We needed a clean slate.
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We needed a clean slate.
Purely in retrospect...I am not making this political, nor blaming anyone directly. It looks to me like there's plenty of blame to go around (although that FEMA guy, Brown, really looks like an asshat now!).
1. Why hasn't New Orleans been declared a National Historic Site and had federal funding to get those levees up to par?
2. How do you justify waiting 4 days to send in troops?
3. What in Gods name is going to happen to us if we really suffer a bad terrorist attack? :eek:
Unfortunately since about the late 1970's we have stopped being concerned about disasters whether they are man-made or natural. A classic example, right at this very moment can you tell me where your nearest "Fallout Shelter" is? I can't because we don't have one where I live. However, I will bet you an Andrew Jackson that if you went to yours, you would find it being used for storage, or in all kinds of disarray. We are really becoming Lax about preparing for emergencies and we will pay the price as we see in New Orleans and the surrounding area. It all begins at the local, county, and state level and they hosed their preps up something terrible.
cheers
Hey Hey,
Since we're closing threads because of whiny American's who can't stand their country being shown in a negative light... even when the post is entirely factual.... Since this is important information for those that wonder why no one is getting involved to support the US after the US gave "so much" during the tsunami. Here's the post again.
Peace,Quote:
can't believe that people are attack the UN and other countries for not helping out.... The US may be high on the list of contributors for the Tsunami, but that was due to private donations. When you look at per capita, the US provided next to nothing in support.. 3.39/person.. compare that with the top 15
The US support was quite sad... or how about the recent Live8 events for Africa... and the requests that were made after that... again the US was the last to jump on the bandwagon... The US is the first to step in at times of War... (or to make war).. but other than that they're very slow to react... Why should they expect anything different in return.. Treat people the way you expect to be treated and the world is treating the US better than the US has treated it.Quote:
quote:
1. Norway $57.71 per person
2. Australia $47.95 per person
3. Kuwait $42.81 per person
4. Qatar $28.96 per person
5. Netherlands $27.21 per person
6. Switzerland $21.08 per person
7. Denmark $20.24 per person
8. New Zealand $20.23 per person
9. Ireland $19.51 per person
10. Finland $16.86 per person
11. Sweden $16.04 per person
12. Canada $15.25 per person
13. Luxembourg $14.51 per person
14. Germany $12.99 per person
15. Austria $11.16 per person
How about Cuba's offer.. (It should also be noted that this offer was almost made August 30th and denied then as well... and they also offered to ship all the food and water that these people would require so that it wouldn't be a burden on the US).
Bush is refusing to accept this support... Perhaps the problem isn't the rest of the world offering support, but the President of the US turning away that support. The other day I heard the Mayor of New Orleans on the news actually telling Bush off... saying that flying over the site wasn't actually being there and that he was "pissed off" that Bush was doing so little in support.Quote:
quote:
Cuban President Fidel Castro reiterates medical care offer to the American people in his remarks during the TV round table, September 2, 2005, 6:00 pm:
"Our country is ready to send, in the small hours of morning, 100 clinicians and specialists in Comprehensive General Medicine, who at dawn tomorrow, Saturday, could be in Houston International Airport, Texas, the closest to the region struck by the tragedy, in order to be transferred by air, sea or river to the isolated shelters, facilities and neighborhoods in the city of New Orleans, where the population and families are that require emergency medical care or first aid.
"These Cuban personnel would be carrying backpacks with 24 kilograms of medications, known to be essential in such situations to save lives, as well as basic diagnosis kits. They would be prepared to work alone or in groups of two or more, depending on the circumstances, for as long as necessary.
"Likewise, Cuba is ready to send via Houston, or any other airport of your choosing, 500 additional specialists in Comprehensive General Medicine, with the same equipment, who could be at their destination point at noon or in the afternoon of tomorrow, Saturday, September 3.
