Tsunami Minister Defends U.S. on Katrina

The Guardian UK ^ | 9/11/2005 | Chris Brummitt

[LA Woman3]

Tsunami Minister Defends U.S. on Katrina

Saturday September 10, 2005 6:46 PM

By CHRIS BRUMMITT

Associated Press Writer

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - The minister who led Indonesia's aid effort in the aftermath of the tsunami has a message to those who say the Bush administration was too slow to respond to Hurricane Katrina - it's not as easy as it looks.

``Any country in the first two weeks, they are always criticized,'' said Alwi Shihab, who took charge of the aid operation three days after the waves hit Aceh province on Dec. 26, killing a staggering 130,000 people and leaving 500,000 more homeless in Indonesia.

``The first 10 days we were cursed for being sluggish.

[LA Woman3]

If the government satisfies half the people, the other half will complain. And this one half will be heard by the world,'' Alwi, a respected former foreign minister, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

So very true!!

[MCCRon58]

Alwi,while correct, fails to take into account the vitriol and hatred that the American media has for America, and any administration which has not the Magical, mystical "D" preceding its titular head.

[LA Woman3]

Did you see this article in the Advocate this morning?

[marmar]

Gee..........the voice of reason........

[hauerf]

"Unlike in New Orleans, where law and order broke down soon after the levees broke, there was little or no looting in Aceh - something most people attribute to the region's strong community ties."

Was it community ties or simply a matter of being civilized human beings?.

"Aid officials also were impressed by the self-sufficiency of the Acehnese."

Perhaps there's something to be said for a government that does not provide for low lifes' needs as a matter of course.

[MNJohnnie]

The Guardian UK

This from the GUARDIAN??? All right, which Freeper hacked the Guardian's computer and wrote this story???

[LA Woman3]

Refreshing, isn't it?

[Ellesu]

No, thanks for the ping!

[BenLurkin]

Bump

[indianrightwinger]

Reality is that Bush is sinking. I am really worried about the political impact and the conservative agenda.

What is Rove doing?

[marmar]

I'd say it is pretty close to a miracle.......

[LA Woman3]

Reality is that Bush is sinking. I am really worried about the political impact and the conservative agenda.



Mary Landrieu....is that you??

[MNJohnnie]

One thing that people never point out. The Tsunamia response was a straight Military mission for the US Navy and Marines. What went wrong in NO was State political played political CYA games. For example, when Bush went down the 1st time and met with Blanco and Nagel, he told them he was prepare to immediately deploy Reg US military units to NO. Blanco, IN FRONT OF NAGEL, told Bush she "needed 24 hours" People are dieing and SHE NEEDS 24 hours??? No wonder the disaster response in LA was too little-too late. The commander of the Rescue operations, Gov Blanco, was more worried about THE POLITICS then getting the mission done!

[BenLurkin]

You know, I had a FReeper once ask me what it was like working in the basement of the White House.

I don't work there. Believe me.

[Uncle Joe Cannon]

You mean Bush's "sinking" approval rating will make it difficult to pass more highway prescription drug bills? Doesn't sound too bad to me.

This will all blow over long before the 2006 election.

[LA Woman3]

And don't forget the "gangsters" shooting at the rescuers!

[Rightwingmom]

We don't have orphans being sold into prostitution.

[indianrightwinger]

No. It is the most right wing dude ever. But, I know politics.

I also know the cascading affect of a weak political situation.

A vast majority of this great country does not care to dig up facts like you and me.

[geopyg]

"This from the GUARDIAN???"

I was glad to (finally) see an article in the Seattle Times about earthquake preparedness. The Seattle emergency guys was quoted as saying "knock down all our bridges and highways and it will take a long time to get to everyone, just like it did in New Orleans". He also mentioned how the "3 days" of supplies may not last half the time that you are on your own.

[indianrightwinger]

Well, let us see......the agenda items are:

1) Get John Roberts through
2) Name and win on another Strict Constructionist to the SCOTUS
3) Some kind of Social Security reform
4) WIN MORE SENATE SEATS IN 2006

Does that sound like the agenda you believe in?