Indonesia Needs Help! WHERE is the PRESIDENT?

[Stephanie]

I can't believe they even have to ask for help. And I can't believe this number - can it be accurate?

WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT? It's INEXPLICABLE that he would be vacationing at this time.


_____________________

Indonesia Needs Help, Death Toll Expected To Exceed 400,000
December 30, 2004 22:50 PM


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The death toll in Acheh, the region worst hit by last Sunday's tsunami, may exceed 400,000 as many affected areas could still not be reached for search and rescue operations, Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia Drs H. Rusdihardjo said Thursday.

He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".

He said the latest death toll of more than 40,000 in Acheh and northern Sumatera did not take into account the figures from the other areas, especially in the west of the region.

******

"Looking at the scale of destruction, it's difficult to say when the search and rescue operations can be mounted in all affected areas," he said.

He said rescue efforts were hampered by transportation difficulties and lack of fuel.

Rusdihardjo said that at this time international help, especially in the form of medicines, clean water, food and clothing, were desperately needed by Indonesia to aid survivors in Acheh.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=111574

_________________________

[mark414]

1. he's in crawford

clearing brush and riding his bike

gotta admire that steadfast leadership...

[AwakeAtLast]

5. It's such hard work!

;)

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. Bass fishing.

"Now watch this cast!"

[madinmaryland]

12. He's negotiating with himself.

Assuming he has gotten up after his hangover.

[Solly Mack]

2. He doesn't understand that making an appearance during a time of crisis

is what leaders do....recall September 11th? Wasn't exactly rushing back to DC was he?

[Stephanie]

18. Kofi Anan cut short his vacation to deal with the crisis

It's just mind-numbing that George Bush does not return to Washington to oversee events during the WORST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS WE HAVE EVER SEEN. He is BIKING, RELAXING, and STROLLING on his ranch. It's just appalling.

[Solly Mack]

20. He doesn't care...it's that simple. We all struggle trying to grasp

the concept of someone not caring....but then we all have a heart and a conscience. He has no clue how to be a leader.


The man is crass, vulgar, and ill-bred. And those are the least of his bad qualities...

[Be Brave]

3. Oy, he's no flip-flopper.

He sticks to his guns when it comes to his vacation. :grr:

[Eurobabe]

4. He's too busy stategerizing

[Cooley Hurd]

6. THEY NEED to scale back the Inaugural!!!!

Make it a simple ceremony on the south lawn of the WH, just like FDR did in 1945 (during WW2). I've heard that the cost of this year's inaugural is exceeding $40 mil! Take that money and help these people!!!

Fuck! Shit! This just HAS to be done!!!!:grr:

[oneold1-4u]

9. Better yet!

Since is seems appropriate to handle great statesmanship by phone, let do the inaugural the same way or maybe closed circuit TV! That could certainly be done a minimal cost and millions set aside for the next great catastrophe!

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Stephanie]

10. Nearly half a million dead and you're worried about who'll foot the bill?

We are two separate species, Red and Blue. I pity you.

[MsTryska]

11. This is a good point, actually.

How are the muslim countries stepping in to help their fellow muslims.


as it is Saudi Arabia own's the US. So what's Daddy Warbucks doing?

[Stephanie]

15. well, you could just look it up

Major western and other wealthy governments have pledged already a total of more than 400 million dollars, most if not all of it for immediate emergency relief, according to an AFP list based on figures provided by the governments.

Other leading government contributors were Japan at 40 million dollars (including around 10 million dollars to support NGO work), the Netherlands at 36 million dollars, Canada at 32.8 million dollars, Germany at 27 million dollars, Australia at 27 million dollars, Portugal at 11 million dollars, Saudi Arabia at 10 million dollars, and Arab Gulf neighbor of Qatar at 10 million dollars.

The French government pledged 22 million euros, including its portion of the European Union aid program, which amounted to 20 million euros. The British government pledge excluded its contribution to the EU.

On Thursday, the French government then said it was ready to provide 20 million more euros to prevent epidemics.

Smaller contributions from 15 other countries, most of them European nations but also China, Iran and Kuwait amounted to more than 25 million dollars, according to figures compiled by AFP.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/124964/1/.html

[Solly Mack]

13. So? Is the standard of measure for America's behavior

determined by the countries in the Middle East?

