Tsunami Death Toll is United States' Fault

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I was wathing Nightline last night (too lazy to change the channel after the game) and listened to an interview of the woman who runs the agency that is responsible for the trunami warning system in the Pacific. The commentator (Koeppel substitute) did his damndest to get her to admit that the US bore some responsibility for the fact that the countries along the tsunami's path were not sufficiently warned about the approaching disaster. She refused to admit this, and explained three times that they had no means to communicate with any of the countries' governments, although they valiantly tried.

Then, this morning, I read about some bozo from the UN telling the media that the US aid of $15 million in immediate aid (to be followed later by much more) was "stingy":
But U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised.
"It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really," the Norwegian-born U.N. official told reporters. "Christmastime should remind many Western countries at least, [of] how rich we have become."
"There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy," he said, adding that politicians in the United States and Europe "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."

There is no more benevolent nation on earth and we keep getting punched and kicked by self-hating American media types and the US-hating UN elite types.

The US appears to be the leading nation in providing money, military aid, medical aid and food. But we are not pulling our load so we should raise taxes? This could be the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard.

This is a tragedy of Biblical proportions. One that, according to the AP, occurs about once every 700 years. But is the Us who is the villain.

There needs to be a FOR SALE sign stuck on a building on First Avenue very, very soon.

[DrParasite]

it's always the United State's fault. didn't you know that?

we are responsible for world hunger, for all the fighting going on in the international hotspots, for all the wars, for all the epidemic's in the world, for all the political turnmoil going on across the globe, and of course for the way certain counties mistreat their own citizens.

it's all the US's fault. we never do enough, so it's all our fault.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

I used to think the "anti-U.N. crowd" was a little misguided. I am seeing the light and really thinking that a once noble organization has turned completely irrelavant and boderline criminal. The United States will do more then its fair share to help these poor people. I cant see any true American who wouldnt want to help anyway they/we could. So bite me lady.

[jaybird210]

Well put MIKEY.

[FlyingKiwi]

Mikey.

A while back I did some security work for a guy who supplied food and catering to the UN compound in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Morris Catering had also worked in Vietnam and a few other places.

What made them unique was they made it company policy that 95& of UN funds recieved would translate into usable goods, with 5% being their profit margin.

I remember being graphicaly told by him of statistics showing under 1 dollar of goods per 100 arriving at the coal face was considered acceptable by the UN, the rest going in graft.

First his Son, and then himself were killed in Somalia. Yes they were removed.

Maybe the UN needs to scrapped and started again. But that would take a supreme effort due to the entrenched politicians and their lackeys who have a good life to lose to such a proposition.

[manofire2]

It's time to resurrect one of my favorite sound clips. If you haven't heard it it is called "The Americans" by Canadian broadcaster Gordon Sinclair and it is well worth your while to look it up. Being somewhat computer illiterate, I don't know haw to put a link on this site but if someone could it is quite moving.

It really sums up how a large percentage of Canadians (not the vocal minority) feel about our American neighbors.

[manofire2]

Here is the text of the above mentioned clip.

The United States dollar took another pounding on German, French and British exchanges this morning, hitting the lowest point ever known in West Germany. It has declined there by 41% since 1971 and this Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least-appreciated people in all the earth.

As long as sixty years ago, when I first started to read newspapers, I read of floods on the Yellow River and the Yangtse. Who rushed in with men and money to help? The Americans did.

They have helped control floods on the Nile, the Amazon, the Ganges and the Niger. Today, the rich bottom land of the Misssissippi is under water and no foreign land has sent a dollar to help. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy, were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of those countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When distant cities are hit by earthquakes, it is the United States that hurries into help... Managua Nicaragua is one of the most recent examples. So far this spring, 59 American communities have been flattened by tornadoes. Nobody has helped.

The Marshall Plan .. the Truman Policy .. all pumped billions upon billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now, newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent war-mongering Americans.

I'd like to see one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplanes.

Come on... let's hear it! Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar or the Douglas 107? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all international lines except Russia fly American planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or women on the moon?

You talk about Japanese technocracy and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy and you find men on the moon, not once, but several times ... and safely home again. You talk about scandals and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everyone to look at. Even the draft dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, most of them ... unless they are breaking Canadian laws .. are getting American dollars from Ma and Pa at home to spend here.

When the Americans get out of this bind ... as they will... who could blame them if they said 'the hell with the rest of the world'. Let someone else buy the Israel bonds, Let someone else build or repair foreign dams or design foreign buildings that won't shake apart in earthquakes.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name to you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble.

Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbours have faced it alone and I am one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles.

I hope Canada is not one of these. But there are many smug, self-righteous Canadians. And finally, the American Red Cross was told at its 48th Annual meeting in New Orleans this morning that it was broke.

This year's disasters .. with the year less than half-over… has taken it all and nobody...but nobody... has helped.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

http://www.canadianaconnection.com/cca/gordonsinclair.htm

I have read this piece to the point of boredom.

However, I never before listened to it. I just did. You HAVE to follow this link and listent to the raw emotion and anger that Mr. Sinclair has in his voice. It gives new perspective to this classic.

[DrParasite]

for the actual mp3 file, just click here http://www.cfrb.com/audio/americans.mp3

and he's 100% right too

[bummer]

How about this? We will give $1 more than the funds given by any other nation! Let's see how much that is.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

We're up to about $35 million...for starters.

Here's another one. I just caught a short on Fox NEws. They were interviewing some woman by the name of C. C. Connolly (ph). She is AMerican and she was talking about how the U.S. Has become richer, but how the generosity of Americnas and our government has not kept pace with this increase in generosity. She used as an illustration the fact that the government invested about $973 million in the areas hit by the four hurricanes in the US this year. But we are only commiting $35 million to South east Asia. She indicated that we should be giving much. much more.

How dare we!:rolleyes:

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

BTW...

Does anyone have the figures for how much in aid the US recived from other countries for hurricane relief?

[manofire2]

I'm going to take this post in another direction now.

With a death toll having topped 33,000 people, this looks like it may become the worst or at least one of the worst disasters in history. We look to our governments to come to the aid of those in need but how about ourselves. I am sure in the days to come there will be calls for aid taking many forms, not just monetary.

As emergency responders, I think we need to be at the front of the line when our Red Cross units are looking for funds, blood, etc.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by manofire2
I'm going to take this post in another direction now.

With a death toll having topped 33,000 people, this looks like it may become the worst or at least one of the worst disasters in history. We look to our governments to come to the aid of those in need but how about ourselves. I am sure in the days to come there will be calls for aid taking many forms, not just monetary.

As emergency responders, I think we need to be at the front of the line when our Red Cross units are looking for funds, blood, etc.

Blood? Definitely. But there are other blood banks.

Funds? Here's a couiple of things you should know. I am aware of several circumstances where the local Red Cross Chapter sought and recieved recoupment of funds from the insurance company when they came out to a fire. They have also sought to be included in civil and criminal settlements on fire cases.

This is not to denegrate the ARC. My point beng is they have other income sources than just private donations.

There are also other organizations that also deserve our support. For example, how many of you have received a sandwich or a cup of coffee from the Salvation Army? They never ask for a dime and truly do not have other sources of funding other than private donations. There are others, but you get the point.

[DrParasite]

Death Toll

Officials said 40,000 people were killed in 11 countries in southern Asia and Africa after massive tsunami waves smashed coastlines Sunday morning. A breakdown of the toll so far:

- Sri Lanka: Some 18,700 reported killed in government and rebel controlled areas. More than 1 million people were displaced.

- Indonesia: Government officials say about 15,000 people were killed. The country closest to the quake's epicenter, the prime minister said the toll could hit 25,000.

- India: An estimated 4,371 people died, the Home Ministry said. The international Red Cross estimated 6,000 deaths in India.

- Thailand: The government said 1,516 people died, among them more than 700 tourists.

- Somalia: At least 110 killed, said Ali Abdi Awaare, environment minister of the semiautonomous region Puntland. A presidential spokesman earlier said hundreds were killed without giving an exact figure.

- Myanmar: About 90 people were killed, according to reports compiled by international aid agencies.

- Malaysia: At least 65 people, including an unknown number of foreign tourists, were dead, according to official reports.

- Maldives: At least 52 people were confirmed dead.

- Tanzania: At least 10 people, mostly swimmers, said Alfred Tibaigana, police commander in Dar es Salaam.

- Seychelles: Three killed.

- Bangladesh: Two killed.

