Hurricane Relief

[chuckw951]

Originally posted by legion
http://news.yahoo.com/s/latimests/neworleanstragicparadox

I knew it was the French!

If you listened to the media you would think the storm was Bush's fault.

[Jims5543]

Did anyone see the "giant" sandbags that they were dropping today after conteplating this move for how many days??

I need to find a picture because I really thought I was watching a comedy or something instead of the news. If this is what they were gearing up for NO is lost.

The dykes will not be repaired anytime soon. That is for sure.

[jyl]

More international offers of help:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12539738.htm

"In another astounding reversal of fortune, the Bush administration said for the first time that it will accept offers of foreign assistance.

At least 24 nations and international groups, ranging from close U.S. ally Israel to frequent antagonist Venezuela and even the United Nations, have offered medical teams, field hospitals, military aircraft and other help.

But will any of the help arrive in time?"

[techweenie]

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
Did anyone see the "giant" sandbags that they were dropping today after conteplating this move for how many days??

I need to find a picture because I really thought I was watching a comedy or something instead of the news. If this is what they were gearing up for NO is lost.

The dykes will not be repaired anytime soon. That is for sure.

I heard that the 3,000 lb sandbags were just disappearing after being dropped, so they went for 20,000 lb sandbags. That must have been something to behold. Apparently, they had to drop the suspension harness with each bag, and didn't have enough of them for days...

[928ram]

They tried dropping several things in there while the water was still moving (reportedly), sandbag, concrete barriers, junk cars; no good.

Now that the water has equalized, it shouldn't be a problem to stack up sandbags. What happens when the water in the city is lowered??

[widebody911]

Is this a good time to bring up the fact the American taxpayers are paying Gaza "settlers" $200,000 to $300,000 per family to relocate from their cushy housing projects along the Mediterranean?

[Christien]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/09/02/world-offers-help0902.html

The world lines up to offer aid to Hurricane Katrina victims
Last Updated Fri, 02 Sep 2005 13:17:50 EDT
CBC News
More than three dozen countries, besides Canada have pledged assistance to the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Cuba and Venezuela have offered to help despite political differences. The list also includes Saudi Arabia, Dominica, Russia, France, Japan, China, El Salvador, Israel, Paraguay, the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Columbia, The Dominican Republic, Mexico, South Korea, New Zealand, Guatemala, Belgium, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Italy, Guyana, Indonesia, Austria, Lithuania, Spain, Norway and the Bahamas.

For example, Australia announced a donation of $8 million to the American Red Cross. Japan said it would contribute $200,000 to the American Red Cross and upon request $300,000 in tents, blankets, power generators, portable water tanks and other equipment.

The United States historically has aided victims of disasters but many have been critical that such a rich nation could do more.

[chuckw951]

Kuwait - $400 million in oil, $100 million cash

Looks like the largest donation from a country.

http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Sep/06-611544.html
http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Sep/08-202418.html

As of Sept 7, the Red Cross reports it has "received $485 million in gifts and pledges for the hurricane relief effort, of which $251 million has been received online."

http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/katrina_facts.html

Really puts the Kuwait donation in perspective. Guess they didn't forget.