Wiping Out The Disaster Fund

The Indian Ocean tsunami has almost wiped out America's ability to help other countries with natural disasters. Washington put aside $384.9 million in the International Disaster and Famine Assistance Account. The $350 million pledge to help with tsunami relief leaves only abnout $35 million for other disasters around the world this year. The $350 million doesn't include the expense to the Defense Department. They've deployed an aircraft carrier battle group, a helicopter carrier group more than three dozen helicopters, and 12,600 service men and women. (Philadelphia Inquirer)