[DrParasite]

Powell says U.S. assessing additional aid to help quake

WASHINGTON (AP) - Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday the United States "will do more" to help the victims of a massive earthquake and tsunamis in Asia and said he regretted a statement by a United Nations official suggesting that it hadn't helped enough.

"The United States has given more aid in the last four years than any other nation or combination of nations in the world," Powell said when asked about a suggestion by Jan Egeland, the U.N. humanitarian aid chief, that America was being "stingy."


Initially, the U.S. government pledged $15 million and dispatched disaster specialists to help the Asian nations devastated by the catastrophe that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.


On Monday, President Bush sent letters of condolence and Powell exclaimed, "This is indeed an international tragedy, and we are going to do everything we can."


In an interview on NBC"s "Today" show Tuesday, Powell said that "clearly, the United States will be a major contributor to this international effort. And, yes, it will run into the billions of dollars."


U.S. government specialists in disaster relief were sent to Thailand and Indonesia, and others will be spread out through the region. Supplies of shelter, food and water cans kept in reserve in the Philippines and in Dubai will be distributed, according to Ed Fox, assistant administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S5167.html?cat=1

[manofire2]

Your absolutely right George, who and how one supports are a personal choice. My point wasn't meant to endorse the Red Cross or any other organization. I merely wanted to point out that we are in the business of helping and as individuals, we need to help out, not just as nations.

I think it would be a reasonable assumption that there are collections being taken in fire halls throughout North America as we speak.

It's what we do.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Bits and pieces of the newest update - Here's the link for the whole article.

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1104234317499_82?hub=topstorie s

Death toll from massive tsunami nears 52,000
CTV.ca News Staff

A massive relief effort is underway in south Asia and Africa, as the death toll from Sunday's devastating tsunami nears 52,000 across 11 countries.

Millions more are homeless and thousands remain unaccounted for just two days after the deadliest tsunami in 120 years.

Mourners in Sri Lanka are using their bare hands to dig graves, while desperate survivors are looting stores on Indonesia's Sumatra island.

As the damage is assessed and the dead counted, the numbers are astounding. Sri Lanka on Tuesday raised its death toll past 18,700, while Indonesia's toll hit 27,000.

Also hard hit was India, where 4,400 people have been confirmed dead by officials.

In Thailand, the death toll nearly doubled Tuesday to more than 1,500 following the discovery of about 700 bodies at a resort near the popular tourist destination of Phuket.


Aid efforts

Trucks carrying food aid and medical supplies are making their first deliveries to survivors of the quake and tsunami disaster.

Trucks carrying rice, lentils and sugar are headed for Sri Lanka's southern and eastern coasts. And a Red Cross plane with blankets, medicine and tarps for 50,000 people is en route to the island from Kenya.

Oxfam in Britain says a flight carrying water and sanitation equipment will leave Wednesday for Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Officials are most worried about the lack of fresh drinking water and sanitation.

"There is a real concern by authorities that people are resorting to drinking sea water or polluted water," said CTV's Matt McClure, reporting from Colombo, Sri Lanka.

There are also fears that diseases such as cholera could prove deadly. Another danger that has surfaced in Sri Lanka is uprooted land mines, which have been washed out of fields.

The United States is adding $20 million to an initial $15-million for earthquake relief, and the 25-nation European Union promised to quickly deliver $4 million. Canada promised $4 million with more likely to come.

United Nations emergency relief coordinator Jan Egeland says the disaster may be the costliest in history.

He says the tsunami was not the largest ever recorded "but the effects may be the biggest ever because many more people live in exposed areas than ever before."

Canadians wishing to donate aid to quake relief can call the Red Cross at 1-800-418-1111 or UNICEF at 1-877-955-3111.

[DrParasite]

Originally posted by RspctFrmCalgary
The United States is adding $20 million to an initial $15-million for earthquake relief, and the 25-nation European Union promised to quickly deliver $4 million. Canada promised $4 million with more likely to come.so the european union (which is composed of 25 individual nations) gives $4 millino, while the United States (which is only one nation) is stingy when they give $15 million? and now we are adding another $20 million to the relief effort?

maybe it's just me, but something isn't right no matter how I make the numbers look

[hwoods]

Been a couple of years ago, but the one instance of Others coming to aid America was several other english speaking nations sending Firefighters to help in the Western states during a record setting year of Forest Fires. I remember this since I was on my soapbox raising hell because we were bringing in Outside help and there were lots of American Firefighters who would have helped, except they didn't have "Red cards" from whoever. (I STILL think that's wrong, but that's not for this thread) So, Yes, we've gotten a bit of help, I remember Australia and New Zealand (Thanks KiWi) in particular.
As to donating something to someone, Helping our own is First on my list. In fact they ARE my list. When all of our Firefighters here have what they need to do the job, SAFELY, then I might consider something else.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

I'm sure it is the same in the states, pick which charity you wish to contribute to ... as manofire said, it is a personal choice.


Aid on its way to tsunami-hit regions
CTV.ca News Staff

Trucks carrying food aid and medical supplies are making their first deliveries to survivors of the quake and tsunami disaster.

Nearly 44,000 people have been killed by a massive tsunami, triggered by a quake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra that sent waves travelling across the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.

In Sri Lanka alone, more than one million people have been left homeless in the disaster, prompting a massive call for aid.

On Tuesday, trucks carrying rice, lentils and sugar headed for Sri Lanka's southern and eastern coasts. And a Red Cross plane with blankets, medicine and tarps for 50,000 people is en route to the island from Kenya.

Oxfam in Britain says a flight carrying water and sanitation equipment will leave Wednesday for Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Officials are most worried about the lack of fresh drinking water and sanitation.

The United States is adding $20 million to an initial $15-million for earthquake relief, and the 25-nation European Union promised to quickly deliver $4 million. Canada promised $4 million with more likely to come.

United Nations emergency relief coordinator Jan Egeland says the disaster may be the costliest in history.

He says the tsunami was not the largest ever recorded "but the effects may be the biggest ever because many more people live in exposed areas than ever before."

To donate, Canadians can contact:

Canadian Red Cross, toll-free at 1-800-418-1111
World Vision toll-free at 1-800-268-5528
UNICEF Canada at 1-877-955-3111
Oxfam Canada at 1-800-GO-OXFAM
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, at 1-888-664-3387
Canadian Tamil Congress at 1-416-751-8777
Canadian Relief Organization for Peace in Sri Lanka at 1-416-429-2822
Christian Children's Fund of Canada at 1-800-263-5437
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto at 416-631-5705
Donating tips from the Department of Foreign Affairs:

Donating goods can be problematic for relief personnel who waste time sorting goods and also because transportation to disaster areas is limited.
Donations of out-of-date medicines and medical supplies can do more harm than good. Food and clothing may be inappropriate for the region. Used clothing and blankets may be subject to import regulations which require their fumigation or wrapping.
An emergency is the wrong time to try to establish a distribution network in unfamiliar territory.
The need for search and rescue, first aid and other immediate procedures is usually short-term and can be handled by on-site or nearby health services.
The presence of foreign personnel who are unfamiliar with the local language and conditions may be harmful if they become extra people who must be fed and sheltered.

Another article:

Canada pledges $4 million for quake relief
CTV.ca News Staff

Defence Minister Bill Graham says Canada is donating an additional $3 million in tsunami and earthquake relief as Canadians scrambled to make contact with their friends and family in the affected regions.

This brings Canada's donation to a total of $4 million. The federal government committed an initial $1 million to earthquake relief aid on Sunday.

The money is going both to the International Red Cross and Canadian NGOs.

"This is an immediate response, it's not the last," Graham said during a Monday news conference.

"In addition, our embassies in the region are being beefed up with additional personnel to enable them both to help the local populations but also to trace Canadians that are in trouble in the region," Graham said.

Canada will also be providing blankets, water purification devices, and generators through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), he said.

A Canadian Forces aircraft will also be available to shuttle donated goods to affected areas.

Graham dismissed critics who called the North American response stingy and said the government "can only provide additional aid when we know more specifics about exactly what's necessary."

When asked about DART, the federal government's specialized disaster-relief team, Graham said: "The DART team is obviously a potential tool at this time. It has not been requested."

The 200-member DART team can provide things like purified water and a mobile hospital.

"It's not a question of rushing out there it's a question of being responsive to needs as we know what they are," Graham said.

The U.S. has promised $15 million, but United Nations agencies say the recovery costs will likely be in the billions of dollars.

"Acute respiratory disease always comes in the wake of these kinds of disaster," said the UN's Jan Egeland at a news conference.

