Where's the Love?

[[AK]Nuts]

As many of us American's know, the United States is by and far the most generous country with the most giving citizens in all the world. When disaster strikes, you can count on every small town church, every school, every community to send aid anywhere in the world. And we don't just donate money freely, the American government sends billions of our tax dollars to help the poor, destitute, sick and dying no matter what their religion, race, or national orgin.

So, in light of the disaster in Naw'lins... what do you think the world wide response will be? What kind of aid do you think we should be expecting?

[[AK]Rocks]

Let's do under to others comes to mind, but I let u guys figure out if thats a good thing or bad thing...

[[AK]Bribo]

I'm just waiting to here the spin from the media that this hurricane is somehow all Bush's fault.

[[AK]Nuts]

I'm just waiting to here the spin from the media that this hurricane is somehow all Bush's fault.

I'm sure that current leader of the National Idiotarian Movement, Cindy 'Pass the Kool Aide' Sheehan is going to say that Bush's policies are to blame and that she wants to meet him and ask him why he hasn't sent his daughters to New Orleans to help. And that Al Sharpton will fly in for a photo op before is regularly scheduled police chase out of town.


I was watching the coverage on Fox News this morning... man, it's definitely the worse hurricane-related mess I've ever seen. My heart and prayers go out to alot of those folks. Nothing worse when your civic leaders tell you stay away for the next 30 days.

Do we have any AK'ers impacted? (this includes extended family member that may need help)

[[AK]Bribo]

I think Cruiser is somewhere in Florida and was getting some kind of weather effects from Katrina.

[[AK]Hardnok]

Cruiser is no longer there but he has friends still there

[[AK]Bribo]

I'm just waiting to here the spin from the media that this hurricane is somehow all Bush's fault.

This didn't take long: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert...e-_b_6396.html

[[AK]Choozoo]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168129,00.html

France is here to help.

[[AK]Nuts]

"France was standing by the victims of the hurricane"

Funny, Americans don't stand by. We don't phone ahead. An earthquake? You can count on private American organizations responding in hours. Mudslide in your village? You better believe that a small town church in Minnesota will be sending you cash. Knock the tribal leaders 5th wife up? You can count on the U.S. Government paying for her abortion.

[[AK]Nuts]

Now that the disaster has struck and the threat of more deaths is on the rise, other countires are offering more and more aid. My appologies for assuming that, like in the past, we would stand alone. Many thanks for the offer of support from around the world, especially Israel.

WASHINGTON -- In a dramatic turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.

Venezuela, a target of frequent criticism by the Bush administration, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid.

The United Nations informed U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton it was prepared to support the relief effort "in any way possible."

Under Secretary-General Jan Egeland said his office had offered the services of the U.N.'s disaster assistance and coordination teams to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent a letter to President Bush offering hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians and other experts in trauma, natural disasters and public health.

"We also offer field hospitals, medical kits and equipment for temporary housing, reinforcement for hospitals, or any assistance that you may require," Sharon wrote.

He said the teams and equipment could be ready in 24 hours.

With offers from the four corners of the globe pouring in, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has decided "no offer that can help alleviate the suffering of the people in the afflicted area will be refused," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday.

However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid.

On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to Bush and said Russia was prepared to help if asked.

Boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators, cash assistance and medical teams have been offered to the U.S. government in Washington or in embassies overseas.

Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said.

Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "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."

"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."

Historically, the United States provides assistance to other countries experiencing earthquakes, floods and other disasters.

Germany, which was rebuilt after World War II largely by the U.S. Marshall Plan, offered its help in a telephone call to Rice.

"The German Government is prepared to do all that is humanly possible," the German embassy said. In his call, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer assured Rice of Germany's solidarity with its American friends in a difficult time, the embassy said.

Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon called Wednesday at the State Department to offer condolences and assistance. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid, about $2.2 billion a year.

"The hearts and prayers of Israel's people are with the people of the United States and the many millions who are suffering in the regional devastation resulting from hurricane Katrina," the Israeli embassy said in a statement.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[[AK]Hylander]

It's good to read that.. Up until yesterday, all I heard was Canada and Germany.