real issues revolving around negotiating access rights to stricken areas, allocating lift resources to the towns and provinces that really need them, and overall coordination of the efforts of a dozen UN agencies, hundreds of NGOs and half a dozen foreign troops and government workers.

And, in general, I agree with you that the holier-than-thou pissing contests are not helpful. However, one side benefit of the arguments is that it is bringing a spotlight on the discussion of how aid should be managed and coordinated. For a while, it's always seemed that aid coverage has revolved around "Crisis happened in region X, Western nations have written checks

[streamweaver]

This isn't some exercise in logic or etiquette, every delay in aid or ineffective use of aid costs lives, period. It isn't as if the flood gates of aid have opened up from our government after only a few days and things are fine now. The time to speak up is exactly now before more lives are lost, not to just donate a few bucks and stay silent because it makes us feel better. It isn't that hard of a concept that people want more done right now and aren't satisfied with apathetically shrugging a few months from now and discussing how we probably could have done more in retrospect.

[organfailure]

Absolutely

[pointedview]

*hugs* Happy new year, my dear! Thank you very much for your response.

After some thought, I ended up donating to the American Red Cross. I decided on that because I felt it was a way that I could demonstrate caring as a citizen here, to show that whatever our government may or may not do, we the people can still take action on our own. I don't mean for that to sound pompous at all, but just that I wanted to do my part to help.

By the way, I particularly liked your part about "it would be nice to think we could get the hell over ourselves." As we say in the sunny South, Amen, and pass the plate, sister. :)