France helping US?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I heard a report on one of the news stations last night, that as of that time, there were six countries pledging aid for the hurricane victims. Unfortunately I can't remember all six, and I can't find a reference to the report on the internet (since I don't remember which news station it was because Terry is a chronic "flipper" :rolleyes: ), but 3 that stick in my head are Canada, Japan and France.

France was the last mentioned and it really caught my attention. My very first thought was "Oh, trying to make up, are they?" Then after I had time to think about it, I thought "Hmmm...they're trying to send us a message that they aren't our enemy, but they will not be bullied into supporting a cause they don't believe in." Then this morning it occurred to that probably the reason they are helping is because New Orleans has a rich French heritage. From what I understand both Cajun and Creole have French roots. I can't for the life of me believe for even half a second that they're doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, and I'm one that always tries to see the good in people, but for some reason it's just not working for me when I think of why they're helping. I believe there is just too much "political baggage" between the US and France for them to just be good guys and help us out.

Here's (http://www.ttc.org/200509010949.j819naw22788.htm) a link I found which somewhat justifies their aid - because there are French citizens stranded. So what....if this happened in....say Texas, where there is no rich French heritage, France would say "Oh, so sorry. Sure hope you guys are ok. Gotta go."?

Maybe I'm being overly cynical and reading way too much into this, so I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.

However, don't get me wrong. I appreciate immensely any aid that is offered by another country. Like others have said, we're always there when the world needs help, where is the world when we need help? And I'm glad to say we are not being abandoned. We do still have friends out there and we appreciate their help. :)

[Barbara]

I suppose you're right with the French Heritage. The Cajuns came from Canada- from Acadia actually which is North of Maine and the word "Acadian" went Cajun. And New Orleans itself is named after the city of Orléans (Jeanne d'Arc's place).

On the other hand: a disaster like that in any part of the world will influence all other parts (our gas became even more expensive as it already is ;))- so who can help should help.

[Iilo]

""Oh, trying to make up, are they?""

...

Because they're the only country that doesn't support the war in Iraq?

And I'm positive that the French people, along with almost all the other countries in the world, would be sending aid no matter WHERE this disaster happened.

[kittycats_delight]

Originally posted by Iilo
""Oh, trying to make up, are they?""

...

Because they're the only country that doesn't support the war in Iraq?

And I'm positive that the French people, along with almost all the other countries in the world, would be sending aid no matter WHERE this disaster happened.

They are not the only country that doesn't support the war in Iraq. And really you can't say that they are the only country. They are the only government would be more suitable. So many people from every nation including your own do not support the war. But governments are going to support for their own needs and views not for that of the people. France is the only one that listened to their citizens.

[RICHARD]

I heard that Germany has pledged help.....

Thanks, I do have a fair amount of cynicism (I can't even spell the word.....)
;)


Now to get some of the oil producers to lower the price?

Not likely..:rolleyes:

[moosmom]

Someone just told me that a few countries volunteered to help out and our WONDERFUL loser of a President declined!!!!! Anyone want to clue me in on what the story is??

RICHARD,

Oil producers helping by reducing their prices???? Yeah, right. George Dubya is laughing all the way to the bank on that one!!

[Lady's Human]

The administration has said that all offers of aid have been accepted. The one offer that apparently was refused was from Russia, who offered rescue teams. Sory, russian rescue teams probably equates to russian troops, who don't exactly have a great track record when it comes to humanitarian aid.

Again, I know the President is the root of all evil, but I sincerely doubt his concern right now is for the profits of the oil industry. In fact, if congress REALLY wanted to do something to help out, they could suspend fuel taxes unti lthe refineries on the GC get back online, and then maybe say to hell with the not in my backyard crowd and start letting the oil industry build some refineries OUT OF THE LINE OF THE HURRICANES!

[lizbud]

Originally posted by Lady's Human


Again, I know the President is the root of all evil, but I sincerely doubt his concern right now is for the profits of the oil industry.


It's great to know we have an official spokesman for the
current administration right here on Pet Talk. :rolleyes:

oh, and George Bush is too dumb to be trully evil. It's only his stupidity and position that makes him dangerous. His momma
can only pray that one day he'll get a clue.

