Paula Zahn reporting Fidel Castro has offered doctors and more ...

[YDogg]

... wouldn't it be like a scene from some far out movie if they were allowed to come?

[cmd]

1. Checkmate

Fidel just topped the Prez.

[Melodybe]

2. Thank you Cuba

[wli]

7. Castro's apparently a far better dictator than Bush.

He can actually get his citizens evacuated during hurricanes.

[left hand man]

28. where do cubans "evacuate to" in a Hurricane?

[Mika]

30. Out of the strike zone (see post #27)

They go to hurricane hardened shelters out of the strike zone.

[H2O Man]

13. I accept it on face value

and do not think there must be some agenda to top Bush. Just as the Irish know what famine is, Cuba knows hurricanes.

[TahitiNut]

22. I agree. Nobody knows hurricanes like Cuba knows hurricanes.

Cuba has (righteously, imho) placed a lot of self-esteem in their health care and well-trained medical professionals. There's no way I'd slam or diss that -- imagine if every nation in the world chose such things in which to base their international self-esteem. It'd sure be a far better world, imho.

[cmd]

29. It wasn't done to top Bush

I believe it was done with genuine concern. However, in doing so he did top Bush.

[H2O Man]

31. And that he did.

I suppose those who hate Castro will say, "Big deal. Any idiot can top Bush." In a sense, they will be right. (grin)

[Thtwudbeme]

37. He's been doing it for years.

It's just now that people are finally taking notice.

The "Anti-Model" may in fact become a reality like it or not.

[calico1]

3. Other countries know what needs to be done

and are more concerned. Like *ush should be.

[H2O Man]

4. Doctors and medicine.

I think most of the poor peoplethere would welcome help from Cuba. I would. I think it is a decent thing for Castro to make the offer. It indicates the rest of the world knows many of us do not look to this administration for leadership.

[AspenRose]

5. I was WAITING for this to happen...can't say I'm surprised!

eom

[TaleWgnDg]

6. I've been waiting for this . . . yup. Fidel's offer of MDs as he has

offered his (very well trained) MDs to third-world nation's in exchange for goods. Yup. Hats off to Fidel if he's offered his MDs to Louisiana which is in dire need of medical assistance. Folks are dying unnecessarily as our federal government fritters away how many days without food, water and adequate shelter for how many 10s of thousands of ppl? Or is it 100s of thousands?

Maybe Fidel will send us Cuban-trained MDs who are Americans! Yes, there are some in Cuba! What irony.

.

[Big Kahuna]

8. Castro and Chavez have been making that offer for several weeks.

[LSK]

9. CNN continuing to hold NOTHING BACK n/t

[yy4me]

10. We should thank Castro and

LIFT THE EMBARGO, the people Cuba have suffered too. Castro is no threat and his people need to trade with us. We need Cuba now, I wonder what Georgie will do?

[rodeodance]

14. Jon Healy LA Times editorial of today I think she is talking about.

[SammyWinstonJack]

38. What do you think he will do?

I'm betting his arrogant self important macho man posturing idiot self won't allow him too. Too bad! :grr: I think it's a very humane gesture that we should graciously accept! How about it George! Show some compassion for once in your miserable life! Castro shows he cares for these people who are suffering for five days, more than you do.

[Sgent]

11. Hell

I know of about 30 MD's in North Mississippi who have offered their help, but apparently no one wants them. They are providing free care to victims, but have offered to go south and help as well to both MEMA and LEMA, no one's interested.

[Holly_Hobby]

12. This is a chance for the World to put their differences behind

and help their fellow man. I suppose male hubris (nothing personal, guys) will fuck it up again for women and children. I'm pissed tonight.

[rodeodance]

16. she is saying the effects of the storm was predicable- (hear that Jr?)

[Holly_Hobby]

23. I'm also saying

The world is extending a hand to us after what our President has done to them. We should gracefully accept it, apologize for our transgressions and live in peace with each other. Mr. Macho Bush would NEVER let Cuba help us, even though we could sorely use it. Because he is the most cold, heartless "human" I've ever seen. I hope the Republicans burn in Hell and are forever haunted by the looks on the faces of the dying babies, children, adults and elderly.

[aquart]

15. Puckish sense of humor on that man.

He just couldn't resist.

[oasis]

17. Rep. Bennie Thompson, congressional black caucus to speak. "Make

federal government accountable" he said. FEMA should have planned for the disaster.

[rodeodance]

19. says the government hesitated and people suffered (understatement)

[understandinglife]

18. Let's move this to the DU Homepage, Please!!

Peace.

