Hello Mark,

>JH>The above is simply _Bullshit_ from both of you. As you
>JH>are about to be given an opportunity in the next
>JH>paragraph, the American people are _quite_ generous.

>LL>Of the top 21 industrial nations in the world, the US
>LL>ranks 19th in giving aid to the tsunami victims.  Not
>LL>exactly what anyone would call "quite generous".  :)

ML>is this before or after the federal pledge went from 35 to 350?

Before the tsunami disaster, U.S. foreign aid was ranked last in the
world among donor nations (21st out of 21).  After the tsunami disaster,
U.S. foreign aid was ranked 19th out of 21.  Really.  I heard it on Fox
News.

Back for a reality check.  I am referring to the UN Human Development
Report, which lists 137 nations.  In 2002, the U.S. ranked 28th out of
the top 28.  So I guess the U.S. is improving.  Slowly.  I mean, Fox
News said we were 21st out of 21.  No.  Wait a minute.  Fox News said we
were 19th out of 21.  And then 2nd.  Or 1st.  Depending on the numbers.
From wherever they got them.  Even though the amount of U.S. foreign aid
has been halved over the past 10 years.  I think.  Maybe.  It's all
Clinton's fault.

Here are a few numbers from the UN Human Development Report 2002 -

Denmark spends 1.06% of its GNP on foreign aid.
Netherlands spends 0.84% of its GNP on foreign aid.
Norway spends 0.80% of its GNP on foreign aid.
Germany spends 0.27% of its GNP on foreign aid.
Japan spends 0.28% of its GNP on foreign aid.
Portugal spends 0.26% of its GNP on foreign aid.
Spain spends 0.22% of its GNP on foreign aid.
U.S. spends 0.1% of its GNP on foreign aid.

Imagine that.  Scandinavians being the kindest, most
generous people in the world.  Who'd a thunk it?

--Lee


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