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Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer
States have interests.
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Roger, I understand that.
Those may have been interests, but they were not obligations, unless there are treaties in effect with them that I am unaware of. I am confident that you will enlighten me, if so.
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Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer
- What interests would have been served by U.S. inaction in the wake of this natural disaster?
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Reduction of the national deficit, perhaps? What happened to other nations which did nothing? We had already been castigated for doing too little.
Did China help? Russia? Anything from the Euros approaching the contributions that we made? Anything bad happen to them?
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Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer
- What interests were served by U.S. action?
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The interests of the affected nations. Possible influence on some hearts and minds, though I have seen little reporting on anything other than the usual thanks from the recipients (like the man in the OBL t-shirt in line for US aid).
Did you not read GH's assessment of massive layoffs in the US?
"Harsh? So is life."
Does that only apply to American victims?
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Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer
- How might those interests have been served/disserved by other courses of action?
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We had already been condemned for doing too little. Was the aid of any long-term benefit to US national interests? Did we win any converts in return for the milliions spent? Were there areas to spend that public money and gain more leverage?
The disaster was closer to China and India (which was affected) than it was to us. Was there no regional support from the strongest nations in the area? Did they agree to be of any assistance to us based on our help? The two most populous nations in the world are major recipients of US outsourcing. Did we gain anything in the way of cooperation, concessions, or goodwill from them?
The real question is, is the U.S. not only the world's policeman, but also the world's pocketbook as well?
From the latest recommendation that all of the wealthy nations donate .7% of GDP to the poorest countries, I would suspect that many think we are.
TR