Press Awe At Katrina Aftermath

[S10CHEVY]

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.

[KARL]

...most of these statements have the ring of truth, we can't go on thinking we are always right.....this is how the rest of the world sees the USA......In order to peacefully exist we need to take into account how others see us....what's the old adage???...The truth hurts....It's not too late for USA to mend fences and renew old allies....With the internet and communications as they are now..the world is a much smaller place then it was 20 even 10 years ago....other countries are catching up in all areas..military, economic, etc.....we need to be more of a team player rather then seeking the spotlight.........my way or the highway politics just don't cut it anymore...another cliche/adage.....you can catch more flys with honey than chit....we have to put ourselves in other shoes......................doing this does not require us to be soft, just smart...my motto has always been---work SMARTER not HARDER.... ...My $.02..

[crappiefishergirl]

i don't consider myself ignorant. i'm with you Karl. something has got to change in our country.

[crappieseeker]

You guys are right that we need to change. No matter what we do though, those other countries will never like us. Look at the good we have done for other countries, and look what we get in return. Instead of talking trash about us, they need to be offering words of sympathy instead of saying we deserve this. So, are the Tsunami victims just as deserving as what they got. No they are not. crappiefishergirl, its good to see you ladies posting on here. Much luck to you.

[Shellback]

I hear you crappie seeker. I don't pay them no mind anyhow. The whole world doesn't hate us, the press would like you to believe that, but it ain't so. Just like the looters were a small minority, they got the biggest coverage. Just like most Iraq's would like a democracy, all you see on the news are those that don't want it to happen. Let us open our borders to whoever might want to become an American, and you will see how the world feels about us. I'm a first generation American, both my parents were immigrants, I never heard them say a bad word about America. It's all here for you, just work for it and don't expect it given to you.

[crappieseeker]

Shellback, a guy I worked with taught me to think outside the box on situations before I drew conclusions or just believed what I heard. Although I dont agree with all that he believes, he has really opened my eyes to things. He said the same thing you did. The Media wants us to think everyone hates us, and although alot of them do, alot of them dont. Alot of them are taught to hate us, they are given false information about our country and therefore only believe what they have been taught. Alot of them dont know any better. There are good people in every country and bad people the same. Our country included.

[slabbatical]

And even if they didn't "like" us, is that a reason to change?...we should change to be the country WE want to be...not to be like THEY want us to be...is that what some are saying here? I agree that diverse perspectives can be considered to give us good ideas, but the national objective is to "continue" to be an international leader...not to change for the sake of other countries opinions. That would not be leadership. I believe one reason our govt does not allow/request other country's to help us in these situations (I know other countries offered help in 9/11) is because we are an emensly blessed nation...we have too many resources sitting idle to ask more challenged nations to assist us. That would be hypocritical. That would be like asking a 1980 Ethiopia to send us some wheat because a tractor broke. Bottom line is we have enough influence by US media w/o adding a bunch of other OPINIONS from abroad.

[Crappie Reaper]

In my own personal world I live in, I could care less what anyone thinks about me. I do what I think is right, and what leaves me with peace of mind at the end of the day. As a member of the greatest nation the world has ever known, I could care even lesser about the worlds views. I don't need their help, don't want their help, and certainly am sure that the US will survive this disaster. It it one of the greatest natural disasters of all time as far as monetary destruction, as well as the uncounted lives that have been lost. There is not a country in the world that could have prepared for Katrina. Once again, reiterating that New Orleans was built 10' BELOW sea level. The best and the worst of Americans has been brought into the open for all the world to view during this great tragedy. No Major city in the world could have dealt with this storm. No other country in the world could deal with a storm of this magnitude of damage. It's not punishment, it's not global warming, it's a hurricane, a typhoon, that happend to be very strong, and came ashore in an area of heavy population, homes and businesses. If anyone in the Government, state or federal knew that the damage would have been so great, more steps to prepare, and evacuate would have been made. Too many armchair quarterbacks coming out of the woodwork to try and make a name for themselves riding on the death and destruction of american lives. And one thing is clear what they will do from this tragedy, and that's .....make a buck.

To hell with what the rest of the world thinks! Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!
REAPER

[crappieseeker]

I agree with you reaper.

[crappiefishergirl]

NO wasn't BUILT below see level. when the city was BUILT it was AT sea level. the city has subsided since. i don't remember when the levees were built. but it wasn't until the 1900's (i'm thinking 1930-40 but could be wrong) NO has been there since the 1700- 1800's. it's an old town.
When i was a kid, the saying was that NO was 5 feet below sea level. now it is 12 - 18 feet below sea level. the subsidence of NO is a result of natural geologica processes associated with the Mississippi floodplain.
Crappie Reaper wrote: "No Major city in the world could have dealt with this storm. No other country in the world could deal with a storm of this magnitude of damage."

i say thanks crappie reaper. mistakes were made, but no amount of table top exercises could have prepared the people for the emotional toll placed on the local emergency responders.