Help From Around the World Created 19 years ago2005-09-07 17:28:23 UTC by BJ

I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) on the way home tonight and they listed many of the countries which are sending aid to the USA to help with the disaster caused by the hurricane along the Gulf of Mexico.

I found the generosity almost overwhelming emotionally.

Even the smallest countries are sending what they can.

Canada is amazing. Their Minister of Relief(?) was being interviewed and he basically said, "I told Mr. Bush, tell us what you need and we'll send it, for as long as it's needed." They're sending aircraft (Air Canada is ferrying victims from New Orleans to relief centers), ships (for ferrying workers and supplies along the Gulf coast), oil (they're one of the largest oil producers in the world), rescue workers, etc., etc.

Also of note: the Netherlands is sending four huge pumps. Who knows better how to pump water from behind levees back into the sea?

International as these forums are on twhl, I wanted people from outside the USA to know that we hear about and recognize the help you're sending.

From the list of countries that was recited, every country represented here on twhl is helping. Everyone should be proud.

yah, i find it really generous.

I'm still wondering quite why you need it, personally. I mean, does America not have helicopters, or something?

Hmm. I see it much like a neighbor's house has just burned down. Husband, wife and kids are sitting on the lawn. He's wealthy with another house on the shore somewhere and a garage full of cars.

I'd still walk over and ask him if I could do something to help.

Even if he'd set your own still-aflame house on fire? I mean, Afghanistan is offering aid?

I'm not defending the US' foreign policy!

Hope you don't lump all us Yanks into one stereotype.

You might be surprised to find out there're one or two of us (actually, per the last election and recent polls, about half of us) that don't particularly care for everything that goes on in Washington, D.C.

Hey, I wasn't accusing you :). It just seems a bit, well, almost sick.

Still, as long as at least some people get help, I suppose that's better than nothing.

In a way this is nice. We are talking about countries deciding to help another, instead of planning an invasion. [cough] middle-east! [/cough]

Well if you think about it even though we dont agree on alot of stuff were not enimies.

America can afford to help itself, I'm certainly not donating a single penny to that worthless country.

We'll see if America comes to our aid next time we have a catastrophe here in Sweden..

It dont matter who or where you are, black green yellow or white, there should be no suffering.
one man may think he speaks for the nation, but in reality most dissagree with the countrys own policies, unfortunatly the poor have little say on anything that matters.

dont judge a book by its cover
be compassionate to others with less than yourself
use your moral judgment

Well said, Lefteh.