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Opinion

Forum Friday: Psych! No aid for you

At what time is it appropriate to be an ungifter?

The election of Hamas has prompted the United States to request the return of $50 million given to Palestine for humanitarian aid. Is this kind of behavior warranted?

‘Un-gifting' necessary for terrorist organization

Some would argue that the Bush administration is undermining the democratic process in Palestine by requesting the return of aid money totaling $50 million. I would agree with that sentiment if the Palestinians did not vote a known terrorist organization committed to the destruction of Israel to lead their country. Since their election, Hamas has made no attempt to change its stance toward terrorism or Israel. It has always been U.S. policy to never negotiate with terrorists. This policy forbids the United States to negotiate with Palestine as long as Hamas is the Palestinian majority party. If the United States continues to provide aid, there is a risk the money could be used to fund actions against Israel. Unfortunately, people who need the most aid will be hurt the most by this policy. Palestine could deteriorate further, allowing Hamas to gain more power after the next scheduled election. --Fabian Sifuentes

We shouldn't punish would-be legitimate aid recipients

proven it feels the need to run the world with its most recent decision to ask for $50 million in aid back from the Palestinian Authority. We promised this aid in hopes that the Palestinian government would elect a democratic government, but when we didn't get our way, we decided to revoke said aid. Though I can understand that the government is displeased with the election of Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization, many Palestinian non-terrorist groups were depending on our aid to help them. For example, the American Near East Refugee Aid was looking to obtain funds for a milk program for Palestinian preschoolers, a report from Reuters said. Innocent children, who can't even begin to comprehend the difference between terrorist and non-terrorist, should not be punished because our government didn't get its way. Several aid groups want our government to grant a waiver for humanitarian assistance, the report said, which I hope we will comply with. Though I do not want to give aid to terrorists, I still think we should find a way to give aid to those not linked with Hamas. -- Robyn Morrow

Finders should be keepers, losers should be weepers

We shouldn't be surprised that the U.S. government is asking the newly elected Palestinian government to return the money. Sorry to say it, kids, but the United States would do any thing to bend the will of sovereign nations to conform to our agenda. Americans shouldn't declare to the world that they're "spreading democracy" in the Muslim world, when it's not recognizing the newly elected Palestinian government. Asking for the return of the money is another example of the United States ploy to prolong its hegemonic status. I don't understand how the United States can provide food aid to North Korea -- a communist nation that actually has a nuclear arsenal -- while a democratic nation is left behind. I understand that the United States needs to be weary of "terrorist groups," but asking back for financial aid that people rely on will not stop extremists from taking control of the government. On the contrary, pulling any financial aid from a hostile region will only incite more violence in an already tense state. You've provided aid for the Palestinian Authority and you should continue supporting them, no matter what democratic-elected party gets voted in. Unless, of course, you want fiery protests against you. -- Christian Ochoa

‘Un-gifting' aid just sends bad message to new democracy

Let's not forget that Hamas won on its social and welfare programs as well as on its political policies. It did not win in a coup d'etat, but was elected by the Palestinian people. The United States can't "un-gift" any aid it has already given out. It's absurd to even think it's plausible. When the money was given, there were no restrictions on who could be the political leader of Palestine, and thus, irony ensues as even a glimmer of a "true democracy" leads to tightened purse strings by the U.S. government. It's always "us against them," and there is no gray in situations that are unfavorable to the present administration. There can be a solution where the U.S. makes sure Hamas does not use the money for purposes, but rather spends it all on humanitarian aid. Lastly "un-gifting" sends a bad message to Palestinians, and it doesn't further the U.S. ambition to win "hearts and minds," so it would be a dire political mistake as well. -- Adil Saleem

Taking it back is appropriate because that's how we roll

The art of "un-gifting" has been going on in the United States for a very long time, all with somewhat positive results. During the roaring 20s, the United States "un-gifted" prohibition, which, in turn, allowed us college students of today to go out, have a couple of cocktails and have a great, sometimes unmemorable, time. The U.S. government has also recently "un-gifted" the Medicare benefits of many elderly Americans, as well as any hope of a Social Security plan for younger citizens, leaving us doomed to work until we are about 76, or live in poverty. Thank goodness I can walk into a bar and drink my sorrows away out of a regular martini glass rather than a hollowed out bowling pin or miniature replica of Michelangelo's David, which could prove somewhat awkward depending where the cap is. -- Jude Maydwell

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