The New Road

Almost a sane policy

In a move that almost resembles a sane policy, the illegal Bush administration has declared that tsunami relief is a national security priority.

Billions of dollars in aid could be poured into Asia in a long-term plan to ensure under-development does not breed Islamic radicalism and terrorism following the tsunami disaster.

The US and Australia have identified a prompt and successful humanitarian aid effort in south Asia as a national security priority.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said a failed reconstruction effort could result in victims turning to extremism.

"If nations are poor, if they don't see hope, if they're riddled by disease, if no one is helping them, then radicalism takes over, they lose faith in democracy and they start turning in other directions," Mr Powell told CNN. "This is an investment not only in the welfare of these people, which in and of itself is a good thing to do; it's an investment in our own national security."

It was a sentiment Australian Government sources endorsed.

Duh. I wish Colin wasn't getting the boot. He's the only sane person in this administration.