Happy Hayley

Just as many other people around the world are appaulled by events in New Orleans, I am also very angry.
Why is Australia and numerous other nations including the likes of Sri Lanka (!) offering monetary donations to help the people so terribly devastated by this, when America is the richest nation on the planet?
Of course i want these victims helped and aided in every way possible, but my anger is aimed at the American government itself. This hurricane was known about well in advance and even reached news stations in all corners of the globe, so how come Bush and his cronies have been so slow to act? I heard on the news that a measely 5 buses were orinially drafted in to ship out how many thousands of people??!! They need to get a grip! A country with more resources, money and technology than nearly any other nation on earth and they cant organise the aid of their own people in their own country?!
I am furious about this.

Rant over.

bridiej

I know, I cant understand why they have been so slow to act over there, they should have had recovery plans in place, especially since they had pre-warning of the strength of the hurricane, unlike the tsunami that hit Asia...

America is the richest country in the planet and has enough resources to sort itself out.

Anne4Terry

I had no idea other countries were on about sending money Grrr hurrummpphh huufff
I can't believe that they just sat back and have only seemed to make a move once the rest of the world knows how bad it is. A comment was made on the news last night that questions had been asked about why had these people not all been aided evacuated BEFORE the hurricane? I'll tell you why, because it would have cost the government money and there was always a teeny weeny possibility that the hurricane might have veered off in a different direction and so it would have been money *wasted*! They are only doing something about it now because they HAVE to and the world is watching.

Carruss

I reckon it may just have something to do with it being a predominatly black area ! ! !

If it was full of rich white folk then it would have been a different story.

Anyways, just my opinion!

R.

mark1969

if it was oil under threat and not just expendable people - the bush government has proved it is prepared to act when there is a dollar in it for them.

they will already be taking kickbacks from construction companies to secure contracts to rebuild the city from federal funds

why should people donate to help the US financially ? they have squandered billions murdering in Iraq - on the same day as the hurricane a thousand people died in Iraq yet there has been little coverage in the media -double standards

Anne4Terry

Yeah, I had heard that. The whites (ok not all whites, but mostly) with money and credit cards were able to make an escape as they either had someone to stay with or could afford alternative accommodation, but the poorer people were left there. News reports just before the hurricane struck spoke about people choosing not to evacuate and to stick it out. I don't think much choice actually came into it. It is the poorer quarter that NEEDS the help and they are the ones who have had to wait so long for it to start to come through.

Amazulu

I couldn't believe the poverty in New Orleans when I was there a few years ago (a great city by the way, one of the best). Coming from Africa I've seen some really poor areas, but New Orleans came close. Most of the whites got out, it's very racially divided down there & this has shown it up. I've travelled through the gulf coast area, it's a great place & the people are really nice. I hope they can get themselves back on their feet soon.

moneypenny20

Don't get me started on this one Just waiting for Blair to come along and offer everything he has

Amazulu

Why shouldn't the UK help if required?. They've helped the UK before.

Happy Hayley

I dont think its a case of not helping them if extra specialist helpers and manpower is required, but America does not need monetary donations! Their government is more than capable of funding the aid of these people.

If anyone has access to Amercian news channels, i urge to go watch for a while. I am no fan of tabloid journalism, but i can see with my own eyes what is unfolding there. Hundreds of thousands of people have, in effect, been neglected and left on the streets to die. There is no strategic rescue policy in place. Police are being interviewed losing their cool begging for someone to come to their aid. There are babies and elderly people dying from no water or medical aid.
There is a going to be big big trouble for the government and authorities over this and the whole world is watching it live on TV.

moneypenny20

A) because they don't need it. They have the finance. They have the people albeit in the wrong place. This is not a poor third world country that cannot cope without outside help. This is one of the "top" countries in the world who have stuffed up badly. I feel desperately sorry for the people of New Orleans and surroundings but the powers that be have screwed them, no one else.

B) When did they help us - oh yes they joined in WWII after they had been attacked themselves - thanks when else? oh yes they supplied unlimited amounts of money and guns to the IRA to assist killing the evil British.

Not in the mood for an argument, there is obviously far more both good and bad but current situation bugs me.

ozzieeagle

Yes, I think you've summed it up.

Just about every other western civilised country in the world would have been geared up better for this. 1000's dead maybe ?


Ergo.... they aint gonna get help, (well proper help) so maybe we should ?

Amazulu

What gets me about it is that you are seeing loads of troops/police driving round, armed to the teeth looking for looters etc, whilst people are barley hanging on survival wise.

Looting is wrong & needs to be tackled but starving/thirsty people in a 1st world country is worse.

moneypenny20

Looks like I have started now but what is it with looting. Watching the tv the other night they appeared to be stealing the most bizarre stuff that would be as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Has anyone explained why there have been no food drops - the list of unanswered questions goes on. Think I will go and put the washing on

DSC_AU

I ve heard tha President Bush has assigned his father and former president Bill clinton to lead the fund raising for the victims