Canadians respond

Groups like the Red Cross and UNICEF are meanwhile urging people to donate cash, not goods.

Donations to Red Cross from individual Canadians have topped $500,000.

UNICEF Canada president David Agnew says the response so far for donations has been "very strong."

He says he expected Canadian assistance to be high because Canadians are usually generous after natural disasters.

In Vancouver, five-year-old Cole Leonty went door to door with his dad, selling firewood to help with the relief effort. They raised about $90.

So far, one Canadian has been confirmed dead in Sri Lanka and another two in Thailand.

Two others are officially missing in Thailand and 12 are injured, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Of those hurt, nine remain in hospital.

Another five Canadians are unaccounted for in Indonesia, and another 11 in the Maldives.

Foreign Affairs officials said it's difficult to know how many Canadians are in the region because it's rare for them to register with consulates or embassies when they go on holiday.

Anyone who has Canadian relatives in the affected areas should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa at 1-800-387-3124; or in Ottawa at (613) 996-8885.

With a report from CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin

[SPFDRum]

...and the 25-nation European Union promised to quickly deliver $4 million.

Oh my, 4 million from 25 nations. I hope it doesn't break their "Evil-American" campaign budget...

[Dalmatian90]

White Man's Burden.

That's an old phrase, coming from the age of the British Empire that it was the White Man's Burden to civilize the world.

Some on the left claim affairs like Iraq are just another version of White Man's Burden -- a belief that we have to "civilize" them. I'll leave that arguement alone, but I throw it out there because many of these "humanitarian" missions are just another version.

You want to be compassionate...at the same time, where does one draw the line?

How many people died in this tsunami due to overpopulation in Aisa and Indonesia that's been aided by anything from Western-funded vaccination programs to Western-technology driven "Green Revolution"

While large populations & population growth are a hallmark of pre-industrial human populations for last few centuries, to what extent have "humanitarian" aid helped expand the population in developing areas beyond what they can sustain?

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

...and the 25-nation European Union promised to quickly deliver $4 million.

And they equal the donation from Canada. Jeez, can they spare it?

[manofire2]

Just so the math is clear, Canada's contribution is approximately equal to the American contribution on a per capita basis and I would expect both nations to continue to bear the lions share of the relief costs. I also think that these totals will just scratch the surface of what the final totals will be. It will be interesting to see whether or not Europe ponies up or not.

Both Canadian and American contributions at this time amount to about 12 cents per person while Europe has contributed just over 1 cent per person.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Originally posted by manofire2
Just so the math is clear, Canada's contribution is approximately equal to the American contribution on a per capita basis and I would expect both nations to continue to bear the lions share of the relief costs. I also think that these totals will just scratch the surface of what the final totals will be. It will be interesting to see whether or not Europe ponies up or not.

Both Canadian and American contributions at this time amount to about 12 cents per person while Europe has contributed just over 1 cent per person.

That puts it into perspective doesn't it! Thanks manofire :)

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Time out!

The point of that post was that the whole bunch of EU nations combined equaled one nation's, Canada's, contributions. Seems to me the EU could "spare" a whole lot more.

There was no shot at Canada at all in that post.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

:confused:

I don't think anybody took it that way, but I don't speak for everyone of course.

[nmfire]

And you know, this whole "warning" thing. Even if we did say "Holy shizzle, they are going to get obliterated by a huge wave" and called some officials over there to tell them, what are they going to do? Go on TV and say "EVERYBODY RUN FOR IT!!"

There is no warning system over there. Even if they knew it was coming, what could they possibly do in that amount of time to notify all the people in it's path and give them time to get out of dodge? The answer is nothing and the results would have been the same. Do these people really thing that 55,000+ people could have just headed for the hills?? Get real.

Now, I would be willing to bet some kind of detection and warning system will be put into place after this little lesson.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Dont forget..There are hundreds of Americans still missing.

[manofire2]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
Time out!

The point of that post was that the whole bunch of EU nations combined equaled one nation's, Canada's, contributions. Seems to me the EU could "spare" a whole lot more.

There was no shot at Canada at all in that post.

I didn't take it as a shot, I was merely agreeing with you and stressing the point that the EU needs to do more.

[firenresq77]

The US is getting bashed for not coughing up enough aid, yet how many other times have we been bashed for providing aid????????

[FlyingKiwi]

Good thing India spent so much in a P!ss!ng contest with Pakistan building nukes eh.

Otherwise they might have had a half decent infrastrucre between the two countries.

Leeson 1. Build realy big toys when you can pay for them. Witness No 1 for the prosecution...

Hellooooo Russia.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by manofire2


I didn't take it as a shot, I was merely agreeing with you and stressing the point that the EU needs to do more.

Just makin' sure. I'm on thin ice with the Canadian contingent these days, you know.:D

[firedog21]

Just caught on the global news (BCTV) report that due to a huge public outcry over the meger 4 million dollar aid package, that the Canadian Goverment has just upped its contribution to 40 million dollars. I dont have a link, but if any of my fellow canucks have one please post it.

Stay Safe
Firedog21

[Bones42]

Last night, on a short news segment, saw that Phizer Corp. has pledged total of $35mil. Part in funds, part in medicines. They have also pledged to match any of their employees own personal donations.


A side note - there's another thread on the forums about MLB and the Luxury Tax some teams pay. IF I remember correctly, there were 3 or 4 teams that were paying more in this tax than most countries are offering in relief. Those countries should be ashamed.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Canada increases tsunami aid to $40 million
CTV.ca News Staff

Canada is increasing the amount of money it is sending to the victims of the tsunami disaster in south Asia, and deploying a team to determine whether the military's crack response team will follow.

"Today we are announcing an increase in our financial contribution to $40 million to provide immediate emergency relief as the situation evolves," Graham told reporters, reading a statement from Prime Minister Paul Martin.

"This includes the $4 million in financial assistance already committed."

In addition, Graham said a planeload of emergency supplies is being flown to Indonesia and Canadian consular staff levels are being increased "where needed... for as long as necessary."

The minister then said a "multidisciplinary reconnaissance team of about a dozen officials from Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team, the DART, Foreign Affairs and CIDA is being sent to the region to make recommendations on additional Canadian assistance, including the possible deployment of the DART."

Since Sunday's magnitude-9.0 quake sent devastating a tsunami sweeping across south Asia, Ottawa has faced criticism for not immediately deploying the crack mobile medical unit known as DART.

Answering those critics, Graham told reporters the 200-member DART isn't something that can, or should, be sent on a moment's notice.

"We just can't get to an airport with 200 people and say, 'Here we are,' without knowing where we're going," Graham said in French.

Therefore, the minister explained, the advance team is being sent to determine where the team is needed, and how best it might be used.

"This is an issue we look at in terms of whether it's appropriate, whether countries need it and whether or not it's worth moving it," he said.

Col. Guy Laroche of the Department of National Defence told a media briefing that for now, DART isn't needed and hadn't been requested.

"It seems the DART is not the right tool at this time,'' he said.

But Graham said Wednesday the government is still open to the possibility of sending some, if not all of the crack response team.

"The purpose of the reconnaissance team that is going tomorrow is to look whether perhaps some parts of the DART would be useful in the countries concerned."

During the briefing's question-and-answer period, the defence minister was also forced to defend the pace of his government's reaction to the disaster.

Although Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Co-operation Minister Aileen Carroll are now cutting short their vacations to return to Ottawa, reporters demanded to know why it's taken them more than three days to do so.

In response, Graham insisted the ministers concerned, as well as holidaying Prime Minister Martin, have been working with their staff.

"This has been going on, and the ministers involved have been in touch with their departments," he said, adding,"But now they've decided to be sur place and I think that's a good decision on their part."

Graham's announcement is just the lastest in a growing number of pledges to the disaster-stricken region, where the number of dead is feared to exceed 100,000.

B.C. joins list of donors

The world's richest nations have pledged more than $250 million US in emergency aid -- that includes $68 million from Spain, $35 million from the United States and $30 million from Japan. Britain has pledged $29 million.

Also Wednesday, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said his province is sending $8 million to the aid effort. On top of the $40 million in federal assistance, Campbell said the money would go directly to the Canadian Red Cross.

Describing the tragedy as one so profound it effects all of us, Campbell said it's important his province, as Canada's gateway to the Pacific Rim, show leadership.

Speaking to reporters at his Texas ranch on Wednesday, U.S. President George Bush announced that America has established "a regional core group with India, Japan and Australia to help coordinate relief efforts."