[Lady's Human]

Sorry, Liz, I'm not an official spokesman for anyone but me. Frankly, I think the entire city of Washington needs a nice cleaning. Both parties are too entrenched in keeping themselves in power to do anything truly meaningful. They're too wrapped up in getting votes to lead.

[lizbud]

Originally posted by Lady's Human
Sorry, Liz, I'm not an official spokesman for anyone but me. Frankly, I think the entire city of Washington needs a nice cleaning. Both parties are too entrenched in keeping themselves in power to do anything truly meaningful. They're too wrapped up in getting votes to lead.


I agree. Things surely couldn't get any worse.

[Logan]

A voice of reason, every now and then, is nice in the Dog House.

[lbaker]

Dogs and cats are clinging to floating coffins and we are spewing about the "Evil Bush" and "cleaning out Washington"? I'm sure the alligators are having a blast and what is wrong with this picture? I'm disgusted with so called humanity sometimes and feeling very overwhelmed :(

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by Iilo
""Oh, trying to make up, are they?""

...

Because they're the only country that doesn't support the war in Iraq?



I agree! Your reaction is not fair, I'm sorry to say so....:(

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Ok, my rant is now off France.....and back to my favorite arrogant bumbling idiot. Last night the same newscaster (still haven't had a chance to research and find a copy of his report, and I can't for the life of me remember his name) said that now over 20 countries have pledged support, but Bush has not accepted any of them. He didn't say the offers were declined, just not accepted "until we can futher assess the situation." :rolleyes:

Then this morning, the only thing mentioned about aid - besides the funds approved by the senate - was the GW Bush was working with this father and Clinton to try and drum up "private donations similar to how they collaborated during the sunami efforts."

Gee, sorry all you countries out there willing to help, but we don't need your help, we've got Bush Sr. and Clinton working on it for us. :rolleyes:

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by lizbud
It's great to know we have an official spokesman for the
current administration right here on Pet Talk. :rolleyes:



When will the unoffical spokesperson for the disabused speak?
;)

Or has she left Crawford TX yet?

[lizbud]

Originally posted by Logan
A voice of reason, every now and then, is nice in the Dog House.


You're welcome.:p .....:D :D

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Originally posted by lizbud
It's great to know we have an official spokesman for the
current administration right here on Pet Talk. :rolleyes:

oh, and George Bush is too dumb to be trully evil. It's only his stupidity and position that makes him dangerous. His momma
can only pray that one day he'll get a clue. *sigh*
Oh for the "Good Old Days" when we had a president who was only concerned with what was going on in his pants!:rolleyes:

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by momoffuzzyfaces
*sigh*
Oh for the "Good Old Days" when we had a president who was only concerned with what was going on in his pants!:rolleyes:
LOLOLOLOl

DICK Nixon???;) :rolleyes: :p :eek:

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Originally posted by RICHARD
LOLOLOLOl

DICK Nixon???;) :rolleyes: :p :eek: :D Yep, him too!!! ;) :D :) :D

[sirrahbed]

Rice says all hurricane aid offers from other countries will be accepted (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1475121/posts)

I am understanding that the reports of America refusing help are false and not reported properly. If we do not "accept" right away - perhaps it is true that we are still trying to access the disaster and do not immediately say "thankyou" does not mean refusal:( Maybe it means "we are so devastated right now that we don't know what to say??" America has never before faced something so awful on our own soil. I believe Americans are gracious and caring people. Standing for what is good and right will always make us a target of hate.

I am sad that we have become so cynical. The reports about France...well I was surprised to hear they offered help at first - but now that the reality of the loss and disaster of the hurricane is becoming a reality - I am only feeling thankful that other nations want to help us. Does everything have to be political?? :(

I think that those who make the most noise do not speak for me I am watching the news reports and they are frightening. Hearing about help offered from nations that are not considered "friends" is encouraging. Our friends do not need to agree with us to offer help do they? We have such a wide variety of people here on PetTalk and I hope we respect that more.

