The numbers are staggering. Over 150,000 confirmed dead. Countless missing. The social ramifications are disturbing. More than a million are homeless. Orphans are being sold into prostitution. Villages have literally been wiped off the map. The international relief effort has been overwhelming. 750 million dollars from Australia. 350 million dollars from the United States. The devastating tsunami that rocked Asia has brought forth the best and worst of humanity. However, there is certainly more at stake politically than merely rebuilding an already impoverished region of the world. The international community, the U.S. in particular, has a keen interest in the reconstruction of Indonesia, a nation believed to be a haven for Al-Queda terrorist sects.

The Bush Administration has had an eye on Al-Queda's influence in Indonesia for some time. Now, as the financial desperation of the ravaged are mounts, the U.S. has growing concern of economic terrorists establishing a strong hold. Still, President Bush insists the 350 million in aid pledged is, in fact, a humanitarian response to an unimaginable tragedy. While that may, in part, be true, there are millions of homeless and disease ridden people in the inner cities of the U.S. who would greatly appreciate a similar economic response to their issues.