CF has not yet blogged about the Haitian earthquake, tragedy though it is, as he has formed the opinion that blogging, tweeting and setting up endless mawkish Facebook groups will not help the poor bastards one tiny fucking bit.

However, it's interesting to see how two of the world’s superpowers are helping out.

The earthquake in Haiti naturally provoked action from the US, and from the EU. But, as Christopher Booker points out in the Telegraph, those actions were slightly different.

When the world learned of the latest disaster, within hours the US had sent in an aircraft carrier with 19 helicopters. And hospital ships. And 3,500 troops. And hundreds of medical personnel.

While all that was on its way, President Obama pledged an initial $100 million dollars in emergency aid.

And what did that other great economic and political superpower, EU,  do?

Well, they ... organised a press conference.

The dynamic and glamorous Baroness Ashton, the EU's High Representative, addressed the world's media .. well, let Booker tell it:

"A scattering of bored-looking journalists in the Commission's lavishly appointed press room heard the former head of Hertfordshire Health Authority stumbling through a prepared statement, in which she said that she had conveyed her "condolences" to the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon"

Really? 'Condolences'? Wow, she's putting things right, ain't she? Don't panic folks - everything's gonna be fine - The Baroness is here. And she's got Condolences.

And the EU is not afraid to put our money where its mouth is: The Baroness also pledged three million Euros in aid.

3 million? 3 fucking, poxy million? What did Saint Barack pledge again? Was it 100 million? Yes, it was.

Guys, we all know times have been a bit tough recently, but 3 million is pretty fucking pathetic, especialyl for an organisation fucking famous for sqyuandering cash.

In fact, it's about the same as the amount sucked up in salary, expenses and pension by The Lord High Mandelson when he temporarily dabbled in European politics, before returning to concentrate his particular brand of evil manipulation on the unfortunate UK.

For fuck's sake.

And lest you think that this is some sort of temporary aberration, Mr Booker is here to disabuse you. Back in 2004, when the Tsunami hit in the Indian Ocean..

".. within hours the US took the lead in forming an alliance with Australia, India and Japan, and had sent in two battle groups fully equipped to deal with such an emergency, including 20 ships led by two carriers with 90 helicopters. President Bush immediately pledged $35 million, later rising to $350 million.

The EU, by contrast, pledged three million Euros for the tsunami victims, called for a three-minute silence .. and proposed a "donors' conference" in Jakarta nearly two weeks later to discuss what might be done."

Thank Christ it's not (yet) mandatory to be proud to be a 'European'.


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Allan Wallace is standing as an Independent in the EU elections. His platform is described on his blog, so no need to repeat it in full here, but basically..

"As an Independent I am free to argue and campaign to return sovereign powers to the UK, to pursue trade deals that put the people of Britain first and to ensure every penny that goes into Europe brings real, material benefits to Britain."

To do this, he needs - duh - cash. So he's been looking into raising money, and ..

"What I discovered was donations to political parties of up to £500 can be deducted from the donator's tax bill"

but the rules have been biased to support 'parties' not individuals, so..

"..basically, the parties shut out the competition. Only a party can thieve from the exchequer. In a cosy little arrangement they've ensured that it's extremely difficult for any new party to raise money and virtually impossible for independents"

So he's put a donation button on his blog, and ..

"In fact, I'm so bloody angry about this I'm going to make it my mission if elected to make all donations to politicians subject to tax. How bloody dare they imagine they can blithely thieve from us all. And, unlike them, I'll make it clear where every penny of donations goes to so you can see what your money buys. I'll publish a clear list after the election on this blog"

CF reckons that's a good cause. Go and have a look, then donate if you agree.