The contribution from the U.S. has now been raised to $350 million — a tenfold increase from the $35 million pledged as of this morning.
I worry that the Bush administration didn’t jump up earlier to pump aid into the region, if for no other reason than to change some minds in the Muslim world about our philanthropic intentions. Southeast Asia has a vast Muslim population. It would be very good press for the U.S. to be seen helping the Muslim world rather than bombing it.
Nevertheless, better late than never. I don’t mind one bit having my tax dollars go toward helping people in such dire situations, whether it be on the other side of the globe or in our own country.
