This is the dumbest thing I've read since the last thing I read about Bush.

Jeeezus H.

fp

now thats just retarded. no offense to the retarded.

We tried, but unfortuantly it cost more money than the state could afford. So we've been waiting for federal assistance that obviously didn't come in time. Shit happens I guess. But really that besides the point. How bout we just save the Kerry voters?

it was retarded to invade iraq, taking needed american troops away from afghanistan, where karzai doesnt even have control outside of kabul, and forgetting the war on terror. it was retarded to not fire george tenet after the collosal screw ups of september 11th and wmd's in iraq. im not giving money to george bush's america.

i like how France just sent a Hallmark card

It would also help if our National Guard was in the US to help respond, but they are apparently better used fighting foreign wars.

Agreed. Now what the fuck does that have to do with helping ordinary Americans in need? You know, much like the ones you take time out of each and every day to converse with here on this freakin' BB.

Steve

that has to do with the fact that the bush administration canceled funding for programs in africa for aids education using condoms, and instead preaching abstinence, which has been a complete failure. granted, there are many governments in the area who arent doing their part, but that doesnt excuse america.that has to do with the total lack of security of iraqis and afghanis from local warlords and gangs. that has to do with the fact that america has done very little to help the people in the darfur region of sudan, where a genocide is taking place (although everyone is stepping carefully not to use the word), and the famine in niger.

It wasn't even a Hallmark, it was an American Greetings.

(or what are those cards with the wrinkled old lady on them?)

You just don't get it, do you?

Not to hold up the "Fucking Obvious, Percy" sign, but old people and babies dying of exposure and dehydration aren't responsible for Bush's policies.

Anyone who says "I can't support Bush's America" is saying a very stupid thing with regard to this crisis.

People in dire need need help; that's as complicated as it should get right now. Blame comes later. Rescue and assistance now.

my point is that for the reasons stated before, i wont be donating any money. if theres something to get, i think ive gotten it. if im missing something id be happy for you to tell me what im not getting.

On the contrary, you WILL be donating money.....I'd be willing to bet that company's that you do business with, not to mention your precious government (whom I'm assuming that you pay taxes to) will be contributing to the relief effort. Sorry.

As to you personally writing a check, I don't think the pennies of some myopic dumbass in Bumblefuck, Canadia are gonna make a hell of a bit of difference, but do me a favor and do something in your own community (give blood, mentor, volunteer) just for your conscience.

1. Refusing to donate money to poor people in need is not going to make an effective protest against our government's foreign policies. In fact, if most Americans feel like they're being snubbed by the rest of the world, it will only serve to reinforce a xenophobic, isolationist outlook. Also, most of the people who are suffering the greatest from this probably didn't vote for Bush (they're mostly poor minorities, the classic Democrat demographic) and haven't had much say in how well the area was prepared for the storm.

2. America sends billions in aid to thousands of nations, but you will always be able to find some place that we're not helping enough. And that's not to say that we're doing enough - we never are - but we are held to a higher standard than any other nation. Of course we fall well short of that, but held to the same standard, who wouldn't? I am aware of and agree with pretty much every issue you have raised against our foreign policy, but if you really want to take the moral high ground, you have to act on principle. That means you help those in need just like you say we should rather than acting like a fucking hypocrite and turning your nose up at American citizens just like you accuse us of doing to the rest of the world.

3. As E-Fu said, aid is donated to people in need because it's the right thing to do. You don't have to do it, and you certainly shouldn't do it just because you feel like you're expected to by others. You should do it because you see people suffering, and you want to help. And maybe because you'd want someone to help you in the same situation.

So don't donate any money to the U.S. Donate it to the Red Cross, or one of the private organizations actually doing some good. I would hope your conscience would allow you to do that.

thank you for responding to my points and not giving me a big virtual middle finger. at this point i think we have to agree to disagree. the point that giving money to people in need is the right thing to do is impossible to disagree with (so i wont), but i have trouble reconciling that need with america's everyday actions. anyway, its good to hear someone play devils advocate once in a while, right?

yep, and you're still an asshole, right?

I should hope it wasn't Hallmark--they're big funders of the whole 'Bush's America' concept. Send those free cards the World Wildlife Fund sends you in an effort to guilt you into donating.

bush's america has nothing to do with the people of america.

I do realize there are only 271 countries in the world. This was, uh... *hyperbole*...?

yeah