Bush offers $770M for international food aid.

[vhx]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7378807.stm

George W Bush has offered $770m (£390m) in international food aid to help ease the effects of surging food prices that have sparked riots in some countries.

The US president said he was asking Congress to approve his request.

Soaring food and fuel prices have squeezed poor families at home and abroad, putting the White House under intense pressure to step in.

The move has been broadly welcomed, though critics point out the money will only be available from October.

That is because it is included in a funding measure that applies to the next fiscal year.

Critics also highlight what they say is the administration's contradictory policy of backing huge increases in the agricultural land devoted to biofuels.

"We're sending a clear message to the world that America will lead the fight against hunger for years to come," said Mr Bush, announcing the funding plan.

The new aid comprises $620m in direct food aid shipments, mainly to needy African nations, and $150m in long-term projects to help farmers in developing countries.

The new money would come in addition to some $200m the US president released for emergency food aid two weeks ago, but Mr Bush warned that "more needs to be done".

"In some of the world's poorest nations, rising prices can mean the difference between getting a daily meal and going without food," he said.

"The American people are generous people and compassionate people. We believe in the timeless truth, to whom much is given, much is expected."

The new money is tied to a wider, $70bn spending measure that also covers funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

The proposal has received broad approval, though some have criticised the fact that the funds will only be available in the next fiscal year.

Others highlight what they say are contradictions in the policies of President Bush's administration, which is simultaneously providing generous subsidies to US farmers to cultivate corn-based biofuels such as ethanol.

Sweet. How long before we are tapping into the money of our own plan?

 

[GRIFFIN1]

I wish my money wasn't wasted feeding the poor in this country, so you can imagine how excited I am about my money going to Africa.

 

[RightIsWrong]

What a freaking genius political ploy:

The new money is tied to a wider, $70bn spending measure that also covers funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

The dems now are forced to vote for the Iraq spending or be labeled as unwilling to help the poor starving people of other countries.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
What a freaking genius political ploy:

The new money is tied to a wider, $70bn spending measure that also covers funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

The dems now are forced to vote for the Iraq spending or be labeled as unwilling to help the poor starving people of other countries.

Oh, please, they'd vote for the funding anyway.

 

[bamacre]

What we need in the WH Office, and in Congress, are people who not only understand, acknowledge, but also fully appreciate the fact that it is OUR money they spend. This truth and this respect seems to be gone from Washington, and that needs to change. As well, they need to make sure that the Constitution and the people give them the authority to spend our money as they desire.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
What a freaking genius political ploy:

The new money is tied to a wider, $70bn spending measure that also covers funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

The dems now are forced to vote for the Iraq spending or be labeled as unwilling to help the poor starving people of other countries.

I'd have more respect for Democrats if they told Bush to shove it on this. Why are we feeding the worlds poor? Has anybody thought propping up populations that can clearly not survive on the land they live on prolongs the suffering?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
What a freaking genius political ploy:

The new money is tied to a wider, $70bn spending measure that also covers funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

The dems now are forced to vote for the Iraq spending or be labeled as unwilling to help the poor starving people of other countries.

I'd have more respect for Democrats if they told Bush to shove it on this. Why are we feeding the worlds poor? Has anybody thought propping up populations that can clearly not survive on the land they live on prolongs the suffering?

Africa need canals/reservoirs/aquaculture. I'd support a multinational/corporate effort to build canals for the sub-saharan region, in order for them to have the ability to be self-sustaining.

IIRC, a shrinking water supply is the major flashpoint in the Sudan/Chad woes.

 

[ayabe]

Strengthening the dollar would do a lot more for the starving since so many commodities are priced in dollars, printing another 700 million is going to have the opposite effect.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Sweet, yet again, this proves how much the American gov. cares about American citizens.

 

[palehorse]

not cool.

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
What a freaking genius political ploy:

The new money is tied to a wider, $70bn spending measure that also covers funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

The dems now are forced to vote for the Iraq spending or be labeled as unwilling to help the poor starving people of other countries.

Nice, so bush is "playing politics" with the starving people of the world and our brave men and women in uniform. He should be disgusted with himself if only because he likes to bitch non-stop about the Democrats doing it.

What a hypocritical douchbag.

 

[jpeyton]

That's less than 2 days of Iraq war funding. Nice! :roll:

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
That's less than 2 days of Iraq war funding. Nice! :roll:

you'd rather see us send even more!? 😕

 

[Jaskalas]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
What a freaking genius political ploy:

The new money is tied to a wider, $70bn spending measure that also covers funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

The dems now are forced to vote for the Iraq spending or be labeled as unwilling to help the poor starving people of other countries.

