Aid offers pour in from around the globe (Bush rejects it)

[sonicx]

WASHINGTON - In a dramatic turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.

snip

However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid.

snip

Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said.

snip

Still, Bush told ABC-TV: “I’m not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn’t asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country’s going to rise up and take care of it.”

“You know,” he said, “we would love help, but we’re going to take care of our own business as well, and there’s no doubt in my mind we’ll succeed. And there’s no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city.”

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9161198/

[Blue Adept]

1. Just put us out of our misery

Yeesh. I'd officially like to request that Canada annex New England so some of us can get out of here quickly.

[LisaM]

5. Can they take Washingotn and Michigan, too?

Please?

[sonicx]

10. and Illinois

they are our buddies too.

[Debi]

14. If they'll take Illionis why not Iowa as well? n/t

[Massacure]

37. And Wisconsin!

[Carolab]

85. Don't forget Minnesota.

We're very blue here.

[snappyturtle]

96. Very blue.....

Minnesota had the largest voter turnout in the 2004 election! Oh Canada...da da da da dee da! I'm going to write the embassies of some of the above countries that offerred help and thank them. Who doesn't accept help from friends? Diplomacy is definitely, once again, not one of *'s strengths. He seems to have no trouble snubbing the world......I wish he'd ask U.S. citizens what we would like.

[Iowa]

121. I'm definitely in favor of that!

[iNViSiGOD]

59. Amen to that

.....Im from Northern Illinois.

[Greylyn58]

101. And North Carolina

I'm sick of Bush*. I'm sick of all the stupid people he has placed in positions of importance because they kissed his ass--Chertoff of Homeland Security, Brown of FEMA...all of them.

They need to go.

[Buns_of_Fire]

209. Hey, if they annex North Carolina they'll have to take Virginia, too!

Otherwise, there'd be a gap in the boundaries, and we can't have that! So, just give us the word, and we'll start exporting our less-desirable citizens (read: republicans) to some appropriate place. Iraq comes to mind.

[NEOBuckeye]

139. Don't forget Ohio!

The Blue Counties, anyway. Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, and inner-city Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati make up the Archipelago of Sanity in this state. We'll save ourselves from the madness of the Bushistas, even if the rest of the state would rather go to pot.

[Kukesa]

164. Whew! I live in Montrgomery Co. n/t

[HughBeaumont]

224. True DAT money.

Don't leave us in Cuyahoga, Lorain, and other saner counties behind to perish in flames with this Fuhrer!

[SammyBlue]

154. Can Mexico please take back my home of Arizona?

Please. . .please. I am bilingual, unlike our president who's bi-ignorant.

[LibertyLover]

220. Maryland

Oh please don't let them forget Maryland. I'll even promise to end every sentence with "eh".

[Imagevision]

225. Once again this so-called Prez drops the ball

[Trevelyan]

234. Please write to Senators Mikulski and Sarbanes to co-sponsor

the Resolution of Inquiry, the beginning of Impeachment. I think the deadline for their co-sponsorship not just signing Rep. Conyers letter is Sept.15. Please go to afterdowningstreet.org to easily send message to Congresspersons, Van Hollen has signed letter don't know if he is still co-sponsor.

We have to start moving to get the bush thugs out of office and the ones who have co-sponsored are extremely courageous given the proven vindictiveness of the Bush Crime Family.

[marmar]

21. Exactly....

In fact, Canada could easily adopt the blue states without having the landmass being broken up by a single red state. California up to Washington connects to B.C.; The blue Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ilinois and Michigan all connect and straddle the border; and the northeast from DC up to Maine - the United States of Canada.

[Robeysays]

30. i guess im going to mexico...

arizona

[CottonBear]

34. Mexcio can take back CA, TX and NM.

Who wants Oklahoma? Maybe Mexcio would take OK and KS and CO too.

[anitar1]

61. Too many fundies there! n/t

[illuminaughty]

176. Hey, I'm in a huge ass blue county in Kansas

Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri are blue. I'll gladly be annexed by any country that would have us at this point.

[sonicx]

177. blue cities are welcome

:hi:

[Seabiscuit]

107. Oh, please - I want Canada to take California!

For starters, there's no Tijuana in Canada.

[AlphaCentauri]

161. Cuba may want to take Florida

:sarcasm:

[Amonester]

231. I'm all for that! And we've got Public Health Care since 1971 here

so everybody will be covered (and safe) automatically!

I'll write a letter to our PM Paul Martin first thing in the morning on Tuesday!

[MN ChimpH8R]

23. Don't forget Minnesota

I'd definitely be happier as a Canadian.

[Brundle_Fly]

55. cmon up

we'd love to have you!

[CottonBear]

7. Can France buy back the LA Purchase? The people would be better off.

I'm fucking serious. While we're at it,Cuba can have South Florida. Castro takes good car of his people in hurricanes. Hardly anyone ever dies.

[CottonBear]

16. I'm in GA. Can the UK take back the colonies? n/t

[bee]

22. Ill sign that petition!

sure would be great to have healthcare.

[Mountainman]

64. Just let us in California be our own country. We were the 5th largest

economy in the world last year.

[CottonBear]

66. OK. You're on your own as long as we can have dual citizenship!

;) Or, at the very least a good work visa program.

[RageFist]

100. If we all left

the US would officially go to shit. Its hard but we HAVE to fix things here, the fate of the world may depend on it.

[Seabiscuit]

106. Yes, Georgie, please do - just shoot yourself, please.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

230. Pretty Please! With sugar on top!

[Javaman]

111. Please take Austin, we are in a red state, but we are true blue!

[sonicx]

115. blue cities can join the party too!

:hi:

[HockeyMom]

136. Add the Mid Atlantic States too

[Laurab]

153. Western New York, too?

It takes me 20 minutes to get to Canada...can we go???

[leftchick]

159. I will move back to NY from NC if they do

:argh:

[Name removed]

201. Deleted message

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

[Flagg]

204. I live in France, freeper

scumbag...

[I Have A Dream]

219. Pennsylvania too, please!

At least Pittsburgh & Philadelphia.

[CottonBear]

2. Can we accept it on our own behalf and bypass the Feds?

Fuck Bu$h and damn him to hell. :grr:

[frylock]

3. success is on the march!

fuck you, president shithead. :mad:

[ixion]

4. This malicious administration makes me ill

seriously.

:grr:

[Jack The Tab]

6. Wow - what a fucking jerk. I am kind of blown away by that statement.

I hope, HOPE to god, that this quote is played over and over and over. Bush's egotistical pride, the same misplaced (in fact cowardly) pride that the Rushbo/Hannity crowd possess, is going to keep international help from coming.

That is not "taking care of our own business". Thats just idiocy.

[54anickel]

8. OMG! All I can do now is cry. What a fucking arrogant bastard...n/t

[Tyrone Slothrop]

9. Pride goeth before the fall

[knitter4democracy]

57. And an arrogant spirit before destruction.

Pretty much nails it.

[RoBear]

99. Actually, it's

"Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."

[Straight Shooter]

147. One DU'er has a pic: "High horses have slippery saddles."

bush is on his high horse now, and slipping. He just doesn't know it yet. Of course, bush never knows anything.

[BlueJac]

11. I can't believe we turned down help from Canada?

Bush is a dork!

