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Title: My question............ Post by Woobie on Aug 31st, 2005, 11:40pm Have any countries offered help to Katrina victims? I've had the past three days off and have listened to the news non stop. I've heard that germany and britian are just awaiting the call - but nothing about anyone else. im just wonderin |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by TxBasslady on Sep 1st, 2005, 12:34am None, that I've heard of :-/ That's about par....for the course >:( Jean |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by sandie99 on Sep 1st, 2005, 1:16am Those who followed tsunami rescue work, know that Finland has the ability to send help quickly. But the thing is that when our own people are not involved, we need to be asked. So far I haven't heard our news mentioning anything about Finland sending help, the media speculating whether our help is needed nor if the USA will ask our assistance. Actually, when I listen to the correspondent this morning from YLE news (our BBC), he said that the rescuing operations are going "well but slowly". To those who only follow TV news one gets the idea that there's much to be done, but that the USA has things going on nicely - and others are not needed. Interesting, isn't it? Thank God for the internet access and BBCworld... |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by LeLimey on Sep 1st, 2005, 4:04am Funnily enough before I got online this morning I was really pissed off because I felt enough hadn't been done so I rang the Labour Party Headquarters in London (well where else?!! LOL) and asked them on behalf of viewers in the Midlands exactly what we were doing to help our allies in the US and the victims of Hurricane Katrina. If by my phrasing they thought I was calling from the local TV station that's their problem, they didn't ask me to clarify either. The answer I got was that help had been offered but that until the US had a chance to assess the situation fully to see exactly what was needed we were on standby. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Woobie on Sep 1st, 2005, 5:27am Yeah - that's what the news said... that Britain and Germany were ready and waiting for the US to say it needs help. Will the US say it needs help? I dont know.. I certainly hope he-in-the-white-house isn't too proud to ask. :-/ |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by don on Sep 1st, 2005, 6:33am Where are the Saudis? You know. That oil and cash rich country we saved a few years back. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by maffumatt on Sep 1st, 2005, 6:45am The US must ask for assistance before recieveing it. Germany and the UK have offered. Venezuela and Saudia Arabia have offered oil. Only thing about the oil is that the only facility to unload super tankers was in New Orleans. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Bethany1 on Sep 1st, 2005, 6:53am Did anyone see the president speak yesterday? Boy was that a rally. NOT. We need to focus on rebulding, and its going to take........ years. How about saying we are doing all we can, we have helicopters, national guard, we will get through this because we are Americans! How about talking about a plan? What about all of the people in desperate need of help? How can YOU/WE help? Etc...... Step up to the plate Mr. President, the country is looking to you as a leader. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Frank_W on Sep 1st, 2005, 7:04am I found this interesting... 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. 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. Venezuela's government, which has had tense relations with Washington, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid. Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz also called President Bush to offer assistance. The minister of petroleum and mineral resources said Monday that Saudi Arabia is ready to immediately increase its crude oil production to replace any market shortages and help stabilize world crude prices. 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. 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. In response, one posting, from signature "far out," argued that hurricane victims who are poor still needed support. A spokeswoman for the Canadian Red Cross said lists of volunteers experienced in large-scale disasters were being assembled. Amid the sympathy, however, there was criticism. As U.S. military engineers struggled to shore up breached levees, experts in the Netherlands expressed surprise that New Orleans' flood systems failed to restrain the raging waters. With half of the country's population of 16 million living below sea level, the Netherlands prepared for a "perfect storm" soon after floods in 1953 killed 2,000 people. The nation installed massive hydraulic sea walls. "I don't want to sound overly critical, but it's hard to imagine that (the damage caused by Katrina) could happen in a Western country," said Ted Sluijter, spokesman for the park where the sea walls are exhibited. "It seemed like plans for protection and evacuation weren't really in place, and once it happened, the coordination was on loose hinges." 