"A third group of 500 specialists in Comprehensive General Medicine could be arriving in the morning of Sunday, September 4. Thus, the 1100 said medical doctors, with the resources described tantamount to 26.4 tons of medications and diagnosis kits, would be caring for the neediest persons in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.
"These medical doctors have the necessary international experience and elementary knowledge of the English language that would allow them to communicate with the patients.
"We stand ready waiting for the US authorities' response."
There is lots of support there, but as always the US government is too proud to ask for help... Do you think people stepped in for the Tsunami immediately.... I'm pretty sure there was prolly requests for Aid that went out.. .Maybe instead of attack the UN over no providing the support you should attack Bush for not requesting support or accepting the offered support.
Peace,
HT
[Edit]
The Company I work for provided employees and facilities for a large telethon that was recently held across the US... On top of donating everything, they also donated $4/hour/person during the Telethon.
[/Edit]
HT
Sadly, now would be the perfect (not in the good sense, AT ALL) and most damaging time for an attack to happen.. I'm praying to god that things in this country turn out alright. It's not looking good.. :(Quote:
3. What in Gods name is going to happen to us if we really suffer a bad terrorist attack?
Please do not consider this to be in any way critical, it is a genuine question that is of interest to me because of the way political organisation within Europe is going.
Do our American members feel that the federated nature of the United States might be a problem in these situations?
By that I mean that you have a layer of government called "states", which have a certain degree of autonomy. This creates an additional barrier between central government and towns and counties.
For example, prior to your last elections, supposing the federal government had come up with: " global climate is changing, we need to take these measures to protect certain areas, and we will pay for it out of central funds"
Would that have been considered "buying votes" in certain states?...................or even worse: "we will win that state anyway, so we don't need to spend money there"
Just a question :)
The problem is in a sense yes, bureacracy. The price you pay for having specialized localized governments is that they in fact are supposed to be autonomous. While in certain extreme situations can cause a slow response by the federal government due to bueracracy, it's still a superior way of government as each state can have its own priorities without much interference.
As to refusing personel aid, it's not a matter of pride. The US has the infastructure capable of dealing with these kinds of distasters and it is doing so. Money is the only really issue of need when it comes to a lack-there-of. Any foreign workers might actually slow things down due to a language barrier. There are also very legitimate reasons for refusing aid from countries like Cuba. Cuba is communist, and is not on friendly terms with the US. Accepting such aid would be a vicious political tool to place in Castro's arsenal. Not a very complex matter. Someone can say things like, "Don't like politics interfere with saving lives, etc" however, that's naive and short-sighted. The longer term implications are greater.
Aside from anyone who just likes to find another reason to rage at the US, I think the situation is being handled very optimumly given the circumstance. The states are being very neighboorly and helping LA, and the proper government organizations are working to their fullest capacity. If there is anyone to get angry with, it's the reporters that actually have the gall to walk up to looters and politely stomach their barbarism.
Hey Hey,Quote:
Originally posted here by Evil Moo
The problem is in a sense yes, bureacracy. The price you pay for having specialized localized governments is that they in fact are supposed to be autonomous. While in certain extreme situations can cause a slow response by the federal government due to bueracracy, it's still a superior way of government as each state can have its own priorities without much interference.
As to refusing personel aid, it's not a matter of pride. The US has the infastructure capable of dealing with these kinds of distasters and it is doing so. Money is the only really issue of need when it comes to a lack-there-of. Any foreign workers might actually slow things down due to a language barrier. There are also very legitimate reasons for refusing aid from countries like Cuba. Cuba is communist, and is not on friendly terms with the US. Accepting such aid would be a vicious political tool to place in Castro's arsenal. Not a very complex matter. Someone can say things like, "Don't like politics interfere with saving lives, etc" however, that's naive and short-sighted. The longer term implications are greater.
Aside from anyone who just likes to find another reason to rage at the US, I think the situation is being handled very optimumly given the circumstance. The states are being very neighboorly and helping LA, and the proper government organizations are working to their fullest capacity. If there is anyone to get angry with, it's the reporters that actually have the gall to walk up to looters and politely stomach their barbarism.