Please do not attack me - I am expressing my views and concerns. I worry when I read conflicting news reports too - but usually these things clear up in a few days as more balanced reports are available.

[lizbud]

U.S. asks EU, NATO for emergency Katrina aid
Organizations ready to help with blankets, first aid kits, water and food

Updated: 5:41 p.m. ET Sept. 4, 2005
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The United States has asked the European Union and NATO for emergency assistance, requesting blankets, first aid kits, water trucks and food for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the two organizations said Sunday.

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said the 25-nation bloc was “ready to contribute to the U.S. efforts aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis” in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama — the states hardest hit by Katrina.

The 26-nation NATO alliance said it too had received a request for aid from Washington. The United States has asked for NATO relief support in the form of food rations for the thousands of people evacuated from New Orleans and other areas, the alliance said in a statement.

It added that a liaison officer was being dispatched to Washington to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“NATO stands ready to continue to support the United States as it recovers from this natural disaster,” the alliance said.

NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center was coordinating the alliance’s pledges to the American request.

The European Commission said its aid coordination office would manage the aid from European countries and already has drafted a preliminary list of materials, team and equipment being pledged by EU member states.

It said U.S. authorities had requested 500,000 prepared meals, thousands of blankets, first aid kits and several water trucks to provide clean drinking water.


So far, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Finland, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia Sweden, Spain and The Netherlands have pledged aid.

“Specialist teams from several member states are on standby and ready for immediate deployment,” the Commission said in a statement.

[mugsy]

Lady's Human.....you seem to be very level headed with the voice of reason and experience....you can tell you have military experience...nothing piddly bothers you.

I almost always agree with what you say and you put it very eloquently.

I honestly could care less about the politics involved with this hurricane...I am most interested in how they are handling getting the animals out and until today it was dismal...now the people can take their animals with them. Now what about the animals that couldn't go?

I have heard that HSUS is going in to the areas where the buses left and rounding up dogs. I have a friend that is waiting to be deployed to do just that.

Get over it....if France wants to send money and aid...go for it...it doesn't mean I'm going to like their government any better. We could use the help. I also don't care what their motivation is in sending the aid....just send it and be done with it.

I heard China offered help as well including sending in troops...YEAH THAT'S likely to happen!

[lizbud]

Got an urgent email today from that much maligned org. I've
sent my request ASAP. I hope it helps even one pet.

Urgent: Tell Your Federal Representatives to Demand Animals’ Safe Evacuation From New Orleans!
Dear Friend,

Your immediate attention and response is requested. No animal rescue groups have been allowed into New Orleans to help animals, who have been left stranded on their own. Sending money is not solving the animals’ problem, which is worsening by the hour.

Meanwhile, federal authorities are forcing everyone—including elderly residents who have stayed in water-logged residences for five days just to safeguard their beloved animals—to leave their animals behind to starve. In some cases, people are told that they must choose between bringing vital medicine and bringing their dog when they are evacuated. This is illegal and it must stop.

PETA has issued a media advisory stating that we will prosecute any known violators, but that is not stopping federal evacuators from insisting that animals be left to die. Today, Rue McClanahan wrote to President George W. Bush, calling on him to order officials to allow people to evacuate with their animals.

Please, immediately call your member of Congress today to ask that people be allowed to evacuate with their animals. Leave messages for them in Washington and at their home offices and get everyone you know to call. The names of—and contact information for—your representative and senators can be found online. Please forward this alert to others willing to lend their voices to help with this emergency.

Thank you for your compassion for animals and for your willingness to act today.

Sincerely,


Daniel Paden
Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

[mugsy]

Just an FYI...

New Orleans has never had a problem with the rescue groups coming in. What they were doing was not allowing the people to take their animals with them to shelters and on buses. They have, 3 days ago, relented and are now allowing people to take their animals with them. HSUS is on site both at the Superdome and the stops where the buses loaded and rounding up animals to try and re-unite them with their owners. I have 2 friends who are down there. One with FEMA and her job was to fill body bags and on her time off she went and helped the SPCA round up dogs. The other is down the with the expressed intent of re-united displaced people with their displaced pets.