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. But Harlan L. Watson, the U.S. envoy for negotiations on climate change, denied any link between global warming and the strength of storms. "Our scientists are telling us right now that there's not a linkage," he said in Geneva. "I'll rely on their information." |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Frank_W on Sep 1st, 2005, 8:15am Looks like corporate America is stepping up, too: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168106,00.html Companies Give Millions To Katrina Relief Efforts (September 01, 2005; Associated Press) INDIANAPOLIS — Pharmaceutical companies rounded up much-needed medicine, water suppliers loaded trucks with thirst-quenching cargo and companies from petroleum giants to beer makers pitched in millions in cash and products Wednesday to help communities battered by Hurricane Katrina. The efforts to collect money and goods to help the Gulf Coast rebuild gathered momentum Wednesday as officials continued assessing the damage from one of the nation's worst natural disasters. American Red Cross (search) spokeswoman Sarah Marchetti said at least 30 companies had made donations by Wednesday morning, and the number was expected to climb. "They've been pouring in," she said. In Indianapolis, drug maker Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) prepared to send 40,000 vials of refrigerated insulin to patients in the Southeast, along with at least $1 million in cash to the American Red Cross. "We're poised to ship as soon as we get the OK," Lilly spokesman Edward Sagebiel said. Drug maker Wyeth (WYE) of Madison, N.J., planned to donate antibiotics and nonprescription pain relievers, health care giant Johnson & Johnson provided $250,000 worth of kits containing toothbrushes, soap and shampoo, as well as pallets of pain relievers and wound care supplies. Drug maker Merck & Co. (MRK) planned to send antibiotics and hepatitis A vaccines to protect those facing contaminated waters. "Our commitment is open-ended," said Merck spokeswoman Janet Skidmore. Illinois-based pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories Inc. is giving $2 million cash and at least $2 million in nutritional and medical products. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (search) said initial corporate donations to the relief efforts could total more than $100 million. Hank Goldstein, chairman of Giving USA (search) in Glenview, Ill., said individual and corporate donations combined could reach $1 billion. But he predicted the corporate relief effort would be smaller than those recorded after the 2001 terrorist attacks and the tsunami that ravaged Asia in December. "This kind of money comes quick and comes early and then falls off fast after that," Goldstein said. "It will abate along with the water." Donations Wednesday already had reached well into the millions and included $5 million from Chevron Corp., $3 million each from JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup, $2 million from Pfizer and $1 million from insurer State Farm. The Walt Disney Co. contributed $2.5 million, $1 million of which will go to the American Red Cross and the rest for rebuilding efforts and volunteer centers helping affected communities. The contributions also included 50 trucks donated by Nissan North America to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, more than 825,000 cans of water supplied by Anheuser-Busch (BUD) in St. Louis and 3,000 walkie talkie-type phones for emergency personnel from Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) Kellogg Co. (K) of Battle Creek, Mich., sent seven truckloads of crackers and cookies to hard-hit areas. General Motors Corp. (GM) also planned to donate 25 cars and trucks to the Red Cross. Qwest Communications International Inc. will send 2,000 long-distance calling cards so those affected could call loved ones, said spokesman Michael Dunne. He said Denver-based Qwest also has given the Red Cross $230,000 to help train responders. Home improvement companies Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW) pledged cash and manpower, while Culligan International of Northbrook, Ill., sent five truckloads of water to residents in Alabama and Mississippi. The water, part of a larger, 28-truck convoy organized by the Missouri-based Convoy of Hope, was traveling at 10 mph through Mississippi. "It's very treacherous," said Mike Ennis, director of strategic initiatives at Convoy of Hope. Office Depot (ODP) of Delray Beach, Fla., donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief efforts. Officials announced Wednesday the company also would give the contents of its five New Orleans stores, valued at $4 million, to New Orleans officials to use as they recover from Hurricane Katrina. Spokesman Brian Levine said the contents include items such as printers, paper, cartridges, pens and notebooks. What might be available and its condition were unclear. City officials on Wednesday commandeered equipment from a looted Office Depot. During a state of emergency, authorities have broad powers to take private supplies and buildings for their use. But Levine couldn't say what condition the items might be in given the flooding that has ravaged the city. "I couldn't tell you if it's completely flooded, a little flooded, or not," he said. "Our position is we're donating the contents of the entire store." |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Jill on Sep 1st, 2005, 8:27am Doesnt make sense to me either - we are always there, willing and able but when we need help - where is everyone? Bush did an interview on the news this morning and evidently no one has really offered to help. He said that they are probably sending money but that was all;... He also said that any help that others could offer would be great but, if none came, the US could do this and would be stronger than before... Kinda sad that we have to ask for help, isnt it obvious that we need some... maybe they just think that we are stronger and dont need it.. who knows. Jill |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Melissa on Sep 1st, 2005, 8:38am What the President said... Quote:
IMHO, this is totally seperate from donations from other countries private citizens... gotten from here:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050901/ts_nm/weather_bush_dc_2;_ylt=Ake8O1s7zUawjv6_XEMG8ylH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTA2ZGZwam4yBHNlYwNmYw-- |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by ghost62 on Sep 1st, 2005, 8:57am Why wait for us to ask? when other countries have a major disaster we go and then ask while enroute. We have been turned away before but we still went and stood by waiting for the ok to assist. So where are the other Nations? Waiting at there ports for the ok to even start deploying. Its not the public of those nations they are donating and trying to help however they can it is the governments they are sitting on there thumbs waiting for us to beg. aint gonna happen, they can keep there ships and troops at home like most of them do anyway. Sorry had to vent a little, but find it kind of disturbing that the US responds to every major disaster around the world and we get NO response to help us. Even the Governments that respond automatically like the US does to other Nations in need will not for us. We have to beg for there help, well we have the recources and the drive to do it ourselves, we would accept help if the arrived but I will be Da**ed if we beg for it! |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Frank_W on Sep 1st, 2005, 9:02am Are people not reading the article I posted? Several countries have offered their help in very tangible ways. Right now, as the damage is sorted out, we'll have a better picture of what is needed. Thanks to all of the nations, businesses, and citizens who have donated their time, money, and resources. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by ghost62 on Sep 1st, 2005, 9:18am Yes Frank and I agree they are helping but my point is when other countries have a major disaster we go and then ask while enroute. We have been turned away before but we still went and stood by waiting for the ok to assist. So where are the other Nations? Waiting at there ports for the ok to even start deploying. the US responds to every major disaster around the world and we get NO response to help us. Even the Governments that respond automatically like the US does to other Nations in need will not for us. By that get people and equipt they know that will be needed even if it a few ships capable of med assistance to the caost for support like we have done every time even when we get turned away we send them anyway. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by clarence on Sep 1st, 2005, 9:35am on 09/01/05 at 09:02:16, Frank_W wrote:
I read it! Thanks Frank. I thought the first article you posted was very good. And why shouldn't countries wait until asked? What if they send stuff we don't need? If everybody just sent people and supplies at will, there would be confusion and no coordination, and it would probably be worse than sending nothing at all. That, and, correct me if I am wrong, a country need permission to send in groups to help from the host country. You can't just send people into a country without permission. Anyway, I find it fantastic that the world is willing to help, and that the US, despite our unpopularity in much of the world, draws support from the world when it comes to a humanitarian crisis. It gives me hope that even in the divide over foreign policy in Iraq and the middle east, everyone still recognizes the value of human life. It does bother me that: Quote:
and Quote:
This is comparable to the dispicable statements attributed to religious "leaders" (not my religious leaders), Falwell and Robertson after the September 11th attacks, that the attacks were God's punishment for the US tolerating immorality, or whatever. I don't see anybody attacking these viewpoints like they did Falwell and Robertson. Like vig says, there are extremist wackos on all sides of the fence - "Christian", "Muslim", and "Environmental." Casey |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Melissa on Sep 1st, 2005, 9:39am Read this opinion by someone on another website, and there is so much truth to it... Quote:
THAT is America ! :'( |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Margi on Sep 1st, 2005, 10:16am We're being told that Canada is helping.... http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/08/31/Canadian_relief_Katrina20050831.html our government does nothing quickly, however. ::) I did see a report yesterday that we are sending our clean water teams there to help. These are the guys that helped in Sri Lanka to make potable water. Please know that our prayers are with you all through this devastation. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Frank_W on Sep 1st, 2005, 10:18am Yep. Thank you, Canada. You were among the very first to offer your assistance. :) |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by sandie99 on Sep 1st, 2005, 11:34am I just watched the 7pm news. Finland's Red Cross is ready to help as soon as USA asks for help. So you'll get help from us! But wheather anyone will ask for our assistance... that's another matter. BTW, my mum is a voluteer at Finland's Red Cross. When the RC starts to raise money for some cause, she'll be on the street collecting money. Sanna |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Opus on Sep 1st, 2005, 11:51am It looks to me that our greatest need right now is rescue helicopters. Since they will have to be brought in by ship that would probably make them come to late. The Hospitals and the prisons still need to be evacuated. Unfortunately most of these buildings cannot handle a military Helicopter landing on them so the rescue will be slow. Now that a national guardsman was shot (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4205074.stm) things may change soon. The hurricane debris under the water will make boats almost useless. Looks to me like martial law needs to declared and the Marines brought in to enforce the peace. That would mean, any violence will be meet with violence and there could be military casualties, along with many dead criminals. I'm sure that drops of food and water on the larger building are not being done until the criminals are contained. Seeing such a drop will attract many people with guns. It is just hard to believe that people act so horribly, I wonder if they actually think they will leave with the stuff they looted? When they down the first helicopter all hell is going to break loose. Opus/Paul |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Jill on Sep 1st, 2005, 12:25pm Quote:
Someone shot at one of the helicopters last night and they had to stop moving people.. that is real sad. Is it panic or stupidity that make people act this way? Taking food, water, formula is one thing but sneaks? What are they thinking? Is the time that we ask these countries for help - for food and water for these people if anything. What else can they do though? Our rescue people that are there are not able to perform rescues, they have some on hold right now, for safety reasons.. I can see why we have to ask for help and the time will come.. For now, atleast we know that they have our back... Jill |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Karla on Sep 1st, 2005, 1:03pm I read that the Swiss had a major flood a month or so ago and are wanting to send aid to us and are asking how to do so and what can they do to help. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Ree on Sep 1st, 2005, 1:30pm on 09/01/05 at 06:45:05, maffumatt wrote:
and el presidente would rather die than ask for help... he is probably a guy that wouldnt ask for directions either... I don't like how slow the relief is arriving. I would also like to know what he is going to do about our gas situation... Rumors have it that it will go to 5$ by the end of the weekend. Don't know about you guys but our well is dry.....I'm starting to rack up charge cards again buying gas... This country is so screwed... we still havent gotten over 911 and where was the help of other countries with that one.... JUS MHO... i know shut up ree |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Margi on Sep 1st, 2005, 2:14pm on 09/01/05 at 13:30:15, Ree wrote:
I listen to a talk radio show at lunch and I just heard that Canada is loading a ship with relief supplies in the Halifax harbour and it will be set to sail a.s.a.p. but it is waiting on direction from your government. Apparently, we've been told that the States has everything they need right now and to hold off on sending relief. I think we should just go anyway. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Frank_W on Sep 1st, 2005, 2:19pm It's such a mess right now, I think they're going to have to get some of it cleaned up before they can accurately assess what's needed. |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Melissa on Sep 1st, 2005, 2:28pm on 09/01/05 at 14:14:20, Margi wrote:
This sounds so much like us Margi!! We don't listen to nobody when it comes to sending aid, whether they say they need it or not! LOL! Who woulda thunk the shoe would be on the other foot? And honestly, I think it's really hard for a country like ourselves, to ask help from others, especially when we're the one usually doing the helping... :-/ You would think we COULD help ourselves! I wonder if we really can?? |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by TomM on Sep 1st, 2005, 2:54pm The law firm for whom I work www.finnegan.com just donated $25,000 to two organizations working directly with people affected by the hurricane, CharityHospital in New Orleans and the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. TomM |
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Title: Re: My question............ Post by Frank_W on Sep 1st, 2005, 3:03pm [smiley=headbanger.gif] WTG, Tom! :) |
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