Who will send aid to the US in wake of Katrina?

[Robace252]

Heres a question I LOVE!
With all the BILLIONS we send to other nations in times of need, aid in the form of search and rescue, building materials, forgiving foregin debts, and even a phone call to express our sympathy and willingness to help, who has done that for the US. As of this post 6:05 pm on Tuesday August 03th 2005, NOT ONE! Dont give me the "Well we spend money in Iraq that can be used here now" Thats another question and one of you can start a new thread and ask that. Im asking why we are the 1st ones to act, we are constantly asked for money for aid, and when the US gets devesated not one country in the world expresses anything. Why?
My answer for this is simple....they dont care unless its their mouths that need to be fed. Where the US helps most everyone, no one will help us. Oh yeah they will criticize us, bad mouth us, protest in the streets against the United States and our policies. But when they need money or support they are 1st in line with their hands open and mouths shut.
Such is the hyprocracy that is "foregin policy"
It makes me sick.
If someone is aware of something that has been done by another nation please post it so I can see it, include the weblink so I can read it.
I will personally be going to the Mississsippi coast I have voulenteered with the American Red Cross, and where I cant do that much due to my medical condition I can go and help with logistical and such areas of support.
Ill be leaving on Friday.

Please give help....our fellow Americans need us, and no one else will help.

www.redcross.org

Thats my dollar and 2 cents worth

[Newcastle Uni]

I'll send you a dollar fifty. I know how cash strapped you third world nations are! :D

I remember when (I wasn't alive then, so I read it) there was some problems in the UK back in the 80's and Idi Amin sent Aid to the UK! He made his country send Aid to the UK for crissakes! This is the same leader who apparently ate his enemies, awarded himself a Victoria Cross and had a love/hate with the former rulers of his country.
Thankfully the disposed despot is now dead (i think)

Could anyone from the UK alive at this time tell us all more about Idi Amin?

[isabeau]

i heard on cnn that people all over the country are offering their homes for those who lost homes to come live temporarily. now talk about awesome. wtg america. i just wish i could also, i asked hubby he didnt say anything. and i dont live that far away, in southwest west virginia. in times of trouble, we all help each other. i'm proud to be an american ack now i'm singing. hold your ears. but seriously this was devastation at its worse and i believe the world (those who are able ) will pitch in.

isabeau :dropatear

[drew70]

I'm sure the countries we've helped in the past...France, Germany, etc., will all have a special helping of scorn and contempt for us.

[Cosmo_ac]

Exactly what type of help do you want?

[drew70]

If you have to ask...then don't bother.

[Cosmo_ac]

No, i'm quite curious. What type of aid do you want?

[maniactickler]

I think most other countries could give a rats ass about us. but their the first ones to kiss our ass when they have a disaster. sad.

[Robace252]

OK, Ill field this one...what do we want...
1.) A phone call, expressing support for our people.
2.) Search and Rescue teams to help or offer it at least. Canada has some of the best coastal search and rescue teams in the world. Dogs for sniffing under rubble. Helicopters capable of rescue.
3.) Ice, Canada should have plenty of that!! :blaugh:
4.) Power crews to help relieve some of the units being sent from all over the US.
5.) Building materials like timber, pretreated lumber.

There thats a good start..too bad we wont see it.....but we will be asked for it when someone else needs it though. But then again the next time were asked we can honestly say "We can't help right now, were still recovering from the devestation on our gulf coast." But then the world will accuse us as always of being greedy and never giving when in fact we give more than ALL of the other nations of the world combined.
And btw Newcastle, Ill take that $1.50...please send it to the American Red Cross they help the world...they were there for the tsunami.
www.redcross.org

Thats my dollar and 2 cents worth.

[Cokecan]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050829/pl_afp/usweathervenezuelaoil

[Robace252]

Cokecan, thank you very much. Thats all I wanted and you delivered. I am now a lot less angry and more respectful of Venezuela. We now know that even though IDIOTS like Pat Robertson (needs to be put in an old folks home and quieted forever), say outragous things, that civil people can put aside their differences and help someone in need.

VENEZUELA I APPLAUD YOU!!!!!
The rest of the world should follow their example.
Im also dissapointed I havent heard this through the media, but on yahoo.

[hivoltage]

The US is the richest country on Earth.

Even though we have plenty of poor and homeless (more since Katrina), no one wants to help someone that has "more" than them.

It's kind of like being happy for your friend who just inherited a million bucks, and only gave you $5,000. It's the right thing to do (be happy for your more fortunate friend), but it ain't easy.

[kurchatovium]

I think the thing that should matter here is to help the people themselves and not worry so much from where they are from. Is that not what relief is really suppose to be? Currently the people are in the US around where Katrina has struck. That is where help is needed, thats where it should go. Behind this disaster are real people whose lives have been shattered, the country where they live should not enter into whether or not help should be coming. Just my humble opinion though.

[kis123]

It would be nice for a change, to get help that Americans have given time after time to other countries. This could be considered the American version of a tsunami disaster. It has devastated thosands, killed over 100 so far, and washed away the livelihoods of many. A lot of jobs have been lost, homes and vehicles have been destroyed. It could take months and years to rebuild those areas.

Americans come out in droves every time a major disaster hits another country with money, aid, and whatever else they need. I hope other countries step in if just out of respect.

Yeah, I'm told America is the richest country in the world. I don't think the folks devastated by Katrina are feeling very rich right now.

[isabeau]

i agree kis, and i just heard where it might be ordered for all of new orleans to be evacuated. i dont remember a time when a natural disaster has totally devastated like this, not even hugo or andrew or whichever it was in florida way back in the 90s . this is the equal of the tsunami last year, and i feel help will come from other countries. one can hope anyway. and yes we may be the richest country on earth, but those homeless down there could care less at the present time.

isabeau

[Robace252]

WOW! I am blown away by the positiveness of this thread, even kis123 whom I know I do not share political beliefs as we all seem to have our diffrences of opinion on things like Bush, Iraq, the economy...we all seem to agree that even though the US is the richest nation on the earth..the people suffering are not. True, if it was Beverly Hills or Malibu I might feel less inclined to want to help because most of those people have the means to help themselves..but where in an area where more than 40% of the population live below the poverty level for this country I agree with kis123 that those people dont feel like they live in the richest nation on earth.

please give....
www.redcross.org

[kis123]

See, I'm not so bad after all-as long as we're not dealing with WMD or the war, I consider myself a relatively decent person! :p :p

Seriously speaking, America has always been every country's welfare department. Other countries say they hate us because of Iraq, but I bet they don't hate us enough to turn that aid down, do they?

