Bush's tepid tsunami response

Relatively speaking, the U.S. government has been put to shame by UB's tsunami relief efforts. From librarians establishing a one-stop website to collect donations, to the table in the Union raising over $1,000, to the aid the UB community has raised outside of school, those in academic departments, administration, and the students are great examples of the tremendous outpouring of aid to areas devastated by the tsunami.

In contrast, the United States government has pledged so little money that it has further damaged its already disgraced image. The amount it has pledged, $350 million is a lot of money - more than the entirety of the European Union minus Germany. But it is just a fraction of what we could have given, and the per capita relief for the United States is embarrassingly low. Our stingy image, whether real or perceived, is a symptom of the current administration's inability to relate to the world community.

The Bush administration was presented with an opportunity, in the aftermath of the tragedy, to gain the world community's sympathy and admiration. Perhaps our image as policemen of the world could be mitigated if we matched it with charity. But the administration blew the chance. Bush's initial offering of $15 million, then $35 million, and even $50 million was a pittance and was rightfully criticized by U.N. officials. When the administration finally came through with its current pledge it had already lost so much credibility that almost no amount of aid could repair it.

The U.S. historically provides the most foreign aid of any country, and we should, considering we are the richest country and therefore best equipped to do so. It is strange, though, that when the worst catastrophe in modern history happens, the United States is not leading the humanitarian charge. We are fourth in pledged relief, behind Australia ($764 million), Germany ($680 million), and Japan ($500 million). Our ranking in the relief efforts drops even further if the per capita relief is taken into account, with our approximately $1.40 per citizen topped by Qatar (approx. $29.60 per person) and Norway (approx. $40.66 per person) among others.

This is not to say Americans themselves are not giving. Between celebrity fundraisers, business donations, and private donations, Americans have proven their generosity. But the government can't use that generosity as an excuse to give one-fortieth of what Norway is giving. It gives the impression that the government is weak and out of touch with the needs of the world and the desires of America's citizens.

George W. Bush needs to start paying attention to America's image. He brags of having "political capital" at home but ignores the fact that across the world, he has spent nearly all of our nation's goodwill; a legacy that ranks among his worst.