It will have political implications... bullshit.. the US is too proud and Bush is too pigheaded... Turning down something that you desperately need is stupid... Would an a starving American soldier turn down food from the Iraqi army? something tells me he wouldn't... The US again is not on friendly terms with Cuba for no real reason... It's an age old grudge that shouldn't exist, if one side can overlook it than the other should as well... Politics shouldn't interfer with saving lives... not if you truly care about saving those lives... If you think they should.. then you are the naive one..
You think it's being handled optimally? The delays in help is optimal... The lack of support is optimal.. As much as people such as !mitationRust make me hate the US more and more... and as much as I'd love to see the US disappear... this situation is not optimal.. it's a bloody shame that could have been avoided...
However, I will give you that having a middle level of government between Federal and Municipal is the ideal way to operate.
Peace
HT
Well it has been established that we didnt handle things as well as we could have but, its over now and we are trying our best to help!so why dont ppl stop moaning about what we could have/should have done and go make a donation to the relief effort? my aunt lost her house i feel really bad for her but now we just gotta pull together and get it fixed. Just my 2 cents.
Well if it isn't HTRegz spouting off anti american comments... again...
First of all, I would like to say that I agree with your comments about bush... however...
Please, tell me the great things canada has done that make a big international difference other then sign the kyoto treaty and donate more money per person which really doesn't add up to a whole lot anyway because of the lack of a big population....Quote:
Canada has done a lot more for the world than the US...
You wanna talk about stupid people that can't come up with facts?? Your the one with all the personal oppinions... The only facts you really have is that article about the support from cuba and the amount of donations that america has given to the tsunami relief effort...
You also said you would like to see america disapear... and you and I have discussed the effects this would have on the global economy and you seem to beleive this event would have little to no effect... If you think the disapearance of a country with the third biggest population in the world and possibly the most imports (which means big $$$ for countries like china, japan, europe, and yes... even canada...) would only be a tiny setback for the world then you are extremely naive...
I have stayed pretty much out of this for a little while, but HT that was just plain ridiculous. See the U.S disappear? Now tell me, what impact will having the U.S disappear as opposed to having Canada disappear? I like Canada and have no problems with them.. but honestly dude, some of those comments are a little assanine, no?Quote:
and as much as I'd love to see the US disappear...
I've kept my cool in dealing with HT's comments, but there is a time when it's just too much. It's every person's natural born right to hate whatever/whomever they choose, but there are forums of logic and maturity. I have yet to see a single post by HT that does not go to lengths to use every concievable situation to degrad the US and it's many fine citizens.
I hate to go this route, but I'm pretty aggitated. My only comment is that, "If the US is easily the most powerful economic, political, military, and civil rights leader in the world, yet comprised of nothing but detached, moronic, warmongering, yankee, fatass, ignorant, cowboys, what does that say about the country and the countrymen that you are kin to?
Every country/civilization has faults and successes, including you and your own. Grow up.
That is true about every nation, just like your post indicates.. but yeah. Anyways, I hope people don't think of me as an American loving facist or whatever. Quite the contrary, I'm rather EXTREMELY pissed off with our current government. Then again, Americans asked for it.. voting in Bush I mean.Quote:
Every country/civilization has faults and successes, including you and your own.
HT
So you mean to tell me that all year long all you give to: the united way, salvation army, catholic relief fund, red cross and other world wide releif organizations only comes to fifteen dollars and change? I highly doubt that of anybody in the nations of any of our members. i cant understand how you believe that the average citizen of the US gives less than four dollars.
I don’t know who compiled these figures but they can’t be based on any kind of real facts
Tedob > HTRegz got his statistics from Nationmaster (keeps forgetting to name his sources... tsk tsk).
thanks neg...HT, nevermind
Monday morning quarterbacking having not read much of this thread, so if I step on a few toes, please pardon my laziness:
My take on this is that there's entirely too much finger-pointing going on, perpetuated (as usual) by the media. Local governments are whining that Bush didn't mobilize the feds quick enough, the White House is firing back saying that Louisiana didn't have an adequate evacuation plan in place.