My plan is to donate a small amount over time because this is going to take a long time to fix. I'll send some to the red cross, but would rather wait for a charity who will use the funds specifically for this disaster. Red Cross won't guarantee that, but it is a legitimate charity and I know someone will benefit from the money.

BTW for those of you who will be donating money:

Be careful because you have snakes who will try to con you out of your money. Remember what happened during 911? They came out of the woodwork like the cockroaches and maggots they are and stole thousands from people trying to help the victims. Donate and do whatever you can to help, but be careful out there.

[Newcastle Uni]

A couple of points.

One THE WORLD LOVES AMERICA! They buy into your lifestyle in droves. They just hate your president thats all. Except Russia and Israel, who like George Dubya, except they think hes a bit too restrained when it comes to making war

Two
The US would be deeply offended i'm sure if some of the poorer countries of the world offered aid.

[Robace252]

OK. so the world LOVES the US, then why in most foregin newspapers (yes I read them) do they talk about "greedy american's" and "american's dont understand why the world hates them." from foregin editorial writers. And all of those explainations they give do not mention Bush. It mentions our wealth, lifestlye, and even our "blind patriotism".
I think most people, even those I usually disagree with all seem to agree with me on the main point, that is when the world needs help and money they turn to the US with hands open and mouths shut. But when the US needs a little something, even just a show of respect and faith for the decades of our support around the world...they still keep their mouths shut while putting their hands in their own pockets and walk away.
Its just sad...Venezuela gives aid and I dont think their quite a "rich nation" and we accept it, while our biggest "friends" and "allies" still sit on the sidelines, hoping they dont get called on.

[SlaverTickler]

Oh Canada,
your allie to the north.
We still love you,
inspite of Iraq of course.

You'll buy our beef,
We'll still be friends
Brothers till the end.

We've got your back
(Except for Iraq).
But we will not
kiss your feeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

You need our help
to be buddies with the UN (Again).
We are your friends
(Your friends to the end)

We are you friend
your best friends
toooooo,
theeeee,
ennnnnnd!

Hows that.

[SlaverTickler]

...CNN will not report any help we will send your way. An we are sending people to hel. I saw it on our news early this morning.

[Newcastle Uni]

OK. so the world LOVES the US, then why in most foregin newspapers (yes I read them) do they talk about "greedy american's" and "american's dont understand why the world hates them." from foregin editorial writers. And all of those explainations they give do not mention Bush. It mentions our wealth, lifestlye, and even our "blind patriotism".
I think most people, even those I usually disagree with all seem to agree with me on the main point, that is when the world needs help and money they turn to the US with hands open and mouths shut. But when the US needs a little something, even just a show of respect and faith for the decades of our support around the world...they still keep their mouths shut while putting their hands in their own pockets and walk away.
Its just sad...Venezuela gives aid and I dont think their quite a "rich nation" and we accept it, while our biggest "friends" and "allies" still sit on the sidelines, hoping they dont get called on.

Well regardless of what newspapers might say, the World does love the US. In the UK, we love American TV programmes, American music, American fast food, American cinema, American computers and American everything really! Yeah, so in the UK we laugh about certain aspects of American life, but no more than we laugh at or complain about our own country and its failing or those of other countries.

If America is singled out for special attention by the world, then it might be because it the US sneezes then the world catches a cold. Whatever the US does will severely impact on the rest of the world, good or bad. And when you have the US doing things that are 'unpopular' in most of the world then you can expect further special attention.

In this country, the 'press' has decided to hate certain countries for a brief period of time, especially France. They openly say we should boycott French good and say some horrible things about the countries. Thats never happened where the US is concerned. There is a love/hate relationship between Europe and the US. But its mostly love.

[MrMacphisto]

If you have to ask...then don't bother.

If more Americans act like you when it comes to accepting help, then I'm sure plenty of countries will have scorn and contempt for us.

[MrMacphisto]

I think the thing that should matter here is to help the people themselves and not worry so much from where they are from. Is that not what relief is really suppose to be? Currently the people are in the US around where Katrina has struck. That is where help is needed, thats where it should go. Behind this disaster are real people whose lives have been shattered, the country where they live should not enter into whether or not help should be coming. Just my humble opinion though.

Amen to that.

[MrMacphisto]

Yeah, I'm told America is the richest country in the world. I don't think the folks devastated by Katrina are feeling very rich right now.

The irony of this disaster is that the hurricane hit some of the poorest areas of America. New Orleans has (or rather had) plenty of wealth, but most of the areas hit in Alabama and Mississippi were already poverty-stricken. Essentially, the storm took what little they had. Thankfully, Katrina wasn't nearly as bad as the Indonesian tsunami was, but it still has killed a lot of people and destroyed many lives.

[Newcastle Uni]

I think it does matter which country is involved. The US has good infrastructure, plenty of resources and is certainly capable of rectifying this situation on it own, with help being very warmly received. No one will go homeless, everyone will receive good shelter, plenty of food and water. Other countries are not in a position to offer shelter, food, water and medical provisions to its citizens caught up in a similar incident.

[MrMacphisto]

this is the equal of the tsunami last year

Isabeau, this is nothing compared to the tsunami, trust me. The tsunami killed over a hundred thousand people throughout South Asia and East Africa. Katrina was not nearly as destructive as the tsunami, but of course, that doesn't make it any less important to get these people some aid quickly.

[MrMacphisto]

OK. so the world LOVES the US, then why in most foregin newspapers (yes I read them) do they talk about "greedy american's" and "american's dont understand why the world hates them." from foregin editorial writers. And all of those explainations they give do not mention Bush. It mentions our wealth, lifestlye, and even our "blind patriotism".
I think most people, even those I usually disagree with all seem to agree with me on the main point, that is when the world needs help and money they turn to the US with hands open and mouths shut. But when the US needs a little something, even just a show of respect and faith for the decades of our support around the world...they still keep their mouths shut while putting their hands in their own pockets and walk away.
Its just sad...Venezuela gives aid and I dont think their quite a "rich nation" and we accept it, while our biggest "friends" and "allies" still sit on the sidelines, hoping they dont get called on.

Rob, I don't quite think the world loves America, but some countries do like or love us. Venezuela likes us for obvious reasons (we buy a ton of their oil), and while Chavez has a shady past, at least he's willing to help us in a time of need (and he's smart enough to keep relations between us positive).

The criticism that the world has for us currently is somewhat justified. But, as you said, we do aid a lot of countries. We sent hundreds of billions to aid Indonesia, and I really do think that if they had the funds, they would return the favor.

We can't expect much help from Africa or the Middle East, for obvious reasons, but when it comes to Europe, Canada, Japan, and South America, well... maybe we will get some help.... *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*

I'm just glad Venezuela stepped up, because it shows that Chavez is a lot smarter than Robertson gave him credit for.