"I'm confident more nations will join this core group in short order," Bush said in his first public comments since the devastating tsunamis struck.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

India to install tsunami warning system
Associated Press

NEW DELHI — India said Wednesday it would install an early warning system to predict lethal tsunamis such as the ones that hit Asia and Africa this weekend.

Of the 11 countries affected by the tsunamis, only Thailand belonged to an existing warning system working among the Pacific-Rim countries.

India's Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters India's system would be independent of the Pacific-Rim program because that one does not monitor the Indian Ocean.

Sibal said it would take up to 2 1/2 years to put the system in place and likely will cost up to $27 million.

India had no advance warning about Sunday's lethal tsunami, which originated with an underwater earthquake in Indonesia and killed nearly 7,000 people in India with 8,000 missing and feared dead. More than 60,000 people were killed throughout southern Asia.

India's meteorology center in the remote Andaman and Nicobar islands informed the government of the earthquake and damage caused to buildings but it did not have information on the approaching tsunami.

"We could not have imagined that a tsunami of this magnitude would hit our coast and cause so much devastation," Sibal said. "No government thought of it because this really was not on the horizon."

The existing international warning system is designed to alert nations that potentially destructive waves may hit their coastlines within three to 14 hours. Scientists said seismic networks recorded Sunday's massive earthquake, but without wave sensors in the region, there was no way to determine the direction a tsunami would travel.

"It is not possible to detect a tsunami until it reaches shallow waters and hits the coast," he said.

Although Thailand belongs to the international tsunami warning network, its west coast does not have the system's wave sensors mounted on ocean buoys.

If any new warning system is created, India would like to share data with the 26-nation Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Sibal said.

"All we need to do, and we need not include any other country, is to set up a deep ocean assessment and reporting system in India and connect it with at least 20 data buoys," he said.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Relief workers overwhelmed by scope of disaster
CTV.ca News Staff

Relief organizations arriving in Asia's isolated tsunami-hit areas to bring in much-needed food and medical supplies say the needs are even greater than at first thought.

The relief efforts is already one of the biggest humanitarian exercises in history, with 60 nations having pledged over $220 million in cash and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of emergency supplies.

Hundreds of tonnes of medical supplies have been flown to the region, but the United Nations admits only a fraction of the aid has gotten to where it is needed so far.

Aid workers are finding towns and villages destroyed, countless people hunting water and food -- and some of them growing ill or angry.

UN emergency relief coordinator Jan Egeland acknowledged Wednesday that aid workers have not yet been able to reach many stricken areas.

"It will take maybe 48 to 72 hours more to be able to respond to the tens of thousands of people who would like to have assistance today -- or yesterday, rather," he said. "I believe the frustration will be growing in the days and the weeks ahead."

Reporters in the area have described scenes of survivors, some injured and many who have not eaten since the tsunami hit on Sunday, wandering through the debris- and corpse-strewn streets in a hunt for clean water and food.

But in many places, the aid is tricling in. A navy flotilla carrying 175 tonnes of rice and 100 doctors is on its way to Sumatra's western coast, Indonesia's military said.

In Sri Lanka, four relief planes arrived in the capital of Colombo carrying doctors, medicine and a water purification plant from Germany, the Red Cross said.

A fleet of 64 trucks carrying rice, sugar, tents and other essentials have fanned out across Tamil areas.

But officials said some trucks have had trouble getting through, diverted by Sinhalese mobs and low-ranking government officials. Selvi Sachchithanandam, a World Food Program spokeswoman, declined to comment on the report.

Canada is sending $40 million to the victims of the disaster and deploying a team to determine whether the military's crack response team will follow.

U.S. President George Bush is pledging to set up an international coalition of aid donors.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday at his Texas ranch, Bush announced the United States has established "a regional core group with India, Japan and Australia to help coordinate relief efforts."

"I'm confident more nations will join this core group in short order," Bush said in his first public comments since Sunday's devastating tsunamis triggered by an earthquake.

The U.S. has doubled its funds to the stricken area to $35 million, and sent two flotillas of U.S. warships with supplies and troops to the region.

On Wednesday, Bush said the $35 million was "only the beginning of our help" but did not discuss future aid.

"These past few days have brought loss and grief to the world that is beyond our comprehension," Bush said.

"The United States will continue to stand with the affected governments as they care for the victims. We will stand with them as they start to rebuild their communities. And together the world will cope with their loss. We will prevail over this destruction."

Canadians wishing to donate aid to quake relief can call the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-418-1111, UNICEF at 1-877-955-3111, Oxfam Canada at 1-800-466-9326, or CARE Canada at 1-800-267-5232.

With files from The Associated Press

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Where the hell did my location go? grrrrrrr

[cfdeng3]

I have a question. When an area in the US in devastated by a natural disater, FEMA will go in and offer "low interest" loans to help those that were displaced to rebuild. To me that means they expect to be repaid. Is the US going to collect anything from the foreigners they are helping to rebuild?
I don't care how bad a person it makes me, but if we can't help our own without expecting to be repaid, there is no way we should be giving money to everyone else.

[Bones42]

FEMA gives money outright along with offering the low interest loans so it has a long history of giving money/aid away without expecting repayment.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

I was looking for an article about DART, our Disaster ummmm something or other Relief Team, but I've run out of time. Will look later. I had heard on the radio yesterday morning that DART existed only on paper. 114,000 now :(

[DrParasite]

Originally posted by RspctFrmCalgary
The world's richest nations have pledged more than $250 million US in emergency aid -- that includes $68 million from Spain, $35 million from the United States and $30 million from Japan. Britain has pledged $29 million.well, at least it's better than the $4 million the EU initially was going to send.

while I do feel sad for the people who need assistance in this natural tragedy, why couldn't these millions have been used to help solve many of the domestic problems at home?

and RspctFrmCalgary, DART is the Disaster Assistance Response Team. but that's ok that you didn't know, your only from Canada having a little problem with the name of a CANADIAN team.

what's next, can't remember what hocky team plays in Calgary? :D

[Dave404]

Answering those critics, Graham told reporters the 200-member DART isn't something that can, or should, be sent on a moment's notice.

"We just can't get to an airport with 200 people and say, 'Here we are,' without knowing where we're going," Graham said in French.

Therefore, the minister explained, the advance team is being sent to determine where the team is needed, and how best it might be used.

"This is an issue we look at in terms of whether it's appropriate, whether countries need it and whether or not it's worth moving it," he said.

Typical Canadian government response - in other words we dont have anything to move the team with and are waiting for the US military to pick us up!

Perhaps we should wait until the mess has been cleaned up before we go! For one I am tired of this sit back and watch approach our government has.

Our nations can pledge all the money in the world - what they need are people with training to go and help. Medically trained people - resources like heavy equipment. When I see money being pledged to these countries, where does it go - infrastructure? I would rather see our governments buy medication, food, clothing and send it to the people that need it. Not give money to governments that could give a rats ass about their own people. As said previously in this forum who helped when the hurricanes hit the US.....thats what I thought yet every time there is a disaster in one of these "poor" nations we are expected to help - Maybe these "poor" countries should spend less on blowing each other up and embrace the value of life!
RANT OVER
Dave

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Since I checked earlier this morning, the amazon.com link to the American Red Cross has added over a million dollars to its totals. That total is now over 5.3 million dollars.

[Dave404]

Another affect of the eartquake has been the earth has tilted on its axis and the earths rotation has also increased resulting in 1 second loss during the day.

Pretty astounding the effects of this catastrophy!

[LeuitEFDems]

Is the DART team similar to the US' DMAT (disaster medical assistance team)? My paramedic instructor is dep chief of DMAT Massachusetts team 2, and they have been sent to other countries for hurricaine relief, along with doing stateside stuff such as the DNC and 9/11. If I remember correctly he said that they can be in the air 24-48 hours after being activated.
As for the worldwide effect of the earthquake, I heard on the radio yesterday that some smaller islands in Asia have possibly been moved by up to 12 miles from their location.

[Dave404]

The DART teams is supposed to be similar to DMAT - funny thing is every time a situation arises that they can be used they arent?

As for the moving Islands I also heard that the landscape is a changing. Once the clean up and humanitarian side is taken care of it will be interesting to see what the total geological affect will be.

I wonder whats going to happen when the big one hits British Columbia? I wonder if the DART team will be activated?

[SteveDude]

so the european union (which is composed of 25 individual nations) gives $4 millino, while the United States (which is only one nation) is stingy when they give $15 million? and now we are adding another $20 million to the relief effort?

