Not that I'm advocating withholding aid...but the 'stingy' comments are something akin to the spoiled brat child that never has to fend for themselves and live with their own mistakes. They always get bailed out. The world (I feel) often views the U.S. in this light (the parent who bails out the child). While we are not obligated to provide anything...we usually do. Instead of being thankful...we hear complaints about the amount. I wish they would stop and think about what they would do without it before complaining about 'how much'. If we stopped and made a list of all the places and instances where the U.S. has sent money, aid, military, etc...the list is very long. We're probably the most generous nation in the world.

I believe President Bush has authorized $15 million in aid for the victims. The European Union consisting of 25 countries has authorized $4 million in aid.

The first planes in the area were U.S. Navy P-3 Orions doing survey work on the damage. I have yet to hear of any Airbus stories. Currently we have U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo planes in the air loaded with supplies on a uncomfortable 37 hour flight to the devestated areas.

Let's see: the U.S. if first on the scene, has the most aid promised so far, and is called stingy. To be honest we are stingy in that we're controlling our aid and not giving it to Jan Egeland and the U.N. to control and deliver. Of course I would love to hear the answer from average person in Sri Lanka if they would prefer American aid or U.N. aid given the U.N.'s fabulous track record of Bosnia, Rhwanda, and Dufar.

Americans aren't stingy compared to others. However, most church giving goes to ourselves. Further, the failure to tithe is a serious moral lapse that eclipses many of the sins we tend to dwell on. If the Church had responded in any substantially meaningful way during the Great Depression, we might not have even gotten all of the welfare programs we have today.

Interesting post, Joshua. I was just thinking about this last night, as a matter of fact. Thanks for the info.

>>The comments highlight a common problem when examining American charity - Americans do not always rely on the government, like our European counterparts, to take part in charity.

I don't want to pick a fight at a time like this Josh, but where do you get the idea that Europeans rely on government to handle our charity? Britain's "Disaster Emergemncy Committee", a standing coalition of charities and aid agencies, has raised £5million (close to $10) in the last 24hrs according to the BBC website. *And* our govt has pledged £15m in aid

One place to donate is through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Checks may be sent to UMCOR, Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, N.Y., N.Y. 10115. In the memo line, write "Advance #274305, South Asia emergency". Donations may also be made online at "http://MethodistRelief.org."

No giving can be removed out of its broader contexts. To examine a simple dollar amount is useless. To escape the realm of public relations in foreign aid is almost impossible. Would the world had seen $35m from the US differently if it was pledged immediately after the event along with sincere concern rather than pried away after days of ignoring the situation. The answer is undoubtedly yes. There are times I wish beyond wishing that this administration could just jump on the yellow brick road to pick up a heart and some brains to go along with its courage.