Posted on 01/16/2010 11:53:53 AM PST by Red in Blue PA
Washington (CNN) -- The retired general who took charge of relief efforts in New Orleans, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina said Thursday that the U.S. military should have arrived in earthquake-devastated Haiti 24 hours earlier.
"The good Samaritans who moved early on the first day are to be applauded. They made a difference," said Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, a CNN contributor.
"What we've got to do now is get the heavy equipment in. I thought the U.S. military could have been there a day earlier. They're on the ground now, and they have a brigade en route, and that's going to make a big difference," he said.
Honore, best known for his management of the recovery efforts after the hurricane that killed about 2,000 people on the Gulf Coast, said "time is of the essence" in helping quake survivors.
..
Regarding the airport, he said, "You need to put the right commander there who's going to be a battle captain and keep those aircraft flowing. You come in, you drop off what you have, you put the sick and wounded on and then move out. No one is standing any time on the airfield. You can be in and out in a half hour."
Speaking at the House Democratic Caucus Retreat later Thursday, Obama acknowledged the scrutiny focused on U.S. response.
"This is a time when the world looks to us and they say -- given our capacity, given our unique capacity to project power around the world -- that we have to project that not just for our own interests but for the interests of the world as a whole," he said. "And my national security team understands that I will not put up with any excuses for us not doing the very best in this time of tragedy."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Interesting comparison. 1989 Okland quake was about the same strength. Population probably about the same too if you include Alameda county and the bay area.(guessing).
I heard that although both were 7.0 earthquakes, the power associated with this one was 4 times greater. Not sure why.....possibly because it was so close to the surface?
If a disaster like Haiti ever hit the modern day USA, looting would start on Day 2 at the latest IMO.
The Haitian people have shown a great resolve and dignity.
Care to provide a link backing that assertion?
because I’m sick and tired of us continually letting the left slide on their hypocrisy. Or have you forgotten the venom spewed at GWB during katrina?
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