[Newcastle Uni]

I've heard that snakes, aligators, *sharks!* and looters are roamin the flooded streets. Nasty.

[MrMacphisto]

In this country, the 'press' has decided to hate certain countries for a brief period of time, especially France. They openly say we should boycott French good and say some horrible things about the countries. Thats never happened where the US is concerned. There is a love/hate relationship between Europe and the US. But its mostly love.

Actually, there is very much an anti-French sentiment in America currently. There are many reasons for it, and at one point, there was a significant group of people boycotting French goods. Generally speaking, this anti-French feeling is mostly prevalent among conservatives here. They weren't too fond of France's antagonistic role during the Iraq War discussion.

I think the more reasonable people here realize that France and America have a lot in common. We're both arrogant, we both like doing things our own way regardless of the consequences, and we both have WMD's. Educated Americans realize that we owe the success of the American Revolution to France, and educated Frenchmen realize that France owes its current freedom from Nazi rule to America.

...it all works out in the end.... Whether or not France will aid us... well, don't hold your breath....

[Robace252]

Yes, it is terrible with the Alligators and Snakes there right now. And the worst part could be disease. I appreciate that this is mostly been a positive thread..but I saw a cute liitle "Oh Canada Song" so I though Id try a little one myself...<ahem>
"America" (sung to the beat of America, you know the Oh beautiful for spacious skies song)

How beautiful,
our celebrites are, when gracing your magazines.
When your mountains fall or other tragedies, who can you come to for some BLING!!!
AMERICA! AMERICA!
Who has some need of cash indeed.
Just call on us and its understood
We will give the help you need!

And this little diddy I like
"Star Spangaled Banner" (sung to you know)

Oh say can you see, the ATM on our heads.
So while you whine and you wail...but theres something that you need.
You see those stipes and white stars, with the dollar signs in your eyes.
OH the horrors you others know, when you just need some more wheat.
Cause all your food crops just failed, or theres a boat to be bailed...
give proof that your need is mostly from greed.
Oh Im not saying that the US cant help itself but so could Japan after the earthquake.......
All we want is some one to see,
that even the we, the US people not our government, could need.

PLAY BALL!

There we go, I feel better, I might do some more later...song paradioes are FUN!!! WHEEE!!!!!

[Cosmo_ac]

just an FYI, the Canadian government contacted America on monday night it seems, offering any aid that we could. SInce then we've been on standby. So, it would seem that, even before this thread was originally posted, Canada had called the US offering support.

There should be a press briefing on whats going to be happening soon. I'll see if i can find it.

[MrMacphisto]

That's the spirit, worship.... I'm sure your self-righteousness will be a surefire way to gather support from the world.

[drew70]

Hey, come on, now. Is that any way to welcome a new member??

[kis123]

I think it does matter which country is involved. The US has good infrastructure, plenty of resources and is certainly capable of rectifying this situation on it own, with help being very warmly received. No one will go homeless, everyone will receive good shelter, plenty of food and water. Other countries are not in a position to offer shelter, food, water and medical provisions to its citizens caught up in a similar incident.

Have you been watching the news and listening to the radio recently? There are plenty that are homeless and helpless right now. They've lost loved ones and every possession they own.

Know Hardee Jackson? We know him as the man from LA who hasn't been able to find his wife since he tried to hold onto her and ended up having to let her go into the storm's abyss. There are a lot of Hardee Jackson's out there. He didn't look like a very rich man two days ago.

The people will receive food, shelter, and aid based on whatever American citizens can spare. Our pockets aren't as vast and deep as other countries think. A lot of these poor countries have very rich dictators and families that should have no problems contributing if they so desired. It would be the best political move on the planet for them to do so whether they want to or not.

Personally, I'd get into Chavez's gasoline line in a New York minute, along with anything else he was willing to donate!!!! He's got ample resources despite the condition of the nation-why not receive what he's willing to give? We've made deals with the devil before over a lot less.

I'm curious to know if other countries will offer aid to us for a change. When did we become everyone's welfare department? We're complaining about the welfare state in our own country, much less the aid we've provided other countries for years. Some of the very same countries that have turned a blind eye, deaf ear, and big mouth towards the US in the last several years. When they need us, we come running. Should we ever need them...........

[Newcastle Uni]

I think you've got a bee in your bonet unnecessarily. The rest of the developed world gives a lot of money to charities, helping world poverty and in the aftermath of terrible atrocities. Sure the US gives a lot of money, but so do the other industrialised countries. Name an occasion in which the US has given urgent AID to an industrialised country? I can't think of any. By and large industrialised nations do not offer AID to each other, and when an emergency happens to an industrialised country, the poorer countries that usually receive help are not in a position to reciprocate this.

Maybe no-one will give AID to the US. But if the VERY SAME thing had happened to an impoverished or developing country, then the countries that are not helping the US would be helping that country. I'm very sure Berlusconi, Chirac, Blair, Shroeder, Howard, Martin, Koizumi, Zappatero and others have called Bush and offered their respective countries assistance, and i'm pretty sure Bush politely but firmly refused to accept any assistance.

[Newcastle Uni]

Have you been watching the news and listening to the radio recently? There are plenty that are homeless and helpless right now. They've lost loved ones and every possession they own.

Know Hardee Jackson? We know him as the man from LA who hasn't been able to find his wife since he tried to hold onto her and ended up having to let her go into the storm's abyss. There are a lot of Hardee Jackson's out there. He didn't look like a very rich man two days ago.

The people will receive food, shelter, and aid based on whatever American citizens can spare. Our pockets aren't as vast and deep as other countries think. A lot of these poor countries have very rich dictators and families that should have no problems contributing if they so desired. It would be the best political move on the planet for them to do so whether they want to or not.

Personally, I'd get into Chavez's gasoline line in a New York minute, along with anything else he was willing to donate!!!! He's got ample resources despite the condition of the nation-why not receive what he's willing to give? We've made deals with the devil before over a lot less.

I'm curious to know if other countries will offer aid to us for a change. When did we become everyone's welfare department? We're complaining about the welfare state in our own country, much less the aid we've provided other countries for years. Some of the very same countries that have turned a blind eye, deaf ear, and big mouth towards the US in the last several years. When they need us, we come running. Should we ever need them...........

As for what the US does for the rest of the world? America does what every country does, it serves its best interests and only helps when it suits it to help. Otherwise it would have signed up to the Kyoto agreement and agreed to slash US CO2 emissions as well as agreeing to cutting debt repayments by the worlds poorest countries and many other things.

