"Oh, and be sure to shop at Wal-Mart."
Posted on 09/01/2005 3:47:45 PM PDT by truthandlife
VIENNA, Austria — From papal prayers to telegrams from China, the world reacted with an outpouring of compassion Wednesday for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in messages tinged by shock that a disaster of this scale could occur in the United States.
Islamic extremists rejoiced in America's misfortune, giving the storm a military rank and declaring in Internet chatter that "Private" Katrina had joined the global jihad, or holy war. With "God's help," they declared, oil prices would hit $100 a barrel this year.
Venezuela's government, which has had tense relations with Washington, offered humanitarian aid and fuel if requested.
The storm was seen as an equalizer — proof that any country, weak or strong, can be victimized by a natural disaster. Images of flood-ravaged New Orleans earned particular sympathy in central Europe, where dozens died in raging floodwaters only days ago.
"Nature proved that no matter how rich and economically developed you are, you can't fight it," says Danut Afasei, a local official in Romania's Harghita county, where flooding killed 13 people last week. Throughout Europe, concerned citizens lamented the loss of life and the damage caused to New Orleans, often described as one of North America's most "European" cities.
French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent messages of sympathy to President Bush. Chirac, who has famously quarreled with Bush over the Iraq war, addressed this letter, "Dear George."
Pope Benedict XVI said he was praying for victims of the "tragic" hurricane while China's President Hu Jintao expressed his "belief that that the American people will definitely overcome the natural disaster and rebuild their beautiful homeland."
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II also sent a message to Bush saying she was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the devastation caused by the hurricane and expressing her condolences, "especially to the families of those who have lost their lives, to the injured and to all who have been affected by this terrible disaster."
The U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland — a capital at the foot of the Alps hit by flooding last week — said calls were rushing in from Swiss individuals and institutions looking for a way to donate to relief efforts.
"We are getting calls from the Swiss public looking to express their condolences, (and) people are also asking for an account number where they can make donations," said spokesman Daniel Wendell.
The Internet-edition Vienna daily Der Standard had recorded 820 postings commenting on a front-page story on the hurricane. In one of the postings, signature "Emerald" asked where money could be donated to the victims, but the question sparked a debate about whether a rich country like the United States needed such aid.
Mexico's Vicente "Sly" Fox offerred the assistance of 2 million workers per year to help with the cleanup efforts,
"to remain indefinitely, in case any more disasters might strike within the next century."
LOL that two million is just the reserve force to back up the estimated 18 to 25 million already here.
Yeah, I know.
I have no problem with the legal ones. I have a problem with the country blocking people who want to come legally, yet winking at illegal invasions.
"Oh, and be sure to shop at Wal-Mart."
I just saw the saddest thing...people in NO are begging for help, they were chanting "help, help help" and they are dying and dehyrdating...why are we not at least dropping food and at least water to them like we did to those in other countries needing food and water??? Why are they allowing our people to suffer this way???...won't it be a week tomorrow that this all happened??????????? I just don't understand and it is not right!
Unless Allah doesn't understand economics, it ain't gonna happen. Sorry, Jihadis.
I am quite pleased to hear the Swiss response more than any other. They are just recovering from a disastrous flood themselves. Thank you for posting this.
As a bonus, the workers have experience wading in water
Bush is trying to KILL them ON PURPSOSE, haven't you heard?
No. It will be a week Sunday night. Today is Thursday.
I am sure they would like to drop supplies but they must be concerned at the rioting that would take place over it. Myself, I would like to see the governor and mayor standing out there handing it out personally.
Because they weren't shooting back at the rescuers...unlike NO.
----------------------------------------------
The truth is that anything over $70/bbl makes drawing oil from shale more cost effective. It actually hurts the muslim bastards.
I would propose Americans should remember this and not be so gullible when the next 'natural disaster' happens in some foreign country. I would suggest citizens not send any donations directly. Let the country request help from us, and let our government handle it directly.
Anyone ever wonder about the billions of dollars sent to the countries of the tsunami devastion? Yes, there were 100's of thousands killed... but they have no need of relief funds. Who tracked those billions and what has been produced with it? Answer: Noone and hardly nothing has been done.
That's pretty funny, when you think about it... here, you can use my swiss bank account number: it's 0764...
When I and a lot of other people realized that our Navy was going to spearhead recovery efforts and our government was going to GIVE THEM billions, no strings attached, I said the hell with them. I didn't give a dime over what I'd already had taken from me in taxes.
This is different. These are my brothers and sisters, these are my neighbors, and for some reason, they're being left to bake in the hot southern sun. I truly, truly don't understand what is happening here.
chirp...
chirp......
chirp........
chirp......
chirp....
chirp.......
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.