[iverglas]

82. neither can we Canadians

We're the neighbours, we've got dinner ready for you when your father has a heart attack even though you didn't ask for it. We don't really expect you to stand in the doorway and say "no thank you, we can make our own".

The Gulf coast doesn't need our dollars, it needs our rescue teams and aircraft and other expertise and logistical assistance.

I'm tempted to think that the problem is that Bush actually doesn't have a clue ... he's saying "as I sit here talking to you" and talking about New Orleans rising from the floodwaters sometime this century, and we're trying to get him to let us help get to the people still stuck in the floodwaters and bring them food and water and medicine and medical care yesterday.

[AverageJoe]

94. Good neighbor

You captured the situation beautifully. I wish the United States were as good a neighbor to you as you are to us. God bless.

[iverglas]

97. heh heh

That's good neighboUr.

;)

It's one of those multilingual / multicultural neighbourhoods ...

[I Have A Dream]

221. B* is bringing on some really bad karma on himself. n/t

[CottonBear]

"we’re going to take care of our own (oil and gas) business"

is what the bastard really meant.

[Cha]

119. bush takes care of NOTHING

but the rove machine contributors.

WHAT A FUCKING LIAR SON OF A BITCH BASTARD.

[Cha]

12. bush IS A RAVING MAD IDIOT!

WILL he EVER GO AND FUCK OFF?

[benny05]

114. He often does

Rove watches...:puke:

[tex-wyo-dem]

13. UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE!!! n/t

[stopbush]

15. It's harder to bash the UN when the world is helping you.

And many countries would ask the UN to co-ordinate their aid. How do you destroy the UN and call it incompetent under those circumstances?

That's why he's refusing aid. If a few thousand more Americans end up dead, well, they died for another noble cause.

[CottonBear]

19. Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! n/t

[Lorien]

46. Hit the nail on the head, you did

Once again; party ideology over America and Americans. Vile. Disgusting. Unforgivable!

[Cha]

122. I knew there was something more than a self flagellating

reason for it..I wasn't thinking beyond "STUPIDITY"!

[I Have A Dream]

222. Wow - good point.

HOW DARE HE DO THIS!!!

:cry:

[rooboy]

17. Like a kid who insists he can drink out of the bottle on his own. n/t

[krkaufman]

18. Akin to how Bush squandered global sympathy following 9/11...

... I was wondering on Monday exactly how, and just how quickly, Bush would again alienate the nations/people of the world following Katrina's destruction.

[Teaser]

20. AAASSHHOOOLLLEEE!!!!!

Fuck you *. May you burn in hell. Burn, motherfucker, burn.

[KansDem]

24. A TRUE "Coalition of the Willing"

Whose purpose is humanitarian.

Are you listening, Mr. Bush? Are you learning?

[durablend]

25. AAAAAAAAAARGH!

:argh: :nuke:

[magellan]

26. "and there’s no doubt in my mind we’ll succeed"

Does anyone else get a sick feeling in the pit of their stomach at the remarkable similarity between this and what dimson keeps saying about Iraq? Or the similar disconnect between all the statistics these bastards keep offering as proof that they're "working hard" on the problems, while the pictures and reports say the exact opposite?

Are we talking about the US Gulf or the ME Gulf??

How many people have to die for these incompetent fools and their one-lie-fits-all mismanagement?

[Yavin4]

27. These Deaths Are On Your Hands - You Smug Prick

Fucking asshole.

[CottonBear]

28. LA economic development man is saying help from many countries

has been offered directly to Louisiana. I hope that they'll bypass the feds and take all the help they can get. Companies from around the world have offered help with rebuilding.

[Hobarticus]

33. Damn straight...may have been Dubya's strategery-thingy all along...

Keep US insurance companies off the hook. Bastards.

[CottonBear]

40. Holy crap. You're probably right. What a bastard * is. n/t

[demo dutch]

68. They simply bypassing GW and going directly to LA - A good thing!

[melissinha]

145. I hope Blanco takes them up on their offers

Cause wouldn't Chimpy look bad if he interceded when she expressly requested help? I think that if Chimpy and his goons are involved, nothing will get done. the people deserve to get their lives back as soon as possible.... i.e. half of my boyfriend's family. I want them to be whole! I want all those complete strangers to be whole, and I want to turn back the clock and force Chimpy to do hsi damn job and order support on Saturday.....\





swaggerin asshole

[hiley]

29. bush is such a fucking bastard

emailed the wh a few times today here is one...

Canada has offered help all along through this tragedy from Hurricane Katrina why has Homeland Security and President Bush not taken Canada up on this yet?
http://www.canada.com/toronto/video/GN050831bourbeau.html
I just don't get it, why is America's poor not important to this Administration.
Vacation time more important?
Sincere as ever,
hiley
http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/us/2005/09/01/lawrence.katrina.new.orleans.cnn


http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=af26924b-f106-47a8-aae3-4e70f5eff2e4&f=copy
4:00 p.m.
MOSCOW (AP) The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has rejected a Russian offer to send rescue teams and other aid in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a Russian emergency official said Thursday.

Russia offered to send two transport planes with rescue teams, helicopters and other equipment to help deal with Katrina's aftermath.
snip---
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/31/katrina/main807164.shtml

Netherlands offers US help with Katrina floods

1 September 2005

AMSTERDAM — The Netherlands has offered the US authorities the services of a dike inspection team to help combat the flooding in New Orleans.

The team is ready to leave for America if it is required, the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Waterways said on Thursday.

A quarter of the Netherlands' land area lies below sea level and the country has built up a reputation for water management due to the ongoing battle to keep the water at bay.

The officials are attached to the Ministry of Waterways and Public Works and have experience in dealing with burst embankments and flooding. Last year the Dutch town of Stein was flooded when a dike along a canal was breached.

The US response to the offer was not known by Thursday afternoon.

snip---
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=1&story_id=23281&name=Netherlands+offers+US+help+with+Katrina+floods

4:00 p.m.
MOSCOW (AP) The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has rejected a Russian offer to send rescue teams and other aid in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a Russian emergency official said Thursday.

Russia offered to send two transport planes with rescue teams, helicopters and other equipment to help deal with Katrina's aftermath.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/31/katrina/main807164.shtml

http://www.wwltv.com/local/northshore/stories/083105cccawwlkatslidell.45b6ae6a.html


http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=af26924b-f106-47a8-aae3-4e70f5eff2e4&f=copy

[e-mail]

[Karenina]

31. Americans are dying in the streets

of a much-loved city with worldwide connexions. Those who love her and are offering assistance in a time of need are being turned away???

By WHOM???

Fats Domino is unaccounted for. He never left the 9th Ward. IT is now underwater. His fans around the globe NOW have a personal stake...

The *PNAC crew is creating chaos within America.

They've done so, to great success, in Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq and LIHOP in NEW ORLEANS.
Whole lotta folk need to wake up real quick.

INDICT. IMPEACH. IMPRISON.

[CottonBear]

36. INDICT. IMPEACH. IMPRISON.

That's my new bumpersticker. :(

[Laurab]

158. And Please leave office NOW

while waiting for the inevitable. They've GOT to go - people HAVE to be waking up. If the illegal war didn't get them, and every other fucking thing this administration has done, the gas prices and Katrina has got to do it. I think DU's registered a couple of thousand people in the past week or so (I try to keep track, but I'm not positive). While I'm sorry they're probably waking up because of the fucking gas prices, when he's done so many other despicable things, whatever it takes, just get him GONE!

