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Bush calls for $770-million in food aid

MISSY RYAN AND TABASSUM ZAKARIA

Reuters

Latest comment posted at 1:50 PM EDT 04/05/08

U.S. Congress must vote on package to help global crisis in food inflation ...Read the full article

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  1. Douglas Freestone from Calgary, Canada writes: Excellent news. Love it or hate it, the US always seems to dig deep into its pocket when a call for help goes out. Hopefully this goes a long way to meet the UN's projected requirements for food aid. I just hope the UN doesn't squander it.
  2. Eric B from Ottawa, Canada writes: Didn't Harper announce just a few days ago that Canada would be providing $50M towards this same cause? Considering we have roughly 10% the population & economy of the US, that translates in providing about 65% of what the US is giving. Would have been nice for the article to mention this...
  3. Edmond Dusablon from United States writes: Eric B -- You misplaced a decimal. $50 million is 6.5% of $770 million, not 65%.
  4. National Action Committee on the Status of Elvis in Canada from Ottawa, Canada writes: Whatever we think of GW Bush in most other endeavours, he does deserves credit for this.
  5. Chris E. from vancouver, Canada writes: The problem isn't hunger, it's over-population.

    Cultivable land is finite. In some places it is being reduced by desertification, development for other uses, and toxins. The world population has exceeded optimum levels and giving food aid doesn't address that problem.
  6. E. Biggs from Canada writes: Regardless of what we think of Bush when you look at all the world disasters over the last 8 years he has stepped up to the plate real quick.

    Love them or hate them the Yanks are a very generous people individually and collectively.

    Our Gov. does not do too bad a job but individually we suck.
  7. E. Biggs from Canada writes: I just checked some stats for the year 2006 the last year stats are available from the World Bank.

    The Yanks gave 1.7% of their GDP,
    The Brits were second .73% of their GDP
    Canada was third .67% of our GDP

    Guess who was at the bottom of the whole list of top developed countries France and Germany was only slightly better.

    I was very surprised to see South Africa right up there.

    It was interesting as well to see that the bulk of our giving was done by our Gov. while in the States 79% of theirs was by individuals.

    They said that countrys with high taxation had the lowest indivdual giving.

    Crap on the Yanks if we want to but they are generous.

    Also Bush had USAF C5s and C130s in the air immediately after the Tsunami with food and clothing and USN ships there right quick as well.

    Their system is goofy as it took a long time for help to arrive for Katrina but there the State Govenor by law has to request help and she didn't until days after. System is nuts.
  8. E. Biggs from Canada writes: Chris E Perhaps giving does not change much but it does demonstrate a desire on behalf of a nation and its people to do what it can to alleviate suffering.

    I understand that because of over population the world will have increasing problems with disasters etc. but we can only do what we can do and I would sooner do what I can than sit back and analyse the problem to death.

    We here can do little about the world over population so let's get on with trying to help where we can. I know that the money I give for kids around the world is like pissing in the ocean but if it helps one kid it is worth it.
  9. E. Biggs from Canada writes: Have got to get this in before Syed and some of the rest start with their rants. They remind me of "walking eagle" so full of crap they cannot fly.

    They will be here in a few minutes.
  10. Andy Garrett: Parry Sound: June 26 to July 13 from West Palm Beach, United States writes: GWB pledges about $2.50 for each American yet you guys only give about $1.25 per Canadian. Geez,
    think you can afford it given your huge trade surplus with us. Pathetic, this is an international shame on
    Canada considering how generous you all think of yourselves..
  11. F H from Canada writes: Howzabout he brings the brave men and women of his Forces back from Iraq ASAP and spends the money that he's thus far spending on wide-spread massacres and instead spends it on HELPING the people of the world? Or even spending it on the American men, women and children who live in poverty?
  12. E. Biggs from Canada writes: FH You are an idiot completely and totally.

    When we in Canada can match the per capita giving of the Americans then we will have the right to talk but at this point we are so far behind that it is just plain stupid to even think about critizing them.

    The bulk of their giving is individuals which as I said above represents just over 79% of their total while in Canada the indivual giving is almost nonexistant.

    Andy Garrett - You will have to understand that we have a group in this country that are so stupid that it is difficult to comprehend and we seem to be breeding more. They cannot read and understand what they read and have no idea how to research something but still feel they should yap., this bonehead FH is just one of many.
  13. Andy Garrett: Parry Sound: June 26 to July 13 from West Palm Beach, United States writes: E. Biggs. As you can see I'll be at my cottage end of June. Maybe you can set me up with a few sperm
    banks and I'll help reduce the stupid group. Believe me, I understand you point in its totality.
  14. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: E. Biggs from Canada writes: "Regardless of what we think of Bush when you look at all the world disasters .....Love them or hate them the Yanks are a very generous people individually and collectively....:

    E.Biggs, great post.

