The LA Times reports:
U.S. Hopes to Rival Hezbollah With Rebuilding Effort
After 6 weeks of warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, much at the expense of civilians both in Lebanon and Israel, the efforts to return people to their homes and help rebuld their lives have begun. Once again, our compassionate conservatives are on the job, pledging money and support for those who have suffered.
Some interesting quotes from the article's sources:
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is scrambling to assemble a plan to help rebuild Lebanon, hoping that by competing with Hezbollah for the public's favor it can undo the damage the war has inflicted on its image and goals for the Middle East.
Administration officials fear that unless they move quickly to demonstrate U.S. commitment, the Lebanese will turn more fully to the militant group, which has begun rolling out an ambitious reconstruction program that Washington believes is bankrolled by Iran.
"People have been seized by the need to do more, in a tangible way, and they're working feverishly on this," said a senior administration official who asked to remain unidentified because he was speaking about plans still in development. "They know we're in a race against time to turn around these perceptions."
"We're coming in when there's a sense that we stood by the destruction of Lebanon by an ally, with U.S.
But American officials say they expect to expand the effort, which is largely focused on rebuilding the airport, restoring electric power, cleaning up environmental damage and reconstructing some of the estimated 150 destroyed bridges.
Officials are "focused on the idea that things better change, or we're going to have serious problems," he said. Many people in the region believe the United States was a "co-combatant" in the war, he acknowledged.
"Lebanon is a tough commercial environment.... It's tough coming from the outside, trying to identify reliable people," he said. "We could end up getting no credit -- or, worse yet, it could end up in the bank accounts of the very people who are trying to get us out."
Don't let it be said that the GOP doesn't care about the suffering of others. When the chips are down, and people are desperate for help, this administration will bring all available resources to the aid of those in trouble - so long as there are political points to be scored. Can you tell which group of people above are more important to this administration? Do you think the american public in general can tell?
Ask yourself if this administration would still care if Hezbollah wasn't working the ground so well right now. Ask yourself under what circumstances would this administration appear care as much about you. Remember where their priorities were last time Americans needed help of this magnitude.
I hope we can provide whatever assistance possible to the civilians of Lebanon and Israel that have suffered as a result of this conflict. We can certainly use the practice after the last effort.