I suppose that around the world, other nations are looking at us and scratching their heads. Why was the U.S. so unprepared, they may be wondering. Why wasn’t an evacuation plan in place? Why didn’t assistance begin the second the rain stopped, considering the breathtaking technology and equipment that our nation has to cope with wars and disaster situations. Why is there no security in New Orleans? And why are there thousands of people sitting in the street without food or water?

So I guess they feel sorry for us and think that we are too inept to deal with this. Afterall, the Gulf coast has already been battered by hundreds of hurricanes and tropical storms–so one would think that some sort of emergency plan would have been put in place long ago. Like decades ago. Maybe when Hurricane Betsy pummelled New Orleans in 1965, or Camille (that category 5 sucker) attacked Mississippi like a nuclear explosion.

From WWLTV.com:

With offers from the four corners of the globe pouring in, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has decided “no offer that can help alleviate the suffering of the people in the afflicted area will be refused,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday

Isn’t that grand of Condi, to “decide” that help will be accepted. Since we seem to not care about the people who are still stranded on rooftops in NO (yes, some are still up there), then maybe we should let someone else take over rescue and humanitarian operations. Afterall, it does seem like too much trouble to drop water and food down to some of the people who haven’t had any in days.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent a letter to President Bush offering hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians and other experts in trauma, natural disasters and public health.

He said the teams and equipment could be ready in 24 hours.

Tiny Israel can get a team ready in 24 hours. Imagine that. A little country of about 5 million people, coping with a battered economy and fighting a hot war of their own, is offering to help us. And they can amass a full army of assistance, complete with manpower and equipment, within 24 hours. Meanwhile, we’ve got looters and other scum shooting at hospitals in New Orleans. Hospital generators are breaking down, and there’s no food, water or anything else for staff and patients. How pathetic is this? It just makes me want to cry.

And Venezuela, the nation whose president Bush wants to overthrow, has offered aid. Talk about doing the Christian thing–maybe the pseudo Christian neocons (does the name Pat Robertson ring a bell?) can learn something from that terrible nation of Venezuela.

Venezuela, a target of frequent criticism by the Bush administration, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela’s Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid.

Now, it gets better. A lot of other countries have offered aid, including Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States. Imagine that, getting offers from poor developing nations. I guess they figure that we just can’t afford to help the victims in Louisiana and Missisippi.

Anyway, nice of Condi to accept. As embarrassing as it is to accept aid–especially from France, Venezuela and Germany (remember, they didn’t think that attacking Iraq was a good idea–and guess what? They were right!), I suppose that she must remember that she is Secretary of State. Afterall, she is supposed to be trying to rebuild all of the bridges that Dubya destroyed.

From CNN:

“I understand the anxiety of people on the ground,” Bush told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “… But I want people to know there’s a lot of help coming.”

Why, I have to ask, is help “coming?” Why isn’t the help already there? Doesn’t anyone find this a little strange how the US of A, the richest nation in the world, is so ill prepared for a natural disaster–and one that we knew was on its way?

“Right now, the days seem awfully dark for those affected. I understand that,” he said. “But I’m confident that, with time, you’ll get your life back in order. New communities will flourish. The great city of New Orleans will be back on its feet. And America will be a stronger place for it.”

Isn’t that flowery speech wonderful? I know that it is not Bush’s fault entirely–indeed, he is entirely incapable of flushing a toilet on his own let alone prepare a major metropolitan area for a disaster–and it is not the role of the President to be solely in charge. Still, Bush should have been on the phone with state officials and the federal agencies who coordinate such things and made sure that plans were in place. He should have ordered the military on stand-by, and had the National Guard ready to move in as soon as the rain stopped.

There are thousands of people cramming the Convention Center, and sitting on the streets surrounding it, in New Orleans. The land is dry, and the Mississippi River is right there. They have no food, water, medicine, or anything. Why is there no ship coming up the river with supplies? Why aren’t there helicopters dropping supplies down to them? Why isn’t the National Guard there, or the marines, or anyone, keeping law and order there and protecting these people?

I will write more on the topic of readiness a little later. But truly, while I appreciate the heroic efforts being made, it is scandalous how ill prepared we are for a disaster. And a disaster where there was ample warning for. And a disaster which occurred in a place where similar disasters have already occurred many times in the past.

Acording to WWL-TV’s (in New Orleans) Mike Hoss: Stories of armed, roving gangs going around town looting every business they come across have been overexaggerated by the national media.

Why is that not surprising? I am sure that there are looters (should be shot on sight–the ones who steal not because they are hungry or thirsty but those robbing abandoned homes and jewelry stores), and some are armed. But once again, the media has jumped on the opportunity to make NO now seem like a completely lawless town, with roving bands of crazed armed killers who are shooting grandmas for their cameo pins and infants for hand-knit booties.

I tend to believe Mr. Hoss over at the news station. It takes a brave soul to criticize his fellow media henchmen. Please, media, just tell us the facts. The situation is bad enough so you don’t need to exaggerate.