    I have to admit I expected to find the usual Bush-bashers clanging away. Refreshing to find different...
  15. E. Biggs from Canada writes: Andy and larfing When you understand that many have gone through a very cold winter (frozen brains) and had nothing to do but read the Canadian Press and post blather, and in addition have hardly ever met a Yank, it becomes a little more understandable.

    You combine this with a poor genetic pool, lack of education and now you have the picture.

    Off to play with the other seniors

    Have a great day guys.
  16. Thomas Morris from New York, NY, United States writes: More than half of the worlds food aid comes from the US. I believe that if you search further you'll see that we are also the most generous as far as monetary donations to world causes. Not bad for what you think is a bunch of stupid, lazy, self- conceded people.
  17. M. S From Edmonton from Canada writes: Thomas Morris from New York, NY, United States... i have to agree.. the people are nice..

    andy, you are right, 79% of the donations come from the NICE american people..

    what can I say .. we got the good government, you got the good people.....
  18. Carly MacKay from United States writes: This was a very refreshing comment board. I had to read it twice. Thank you to those who commended the USA for the donations we made. The article made sense when it said lower donations were made by countries with high taxes. Your healthcare system is expensive and absorbs a lot of tax dollars, but that is a credit to Canadians who believe every individual should receive equal healthcare. Canada donated an additional $50 million this past week. That's pretty darn good from a counry with only 1/10 of our population. I am sure the people who benefit from this aid will appreciate it. I wonder if there will ever be a day in the next hundred yeara when Africa will not rely on hand outs from other countries. As bad as I feel for these people with overpopulation, shrinking agricultural land and rising food costs, this problem will only get worse, much worse. There WILL be a day when we won't be able to provide food for these people.
  19. Douglas Freestone from Calgary, Canada writes: Carly MacKay from United States - It should also be noted that the additional $50 million now brings Canada's total to $230-million. Canada is now the third largest contributor even though it has a much smaller population and economy compared to say France and Germany, which are at the bottom of the G8 list.

    As for the US, I always remind people that slag the US about the severe earthquake in Bam, Iran in 2003. The US was one of the first countries to offer assistance, it removed or froze certain sanctions in order for US citizens to make private donations, it sent aid workers and rescue teams, and even offered a high-level humanitarian delegation (which was subsequently turned down by Iranian hardline loons). USA!!

    As for this generous contribution, I just hope the UN doesn't squander it.
  20. Terry F from Edmonton, Canada writes: Great job, USA - the second best country in the world ;)
  21. E. Biggs from Canada writes: I need to apologize to all the people who posted here today for my comments about our genetic pool etc. There is a seed of reason and goodness here afterall and I sure hope it germinates.

    Let's dump on anybody (including the USA) when it is justified and we have done our research, and give credit where it is due.

    What a great continent it would be if only we could work together.

    It would be a pleasure to meet some of you someday.
  22. Combative American from Minneapolis, United States writes: Not sure what to make of the comments on here so far. Must admit to being totally stunned. Have never been on any topic matter in this paper where people have not taken the occasion to slit our throats at the first opportunity.

    However, to those of you who have taken the time to add your voices to the growing din of compliments toward my country and my people, let me be the first to say; "THANK YOU VERY MUCH."

    Sometimes, we down here forget that there really are Canadians who see us as a proper, honest and generous group of people.

    Can no longer write. Verklempt.
  23. Festina Lente from Tampa Bay, United States writes: It is not the aid rendered by the United States in the form of money, direct aid, immediate assistance from the miltary in the use of aircraft carriers, the C-17s and C-130s along with aged C-141 starliffters that is significant on the world's needs....it is the charity by the American people along with other NGOs that make a real difference. There are many indicies that can be querried to confirm this.

