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On 25 Sep 2005 13:24:04 -0500, (Kate ) wrote:
So - apparently not even Fred could justify donating some pocket
change to the war effort.
Such a patriot that man is.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1577750,00.html
Bush plea for cash to rebuild Iraq raises $600
Mark Townsend in Houston
Sunday September 25, 2005
The Observer
An extraordinary appeal to Americans from the Bush administration for
money to help pay for the reconstruction of Iraq has raised only $600
(£337), The Observer has learnt. Yet since the appeal was launched
earlier this month, donations to rebuild New Orleans have attracted
hundreds of millions of dollars.
The public's reluctance to contribute much more than the cost of two
iPods to the administration's attempt to offer citizens 'a further
stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq' has been seized on by
critics as evidence of growing ambivalence over that country.
This coincides with concern over the increasing cost of the war. More
than $30 billion has been appropriated for the reconstruction.
Initially, America's overseas aid agency, USaid, expected it to cost
taxpayers no more than $1.7bn, but it is now asking the public if they
want to contribute even more.
It is understood to be the first time that a US government has made an
appeal to taxpayers for foreign aid money. Contributors have no way of
knowing who will receive their donations or even where they may go,
after officials said details had be kept secret for security reasons.
USaid's Heather Layman denied it was disappointed with the meagre sum
raised after a fortnight. 'Every little helps,' she said.
In the past 12 months, Americans raised some $250bn for charity,
including other foreign causes such as the Asian tsunami victims.
Layman said: 'There is no financial goal. People are looking for a way
to help rebuild Iraq and this is a way to facilitate that.'
The fundraising comes amid concern that some US projects in Iraq will
be scrapped or only partly completed because of rising costs. Some
officials fear that money may run out before key projects are
completed.
Last week, the number of US troops killed in Iraq rose above 1,900.
/end
--
Contempt of Congress meter reading-offscale.
Hello, theocracy with a fundamentalist US Supreme
Court who will ensure church and state are joined
at the hip like clergy and altar boys.
America 1776-Jan 2001 RIP
"As democracy is perfected, the office of president
represents, more and more closely, the inner soul
of the people. On some great and glorious day the
plain folks of the land will reach their heart's
desire at last and the White House will be adorned
by a downright moron." --- H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Religion is the original war crime.
-Michelle Malkin (Feb 26, 2005)
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