Amazon: this is more like it

While our Prez cycles (to show how fit he is) and clears brush (to show how much of a fake cowboy rugged son of wealth individual he is, some of the rest of society is stepping up. Amazon has put a 1-click donation page front and center.

update
Streak's other friend noted this from MSNBC's blogger just to show that we aren't the only ones ticked off:

MSNBC - : "The United States government is the wealthiest on the planet. At this time of worldwide horror and grief for the more than 60,000 people killed by the tsunami, and the millions of others who are now homeless, why not start with a billion dollar pledge? Compared to 35 million dollars, a billion would generate worldwide headlines and amazement... and it would  immediately give people across this earth a reason to be thankful for the United States.  And given recent polls showing that hatred for the U.S. is at an all-time high, we could certainly use a better image.

Besides, to put the 35 million dollars in context, consider this: To 'help' the citizens of Iraq, our government is spending 5.8 BILLION dollars each MONTH.  That translates to more than 8 million dollars an hour. Or put another way, the $35 million we have pledged in disaster aid for Southeast Asia is less than the amount the U.S. military spent during the six hours it took on Sunday for the tsunami to cross the Indian Ocean.

I can hear some of you complaining about American 'priorities.'  Hmmmm.  Let's look at our 'priorities.'  Last year, Congress appropriated the following:
$3 million for 'shrimp aquaculture research.' (Since 1985, this program has received 61 million dollars.)
$3 million for the Utah Public Lands 'Artifcact Preservation' program.
$50 million for an 'indoor rainforest project' in Iowa. Yes Iowa.

I could go on and on about our government's 'priorities,' and in 2005, I promise that I will.  But in the meantime, it's embarassing that at the moment, a disaster affecting more than a million people is only ten times more important than preserving artifacts in Utah or studying the behavior of shrimp, and is valued less than building an Iowa rainforest (or occupying Iraq for 6 hours.) 

I'm sure our government will eventually readjust this... and I know the generosity of the United States will exceed that of any other nation.   I just don't understand why we aren't making that statement right from the start, when the message of hope is needed most.  The United States I know is the one that leads and sets an example for the rest of the planet — not one that sits quietly and waits."

And Black Sheep pointed us to a great point about the missed opportunity:

Aid Grows Amid Remarks About President's Absence: "Noting that the disaster occurred at a time when large numbers of people in many nations -- especially Muslim ones such as Indonesia -- object to U.S. policies in Iraq, he said Bush was missing an opportunity to demonstrate American benevolence.


'People do watch and see what we do,' he said. 'Here's an opportunity to remind people of the good we do, and he [Bush] can do it without changing his policy on Iraq or terrorism.'"

Time for America to step up. Yes, Bush should do far more. But we can't wait for him to clear that ranch in Crawford. That place must be infested with brush. We have to do what we can. Take that tax cut and put it to some good use! Go to Amazon, or Doctors without Borders or one of the many other great organizations out there trying to help. Do what you can.