<p>i agree with nomad. look--we're giving something right? i mean, this is a tragedy--who isn't feeling sad 4 these ppl?!! america is in debt. we could keep all the $ to ourselves. but we're not!!! because we care 4 cryin out loud! aren't we ONE of the countries giving the most money!?!! everyone's trying to pitch in and help, but the transformation can't take place overnight!! gosh--some ppl need 2 b patient...</p>
<p>"What we've seen over in Asia is a terrible moment in our history. This natural disaster has taken more lives than international terrorism and warfare alone.</p>
<p>That is why, as a God-fearing leader of the United States, I proclaim war on God. The military will fire randomly into the sky until God and his minions surrender to us. He can't hide forever. Not with that hole in the O-Zone layer exposing his Rightiousness.</p>
<p>I have asked help from Great Britain in this, our time of need. Tony Blair has greatfully let us have Black Watch again and a little go of the SAS.</p>
<p>east timor could only give $50,000 as they are one of the poorest asian countries, but every bit helps. everyones trying, i hitnk that people on this board should try not to feel to outraged at the donations. red cross has been inundated by the donations from ordinary citizens around the world.</p>
<p>"The islands' mainstay, tourism, looked likely to rebound quickly. Foreign tourists were back in the water and resort hotel rooms were reopening."</p>
<p>What's critical right now is that food, clothing and other supplies are being transported and distributed throughout the region. The money is only of chief importance later, when we'll have to rebuild infastructure, etc.</p>
<p>The President can only pledge so much money without the approval of Congress. I'm sure when Congress convenes on January 4th they'll pass a large disaster aid bill to help the affected areas.</p>
<p>When all is said and done, donations from the private sector and the U.S. government will be well over a billion dollars and will probably account for around 40% of aid given throughtout the world.</p>
<p>"PARIS - For Sweden's prime minister, celebrating New Year's after the Asian tsunami felt "completely wrong." Paris, its gay heart heavy with the tragedy, draped black cloth along a favorite haunt for romantic reveling -- the Champs-Elysees. Elsewhere, prayers substituted for parties in the final minutes of 2004.</p>
<p>Even for those far from Asian and African shores where the giant waves killed more than 120,000, the disaster was too overwhelming, too present for a carefree leap into 2005. </p>
<p>In Europe, thousands of families were struggling with the loss of loved ones and friends. The confirmed death tolls for many European countries were in the double digits, but many officials were warning the final tallies would be in the hundreds or even thousands. For Sweden alone, 2,500 tourists were still missing, while Switzerland was waiting to hear from some 700 and the French reported at least 118 disappeared.</p>
<p>"Never has the step into a new year felt heavier," said Goeran Persson, Sweden's premier who urged Swedes to light candles in their windows as a vigil. "We should have celebrated with fireworks and festivities. Now that feels completely wrong."</p>
<p>In light of the tragedy, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg asked people to observe a moment of silence in the run-up to the city's traditional New Year's Eve revelry.</p>
<p>The silence was planned for 8:15 p.m. local time at the Times Square festivities where U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will be the guest of honor.</p>
<p>We all have to look in the mirror tonight and recognize how lucky we are, Bloomberg told reporters. He also asked New Yorkers to give generously to relief efforts."</p>
<p>That's more than enough money for now. The main thing is to get the money to the right places. Shelters for the survivors packed with food and clean water, clean-up teams to remove the corpses and disinfect the area, medical teams to immunize the survivors, search and rescue teams to look for survivors, and enough police to prevent looting and more chaos. It's a huge mess. Throwing money at it won't clean it up.</p>
<p>The donations keep coming through Amazon. I've been refreshing the page for 2 hours now, the figure, already at $10,000,000.00 is climbing $3000 per minute.</p>
<p>I wish I could donate though, but college applications has left me with great debt.</p>
<p>This morning on 1/1, I read news and incidents about tsunami and felt that I need to make an amendment to my previous comment rebuking US meager donation.</p>
<p>On 12/31 Japan pledged $500 million alongwith USs pledge for $350 million. The total pledged amount for the victims have crossed over $2 billion. This excludes the millions that the generous American people are giving to the different charities. Amazon.com raised $10 million from its website, Yahoo raised $1.4 million in 18 hours, an unknown man drove by the Christian Children Funds head quarter in Richmond. VA and gave them a check for $50,000 (CCF already has a 707 on the way to Sri Lanka carrying cash and supplies required for children). </p>
<p>Across the globe new years parties were muted and people, including those on Times Square, observed a minute of silence respecting those that have perished in Tsunami. Paris celebrated new years with the city covered in a black cloth to express camaraderie to those who are suffering. Finland, Denmark and Sweden cancelled their New Year parties. Germany welcomed New Years with their flag flying at half-mast. All the money (approximately $750,000) from Sydneys harbor party will go to the relief efforts. As we enter 2005, we found a common message from across the world, we are in this together!</p>
<p>Similar stories of heroism are also surfacing from those areas that are affected. The story of a German pilot, who because of his perseverance landed on an island in Thailand, which was written off by the relief workers shows what each and every individual can do to make a difference. Similarly, as US navy and Indian navy helicopters reach Thailand, Sri-Lanka, Maldives it is heartening to know that our armed forces and our technology can come together without facing a war. Also, the story of a Thai, who had lost all he had, even his children but went back into the destroyed town to bring some rice for an Australian couple tells a lot about the characters of these people.</p>
<p>In my earlier comments, I rebuked the world for turning a blind eye toward the victims and I WAS WRONG. This morning in this New Year proves that we have entered a new era where the world is united for a cause. Where US, even of its twin deficits, did not rule out increasing its pledge from the current $350 million. Where people from around the world are focused on 1 thing How can we help? This morning I realized how lucky I am to be living in this era, where we are united as citizens of one world, fighting for a common cause.</p>
<p>"BAN NAM KHEM, Thailand (AP) - While foreign survivors of the ocean's onslaught were put up in an international school complete with beds, TVs and Internet connections, Thais from a devastated fishing village slept outside, many without blankets, burning wood to keep warm and keep mosquitos at bay. "</p>