Just because they might not help somehow changes that WE SHOULD help?

I don't think so.

So what if we end up footing a good deal of the bill? Better spent there than wasted on Halliburton in Iraq, or on the morons anointing.

[sandnsea]

14. FYI

"Saudi Arabia at 10 million dollars, and Arab Gulf neighbor of Qatar at 10 million dollars."

"Smaller contributions from 15 other countries, most of them European nations but also China, Iran and Kuwait amounted to more than 25 million dollars, according to figures compiled by AFP.

The worldwide drive involves also smaller non-government organizations, ethnic Indian and Sri Lankan communities overseas, corporations, professional associations and religious institutions."

http://www.turkishpress.com/world/news.asp?id=041230183636.soio214u.xml

Gotta' love those Christian values though, fearing that the white folk will have to foot the bill when the truth is the white folk won't even notice the pittance that's gone.

[bobbyboucher]

16. Don't be dumb, they are corrupt fools just like Bush.

Do you really think they came by that wealth honestly? Do you really think that they give a fuck about anything but themselves? They are just as corrupt, if not more than the Bushistas. Actually, they are partners.

So quit with the "distraction" posts, lamely attempting to lump Bush in with the Europeans, who DO give and shit, and paint him as something other than what he is, a worthless, pathetic, arrogant charlatan.

WAKE UP!

[Jo March]

17. Who cares what religion they are??? WTF kind of statement is

that? These are human beings! They are suffering and you want to bring up their religion?! Is that the "test" for getting aid? We only help Christians and let the others rot in the sun and bacteria-laden water??

WTF?

One third of the dead are CHILDREN and you are worried about the bill???

[Bridget Burke]

21. Saudi Arabia & Qatar are giving $10 million each....

Japan is giving $40 million (they aren't "European"); China, Iran & Kuwait were also mentioned. Amounts of aid are not final yet. I'm sure you can find more information if you wish.

www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?cg=BreakingNews-InternationalNews&ao=177243

Also at that link: Meanwhile, Bush said Australia, India, Japan and the US will form a "core group" to deal with the crisis, raising the question as to whether Washington is taking over a traditional UN role.

US officials insisted the initiative does not conflict with the job of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which is charged with overseeing global, multipronged relief operations.

So, apparently Bush's people have found a way to use this tragedy to gain power.

[miss_kitty]

25. right

this is the time to worry about someone's religious beliefs before jumping in to help.

[Skidmore]

19. What effin' President? As far as I'm concerned, we don't

have one and haven't had one for the past 4 years.

[Streetdoc270]

22. Indenosia need REAL help

Let the appointed idiot stay in Crawford and out of the way.... The last thing that I would want if my house was washed off the face of the earth would be Bushie Boy using me as a photo op!

[Stephanie]

23. Not to go there - it's just incredible that he remains on VACATION

And that his staff announces that he is biking and strolling and clearing brush during the worst humanitarian disaster in our memory. It is astounding and callous and despicable. He should end his vacation and return to Washington and act like the freaking leader he claims to be. Why should the Indonesian ambassador say that they don't have enough FUEL for the rescue efforts???? George Bush should return to his OFFICE and make sure they get the freaking FUEL. It's horrific. It's such a blatant, indecent display of inhumanity that the sociopath diagnosis is no longer just a guess. He is a sick, sick man and it is mortifying, mortifying, that he presumes to represent my country.

[donheld]

24. "America Needs Help! WHERE is the PRESIDENT?"

Since when does * care if someone needs help, unless it's Kenny boy.

[Karenina]

26. PRESIDENT???? BWHAHAHAHA!!!

A dimwitted *dauphin claims the title, showing off the WORST qualities of Amurikkka.

[Stephanie]

27. He should get his ass out of Crawford and show up for work

I don't care about his legitimacy right now, he in office, and it is incomprehensible to me that he remains ON VACATION during this epic disaster. It's a great big fuck you to the entire world. He cannot shorten his VACATION to attend to the needs of the 5 MILLION people whose lives depend on getting immediate assistance of food, water and shelter rigt NOW, that the U.S. could lead the way to provide if only we had some leadership in this country. It's horrible, it's disgusting, I'm heartbroken, I'm watching the news, I just can't believe it. Step up to the plate, George Bush, or turn in your badge.