    The UN organizations do a poor job in tending to the world's need and should either disengage or clean up its mess.
  24. Orest Zarowsky from Toronto, Canada writes: My, my, my. All this adulation and congradulations for the US "aid" initiative. Ignoring salient and critical details. Like the fact that the current price of oil is a direct result of the invasion of Iraq, which was based on a pack of lies. Which price of oil is a huge contributing factor to not only the cost of agricultural production (what do you think the fertilizers and pesticides are made from?), but the transport of the crops to market. OOPS. But, WTF, US oil companies are reaping huge windfall profits, so it's all good. Equally important and relevant is the trivial detail that the US is as big an agricultural subsidizer as the EC - but for a much smaller group. And the little detail that the bulk of US agricultural exports - including rice - are so heavily subsidized that there is no way for any of the Second or Third World countries to compete. Note that the US is the third largest rice grower and exporter in the world. And that's before we get into a discussion of things like subsidised cotton in the US. That adulation of the US "aid" is more than a little wrong. Indeed, given the reality, a kick or two upside the head is much more appropriate and correct. With steel-toed boots. The real tragedy here is that all of this information is public knowledge and thoroughly documented. And yet the BS continues. And then there is the "Futures" market in agricultural commodities to take into account. The biggest, and most important of which, is in Chicago. In the state of Illinois. In the USA. OOPS strikes again. Looks like some more kicks upside the head are in order.
  25. Ontario Man from Canada writes: I watches a CBC news report on Canada donating $50 million.

    The CBC will make sure our current PM gets no credit for this. Even though I can imagine the headline if there was no food aid. They would be all over "Harper" for being a cold hearted monster.

    No bias there???
  26. Festina Lente from Tampa Bay, United States writes: Orest Zarowsky From Toronto: I rather take it that you know all about the United States and that you don't like what you KNOW. I rather conclude that you don't like the US period. That's okay with me. Sure! And what other countries do you dislike? The best on you!

    Malcolm McCallum in Florida
  27. E. Biggs from Canada writes: Malcolm- Don't pay too much attention to Orest he even hates himself.

    I spend several months in the States every year and while you have your share of goofs I doubt you can match us per capita.
  28. OK Whatever from United States writes: Orest Zarowsky,

    Thank goodness Canada doesn't subsidize crops or shut out products from other nations. No sir, that doesn't happen in the grain, poultry, or dairy sectors. Thank goodness Canadian companies are ethical and would never destroy native cultures or natural habitats. Thank goodnes the First Nations have been treated with nothing but respect throughout Canadian history. Thank goodness you have the CBC to reassure you that you are moral, righteous, and good, and that the world adores you as a Canadian. I'm glad that your existence is made complete by resting in this knowledge.
  29. Orest Zarowsky from Toronto, Canada writes: @ Festina Lente: There is much to admire about the US. But there also much that is truly loathesome there too. There are times when your hypocracy is breath-taking. As is the case with this food aid announcement. Especially in light of the way in which your agricultural sector is run. Who was it that broke the Dhoa round of WTO negotiaons over the refusal to stop subsidizing agriculture. Oh yeah there were two polities responsible for that one - the US and the EU. Even Canada was willing do something in that regard, despite the fact we have some of the lowest subsidies in the West. Lookin real good on ya.
  30. Orest Zarowsky from Toronto, Canada writes: @ OK Whatever: As can be easily checked, Canada's agricultural subsidies are very low. Nothing like what the US or EU has in place. Grains aren't subsidized. Things like eggs, dairy and poultry production are regulated to provide a degree of protection to the producers of these products from price fluctuations. In any case these aren't exported. The bulk of the grain that is exported is grown in the Prairies. As for our Aboriginals, yes we have issues. But you sure did a better job of extermination of yours. Canadian companies have - just like yours - a very mixed record. Which is why there a bunch of laws and regulations in place. We have the CBC, you have NPR. And both are very unpopular with the right wing - because they keep asking those embarrasing questions.
  31. K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: E. Biggs- You are a complete hypocrite. I doubt very much you are Canadian and if u are you are on of those 'Mericun wannabes that have dragged this country so low over the last few years. Careful Herr Biggs, with your gene pool comment, your true character is showing. Try some research before you further denegrade free speech, democracy and the real Canada (of which u obviously know nothing). Goofs like u are abound in this country, but certainly we do not exceed the Faux news/psuedo-christian/closet bigots that the US have.
  32. K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: OK Whatever- Or should I call u Ontario "Man"? Anyway, you epitomize the self centred, ignorant American. You attack anyone who dares to state anything other than that America is the best. Then, when ample evidence is given, you attack that person for being egotistical. Then you bring out the classic gem of "well, others do it to" ala grade 3. Classic. Facts are facts, and factually you and your country are more of a problem than a solution.
  33. K St-Pierre from toronto, Canada writes: Orest Z- Great posts. Keep fighting rhetoric with facts and logic. It matters to alot of real citizens.
  34. Karunaratne Jeyatilleke from Ottawa, Canada writes: "Pledging" is totally different from actually giving. How much of the Tsunami "pledges" did reach the victims??!!!

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