As the depth and dimension of the tragedy in Southeast Asia continues to unfold, "The World, NPR," criticizes the American government for the mere millions of dollars in aid pledged. America is sending millions, in addition to relief workers, emergency food, water and Hercules C-130's to transport this aid, but many contend this is not enough. And maybe it isn't. It leaves me asking, "What can I do?"

Private sources of aid and emergency relief are also appropriate and one can't help but wonder what NPR's contribution, other than hot air waves, will be?

I also note that NPR accurately observes "...these countries lack the resources and resilience to weather this magnitude of disaster." It leads me to contemplate how the Liberal's Friend, the multi-million-dollar financier George Soros, of Moveon.org fame, who fought George Bush so tenaciously in the past election, is responding to the catastrophe. After all, Mr. Soros publicly bragged of his single-handed skill at destroying these fledgling economies. Is it not reasonable to assume that this great philanthropist will now contribute millions for the succor of the very people he suckered in the mid-90s? Is NPR up to the task of pressuring real villains as much as they pressure the American public in this time of great humanitarian need, or will they continue to be a tool of the liberal political machine?

Joseph Reinhart