They like us! They really like us!

[PsiRedEye221]

I just want to say thank you to the foreign countries out there (they're foreign to me 😛 ) that have suprisingly donated money to the United States in lieu of this crisis. It's nice to know that when politics fail, and humanity kicks in, you know exactly who your friends are.

It's absolutely heartwarming to see all these countries, especially ones the majority of Americans view as non-allies, donating their time and resources to helping out an economically strong nation when it starts to falter. I did not think countries such as Russia, France, and Canada would start relief funds, but I guess it showed how blind I really am. Everything is working out on the homefront, and the wheels are in motion to get people what they need, as well as protecting our troops simultaneously.

In closing, when it comes down to someone taking a hit, and when consequences are dire, the world isn't such a bad place after all. Blessed be, fellow citizens of Earth.

-Sean A.
Massachusetts, USA.

 

[nessonite1]

Humanity knows no nationality. Despite what some Americans may think of other countries and despite what some people in other countries may think of Americans...there are good people everywhere. And they, ultimately, are what make things happen.

 

[MistressValerie1]

So far, 40 countries, including Cuba, have offered to help: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aYRTyOPCfj1A&refer=europe

 

[BigNorm]

it doesn't mean they like us, more likely they are taking a break from hating us. but i saw that list, and it's pretty hefty.

when you said countries that hated us are donating, i did a double take, thinking North Korea was donating, hehe. guess not.

 

[stdave1]

I think it does not matter if you agree or disagree with another countries politics when a disaster happens you should step up to the plate with aid because it could be your turn next.

 

[MistressValerie1]

Updated article at http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L03176047.htm

The State Department said offers of help had been received from: Australia, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

 

[AphroditeRabbit]

Perhaps it's the media making them look bad by not letting the helpers of other nations cover the front page for all to see, and instead focus on what everyone is doing wrong. There's plenty of time for the blame game later I think.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

This is just as easily about looking good by donating when you might not have otherwise. How many of these countries are helping only because it helps them save face, look generous, and raises their social standing with other nations up a peg?

Every nation jumps to chances like this, and the sad fact is that greed and gain, political or otherwise, is undermining human generosity every time.

While I'm sure many of those countries are donating for the right reasons, just as many may not be (and even those donating for the right reasons aren't absolved from having their own aim or angle in this, considering its America they're helping). However, thats not our concern, nor should we focus on it other than to point it out as a reality of political gaming. Whats important is that the money and aid is donated. As far as the victims are concerned, it doesn't matter where the money is coming from or why, only that it is.

It would be absolutely beautiful and reaffirming of the deep goodness humanity is capable of if this were only about that, but the sad fact is it is not.

But again, at this point it doesn't matter. The willingness to give, regardless of the cause, has overided any hidden agenda as the objective is being met either way- the victims and survivors are getting the help they need. Thats whats important here.

 

[Kalamos]

it doesn't mean they like us, more likely they are taking a break from hating us.

...

* Reads that twice... *

...

* Takes deep breath *

...

* Reads again *

...

Oh well... even paranoids have enemies.

...

* Shrugs and wanders away *

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

this is the right way according to the hollywood brother. the great country of america bails everyone else out so now it time for the great countries of this world to help us out brother

 

[jdtickler]

Umm is not like we like u, is more like we dont hate u that much, lol.

Nahh seriously, as Nessonite said, "humanity knows no nationality" when people is in need, people tend to help, no mater what country it is, if USA is in need i think the world will forget about the imperialistic wrongs of ur goverment and think about all the good things u done in the past and help u back as u helped us before. Believe me, in latinoamerica is not like we hate u gringos, we just hate ur goverment, not all gringos are bad, i like most of u =) and u deserve to be helped as any other country in the world.

 

[MistressValerie1]

I hope that whatever the donors' motives, the sense of international cooperation will help open new diplomatic channels and lead to better understanding. Several years ago, when severe earthquakes consecutively struck Turkey and Greece, the aid each country offered the other helped to improve their previously unfriendly relations.

Greek Surprise

The Turks' perception of Greece changed most vividly and remarkably, wiping away generations of resentment in a matter of days. Several months before, following the scandal that surrounded the capture of Abdullah Öcalan, Greek leaders had rid their government of Turk-haters. Now, on the very day of the quake, the quick-witted Greek foreign minister George Papandreou telephoned his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, to offer whatever help Turkey needed, and then rapidly sent rescue workers, ships, and planes loaded with relief supplies and streams of messages pledging solidarity with the victims. Even more important, Greek television crews rushed to the ruins and began broadcasting live. Countless Greeks shared the grief of parents whose families had been destroyed, the suffering of those who waited tearfully for rescue workers to find their loved ones, and the exhilaration of watching victims being pulled alive from the rubble. This was a deeply intimate experience that shook Greeks to their emotional core.

Then, only twenty-seven days later, an earthquake struck in Greece—a smaller one, but powerful enough to give Turks and Greeks a sense of shared fate. Now it was Turkish volunteers who flew to the rescue, and clever Greek officials directed them to help in places where they knew victims were alive and could be helped. Televised pictures of Turks saving the lives of Greek children melted hearts on both sides of the Aegean. Soon the two nations, caught up for years in senseless animosity, found themselves embracing each other with the fervor of lovers who realize they have been separated far too long.

http://www.meforum.org/article/106

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Theres always a positive spin to put on things like this, thank you for bringing it to our attention. 🙂

 

[BigNorm]

...

* Reads that twice... *

...

* Takes deep breath *

...

* Reads again *

...

Oh well... even paranoids have enemies.

...

* Shrugs and wanders away *

hehe, what does that mean?

 

[Cbarton]

I hope that whatever the donors' motives, the sense of international cooperation will help open new diplomatic channels and lead to better understanding. Several years ago, when severe earthquakes consecutively struck Turkey and Greece, the aid each country offered the other helped to improve their previously unfriendly relations.


http://www.meforum.org/article/106

And to think how many CENTURIES they've been fighting each other.....

 

[Goodieluver]

I was shocked when i heard Hugo Chavez saying he'd send aid, esp when a few weeks earlier the religion televangelist claimed we needed to dipose of him.

Naturally tho i am sickened because there are the radical muslim sects who now name it "private katrina" and claim it was sent by god, hell some americans are saying it was send by god to wipe out the seed of debauchery that they claimed in new orleans.

Heh but comeon, if we can have 2 communist nations who we are at like knifepoint at, politics wise, help up, maybe its a sign of world peace, next act is to launch our missles into the sun like superman asked us