The USA - a third world country?

[marksi]

They knew this storm was coming. They had at least 3 days warning. It's caused terrible devastation. But you'd think they would at the very least be able to get food and water into a major city to the people who've lost everything.

The pictures look like they're coming from a third world country.

I'd like to think that if anything as bad was to happen in Europe, things would be somewhat better organised.

[rts]

I have to admit it is rather shocking watching Channel 4 News. Shocking reality.

[Ant]

I can't believe it's reached (or apparently will reach) thousands of people. News of serviceman being shot at a stadium and a rescue helicopter being shot down is totally shocking.

One million people homeless! I thought the most powerful country in the world could do better with the aid at least.

[babyben]

Amercia is a real oddball country, full of too decent (god fearing) people and utter nutters with guns.

That's not utter otter nutters with guns, that would just be silly.

[James H]

i think that for the evacuation warnings they should have used a megaphone with Nick Harvey in a helicopter

[Corin]

i think that for the evacuation warnings they should have used a megaphone with Nick Harvey in a helicopter

From <http://www.cnn.COM/2005/WEATHER/09/02/k ... index.html>

One displaced resident at the Louisiana Superdome issued a warning to authorities who may be headed to the stadium, where up to 30,000 people sought refuge after Monday's Hurricane Katrina and now await evacuation to Texas by bus.

"Please don't send the National Guard," Raymond Cooper told CNN by telephone.
"Send someone with a bullhorn outside the place that can talk to these people first."

[marksi]

In an amazing juxtaposition of video, reports on CNN of a city completely out of control and people starving in American hospitals was followed by a commercial for Ethiopian Airways where people were being served hearty in-flight meals.

[Johnny]

Good to see Bush has his priorities right addressing the nation & telling them not to panic aboutthe shortage of.... Gasoline :roll:

They still haven't reacted quick enough to get aid to them.

[marksi]

Good to see Bush has his priorities right addressing the nation & telling them not to panic aboutthe shortage of.... Gasoline :roll:

They still haven't reacted quick enough to get aid to them.

On a similar note Jack Straw was this morning asked by an American journalist if the UK/EU would send oil to the USA. He politely said no - that there was a world market for oil - but that the UK and EU would provide whatever humanitarian aid which was required. To date there have been no requests for help.

[Gavin Scott]

Good to see Bush has his priorities right addressing the nation & telling them not to panic aboutthe shortage of.... Gasoline :roll:

They still haven't reacted quick enough to get aid to them.

On a similar note Jack Straw was this morning asked by an American journalist if the UK/EU would send oil to the USA. He politely said no - that there was a world market for oil - but that the UK and EU would provide whatever humanitarian aid which was required. To date there have been no requests for help.

I'd sooner pour our reserves into the North Sea than send them to the squanderous wastrels in the States.

It's an outrageous state of affairs for the world's largest power to have let so many starve and go without help.

I was shocked to read this morning that police have been seen filling their cars with PCs, flat-screen TVs and the like.

I can't disagree with looting food-stores, but to help yourself to Sear's household electricals is beyond the pale.

They should be ashamed of themselves.

[cwathen]

It's an outrageous state of affairs for the world's largest power to have let so many starve and go without help.

Incidentally, I wonder how many Americans will continue to hold onto the view that 'God' affords them special protection? Sadly, probably most of them still will.