WHOA back there...Don't go running away with the idea that you can include the UK in with that 'European union' Cr*p!!!

The UK originally pledged £15m ($29m) as the scale of the disaster increased so do the aid, tonight it is up to £50m ($96m) making us the biggest contributor (so far). The British public have as of tonight, pleged £25m from their own pockets with that increasing by £1m every hour.

Sky news Link (http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13274302,00.html)

Consider that so far we have lost only 29 (confirmed) of our countrymen, but some other European Countries are counting their dead in Thousands (apparently 4,400 Europeans missing presumed dead) that makes it all the more interesting how 'little' THEY have put forward.

I fully agree and sympathise with the way you guys get a hiding for everything in the World. Most British people see themselves nearer to the US, Australia & NZ than anywhere else. And it makes us Puke when people have a go at you, especially from the liberal pieces of **** that walk the streets screaming anti-US drivvle that my relatives and many US Citizens gave up there life ot protect.

However, as for ingratitude, I take issue with anyone who says the UK does not stand side by side with the US whenever the chips are down. (After 9/11 how many British Fire Uniforms lined the streets of Long Island, upstate New York and so on when the Brothers of the FDNY were spread so thin day after day??? I Know, I came across three times in those months and so did plenty of others).

When others in Europe hid behind their collective curtains at the start of the last Gulf War, we stood and died right next to you...as you and the Commonwealth did in both World Wars...but remember, your fathers and grandfathers efforts in both World Wars will never be forgotten by the British, but we did not roll over and die for the Nazi's...it wasn't until almost evey fit young British man, and then some had donned a uniform that we needed help, especially in the First World war.

We may be small, but we bite HARD...and fear no one!!!

PS;Easy Way to Piss off a Brit....Call him a 'European'

Rant Over...back onto subject!!!

[superchef]

We may be small, but we bite HARD...and fear no one!!!

I have been reading some British history Steve and yes, you Brits do have a bit of a bite. (and that is meant as a complement Steve).
:)

[SteveDude]

These Colours Don't Run!!!!

[Dave404]

Is that a "spot of tea"? Good rant Steve - wish I could say the same of my government!

[superchef]

12-29) 15:12 PST PHUKET, Thailand (AP) --

A Swedish toddler was reunited with his father Wednesday, days after being found alone in the aftermath of the deadly tsunami that swept Asia.

Hannes Bergstroem was found after the waves subsided Sunday and taken to a hospital on this resort island for treatment. His photo was posted on the Internet Monday.

The two-year-old's uncle saw the photo and claimed the boy Tuesday. On Wednesday the child was reunited with his father, Marko Karkkainen, at a hospital on the southern Thai island of Phuket where both father and son were receiving treatment.

Hannes, his face scratched and pocked with mosquito bites, looked puzzled as his father choked up with emotion.

[manofire2]

This has now almost taken on the appearance of a telethon with everyone making pledges of support. The Province of Alberta has today pledged $5 Million in support.

C'mon Ontario, top that.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Originally posted by DrParasite
well, at least it's better than the $4 million the EU initially was going to send.

while I do feel sad for the people who need assistance in this natural tragedy, why couldn't these millions have been used to help solve many of the domestic problems at home?

and RspctFrmCalgary, DART is the Disaster Assistance Response Team. but that's ok that you didn't know, your only from Canada having a little problem with the name of a CANADIAN team.

what's next, can't remember what hocky team plays in Calgary? :D

THE FLAMES!!!

It was 6 o'clock in the freaking morning, what do you expect!

I heard this afternoon that our Gov't is going to match all private donations.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Good reading from down under.


Gerard Baker: Tsunami must be fault of the US

December 31, 2004
INEVITABLY, confronted with a tragedy of unimaginable scale, the human mind looks for someone to blame. In the Dark Ages, disasters were ascribed to the wrath of God. Now, in an odd inversion that we like to think of as progress, they are adduced as evidence of no God.

In the absence of a deity to decry or appease when the earth moves in such devastating fashion, humankind reaches for the next best thing - worldly authority. Authority should have known it was coming. Authority didn't do enough to prevent it. Authority was too preoccupied with its own nefarious priorities to care.

There is plenty of authority to blame for the devastation caused by the Sumatran earthquake this week. Governments in Bangkok, Jakarta and Colombo will shoulder some of it. Governments farther afield will be inculpated for the poverty of their response. Media organisations will be attacked for being too callous and too mawkish. Unsurprisingly, perhaps the most inviting target is the US.

In the past three days I have been impressed by the originality of the latest critiques of the evil Americans. The earthquake and tsunami apparently had something to do with global warming, environmentalists say, caused of course by greedy American motorists. Then there was the rumour that the US military base at Diego Garcia was forewarned of the impending disaster and presumably because of some CIA-approved plot to undermine Islamic movements in Indonesia and Thailand did nothing about it.

To be fair, even the most animated America-hater, though, baulks at the idea of blaming George W. Bush for the destruction and death in southern Asia. But the US is blamed for not responding generously enough to help the victims of the catastrophe. A UN official this week derided Washington's contribution as stingy.

It is a label that fits the general image abroad of greedy, self-absorbed Americans. They neither know nor care much about the woes of the rest of the world, do they? Did the tsunami even get a look-in on US TV news between the holiday schmalz and the football games, I have been sneeringly asked once or twice this week by contemptuous British friends.

The answer is yes, it did. News coverage of the event has been extensive, and for the most part intelligent and mercifully free of the sort of parochialism about holidaymakers that characterises so much of the European press accounts. There have been some lapses -- the New York newspaper that carried on its front page the Manhattan supermodel's harrowing tale of survival as her boyfriend was swept away by a tidal wave. There has perhaps been a little too much "what if it happened here?" alarmist self-absorption.

But for the most part Americans have watched a sobering, heartbreaking tale of unimagined calamity unfold halfway across the world. You get a sense of the heterogeneity of this country when something such as this happens. Every newspaper in every big city has been carrying stories about local Sri Lankan, Indonesian, Thai and Malaysian communities traumatised by the long-distance search for relatives and friends.

Further, in financial terms, it is not at all clear that the US is shirking its responsibilities, pledging an initial $US35 million ($45.1million) in aid, with the prospect of much more to come, and offering military assistance. You can be sure that the private US response will be even more impressive. Don't misunderstand me. I am not suggesting that Americans are any more generous than anyone else -- simply that they, too, are moved to mercy by the plight of others.

But even as we seek to apportion blame when catastrophe strikes, we are gripped too by a kind of fatalism. We stand in awe of nature and feel helpless before its apparently insuperable power. The rising death toll in Southeast Asia seems to mock our pretensions to progress. We may have been to the moon, eradicated smallpox and created eBay, we think, but when the tectonic plates move we are no more secure than were the barefoot citizens of Pompeii.

Yet the truth is not so grim. For centuries, steady progress has been made in the struggle to limit the effects of natural disasters. Last year, an earthquake that measured 6.6 on the Richter scale killed more than 40,000 people in the Iranian city of Bam. In 1989, a more powerful earthquake struck outside San Francisco. The death toll was fewer than 100. Of course there were demographic and geologic differences that contributed to the disparity. Of course there will never be a fail-safe protection against the most destructive efforts of nature. But it is within our reach to build systems that can mitigate their effects.

Years of scientific effort and technological investment have given the world seismic sensors; early warning systems; buildings that can bounce up and down on stilts buried deep in the earth; flood barriers and other techniques. We can discern the outlines of a strategy for preventing, or at least limiting future disasters.

As we contemplate nature's fearful capacity for destruction and our apparent helplessness, we should not forget the greater tragedy that is humankind's potential for self-destruction. It was humanity, not nature, that killed tens of millions in the wars and genocides of the 20th century. Even as we master techniques to protect us from the earth's violence, we perfect new, more effective means of delivering our own.

The Times

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by SteveDude


WHOA back there...Don't go running away with the idea that you can include the UK in with that 'European union' Cr*p!!!

The UK originally pledged £15m ($29m) as the scale of the disaster increased so do the aid, tonight it is up to £50m ($96m) making us the biggest contributor (so far). The British public have as of tonight, pleged £25m from their own pockets with that increasing by £1m every hour.

Sky news Link (http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13274302,00.html)

Consider that so far we have lost only 29 (confirmed) of our countrymen, but some other European Countries are counting their dead in Thousands (apparently 4,400 Europeans missing presumed dead) that makes it all the more interesting how 'little' THEY have put forward.

