>>SNIP
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>>>And you think we don't do the same? Do you have any idea what The Netherlands with only 16 Million people have donated to the Tsunami? Hint it was more than a 3rd of the US donation !! And a lot faster than the US btw. The US was critisised initially because it slow and lukewarm response at the time. See http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/dis_tsu_fun_ple_pergdp-tsunami-funds-pledged-per-gdp. Oh and which insignificant navy force was there in New Orleans to help out three years ago?
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>>SNIP
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>>That link doesn't say what kind of donations they are measuring -- from the government or does it include private donations? I know a lot of Americans donated out of their own pockets, including me. When things like the tsunami or Katrina happen, Americans do pitch in. I'm not saying we do more of it than people from other countries. But I don't think we do less of it, either.
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>I must've missed something. I never read in John's message any hint that the U.S. was alone in providing aid to the world and he certainly did not denounce other countries for not providing aid. However, the tone of Walter's first message certainly implied that the U.S. is lacking in that area (as well as others). It is probably from reading from the 'U.S. perspective' but I too took Walter's message as insulting and John struck back with information on what the U.S. has in fact done and maybe rubbed his nose in it alittle. Then Walter took that response as insinuating that the rest of the world (particularly his country) was somehow excluded. Interesting that he takes insult but doesn't see the insult he gives. This is what happens when discussions are only performed online and not in person.

What you missed is that it was Walter's post I was questioning. My position was consistent in my two or three messages, that I thought the U.S. overall gave about the same as other countries.