The US and Europe and Japan etc. give a lot of money to poorer countries, but when did any of these countries expect to receive something in return from the poorer countries that can't afford it? And when did industrialised countires offer Aid to each other. And before you hark back to WWII, i'd like to remind you that the US did very nicely out of WWII for all it gave to Europe. It got German scientists that effectively allowed it to develop a dtrong space program, otherwise Russia or Germany would certainly be the pre-eminent power, it got the Jet engine from the UK and many army and navy bases in Britain and Europe and to give one example the UK has only recently finished paying back the US for loans given during WW2.

I'll say again. Stop moaning about the US not getting aid.

[Cosmo_ac]

On a side note, it should be taken into account what TYPES of aid a lot of these countries can offer. If you think about it, except for Canada, and i could be wrong here, every other first world nation is on the other side of the planet. Would it really make sense for the UK to send in search planes? Or russia to send in scouting ships? Germany to send over repairmen? Not really. And i don't mean it wouldn't make sense in the sense the US people don't need the help, i mean it doesn't make sense in that it doesn't seem practical.

I read somewhere that the UK and Japan were planning on sending oil from there oil reserves to the US, to help stave off oil price increases because of damage to New Orleans oil productions.

When it comes down to it, the US needs manpower, not money. The US has ton's of money. They need generators, food, bottled water, and all those things.

However, in the End, the US has to say what it needs. For all we know, there could be plenty of other countries which have contacted the US that are still waiting for a response as to what they need. Only time will tell, i suppose.

[Cosmo_ac]

here's that update i promised.

Canadian leaders, relief agencies stand by to help U.S. after Katrina LISA ARROWSMITH
Wed Aug 31, 5:44 PM ET



EDMONTON (CP) - Canadian officials have started getting ready to send whatever type of aid the United States requires to help with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said Wednesday.

"We want to reassure the president and the people of the United States that we are their best friends and their neighbour, and we will be there to help them in a situation that truly is without parallel in our country or theirs," said McLellan.

"Yesterday, the Department of Human Health Services in the U.S. contacted our public health agency and asked for an inventory of emergency supplies that, if they need them, we could send at a moment's notice."

That inventory was completed Wednesday.

American officials are still assessing their needs, but in coming days Canada will be prepared to send everything from water purification systems to the Canadian military's Disaster Assistance Response Team.

Asked by reporters about the effect of Katrina on the Canadian economy - higher oil prices expected as a result of supply disruptions - McLellan acknowledged there could be an impact but stressed she wants to focus on the human tragedy of the disaster at this moment.

Prime Minister Paul Martin was set to speak by phone Thursday with U.S. President George W. Bush about what Canada can do to help the reconstruction effort.

Elsewhere in Canada, Ontario is looking into whether its medical and hydro workers can help, and Premier Dalton McGuinty spoke to the U.S. ambassador to Canada asking what the province can do.

"We stand at the ready to assist," said McGuinty, who added Ontario could help with its Emergency Medical Assistance Team.

Relief efforts by Canadians in disaster zones are largely organized in Ottawa, but McGuinty said he wants to know from Ambassador David Wilkins what specifically Ontario can do.

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said officials with Manitoba Hydro have also offered to send staff to the affected areas to help restore power.

At least 125 people have died in the severely flooded states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, while New Orleans is a swamp with about 80 per cent of the city under water.

A spokeswoman for the Canadian Red Cross said lists of volunteers experienced in large-scale disasters were being assembled.

Suzanne Charest said agency officials expect a handful of volunteers may be ready to travel to Louisiana and Mississippi sometime this weekend.

"If you look at the impact of hurricane Katrina, we'll be sending well over 100 Canadian Red Cross workers in the coming weeks," Charest said from Ottawa.

Most of the volunteers will help spell off exhausted American relief workers in the coming months, she said. The Canadians will put in three weeks of gruelling, emotionally draining work that could see them huddling in shelters in sleeping bags along with those left homeless.

"They'll be interviewing families to see what kind of resources they need. Maybe they've lost their house, they need clean-up kits, they need financial support, they can't work."

A spokeswoman for Mennonite Disaster Service in Winnipeg said its sister agency in the U.S. is sending three or four investigators to Mississippi where they hope to set up a base camp for volunteers to help rebuild homes.

More than 500 Canadian Mennonites may eventually be sent to the U.S., said Lois Nickel of the church-based relief organization.

The first priority is to cut up downed trees and get them off power lines and roads, she said.

"Some folks from surrounding states that volunteer with us are hoping to go into parts of Alabama already this weekend to do chainsawing," said Nickel.

"Up here, our job right now is to take calls for donations."

Some aid was already heading south Wednesday. A crew of 10 hydro-line workers from Chatham-Kent Hydro in Ontario was on its way to help restore power to homes and businesses.

Officials in McLellan's office said there had been no official request from the U.S. for help.

[Newcastle Uni]

However, in the End, the US has to say what it needs. For all we know, there could be plenty of other countries which have contacted the US that are still waiting for a response as to what they need. Only time will tell, i suppose.

I'd be really surprised if Paul Martin (or someone acting on his behalf) hasn't already contacted the US to ask what Canada can do. That goes for all of the other countries as well. It would be a pretty poor showing for international relations if the US hasn't been inundated with messages of support.

Yeah, the US needs manpower, food, water, medical provisions, labourers etc. But the US must surely have stockpiles of these and wouldn't need any outside help. They are surely self-proficient, especially when they are supposedly VERY prepared for terrorist atrocities that would be as bad or worse as what has happened in the wake of Katrina.

[Robace252]

Well I have been getting the information I wished from this thread. Thank you Cosmo for the information from Canada. Its a shame all of our media (all of it including my beloved FOX NEWS) hasnt given this information to the public or at least made it as known as it should be. It is good to know that countries are stepping up.
Newcastle you asked when the US gave an idustrialized nation aid...here it is
January 1995, Kobe Earthquake in Japan that did about $100 billion dollars in damages. The US was first to send aid in money, search and rescue, food, and all other support needed.
In the winter of 1998 the major ice storms that affected the US and Canada, The US and Canada helped each other. Canada suppiled manpower and suppies and the US gave money and also some manpower support. Although this one I guess we could say the US and Canada helped each other.
In 1996 Russia's wheat harvest was at dangerous levels and had a crisis feading their people. The US sent millions of tons of wheat and helped Russia replenish their farms...no charge of course.
And lets take a looksee on who gave money for the tsunami relief...of course this is just the governments aid not the aid given by our citizens, or the Red Cross.
The United States is pledging $350 million to help tsunami victims, a tenfold increase over its first wave of aid, President Bush announced Friday.

“Initial findings of American assessment teams on the ground indicate that the need for financial and other assistance will steadily increase in the days and weeks ahead,” Bush said Friday in a statement released in Crawford, Texas, where he is staying at his ranch.

And the tally of other nations..

