World’s Eyes Are on U.S. Tsunami Aid

Re “Bush Boosts U.S. Aid Tenfold,” Jan. 1: The immediate response from the U.S. was $15 million before the full extent of the disaster was known. Later it went to $35 million. Now at $350 million, the reliable truth to any world disaster comes to the front. The United States, as always, will give more aid through its governmental and private humanitarian organizations than any other nation in the face of global emergency. The only negative in this is the reprehensible criticism of the administration by people who would exploit this terrible tragedy for opportunistic political purpose by linking this to world opinion regarding Iraq and trying to embarrass the president and our country. Shame on them.

David Manos

Lancaster

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So President Bush has been shamed into raising U.S. aid to Southeast Asia tsunami victims from $35 million to $350 million. Lest this seem generous, a little perspective is in order. The latter figure is less than the U.S. squanders in three days supporting Bush’s crusade in Iraq.

Michael Horstein

Los Angeles

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Michael Ramirez, in his Jan. 1 editorial cartoon, perpetuates one of America’s most cherished and enduring myths: that we are the world’s most generous government in terms of foreign aid. In fact, we are one of the stingiest developed countries. The majority of our budgeted foreign aid goes to Israel and Egypt for geopolitical reasons. Also, much of that foreign aid is in the form of loans, which must be paid back with substantial interest, and credits that can be spent only in the U.S.

As reported in a story (Dec. 31), a study by the Center for Global Development and Foreign Policy magazine “upended the commonly held view that shortfalls in U.S. government aid for the global poor were made up by private American contributions.” I suggest that Ramirez and other right-wingers who believe our munificence is unparalleled contact aid organizations for more detailed facts substantiating our miserliness.

Lloyd Wright

Cypress

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I sincerely hope that not a nickel of U.S. aid money passes through the U.N.’s sticky fingers. Of course they could hit the ground running, as their oil-for-food Swiss bank accounts are already open for business.

Stu O’Guinn

Huntington Beach

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Has anyone given serious thought to not rebuilding in the same way as before on the seashores impacted by the tsunami? Clearly the waves have carved a line beyond which human habitations should not be built. Let the shores repair themselves. Let us learn from this and not put millions at risk again.

Jean Rosenfeld

Pacific Palisades