A friend sent this to me, and her thoughts are before the press releases. Keith

And people wonder why our President is so hesitant to accept help from
these countries?


I have actually heard several people, in essence, say what France said !
We should put our people here first and forget about Iraq. I still can't
get over some peoples ignorance !

Diana


Press awe at Katrina aftermath

The scale of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina leaves many
press commentators outside the US shaking their heads in
disbelief. While some focus on the environmental implications,
others look at the growing political storm, and its potential impact on
President Bush.

Colombia's El Pais
Today, in important areas of the Gulf of Mexico and, in particular, New
Orleans there is a terrifying panorama of desolation and millions of
human beings who live in the most powerful country in the world are
suffering the tragedy of a catastrophe that is difficult to imagine.


Taipei's Taiwan News
New Orleans may go down in history as the first major city in an
advanced country to be lost to the process of global warming... We
sincerely hope that the Bush administration will take the call from
Hurricane Katrina and reconsider its energy and environmental policies
and replace ostrich-like escapism with leadership in the global effort
to deal with the crisis of global climatic change.


Hong Kong's Ta Kung Pao
This Katrina hurricane is a 'warning' by God over President Bush's
reactionary behaviour on the Kyoto Protocol. The US government should
wake up from this big disaster, truly take up its responsibilities as a
great nation, and become the forerunner in protecting the global
climate.


Australia's The Daily Telegraph
Katrina has wrecked not only the physical corporality of
civilization. Now there are unmistakable signs in the hurricane's
aftermath of the collapse of ordered society. Communication has
become virtually impossible. There is no power, no fuel, no food.
And looters are at work. This in the United States, the most powerful
nation that has ever been.


Israel's Ma'ariv
The American meteorological service provided real-time precise
information but the leadership failed in preparing for the anger of the
weather...What is scary after Katrina is to see the biggest superpower
in the world helpless, even if temporarily.


China's Renmin Wang
This hurricane disaster, while bringing huge harm to human resources and
property for the residents of New Orleans, has also provided a rare
opportunity for the White House to regain extensive popular
support... the losses are far greater than in the 9/11 terrorist
attack, therefore 'Katrina' has brought a most arduous test for Bush.


Sweden's Dagens Nyheter
The disaster is obviously a challenge for Bush... like every
predecessor, he is thinking of his lasting reputation. And, if you will
excuse the expression, he does not want to see that reputation blown
apart.


Denmark's Kristeligt Dagblad
Every natural disaster comes in two waves. First the wind and rain
arrives, then the political storm.


France's Le Monde
The disaster could become a trump card for the White House if it allows
the Iraq war and its opponents to fade into the background.


Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung
But if he [Bush] fails to get a grip on the chaos within a few days, his
words could become his undoing.


Germany's Die Tageszeitung
The fast and safe evacuation was white, leaving behind poor black
people, as if time had stood still between the racial unrest of the
sixties and today.


Prague's Hospodarske Noviny
Not even the monstrous Katrina will drag the USA into recession.


Romania's Gardianul
Bush's desperate efforts to redress the situation did not stop the
virulent criticism aimed at his 'indifference'... on the first day of
the hurricane [he] was still on holiday.


Spain's ABC
What is certain is that the tragedy has that has razed to the ground the
states of Louisiana and Mississippi has shown up the weak flanks of a
country which, taken up in the last few years with its imperial
adventures, has ignored matters that are much more important for the
well-being of its citizens.


Israel's Yediot Aharonot
Scores of 'mini' blunders in the giant American blunder that included
loss of control, lack of a chain of command, heavy fog with all that has
to do with the distribution of powers and the chatter-stricken elected
public figures.


Palestinian Al-Hayat al-Jadidah
We sympathize with the American people in their predicament after
Hurricane Katrina. But the real hurricane is the Iraqi resistance
that does not target innocent [Americans].


Brazil's O Globo
One of the pillars of the Bush era has been his ability to connect with
middle America. Will Bush be thrown a lifeline, thanks to the
hurricane? Or, disconnected from his popular support base, will he
limp on as a governor that does not govern - the lame duck of American
political jargon - until the end of his term?


Australia's The Sydney Morning Herald
Though its death toll is much lower [than the Asian tsunami], in one
respect Katrina may be more shocking: the possibility that human
activity contributed to the hurricane's strength... Even small
changes in temperature can produce disproportionately large weather
events.


South Africa's Mercury
There must be truth to the adage that when the United States of America
sneezes, the whole world will catch its cold.


El Salvador El Diario de Hoy
It is difficult to make light of one fact: that climate changes are at
play, which are causing increasingly violent events... Katrina was
just a warning.