Katrina prompts global support for victims

[sabra]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apeurope_story.asp?category=1103&slug=Hurricane%20Katrina%20World%20Ready1

Katrina prompts global support for victims

VIENNA, Austria -- From papal prayers to telegrams from China, the world reacted with an outpouring of compassion Wednesday for the American victims of Hurricane Katrina, even moved to offer aid at the sight of what nature could do to a wealthy and powerful country.

...

Throughout Europe, concerned citizens were keeping a close eye on events as they lamented the loss of life and the damage caused to New Orleans, often described as one of the North America's most "European" cities.

French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent messages of sympathy to U.S. President George W. Bush. Chirac, who has famously quarreled with Bush over the Iraq war, addressed his 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."

[UncleSepp]

1. Recommended. We need to hear, and repeat, this.

There's an ugly thought going around, a cry of "where are the other countries trying to help US?" Well, they're trying. The US may not accept any help, but it's not for lack of offers.

[seriousstan]

9. What offers? Messages of sympathies? What sauce goes with that?

The article stated no offers of assistance. Do you have another link?

[UncleSepp]

11. Yes, I have several, why the smart ass attitude?

Couldn't you have just asked?

Russia Ready to Send Rescuers to Katrina Disaster Area
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/08/31/katrinahelp.shtml

Venezuela offers oil and aid to hurricane-battered US
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2005/08/31/afx2199612.html

Saudi Arabia ready to help US after hurricane
http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2005/08/31/afx2199722.html

Ontario offers aid to U.S. flood victims
http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/toronto/story.html?id=b5c58f42-e812-42ce-8043-20b7ce808153

Editing to add a DU link about Russia offering aid:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1741002

Editing again to add another DU link. This one does not have links to news stories, but also lists Venezuela, Canada, Russia, France, Germany, and Holland as countries having offered aid:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4533438&mesg_id=4533583

[lebkuchen]

2. To a degree

I just came back from a German fest with a Stars and Stripes in hand, showing Germans at my table the front page photo of the catastrophe. We had been drinking w/each other for awhile, so defenses were down, and while they were sympathetic to the situation and had seen it reported on Germany TV, I sensed a degree of "Well, what the hell do you think you did to Iraq?" emanating from them.

We drank "to your health" and moved on.

[IndyOp]

12. This is hard to hear, but very important to know...

I deeply appreciate the compassion extended to residents of LA, MISS, ALA - they deserve it.

A surfeit of 'the world loves America messages' is not the right way to go right now because it is not the truth and because it will pump up the wrong set of powerful people.

:(

[Window]

15. Ouch! The truth hurts

.

[underpants]

3. Got a Fox link?

I am just sure they are repeating this at the top and bottom of the hour.

[AlCzervik]

8. Good one!

:o

[ECH1969]

4. World reacts to the damage wrought by Katrina

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.

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."

http://www.katu.com/stories/79344.html

[growlypants]

5. these Muslim "extremists" are pure scum. I wish only the worst for them

and for every pathetic member of their family.

"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."

GO FUCK YOURSELF. Animals.

[SteppingRazor]

6. They gave it a military rank?!

Bwahahaha! Now that is funny. That's almost as good as the time they held a G.I. Joe doll for ransom.

[fujiyama]

14. Those people certainly are evil

and it irritates me that some people can't realize that those people are a major threat.

[demo dutch]

7. From the Netherlands "It seemed like plans for protection and evacuation

weren't really in place" (Yep isn't that the truth!)

"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."

They should know the entire country is below sealevel and after the flood of 1953, they nation installed massive hydraulic sea walls.

In the US we just wait until thousands die and then maybe we'll do something about it!

[ET Awful]

10. Of course the US Envoy named said that our scientists said that

global warming had nothing to do with storm strength.

Then again . . . aren't those the same scientists who, until a few weeks ago, said that humans did not contribute to global warming?

[Piperay]

13. Chimp and his gang

divert the funds for their own purposes so there is not enough left for things like building up levies here. :-(