[professor skisurf]

217. Fats is ok

"CNN reported he was rescued from the roof of his home by a coastguard helicopter on Monday."

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4208096.stm

[LibertyLover]

223. Fats

CNN reported that Fats has been rescued.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/01/katrina.fats.domino/index.html

There is a photo of him and he looks tired but otherwise ok.

[jackster]

32. PLEEEEEEEEEASE

someone tell us this is not true

The lowest piece of human flesh ever to walk the earth TURNED DOWN OFFERS OF HELP?

This must be a rumor. My god, is he really really really that bad?

[Gelliebeans]

35. This fucker is unbelievable! n/t

[HEyHEY]

38. Canada's opposition said money shouldnt' be sent

To disasters cause often the leaders direct the money elsewhere to fund wars.....

keep this in mind Canadians... and send DART instead

[CottonBear]

42. What's DART? n/t

[HEyHEY]

49. Disaster Assistance response team

A crack unit that upon hitting the ground can make thousands of litres of fresh water and set up a full fledged hospital

[CottonBear]

50. Send them on! Please. n/t

[HEyHEY]

56. We're trying, we've offered

But have been told "not yet"

[daleo]

52. A water purification (portable equipment, experts, etc) team

There is probably more to it too - Disaster Assistance Response Team?

[CHIMO]

92. Disaster Assistance Response Team - DART

Disaster Assistance Response Team - DART
Providing Humanitarian Relief to Crises Around the Globe

The Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is a unique organization created to deploy to a crisis situation anywhere in the world - situations ranging from natural disasters to complex humanitarian emergencies.

The DART, formed in June 1996, gives Canada additional capabilities for speedy response to requests for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. This military team deploys quickly into a crisis area, bridging the gap until members of the international community arrive to provide long-term help.

"One of the DART's objectives is to stabilize the primary effects immediately following a natural disaster or emergency and to prevent the onset of secondary effects such as the spreading of diseases," says Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Juneau, current DART Commanding Officer. "Numerous international organizations are committed to providing relief and assistance to people in need. The DART complements rather than competes with these organizations," he adds.

The DART focuses on fulfilling four critical needs in any emergency situation:

primary medical care

production of purified drinking water

limited specialist engineer capability

a command and control structure that allows for effective communications between the DART, the host nation, in-theatre international organizations, non-governmental organizations, United Nations aid agencies, and the Department of National Defence

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/DART/back_e.asp

It seems like just the kind of assistance that is, or has been, required.

[BronxBoy]

91. Jesus

We've become a 3rd world country led by a bananan dictator

[NorthernSpy]

39. on behalf of the dying, the safe and comfortable refuse all help

"But this country’s going to rise up and take care of it.”

Yeah -- just like the powerful rose up and got themselves to safety and abandoned the most desperate people to the storm.

:eyes:

[Lioness]

205. The powerful???

I evacuated with 15 family members and am living as a refugee and houseguest of a friend of my son-in-law. We are all working class/poor in income, but did have vehicles. There are 15 of us in a two bedroom trailer, but we are grateful to be alive. My heart is broken for those who could not get out. I fumed at the mayor. I fumed when I called FEDERALY SUBSIDIZED AMTRACK the night before I evacuated and got a machine saying they had closed down all trains due to the storm. (at that point it was 36 hours away). Ditto Greyhound. If I had not had family willing to take me out of the city, I would probably have died awaiting rescue on my rooftop. (I lived/will again live in the lakefront area.)

[iverglas]

208. the rule of "including one doesn't exclude the other"

Saying the powerful got out does NOT mean:
- *only* the powerful got out
or
- *everyone* who got out was powerful.

Including the rich and powerful in those who got out does not exclude the poor and powerless from those who got out.

(I'm sorry to sound harsh at a time like this, but I would point out that this is a basic point that a whole lot of people at DU should remember in a whole lot of situations.)

What it *does* mean is that the powerful weren't left behind. It's a statement about who *didn't* get out.

Obviously, no one should feel guilty about getting out -- getting out doesn't mean that one is powerful or privileged; it's the other way around.

Being powerful or privileged means that one got out.

Being powerless or vulnerable or poor or confused or disorganized (socially, personally) means that one was at much higher risk of not getting out.

And the people left behind are disproportionately powerless, vulnerable, poor ... because the people who got out are disproportionately powerful, privileged, rich ...

Saying these true things doesn't imply any disparagement of any individual who got out -- not even the people in two-SUV households. Not unless they took their luggage instead of their neighbours, anyway. Or voted for Bush. It's not the fault of any individuals who got out that someone else didn't, generally speaking.


Speaking of powerless ... I don't want to sound like I'm whining, but the feeling of powerlessness up here over the border is overwhelming.

If my governments were not pressing the US to accept aid, I'd at least have an outlet for the frustration and anger at what's happening on the Gulf coast -- I'd be on Parliament Hill busting down doors demanding that we send everything we've got. We've already offered to do that, and been refused, and it's pretty much just too damned late now anyhow for the kind of extreme-emergency early-response aid we have to offer to do much good.

Embarking on the three-day drive to New Orleans to pile as many people as possible into a U-Haul trailer and bring 'em home didn't seem necessary three days ago. I'm pretty much wishing I'd done it, and got a friend to do it and to get a friend to do it ... and I'm frankly not entirely sure why people in the US closer than a three-day drive aren't doing it ...

[wellstone_democrat]

210. People have done it!

They have been stopped from going into the area. There are many who are outside the cordon who have vehicles, food, and water and who have been stopped at gunpoint.

[iverglas]

211. ... 'twas a bit of a rhetorical lament ...

If I'd phrased it better, it would have been righter: I couldn't imagine why people weren't doing it. ;)

If I'd gone on at my usual length, I would also have mused about what we up here, for instance, should have done / be doing in equivalent terms at a collective level: putting the damned planes in the air and then radioing the message that they can either shoot 'em down as they cross the border, or tell 'em where to drop the stuff.

I'm all for international law on good days, but it's the bad days that things like laws tend not to deal with well. If Country A is allowing/causing its population to die, Country B really does just send the planes and whatever else it takes. Just like I bust in the door if my neighbour is starving his/her kids, laws be damned -- and punch and kick my way in if need be.

And if we'd done that, it would have been quite a bit more effective than a bunch of people driving in with food and blankets. Unfortunately, the punching and kicking part on a larger scale might have been problematic.

I guess what I wish my govts had done was go a little beyond "it's here if you want it" to "what the fuck is wrong with you, not taking it when we offered it?" even if we didn't just put the planes in the air.

And I guess that's what I'd like to be hearing a little more of from the general public in the US -- and convoys of cars and buses arriving at that cordon might be a way of doing it.

We've neglected MSNBC on our cable dial, but flicked over to it at midnight last night, after watching Larry King cut off yet someone else just as s/he was getting to the bit about responsibility, in the past long term and present short term, for this horror.

(Sadly, the CBC is on strike, or we'd be getting some better perspective - that of course you folks wouldn't be getting anyhow - and we've been stuck with CNN and, for the on-going duration of the year-long "free preview", Fox.)

