The Bush Administration’s decision to exploit the tsunami tragedy ...

[indigobusiness]

The Bush Administration’s decision to exploit the tsunami tragedy to improve America’s image and reputation in the world is reprehensible.

By Gail Vida Hamburg

Three weeks after the deadly tsunami that left 162,000 dead on the rim of the Indian Ocean, many Asians are numb with grief and worn to shreds from extended weeping. “My heart doesn¹t have enough room to hold all this pain,” S.V. Amarasiri, a guard hired to watch over a mass grave in Galle, Sri Lanka told a reporter. Of the thousands of nameless corpses, Amarasiri is haunted by some more than others: mothers with their children still locked in their arms, babies with pacifiers still clamped in their mouths.

The psychological trauma of survivors and witnesses is only now beginning to surface. There are those who have lost the ability to speak, others who speak of demons and ghosts. And so many in these polytheistic societies, where religion matters and all gods are honored (just to cover all the bases), have turned away from their gods, for being too small, too powerless to save them.

In the face of this deep wound inflicted on the people of Asia, our government’s decision to exploit the tragedy to improve America’s image and reputation in the world is unseemly and reprehensible.

President Bush, in increasing our aid to $350 million dollars, boasted about America’s compassion and generosity, as if we alone among all nations responded to the tragedy. The tsunami struck a chord in people everywhere around the globe because of the unparalleled, monumental scale of death and human suffering. Most able nations responded with touching generosity; those without the means sent doctors, forensic experts, tents, blankets. Japan gave $650 million dollars, Australia pledged $800 million, Spain $80 million, tiny Singapore many millions. However, unlike America, these nations did not feel the need to summon press conferences to announce their excellent national character and remarkable qualities.

The Indian Ocean had not even regurgitated the multitudes of dead bodies it had swallowed before Secretary of State Colin Powell stood on Indonesian soil to brag about America’s goodness. “The aid will give the Muslim world and the rest of the world an opportunity to see American generosity, American values in action,” he said, as Aceh province reeled from the tally of its dead. In a breathtaking display of American insensitivity, Mr. Powell said the aid was part of the United States’ global war on terror. “It dries up those pools of dissatisfaction that might give rise to terrorist activity.”

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http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=987

[Inland]

1. I don't have a problem with claiming credit where credit is due

But Bush is simply overreaching when he claims that there is some sort of amazing, unprecedented and unique level of generosity going on.

Claiming credit where it isn't due IS using a tragedy for gain.

I thought that a quick, generous response would be good for the victims and the US.

But Bush seemed like he was pissed he had to put on a suit and tie during his vacation, and he had to be SHAMED into a decent sized gift. Giving in that manner causes as much resentment as gratitude.

[indigobusiness]

2. Exploitation seems so automatic.

It makes it hard to find anything to support about this administration. But I'll keep looking, because I truly want to be supportive. They just won't let me...in good conscience.

I despise the posturing, the lies, and the nuanced statements. I could go on...and on.

[rodeodance]

3. nice article -thanks

[Skittles]

4. exactly

simply put, Bush's response to this international tragedy embarrassed and shamed decent Americans; we watched three days of horrific death and destruction on TV before that bastard decided he had to interrupt his vacation to say something. A sickening performance.