Did President Obama really give

[doc03]

Italy just $50000 for earthquake releaf? Is there more to that story? Was that just a personal donation or was that really what the USA is giving them?

[Webster Green]

1. More or less a "get well card"..

The Italians declined further assistance, though they will get it if they need it.

[blonndee]

2. No, it was from the US Embassy in Rome, for "emergency relief funding."

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212220962.shtml

[FightingIrish]

3. In a phone call with Berlusconi today, President Obama

offered U.S. assistance in the reconstruction. The U.S. ambassador to Italy authorized a $50,000 donation to be distributed to the Italian Red Cross.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. embassies are allowed to give 50K emergency relief funds w/o Congressional approval.

Obama offered more aid, the Italians politely declined.

[GinaMaria]

5. Also different fund raising groups here in the US

are raising and sending money to help with relief efforts. Hope they are getting all the support they need.

[rvablue]

6. Another day.... another BS poutrage post.

The Italians are our allies.

The help is a gesture so folks like you wouldn't get on the internets and freak out that Obama didn't give them anything.

If Italy needed our help, we would be providing more assistance.

Thanks for the concern.

[doc03]

7. Why the smart ass remark? I heard a local

right leaning talk show host today going on about the USA only giving $50000 to our allies for earthquake relief while giving a trillion dollars to Wall Street. I though there must be more to the story so I come home and Google it and there were about ten entries on page one criticizing the President for it. I thought there had to be more to the story. I though maybe he gave it out of his own money. I'm sure Fox Noise will make a big deal out of that tonight.