It's a hell of a way to start up after Christmas, but by now you've probably read about this. As of today, there are fears that the death toll could reach 40,000.
OK, three points to address here, one after the other. First, due to existing diplomatic complications, groups like Direct Relief may end up being the primary instruments of American aid. You can donate to them here. Any other groups that you guys hear of, feel free to add in comments and I'll update where I can. It hardly needs to be said that I was saddened by the destruction and loss of life, and that I offer my hopes and prayers that the initial estimate of the loss of life turns out to be exaggerated.
It gets partisan from here, so you can ignore the rest if you like.
UPDATE: BuzzMachine's got more links (via Instapundit).
ANOTHER UPDATE: Matt Stinson's got an interesting suggestion involving UNESCO and the First Lady. Check it out. Pejman links to a site with several other relief groups. Check him out.
Right, let's go.
Second, at the moment there's a refreshing understanding that immediate humanitarian concerns trumps politics: governments are indeed assembling aid (including ours). Well... except for Israel: they offered, but the Iranian regime specifically excluded them. Take the last bit with a grain of salt, though: that last link's AFP, and they make Reuters look like Vulcans.
Third... hey, Howard? If you want to get taken seriously as a possible replacement to Bush, I suggest that you start learning to react to tragedies like this. Granted, I understand that the people that you're apparently listening to generally don't pay attention to foreign policy except in how it can be spun against Bush, but that doesn't mean that you should be listening to them*. Remember: twice as much effort to get half the result, so get cracking, Sparky.
And that goes for the rest of you, too.
Moe
*Note that I'm not criticizing sites that are on holiday blogging, mind you. Just the official/quasi-official Democratic sites that have set themselves up as examples. Well, actually, it seems that I agree with them: really, in so many ways you guys apparently are...
What did 'Ask the Europeans First' Clark and the others say?
Posted by: James Casey | December 27, 2003 at 10:38 AM
"What did 'Ask the Europeans First' Clark and the others say?"
As far as I know, this:
Posted by: Moe Lane | December 27, 2003 at 10:50 AM
Naught Democrats.
That's crap about Iran turning down Israel, though. If you can't accept help from people, you're seriously in danger of letting your squabbles cost people their lives.
Posted by: James Casey | December 27, 2003 at 10:52 AM
Re: Israel's offer of aid, one hopes that democracy activists in Iran hear the news and publicize it. It shows just how morally decrepit the mullahs are.
Posted by: Matthew Stinson | December 27, 2003 at 01:38 PM