John Kerry to Deliver Supplies to New Orleans Area

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry to Deliver Supplies to New Orleans Area
September 10th, 2005

Earlier, I posted the press release about the legislation that John Kerry sponsored on the Senate floor Friday that will help Small Businesses and others affected by Katrina by providing “some relief to them that’s immediate.”

And now here comes news that John Kerry has chartered a plane to bring supplies to the New Orleans area on Sunday and beyond…

Kerry set to deliver supplies
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | September 10, 2005

WASHINGTON — Senator John F. Kerry has chartered a plane to deliver supplies to the New Orleans area tomorrow and is accepting donations in Boston to make deliveries in the coming weeks.

Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, has coordinated local and national corporate donations that will be part of tomorrow’s delivery to a supply distribution center in Baton Rouge, La.

‘’This feels so much like the days after September 11th, when friends and neighbors refused to just sit there in front of their television sets watching the disaster; they just had to get up and give something of themselves,” Kerry said. ‘’The outpouring from Massachusetts has been incredible.”

Tomorrow’s shipment includes water, food, medical supplies, infant-care items, and cleaning supplies. Donations came from a range of individuals and businesses, including Children’s Hospital, the Roche Bros. supermarket chain, New Balance, Stop & Shop groceries, the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, Polar Beverage, Partners Healthcare, Basic Marketing Service, Hallmark Health, BJ’s Wholesale, and Coca-Cola.

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=493

[Island Blue]

1. This is absolutely fantastic!

This is what a truly caring leader does. He recognizes that people (in this case his constituents) are willing, ready and able to help, and he coordinates efforts so they can do just that. Bravo Senator Kerry!

[TayTay]

2. I saw this in the Globe today! Such good news.

There are a great many people in MA, as in all the other states, who have been collecting supplies for the victims of this tragedy. It's very comforting to know that they will get to where they are needed.

The article said that more supply runs would happen in the future, so I guess I will contact the Senate office and see where to drop things off.

Nice classy move. This is like what the Senator did after another hurrican, Hugo, I think, when he helped to arrange for flights full of supplies to go into the affected area. On a tiny side note, I wonder if he will pilot any of those flights. That would be something. Get to see the disaster from the air and take back that info to Congress for when he is working on legislation.

[Mass]

3. Great news

Of course already criticized as political by some, as if senators did not need to go there to see what the situation is.

How many will go there with an empty plane?

I guess this is also why he did not speak about the relief effort yet. He wanted to see by himself. That would be Kerry.

[Mass]

4. Just a question.

Is Kerry actually going to NO?

Not that it is important but the Globe article does not actually say so, as far as I can see, even if the title may suggest it?

It would be interesting to know.

[Island Blue]

5. I was wondering the same thing

Is he actually going along with the supplies? That would be very cool if he did. As far as some folks seeing this as political act, screw them. He sees a need and he's doing something about it. Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi are "red states". If he was being political he would say "forget you, you didn't vote for me" and turn his back. He's being a human being and yes, using his clout, to GET THE JOB DONE! I swear the poor man is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. (I assume it's Freepers, the regular variety, not lefties, who are making this claim.)

[Mass]

6. Some are also comparing to Gore to say Kerry is late

as if they were doing the same type of relief effort or if the need was not going to last for a long time, unfortunately.

[JI7]

7. well, Bill Frist was there early

if they want to get into that.

but too many people are viewing this in terms of a political contest rather than focusing on doing what is best and right for the people.

when Kerry was working behind the scenes they complained he wasn't out front and that it showed he wasn't a good candidate. and if he does do something more in the open they say he is being political.

why does any of that matter ? who cares, if you don'tw ant to support him in 2008 then don't. but what has that got to do with what he is doing right now. he was the first to send out an email asking people to help the victims of Katrina. and he followed up regularly doing things.

[jillan]

8. I have to admit that I was impressed with Frist being there when he was

and offering medical attention to those who needs it.

Was it political? Who cares! The people that Frist helped don't give a dam if politics was his motivation for being there.

Is what Kerry is doing political? Who cares! The people that are going to be helped by the supplies he is bringing (sending?) don't give a dam if politics is his motivation for doing this.

[JI7]

9. yup

i would much rather Santorum, Hastert and the other selfish assholes doing similar things to Frist than the shit they are doing such as calling for abandoning New Orleans, looking to punish the victims and other crap.

to be fair Frist regularly goes to poor parts of the country and world to provide free medical care. i would never vote for the jerk for public office because he supports policies that harm people. but i'm not going to complain about the good he does do.

[karynnj]

10. It is so childish to even compare them

Both of their responses went beyond what anyone would expect them to do. Each saw needs that they had the resources, contacts and ability to do something that helped, so they did it.

The contrast they should make is between Bush and those who are helping. Bush controlled the executive branch and the military - he absolutely flaked out for at least 2 days - going to fund raisers, eating cake with McCain and pretending to play guitar. The man with more power to help than anyone did nothing.

Gore is out of office. He used contacts he has to get permission to bring 2 planes in and take people out of harm's way.

Kerry was in Iraq, but still used his lists to offer sympathy and help raise funds, and with Teresa was involved in a personal attempt to help that we know of only because it obviously so touched Lott that he spoke of it on TV and in ths Senate. He has since done his job by writing proposed legislation to provide help to small business in the recovery phase.