T-shirts and Tsunami

T-shirts and tsunamis Nothing can make a statement like a cool t-shirt. Be it from a bygone beetles concert or white with the sleeves rolled up a` la James Dean, the t-shirt is an American icon, a walking billboard for our political convictions, cartoons and creative phrases. Celebrities, like Jessica Simpson auction off their favorite t's on e-bay for thousands of dollars to raise money for tsunami relief but it is possible that T-shirts could play an even bigger role by providing income beyond short term relief efforts. John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge writers for the Economist feel that too often monetary aide to poverty stricken countries ends up padding the wrong bank accounts as in the case of the oil for food scandal . It is their view that long term aide could take the form of introducing new industry into the culture. Traditionally the textile industry has worked well to create new industry for poverty stricken communities and if not subject to high tariffs could be a vital component in helping Tsunami survivors rebuild their lives. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought. Source: The Toronto Star Jan 25, 2005