Where Is the Aid From the International "Community?"

September 1, 2005 | Self

[sweetliberty]

Admittedly I haven't been sitting glued to the TV news all day every day throughout this catastrophe, and perhaps this has already been addressed. It is also possible that there are things going on that I've missed, but I have this nagging question on my mind.

Where are all the countries we've helped when there has been a need? Who has rushed to give us aid in the form of money and supplies and manpower. Where are all these leaders who are the first to put their hands out when their countries are in trouble? Where are all the "spiritual" leaders offering prayers for our losses? I know we do not give in order to receive, but is it unreasonable to believe that there would at least be some who would remember the generosity our nation has showed toward them?

[sweetliberty]

Comments?

[ThreePuttinDude]

I guess they are all waiting for their time cards to be authorized.
They need to punch in before they can start to work you know.

Oh, and the UN said no overtime.



</sarc

[sweetliberty]

I had to ask.

[ml1954]

Rightly or wrongly, misinformed or not, ignorant or otherwise, I think it's because most take some silent pleasure in this.

[Mo1]

I think there have been a number of countries that have offered

But I can't remember which ones though

[nicmarlo]

The Euro countries have a entitlement complex.

I've heard/read that Japan has offered aid.

But, you're right, sl.....any kind of compassion/aid from those to whom our country, our people, have so generously given is sorely lacking.

[sweetliberty]

"I think it's because most take some silent pleasure in this."

I suspect you are right, at least in part.

[Darksheare]

Venezuela offered help, I think.

Germany offered bloviation.

[sweetliberty]

"I think there have been a number of countries that have offered"

I'm glad to hear that. I'm betting France isn't among them.

[birbear]

Actually, I think, France, Germany, Australia, New Zeland, Japan, Russia, Canada, England, and Venezuela have all offered some type of support.

That's all I would really be expecting. The rest of the counties are just too damn dirt poor to be really offering anything.

Well I guess the Swiss should offer..but I don't expect anything from any African, or most of the Asian countries.

[andie74]

Both France and Germany made offers of help today...not sure to the extent.

(ducking)

[andie74]

The Russians really means a lot...because they don't have a lot. Goes to show how much Bush's hand of friendship means to Putin.

[sweetliberty]

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear they are not all heartless as well as brain dead.

[prophetic]

I figure the U.N. said NO because Kofi Annan could not get his normal 15% commission of the $10 Billion Aid package from Congress.

[birbear]

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear they are not all heartless as well as brain dead.

Not that I believe every body has ulterior motives, but these countries know that image means something. Take France as an example... they're actually a pretty rich country, at one time they were the most wired country in Europe (2/3 of the population owns a computer)...to not make the gesture of helping would put them in a dim light.

Also, despite the rhetoric between Paris and Washington DC, most of the French, I imagine, have nothing against the particular people in New Orleans that were affected. In fact, with Lousiana's deep roots burined in the French tradition, I imagine that your average French person feels a kind of kinship with "N'awlins."

[kozachka]

Has it occurred to anyone on this thread to actually look things up before commenting on them? I mean even if only to the extent of searching free republic for other threads which cover this topic.

I mean, sheesh!

[sweetliberty]

"...to not make the gesture of helping would put them in a dim light."

Do they not realize that they've been there for a long time?

"with Lousiana's deep roots burined in the French tradition, I imagine that your average French person feels a kind of kinship with "N'awlins."

I hadn't thought of that.

[tsmith130]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1475121/posts

[birbear]

"...to not make the gesture of helping would put them in a dim light."
Do they not realize that they've been there for a long time?

Here's a question that i don't know the answer to: How does your average European/Asian feel about France?

I don't know the answer to that, but if I had to guess, based on what I've read and experienced, I would say that the average non-American probably like the French just fine. Up until the 20th century, France was a dominate culture in Europe and in other parts of the world. Even today, French food, French arts, French "culture" is looked upon as treasures to be savored.

I think the "hostility" that we have with France is a problem within the US and is not shared by the rest of the world. Thus to be "cast in a dim light" would be problematic for the French.

[Borax Queen]

Interesting question - thanks for posting.