I fully agree and sympathise with the way you guys get a hiding for everything in the World. Most British people see themselves nearer to the US, Australia & NZ than anywhere else. And it makes us Puke when people have a go at you, especially from the liberal pieces of **** that walk the streets screaming anti-US drivvle that my relatives and many US Citizens gave up there life ot protect.

However, as for ingratitude, I take issue with anyone who says the UK does not stand side by side with the US whenever the chips are down. (After 9/11 how many British Fire Uniforms lined the streets of Long Island, upstate New York and so on when the Brothers of the FDNY were spread so thin day after day??? I Know, I came across three times in those months and so did plenty of others).

When others in Europe hid behind their collective curtains at the start of the last Gulf War, we stood and died right next to you...as you and the Commonwealth did in both World Wars...but remember, your fathers and grandfathers efforts in both World Wars will never be forgotten by the British, but we did not roll over and die for the Nazi's...it wasn't until almost evey fit young British man, and then some had donned a uniform that we needed help, especially in the First World war.

We may be small, but we bite HARD...and fear no one!!!

PS;Easy Way to Piss off a Brit....Call him a 'European'

Rant Over...back onto subject!!!

Over the course of the last 100 years, no country on earth has been a supporter of the US on the scale that Great Britain has. I have been impressed at thelengths that GB is going to NOT be lumped in with the rest of EU. No accusations about GB from this corner!

[coldfront]

Who is there a offical counter of the dead for those countries.

I wonder if some of those numbers are inflated in a sad attemted to get more aid!

Please dont attack me to much for that statement.

Remember some of the effected nations choose not to give a warning due to fears of panic?

The U.S. should take the lead in providing aid to the effected areas and we have.However,I do believe with all my heart, we can't win for losing in the eyes of most nations.

Big brother is great when you need him to kick some butt or buy lunch.

I hope we don't stay to long.I hate to see them dragging young marines through the streets after their bellies are full.

Just something to think about?

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Asian tsunami death toll surpasses 150,000
CTV.ca News Staff

The United Nation's humanitarian chief said the death toll in the tsunami Asia disaster could surpass 150,000.

Jan Egeland told reporters Friday that most of the casualties are in Indonesia.

The toll might rise again because some areas are inaccessible, making it difficult to obtain accurate information, he said.

And the final toll might never be known because some coastal communities were obliterated, Egeland said.

Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supadi said the numbers could hit 100,000 in his country alone. It has reported close to 80,000 deaths so far.

Indonesia was closest to the epicentre of the magnitude-9.0 earthquake, which sent killer tsunami waves across the Indian Ocean.

"It is very difficult to predict the final toll," said Dody Budiatman, coordinator of relief efforts for the government in Jakarta. "We could search in small boats, but considering the numbers, it would be very difficult."

Sri Lanka, hit second-hardest, held a day of national mourning Friday for its nearly 30,000 dead in government and rebel-controlled areas. About one million were left homeless.

In Thailand, 80 per cent of those missing are presumed to be dead, CTV's Steve Chao reported from Phuket.

Up to five million people around the tsunami-struck Indian Ocean do not have access to the basics to survive, the UN World Health Organization said.

Officials are warning that those five million people without clean water, shelter, food, and medicine are at risk of dying from disease.

"Unless the necessary funds are urgently mobilized and coordinated in the field we could see as many fatalities from diseases as we have seen from the actual disaster itself," said Dr. David Nabarro, head of crisis operations at WHO.

"It will take at least two weeks for us to have the people and equipment we need here," said Aigor Lacomba, spokesman for a consortium of European aid groups.

Officials are also warning relief workers headed to the area about the possibility of disease.

"People are talking about concerns about cholera and typhoid outbreaks," said CTV's Steve Chao.

International support poured in Thursday, passing the $500-million US mark after Britain and the World Bank announced new donations. Canada also pledged $40 million in aid on Wednesday.

But UN Secretary Kofi Annan said billions are necessary because the UN is stretched thin and no country could deal with the disaster on its own.

"This is an unprecedented global catastrophe and it requires an unprecedented global response," he said.
"The only thing I want to stress is that we are in this for the long term, and we need to help people rebuild their lives.

We need to help the poor who have lost everything rebuild their lives and work with the governments to make that possible."

Aid arriving

Ships and planes were starting to deliver aid to the stricken region.

India has added two more ships to the fleet of 32 it has already sent to Indonesia. In addition, it has dispatched 29 aircraft.

A U.S. cargo aircraft brought blankets, medicine and body bags to Banda Aceh, the Indonesian city closest to the earthquake's epicentre. More flights were to come.

But various problems -- including bureaucracy, impassable roads and long distances -- were keeping the aid from reaching the needy.

CTV's Matt McClure said rebuilding transportation infrastructure was a key issue for distributing humanitarian relief in Sri Lanka, another hard-hit country.

A Canadian reconnaissance team should start work Saturday in Sri Lanka to assess what needs to be done, he said.

Annan called for more helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and air traffic controllers to ensure that aid gets delivered.

With reports from CTV's Matt McClure, Steve Chao and Murray Oliver, and files from Associated Press

Casualty numbers by country

At least 121,562 people were killed in 11 countries in Asia and Africa in Sunday's massive earthquake and tsunami waves, according to official figures. A breakdown of the toll so far:

Indonesia: 80,246.
Sri Lanka: 28,551.
India: 7,763
Thailand: 4,560
Somalia: 200
Myanmar: 90
Maldives: 73
Malaysia: 66
Tanzania: 10
Bangladesh: 2
Kenya: 1

[RspctFrmCalgary]

U.S. increases tsunami aid to $350 million
CTV.ca News Staff

The United States has dramatically increased its pledge for aid to $350 million from $35 million to assist the tsunami-ravaged south Asia.

"This ten-fold increase is indicative of American generosity, but it also is indicative of the need," U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters in New York on Friday.

U.S. President George Bush unveiled the increase in aid in a statement released earlier in the day from his ranch in Crawford, Texas, where he is staying.

"Initial findings of American assessment teams on the ground indicate that the need for financial and other assistance will steadily increase in the days and weeks ahead."

"Our contributions will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer,'' Bush said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this epic disaster.''

The increase followed criticism that the initial amount was far less than what the U.S., one of the richest nations in the world, should have pledged.

But Powell insisted the United States had been prepared to do more once "we had a better understanding of what the requirements would be."

He said the decision to increase the level of aid the U.S. would provide after the United States Agency for International Development had completed an initial assessment and submitted its recommendations.

Powell said it's now clear that not only is money required for immediate relief but that the countries affected will also need long-term reconstruction, rehabilitation, and economic support to get back up on their feet.

Bush has asked Powell to travel to the area to survey first hand the coastal areas ravaged by the tsunamis and determine what more the U.S. should be doing.

He will be accompanied by the president's brother, and Florida Governor Jeb Bush who has considerable experience dealing with natural disasters such as hurricanes in his own state.

List of aid donors

A partial list of the countries pledging aid for tsunami victims totalling nearly $1 billion US (all figures in U.S. dollars). The figures are based on United Nations data published Friday, but they include updates of donation changes from the countries themselves:

The United States: $350 million.
Britain: $95 million
Sweden: $75.5 million
Spain: $68 million
China: $60 million
France: $57 million
Australia: $46.7 million.
Canada: $33 million.
Japan: $30 million.
Germany: $27 million
Switzerland: $21.9 million
Denmark: $18,1 million
Norway: $16.6 million
Portugal: $11 million
Qatar: $10 million
Saudi Arabia: $10 million
Singapore: $3.6 million
New Zealand: $3.5 million
Finland: $3.3 million
Kuwait: $2 million
United Arab Emirates: $2 million
Ireland: $1.4 million
Italy: $1.3 million
Turkey: $1.25 million
Czech Republic: $750,000
Iran: $627,000
South Korea: $600,000
Hungary: $411,000
Greece: $397,000
Luxembourg: $265,000
Monaco: $133,000
Mexico: $100,000
Nepal: $100,000
Estonia: $42,000
Source: Associated Press

[RspctFrmCalgary]

New Year's festivities tempered as world mourns
CTV.ca News Staff

Remembrance and mourning trumped revelry at many places around the world as people and nations sought to honour those who died in the tsunami disaster.

"Never has the step into a new year felt heavier," said Goeran Persson, Sweden's premier who urged Swedes to light candles in their windows as a vigil.

"We should have celebrated with fireworks and festivities. Now that feels completely wrong."

At least 2,500 Swedish tourists are still missing from Sunday's disaster, triggered by a massive underwater earthquake.