Frankly IMHO the whole effing thing is bogus with mistakes made on all sides. Just about the only person who seems to be acting with any authority is the Army Colonel now in charge. He's decisive, brooks no bullshit, and is getting the job done as he's paid to do. Kudos to him, shame on everyone else.
It seems that New Orleans at least has 'turned the corner' on this thing though - one of the levee breaks blocked and its pumps up and running, electrical power being restored to sections of the city, and the locals trying to 'pull themselves up by their bootstraps' are good indicators. I saw on Dateline NBC this evening where folks over on Royal street even threw their annual 'Decadence Day' parade today and held a mini-party New Orleans style. We need more stories on this 'never say die' attitude - people getting on with their lives despite the horrors around them.
On the up-side:
I've heard from my attorneys in New Orleans for the first time since the hurricaine and they're alive and well, as is the paralegal handling my case. It was she about whom I was most worried; she being elderly and having a husband who's infirm, and they lived in Slidell which is still completely underwater.
Also on the up-side:
Watch for this one guys, most especially those of you looking for work - in the not too distant future anyone who can swing a hammer, cut a semi-straight line, or has electrical, plumbing, construction, or computer experience will be in VERY high demand in areas effected. These won't be short-term jobs either, given the time estimations on rebuilding of 3 years or more. Pay will be quite lucrative to attract such workers, and will give a solid shot in the arm to the otherwise depressed economies of both Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as to those who come in to work these positions. I'm considering reviving my old computer business and registering the name with Louisiana...
Quote:
can't believe that people are attack the UN and other countries for not helping out.... The US may be high on the list of contributors for the Tsunami, but that was due to private donations. When you look at per capita, the US provided next to nothing in support.. 3.39/person.. compare that with the top 15
quote:
quote:
1. Norway $57.71 per person
2. Australia $47.95 per person
3. Kuwait $42.81 per person
4. Qatar $28.96 per person
5. Netherlands $27.21 per person
6. Switzerland $21.08 per person
7. Denmark $20.24 per person
8. New Zealand $20.23 per person
9. Ireland $19.51 per person
10. Finland $16.86 per person
11. Sweden $16.04 per person
12. Canada $15.25 per person
13. Luxembourg $14.51 per person
14. Germany $12.99 per person
15. Austria $11.16 per person
Yea our per capita number is low, but I bet the people who were affected by the Tsunami sure appreciated $350 from our govrnment, plus the number of people helping out.Quote:
North America: United States: Disasters
View this page with sources or definitions listed for each statistic.
Tsunami - Economic impact: Not much of an effect as most US insurers have little exposure to Asia and those that do lay off risk to reinsurers, officials and industry watchers say (Dec 27)
Tsunami - Foreign tourists missing: 456 [6th of 37]
Tsunami - Foreigners death toll: 35 [4th of 35]
Tsunami - Funds pledged: $350,000,000 [4th of 38]
(per $ GDP): $29787.23 per $1 billion [29th of 36]
(per capita): $1.18 per person [24th of 37]
Tsunami - Funds pledged by NGOs and public: $653,000,000 [1st of 24]
(per $ GDP): $55574.46 per $1 billion [20th of 24]
(per capita): $2.20 per person [18th of 24]
Tsunami - International aid packages: $350m in government donations, plus military assistance involving 12,600 personnel, 21 ships, 14 cargo planes and more than 90 helicopters. Around $200m of private donations are also pouring in, with $120m donated to the US branches of the Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children, and to Catholic Relief Services. [0th of 37]
Tsunami - Total aid package: $1,003,000,000 [2nd of 37]
(per $ GDP): $85361.70 per $1 billion [27th of 36]
(per capita): $3.39 per person [23rd of 37]
Now I am sure the people affected appreciate the $66 million given by your government more so than any per capita figures thrown around.Quote:
North America: Canada: Disasters
View this page with sources or definitions listed for each statistic.