Al Sharpton was interviewed on a show hosted by someone that I gather epitomizes the "liberal media" we hear about up here. Too bad the interview wasn't being seen on every TV screen in your nation.

I hope that the picture we're seeing of the public response in the US isn't all there is ... because we're just not seeing much response. I've tried to imagine this sort of thing happening here, and this sort of handling of it happening (which I can't imagine in the first place, of course), and people not simply taking things into their own hands to fix it. I can't. I can't even understand how there can be people being bussed into Houston and not being immediately met by everybody in the city -- and along the way -- with a few square feet of floor space for them to sleep on.

I really hope that we're just not seeing what people are doing, and that people are doing more than it looks like from here. I don't want to blame the victims ... but when one's government is so evil and/or incompetent, one really just does have to do something. Sending money to the Red Cross hasn't been enough, this week.

Don't think that I don't feel guilty. I do wish I'd called on my govt to just send the damned planes, and hoped for a groundswell of voices saying that. I feel I've been complacent: oh look, Canada's the good neighbour, Canada's offered to bring a casserole. Well, Canada should have kicked the fucking door in, really.

But then we couldn't have expected, any more than you could, how badly wrong this would go.

[NorthernSpy]

227. what I said was quite true -- how many politicians are lost in the flood?

The powerful DID get to safety. Those who did not reach safety are overwhelmingly those who are the poorest and the most vulnerable. Of course there are working class people who DID manage to get out of the city. I never once said there weren't. The point -- clearly -- is that nearly all of those left behind ARE the powerless. And just as clearly, we see that the first instinct of George Bush et al is to take it upon themselves to refuse international aid on behalf of those who desperately need it. It's a pride thing, apparently.

Oh, and I am glad to hear of your escape, and welcome to DU. Have you been here before? I think we're all a little flattered that you feel it worthwhile to seek us out for online discussion at such a hectic time as this. There are many claims on a refugee's time and energy, understandably.



(edit: changed word)

[VegasWolf]

41. Hastert has already said the Republican plan is to let NO go. nt

[CottonBear]

43. That's not our plan or the world's plan. Fuck Hastert & damn him to hell.

:grr:

[Dr Fate]

74. Hastert ( TRAITOR) cares more about rebuilding Iraq than the good old USA.

That man is a TRAITOR- there is no other word for it.

[WCGreen]

44. What a fucking dick.......

Take the fucking help dick wad....

Jesus H. Christ......

It's not a sign of weakness....

[understandinglife]

45. Bush. Wants. Them. To. Die. --- Is That Now Clear, Everyone?

He sat with a child's book while people jumped from burning buildings.

He rode his bike, played golf, ate cake, and continued to try to destroy social security while the whole frigging world watched a hurricane form, take aim, destroy an entire region of the Nation, and kill untold thousands of people and left thousands living in sewage, many for the last hours of their life.

And, he still does nothing but smile and tell folk to send some cash, if they can.

GET IT.

BUSH. WANTS. THEM. TO. DIE.

And, he'll let his developer buddies and oil buddies build expensive condos and repair and expand their refineries but he will DO NOTHING FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS AND POOR WHOM HAVE LOST EVERYTHING.

When will America see this criminal for the mass murderer, gleeful torturer, raging imperialist that he is?

When?


Peace.

[buzzard]

73. I am sitting here in tears at the inhumanity to man this coward has shown.

[President Kerry]

108. Somewhat like Hitler's last days.. when he condemned the German

people for not being deserving of life. I honestly don't believe Bush is EVIL (i.e. he WANTS all those people to die).. But incompetent beyond belief. WORST. PRESIDENT. EVER.

[DollyM]

131. Not evil, not incompetent . . .

But totally out of his mind insane! Any psycholgists here? Does Narcissistic Personality Disorder ring a bell?

[snappyturtle]

103. Whoa! too close for comfort!

Sadly, you my have hit the nail on the head. It's part of the New World Order for sure. Keep just enough of the poor to do the menial chores the rich corporate types want. Think about all the third world countries---what do we do to help? Nothing. We do nothing for countries UNLESS they have natural resources we can use. The American public is generous, as in tsunami aid, but not the government.

[fob]

157. bush* CAN'T show compassion here at home it will make his*

attitude toward American's in Iraq and Iraqis in Iraq that much more bare. He*s using the same "plan" as he* used there. Figure out the angle that puts money in his* pocket, and to hell with anything else.

Karma dude*, karma.

[HEyHEY]

47. The US has asked Canada to send fire fighters

Just in

THE U-S FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IS ASKING FOR HELP FROM CANADIAN FIREFIGHTERS TO HEAD SOUTH TO THE FLOOD-RAVAGED U-S STATES AND SEVERAL MEMBERS FROM THE NORTH SHORE ARE EXPRESSING INTEREST.
THE FEMA REQUEST ASKS FOR 1-THOUSAND TEAMS OF TWO FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS EACH, WHO PREFERABLY KNOW EACH OTHER.
THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE BEING ASKED TO HELP FOR 30 DAYS AND BE CAPABLE OF PERFORMING MANUAL JOBS ALONG WITH BASIC FIRST AID IN WHAT ARE BEING CALLED OSTERE CONDITIONS WITH NO CREATURE COMFORTS.
THE FIREFIGHTERS WOULD REPORT FOR DUTY IN ATLANTA AND FROM THERE WOULD BE DISPATCHED TO THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES.
FEMA WOULD REIMBURSE THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE FIREFIGHTERS WORK.
NORTH VANCOUVER DISTRICT FIRE SPOKESPERSON TERRY ABRAHAM SAYS A NUMBER OF HIS MEMBERS ARE INTERESTED.
AS WELL, WEST VANCOUVER FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER CAPTAIN MARTIN ERNST SAYS HE TOO MAY DECIDE TO GO.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Spazito]

51. Fire fighters???

Not DART or other organizations?

[HEyHEY]

53. That was my first thought

:shrug:

[daleo]

65. This may tell you something.

i.e. - The fire situation may be very much out of hand.

[CottonBear]

69. Breaking News: Oakwood (LA) Mall on fire. Low water pressure. n/t

[iverglas]

83. I suspect it's because of their search and rescue training

They're asking for them in teams of two who know how to work together. Sounds like they're wanting to blanket a large area with people who are highly skilled and used to working in difficult and dangerous conditions, for search & rescue ... and recovery.

[HEyHEY]

112. Yeah, kinda like a "roving search and rescue thing"

How else can you find people and help them in such a situation.

[sonicx]

60. thanks for the update

They've offered to do alot more tho. I wish Bush would put his dick away and let all the help come in.

[OhioBlue]

48. how absolutely pathetically arrogant

how could he turn down help from other countries? It isn't his fucking call!!! That stupid SOB is dying for lack of water or medicine. he hasn't lost all of his possessions. he isn't wondering where his loved ones are and if they are alive. Bastard!!!

[0007]

54. junior was so sure that we were gonna find WMD in Iraq also!

[anitar1]

58. Please take Oregon too. n/t

[txaslftist]

62. How DARE he?n/t

[katinmn]

63. The whole world feels as helpless as we do. They are watching the

same disaster play out on TV as we are.

I wish... well, you know.