Switzerland was waiting to hear from some 700 and the French reported at least 118 disappeared. Canada is missing an estimated 150.

Some European countries -- such as Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Germany -- also planned to fly flags at half-mast to mark the beginning of 2005 as a day of mourning for European tourists, as well as the Asian citizens, who died in the devastated regions.

In Paris, black mourning crepe was placed on trees lining the Champs Elysees. Several Italian cities also cancelled parties and pledged to donate saved money to charities.

In London, a two-minute silence was expected to precede a fireworks display along the River Thames.

Australia ushered in the New Year with a moment of silence before fireworks exploded overhead Sydney's landmark Harbour Bridge.

"You could tell people were a little more reverent tonight; it was kept in people's thoughts," British tourist Mark Stiles told The Associated Press.

In the dozen tsunami-ravaged Asian countries, celebrations were generally cancelled Friday.

Officials were too busy counting corpses and trying to keep survivors alive with what little food and water there was left.

In Indonesia, the hardest-hit country with close to 80,000 dead, government officials urged people to pray instead of celebrating.

"I call to all people to leave 2004 with a clear and honest reflection," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in his annual year-end address.

"Let's welcome the new year without a party because now we are filled with concern and sadness.
We are still mourning. Let's pray together and hopefully God will not give us another disaster."

In Thailand, where the numbers of dead surpassed 4,500, the government called for all parties to be cancelled.

"The Thai government has called for co-operation from government agencies and the private sector to cancel all New Year celebrations," government spokesman Jakrapob Penkair said.

One of the scrapped celebrations was a public countdown in Bangkok which would have featured the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams.

Tourists and bar-owners in tsunami-ravaged locales like Phuket, Thailand said they were uneasy about celebrating.

"Too many people died here. I cannot celebrate New Year," said Rene Vander Veen, from Waiblingen, Germany.

Some tourists did light some fireworks at midnight, but many Thais in Phuket attended a candlelight vigil.

In Malaysia, fireworks displays were banned and celebrations were cancelled in a public sign of mourning in honour of at least 66 Malaysians killed in the tsunamis.

China and Singapore were among other Asian countries which scaled back festivities. However, Hong Kong residents watched an electronic apple fall to welcome in the new year. Celebrations also went ahead in Taiwan and the Philippines.

Most cities in India went ahead with New Year's celebrations -- except for Madras, the capital of Tamil Nadu state. Thousands died there when the tsunamis hit.

With files from Associated Press

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Originally posted by coldfront
Who is there a offical counter of the dead for those countries.

I wonder if some of those numbers are inflated in a sad attemted to get more aid!

Please dont attack me to much for that statement.

Remember some of the effected nations choose not to give a warning due to fears of panic?

The U.S. should take the lead in providing aid to the effected areas and we have.However,I do believe with all my heart, we can't win for losing in the eyes of most nations.

Big brother is great when you need him to kick some butt or buy lunch.

I hope we don't stay to long.I hate to see them dragging young marines through the streets after their bellies are full.

Just something to think about?

:mad: Did YOU lose someone close to you???!!! :mad: Have YOU ever seen village after village wiped off the face of the earth? :mad:

Do you have ANY comprehension of the magnitude of this horrific tragedy?

[RescueMe7]

Originally posted by RspctFrmCalgary


:mad: Did YOU lose someone close to you???!!! :mad: Have YOU ever seen village after village wiped off the face of the earth? :mad:

Do you have ANY comprehension of the magnitude of this horrific tragedy?

What have they ever done for us? I'm sick and tired of helping all these other countries when our help is not appreciated. If they can't respect us, they don't deserve our damn help. All these people will get free help from us, but when there is a disaster in our own country, we don't get any government help. We have had villages wiped out in Florida this year, do they all get brand new houses built for free? Not even close.

[coldfront]

My reply to your questions!

Did you lose someone close to you?

In this event? NO!

Have you ever seen a village after it is wiped off the face of the earth?

By mother nature or by the act of war?

HAVE YOU ! I guess you could count watching CNN coverage.

Do you have any comprehension of the MAGNITUDE of this horrific tragedy?

A NINE on the Richter scale!

This event has given the world a heavy heart!

In today modern age I am shocked that no advance warning was available.A gobal network should have been in place to help warn.

An event like a Tidal Wave is far and few between,compared to other natural events such as hurricanes and flash flooding.

I hope that the world would spend some of this cash to creative or refine a warning system for all nations.

The U.S.A. will do its part to help those suffering nations.

I just hope that someone we be there in our time of need.


Just something to think about?

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Sheri;

Remember my post on another thread about people with low post counts coming on here with attitudes writing something stupid? Two cases in point right here.


Coldfront, what is wrong with you? While I am not a fan of the US being the punching bag for the world, one of the responsibilities for the richest and most blessed countries in the world is to step up and lead the way in situations where others can't or won't. It is also a moral responsibility that we have to help these countries. Why? Because, IMHO, the US has been blessed by God with so much that is our moral and ethical responsibility to do so. We lead by example.

Inflating the death toll? Yeah, I can see the Indonesian Parliament, in a secret meeting: "Add another 10,000 bodies. We need a new athletic club at the University". This is a stupid and irresponsible statement.

And in FL, where exactly were the "whole villages wiped out"? We, in the US, because we are blessed, often have the ability to take care of unmet needs of our citizens when there is a disaster. We don't go handing out cash in the streets. But many of the affected people have property insurance that partially covers the losses. There are grant and loan programs, but private and public, to fill in the gaps. Fortunately, we do not very often call on other nations for money.

And RescueMe, you're a real peach, too. They don't deserve our help? What have they done for us? Is that the way you approach your emergency services career? Do you do an address check prior to a response? "Screw them. They didn't donate last year. I'm not going. They don't deserve our help".

Exactly which one of these countries has shown us any disrespect? Think hard. NONE! The disrespect that we should abhor is the type shown by puke countries like France. They should be eating wurst and speaking German right now. The only reason they are not is due to the sacrifice of tens of thousands of US Serviceman. And they spit at us every chance they get.

But our benevolence has won us more allies. And it will continue to do so.

[coldfront]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
Sheri;

Remember my post on another thread about people with low post counts coming on here with attitudes writing something stupid? Two cases in point right here.


Coldfront, what is wrong with you? While I am not a fan of the US being the punching bag for the world, one of the responsibilities for the richest and most blessed countries in the world is to step up and lead the way in situations where others can't or won't. It is also a moral responsibility that we have to help these countries. Why? Because, IMHO, the US has been blessed by God with so much that is our moral and ethical responsibility to do so. We lead by example.

Inflating the death toll? Yeah, I can see the Indonesian Parliament, in a secret meeting: "Add another 10,000 bodies. We need a new athletic club at the University". This is a stupid and irresponsible statement.

And in FL, where exactly were the "whole villages wiped out"? We, in the US, because we are blessed, often have the ability to take care of unmet needs of our citizens when there is a disaster. We don't go handing out cash in the streets. But many of the affected people have property insurance that partially covers the losses. There are grant and loan programs, but private and public, to fill in the gaps. Fortunately, we do not very often call on other nations for money.

And RescueMe, you're a real peach, too. They don't deserve our help? What have they done for us? Is that the way you approach your emergency services career? Do you do an address check prior to a response? "Screw them. They didn't donate last year. I'm not going. They don't deserve our help".

Exactly which one of these countries has shown us any disrespect? Think hard. NONE! The disrespect that we should abhor is the type shown by puke countries like France. They should be eating wurst and speaking German right now. The only reason they are not is due to the sacrifice of tens of thousands of US Serviceman. And they spit at us every chance they get.

But our benevolence has won us more allies. And it will continue to do so.

Dear GeorgewendtCFI


I agree that we should take the lead role in this massive recovery.

I also feel that the belly shots this nation takes from alot of countries and the UN is BS.

One death ,was one too many,however your living a fairly tale if you think that some of those nations will not take try advanage of this event.

A lot of the supplies and food will be on the black market if the UN blinks.

Low post count is that like low sperm count?

I do not post daily like some folks.

In fact have a life other than this forum.

When I do post it allows me vent my feeling.

Check some of my posts before you attack my post count as some sign from the forum Gods.

I address issues that are important to me and my fellow firefighters mixed with a little humor from time to time.

Be safe!

Hillybilly Irish and proud of it!

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Check some of my posts before you attack my post count as some sign from the form Gods.

I did:rolleyes:

[coldfront]

Research is a wonderful thing.Hey!

