Europe Offers U.S. Hurricane Assistance

[BigBearJohn]

"There should not be an assumption that because America is the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, this isn't a major challenge and a major crisis," Australian Prime Minister John Howard told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050902/ap_on_re_eu/katrina_europe&printer=1

The French daily Liberation described the scenes of devastation as a cruel spectacle for President Bush, "the champion of security." Criticizing the disorder in the evacuation of hospitals, the editorial called Hurricane Katrina a "natural disaster with political implications." Terror mastermind Osama bin Laden "must be dying of laughter," it said.

In Italy, several newspapers said mounting criticism of Bush's handling of the relief effort was damaging his credibility. And Germany's Die Tageszeitung said the world was "seeing scenes otherwise only known in African capitals. The forces of order are absent. Anarchy and chaos reign. Supermarkets are plundered, helicopters shot at."

Spurred by images of people huddled on curbs begging for clean water and chaotic rescue efforts from rooftops, Europe also offered brainpower — specialists in coordinating disaster relief, experts in rebuilding devastated communities and rescue workers familiar with risky maneuvers.

Italy offered two military transport planes loaded with pumps, generators, amphibious crafts and tents. Germany pledged medical supplies. France dispatched rescue workers to determine what it could offer. NATO pledged its help, too.

In the Balkans, where the U.S. military has been deployed to keep the peace following a decade of conflict, offers were steeped in gratitude. A Bosnian television station offered to raise money. In Kosovo, a civil emergency unit made up of former ethnic Albanian rebels offered to send a team to help rebuild.

[tocqueville]

1. You cannot imagine the impact it has here...

three reactions :

- horror over the destruction and suffering
- the political implications of Americas vulnerability
- anger over the fact that Bush is not permitting help to be dispatched

[tom_paine]

2. Be happy you are in what remains of the Free World

We here are in Imperial Amerika. Whatever New Beast it is becoming, it sure isn't the Free World.

We here behind the Televised Curtain of Lies that is Imperial Amerika, look to Europe to keep freedom's dimly flickering flame, alive.

Imperial Amerika is no more or less vulnerable than any other Third-World Nation with a corrupt autocracy and a citizenry ready to lick the Tyrant's Boot.

[CountAllVotes]

3. what they see now

Well now, the whole world can see the reality that we all see in America on any given day at a much smaller magnitude. Maybe they can now perhaps understand our rage.

:dem: :kick:

[Luna_Chick]

4. This does restore some of my faith in humankind

Especially when * and his cronies have basically given the finger so many times to the international community over the Iraq occupation. The international community is offering to help these suffering souls down south while our own government is now giving US the finger.