The combination and stacking of bills into one vote is just about the stupidest and most corrupt thing our government does, and it does this repeatedly on every single bill.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: jpeyton
That's less than 2 days of Iraq war funding. Nice! :roll:

you'd rather see us send even more!? 😕

Define spend?

Since we're basically just printing all the money we're spending overseas, what's an extra $770 million in a sea of $9+ trillion in debt? Like a drop in the ocean.

 

[BeauJangles]

I'm all for aiding other nations, but, really, can't we get our own shit in order first? We're overspending left and right and ADDING more spending isn't going to help anything. Ugh.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: jpeyton
That's less than 2 days of Iraq war funding. Nice! :roll:

you'd rather see us send even more!? 😕

Define spend?

Since we're basically just printing all the money we're spending overseas, what's an extra $770 million in a sea of $9+ trillion in debt? Like a drop in the ocean.

I didn't say "spend"... I asked if you would like to see the amount we send for food increased. period.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: jpeyton
That's less than 2 days of Iraq war funding. Nice! :roll:

you'd rather see us send even more!? 😕

Define spend?

Since we're basically just printing all the money we're spending overseas, what's an extra $770 million in a sea of $9+ trillion in debt? Like a drop in the ocean.

I didn't say "spend"... I asked if you would like to see the amount we send for food increased. period.

Hahaha, my bad; I need to slow my roll when I'm reading posts.

To ease world hunger, of course I would send more. But I would cut spending in other areas to fund it (hint hint).

BTW, this bill also sends $200 million in bribe money to our friends in Pakistan.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: jpeyton
That's less than 2 days of Iraq war funding. Nice! :roll:

you'd rather see us send even more!? 😕

Define spend?

Since we're basically just printing all the money we're spending overseas, what's an extra $770 million in a sea of $9+ trillion in debt? Like a drop in the ocean.

I didn't say "spend"... I asked if you would like to see the amount we send for food increased. period.

Hahaha, my bad; I need to slow my roll when I'm reading posts.

To ease world hunger, of course I would send more. But I would cut spending in other areas to fund it (hint hint).

BTW, this bill also sends $200 million in bribe money to our friends in Pakistan.

so you'd send more... swell. I find it more and more disturbing every day that people like you and I somehow support the same candidate for President... it boggles my mind.

At this point in time, we shouldn't be sending a single f'n penny for food to anyone -- especially outside of the U.S.

It's a matter of priorities, and this aint one of them...

 

[HannibalX]

Waste of money. How about using that $$$ fix the fucking Interstates!

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
What a freaking genius political ploy:

The new money is tied to a wider, $70bn spending measure that also covers funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009.

The dems now are forced to vote for the Iraq spending or be labeled as unwilling to help the poor starving people of other countries.

Are you kidding me?

So, the Dems are in power in both the Senate and the House; they control all the committeees and the calender and you think the Repubs some how managed to pull off this "political ploy"?

This statement, lapped up by many others here, literally begs for an explanation.

Please do tell.

TIA,

Fern

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
BTW, this bill also sends $200 million in bribe money to our friends in Pakistan.

Oh just fucking wonderful.

Is this the way we are "fighting the war on terror?"

By giving money to dictators who harbor those terrorists who attacked us? Yet spending trillions of dollars invading Arab countries who never attacked us nor harbored terrorists who attacked us?

Am I crazy here, or is this, and pardon my language again, just totally fucked up?

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: jpeyton
BTW, this bill also sends $200 million in bribe money to our friends in Pakistan.

Oh just fucking wonderful.

Is this the way we are "fighting the war on terror?"

By giving money to dictators who harbor those terrorists who attacked us? Yet spending trillions of dollars invading Arab countries who never attacked us nor harbored terrorists who attacked us?

Am I crazy here, or is this, and pardon my language again, just totally fucked up?

Nope, it's fucked up.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Originally posted by: palehorse74
[so you'd send more... swell. I find it more and more disturbing every day that people like you and I somehow support the same candidate for President... it boggles my mind.

At this point in time, we shouldn't be sending a single f'n penny for food to anyone -- especially outside of the U.S.

It's a matter of priorities, and this aint one of them...

What do you have against feeding the poor? 😕

Are you saying that there are better things we could be doing for them than handouts, which I can totally agree with.. teach a man to fish and all that.. Your tone seems to indicate that you have no desire to help anyone.. ever.

must be lonely at the top 🙁

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: GRIFFIN1
I wish my money wasn't wasted feeding the poor in this country, so you can imagine how excited I am about my money going to Africa.

What about the children?