US generosity once again shines through

[ODBAL]

How many billions, if not trillions did (has, and still are) American spend in the last 60 years to ensure not only Italy, but the whole of Europe was safe from the Soviet Union?  I could be wrong, but it seems if you want to quantify who gives what to whom you have to recognize the trillions of dollars the USA has spent to keep this world safe.  Yes, perhaps it was not spent to keep Italy, or any other European country safe specifically.  But it sure has to be a nice residual effect for them.

[Die Hard]

How far back in time should we go? Can and should we really claim credit for what our forefathers did?

[Anodizer]

Italy has already said it doesn't need any help.... 
And all this $50,000 was a gesture of support.. 
Italy is not a 3rd world country and doesn't need help
for something as localized as this..  Besides, there are other
countries that are more geographically viable to help them if they need it..

Castro did the same thing during Hurricane Katrina.. 
It's just a show of support(that our hearts our with them sort of thing)..  Some of you are reading way too much into this..

[bongaroo]

Ugh.  This thread got downright nasty quick.

I agree with you Txmom that the help we have offered is a joke.

In response to the criticism: "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

Help when you can and maybe they will when they can.  They have been pulling survivors all day, I hope they continue to find more.

[ODBAL]

How far back in time should we go? Can and should we really claim credit for what our forefathers did?

forefathers?  I was talking as recent as 20 years ago, in regards to the Soviet Union, and as recent as today in regards to fighting Terrorism.

[Die Hard]

I don't think europeans see the American contribution to the NATO defence as anything but self interest. With two european nuclear powers I don't think there is much America could have helped with if fighting broke out. WWIII would have ended in nuclear apocalypse anyhow. I don't think the europeans have asked or wanted US help in the fight against terrorism. After all, they've been fighting international terrorism for a very long time. If you ask the average european I bet they don't even think America's "war on terrorism" is helping at all. Perhaps a few europeans could comment?

[Lligaf]

I'd just as soon italy and the rest of the beggars handle their own affairs and we handle ours. Same with individuals here in the US. If you can't afford it then don't buy it. If you can't afford kids then don't have them. If you want socialism go to china.

While we are at it lets turn away all illegals at the hospital and clear the emergency rooms for emergencies only.

Ok too many others to list but that would be a start.

 
  

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

Just my opinion.

How far back in time should we go? Can and should we really claim credit for what our forefathers did?

As FAR BACK as you can go, and YES we should.

The sins of our fathers are still on the sholder's of our sons, and that is the way it will always be. So right wrong or indifferent, stand up and take a bow. The worlds watching.

And when it comes to giving or helping someone, it is NEVER enough, not ever.
If & when you stand before the gates of heaven and are asked "did you do enough?" your answer should always be NO!
but i did all i could do. And thats all i can ask of my country or my people.

$50,000 is more today than they had yesterday.

And for the love of god if your going to quote me, at least quote the entire thing, and not just whatever part you feel like nit picking, i haven't got another week of bickering.


-Throws two cents- its never enough.

[Die Hard]

If you feel you can take credit for the good your forefathers did, do you also feel responsible for the wrongs they did?

[Dago]

Boy, we're spending trillions on crapola everywhere here... but sending Italy a whopping fifty thousand dollars ?  Would have been better to not send them anything at all rather than that amount.  What a slap in the face.  Sheesh.
On the other hand, they finally used a little moderation in spending (*rolls eyes*)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ikJZkXxJ8cJg2RvVbRTqZKEZwVqg

Yeah, we don't spend billions helping other nations and other people every year.  We should feel guilty.   

[texasmom]

Yeah, we don't spend billions helping other nations and other people every year.  We should feel guilty.   

I don't under any circumstances believe that we have an obligation to help anyone at all ~ ever.

What I think is ridiculous is that we make these kinds of meaningless gestures of generosity to give the appearance of being the kind, considerate neighbor ~ when in truth it doesn't mean a thing.  If you're going to help, it should be for the purpose of making a difference... not just "oh, look! we're being nice again!" with an amount that is obviously laughable. 

Duh ~ the original post wasn't about the money ~ it was about the fake gesture of generosity. 

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

If you feel you can take credit for the good your forefathers did, do you also feel responsible for the wrongs they did?

yes i do, the nukes on japan (Till this day we are still the only nation on the planet that has killed thousands of none combative men woman and children through nuclear genocide) the treatment of the american indian's, current AND PAST, the list go's on and on. We cannot even fix and repair the past evil deed's done to our OWN people,and yet our government feels the need to reach out and spew its propaganda on other nations.

Look at our self's!


Your dang skippy i do, but that's just me, i hold little faith for the obligation of my people or nation to change, if they do not feel the same way, they have that right. Nor do i think any less of them if they do not see things as i do, or feel the same as well.


For whatever its worth, just one guys opinion. -throws two cents-

[Anodizer]

You people are taking this way out of context..
C'mon....  You must understand what this was...Don't you??

Believe me, if Italy REALLY needed any help, we'd be there....If they need people to help dig survivors out of the rubble, we'll be there....If they need food, water, anything, we'll be there....
Italy is doing just fine with this crisis on her own..  They totally didn't ask for anything especially any kind of hand out....  The 50 grande is just a show of support....Sort of like earnest money when you buy a house....  The Italians understand this....Why don't you people?  Know you nothing of how diplomacy works? 

Don't worry....   Italy won't ask us for a thing..  They are already dealing with this crisis much better than we did with Katrina..

[mechanic]

I don't think europeans see the American contribution to the NATO defence as anything but self interest. With two european nuclear powers I don't think there is much America could have helped with if fighting broke out. WWIII would have ended in nuclear apocalypse anyhow. I don't think the europeans have asked or wanted US help in the fight against terrorism. After all, they've been fighting international terrorism for a very long time. If you ask the average european I bet they don't even think America's "war on terrorism" is helping at all. Perhaps a few europeans could comment?

We just dont see it as that big a deal. Europe has been at war for thousands of years. The present european bond is larger and more peacefull than ever before. America's role in WWII was clearly of large impact, no European would deny that. My feeling is that 1000 years of killing each other has accustomed Europeans to all the arts of warfare, including diplomacy and tact. The modern America has a long way to go before warfare is ingrained in its soil, before  hundreds of generations of American warriors have bled on our earth. I am gratefull for everything Americans can do to stop terrorists killing innocent people. I just dont understand why so many American's seem to demand credit for acts of war. War is not something to congratulate yourself about. Ever. You fight, you try to win, then you move on lesson learnt.  The current war is an even worse scenario than Vietnam, this war will not end unless our forces kill every single last one of them.

[LYNX]

I don't think europeans see the American contribution to the NATO defence as anything but self interest.True With two european nuclear powers I don't think there is much America could have helped with if fighting broke out. WWIII would have ended in nuclear apocalypse anyhow. TrueI don't think the europeans have asked or wanted US help in the fight against terrorism. I believe there is mutual interest in sharing intelligence.  Reciprocal rather than sort afterAfter all, they've been fighting international terrorism for a very long time. Some one said Iraq is like the IRA only with a Q in itIf you ask the average european I bet they don't even think America's "war on terrorism" is helping at all. War?  No such thing.  That's a Bush-ism.  You can be vigilant and stead fast but you can go to war.  Imprisonment without trial....whats that about?  Perhaps a few europeans could comment?  Just my two pence