[MelissaB]

20. I agree, and I helped.

:)

[buddysmellgood]

21. Bravo. Brilliant

[Blue_In_AK]

24. Fidel and Hugo...

You gotta love it.

[Mika]

25. Castro relayed the offer made by the Cuban Health Ministry..

.. after the membership put forth an offer.

Mr Castro doesn't command Cuban Drs to do this (and their other good works).. they made the offer that the Cuban Head of State relayed.

I've been to Cuba many times, and I know that this is how the compassionate doctors and their medical system there work.


Viva Cuba!

[ClayZ]

26. Kudos to CUBA!

Thank you!

[Mika]

27. Regarding Cuba's experience with hurricanes..

Thanks to Karmadillo who posted this link from OXFAM on another Cuba/hurricane thread,


http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/emergencies/asian_floods_2004/background/cubalessons


<edit>

While its neighbors are battered, losing lives and property, Cuba is unusually good at withstanding these calamities, and suffers much fewer dead.

Oxfam’s report, entitled Weathering the Storm: Lessons in Risk Reduction in Cuba cites a number of attributes of Cuba’s risk reduction program that can be applied by other countries. Three in particular are transferable to Asia and other regions:

*Disaster Preparedness: Cuba was especially good at mobilizing entire communities to develop their own disaster preparations. This involves mapping out vulnerable areas of the community, creating emergency plans, and actually simulating emergencies so people can practice evacuations and other measures designed to save lives. When disaster strikes, people know what to do.

*Commitment of Resources: Cuba’s strong central government prioritizes resources for its civil defense department. This helps the country to build up a common understanding of the importance of saving lives, and the citizens trust that their contributions to the government are well used for this purpose. Their collaboration on developing emergency plans helped build confidence in the government, so people trust in the plan they helped develop.

*Communications: The communications system for emergencies in Cuba builds on local resources. Using local radio stations and other media to issue warnings on potential hazards also reinforces the disaster preparations. Since the local population is already involved in mapping risks and creating emergency plans, they are more inclined to act on emergency bulletins. Good communications, packaged simply, and built on existing, commonly used resources, is another way to build trust in disaster preparations.

Cuba is a unique example. There is a strong central government committed to protecting all its citizens, even the poorest and most isolated who are typically the most at risk. The most common natural disaster in Cuba is a hurricane, a threat visible for days and even weeks in advance. Yet building a culture of disaster preparedness, and involving local communities in mitigating risks, are strategies that can be applied in many other places, regardless of how rich or poor a country might be.

more...

[Pacifist Patriot]

32. Thank you Cuba

[McCamy Taylor]

33. Boats are the best rescue right now. Lots of boats. Send em Fidel!

[Minstrel Boy]

35. private boats have been kept away

Ask FEMA why

[bklyncowgirl]

40. Hey Cubans are good at getting lots of people on rafts.

Just kidding. But seriously, no offer of hope should be refused.

[MADem]

34. Cuba has some damn fine doctors, frankly

They are very well educated, very well read, and are superb diagnosticians. They are also accustomed to doing a great deal with very little.

A Cuban doctor is a good doctor--they will cut to the chase, and not try to con you into a little blue pill, when what you need is to get off your ass and exercise.

Marcus Welbys, all, who can salsa and merengue!

[Jade Fox]

36. Cuba tried to warn the US about the 1900 Hurricane that hit Galveston...

and we didn't listen to them. Weather experts in Cuba could tell that
storm was getting worse after it passed over Cuba and headed for
Texas. The death toll was somewhere between 8000 and 10,000 in
the Galveston area.

The last few days may have topped that event. The book about it is
"Isaac's Storm".

[H2O Man]

39. Most biographies

of Jack Johnson tell about it, too. Obviously, he survived it, but he lost family & friends.

[guajira]

41. B* Offered Cuba $50,000 after Hurricane Dennis

Cuba suffered many millions in damages and their location saved Key West from being wiped off the globe, and the idiot in the WH offered them barely enough to build one house.

Cuba wisely turned down the offer, thereby denying B* the privilege of proclaiming he gave "aid" to Cuba - without really giving anything!!

GWB - WORST PRESIDENT EVER!!!!!!

[Cascadian]

42. Thank you, Fidel.

I have mixed feelings about Castro. His human rights record is pretty deplorable but on the other side of the coin, he has presided over the highest literacy rate in Latin America plus a good health care system. I would have accepted his help.


John