Yesterday, there was a story published by MSNBC entitled "U.S. hopes to win hearts in Pakistan" which discussed the recent earthquake in Pakistan in terms of the "long-term strategic" opportunity that U.S. aid could make in showing Pakistan that the United States is a true friend and ally. It seemed to us that the bent of this story was a cynical view of our true motivation to assist others who need our help.
As a society blessed with the capacity to help not only our own citizens but others in the world as well, we would like to think that the $50 million that our country is giving is an expression of our compassion and desire to contribute to others less fortunate than ourselves. There is nothing wrong with leaving the Pakistanis with a positive view of the United States as an outcome of our generosity. We need all the positive public relations we can get in that part of the world. However, to couch our magnanimity simply as a crass diplomatic, political or military opportunity is to completely miss what motivates us as the most generous society in the world.
And lest we get too carried away with the scope of our national generosity, remember that the amount pledged is only 6.5% of the amount of that Microsoft agreed to pay RealNetworks today in settlement of its anti-trust suit.
