MoveOn.org has launched a campaign pressuring the US Government to increase their level of aid to the tsunami-stricken areas. As of now, we have only pledged $35 million. That's a lot of money to you and me, but consider this: we spend that in seven hours in Iraq. Can't we afford to throw a couple hundred million bucks that actually help people including those in the world's largest Muslim country, Indonesia?

My buddy Alan has done some reporting on this issue for the Boston Globe and he said last night that the immediate monetary need is billions of dollars. Again, that's a lot of money, but it's not tens of billions or hundreds of billions. I think we can afford to kick in a much higher portion of it that $35 million.

Anyway, here's the "Tell-A-Friend" email from MoveOn.org:

Dear friend,

The tsunami in southern Asia and Africa may be the worst natural disaster of our time. More than 116,000 lives were wiped out within hours.

Rising to this challenge is at the heart of global leadership, and the world is depending on us. The U.S government can lead billions of dollars of aid into this relief effort, if it chooses. Americans are generous and ready to step forward, but the U.S. Congress and the Bush administration have made a weak initial contribution to the effort -- first offering $15 million and then $35 million when they came under pressure. Clearly, we can do more.

Let Congress and the President know that Americans are supporting strong leadership on this relief effort, at:

http://www.moveon.org/tsunamirelief/

Thanks.

Also, please don't forget to put your money where your mouth is.

Worthy Causes
Doctors Without Borders
World Food Programme
International Red Cross
Oxfam