Does it matter who benefits?

In the wake of the Tsunami we have seen people show up asking you for help (mostly in the form of money) to relieve the suffering in India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka as the death toll rises. It is surely a sad thing and knowing someone who has lost a child as a result has made this personal. I think it's clear that the dollars we have sent do help the cause but can anything that someone does help soften the loss of a child?

I encourage you to donate to the causes that are helping and I know that your actions count. But have you ever considered who gets the benefit of your money? Does it matter to you?

I was watching a news program in which people were debating whether the money that the United States has promised and sent to aid the tsunami victims will better the world opinion of the US. Being the largest contributor publicly and privately the US should certainly look better in the eyes of the rest of the world shouldn't it?

As you may know Indonesia is one of the largest Muslim communities the world. It seems that overseas that the US war on terror has been perceived as a war on Muslims. I believe this is a result of the news shaping people's perceptions. I believe that regardless of the source of the news you receive it is likely slanted in one way or the other. But you are probably telling yourself that what people read doesn't matter because actions speak louder than words and our gestures to help the tsunami victims will do wonders to help the cause for peace throughout the world.

On the same news program a picture was shown of some men carrying an injured man and one of that men was wearing a t-shirt with the image of Osama Bin Laden on it.

The Idonesian government has ordered that the US be out of their country by March 26th.

Thanks.