In the first few days of the disaster, no one could fathom the magnitude of what had happened. Countries began pledging money. The sums were admittedly small and people used it to hurl insults at each other, at other countries, and to make a political point from something that was apolitical to begin with. The UN and the USA got into a war of words that is still going on.
While the name-calling went on, the donations multiplied and the world came through; it still is coming through with more aid. The US shifted into high gear as the magnitude of the disaster began to sink in and, from official and private sources, money and help began to add up.
Some people were stunned by the American initial response. That is understandable, but did not merit name-calling. Americans were angry at the slight and began unleashing scorn on the UN (the source of the insult) and on others as in ‘what did they ever do for us?’
The US has a responsibility that comes from being so powerful and so rich. Nevertheless, no one can tell anyone else what to do with their money. Shaming others into donating what they do not want to give away is also bad. Arguing that a country that spends $85 billion on a war should donate X amount on charity, is also wrong. If I am a rich man riding a very expensive car, I should be able to give someone the price of a bus ticket to get them home. There is nothing to force me to buy them a new car.
I believe that it should be left to consensus and personal wishes. You and I will be amazed by the amounts that will come through. It is also not fair to play such games when people who have nothing to do with politics are the victims.
The Arabian Peninsula, one of the richest regions on earth, did not exactly come through with flying colors. The figures are small. I can say that about my people, but have no right to say it about others. President Clinton has the right to say that he thinks the money donated is good but not good enough. However, he is too perceptive to say this about others.
My advice to the UN is that it is time to shut up. With the green of the Oil-For-Food program still wet on so many hands, they should simply work without drawing attention to themselves. I for one would not trust them with a penny.
Tragedy shapes and/or reveals character. Many of us, safe and happy in our homes, have woken up to understand something about ourselves we did not know before. Good or bad, to each his own. Yet many woke up to find their loved ones gone, their world turned around, and their lives altered. How we react to their ordeal is a measure of our intent and quality. Bring in politics and the tragedy becomes double.