[iverglas]

89. that's exactly true

On Sept 11, I called up my city's airport and offered accommodations for the USAmerican (and other) air travellers who had been diverted to Canada. Turned out they were mainly being diverted from where I was, too, so it was ultimately just a gesture -- but it came from wanting to do something, even if all it was, was something as easy as putting someone up for a few nights.

Watching it play out on TV and not even have a representative in the US govt to call and poke a stick at the way you guys can is a frustration all its own, I can assure you.

I don't recall having the feeling, watching the tsunami on TV, that everything was being quite so botched when it was so utterly unnecessary for some of the horrible things to be happening at all.

If your idiot president would just accept the transport planes and medicines and water purifying facilities and other personnel and expertise and materiel our govt has offered, *I* wouldn't feel quite so frustrated and helpless.

[Thrill]

67. ARROGANCE

Anyone suprised. Pathetic

[cmdrxog]

126. how could anyone expect anything less

from a mad dog that rejects our shared reality?

[demo dutch]

70. There are many tourists stuck from all over, the world loves NOLA

[Union Thug]

71. What the Hell is Wrong with Bush?

Rejecting help? What a rotten, arrogant, son of a bitch. I hate that bastard.

[maseman]

75. Fuck you rich boy Bush...

These people are fucking dying a slow death of disease, starvation, dehydration, heat exhaustion and this cocksucker's ego is getting in the way by not excepting aid from other countries. I hate these people. I am so angry, no fucking pissed!! These are the most anti-human people. They don't give a shit. You would think someone like Trent Lott who lost his house would stand up tonight in the Senate and tell the President to go fuck himself and yes China, France, VENEZUALA, Canada et. al. we'll take some much needed help.

I swear I wish I could just go bury myself the next three years until this douchebag is GONE!

[ohgorsh]

144. Needs to get his head out of his a@@@

He prob feels the same way about Iraq as he does New Orleans ,
No respect for man kind less its LAY and Enron and Carlyle
Maybe he wants to take over the Oil in New Orleans
WE ARE SEEING FIRST HAND HOW THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF AMERICANS
MEANS NOTHING TO THEM

[Dr Fate]

72. How can this even be true? WHO will hold Bush accountable for this?

How can this even be true?

[cornermouse]

76. Impeach him. Now.

On the basis of mental insanity.

[childslibrarian]

77. On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams

We Walk alone....


GREEN DAY LYRICS

"Boulevard Of Broken Dreams"

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
and I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

[rodeodance]

78. kick

[Judi Lynn]

79. He is cornered. He can't accept help from the very world he, and his

MEpublicans, along with any corruptible Democrats they can pick up, intend to control at a later, more convenient date.

It would cause him to lose his authority image if he accepts charity, and screw the poor. That's the situation, I totally believe.

[architect359]

80. AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH

What is he an IDIOT??!!??

What?! Too proud; too good, to receive help?!

I feel like the aid and help should just bypass the federal bureaucracy and go directly to the local officals.

[childslibrarian]

81. I Believe he's an "American Idiot"

GREEN DAY LYRICS

"Boulevard Of Broken Dreams"

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
and I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

[WillyT]

84. Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach...

Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach, Impeach...

:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[xchrom]

86. bush = stuuuuuupid!

they'll add it on in websters.

[chomskysright]

87. he's a narcissistic man who has no capacity to GIVE or RECEIVE

[ktowntennesseedem]

88. All we need is a president with a doubt-free mind!

I'm sleeping so well at night knowing there is no doubt in his mind! What a comfort that is!

(Unfortunately, there is little else in his mind either)

[cornermouse]

90. He wants cash? Golly gee.

I wonder what he'd do with it? :sarcasm:

[marcus_b]

98. Cash makes no sense, but equipment may.

It makes absolutely zero sense to send cash. If the US needs cash, it just needs to build a couple of nuclear bombs fewer. In fact, it could happily effort to reduce the military budget by a 100 _billion_ dollars, reverting it to a level which it had only a few years ago, and still have all the bangs (numerous overkill of the entire planet).

Now, there is a need for special people and special equipment, like rescue teams, water purification, generators etc. Some of this equipment seems to be bound in Iraq (go figure), some of it may be available in the US in other states. But some may only be available in other countries, and it makes sense to ask for them.

To be able to ask for them, the administration needs to know exactly what is needed! It requires planning and coordination. Bush's statement shows he has not the slightest clue, it's outrageous.

[cornermouse]

109. I agree.

[Sugarbleus]

129. I agree. Cash is useless for N.Os who primarily need

TO BE FUCKING RESCUED!!:grr:

Rescue FIRST, then use money to house, feed, and meet their future needs

God DAMN the idiots in charge of disaters! Not only does our SOCIOPATHIC Prez refuse immediate help from allies; he nor his cohorts can even think outside of the box. If military air help is unavailable, HE COULD HAVE COMANDEERED REGULAR AIRLINE CAPTAINS AND CARGO PLANES to drop water and food and equipment and INFORMATION to the stranded, dying people of that city.

This government and it's agencies are a DISGRACE!!

[progressive_realist]

138. My guess is that it would end up like the missing $8B in Iraq.

Lost. Lost to the world. Unless you check the offshore bank accounts of Bush's cronies.

That was my first thought when I read this -- why the f*ck would the world's wealthiest nation need cash assistance? Greedy motherf*cker, isn't he? :mad:

I'm sure the survivors in N.O. don't give a damn if they are rescued by Americans, Canadians, or even Russians. FEMA sure isn't getting the job done.

[bikebloke]

142. Pocket it, of course

The Treasury has been stripped bare. And if they won't leave crumbs for the mice, why should they worry about folk in New Orleans who've been paying his salary.

der kleine fuhrer may be out of reach. But I wonder when the backlash will make his supporters (like the dingo down the street with his SUV covered with Wah-stikas) fair game.

[progressivebydesign]

93. Isolationist M.F. I thought that article was a joke at first...

..then I became ill realizing it was not. What is WRONG with those people?? People are dying on the streets of our country from the afteraffects of this, and he is pissing away help. What an ass!

[Name removed]

202. Deleted message

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

[slor]

95. How in the world is he...

going to explain this idiotic decision, on top of ALL the others?

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

102. Again pissing away the good will of the world toward the US n/t

[Deja Q]

110. Which is his intent.

Most antichrist-type figures don' promote good will or community.

* wants nuclear armageddon. Other people helping will hurt his cause. Indeed, this is the same guy who said a few years' back "we need an energy policy that encourages consumption". Now it's "Don't buy gas if you don't need it".

When the economy crashes, lock the doors and tell your creditors to contact your retirement holders. They have your money.

[applegrove]

104. "Rise up" and take care of it? It sounds like Bush is training us

all to stop thinking of the federal government as the mommy. Why he let the State declare Marshall Law. He teaches us something new every day doesn't he. Today..it seems it is more important to teach people to only like government or rely on government at the state level.

So - just what is the federal government doing in Iraq? Hypocrites! The federal government is now only for corporations. It is not there for people. Grover Norqhuest must be proud!

[texpatriot2004]

105. I am appalled at the lack of humanity and decency Bush exhibits.

Just when I think nothing he does can shock me...he does something even more ignorant, more unkind, more pathetic than he's done before.

