USA hurricane....not much sympathy

[Dom Tuk]

There does not seem to much sympathy for the plight of the US states caught up in the devastation. Is there a part of us that relishes something like this that happens to a rich country. It is suffering after all. But is the suffering of the rich somehow acceptable to that of the poor.

[brassmonkey]

What is the mentality of these people in the US?  We have heard reports of widespread looting,  riots and even rapes. 

When the Kobe earthquake struck in Japan,  killing 6000 people,  there were no riots,  no looting,  people pitched together and helped one another!

I don't think the rest of the world has no sympathy,  the US has the funds and resources to deal with this problem.  Unfortunately,  George W seems to be little slow off the mark on this one,  I'm sure it's not because poor black southerners are being affected, rather than rich New Yorkers...........

[Buddy]

Hear Hear Brassmonkey.

He is more interested in matters abroad - and even by that comment I mean the New Yorkers because their trade is international.

He is a prxxk - and I mean that most sincerely people!

[Buddy]

I have to add the abuse etc is absolutely horrendous - but damn tooting I would be looting.Its a basic human instict to survive at all costs - think of the poor folk who had to eat human flesh to survive.

[Sh'lainn]

I just think that people are somewhat baffled how America can afford to wage a war on a third world country, yet can not even look after their own.  America is like a mother that slights one child for another.  On the news the reporter said that New Orleans looks like some sort of area in Africa, a little insulting, but true.  This hurricane shows America that its not that great and needs to look after its own troubles before attempting to sort out another country's problems.

[Buddy]

Well said Sh'lainn.

I have been saying thisfor days and no-one has lifted it.Too political I suspect.Well done you tho'. 

[Clanad]

I've been following this thread since its inception and I'm struck by the strident anti-Bush tone, when it's quite obvious that most contributors are relying on the propaganda of the thoroughly left wing press prevalent in the U.K.

Firstly, the residents of the area had nearly 48 hours notice that it could be a severe hurricane.  Of the nearly 1.3 million people in the vicinity, nearly 1 million followed the evacuation instructions. Of the ones remaining, about 25,000 made their way to the Superdome.  It was expected the Superdome would house them for no more than 2 days.  The balance of the ones remaining elected to remain in their homes.  Hindsight is 20/20 and they now know the severity and extent of an unprecedented natural disaster.  After the remnants of the hurricane finally left the area sometime on August 30, the levees that protect the city were breeched, further restricting rescue attempts. (This same hurricane had already caused destruction across Florida.  President Bush had declared that area and Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Alabama a disaster, on Sunday, August 28th which triggers massive governmental aid).

Access to the city was severly limited due to the flooding, yet rescue efforts were already being mobilized. Bush arrived for a flyover viewing on Wednesday, August 31.  By Thursday, September 1, the mobilization of literally thousands of agencies, both State and U.S. Government were underway, with relief food, water and shelter arriving.  Many of the residents were bussed to Houston, TX for housing in the Astrodome, or other such facilities.

Contd.

[Clanad]

Contd.

I don't know how the government could have reacted any more quickly.  Naval hospital ships, aircraft carriers are only a few of the resources on their way.  It seems to me that the rescue efforts for the tsunami victims took much longer than this to become effective.

Somehow, Bush is being made responsible for this disaster.   There is a large segment of the U.S. media, both print and electronic, that have hated the man ever since he was elected, and any chance to make him the scapegoat is seized upon. This is mirrored in the foreign press as well. 

We'll take care of this, as we have always done in the past, thank you very much. (And most of the world's disasters as well). But you really get need to get a grasp on facts before making such ridiculous allegations... In my humble opinion...

Finally, the gangs reported in the press didn't just spring up over night. These criminals have been in operation for years and have been the major reason N'Orleans is now know, sadly, as the murder capital of the U.S. They have been allowed to exist and now the city, and sadly, innocent stragglers are reaping the whirlwind... Perhaps, this entire episode will result in many improvements in the lives of the survivors...

[Oneeyedvic]

Clanad - not calling you paranoid but....

have you counted the number of anti american posts on this thread?

Having an attitude of "we'll take care of this...and most of the world's disasters as well" really does not endear yourself to anyone. Saying things like that shows you to be elitist and pompous - stereotypical Amercian if you like.

If you wonder why people you speak to have an anti american attitude, I would look at your own posts - I certainly feel anti american if that's your attitude / gratitude.

[Clanad]

Well, vic, can you name a serious disaster in the world that the U.S. hasn't attempted to ameliorate?  If that causes one to think we're elitist and pompous, then there's something definitely wrong with your way of thinking...

The entire thread is devoted to bashing Bush, and for no good reason, in my opinion.  I was only attempting to add factual information that addresses what is going on in response to this disaster...

If you don't see the anti-American tone and name calling for President Bush, then you are the one with the perception problem...

[Clanad]

Brachiopod's post requires answering, since he labors under a mis-conception...