France has promised $57 million, Britain has pledged $95 million, Sweden is sending $75.5 million and Spain is offering $68 million, although that pledge is partly in loans.

That information comes from the AP and is widely available.

But anyways again this post has been in good spirits and I appreciate the information. Again I will say our media sucks except when it comes to sensationalist journalism...thats why I depend on those of you with the BBC news and even Canada's news (sorry I cant remember the name Cosmo) for information sometimes on things I just cant seem to get an answer for.

www.redcross.org

[kis123]

As for what the US does for the rest of the world? America does what every country does, it serves its best interests and only helps when it suits it to help. Otherwise it would have signed up to the Kyoto agreement and agreed to slash US CO2 emissions as well as agreeing to cutting debt repayments by the worlds poorest countries and many other things.

The US and Europe and Japan etc. give a lot of money to poorer countries, but when did any of these countries expect to receive something in return from the poorer countries that can't afford it? And when did industrialised countires offer Aid to each other. And before you hark back to WWII, i'd like to remind you that the US did very nicely out of WWII for all it gave to Europe. It got German scientists that effectively allowed it to develop a dtrong space program, otherwise Russia or Germany would certainly be the pre-eminent power, it got the Jet engine from the UK and many army and navy bases in Britain and Europe and to give one example the UK has only recently finished paying back the US for loans given during WW2.

I'll say again. Stop moaning about the US not getting aid.

I don't see anyone "moaning" about anything. I see people asking questions and holding dialogues. Regardless if it's for interests or not, the US does give lots of aid to countries. American citizens donate everytime a disaster arises even though many are in economic crises of their own. I personally don't care where the aid comes from just as long as the people affected by Katrina get as much of their lives put back together as possible. Some things money won't fix, but for what it can do I'm sure the people will appreciate it.

I will be doing what I can to help, so that's not moaning. Moaning is when someone bellyaches and complains, yet does nothing to improve the circumstances. I don't see that here at all.

[Ticklish9's]

The United States is a major contributer in times of crisis, particularly of financial or military aid. Now, with our own national disaster, who is coming to our aid?

Venezuala has offered us humanitarian aid, and oil to help with our inflated gas prices. This, of course, on the heels of an offer to deliver oil from State-owned Venezualan company Citgo directly to poor and homeless Americans free of charge to help with winter heating before any disaster struck. America, of course, turned down both offers, since Venezuela is a Socialist country and we simply can't have that! (Of course, we do have Pat Robertson to take a stand and say we ought to kill Chavez, Venezuelan leader... all in the name of the Lord, mind you!)

Additionally, up to 12 other nations have offered us humanitarian or financial aid. It remains unclear whether Bush will continue to allow politics to be more important than saving lives - but as that would simply be continuation of his national policy of the past 5 years, it's a safe bet to say he very well may.

http://www.journaltimes.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=1853

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/southamerica/article_1045236.php/Venezuela_offers_hurricane_aid_to_US

And then, for humour's sake, an article decrying how liberals are "politicizing" Katrina's aftermath, which then proceeds to attack liberals for their politics and ignores Bush's politicizing of Katrina. Always good for a laugh.

http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=16549&catcode=13

[Robace252]

As much as I love to read a good blog or "citizen journalist" to me you need to have the news from real sources, not people writing editorials about what they think without facts to support them. Both the articles you have from the AP and UPI both do not say we turned down any aid from other countries just that no decision has been made. A little reseach will show that countries that offer the US aid want something in return sometimes although I can not state this as fact because while I have a few "blogger" and "citizen journalist" sites that have reports that Venesuela wants a promise by the US for non-intervention in human rights matter in its country and that other countries want to US to drop trade restrictions and such, I will not agree or substainate those report because I feel they are not from reputable sources.
In return however here is a report from a Latin American news agency I had to dig up from a freind I know in Panama from his hometown paper.

Caracas, Aug 31 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela has conveyed to the US authorities and people its deep consternation for the tragedy caused by hurricane Katrina and has offered to send humanitarian aid and oil so that those hardly hit can cope with the crisis.
A statement issued Wednesday by Venezuelan Foreign Ministry underlines the most sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims of the hurricane and the loss of their properties.
The note reiterates President Hugo Chávez´ willingness to send fuel and humanitarian aid to help those damaged by the fierce storm.
Hundreds of people are feared dead in Mississippi, and the Louisiana city of New Orleans is badly flooded.
Emergency teams in the southern US are battling to reach survivors of Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive storm to hit the country in decades.
The Venezuelan statement comments that the fuel crisis worsens because of damages to oil facilities in the Gulf of Mexico and on US southern territory.
"Our government and all the Venezuelan people have closely followed the news on the hurricane and we are willing to offer our help to the US people through the Simon Bolivar Humanitarian Task Unit", the note stresses.
The US State Department is currently working with the Venezuelan government and Citgo officals on how to best impliment the aid offered and in a released statement to Presna Latina the State Department offered their "deepest thanks" and "heartfelt gratitude" to the people of Venezuela from the United States and its people.

mh/ajs/wap

Im going to see what other info I can find about aid being offered and not accepted because if it is true I for one will be not only dissapointed with my government leaders but I will personally write every congressman I can to ask why and demand an answer.

www.redcross.org

[BOFH666]

Im going to see what other info I can find about aid being offered and not accepted because if it is true I for one will be not only dissapointed with my government leaders but I will personally write every congressman I can to ask why and demand an answer.

www.redcross.org

Hope you're ready to write a LOT of letters (Source: Reuters):

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01481437.htm


More than 20 countries, from allies Germany and Japan to prickly Venezuela and poor Honduras, have offered to help the United States cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Accustomed to being a rich donor rather than on the receiving end of charity, the United States initially seemed reticent about accepting foreign aid, but later said it would take up any offers. The hurricane devastated New Orleans and other parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast, killing hundreds and possibly thousands.

"Anything that can be of help to alleviate the tragic situation of the area affected by Hurricane Katrina will be accepted," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

The United Nations offered to help coordinate international relief efforts for the United States.

"The sheer size of this emergency makes it possible that we can supplement the American response with supplies from other countries, or with experience we have gained in other relief operations," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a statement.

Earlier, President George W. Bush said in a television interview that the United States could take care of itself.

"I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it," Bush told ABC's "Good Morning America."

McCormack said there had not been a change of position over accepting foreign aid and White House spokesman Scott McClellan also said the United States would take up offers of help.

The State Department said offers so far had come from Belgium, Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, China, Australia, Jamaica, Honduras, Greece, Venezuela, the Organization of American States, NATO, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, South Korea, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Assistance ranged from medical teams, boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators and cash donations.


