Where is our aid?

[Catez]

Here is a list of foreign countries offering aid for Katrina, and the US State Dept.'s response:
http://allthings2all.blogspot.com/20...-offering.html

[DGB454]

Originally Posted by Catez

Here is a list of foreign countries offering aid for Katrina, and the US State Dept.'s response:
http://allthings2all.blogspot.com/20...-offering.html

Catez,

Thank you for the link. It took a newb to the boards to find it. Welcome aboard.

[Heep]

Originally Posted by DGB454

Why not?

I already explained why - it was stupid of them to build a city there. Just like it's stupid to settle in the desert, or on unstable rock. If build my house on railroad tracks and it gets destroyed by a train, I don't deserve your help.

I wasn't trying to say others shouldn't help - in fact I'm thrilled that they are helping - but they are helping through their own compassion and generousity rather than obligation.

Any idea who they are and how much they offered? I don't expect the poor countries to help.

I looked but couldn't find the info, I just trusted Tex when he said that was the case.

But they condemn us when we are seen as not giving enough or not giving quickly enough. Isn't that like looking a gift hourse in the mouth? Or biteing the hand that is feeding you?

Two wrongs don't make a right! I in no way want to imply I support the actions and demands of others - but getting upset about others' generousity (or lack thereof) reduces you to their level. We both know you're better than that.

[Ace$nyper]

more on some of the aid
PARIS (Reuters) - Europe will tap emergency stocks of gasoline to help the United States through an energy crisis triggered after Hurricane Katrina smashed into Gulf Coast refiners, EU governments said on Friday.

The West's energy watchdog, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that its members would release two million barrels per day (bpd) of oil over an initial period of 30 days.

About half that will be gasoline from European refiners including Germany, France, Spain, Britain and Italy plus Canada, matching output lost from the Gulf Coast's battered refineries. The remainder will be crude from U.S. state reserves.

Gasoline prices have soared by nearly a fifth over the past week and President George W. Bush has urged Americans to go easy on fuel.



Unlike European nations, the United States holds no state reserves of gasoline, having focused its strategic energy efforts on building huge stocks of crude in case of disruption from the Middle East.

"It's self-evident that we support the American bid," German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told a news conference in Berlin.

France echoed Schroeder's remarks: "This request is consistent with efforts for solidarity with the American people," the Industry Ministry said in a statement.

But Europe's pledge of gasoline may carry a political price for Washington. Differences over trade and foreign policy have strained relations between the United States and some EU member states including Germany and France.

Speaking at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Wales, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said: "Whatever the United States asks for they will be given."

Crude oil prices have hit levels not seen in real terms since 1980 -- the year of the Iran-Iraq war and a year after the Iranian revolution that choked off supply lines.

Prices eased on Friday on news that Europe was riding to the aid of the United States.

But European oil will take at least 10 days to reach U.S. shores and tanker space is in short supply with many commercial ships already under charter and crossing the Atlantic.

EU members have substantial emergency reserves. France expects to provide about 92,000 barrels per day of gasoline, Britain would offer 73,000 bpd while Spain said would release 70,000 bpd.

The IEA last released emergency reserves in 1991 when a U.S.-led coalition ejected Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

The agency, created after the 1973-74 oil crisis to protect consumers, requires member countries hold stocks of at least 90 days of net imports.

[DGB454]

Well hopefully this will be the beginning of a stronger relationship with some of the other European Union States that have been strained lately. It is kind of nice to humble ourselves for a change and hold out our hand for help rather than holding it out to give help. Maybe that's what we have been needing for a while.

[MagicRat]

Canada is sending 4 military ships, 1000 troops and personnel, 91,000 barrels of oil per day, and hundreds of civillian staff, food, equipment, engineers, construction materials, and, as our Prime Minister says, anything else that is needed and for as long as it takes.

This is nice to see because the US and Canada have had the odd trade dispute (softwood lumber, beef) and foreign relations dispute, (missile defence, Iraq) dispite the fact Canada and the US are each others most important trading partners.

So its nice, in one way, to see some relations mended through adversity.

However, I did find this:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/8/31/235829/261

[T4 Primera]

I thought this picture was quite poignant

[twospirits]

Originally Posted by Heep

I already explained why - it was stupid of them to build a city there. Just like it's stupid to settle in the desert, or on unstable rock. If build my house on railroad tracks and it gets destroyed by a train, I don't deserve your help.

If anyone builds a house on railroad tracks while its still in operation, then they are more stupid than one is led to believe. Seriously how can you use those examples for comparisons. History has shown that when poeple settle in a land they do not settle in a dry arrid dessert land, but rather in a furtile one. It is through time and climate changes that the land becomes dry and almost unsuitable. But by this point there are too many people in the area.

As for NOLA, the city was settled at its location due to the river and the notion that all commerce would eventually lead to and from the mouth of the river. The city itself was actually built on the high ground near the mouth of the Mississippi River, like 12 feet about sea level. It is through time and weather that certain sections that were not as high started to get flooded. Therefore to protect the remaining high ground areas, the levees, water pumps and drainage canals were created to protect the city. The river itself flows towards the gulf and with it brings sediment downstream, thereby filling in the marshes and land areas with each and every flood etc. But when the levees were constructed this natural replenishing was interupted and thus the land started to sink to its natural state. By this time way too many folks were living there and the commerce had already been established and relocating was not an option.

References: A River and Its City

TS out

[FormulaLT1]

Originally Posted by 2strokebloke

I do have friends and family in Mississippi and Louisiana - nobody died, nobody was stupid enough to live someplace located below sea level..

, Did you even bother to read or watch on TV (or maybe look at a map, Hint- New Orleans is in?) about whats happen. Before you posted?

[Muscletang]

The more I'm reading this, and other, threads on this subject I feel pity.

Some of you need to grow the fuck up. I'd hate for you to go through something like this to get the damn message through your simple mind.