Over 20K are dead in Pakistan, and the death toll is rising:
Villagers desperate to find survivors dug with bare hands today through the debris of a collapsed school where children had been heard crying beneath the rubble after a massive earthquake killed more than 20,000.
20,000 Dead
What is Bush doing? What are we doing? What are you doing (other than preparing for theoretical future threats here at home)?
In addition to the human tragedy, here's another opportunity for Americans to show actual concern for people in parts of the world where there's still great (and at least partly understandable) animosity towards the U.S.
China has offered 6.2 million, the Czech republic pledged 1 million, and Belgium 300K. So far Bush is offering "condolences," experts, and $100,000 in emergency aid.
Here's the latest:
"Our initial deployments of assistance are underway, and we stand ready to provide additional assistance as needed. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this horrible tragedy," Bush said.
It later announced that it would send eight military helicopters to help relief efforts in hard-to-reach areas, as well as two C-13O military aircraft containing blankets, cold-weather tents and other relief supplies.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/SNAO-6GZMN6?OpenDocument