Foreign Aid in Katrina Aftermath

[TarpleyG]

Anyone want to wager that we are offered no assistance in Katrina's aftermath? Makes me sick really. Look at all this country poured into Asia after last year's tsunami. Thoughts?

Greg

 

[BeLikeTrey]

this is going to be one of those "yep mmmhmm" threads

I don't think you'll find one single disagreement on that

 

[joab]

doubled up

 

[joab]

Venezuela has already offered aid , the UN has approve a "massive recontruction fund"

 

[Janitor]

And possibly one of the most heart warming, generous gifts being promised in that article about the UN ...

However, the working girls of Thailand said that if the US Air Force can get them to New Orleans, they would like to give free massages to the relief workers in thanks for the tsunami money

 

[joab]

Mr.Chirac said that "Americans spilled blood for France. I will be damned if there is one day delay in getting our $1 billion (USD equivalent) to America."

Y'all do realize that the UN link was a joke and Venezuela is protecting it's financial interest and pulling a PR stunt

 

[Janitor]

Uh ...

I guess I'm not sure how anyone could see that link as anything other than a joke, or why anyone would feel a need to point something that silly out.

I mean really - hookers that want to give massages for disaster relief?

 

[Iain]

You don't give because of what you hope to get back.

You don't need help. Sorry. I'd not expect help for a natural disaster of a similar magnitude were it to happen here as Britain doesn't need it either. Some countries might be able to send over some engineers if you can't rustle up any of your own, but I expect that you can.

Stop seeing everything as 'evidence' of universal 'anti-Americanism'. People in Aceh had no infrastructure to help, and I very much doubt any insurance. You have infrastructure, insurance, and there was fore-warning.

 

[joab]

I guess I'm not sure how anyone could see that link as anything other than a joke, or why anyone would feel a need to point something that silly out.

You'd be surprised at what needs to be pointed out sometimes

 

[Control Group]

Two things.

First, quite frankly, we're far more able to deal with this kind of crisis than most countries on the planet. As cynically as I view the rest of the world's inaction in sending aid to help in NOLA, I have to admit that I'm far more likely to donate money to rebuild the house of a fixed-income disabled veteran than I am to donate money to Brett Favre's displaced family. Not because the vet is any more or less deserving of having his house rebuilt, but because the Favre family has the resources to rebuild, while the vet doesn't.

Second, do we really want to be at all indebted to UN aid, the French navy, or Iran oil money? Call me jaded, but I don't believe that any assistance we received from them would be "no strings attached," as it were.

 

[MaterDei]

How should we respond if we are offered aid from the U.N.?

 

[joab]

How should we respond if we are offered aid from the U.N.?

"Send more Thai hookers, we'll take it from there"

 

[Janitor]

"Send more Thai hookers, we'll take it from there"

IMO - perfect.

 

[Control Group]

You don't need help. Sorry. I'd not expect help for a natural disaster of a similar magnitude were it to happen here as Britain doesn't need it either. Some countries might be able to send over some engineers if you can't rustle up any of your own, but I expect that you can.

I agree with your sentiment, but I'd like to think we'd pitch in if you faced a similar situation. Or at least offer to assist, though you may not need or want it.

But that's because your country is a special case. You've shown us an awful lot of support over the years, and I'd like to think we could do the same. One of the most moving things I've ever seen or heard was "The Star Spangled Banner" playing at Buckingham Palace during the changing of the guard.

That kind of support deserves support in return, whether or not it's strictly necessary.

 

[cuchulainn]

I agree with your sentiment, but I'd like to think we'd pitch in if you faced a similar situation. Or at least offer to assist, though you may not need or want it.

Which makes me ask: How much foreign (non-EU) assistance went to the recent flooding in Europe?

 

[Daniel T]

Iain:

You don't need help. Sorry.

You're absolutely right. While it may give the whiners something to whine about, we don't need help. What is anyone going to offer that will be more than we can do on our own?

 

[Igloodude]

I can't see any nation being able to give LA/MI any significant assistance, just as helping an investor that just lost 3/4 of his million dollar net worth in the stock market isn't within my capabilities, but helping out the homeless guy on the street is.

I think some sincere condolences would be nice, though.

 

[petrel800]

Actually, I am against government aid in any disaster. It is not the place of government to distribute income. The only thing the federal government should have their hand in is allocating military resources to the states for their use.

We have a private industry in this country with the sole purpose of rebuilding the areas affected - Insurance.

We also have private charities that will be much more time and cost efficient in aiding survivors.

 

[joab]

It is not the place of government to distribute income.

Then they should stop taking so much of my money for redistribution

30% of my paycheck disappears before I have a chance to distribute it myself

 

[TheEgg]

You don't give because of what you hope to get back.

True. And indeed we are capable of doing this on our own.

But don't think for a minute that Anti-Americanism isn't partly at play here.

But Americans are generous enough (maybe stupid enough too) that we will be back out there donating time, lives, and treasure the next time a major disaster occurs to those who hate us.

Think about that.

 

[HankB]

I wonder how long it will be before some member of the "international community" laments the NOLA disaster, not because of the human misery it caused, but because it might "divert" US attention (and most, importantly, US FUNDS) from the "needs" of OTHER nations?

 

[Sergeant Bob]

Bush crowned, people drowned!

 

[Iain]

I'm not disagreeing with your thoughts TheEgg, I just don't think that a lack of 'emergency response' from the rest of the world to a disaster of this scale in the US is evidence of anything more than the belief that you can handle it.

If there needs to be long term technical advice given about the future of flood defenses in that area then I reckon that the Dutch could help. But again, I'm sure you can provide plenty of expertise.

Don't worry though guys, when California geologically breaks off from the rest of the US I'll be on the first flight over with enough superglue to stick back on. That's what you'd want me to do, right?

 

[joab]

But Americans are generous enough (maybe stupid enough too) that we will be back out there donating time, lives, and treasure the next time a major disaster occurs to those who hate us.

I'll go you one better. If there is another disaster in some corner of the world next week guess who will be expected to, and looked down on if they don't, divert efforts from NO to that part of the world

 

[AirForceShooter]

why do I have this feeling most of the world is saying "GOOD" it's about time the Americans got theirs.
I'm not holding my breath waiting for help.
I just want somebody to remember this when another earthquake or something hits someplace else. That's all.

AFS