America’s Tsunami?
Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it has wreaked in the New Orleans and Biloxi areas is now being called "America's tsunami," a reference to the tsunami that hit the southeast Asia region to tragic effect. I'm not sure that's an apt comparison as tsunami in the Indian Ocean killed over 150,000 people, a number that will not be reached (thankfully) by the fallout from this hurricane. But it does bring up a good point.
America responded instantly to the tsunami disaster with billions of dollars in aid money (both privately donated and officially donated by our government) as well as equipment (air craft carriers, helicopters, humvees, etc.) and troops. For all of that we were called "stingy" by the rest of the world. Well, here's a chance for the rest of the world to prove how not stingy they are.
Where's the race to offer aid and assistance to the casualties of this American disaster? Where's Europe's highly-refined sense of charity in the face of this calamity? You know, the one that drove them into an international bidding contest to see which country could donate the largest percentage of their GDP when the aid was going to those stricken by the tsunami? Aside from this offer from a commie dictator who got the bejesus scared out of him by the comments of a private American citizen, America has received no overtures of assistance from the international community. None that I've heard of anyway.
Not that we really need the assistance. I have no doubt that we are quite capable of dealing with our own disaster, but an offer or two would be nice.
Update:
Here are some reactions.
Of course, not all of the reactions were positive:
And some are questioning whether or not we even need aid.
And the kooks, of course, are saying that America deserved to get hit.
America responded instantly to the tsunami disaster with billions of dollars in aid money (both privately donated and officially donated by our government) as well as equipment (air craft carriers, helicopters, humvees, etc.) and troops. For all of that we were called "stingy" by the rest of the world. Well, here's a chance for the rest of the world to prove how not stingy they are.
Where's the race to offer aid and assistance to the casualties of this American disaster? Where's Europe's highly-refined sense of charity in the face of this calamity? You know, the one that drove them into an international bidding contest to see which country could donate the largest percentage of their GDP when the aid was going to those stricken by the tsunami? Aside from this offer from a commie dictator who got the bejesus scared out of him by the comments of a private American citizen, America has received no overtures of assistance from the international community. None that I've heard of anyway.
Not that we really need the assistance. I have no doubt that we are quite capable of dealing with our own disaster, but an offer or two would be nice.
Update:
Here are some reactions.
VIENNA, Austria - From papal prayers to telegrams from China, the world reacted with an outpouring of compassion Wednesday for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in messages tinged by shock that a disaster of this scale could occur in the United States. . . .
Venezuela's government, which has had tense relations with Washington, offered humanitarian aid and fuel if requested.
The storm was seen as an equalizer — proof that any country, weak or strong, can be victimized by a natural disaster. Images of flood-ravaged New Orleans earned particular sympathy in central Europe, where dozens died in raging floodwaters only days ago.
"Nature proved that no matter how rich and economically developed you are, you can't fight it," says Danut Afasei, a local official in Romania's Harghita county, where flooding killed 13 people last week.
Throughout Europe, concerned citizens lamented the loss of life and the damage caused to New Orleans, often described as one of North America's most "European" cities.
French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent messages of sympathy to President Bush. Chirac, who has famously quarreled with Bush over the Iraq war, addressed this letter, "Dear George."
Pope Benedict XVI said he was praying for victims of the "tragic" hurricane while China's President Hu Jintao expressed his "belief that that the American people will definitely overcome the natural disaster and rebuild their beautiful homeland."
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II also sent a message to Bush saying she was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the devastation caused by the hurricane and expressing her condolences, "especially to the families of those who have lost their lives, to the injured and to all who have been affected by this terrible disaster."
The U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland — a capital at the foot of the Alps hit by flooding last week — said calls were rushing in from Swiss individuals and institutions looking for a way to donate to relief efforts.
"We are getting calls from the Swiss public looking to express their condolences, (and) people are also asking for an account number where they can make donations," said spokesman Daniel Wendell.
Of course, not all of the reactions were positive:
Islamic extremists rejoiced in America's misfortune, giving the storm a military rank and declaring in Internet chatter that "Private" Katrina had joined the global jihad, or holy war. With "God's help," they declared, oil prices would hit $100 a barrel this year.
And some are questioning whether or not we even need aid.
The Internet-edition Vienna daily Der Standard had recorded 820 postings commenting on a front-page story on the hurricane. In one of the postings, signature "Emerald" asked where money could be donated to the victims, but the question sparked a debate about whether a rich country like the United States needed such aid.
And the kooks, of course, are saying that America deserved to get hit.
The sympathy was muted in some corners by a sense that the United States reaped what it sowed, since the country is seen as the main contributor to global warming.
Joern Ehlers, a spokesman for World Wildlife Fund Germany, said global warming had increased the intensity of hurricanes.
"The Americans have a big impact on the greenhouse effect," Ehlers said.
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