Great article on the Air America website. Bush pretty much uses Reglion to further his cooporate greed. Dems need to pounce on this $350 million come lately, as part of their greater message and to disprove with fact, the lies and deception of the right.
http://www.airamericaradio.com/
Stung by Criticism Bush Makes Moves on Asian Relief
Clearly stung by the widespread dismay at their reponse to the Asian disaster, the Bush administration now gives the appearance of moving into action. The death toll is now passing 120,000 and $500 million in international aid has been pledged so far. Senator Pat Leahy's criticism of the minscule U.S. contribution of $35 million echoed the international reaction when he said, "We spend $35 million before breakfast in Iraq." In Britain an appeal to the general public alone has raised nearly $60 million. The New York Times has noted that roughly $13 billion was spent last year on hurricane relief with most of it "going to Florida, where Mr. Bush loaded fresh water and dry goods into the trunks of cars."
The tardiness of the Bush administration is, not surprisingly, reflected in the moral values people on the Christian right. Bill Berkowitz of Working For Change writes that as of yesterday the big evangelical organizations like the American Family Association, the Family Research Council, the Christian Coalition, and Focus on the Family "were not soliciting aid for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami. In fact, there is no mention of the giant earthquake and tsunami that devastated southern Asia." As in so much else with this president a good grounding in evangelical theology seems to be a pre-requisite in understanding policy issues. According to Sidney Blumenthal the other wing of the adminstration -- the neo-cons -- are strengthening their position at the expense of whatever "moderate" hold-overs had survived the first four years. Clearly more good news for the hungry and homeless around the world.