Letters: Jan. 31, 2005

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By??causing??unprecedented??death??and destruction, the tsunami has mocked our marvels of science and technology and humbled us. But it has also given us an opportunity to bolster faith in our capacity to unite and fight against the common enemies of war and terrorism. Let us pledge to show more compassion to one another. That could be the best tribute to those who have lost their lives.

HARISH C. SHUKUL Jacksonville, Fla.

Why, when there are so many things that have to be done here at home in the U.S., do we continue to be the world's safety net? Our infrastructure is slowly crumbling while we repair other parts of the world. It is nice to give, but shouldn't charity begin at home?

MARK WILEY Portland, Ore.

Rapid Reaction Required

I was appalled by President Bush's slow response to the tsunami disaster in South Asia [Jan. 10]. By waiting until three days after the event to make a public statement, he appeared cold and indifferent. Bush will be asking Congress to come up with billions of dollars this year for the Iraq war and related costs there and in Afghanistan. His initial pledge of $15 million in humanitarian aid was an insult. Only after days of criticism did he increase the pledge of U.S. aid to $350 million. The U.S. is the wealthiest nation in the world, and generosity is our greatest virtue. Helping others in time of need is the right thing to do. It's the American way.

RICK SCHREINER San Marino, Calif.

After 9/11, the U.S. government was criticized for not anticipating the lengths terrorists would go to in their efforts to hurt us. Since then, the Bush Administration seems unable to appreciate how simple words or careless acts can tip the balance of world opinion. The President's flatfooted response to the tsunami disaster is an example. Handed the perfect p.r. opportunity to demonstrate compassion for Muslims and other non-Christians in the developing world, Bush took his time before personally responding to the disaster. And when he finally spoke out, he was petulant about criticism of the U.S. for being "stingy" with its aid. Once again the world perceives America to be a self-centered and culturally insensitive country. And, as the saying goes, image is everything.

ROBERT J. INLOW Charlottesville, Va.

The Ongoing Iraq Disaster

The public outpouring of support for tsunami victims is impressive and admirable [Jan. 10]. But why are the deaths of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians met with silence or head-in-the-sand denial? While the media are preoccupied with feel-good, human-interest stories stemming from the tsunami catastrophe, the killing in Iraq continues. And unlike the tsunami, the death and destruction in Iraq were completely avoidable, as no defensible justification for the invasion, such as possession of weapons of mass destruction, has yet emerged. How can the compassion and empathy of the American people be so selective? Bush stated that the scale of the death and destruction in South Asia is "beyond comprehension." I suggest the President study more carefully the situation in Iraq, where thousands have also died.

PAUL MURTAUGH Corvallis, Ore.