War Liberal

The EU, meanwhile, has donated $40 million, which, divided among its 435 million residents, comes to about nine cents each... Dammit Mac, you're supposed to use statistics that make Bushitler's AmeriKKKa look BAD, not good! Replace that bogus donation-per-capita statistic with donations-per-GDP, before Kos sees you!

Does that include the contributions by individual members of the EU? And the initial pledge was $0.13 a head... At any event, they both look bad next to the Japanese.

Americans are generous people, and I've been impressed by the individual contributions. That doesn't mean that the Federal government gets off the hook.

It's the combined total donated by all the governmental agencies in the EU (€30 million, converted to US$). Doesn't include private donations.

Don't forget to include private donations. Also, don't forget the taxes we pay to maintain the military that is providing the current most critical first responder aid. Also, the dollar amount in we are spending in gas, maintenance, soldier pay, food, etc. that is being expended on this first response.
The victims don't give a crock about what our first dollar pledge was or what our current thought is on the fund we will provide. They are seeing American helicopters, food and military personell coming to their aid and that is what is important. I am apalled at the energy that is being expended on nit picky political tripe when it could be better spent on determining and providing what is needed at this moment.

Tom, I would hazard a guess that if there hadn't been some sniping about this, then federal aid would have stayed pretty much at the first or second stabs at an amount ($15 and $35 million). Most of the bitching I've heard has been counter-bitching, some possibly reasonable (like yours), others far less so. Brooks' take that we should just feel bad about the ineffability of nature is a nasty stupid cop-out.

Counting the EU's population vs donation seems like a cheap shot -- some of the countries (New Europe, anyone) are quite poor.

Me, I'm happy to see a turnaround in federal giving, matched with a great deal of private giving. I hope it is sustained. I recall the earthquake in Bam last year was followed by a pledge of assistance that was largely not followed up on.

My nephew is two, and an American. My question is; should I ask him to fork over the cash, or should I just sell one of his toys?

See, Mac, what did I tell you? Better change your statistic like Buck suggests, or the Kossacks will brand you a neocon!