Tsunami - Foreign tourists missing: 13 [26th of 37]
Tsunami - Foreigners death toll: 4 [24th of 35]
Tsunami - Funds pledged: $344,960,000 [5th of 38]
(per $ GDP): $337204.30 per $1 billion [9th of 36]
(per capita): $10.51 per person [10th of 37]
Tsunami - Funds pledged by NGOs and public: $143,470,000 [6th of 24]
(per $ GDP): $140244.37 per $1 billion [13th of 24]
(per capita): $4.37 per person [12th of 24]
Tsunami - International aid packages: Given $66m in government donations, plus at least $29m raised in private donations with a government commitment to match every dollar donated by the public. Ottawa has already placed a moratorium on debt from the affected countries. It is also deploying its highly-specialised Disaster Assistance Response Team to Sri Lanka.
Tsunami - Total aid package: $500,450,000 [4th of 37]
(per $ GDP): $489198.43 per $1 billion [12th of 36]
(per capita): $15.25 per person [12th of 37]
So what does this all mean. Uhm, I guess there are governments and people around the world willing to help people in need.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/...ot_aid_pac_cap
Sorry to hijack this thread, but we have seen figures thrown around that can be used by both sides of a debate(discussion).
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster like the tsunami, money is not that important.
What is required is immediate medical and logistical support because the entire infrastructure has been destroyed. Money is actually useless, because there is nothing to buy with it ;)
Money becomes important when it comes to reconstruction, and it is the guys who are in for the long haul who make the difference.
I honestly do not think that you can produce any really meaningful financial statistics this soon after the event.
:)
This is the first light hearted story regarding the disaster I've read so I thought I'd link to it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4221838.stm
The UK has sent out 500k of British army emergency ration packs. These used to be quite nasty (apart from the chocolate) but now those refugee will be getting some good wholesome British traditional cooking like Chicken Tikka.
Aparently they're not bad. I've only eaten the old style rations and the big tinned ration packs which were quite good if you didn't look too hard.
Hey Hey,Quote:
Originally posted here by devpon
Yea our per capita number is low, but I bet the people who were affected by the Tsunami sure appreciated $350 from our govrnment, plus the number of people helping out.
Now I am sure the people affected appreciate the $66 million given by your government more so than any per capita figures thrown around.
So what does this all mean. Uhm, I guess there are governments and people around the world willing to help people in need.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/...ot_aid_pac_cap
Sorry to hijack this thread, but we have seen figures thrown around that can be used by both sides of a debate(discussion).
Well if we want to keep this up, let's look at the totlal aid package per country..
Yeah... you doubled our numbers... but you have 10x our numbers.... That just seems kinda sad to me... You should have 10x the donations.... You're always going to exceed our number because you have more people... but since people like to discuss the generosity of the American citiizen.... you just aren't quite as generous as the average Canadian citizen.Quote:
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/dis_tsu_tot_aid_pac
1. Germany $1,071,000,000
2. United States $1,003,000,000
3. Australia $963,370,000
4. Canada $500,450,000
5. Japan $500,000,000
Peace,
HT
Quote:
Yeah... you doubled our numbers... but you have 10x our numbers.... That just seems kinda sad to me... You should have 10x the donations.... You're always going to exceed our number because you have more people... but since people like to discuss the generosity of the American citiizen.... you just aren't quite as generous as the average Canadian citizen.
Since when are things exactly proportional? That's like saying I make twice as much money as you so I should always have twice as much money in my pocket. That's not realistic.
The point is: your statement: "Canada has done more for the world than the US" is wrong.
Last time I checked, countries didn't get together and compete as to who could send the most aid money.