The Marshall Plan, known officially following its enactment as the European Recovery Program (ERP), was the main plan of the United States for the reconstruction of Europe following WWII. The plan was in operation for four fiscal years beginning in July 1947. During that period some $13 billion (equivalent to nearly $100 billion in 2005 when adjusted for inflation) of economic and technical assistance was given to help the recovery of the European countries which had joined in the Organization for European Economic Cooperation.  It was hoped that the UK and France, with the help of their colonies, would quickly rebuild their economies. But by 1947 there was still little progress, however. Even before the Marshall Plan the United States was spending a great deal to help Europe recover. An estimated $9 billion was spent during the period from 1945 to 1947. Much of this aid was indirect, coming in the form of continued lend-lease agreements, and through the many efforts of American troops to restore infrastructure and help refugees.
The official mission statement of ECA was to give a boost to the Europe economy: to promote European production, to bolster European currency, and to facilitate international trade, especially with the United States, whose economic interest required Europe to become wealthy enough to import U.S. goods. Another unofficial goal of ECA (and of the Marshall Plan) was the containment of growing Soviet influence in Europe, evident especially in the growing strength of communist parties in Czechoslovakia, France, and Italy.
Contd.

[Clanad]

Contd.

The Marshall Plan money was transferred to the governments of the European nations, the precise spending of the money was at their discretion, but each capital had an ECA envoy, generally a prominent American businessman, who would advise on the process.
$3.4 Billion was distributed to the UK from 1947 to 1951...

The years 1948 to 1952 saw the fastest period of growth in European history. Industrial production increased by 35%. Agriculture had substantially surpassed prewar levels. The poverty and starvation of the immediate postwar years disappeared, and Western Europe embarked upon an unprecedented two decades of growth that saw standards of living increase dramatically.
Under the London debts agreement of 1953, the repayable amount was reduced to about $1 billion.  This was for the additional funding under the Marshall Plan, not Lend-Lease Act for war materials established in 1941...

[brachiopod]

Marshall Plan? Lend Lease Act? Whatever. It was hardly a philanthropic gesture - it was all self-interest at heart.

Which web site was this pasted from anyway?

[kramshell]

I have just read all of the responses to this posting. I am an American, I don't live in the area that Katrina hit, but I am deeply saddened by the devistation that has hit the Gulf Coast. I am also appalled that you have heard that there were rapes? Where are you getting that? Yes one, just one helicopter was shot at for supplies, but that is it. Everyone is helping out and yes, money is getting to the Red Cross, thank goodness.

I want to respond to the accusations that our country is the rich country...I am a teacher and I teach children that are not rich...poor I should say. I am so saddened that 900,000 children can not go to school on Tuesday and some are homeless, parentless and hungry. I remember when I heard about the bombings in England and the different things going on in Europe and my heart was breaking for these people. I hate the fact that since our government is rich...we don't see the money, we as Americans get a bad rap. It saddens me to think that people out there are not going to help because we are Americans. We are all brothers and sisters under one belief...God...whatever, and we should always help each other no matter what race, religion or ethnicity...thanks for letting me vent. :0)

[Buddy]

I posted on this thread on 1.9.05 basically saying life would appear to be cheap in 3rd world countries.As usual it was misread and I got gyp.Clarksons column in the Sun today (no comments re Sun please!) says and I quote

"Seven years ago,thousands died and three million were left homeless after floods hit Bangladesh.It was on page 17 of most of the world's newspapers"

I rest my case !!!

[Buddy]

kramshell - I think I speak for any decent human being in saying we all feel for the plight of your fellow countrymen.However if your Government concerned itsself with internal matters instead of Global matters then I am sure aid would be readily at hand.Re the London Bombings - as with any other crisis Britain has had to deal with including Northern Ireland we dealt with it ourselves - perhaps of course not NI as the Americans were all too happy to fund their attrocities.Abroad again - see what I mean.Happily we have along with the leaders of parties in NI have managed - without the intervention f any US president - to yet again deal with internal matters ourselves.

[Buddy]

Of course I meant fund the people who carried out attrocities, not the  ordinary people of NI.Thought I would clarify that.

[Stretts]

Clanad - reading these postings - things are getting bitchy and should be calmed down.

I'm sat in my nice brick house with my saturday papers having done the crossword - no chance of flooding, little chance of a hurricane and tonight I may sit in the garden with a bottle of wine - guess I'm alright.

Perhaps you could advise me (us) how we can help albeit it in a small way. I made a donation to the tsunami and would be happy to do the same to this disaster - perhaps some good can come from it and the quality of life for these people can be improved.

[Buddy]

Stretts - Ialso made a donation to the Tsanimi.We also had some fundraising events.

If Bush can spend billions abroad then he should have earmarked some for any potential disaster his own country should befall.We as a country would be mortified at handouts from other countries.Yes initial emergency aid would be appreciated to augment our already superb emergency services but financial -please!!!

This is his wake up call and not before time!!! Pity lives have been lost but bet he can still sleep at night!

[Buddy]

Sorry spelling has gone wayward - u get my drift tho

[kramshell]

Buddy- I agree with you. I think as Americans we try to get involved with everyone else and not take care of our own. I think that is sad. For example, I was at a staff meeting yesterday and a teacher was talking about helping out a school in Peru. I turned to her and said, "Why don't we take care of the people on the Gulf Coast first.." I thought the principal was going to fall off his chair. I think it's great that you are going to help. Thank you so much. My husband asked me last night how much should we contribute? I feel like no amount of money could make up for it, but I am going to contribute some. I wish I could actually adopt a family or something. All of you that are reading this in your comfortable homes think of those in the Texas stadium not knowing where they will be sleeping...