So there's the answer, most of the first world countries (I'm not going to go and hunt for missing entries in that list, if someone else wants to go right ahead) offered to help but that help wasn't asked for and doesn't really seem to have been wanted. Frankly, reading that, it seems that the US government, through George Bush, told us we weren't needed but feel free to send a couple of bucks if we feel like it. Thankfully someone in the State department came to their senses and we'll let this piece of spin from Scott McClellan slide this time, first priority is to help those people.

Now that that's been answered, maybe we could go on to the real question: What the HELL went wrong with the disaster recovery team on this? The response from the US government has been appalling, and I mean both federal and local governments, democrats and republicans, mayors and governors and presidents. This is one of the wealthiest nations on earth and it takes FOUR DAYS to get food and water to people who had been directed to designated areas by both local police and national guard? WTF? How hard can it be for someone, doesn't matter who, but SOMEONE to call up Walmart and tell them the US Government WILL be buying half of whatever water and non-perishable food stores they have in the nearest ten or twenty distribution depots and sending a fleet of trucks to ship it to dump points close to the areas worst hit?

For that matter, WHERE WAS THE PRE-PLANNING? FEMA and Homeland Security knew almost two days in advance that Katrina was going to be a big-ass storm and that it was on course to do serious damage, surely the required manpower, vehicles and supplies should have been en-route by Sunday at the latest? Where was the command and control structure? Where was the evacuation plan for the hundred thousand people (or more) who had no way to leave the city? How come NONE of the problems that we're seeing were anticipated? Why didn't someone think about pre-empting the inevitable break-down in social systems and take the stock from all the major gun retailers in the area before the mob got there? This is common sense planning in a situation like this and should have been anticipated long before Katrina even formed.

New Orleans has long been known to be a potential disaster area in the case of a large storm and/or the levvies breaking. It's been listed by FEMA as one of the top three most likely disasters in the US (the others by the way were a terrorist attack on New York and an earthquake in San Fransisco, this was in early 2001). Why weren't the unique (to the US) problems of this scenario worked out in advance? Example - in the case of the city being flooded you need some way of moving supplies and people around where you have a mix of roads and rivers (that used to be roads). Someone should have looked at that problem and had a solution in place years ago. Hell, something like this (http://www.argoatv.com/products/product.asp?MID=15) would do the job, small engine so it'll go a long way on little gas, carrying capacity for 6 people or a decent cache of supplies, can turn on a dime (litteraly, think tank tracks) and because the shell is polyethylene the damn thing not only floats but can work in water WHILE floating. Oh, and it costs about $8,000 dollars a unit buying them individualy (for the basic model, the 8 wheel might be more) but I'm sure that could be knocked down a LOT on bulk order.

I've done a little DR planning myself, others I know have done a lot more (including a couple in the Territorial Army, one in the Regular Army) and after catching up with them yesterday and today these are questions we've all been asking since this whole mess started. Once those victims are safe and cared for serious questions need to be asked at ALL levels of government about this and for once, FOR ONCE, those responsible for this dereliction of duty need to be held responsible. This is not partisan politics, it doesn't matter which side of the aisle those involved are on, anyone who didn't live up to the responsibilities of their office should resign, period.

[Haltickling]

The contribution from Germany: Our government has immediately offered to send specially equipped and trained civil emergency units, along with water purification devices and lots of medical aid. This offer still remains to be accepted.

Additionally, Chancellor Schroeder followed a Bush request to open up our national fuel reserves for the USA, as there seems to be a definite lack of refined oil there (80% of the oil refinery plants in Southern USA are still out of function).

Sorry, I've got only sources in German confirming this.

I wish all the best to the people who were afflicted by the hurricane. Red Cross donation initiatives are collecting financial aid every hour on all TV channels. Right now, there seems to be no lack of aid, but lack of coordination in the area. Let's hope the burocrates will solve these problems asap!

[Newcastle Uni]

The US has so far REFUSED to accept any outside help at all.

Thats not a bad thing, necessarily, but maybe answers the original question.

[BOFH666]

The US has so far REFUSED to accept any outside help at all.

Thats not a bad thing, necessarily, but maybe answers the original question.

I have to say that, looking at the reports of what's been offered and the US response, I don't think it's as much a case of refusing help as it is of no-one quite knowing what's going on. Note that they're now saying they are accepting aid in the Reuters report I linked above.

I'm guessing now but maybe, just maybe, part of the problem of accepting foreign aid is that the role of co-ordinating support from foreign nations and the international community as a whole lies with the Secretary of State. Where was she when all this was going on? Well, up until Thursday afternoon anyway she was in New York, on vacation, shopping and taking in the simple charms of the Monty Python musical Spamalot. I repeat my earlier comment: WTF?

[Newcastle Uni]

They've failed to appreciate the magnitude of the situation. They've just not responded quickly enough to events.

The scary statistic for me was this

The area devastated is the size of Britain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (it needed all of those exclamation marks, and maybe some more, so just in case, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Candlewicke]

Virtually everything that has happened in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina struck was predicted by experts and in computer models.

Computer models developed at Louisiana State University and other institutions made detailed projections of what would happen if water flowed over the levees protecting the city or if they failed.

In comments on Thursday, President George W. Bush said, "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees."

In July 2004, more than 40 federal, state, local and volunteer organizations practiced this very scenario in a five-day simulation code-named "Hurricane Pam", where they had to deal with an imaginary storm that destroyed over half a million buildings in New Orleans and forced the evacuation of a million residents.

Louisiana State University engineer Joseph Suhayda and others have warned for years that defenses could fail. In 2002, the New Orleans Times Picayune published a five-part series on "The Big One" examining what might happen if they did.

It predicted that 200,000 people or more would be unwilling or unable to heed evacuation orders and thousands would die, that people would be housed in the Superdome, that aid workers would find it difficult to gain access to the city as roads became impassable, as well as many other of the consequences that actually unfolded after Katrina hit this week.

Craig Marks who runs an emergency management training company in North Carolina, said the authorities had mishandled the evacuation, neglecting to help those without transportation to leave the city.

"They could have packed people on trains or buses and gotten them out before the hurricane struck. They had enough time and access to federal funds. And now, we find we do not have a proper emergency communications infrastructure so aid workers get out into the field and they can't talk to one another," he said.

Several experts also believe the decision to make FEMA a part of the Department of Homeland Security, created after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, was a major mistake. FEMA functioned well in the 1990s as a small, independent agency. Under DHS, it was downgraded, buried in a couple of layers of bureaucracy, and terrorism prevention got all the attention and most of the funds.

