Hurricane Katrina – View From Asia

[Wind Dancer]

This article says it all....

-snip-

On Thursday, the whole world watched as buses were shuttling people from the Dome in New Orleans (where almost everything collapsed; from air conditioning to the toilets) to Astrodome in Huston, Texas (where thousands of victims of the hurricane were expected to sleep on the military beds and share just a few toilets originally designed for the athletes). It was hard to avoid asking: is this really the best the US government can do for those who are experiencing severe trauma; for those who lost everything? This is not Aceh but Houston, Texas, the center of the US oil industry and space program, with hundreds of hotels and motels spread all over the area!

In Thailand, dozens of hotels (and private homes) opened their doors to survivors and to the family members (local and foreign) who were searching for their loved ones. Was it lack of solidarity of corporate America that prevented this from happening in the United States? And if it was, why didn't the government force these hotel doors open for refugees - through an emergency decree? Or is this just another proof that private sector and private property is sacred; more sacred than human life? Should it be taken as a warning: that from now on things will become this way?

For several days, there were countless images of the Coast Guard helicopters rescuing residents in the flooded areas from their rooftops and from their damaged homes. Helicopters were dropping baskets, pulling victims on board. Most of those rescued did have home as they lived in the residential areas. In the same time, we were learning that people elsewhere were starving, literally dropping dead in the middle of the streets in the centre of New Orleans.

New Orleans is no doubt a segregated city. While it is surrounded by posh neighborhoods (inhabited mainly by the whites), the city center and several suburbs are homes to minorities. Some people living there are poor; others very poor. Could it be possible that even during the tragedy rescue operations are treating differently rich and poor, black and white? Is there really a lack of helicopters to airlift everyone; to bring them promptly to safety, to give them decent temporary accommodation, private bathrooms and showers?

more

http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2005-09/03vltchek.cfm

[rodeodance]

1. whow==Thailand gets it!

[Wind Dancer]

3. It is heartbreaking.

This paragraph nails the arrogance and hypocrisy of our media and government.

-snip-

Your correspondent went to Thailand and then to Aceh; to cover extend of disaster, almost immediately accusing Indonesian authorities of disorganized, chaotic reaction; of deployment of religious "volunteers" instead of professionals. He accused Indonesian military of sabotaging the aid, of stealing food and water desperately needed for those who managed to survive. In one of his reports he concluded that most of the people in Aceh "died because they were poor": would such a disaster strike in Singapore or in other wealthy nation instead of in Indonesia where tens of millions live in appalling shantytowns, there would be only a fraction of the casualties.

more

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. We are a disgrace to humanity.

I have been ashamed of my country's actions for a long time. I thought I had hit bottom. I see now that I was wrong: each day since Katrina began heading north to Louisiana and Mississippi, my pride in being an American diminishes to record lows.

This isn't just a matter of Bush & Co. This is a matter of simple humanity. I am beginning to realize that we deserve all of the mischief that the current regime has handed out and will continue to hand out. We are just as selfish as they are.

[Raster]

4. Kicked and nominated!!! Please keep this kicked. MUST READ!!!

:kick:

[Briar]

5. The BBC interviewed a single mother

who had evacuated from N.O. and taken a cheap room in an inexpensive hotel for herself and her child. The owner doubled the charge when the hurricane struck, and when she objected, he threw her out. Leaving her homeless with her children.

Obviously protecting property and profit comes before saving lives in Christian America.

[DIKB]

6. And this is what happened

to people who evacuated BEFORE the hurricane. If you evacuated, if you didn't . . . You're FUCKED !!! I feel so Disgusted by this country.

[Wind Dancer]

7. kick

[fortyfeetunder]

8. Just about everyone outside the US has the same idea

--the US response to plight within its borders
--the racism
--the ineptitude of its government

No doubt we'll hear more of the same conclusions from international correspondents.