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February 22, 2006

The power of compassion

A stunning new report demonstrates how incredibly effective simple human kindness and compassion can move mountains that all of the sabre rattling and defense spending in the world can't.

A new poll released today by Terror Free Tomorrow demonstrates that one year after the tsunami struck Indonesia, the dramatic increase in Indonesian support for the United States and against Bin Laden has continued. American humanitarian aid to tsunami victims last year caused an overwhelming change of opinion in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country. The new nationwide poll throughout Indonesia reveals that this dramatic shift has not only been sustained, but has strengthened. In fact, for the first time in almost four years, more Indonesians are favorable to the United States than unfavorable, while support for Bin Laden and terrorism has dropped to its lowest level since 9/11.

Against the backdrop of the Danish cartoons, the Gitmo concentration camp and the White House's bluster against the democratically elected representatives of the Palestinian people, support for the United States increased from 34% a year ago to 44% today. But most spectacular of all is the dropping support for Osama bin Laden, from 58% in 2003 to a mere 12% today. Support for terror attacks has dropped to an astounding 2%! This from the most populous Muslim nation on the planet.

Why?

The reason for this shift of opinion has been American tsunami relief. In February 2005, 65 percent of those surveyed said that American assistance had made them feel more favorable to the United States. In January 2006, that number has remained steady at 63 percent, within the margin of error for both polls. Another surprise: When it came to tsunami relief, the United States fared better in Indonesian public opinion than other Western or even Islamic countries, as well as local Islamist groups in Indonesia, who all provided assistance.

Think about the implications here.

The federal government spent a reported $950 million on tsunami relief. Compare that to an estimated final price tag for the Iraq War of between $1 and 2 trillion.

Posted by Kevin at February 22, 2006 10:41 AM