From the Big Bad(ass) U.S.

Since it is my whim and fancy, I read the BBC News every day. Yesterday, I was reading an article about Hurricane Katrina and, more specifically, the U.S. Red Cross' appeal for international aid for victim relief work. Readers of the BBC were asked to contribute their thoughts and opinions on the wealthiest nation in the world asking for financial assistance. Some of the responses were downright hostile:

I will not be giving to this appeal. The United States is the richest country in the history of the modern world. They should be diverting their wealth into domestic social care programs not into imposing their economic will on the rest of the world. Maybe this will be the wake up call that the people of the US need.Alan, Herefordshire

Of cause people gladley gave after the tsunami, that is understadable. But surely there are enough people in USA that can charitable donations. Should the US government not spend it's own money helping these people? Even if it ment selling gold reserves. To ask other nations for help, and then retaining wealth makes my skin crawl. What % of the American defense budget is needed for aid I ask?gareth bruce, warwick

I can understand that aid agencies, such as the British Red Cross, can provide the physical help in terms of food parcels and staff on the ground. But why does this need to be paid for via charitable donations? Surely the US Government can transfer money to these agencies easily enough, rather than it needing to be raised by charitable donations.James Wilson, London, UK

A quick staw poll of people in my office shows up a feeling of disgust that the US can't free up enough funds. I don't think anyone here is planning on giving...Brian Cooper, London, UK

I think the fact that america is accepting aid from other poorer countries is very wrong & proves that the US & other developed countries i.e the UK use & abuse charity appeals i believe that the money donated to america will only be used to soften the blow as they have enough $$ to sort this mess out Bush just doesn't want to spend that money! I for one will not be donating Luke, England West sussex Southwater

This is a disgrace. I am shocked by what happened to the people of New Orleans and surrounding area but To give to a country that obviously went to war for other motives and spent millions on this. A country that is the richest in the world and has the most resources. I will not be helping - Considering the country is reluctant to help the truly needy countries eradicate poverty. Trevor Kingdon, Forest of Dean

I've always known that the U.S. has a fairly poor reputation overseas, whether the country is our closest ally or our nemesis, but I can't believe that so many people would be this inhumane. As if the poor and victimized of New Orleans and the surrounding areas are the direct cause of the political moves of the current administration, and for that they should be punished with this catastrophe.

I've long thought that the U.S., because of its current hegemony status, is damned if we do, and damned if we don't. This is a perfect example. We ALWAYS give aid to other countries, the amount of which varies from administration to administration, but we do give humanitarian aid. We have long been the largest contributor to certain international aid projects. Yet we are not only now criticized for accepting international aid ourselves, but we are at the same time being criticized for not giving enough to the Global Fund to help end extreme global poverty.

And the US was criticised for pledging just $0.6bn over the next two years, for the first time failing to contribute a third of the money needed by the fund. David Bryden of US based Global Aids Alliance said: "By breaking that promise Bush is letting down the most vulnerable people in the world.

"If his commitment to Africa is real, then words are not enough."

Like I said, damned if you, damned if you don't. The U.S. will NEVER be able to fulfill ALL the needs of the international community. Some days we cannot be involved enough, other days we are overly involved. Some days we are heroes, most days we are bitter rivals. Where do we draw the line? We cannot be everything to everyone.

And in this time of extreme need in Louisianna and Mississippi, the international community at large should put aside its political animosity and think of who we are hurting by simply discussing the pro's and con's of this country. There are people in EXTREME NEED. Quit the chatter and get to doing something! Not because they are American citizens, but because they are HUMAN BEINGS.