Former FEMA director James Lee Witt testified to Congress in March 2004: "I am extremely concerned that the ability of our nation to prepare for and respond to disasters has been sharply eroded. "I hear from emergency managers, local and state leaders, and first responders nearly every day that the FEMA they knew and worked well with has now disappeared. In fact one state emergency manager told me, 'It is like a stake has been driven into the heart of emergency management,'" he said.

[MrMacphisto]

Wow... I had known that Bush was incompetent, but refusing help? What the fuck? America is beyond arrogant if it thinks that the aftermath of Katrina is something it should handle alone, just like with Iraq (for the most part).

[BOFH666]

As I find out more information, sorry, make that more confirmed information on what's been happening in the gulf coast region I'm going to add to this thread. I suggest that anyone else who has such information does the same so that we can start to get a better understanding of these events.

From the Red Cross FAQ

http://www.redcross.org/faq/0,1096,0_682_4524,00.html#4524

Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?

* Acess to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.

* The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

Note, this has nothing to do with security or safety, they just didn't want "others coming into the city", despite the fact there were tens of thousands of people starving at more than one known location safe enough for camera crews to access.

[MrMacphisto]

Candle, Cosmo, Hal, and BOFH, thanks for the wealth of info on all this. To be honest, this is just getting scarier with each source that is posted.

[BOFH666]

CNN, which from what I've seen of its web broadcasts has been doing a pretty damn good reporting job (for once), has put together something interesting.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/katrina.response/index.html

The link is to a page of quotes from officials compared to what their own reporters were saying at the time. The, I guess the phrase would be "disconect from reality", on display here is breathtaking. And it's no better today.

Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff gave a news conference a short time ago when he claimed that the levvies breaking as well as a hurricane was "not reasonably foreseable". Someone had the guts to ask him how, when a class 4 hurricane was modeled, did no-one think that levvies designed to withstand a class 3 hurricane might break. Chertoff flat out ducked the question. I'm sure someone will have a transcript fairly soon, it's worth reading just to see the frantic level of spinning going on at a time when the absolute top requirement from government officials when talking to the public is honesty.

Edit It's not a transcript, but some more details on this press conference can be found here: http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/9/3/145043/1693 Be warned it's a left wing blog so take with a pinch of salt.

[BOFH666]

Nuts, sorry for doing two posts one after the other but I thought this worth the time. The following e-mail comes from Andrew Sullivans' web blog and raises some important questions for us all to keep in mind as the investigation into what went wrong gets underway.

http://www.andrewsullivan.com/index.php?dish_inc=archives/2005_08_28_dish_archive.html#112575783036235077

"I've worked closely with Corps personnel for 6 years in various scientific and regulatory capacities on wetlands issues. While the Corps is often maligned by environmentalists, I will be the first to defend the professionalism, commitment and skill of their regulatory field staff.
The Corps, however, is Army - the institutional culture is one of top-down control and damn-the-torpedoes, and a deeply-ingrained instinct against criticising the chain of command. In an email yesterday that eventually ended up on Wonkette, I predicted that they would be good soldiers and insulate Bush against charges that the levees weren't finished, and indeed I woke up to Al Naomi saying just that on NPR. And General Strock from HQ had to be brought in to do the real damage control: "I don't see that the level of funding was really a contributing factor in this case," said Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, chief of engineers for the corps. "Had this project been fully complete, it is my opinion that based on the intensity of this storm that the flooding of the business district and the French Quarter would have still taken place." (from Chi Trib).
But there are really TWO questions that must be answered:

1) Was the levee complete and at design spec?

2) Would a design-spec levee have withstood Katrina?

1) The truth is that short of a whistleblower, we may never know the condition of that levee on 8/29. My source on its inadequate condition isn't solid enough. But I know the following things:

a) You don't finish levees and walk away. They need regular maintenance - even when you haven't built them on dewatered organic soils that settle every year.

b) A District that had just taken a one-year budget cut of $71 million will have had to make some very hard choices about whether maintenance on this particular levee fell (in Corps parlance) "above the line - priority" or "below the line - optional". Their SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) guidance might tell us, but somebody needs to get a FOIA cookin' on this right now.

c) The question of levee adequacy breaks down at least into "was it at spec height?" [yes!] and "was it structurally sound to spec?" [oops!]. Because of the nature of the levee failure (not overtopped, but burst), watch for Corp HQ to focus on the first question (which pins the deaths on nature), and ignore the second (which might pin the deaths on budget decisions).

2) Over the coming days, the Corps' message will be this: "Katrina was greater than the design storm for this levee." This is at least an open question - purportedly the levees were designed to withstand a direct hit from a Category 3 hurricane. Katrina was a Category 4 at landfall, presenting her weak side to the levees at a distance of some 40-50 miles. The question appears debatable on its technical merits, and Strock's facile answer is far too politically expedient a conclusion to take at face value from Corps HQ. I have seen them fall on their sword for Presidents before, and the need has never been greater.

To sum up: Gen. Strock is asking us to accept that the Army Corps could maintain the structural integrity of every last mile of levee built on subsiding soils in a District that had taken a $71 million budget cut in one year. AND that they would admit it if they hadn't, when the reputation of the President is at stake. All my experience rejects both propositions."

Also, as a follow up to the CNN link I posted above, Slate has a good article documenting some of the media fight back that's been going on this week.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2125581/

Personally, I'm waiting for Monday night's Newsnight here in the UK when one Mr Jeremy Paxman is back in the presenters chair and (hopefully) getting a chance to talk to some of those who dropped the ball. It won't be pleasent but at least we might get some answers.

[Newcastle Uni]

Sky news (uk) is now encouraging its viewers to send donations.

[Robace252]

I am happy to report on my original idea of this thread. Ive now seen all the international support offered and even seen the US accept some...such as we accepted Canada's offer and they are sending ships with workers, water purefication systems, supplies, and Sea-King Helicopters. I think this shows me that though the world might indeed not approve of our current administration they do care about the plight of the American people, and I think for once Kofi-Annon spoke it best. Those of you in foregin countries please thank your leaders from one American in Mississippi whos working hard and will see their help put to good use.

[BOFH666]

robace, good luck down there and keep yourself safe man.

Just another update for those interested, Senator Mary Landrieu issued a press release on the 3rd. The full text is available here: http://www.markarkleiman.com/archives/katrina_/2005/09/fake_sympathy_and_fake_relief_efforts.php

"I understand that the U.S. Forest Service had water-tanker aircraft available to help douse the fires raging on our riverfront, but FEMA has yet to accept the aid. When Amtrak offered trains to evacuate significant numbers of victims -- far more efficiently than buses -- FEMA again dragged its feet. Offers of medicine, communications equipment and other desperately needed items continue to flow in, only to be ignored by the agency.