Aspman, that food sounds nasty! However, I didn't have power for almost 3 weeks altogether last year. After awhile, that makes it hard to think of things to cook, and something people rarely mention but is a huge problem...when you have children who are used to TV, to video games, to watching movies when they want to, to coming inside to a nice cool air conditioned house after they've played outside in 100 degree weather...that's where the real problem comes in. They get bored, and they're tired of canned food, and you're tired of dealing with them...I can't imagine anything that would break the monotony more than a whole box of "weird" food and it's own little stove to cook it with! :D It would have been fun for us to have, and in a stressful time like that, if you can give your kids a little bit of fun, you've given them a lot. The food almost becomes secondary to the emotional needs these kids are going to have, and I think that rations from the British Army could go a long way toward filling several of those needs. It will take their mind off what they're going thru, and ... what better way to find out someone cares about you than to find food from another country! waiting for you at your shelter!
The best article I've read was one on CNN yesterday (I can't find it today!)...our customs agents are finally doing something smart....all the "knock-off" items that they confiscate coming in at the border...Tommy Hilfiger clothes and Nikey shoes, etc, are being donated to shelters! I was so proud of someone finally coming up with a good use for that stuff instead of just wasting it in warehouses til it rots.
I just heard on the radio today that private citizens/businesses in America have donated 500 million dollars to hurricane relief since it started and the Red Cross has gotten more money in the last week than it has in the past 4-5 years! but, not to say America is the only one donating... Panama ( the country) they didnt donate any money to use but, they did give us 120,000 lbs of banannas to feed people which is just as good. thanx world :)
Little thoughts by all this, in no way to 'attack' but something to think about.
Why did "Katrina" was so powerfull? Part of it due to coincidence, but also a big part due to the global warming. Hurricanes get more powerfull when ocean water temperature increases. Exactly what happens now. So it's not unreasonable to assume the possibility of a new and even more powerfull 'katrina'. Several scientists say that there is a 15 to 45% chance. Keeping in mind that those same scientists also said months, even years before, that 70% of New Orleans is below sealevel and that the levees could only upstand against a level 3 storm, but a little 2 billion $ had made then resistant to level 5 (katrina was level 4) while the war in Iraq already costed the US 200 billion $.
This is not about local politics and choices, or not about who's the most generous comparing to others. Besides, someone in the above posts compares the amount/head, perhaps it's not a bad idea to look at the wage/head or amount of poor people in the named countries. I'm pretty sure that the average income in Luxembourg or Switserland is a lot higher then the average in the US. Specially when you count the European social security level as a part of the European average incomes. The European wages may be a lot lower, being the money to spend less, but the Europeans get a good social security in turn. So let's not compare apples and oranges. (this being only a sidenote in my reply).
This is about larger political / ideological choices:
- When you see that Katrina and the last hurricanes in Florida are influenced by the global warming, it seems almost not understandable why the US does not want to step in the Kyoto agreement against global warming. One answer? The oil industry?
- Next, if you come to the conclusion that those big ecological choices have such an enormous effect on the Mississippi area, why not spend money to counter that bad effect due to perhaps a reasonable political / economical choice?
- Knowing the above you can seriously ask questions about the sort of democracy the US is. It seems that distributors say what you are going to eat, what you are going to see on television, hear on the radio, buy at the shopping mall (be it weapons to kill your neighbour in order to rape his woman and eat his cat? putting it very black). Is a scenario like 'waterworld' impossible? New Orleans and Katrina have proved it's not.
- Perhaps a good part of the chaos and anarchy is not only due to very bad governance in times of crisis, but also very bad governance in good days. For instance what about the very sharp duality between poor and rich? Where's America's mid-class? And you can ask serious questions by the racial link between poor and rich. I hope I'am not even capable to believe that race or votes had something to do with the slow reaction of the federal US government, if it does, you can not longer consider the US a decent society. You can even wonder if a country with such a level of unequality can be called decent or civilized. We all saw people saying the were ashamed to be American. Not only now but also at 9/11 and during the Iraq war. A proud nation that is willing to destruct itself?
The Texan said we better focus on the rebuild, yes very true, but if you see that the disaster is going to cost several times more than the means needed to prevent it, then such kind of short term thinking is perhaps also part of the reason why this hurricane had such an impact?