[Ian David]

113. What is wrong with the man???? WTF????

[childslibrarian]

116. I believe he's an "American Idiot"

GREEN DAY LYRICS

"Boulevard Of Broken Dreams"

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
and I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

[IconoclastIlene]

117. hittin the bottle again

I heard the rumor; now I know the TRUTH....sober up Georgie. (as though that would help)!!!!

[Akoto]

118. What?!

New Orleans is about to become the next Atlantis, with people STILL ALIVE INSIDE IT, and he has the thick-skulled idiocy to reject help? We should have every possible resource in there, rescuing people who've managed to survive this disaster.

Of course, if other countries came in to lend a hand, it'd probably take the spotlight away from Bush. He can't afford to pass up such a valuable opportunity to repeat his usual cliches with his crashing poll numbers, now can he?

[Megahurtz]

120. W-H-A-T T-H-E F-U-C-K ?????????

The man is insane!!! Look what he's done to that place and he's turned away help???:wtf:

What the fuck does he expect,
for everyone to put on a fucking cowboy hat and "pull up their bootstraps"???

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!:argh:

[Rex]

123. Hubris

What a total fucktard.

[Lisa]

124. "I do expect a lot of sympathy" -- oh, believe me ...

People in other countries are feeling sorry all right. Not for you, Bush ... but for everyone whom you've hurt, in America and around the world.



By the way, does anybody recall Dr. Rice saying something along the lines of last year's tsunami being a GOOD thing, because it would give the US to show how helpful and friendly it can be? Hidden in that muddled and uniquely Bushocentric view was a rather important point -- one of the ways in which countries reach out to each other these days is through mutual aid and assistance. (Who could forget the Greek rescue teams arriving in Turkey after their earthquake?) Seems to me like Dr. Rice is ignoring her own advice. There are plenty of countries in the world who would love to be of real help to the American people in a time of need, and are not making these offers out of some kind of malice. Everyone is vulnerable to natural disasters, even the strongest nations -- we have to stick together or this century is going to be a real mess.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

125. Al Quaida might as well disband

Dumbfuck will destroy this country single-handedly. :grr:

[fleabert]

127. bush is an asshole.

remember the russian submarine? they said they could do by themselves too...

[DollyM]

132. But at least . . .

they got smart and agreed to accept help the last time. Our "leader" is apparently playing rugged cowboy and thinks that is just fine. Does he not hear the cries of his people who are without even clean water and a place to sleep? Oh wait, then their is the hurricane devastation in N.O.! I feel like my country has been taken prisoner by a madman. How much more can we take?

[earth mom]

128. Now there is no doubt: * is a Sociopath! eom

[chomskysright]

130. experiment re: imposing martial law in US?

http://www.legitgov.org/
http://www.legitgov.org/
"It was suggested to me by someone that it seems like the lack of assistance in New Orleans was meant to provoke people to extreme violence and chaos. It certainly looks that way to me... but what if new orleans is being used as a test case to see, in a real world setting, how easily a motivated, angry populace (and the military personnel forced to do the dirty work) could be subdued and controlled to create a working model of how to impose endless Martial Law throughout the country while keeping those who might resist under the lid... and those in the armed forces in line. It's a thought... because I find it absolutely incredible how inept the response has been... to the point of criminality on the part of the federal government." --c., CLG reader.

[ohgorsh]

152. Might stay away from train tracks

ya wouldnt put it past any of them

[JoFerret]

133. You arrogant X%$@

...hey George - how about a tent city on your Crawford sprawl. How about taking in some of them refugees?
May he live to choke on his words.

[wwcsmd]

134. Call the Ambassadors / Contact countries directly

Tell them that the CITIZENS OF THE US DESPARATELY REQUEST any assistance necessary in the form of humanitarian aid and troops to save their fellow citizens which have been abandoned by our corrupt federal government.

[babylonsister]

135. Unreal. Dare I hope some courageous person will talk

this admin out of this and accept some help? It'd be refreshing if the Senate could/would do something. I know...funny-ha ha.

[Zhade]

137. Seriously, this guy needs to be in prison for all the deaths he's caused.

And WILL cause!

[really annoyed]

140. I can't believe I am reading this!

Un-freaking-believable! Shows what Bush really thinks of our allies and friends around the world!

:argh:

[UCLA Dem]

141. What the * is wrong with him!!! Damn it!!!

:mad: :wtf:

[melissinha]

143. What?!?!?

Since this shit for brains President is not the one in need, who is he to turn down help? If I were a Hurrican victim, I'd sure want to take up on the offers....Frankly he has been so arrogant, grossley negligent that I can't figure which action he has taken or not taken in the last few days pisses me off more.


Whats this cowboy shit??? Wait, wait, I know.. He wants to use our money and pour into the pockets of all his favorite charities: Halliburton, Bechtel, Lockhead Martin.... He wants his friends to get all the jobs, just like he did in Iraq...bet he's conflicted..... more work for my friends or waging my war on Iran????

[melissinha]

146. They probably came out before his plans were

even started. Cause other world leaders don't have black hearts. Oh and they know a little about diplomacy.


He is embarassed into acting.. meanwhile he is asking his own citizens to contribute whenthe economy is so bad, gas is so bad.... but no we can't accept help....

how about contributing some of the thirty G's you gave yourself in a tax cut this year you prick?

[punpirate]

148. Now, if you really want to go friggin' ballistic...

... this will do it:

http://www.sploid.com/news/2005/09/01/fema-directing-donations-to-rev-pat-robertson-123509.php

[Zookeeper]

168. THAT is appalling! Of course, Joe Scarborough on MSNBC...

listed "Christian Relief" (or some such name)as the only organization to send donations to. But, of course, Liberals are the ones always out to push their "agenda." :sarcasm:

[amb123]

149. Brain-Dead Bush

In the 2000 election, anytime someone would shout "Bush! Bush!", I'd shout back, "Brain-dead! Brain-dead!"


Now, in 2005 . . .

IT STILL GOES!

TAKE THE HELP YOU BRAIN-DEAD IDIOT!!!

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :wtf:

[SunDrop23]

150. My God...this IS a WAR on the urban poor.

[BooScout]

151. How many people will have to fucking die....

....before he swallows his stupid pride and gets some help down there. How the fuck can he turn down any offer of help when it's patently obvous we cannot handle the situation?

[tsuki]

155. Send cash. F*** him and his Conservative mentality. Canada has

had planes on the tarmac for day filled with medicines, food and water. * sends a ship from Norfolk that will take 4 days to get there.

[BrklynLiberal]

156. Foreign governments line up to help after Katrina

01 Sep 2005 20:53:25 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds Israeli help, paragraphs 10-11)

By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - More than 20 countries, from allies Germany and Japan to prickly Venezuela and poor Honduras, have offered to help the United States cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

<snip>

"Anything that can be of help to alleviate the tragic situation of the area affected by Hurricane Katrina will be accepted," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

<snip>

Earlier, President George W. Bush said in a television interview that the United States could take care of itself.

"I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it," Bush told ABC's "Good Morning America."

<snip>

The State Department said offers so far had come from Belgium, Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, China, Australia, Jamaica, Honduras, Greece, Venezuela, the Organization of American States, NATO, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, South Korea, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

<snip>

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wrote to Bush offering medical teams that specialized in trauma and natural disasters and said they could be ready in 24 hours.

<snip>

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area.

