Reply #11: I am glad for those in our military...

[w13rd0]

...charged with doing this necessary humanitarian work, but I have to wonder...

If we as a nation were willing to spend a quarter (maybe not even that much) the time, money and human resources on strictly humanitarian ventures (and no, "invanding and liberating" Iraq doesn't count), the need for that other 3/4 would be drastically reduced.

Our government has the responsibility of either taking these young men and women, who volunteer out of a desire to get an education or a sense of civic duty (or whatever), and putting them to 'good works' like these, after which they'll go on to take part in our society feeling like their efforts made a positive change...or we can put them in hostile nations, for two and three terms, inadequately equipped, and hope they aren't permanently pschologically scarred.

Bush was forced into providing this aid, just as he was "forced" to be "leaderlike" after 9-11. And of course, with the statement today, we see the naked propaganda of the effort. Were it not for the PR potential in their "war for hearts and minds", Bush would still be getting uppity at having $15 million called "stingy".

I wish these sorts of efforts were more common for our servicepersons than they are in the present age.