[Sonia59]

Originally posted by sirrahbed

I am sad that we have become so cynical. The reports about France...well I was surprised to hear they offered help at first - but now that the reality of the loss and disaster of the hurricane is becoming a reality - I am only feeling thankful that other nations want to help us. Does everything have to be political?? :(

I think that those who make the most noise do not speak for me I am watching the news reports and they are frightening. Hearing about help offered from nations that are not considered "friends" is encouraging. Our friends do not need to agree with us to offer help do they? We have such a wide variety of people here on PetTalk and I hope we respect that more.



Thanks!

It is the first time I go to the DogHouse forum, and I saw this thread at first! I am never doing politics, and I am not on PT for that, so I think I will not browse this forum anymore, but I can't avoid giving a short reaction to this thread.

France has proposed help to many countries in many situations. As exemples amongst the most recent ones, for the fires in Portugal, for the Tsunami and various Earthquakes in Asia, for the terrorist attacks in London, etc...
I am not so innocent to believe there is no politics at all behind it. But why being so cynical for something you really don't know? :( To take the Texas example, I do not wish for any catastrophic event in Texas or anywhere alse, but why do you speculate that France would not help then? It is certainly a bit more complicated than "we are friends/have financial interests, we help" or "we have different opinions/no money involved, we let them die"!
From the news we get in France, everyone is "just" talking about such a terrible disaster, and not as something happening specifically to the USA. People are not focusing on the country to which this catatrophy happened, but are simply shocked seeing so many deaths, damages and people who lost everything.
We are all humans and live on the same planet, don't forget that ;) .

What do you think your government would do if such catastrophy would happen in France or other supposed non-friend countries? Are you convinced they would not propose their help :confused: ??? And if they would propose help, what reason do you think would be hidden behind it?

[cute_pup]

Hi, this might be a little blues, but i was watching the news and there was this woman, and she was stuck on the roof for days. She had a phone with her though and she rang 911 several times a day everyday telling them that she has no food and that she is freezing. But every time they would say that they were all booked and that they would come tomorrow.Then tomorrow they say they are coming tomorrow and so on. This went on until a couple of days later she died of hunger. this story was told by her huband and he was devistated.

I would just like to say that America does send help to other countries and thats exactly what angers the new orleans. If he sent only a couple of choppers from each state than every body would've been saved!!Besides he helps other countries really fast, in a day or two...And his own???not really...

And did you know that Gorge Bush failed to land one foot in the main city??

OK thats all:)

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by cute_pup
If he sent only a couple of choppers from each state than every body would've been saved!!Besides he helps other countries really fast, in a day or two...And his own???not really...

And did you know that Gorge Bush failed to land one foot in the main city??

OK thats all:)

O.k.

We are looking at 10,000 deaths in the area.

I am sure that GWB, or anyone with half a heart, would give his life to make sure that those 10,000 projected deaths never happened.

Don't be so quick to take what the media says as gospel.

Remember, you are dealing with the US media......

-------------------------------------------------------

Even the largest helicopter in the US military inventory can only hold about 40 people.

By the time 96 (48 states in the main US, times a couple of choppers) had shown up it still would not have been enough.

Would you have sent YOUR PM into an area that wasn't secure?
where there was a danger of him being assasinated? Getting ill?
or taking the chance that the helicopter he was riding in crashes into an area where help isn't available....

During times of disaster we think with our hearts, the media lends itself to make a mountain outta a mole hill.

[Lady's Human]

Whether President Bush wanted to or not, there is NOW WAY the Secret Service would have allowed him into New Orleans. No security, too much of a chance for something to go wrong.

The CH-47 chinook (largest chopper in inventory in the US) holds a combat platoon of 32 infantry and their gear, which would equate to about 50 civilians on board, max. To get the estimated 100K people out of NO, that would take 2000 flights by those aircraft, which would take weeks given the maintenance requirements for those aircraft.

Yes, we help other countries. Most of the time we send either cash or pre-positioned military equipment with troops to help out. the cash gets there within hours, the troops within a week or so. The ones you see on the news arriving 48 hours after the disaster are normally the command and control element coming in, preparing for the main body, which arrives 2-4 days later.