Move HERE
No big storms that I've heard of.
How much did you donate to the tsunami funds? I'm sure you wouldn't miss a visit to McDonalds or Burger King if your life depended on it, instead of sending that $5 you'd spend there to the tsunami fund...Quote:
Yeah... you doubled our numbers... but you have 10x our numbers.... That just seems kinda sad to me... You should have 10x the donations.... You're always going to exceed our number because you have more people... but since people like to discuss the generosity of the American citiizen.... you just aren't quite as generous as the average Canadian citizen.
Soooo acording to you, if China and India decided to donate $1 per person, then we're looking at about 2.3 billion dollars. [sarcasm]Those cheap bastards only donated 1 dollar per person...pfft, what a discrace[/sarcasm]....HT, you really need to learn when to STFU.
Did you really just graduate from college? You should get your money back if that is the best you can do. You should go into politics, for you seem to turn something good into ****.Quote:
but since people like to discuss the generosity of the American citiizen.... you just aren't quite as generous as the average Canadian citizen.
US private contributions = around $200 million
Canadian private contribution = at least $29 millionQuote:
$350m in government donations, plus military assistance involving 12,600 personnel, 21 ships, 14 cargo planes and more than 90 helicopters. Around $200m of private donations are also pouring in, with $120m donated to the US branches of the Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children, and to Catholic Relief Services.
I think any donation of time or money is a great thing.Quote:
Given $66m in government donations, plus at least $29m raised in private donations with a government commitment to match every dollar donated by the public. Ottawa has already placed a moratorium on debt from the affected countries. It is also deploying its highly-specialised Disaster Assistance Response Team to Sri Lanka.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/dis_tsu_tot_aid_pac
You can tell me I need to learn to STFU.. tell you what.. as soon as I hear it from a non American I will... but as far as I'm concerned your opinion means as much to me as mine does to you... As far as McDonalds and Burger King.. it's the average American that can't live without fast food... The only time I eat Fast Food is when subway has closed and burger king is the only place still open at work. As far as donations to the tsunami... I put 20 bucks in one of the donation boxes and every time I was in walmart I'd give a dollar. How much did you give if you're going to question me.... I'm not saying it's being cheap... I'm just putting that out there for the person that said the US was overly generous... and demonstrating that they really aren't... They just have enough people to make it seem like it... Yes it's definately more of a help than the donations from Canada.. but it doesn't make them more generous.. not by a long shot..Quote:
Originally posted here by Cybr1d
How much did you donate to the tsunami funds? I'm sure you wouldn't miss a visit to McDonalds or Burger King if your life depended on it, instead of sending that $5 you'd spend there to the tsunami fund...
Soooo acording to you, if China and India decided to donate $1 per person, then we're looking at about 2.3 billion dollars. [sarcasm]Those cheap bastards only donated 1 dollar per person...pfft, what a discrace[/sarcasm]....HT, you really need to learn when to STFU.
devpon, as for you I'm not sure I follow... a half billion from a population of roughly 30Million and a billion from a population of 300 Million.. As i already mentioned... This was for the benefit of the person who stated that the US was quite generous... just demonstrating how other countries are more generous... Yes the donations were greater... but the generosity necessarily wasn't.
Have you never heard the saying which is more generous, Bill Gates giving 100 million dollars to charity or You giving 1000 dollars to charity.. You are being more generous... it hurts you to give that amount but you do it out of kindness.. donating that amount doesn't even phase on someone like Bill Gates.... it's not always about the final amount... If you want to say who gave the most.. then yes it is about final amount.. but if you throw around terms like generous... that value doesn't matter... Hopefully someone with common sense understands this....
Peace,
HT
Cybr1d,
How can you take someone who's trivialized the Holocaust seriously? The intentional systematic targeting of thousands of children through a barbaresque logic. The systematic ruination through experimental testing on children robbed from their parents purposefully.
