Author Topic: UN official slams U.S. tsunami aid as 'stingy'... (Read 5393 times)

Gixer · « **Reply #45 on:** December 28, 2004, 08:10:45 PM »

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Originally posted by bustr
The U.S. currently foots about 1/4 of the U.N.'s costs. Additionally the U.S. provides billions a year in funding foreign releif organizations. Added to this the U.S. funds it's own foreign releif organizations for releiving foreign countries releif organizations. There is quite a bit of funding in play for disasters just like this at all times.

Actually I think in comparisson for the US and the other top 10 GDP countries in the world they all contribute about .001% of their GDP on the UN and other foreign aid agencies in a year. And I think on a GDP per person basis US is one of the lowest. Compare that to military spending and it's pretty pitifull.

Funny how governments can always find billions for senseless wars like Iraq yet for aid after one of the worlds greatest natural distasters and they can only find a few million.

...-Gixer

l

Lizking · « **Reply #46 on:** December 28, 2004, 08:28:45 PM »

A pity that those wishing to give aid are so often bashed for their support.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4130599.stm

Also, while a terrible tragedy, this doesn't make the top 50 for worst, my friend.

Vulcan · « **Reply #47 on:** December 28, 2004, 08:32:19 PM »

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Originally posted by Gixer
Funny how governments can always find billions for senseless wars like Iraq yet for aid after one of the worlds greatest natural distasters and they can only find a few million.

You mean like India's nuclear weapons program, or Indonesia's military budget?

Cobra412 · « **Reply #48 on:** December 28, 2004, 09:05:06 PM »

Spit that was a 100 million yen from Japans Red Cross which isn't much. I've also seen reports of approximately 30 million US Dollars.

Either way it's amazing how many folks will bash the US for their lack of help or aid. Maybe we should just send some boats and some planes filled with 11 tons or so of materials and call it good like the other countries.

Funny how so many people say they don't want the US as the worlds police. Why should we be the worlds emergency bank account too? I feel for these people that have endured this tragedy but take your country bashing somewhere else.

It is also amazing how a country who's calling out for help pushes away any kind of help from a particular country because of their past issues with them.

NUKE · « **Reply #49 on:** December 28, 2004, 09:08:45 PM »

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Originally posted by Vulcan
You mean like India's nuclear weapons program, or Indonesia's military budget?

That kind of sums it up pretty well for me.

Yeager · « **Reply #50 on:** December 28, 2004, 09:28:17 PM »

I wish the US would withdraw from the UN and evict it.

Mitsu · « **Reply #51 on:** December 28, 2004, 10:22:47 PM »

70,000 people dead???

Masherbrum · « **Reply #52 on:** December 28, 2004, 11:32:19 PM »

Donated to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund. My wife is sleeping right now and has no idea. I just hope the insanity stops.

Karaya

Widewing · « **Reply #53 on:** December 29, 2004, 12:46:41 AM »

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Originally posted by spitfiremkv
actually, compared to the 97milion Japan has pledged (foxnews.com), it is stingy.
Japan probably has an economic interest in the recovery of SE Asia but still, I think countries like the US can do better.

97 million??? I believe that it was 30 million.

Egeland (a Norwegian) was full of baloney and he knew it because he spent all day today back-tracking.

Simple facts:

Only a small percentage of U.S. aid is counted by the UN. They exclude food aid, of which the U.S. regularly gives 2.5 times the total (measured in dollar value) provided by the rest of the entire planet. The UN also discounts private contributions to relief organizations and charities, which totals more than that given by the U.S. government in terms of dollars.

On the UN's list of 25 leading nations in humanitarian aid, it seems that Norway is on top because it gives 0.9% of its nominal GNP as foreign aid. The UN claims that the U.S. only gives 0.19% of its GNP as aid. However, when you factor in food aid and private contributions the U.S. rises to the top by a significant margin (3.2%). Egeland had the audacity to suggest that Americans be taxed to provide more funds for the UN to give away. Considering that Norway taxes it citizens at a level that would cause a revolution in America, I think we can ignore his comments as those of dedicated UN socialists without a pot to piss in, so they try to piss in ours. We are viewed as under-taxed by nations who are taxed to death... Misery demands company.