<snip>

more...
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01481437.htm

[chomskysright]

162. "MALEVOLENT NEGLECT": ...

There's a phenomenon going on here re: lack of federal assistance in N.O. and what took place prior to 9-11. I'm using the phrase (as psychologists are prone to assign something a descriptor as a kind of short-hand) "Malevolent Neglect."

We now have 2 BIG instances of Malevolent Neglect: 9-11 and New Orleans.

Both are associated with information voluminously parlayed to Bush's administration prior to the event. This is established.

Back up: get away from the smoke: what do you see: 2 events with massive warning, should've-been-planning, finger pointing during which nothing goes into the US Cabinet and little impact on the U.S. Congress.

I keep thinking back to Stanley Milgram's experiments; to Zimbardo's prison experiment. There are big archetypal forces being examined in all of these settings: sadism and torture.

There is a social psychology experiment being played out here---either consciously or unconsciously. I think some of both, more conscious than not, with the related parties, particularly Rove I think, working the pieces onto the board and then whistling as he walks away into the dark of the night, knowing that sometime/ somewhere the levee will break, the terrorists will take over the planes, the London Muslims scrambling in their back-packs because they all of a sudden figured out what was up.

[chomskysright]

163. "MALEVOLENT NEGLECT": ...

There's a phenomenon going on here re: lack of federal assistance in N.O. and what took place prior to 9-11. I'm using the phrase (as psychologists are prone to assign something a descriptor as a kind of short-hand) "Malevolent Neglect."

We now have 2 BIG instances of Malevolent Neglect: 9-11 and New Orleans.

Both are associated with information voluminously parlayed to Bush's administration prior to the event. This is established.

Back up: get away from the smoke: what do you see: 2 events with massive warning, should've-been-planning, finger pointing during which nothing goes into the US Cabinet and little impact on the U.S. Congress.

I keep thinking back to Stanley Milgram's experiments; to Zimbardo's prison experiment. There are big archetypal forces being examined in all of these settings: sadism and torture.

There is a social psychology experiment being played out here---either consciously or unconsciously. I think some of both, more conscious than not, with the related parties, particularly Rove I think, working the pieces onto the board and then whistling as he walks away into the dark of the night, knowing that sometime/ somewhere the levee will break, the terrorists will take over the planes, the London Muslims scrambling in their back-packs because they all of a sudden figured out what was up.

[justgamma]

160. Wanna make a bet?

In a week or 2 the Rush's of Bushworld will be screaming about nobody wanting to help us. And of course, the sheeple will buy it.

[bloom]

165. "Rice says all hurricane aid offers from other countries will be accepted"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4560838&mesg_id=4560838

[aresef]

166. We're lucky to get these offers after Our Great Leader's originally...

...half-assed response to the tsunami. It's not like other countries will think less of us for accepting the offers. We need all the help we can get.

[MiniMe]

167. Has the man never heard of DIPLOMACY??

You accept the help, even if you think you don't need it. Its the way the world works.

Never mind, I forgot who we were talking about.

[Zookeeper]

169. It's just like his "Bring it on!" statement! Chimpy is sitting on his...

brains in the White House while folks in New Orleans are dying by the hour and our soldiers are getting blown up in Iraq. It's easy to be "tough" when you aren't the one at risk.

{b}I'm so sick of his childish, phony, COWBOY routine!!!!{/b} It's truly criminal.

[chicagiana]

170. What a dick!!!!

The 2006 election should be 100% about the impeachment of GW Bush. Democratic challengers should run on that platform and FORCE GOP congressman to renounce the president. How right wingers can defend this man is inhumanly insane.

GW Bush has no right to reject aid offers from foreign countries. Only the citizens of New Orleans have that right!!!!

If GW Bush wanted to handle it "all by himself", he should have started 6 days ago like a responsible human being.

[charmsicle]

171. Well, God forbid he be beholden to the rest of the world

You know, he might actually have to LISTEN to whatever it is other countries have to say. When he says that the world needs to work together, he means "work together for him." Can't do that if he owes them.

Short-sightedness upon short-sightedness upon short-sightedness. The hallmark of this administration.

[Miss Chybil]

172. My head is exploding. Our country is in the hands of a madman!

An incompetent, arrogant madman! Nobody seemed to care when it was just a few "volunteers" being sent to die in Iraq. Maybe, now they'll understand. This man can protect us from nothing! He can rescue us from nothing! He is an incompetent boob! Where is my country? Where is the greatest country in the world? What have they done to us? What have they done with their greed and self-satisfaction? Our country is but a shadow of what it was.

[Mokito]

173. * only accepts cash "aid"

It's the only thing he can pocket, you know.
And yes, I do believe he's capable of such ugliness.

[HuckleB]

174. I'd had a fair day. But after reading this, I'm officially depressed.

Another pitiful moment in a pitiful presidency.

[Nothing Without Hope]

175. Sort of puts a new twist on the aid he gives so disparagingly and

minimally to OTHER nations when there are naturaal disasters.

So how many will die for Bush's ego and arrogance THIS time? And why does he have the power of death over all these people who are NOT being helped?

[applegrove]

178. Et tu Saudi Arabia? n/t

[Piedras]

179. We should accept overseas help offered for our "tsunami."

Katrina is our "Tsunami." We should accept skilled disaster relief offered by other countries. It'll help us to save many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives and to feed and comfort thousands of people who are homeless and traumatized from hurricane Katrina.

Groups like the DART team from Canada, who can be here quickly to make fresh drinking water, offer medical help, and establish communications, are just what is needed.

Further our humble, heartfelt, acceptance of help from other countries like Canada, the UK, Mexico, Venezuela, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, et all, will, in my opinion, counter the reality and/or perception many in the world hold that the United States has become an arrogant, bullying, country.

Sometimes it takes true strength of character, personal or national, to ask for and accept help from others.

[d_b]

180. Bleh

[pinniped]

181. * is so damm stupid he can't even find LA on the map.

--I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars.--

The cash dollars better not be sent to PA avenue or it will never reach the intended recipients.

[shockingelk]

182. Aid Offers Will Be Accepted From Countries

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/01/AR2005090101542.html

WASHINGTON -- In a turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.

Venezuela, a target of frequent criticism by the Bush administration, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid.

The United Nations informed U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton it was prepared to support the relief effort "in any way possible." Under Secretary-General Jan Egeland said his office had offered the services of the U.N.'s disaster assistance and coordination teams to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

[Zenlitened]

183. Remember when America was proud and strong and a leader in the world?

Seems like a long time ago. :(

[CountAllVotes]

184. thank you

:hi: To all that help, want to help, will help now, later, whenever, thank you! WE NEED HELP! This is a disaster!!!!

and one very BIG VERY SHAMELESS ...

:kick: :kick:

[VegasWolf]

185. I didn't think the Republicans would be turning their backs on MONEY! nt

[bling bling]

186. PLEASE -- SEND US NEW LEADERS!!!!

The guys we have in charge now are dangerous to American's lives....literally.

[Renew Deal]

195. lol

:evilfrown:

[alarimer]

187. perhaps they will finally acknowledge that we do need

the rest of the world.

Nah, I guess that would be too much to ask.

[Rose Siding]

188. "no offer will be refused" even as they REFUSE all the offers

:(

[GoddessOfGuinness]

189. Finally!

Effing asshole should have graciously accepted their generosity 2 days ago!

