"Actions speak louder than words"

Or, as reported in the Washington Post today (emphasis added):

Many Bush aides believe Clinton was too quick to head for the cameras to hold forth on tragedies [regarding the devastating tsunamis in Asia] with his trademark empathy. "Actions speak louder than words," a top Bush aide said, describing the president's view of his appropriate role.

You know what? This "top Bush aide" is exactly 100% fucking right. Let's talk about what sort of "actions" we've seen in the wake of the disaster in Asia:

1- Steve sacrifices his kids' beloved X-Box to provide aid to charity organizations to help survivors. Kids revile and hate him, Barbara still won't speak to him, Steve drinks heavily, watches the news and weeps.

2-President Bush raises total of US aid to the region to $35 million, only after being criticized by the UN for being "stingy." Japan came out of the starting gate with $30 million; the US: $15 million. President Bush's inauguration ceremonies expected to exceed $45 million.

3-Bush does not cut his Christmas vacation in Crawford short to speak to the world about the tragedy for three full days. Instead, he clears brush on his ranch, takes long bicycle rides and "monitors the situation" from home. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder ("Old European") cancels his vacation and returns to work in Berlin when he hears of the disaster.

4-The only major US voice to be heard is Clinton's, who gives an opinion that relief efforts should be organized to maximize efficiency. Bush aides deride Clinton ("actions speak louder than words! hooray!"), implying that the former US president's comments are some sort of publicity stunt.

I don't know about any of you, but I'm psyched we have a President whose actions speak louder than his words. We'd be totally screwed without him.