KATRINA: We need you.

[tic_tac_astro]

B)

[1magus]

IM not sure I have the time for that but my dad Donated 100$ to them. If I had some money I would donate some but to be fair I have not gotten my allowance in 2 weeks so I would say that could count lol.

[tic_tac_astro]

Cool.
Keep it up. B)

[DrFrag]

Originally posted by tic_tac_astro@Sep 1 2005, 11:34 AM
Oh my gosh, did anyone see today's paper? I saw pics of Katrina's aftermath!
It was horrible...tons of buildings were wreaked, and 80% of New Orleans was underwater.

I know ... it's shocking That shot of the flooded city is like something out of a Hollywood disaster movie.

I saw an interview with a guy who seemed to have a good overview of the situation. He was talking about some of the problems, like there's poisonous snakes and reptiles in the water. There's sewage and industrial waste in the water too, so it's really unsafe and a huge risk of disease from mosquitoes coming up. Most of the cemetary graves are above ground and they're going to have to find all the old bodies that have been washed away. There's too much water to evaporate or to soak into the ground, and the water pump station only sends water back to the other side of the broken levy. Not to mention all the wrecked houses, and those that aren't wrecked are so waterlogged that they'll probably rot and collapse (how do you dry out your roof insulation?).

[fafner]

Why do people want to accuse other countries of not helping as if the hurricane were their fault? Before throwing accusations, it would be a good idea to find an official list of countries who actually sent help or are ready to do so. I have tried to find one, but I am not very good at that. And I am getting sick at correcting people who speak without even caring to argument :angry:
Moreover, I thought it had been commonly agreed to put politics aside, so why a random accusation on the "Food for Oil" topic that is not related to the hurricane? :huh:

[Astro Forever]

Originally posted by fafner+Sep 1 2005, 12:16 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (fafner @ Sep 1 2005, 12:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Why do people want to accuse other countries of not helping as if the hurricane were their fault? Before throwing accusations, it would be a good idea to find an official list of countries who actually sent help or are ready to do so. I have tried to find one, but I am not very good at that. And I am getting sick at correcting people who speak without even caring to argument :angry: [/b]

I've just read the latest news online and as far as I know, Canada is ready to help but hasn't done anything yet because the US government has yet to reply. Given our geographic position, I would think Canada would be the first country to send help. And as I said earlier, as of yesterday the US government spokesman didn't want to release a list of the countries who offered help.

As I said, it's hard to coordinate those things, and the US isn't a Third World country totally unable to help its people like the countries affected by the tsunami last December. That doesn't mean that the US couldn't use some help, of course, but there are already many people down there and when there are too many people doing too many different things at the same place, it's not helpful at all.

I know Americans feel for their folks, but try to remember that our thoughts are with you... and that our help will be too as soon as possible. We care for you.

<!--QuoteBegin--fafner@Sep 1 2005, 12:16 PM
Moreover, I thought it had been commonly agreed to put politics aside, so why a random accusation on the "Food for Oil" topic that is not related to the hurricane? :huh:[/quote]
I agree. Moreover, this is so tragic that I feel it wouldn't be appropriate to start any dispute here over such things in a topic like this one.

[fafner]

Originally posted by Astro forever@Sep 1 2005, 08:13 PM
I've just read the latest news online and as far as I know, Canada is ready to help but hasn't done anything yet because the US government has yet to reply. Given our geographic position, I would think Canada would be the first country to send help. And as I said earlier, as of yesterday the US government spokesman didn't want to release a list of the countries who offered help.

As I said, it's hard to coordinate those things, and the US isn't a Third World country totally unable to help its people like the countries affected by the tsunami last December. That doesn't mean that the US couldn't use some help, of course, but there are already many people down there and when there are too many people doing too many different things at the same place, it's not helpful at all.

I just heard on the news that USA were saying they could handle all by themselves, thus explaining no country is offering help in an official channel. I could not have an official confirmation however, although I dag deeply in the official websites of the US government.
After all, if everyone in the world hurry in one city to help, everyone will step on everyone's toes, and it will really not help. US government probably knows better than us whether other countries' help is necessary.

[Astro Forever]

Originally posted by fafner+Sep 1 2005, 02:34 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (fafner @ Sep 1 2005, 02:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>I just heard on the news that USA were saying they could handle all by themselves, thus explaining no country is offering help in an official channel. I could not have an official confirmation however, although I dag deeply in the official websites of the US government.[/b]

That is what I've just read. This morning, Bush said the US didn't need help from other countries. But this afternoon, he said he was open and will accept it when it will be needed.

Countries who offered help: Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, plus NATO and some other organization that I don't know the name in English (Organisation des États américains (OEA) ). There might be other countries too, but that's what the US spokesman said.

<!--QuoteBegin--fafner@Sep 1 2005, 02:34 PM
After all, if everyone in the world hurry in one city to help, everyone will step on everyone's toes, and it will really not help. US government probably knows better than us whether other countries' help is necessary.[/quote]
This is what I was trying to say. However, some people are wondering if the US officials didn't underestimate the damages, both before and after the actual hurricane. Maybe there was some confusion. I've just watched the news on TV and many people are really hopeless! I hope they will get help soon.

And believe it or not, Katrina reached us (north east of Canada) yesterday and there were some damages! Roads were destroyed and some regions were isolated, and some homes were flooded and damaged. Nothing close to what happened in New Orleans, but that says something about Katrina's strenght. Fortunately, the population density in those regions isn't very high.

[Big Astro Fan]

I'm sorry. I was obviously premature in my statement. I should have done more research before making a comment. Tha't another problem I have. I say things before I think about them.

[Astro Forever]

Originally posted by Big Astro Fan@Sep 1 2005, 10:27 PM
I'm sorry. I was obviously premature in my statement. I should have done more research before making a comment. Tha't another problem I have. I say things before I think about them.

I can understand, I think it was a legitimate question. I've seen shocking images from people in need and I think it's easy to get emotional and to wonder where is help when you need it. It might also be easier for me to get this kind of information since our media tell us about our government's reaction, while your media may have focussed on different things. But be reassured, the rest of the world is sensible to what is happening.