[belle]

190. Beyond fucking belief that they even had to consider this. Oh, wait...

...no, no, that did actually shock me, despite everything. It's a real talent of sorts, being able to constantly outdo yourself for sheer incompetence and loathsomeness.

anyway. yay help. please come soon. while you're at it: care to run this joint for a while? We seem to flying without a pilot. Thx.

[belle]

191. Oh, but wait:

Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it."



"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."


Fucking narcissistic piece of shit asshole, speak for your fucking self. You got us into this position which you're obviously interpreting as a personal humiliation: deal with it. as in, just shut up and get out of the way. ASSHOLE.

[lumpy]

198. Pride goeth befor the fall, Bush.

So you have had to backtrack again, Bush. Can't wait to witness your fall from misplaced grace.

[krkaufman]

192. Dear god, these asshats are frickin' whirling dervishes...

... what with their constant reversal of position.

[Child_Of_Isis]

193. I have so little faith in our government.

I don't believe the money will go to humanitarian aid, but in the pockets of the fatcats.

[ngGale]

194. I agree with you...

I'd rather have the physical support. Money will come later, right now these people need saving and we can't or won't do it.:scared:

[progressivebydesign]

196. Did Karl read our thread?

Or did someone convince Bush that he was being the biggest asshole on Earth? Or perhaps Condi interupted her shoe shopping vacation to call him and talk some sense into him. Or perhaps Dick finally phoned from Wyoming and told Bush what to say, finally.

[progressivebydesign]

197. Did Karl read our thread?

Or did someone convince Bush that he was being the biggest asshole on Earth? Or perhaps Condi interupted her shoe shopping vacation to call him and talk some sense into him. Or perhaps Dick finally phoned from Wyoming and told Bush what to say, finally.

[Moderator]

199. Kick

[coeur_de_lion]

200. Just watched Kofi Annan offering aid from the UN

He said whatever the US needs the UN is ready to give it. How can this idiot pResident turn down aid when we can't even manage to get water to the people?

I'm amazed at his short-sightedness and arrogance. I didn't think I could be appalled (any more than I already am) by this guy.

I say if he can't do it bring in someone who can.

[Lioness]

203. To hell with what that vile excuse for a human being says

Speaking as a temporarily evicted New Orleans lakefront resident and current refugee, I implore the world to send help anyway. We are desperate; who is he to turn down offers made to the City of New Orleans? He does not live here. (Hey Bush, how about a nice photo op on Canal Street?)

[LetsGoMurphys]

206. You forgot Poland n/t

[auburngrad82]

207. How the fuck did this man get selected to run the country?

He is without a doubt one of the dumbest bastards ever elected to office.

[classysassy]

213. Selected

not elected.

[auburngrad82]

214. That's what I said

By the SCOTUS. Well, five of them selected him.

[classysassy]

212. The Bush/Chaney plan

Dicks old firm will rebuild New Orleans,with cost overruns more bucks for the greedy,rich guys."Oh what a shame" ps sure hope Fats is found safe.

[nickinSTL]

215. Germany offers to tap national oil reserve to aid US

"Schroeder will tap national oil reserve for the US for free"

Berlin (AFP) - The federal government is prepared to give a part of the national oil reserve to the USA for free, in order to help after Hurricane "Katrina".

http://de.news.yahoo.com/050902/286/4o87x.html

(my own translation)

[nickinSTL]

216. Disaster aid to USA

Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) said Friday that they have offered general aid to the USA in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1107667.ece

[littleraf]

218. Mayor Ray Nagin Is Singing A New Tune

Ray Nagin was the arch-Republican supporter. For his entire four year term he'd never seen a Republican he never liked. He prided himself on being the only black man in the country with the "objectivity" (read: stupidty) to support the GOP. Now he's blasting Bush non-stop on TV. On Wednesday he said he was only criticizing the administration as a way to get them to hurry aid. He's dropped that rationalization now and says he believes this is an irrepsonsible administration. Ray Nagin, the poor political stooge. No mnatter how much you kiss Dubya's ass he'll never say thanks. It would be funny if it weren't so sad. Nagin was planning on single-handedly converting all blacks in Louisiana to the Republican party on the basis that Democrats don't help blacks. Now he's attacking the very party he'd shamelessly embraced for four years. He's the mayor of a dead city, his political future is over, his legacy will that of the mayor on whose watch the city was abandoned and left in ruins. And after four years of shilling for the GOP it was a GOP president and GOP Congress that turned it's back on him while his city breathed it's last. As a politician what Nagin's going through is a poitiician's worst nightmare. And I think it's just beginning to dawn on him.

[geniph]

226. I am speechless, with the exception of three words:

WORST.PRESIDENT.EVER.

[JPZenger]

228. Nation's Still Waiting U.S. Approval to Deliver Supplies & Personnel

Governments line up to help after Katrina
02 Sep 2005
Reuters
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L02304097.htm

EUROPEAN UNION: Offered to send experts but there has been no request for assistance, the European Commission said.

FRANCE: The Prime Minister said: "We have rescue teams based in the Caribbean and we are naturally ready to provide aid to the Americans, and that is what we have told them."

GERMANY: Has offered mobile units to provide clean water, military hospital facilities and medical aid.

ITALY: Has offered to "immediately" send aid and evacuation specialists and have prepared two military transport planes to fly amphibious vessels, pumps, generators, tents and personnel to New Orleans and other areas. They were awaiting word from U.S. officials.

RUSSIA: Has offered to help with rescue efforts, but is still awaiting a reply from Washington. "From the first day of the tragedy we offered our help to the U.S. government. Above all with heavy transport planes, which can be loaded with helicopters and generators -- as there is no electricity in the area of the catastrophe," Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Friday.

SWEDEN: On Friday, Swedish officials said they were on Friday it was on stand-by to supply water purifying equipment, healthcare supplies and emergency shelters if needed, but had not yet received a request. "We must know if they need such things, but it doesn't seem to be clear what is needed," said spokesman Mats Oscarsson.

JAPAN: Will provide emergency supplies such as tents, blankets and power generators if it receives requests for such assistance, officials said.

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces, responding to requests by the United States Texas Army National Guard, has sent three Chinook helicopters to Fort Polk, Louisiana, to help in relief efforts.

SOUTH KOREA: Has pledged aid and is waiting for a U.S. response, a government official said.

SRI LANKA: Donating $25,000 to the American Red Cross. (Was severe victim of Tsunami)

VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area."

[bettyellen]

229. .....

[Milspec]

232. U.S. Asks European Union and NATO for Emergency Aid

U.S. Asks European Union and NATO for Emergency Aid of Blankets, Food, Water Trucks
Published: Sep 4, 2005


BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The United States has asked the European Union and NATO for emergency assistance, requesting blankets, first aid kits, water trucks and food for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the two organizations said Sunday.

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said the 25-nation bloc was "ready to contribute to the U.S. efforts aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis" in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama - the states hardest hit by Katrina.

The 26-nation NATO alliance said it too had received a request for aid from Washington. The United States has asked for NATO relief support in the form of food rations for the thousands of people evacuated from New Orleans and other areas, the alliance said in a statement.

[bettyellen]

233. 5 days late- right on schudule.....