Posted on 09/02/2005 1:34:49 AM PDT by ChristianDefender
Do you want to know what the definition of ungrateful is? It is being clearly spelled out for us in the world's response – or rather, its lack of response – to the carnage wrought by Hurricane Katrina earlier this week.
Though much of the U.S. Gulf Coast, including a healthy portion of our oil and gas production and refining capability – 30 percent of which resides in the Gulf of Mexico region – lies in ruins; though tens of billions of dollars in damage has been done; though hundreds of American citizens have been killed; though millions could be without power for up to a month; offers of international aid and assistance to help us get back on our feet are not exactly pouring in.
As of this writing, I've seen exactly two offers of assistance. The first comes from Venezuela, whose left-wing leader, President Hugo Chavez, is simply pulling a public-relations stunt and using our misfortune to jab a stick in the eye of the Bush administration, which opposes his anti-U.S. regime.
The second comes from Ontario, Canada. Yes, that's right – just that lone province, not the whole of the Canadian central government.
Excuse me if I don't exactly get misty-eyed from all of this generosity.
Meanwhile, as our rescue teams, military, and emergency management agencies work to save lives and restore some semblance of order and sanity to the stricken areas, the cost estimates for physical damages (the cost in human lives can never be measured) is in the scores of billions of dollars. One estimate puts the estimated price tag of Katrina in insurance claims alone at around $25 billion.
These figures are paltry to a country with a $10 trillion economy, but let's look at the bigger picture: It's the thought that counts, and right now it sure doesn't look like our "friends" and "allies" are giving our problems much thought. Truth be told, some of our buddies are probably even laughing about our misfortune, in a sneering "you-got-what-you-deserved" kind of way.
Yet, even as our own people suffer, die and otherwise watch their lives and dreams wash away before their eyes, our leaders are giving away taxpayer dollars to help other countries at present.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the United States spent a record $18.7 billion on foreign aid in 2003 – a figure which has risen substantially since President Bush took first took office in January 2001. That figure alone would take a huge chunk out of the price tag for Katrina.
We also spend billions more dollars abroad to help others deal with everything from AIDS prevention to stamping out anti-government militias. And let's not forget that little $1 billion donation to help the Asian tsunami victims earlier this year. Aren't we the thoughtful ones?
But it's always this way, isn't it? I mean, haven't the professional and collegiate sports clubs said it best when they reminded us this week, as they ramped up relief efforts and dug into their own pockets, that it is the American way to be generous to a fault when our neighbors are down and out?
That simply means, of course, when the chips are down we Americans know who to count on in a crisis: ourselves.
So to the rest of the world – you ungrateful leeches – I say this: When we decide "unilaterally" to defend ourselves the next time we're attacked; when we next opt to "unilaterally" battle a global evil like terrorism because no one else can or will; when we act "unilaterally" to insist global organizations like the United Nations clean up its act; now you know why. We're used to going it alone.
And one final note: Don't call us ... we'll call you.
Ahem:
Australia donates $10mExcerpt from that first story:
Australia joins more than 20 countries - even poor Honduras - in offering help. Australia joins more than 20 countries - even poor Honduras - in offering help. [...] The State Department said offers so far had come from Belgium, Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, China, Australia, Jamaica, Honduras, Greece, Venezuela, the Organisation of American States, NATO, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, South Korea, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.It's stories this that make me understand why some folks call WND, "WingNut Daily"...
Didn't the US decline Russian aid? And didn't they not allow a team from Vancouver entry into the US?
I think that this time WND is full of shit, man. Sorry.
The Aussies stepped up to the plate.
I was cranken on'em for sending to "managers"... But today they've announced $10 million in aid. That is helpful. Thank You!
Oops... Make that '...two "managers"...'
I'm going to stop being mean to just the french and start being surly to all foreigners that I cross paths with in tourist destination Florida.
This sort of sloppy, inaccurate reporting is why I don't waste time reading WND anymore.
:-)... sometimes they do get that way, but in some ways i find them informative as well...
But there are parts of this article that is also right... I think America from this time on should focus first on the welfare of its citizens to the utmost level before focusing itself on foreign concerns.
While 10 mil is a nice token from Aussies, in reality we are going to need 10,000 times that by the time this is over.
10 million? Geez, I expect Oprah to donate more than that! Sorry, it just sounds like chicken feed. According to one web site Australia (gov't) gave US$810 to sunami relief. OK, this isn't the sunami, but a little over 1% of what they gave there??
Russia offered help on the first day.
I feel that way about the Yanks, after I spend a day reading articles such as this on FR.
Full of holes. Complaining about everyone else while looking down on them at the same time.
You must not be a history buff for if you were you'd know that America has bent over backwards for decades helping not only europeans but folks in need the world over.
Now in a desperate time of need I don't see europe stepping up to help. If you don't like these facts thogh crap there tony boy. Moron.
WRONG
Canada as a whole has offered whatever the US asks for. General Hillier has put contingency plans in effect to respond to US requests.
Canadian electrical crews have started moving south. This is routine when a distribution emergency happens anywhere in North America.
British Columbia was the first to react, allocating urban search and rescue teams which the US has yet to accept.
The Prime Minister has already been on the telephone to the President.
But the US has to ask. Troops simply cannot cross interational boundaries unless asked by the receiving country to do so.
The US has yet to accept Canadian offers of help.
It is during a tragedy such as this when you discover who your friends are.
No good, many freepers want to see America as alone, ignored by the world, while she does her best to sort out the rest of the worlds problems.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9161198/
I think he is now changed his mind and is asking for help...almost everyone has offered..
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