Bush was roundly criticized for his "hesitation" and the US response to the Asia tsunami.
People like Chirac, Schroeder, the UN, a clown in Norway all lamented the US response.
Heard anything from them about helping the people of LA, MS or AL yet?
No, and most likely we won't. Like Chavez and his cynical offer to sell cheap oil to the poor this winter, these leaders are more interested in making political points than they are in actually going in to help people.
Besides, what how would they help? Paying back the money we've loaned them more quickly? Not accepting our foreign aid? They're barely able to help themselves, let alone "lower" themselves to helping us, even by offering something symbolic, like search helicopters, dogs, or personnel.
Nope, once again, the "evil capitalists" are going to prove to the world that there is one system that doesn't require the help that's not being offered. We help each other. That's why you're going to see power trucks pouring in from other states, license plates from all over the country getting as close as possible to render assistance wherever they're allowed to, and money coming in from groups and individuals to help give the area a fighting chance to recover from this devastation.
All the while, we're pulling two other countries out of the depths of tyranny and pouring aid to impoverished nations everywhere. Let's take those foreign aid dollars that are being sent to the Palestinians and pump them into rebuilding Biloxi, Mobile, New Orleans, Gulf Shores, and the other cities that actually add value to the world, rather than export terror.
/rant
The only help I've heard about is from Chavez in Venezuela believe it or not. He's offered food and fuel to the people of the area. Strange.
Not once, even last year, with all of the devastation from three hurricanes in a row, did ANY other countries offer to come to aid of the US. But we are expected time and again to give BILLIONS of dollars of our money to help others. And we do it gladly, out of the goodness of our hearts...no matter how much they hate us.