Morally repulsive and sleazy hmmmm? Yeah.
Those were our HH-60H, SH-60B SEAHAWK and MH-60S KNIGHTHAWK helicopters flying from our infrastructure (aircraft carriers) helping those people. Those were our BILLIONS in tax dollars at work and nobody from the US has to feel any kind of guilt for anything during the tsunami relief effort. :rolleyes: .............because our helicopters led the way in that relief effort! Anyone dispute that (excluding bubble boys)? Those choppers didn't have red maple leaves painted on the side, they had American flags. Sending someone with a check in hand to their ground zero is one thing....................flying over it searching for survivor hotspots to deliver water, first aid and MRE's is another.
No offence but I believe that both of them are being generous ... Why ??? The money that they both have donated will help impact someones life one way or the other ... That in my point of view is what truly counts ...Quote:
Have you never heard the saying which is more generous, Bill Gates giving 100 million dollars to charity or You giving 1000 dollars to charity.. You are being more generous... it hurts you to give that amount but you do it out of kindness.. donating that amount doesn't even phase on someone like Bill Gates.... it's not always about the final amount... If you want to say who gave the most.. then yes it is about final amount.. but if you throw around terms like generous... that value doesn't matter... Hopefully someone with common sense understands this....
Quote:
There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us. 'Tis good to give a stranger a meal, or a night's lodging. 'Tis better to be hospitable to his good meaning and thought, and give courage to a companion. We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.
'nuff said ...Quote:
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
She refers to that toxic and caustic liquid as water! The question should've been asked to her. : Governor Blanco, would you wade in this "water" for a few minutes?
Governor Blanco says: "we need to test the water to see if it's just Louisiana water or if it's contaminated" Ummm................throw every chemical in a metro, including the dead into lake Pontchartrain.....what do you have?
That's right! A contaminated liquid. :thumbsup:
The Mayor and the Governor.............have they even talked to each other yet, AT ALL?????
Those people that are still trying to stay have nothing in terms of "civilized" amenities etc.... water works, electricity......the only way they know what's going on is through word of mouth and radios with batteries. She's going to let them stay, amazing!
debwalin,
Ahh, go try a proper chicken or lamb tikka you'll be converted. All those poor folks in NO will be looking for ways to get to Blighty to satisfy their craving for Indian take aways, kababs and roast beef and Yorkshire puds.Quote:
"weird" food
Couldn't agree more, there does seem to be a lack of initiative these days with people deferring to the rule book rather than using their heads.Quote:
The best article I've read was one on CNN yesterday (I can't find it today!)...our customs agents are finally doing something smart....all the "knock-off" items that they confiscate coming in at the border...Tommy Hilfiger clothes and Nikey shoes, etc, are being donated to shelters! I was so proud of someone finally coming up with a good use for that stuff instead of just wasting it in warehouses til it rots.
Germany ain't safe either Gore: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4182788.stm
I am a non-American...I'm Albanian.Quote:
You can tell me I need to learn to STFU.. tell you what.. as soon as I hear it from a non American I will... but as far as I'm concerned your opinion means as much to me as mine does to you...
I donated $100 to the Tsunami Fund. Gave blood twice, and donated $250 for the Katrina victims.Quote:
As far as donations to the tsunami... I put 20 bucks in one of the donation boxes and every time I was in walmart I'd give a dollar. How much did you give if you're going to question me....
A person doesn't have to go broke to be generous! Speaking of common sense, I'm yet to see some from you so far.Quote:
Have you never heard the saying which is more generous, Bill Gates giving 100 million dollars to charity or You giving 1000 dollars to charity.. You are being more generous... it hurts you to give that amount but you do it out of kindness.. donating that amount doesn't even phase on someone like Bill Gates.... it's not always about the final amount... If you want to say who gave the most.. then yes it is about final amount.. but if you throw around terms like generous... that value doesn't matter... Hopefully someone with common sense understands this....
giving anything is being generous.
we shouldn't expect anything from anyone.