"But perhaps the greatest disappointment stands at the breached 17th Street levee. Touring this critical site yesterday with the President, I saw what I believed to be a real and significant effort to get a handle on a major cause of this catastrophe. Flying over this critical spot again this morning, less than 24 hours later, it became apparent that yesterday we witnessed a hastily prepared stage set for a Presidential photo opportunity; and the desperately needed resources we saw were this morning reduced to a single, lonely piece of equipment.
This supports a report on German TV regarding the Presidents tour of the area on Friday. Now this is from a 'reader' so treat it with as much skepticism as you think that warrants, but it is supported by the Senators account:

http://www.warandpiece.com/blogdirs/002485.html
There was a striking dicrepancy between the CNN International report on the Bush visit to the New Orleans disaster zone, yesterday, and reports of the same event by German TV.

ZDF News reported that the president's visit was a completely staged event. Their crew witnessed how the open air food distribution point Bush visited in front of the cameras was torn down immediately after the president and the herd of 'news people' had left and that others which were allegedly being set up were abandoned at the same time.

The people in the area were once again left to fend for themselves, said ZDF.
The BBC also ran a report last night that would seem to support this account. No link for this one I'm afraid but the reporter talked about efforts on Friday to start clearing the road he was standing on, one of the main routes into the city of New Orleans, of debris. 'Diggers' were moving the broken trucks and debris out of the way and you could see a chunk of road where they had cleared most of the wreckage away. But the crews and equipment hadn't come back on the Saturday and the reporter commented that it seemed the relief efforts were somewhat "piecemeal". In light of the above you can't help but wonder if it was just another photo op to boost credibility for the day the President toured the area.

One further report, this time from the associated press, states that during the Presidents visit to the state of Louisiana, all helicopter flights were banned, further delaying the delivery of relief to the victims. That information comes from congressman Charlie Melancon who travelled to New Orleans on Friday to meet with the President but was refused access when the secret service couldn't clear him to board Air Force One. Full story here: http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/politics/12548040.htm

Oh, and CNN keep up their excellent coverage of the event with a thourough disection of the lies told yesterday by the Homeland Security Secretary yesterday: http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/katrina.chertoff/index.html

[Robace252]

It is indeed sad to read this, me being here in Mississippi...I for one am one american not fed up with Bush, or the administration, but the entire government and special interest groups as a whole.
As soon as Bush comes, they make nice and show the President how much work is going on, then when he leaves they tear it down?!?!?
This is worse than disgusting. The media circus, everyone blaring critisim from behind a podem while they could use that time to ask for help. Using dollars to buy TV ads, commericals, flying from place to place to "view" the devestation while again critising everyone. Im talking to these families and do you know what they, I and I think a lot of american's want. We want all of the media TO SHUT UP! WE WANT AL SHARPTON, FEMA, ALL GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO SHUT UP! Instead of taking 2 hours at a press conference, make phone calls. Instead of comming down here and treating us like "Reality TV Show" as one gentleman put it to me today, why dont you use your time to help. And all that money and gas youd save by staying put and helping with donations would go a long way. The people here are not a photo-op or a way to advance your left or right wing agenda. ANd funny how CNN, NBC, ABC, Fox News can get signals out to show us all the devestation. Did they think for even one minute they could have given that equipment to the authorities trying that even they say "have no communication structure" so that they could coordinate relief using your fascilities, your cameras and your satellite phones. Ive let so many people here use my phone and computers, why didnt they.
Im sorry all, my 3rd day and I went to the local Sunday services here and thats the feeling I get from the people around me...and you know what...theyre right.

[BOFH666]

To play devils advocate for a moment here, it could be argued that the news crews have played a vital role in getting the aid we're now seeing into the affected areas. Without the news crews beaming out pictures of the devistation this tragedy would remain a detached event to many people, seeing the results of hurricane and flood for themselves obviously has a very deep imapct on people. As a result the political preasure built quickly on the federal government to get their act together and when that criticism started to show up in public opinion things started moving a LOT quicker. Plus of course the shock of seeing those images has probably galvanised a lot of people sitting at home to contribute to the Red Cross and other organisations.

Add to this the fact that FEMA are on record as "not knowing about the people in the New Orleans convention centre" until Thursday despite police and national guard units directing those folk there since at least two days previously. How did they find out? I wouldn't be surprised if someone high up in the chain of command saw CNN or another station and had an 'oh-shit' moment.

The command structure wasn't, from what we've been hearing, a case of not having the equipment it was more a lack of leadership. Certainly on Wednesday and Thursday the national guard and police at the Superdome were communicating on open radio frequencies without problems. And I've seen stories, usually thrown in as asides, about news crews letting victims use their phones and putting out information about survivors for their relatives.

My own opinion: Could they do more? Certainly, and I'm with you all the way when you say that all those diving for the cameras should shut up, especially those that have actual jobs to do directly related to the clean-up efforts. But don't underestimate just how much of an impact these images have had not only in America but the rest of the world and that is vital for getting people to donate time, money, shelter and every other thing those poor people are going to need both now and in the months ahead.

Again, take care of yourself down there.

[BOFH666]

If this is true.... I don't know, words fail me.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1562517,00.html

British families trapped in New Orleans last night claimed that US authorities had refused to evacuate them as Hurricane Katrina approached the city.

Although assistance was offered to US residents, British nationals were told they would have to fend for themselves. According to those who remain stranded in the stricken city, police had visited hotels and guest houses on the eve of the hurricane offering to evacuate Americans, but not Britons.

The order meant UK holidaymakers without cars were left helpless in the face of the hurricane. Some have been trapped in hotels and guest houses since the hurricane struck at 7am local time last Monday.

One family from Liverpool, trapped in a flooded section of the city, told relatives yesterday of their bewilderment when they realised US citizens would be offered preferential treatment.

Gerrard Scott, 35, spoke to his brother Peter from the Ramada Hotel in New Orleans where he has been stranded without assistance with wife, Sandra, 38, and seven-year-old son Ronan for the past six days. 'Those that didn't fit their criteria were told to help themselves. The police said they were evacuating Americans, and took away the majority.

'The British who were left all thought the police would come back, but nobody has. They have just been left,' said Peter Scott last night. Among the 30 or so people still inside the Ramada Hotel is a woman recovering from breast cancer who had been confined to a hotel room by herself because of fears over her immune system.

(snip)

There is a payphone in the hotel lobby, but US operators have been refusing to accept collect calls from stranded Britons.

'Some of them are just hanging up even after they have explained they are trapped in New Orleans. It's like - what emergency?' said Scott. He added that conditions in the lobby were described as atrocious, with sewage up to knee level last night.

My only hope right now is that this is from The Guardian and their reporting can be a bit flaky at the best of times. But.. I don't know, considering what we've seen in the last few days it wouldn't surprise me.