[Karenina]

28. The badge will have to be

forcibly wrested from him and his *crony enablers

[Stephanie]

30. Well maybe this will do it

This is the most blatant example of their incompetence and their pure misanthropy that we have ever seen. May Bush & cronies rot in hell. It's just appalling.

[madison2000]

29. He's a Republican

Those people aren't my problem. Let them pull themselves up by their soggy bootstraps!

Whaddaya lookin' at me fer?

:dunce: :dunce: :dunce:

[Tinoire]

31. He explained this during the debates. Refresh your memories

Windows Media Version:
http://video.buzzflash.com/04/10/ItsHardWork.wmv

Quicktime version: http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/04/10/con04418.html

What a little shit.

[Stephanie]

33. I've missed you Tinoire

Where've you been?

[Tinoire]

35. Hi Stephanie!

It's a treat to see you still here! Had to take a break... Moved... Changed jobs... Separated my real persona from my internet persona... And I seized that time to recalibrate a little.


That is so kind of you to say. You have no idea.

I feel like I'm home again because I missed you and many other posters too. It's good to be back!

:hi:

On edit: And it's GREAT to see this thread. I was just talking to a friend who is regrettably not as on top of the news as we are and who thinks Bush is doing a swell job with this and why are people like me criticizing him. I sent him a link to your thread. Thought it would provide a few answers ;)

[Stephanie]

37. Sounds intense

I'm very glad to see you.

I have many threads like this one, I'm afraid. It's just appalling.

[Tinoire]

39. It's appalling indeed. I couldn't even go to work yesterday

Had to call in "sick" because of how this affected me. Just the latest in a series of catastrophes for us.

And tonight... I just canceled out of a party. The heart is simply not in it.

5 years ago, did you ever believe we would be living such a nightmare today? This is not how I saw our future :(

I have a thread here you, of all people, will appreciate

The Power of Nightmares / BBC exposes the American NeoCons

If you have time, read watch that and let me know what you think. It will fit in quite well with your PNAC library!

[Stephanie]

41. I already read it - hard for me to watch video online

but I will look at the transcript and post the link to PNAC Archives, which have been sorely neglected. It seems the neocons have won! Unbelievable! I thought they'd all be in jail by now!

[Tinoire]

44. Me too. It's all backwards. I feel like we're living Dante's 7th circle.

Dante's Republican Circle 7, Canto 12, Round 1

Violence against neighbors and fellow men: murderers, war makers, homicides

Submerged in hot blood

Guarded by centaurs, who shoot any soul which attempts to rise

[kohodog]

32. Do you really think Bush wants to help a Muslim Country? n/t

[hollowdweller]

34. Helping them would do more than invading Iraq to stop terror

Clinton would have been over there in a heartbeat allowing US military to be seen helping.

[Stephanie]

36. That's right! There should have been a massive, immediate response

I just can't believe this little fucker remains on vacation.

[Tinoire]

38. Clinton,

despite some of his deplorable contributions (such as WTO) was a leader. A true leader.

I have no doubts he, and others, called that little sh*t up and told him to get his a** on TV and do some damage control because he was endangering our leadership position and giving it the kiss of death.

So what does Georgie do after Clinton embarrasses his ass and speaks for us to diminish our shame? Georgie-boy gets on international TV, promises an additional $20 in the form of a LOAN, and says he's leading yet another "COALITION" to lead the effort of re-building. In other words, Halliburton to the rescue because there's a $250Million honeypot Yep, Georgie, you make me proud to be an American. Yeee-haw!

Though... I suppose I should be more charitable. Not everyone is intellectually up to the task

[omulcol]

40. Stephanie ... he's

been on the phone talking to Blair for the last three days. :eyes:

[Stephanie]

42. No reports of him talking to Blair, but he did pose for this phone shot -

in his padded suit >



Bush is seen speaking with the President of Sri Lanka on Wednesday from the Bush ranch near Crawford, Texas.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/041230/photos_pl/mdf807096

[ignatius 2]

43. I heard he was re-reading my pet goat looking for inspiration as

to what to do next.

[Stephanie]

45. It's exactly the same as then. He's indifferent to human suffering.

http://anderson.ath.cx:8000/911/pics/bookerclassroom.jpg
9/11/01



12/26/04