In light of the 21 billion dollar oil for food scandal managed by the UN, and in light of the probability that Iraq bought Security Council votes with massive bribes from oil smuggling, how can anyone tolerate this corrupt, anti-liberty, anti-American collection of worthless human refuse any longer?

I read that the UN owes Consolidated Edison (the power company that supplies power to the UN headquarters) 16 million dollars in unpaid power bills.

You know what, turn off their power, just like they would any other habitually delinquent rate payer, and send the whole lot home. At the very least, the U.S. should reduce their support (we Americans pay the bulk of the operating costs of the UN) to a level on par equal to our vote. This organization has outlived its usefulness. Even the hopeless League of Nations had greater credibility.

My regards,

Widewing

wombatt · « **Reply #54 on:** December 29, 2004, 01:33:13 AM »

On the UN's list of 25 leading nations in humanitarian aid, it seems that Norway is on top because it gives 0.9% of its nominal GNP as foreign aid. The UN claims that the U.S. only gives .019% of its GNP as aid

Yes but you must look at the total GNP of both countries.
no offense Norway but your GNP aint squat compaired to Americas.
So there 0.9% agaist our .019% is a miss leading number unless you factor inn the totals.

In otherwords USA .019% = alot more $ than Norways 0.9%

ET · « **Reply #55 on:** December 29, 2004, 04:20:00 AM »

So what did those nations give to the Florida relief fund ?

Replicant · « **Reply #56 on:** December 29, 2004, 05:20:53 AM »

This thread has just turned into one big pissing contest. Here we are, thousands dead, thousands missing and we're talking about money. I'm somewhat ashamed that we can start being defensive about money and give some thought to the ones that need it.

I'm sure all countries have given as much as they can afford to (although I'm personally disappointed with my countries contribution considering they'd happily spend more on wars). Jan Egeland was wrong to critisize contributions since every single penny helps towards the relief fund. Those that haven't given as much money are sending aircraft, ships and rescue teams.

Glas · « **Reply #57 on:** December 29, 2004, 06:38:48 AM »

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Originally posted by GScholz
I'm curious as to what makes the "top 50 for worst" if this doesn't?

I read in the paper today that, in terms of deaths, it was in the top 5 disasters of modern times;

1. 1931 - China - Yangtze River floods kill 3.7M.

2. 1970 - Bangladesh - Tidal wave kills 200,000.

3. 1975 - China - 200,000 dead again in Yangtze River floods.

4. 1971 - North Vietnam - Red River Delta floods, killing 100,000.

5. 2004 - Asian Earthquake and tsunamis - 60,000+ dead

Crumpp · « **Reply #58 on:** December 29, 2004, 06:41:33 AM »

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Point of the matter is that the average Norwegian citizen gives more than the average American. Every American gives 0.019% of their wealth, Norwegians give 0.2%. Norway gives about 10% total of what the US gives, and no offense to the US, but if a tiny country like Norway pays 10% total of what the mighty USA does ... it says a lot about the USA.

Yeah,

We are not taxed to death and your good at manipulating statistics to support your anti American agenda.

I am sure the victims will be comforted by the fact Norway's tiny contribution to the relief effort cost their citizens a fraction of a percentage more out of their taxes than the United States much larger monetary contribution. Not to mention the fleet of C130's loaded with aid that is already over there. Not to mention the private donations, relief organizations, and massive logistical support the USA is providing.

Your insignificant fraction of percentage may give you some cause to feel good for completely selfish reasons. It does not do much for the victims or their families.

Crumpp

lada · « **Reply #59 on:** December 29, 2004, 07:00:08 AM »

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Originally posted by Crumpp
Yeah,

We are not taxed to death and your good at manipulating statistics to support your anti American agenda.

I am sure the victims will be comforted by the fact Norway's tiny contribution to the relief effort cost their citizens a fraction of a percentage more out of their taxes than the United States much larger monetary contribution. Not to mention the fleet of C130's loaded with aid that is already over there. Not to mention the private donations, relief organizations, and massive logistical support the USA is providing.

Your insignificant fraction of percentage may give you some cause to feel good for completely selfish reasons. It does not do much for the victims or their families.

Crumpp

what about to post some links instead of pan oneself on the back and let other to judge ?