[FiRsqDvr45]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
Sheri;

Remember my post on another thread about people with low post counts coming on here with attitudes writing something stupid? Two cases in point right here.


Coldfront, what is wrong with you?


This is the kind of stuff that has really soured me on this forum. People who are "new" by number of posts standards who have a different view or opinion are labeled as "stupid". It seems, at times, that the FH forums have become a glorified AOL chat room where the "senior" members can mock and jeer the "newer" members because they don't know the lingo, the have different thought processes or because they actually have something better to do then monitor a blog for hours upon hours a day. There is so much greatness here and some many great, knowledgable people to interact with that is disheartening to the "puffed chest posts" from those who seemingly are so much more learned or forum savvy the the rest.

Remember that we are all behind computer screens and keyboards and you never know who your really interacting with. Would be a shame for a Brunacini or a Dunn to come in here under an odd screenname and get flamed on his first post.....

...and I hope you all had safe and joyous New Years celebrations!:D

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by FiRsqDvr45



This is the kind of stuff that has really soured me on this forum. People who are "new" by number of posts standards who have a different view or opinion are labeled as "stupid". It seems, at times, that the FH forums have become a glorified AOL chat room where the "senior" members can mock and jeer the "newer" members because they don't know the lingo, the have different thought processes or because they actually have something better to do then monitor a blog for hours upon hours a day. There is so much greatness here and some many great, knowledgable people to interact with that is disheartening to the "puffed chest posts" from those who seemingly are so much more learned or forum savvy the the rest.

Remember that we are all behind computer screens and keyboards and you never know who your really interacting with. Would be a shame for a Brunacini or a Dunn to come in here under an odd screenname and get flamed on his first post.....
...and I hope you all had safe and joyous New Years celebrations!:D

The difference between you and me is that I wouldn't have a problem telling Dunn or Brunacini if they said something stupid. Nobody (even me:D ) is right 100% of the time.

It is not simply the fact that someone has a low post count that brings on a bashing. Ever notice how many people with high post counts get bashed too?

[coldfront]

Your not right a 100% time?

That explains your the last few posts.

Just something to think about.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

OK. I thought about it.

You're wrong.

[Firecap911]

You gotta love Robin Williams... Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan .. what we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message. Robin William's plan.(Hard to argue with this logic!)

I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan. The US will apologize to the world for our "interference" in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic and the rest of those 'good ole boys,' We will never "interfere" again.

We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany, South Korea and the Philippines. They don't want us there.
We would station troops at our borders. No one sneaking through holes in the fence.
All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of who or where they are. France would welcome them.

All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit. No one from a terrorist nation would be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone.
We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.

No foreign "students" over age 21. The older ones are the bombers.
If they don't attend classes, they get a "D" and it's back home baby.

The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness.
The caribou will have to cope for a while.

Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go some place else.
They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough)

If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not "interfere." They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.

Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island some place.
We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.

All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us "Ugly Americans" any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH.....learn it...or LEAVE...Now, isn't that a winner of a plan.

"The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'You want a piece of me?'"

[FlyingKiwi]

New Zealand has 2 confirmed dead, 3 unidentified, and around 70 still missing in the region.

3.5 Million pledged, as well as 2 C130 Hercules loaded and sent with aid and medical teams already.

As well as the aid teams on their way this represents $1.00 for every person in the country.

NZ Red Cross has recieved at this point over 10 million in donations.

Now a little snippet from the New Zealand Herald. This is about a country that blew billions making a Nuclear Bomb or three.

_________________________

NEW DELHI - For two and a half hours the tsunami sped toward the Indian coast, yet nobody was warned.

The waves struck Indonesia, Thailand and then submerged an air force base on the Indian island of Car Nicobar, 1300kms from the mainland.

Finally, minutes before the deadly waters struck, the sea began to rapidly recede from India's western shore. In some places, children scurried onto the beach to pick up shells.

Faxes were sent between government departments, but still no warning was given to the public. Finally the tsunami struck, with devastating effect.

"At every stage, there was a shrinking window of opportunity to warn people. But nothing happened," said Barun Mitra of Liberty Institute, a New Delhi-based think-tank.

"A country that hopes to run the call centres of the world could not call its own people."
_______________

Later from the same article.

________________

The Indian Express Newspaper says the top brass of the Indian Air Force knew their Nicobar Air base had been submerged a full hour before the waves struck the mainland coast.

The Indian Meteorological Department knew of the earthquake within minutes. Its first fax went out two and half hours later, and was sent to the home of the previous government's science and technology minister, rather than his successor, the paper said.

The IMD only informed the home ministry itself after the tsunami had struck, a ministry official told Reuters.

"The debate is on and it will go on, whether we could have reacted faster," the home ministry's secretary in charge of disaster management, A.K. Rastogi, told Reuters.

"My dear, it was a Sunday. Time was taken by the officer to get ready and get into the car -- but there was no delay."

________________

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Another person without the foggiest idea of what he is talking about.

Do you have any idea whatsoever how many billions of dollars are spent each year on domestic welfare programs, disaster support, SBA grants and loans, infrastructure restoration and the like? No, of course you don't. You are simply another protectionist bigot who would rather squawk about how much we spend on "them" instead of recognizing this country's rightful place as leader of the free world.

"Those countries" are not "rich" because they lack the population base, economic base, infrastructure and natural resources to have the type of economy that would be "rich". Tourism is all they have. And what that is gone, the country is in a world of hurt.

[CaptainGonzo]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
Another person without the foggiest idea of what he is talking about.

Do you have any idea whatsoever how many billions of dollars are spent each year on domestic welfare programs, disaster support, SBA grants and loans, infrastructure restoration and the like? No, of course you don't. You are simply another protectionist bigot who would rather squawk about how much we spend on "them" instead of recognizing this country's rightful place as leader of the free world.

"Those countries" are not "rich" because they lack the population base, economic base, infrastructure and natural resources to have the type of economy that would be "rich". Tourism is all they have. And what that is gone, the country is in a world of hurt.

George...you forgot to mention who owns most of the resorts in these tourist areas....

US based corporations that provide most if not all of the GDP of some of the affected countries.

And for those on the other side of the aisle who say we haven't done enough...

Add up to total amount of disaster aid we have doled out in the last 60 or so years, then add foreign aid, miiltary aid (half odfthe world would be speaking German, the other Japanese if we stood by and did nothing in WW2, or we would all be speaking Russian and Chinese if the Communists had their way) and you will find that the United States of America has been the most generous nation in history.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Amen, Cap.

[RescueMe7]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
And RescueMe, you're a real peach, too. They don't deserve our help? What have they done for us? Is that the way you approach your emergency services career? Do you do an address check prior to a response? "Screw them. They didn't donate last year. I'm not going. They don't deserve our help".

At least when I walk into someone's house on an EMS call, I was asked for my help and my help is appreciated.

Do you have any idea whatsoever how many billions of dollars are spent each year on domestic welfare programs, disaster support, SBA grants and loans, infrastructure restoration and the like? No, of course you don't. You are simply another protectionist bigot who would rather squawk about how much we spend on "them" instead of recognizing this country's rightful place as leader of the free world.

We don't need to be the "leader of the free world." What we need to do is take care of our own people, mind our own business, and maybe help a few countries here and there when they politely ask for our help. Take care of ourselves FIRST.

And George, your post count started out at 0, just like the rest of us. I'm pretty sure some of your first posts were just as arrogant as mine.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

At least when I walk into someone's house on an EMS call, I was asked for my help and my help is appreciated.

Always? I guess you haven't been on a whole lot of EMS calls.

We don't need to be the "leader of the free world." What we need to do is take care of our own people, mind our own business, and maybe help a few countries here and there when they politely ask for our help. Take care of ourselves FIRST.

We take care of our people just fine. And its too late-we already ARE the leader of the free world and we must accept the responsibility that goes along with it.
And George, your post count started out at 0, just like the rest of us. I'm pretty sure some of your first posts were just as arrogant as mine.
Most of my posts are just as arrogant today as they were several years ago, thank you.

[CaptainGonzo]

Originally posted by RescueMe7


At least when I walk into someone's house on an EMS call, I was asked for my help and my help is appreciated.



We don't need to be the "leader of the free world." What we need to do is take care of our own people, mind our own business, and maybe help a few countries here and there when they politely ask for our help. Take care of ourselves FIRST.

And George, your post count started out at 0, just like the rest of us. I'm pretty sure some of your first posts were just as arrogant as mine.

We were asked for help.

Whevnever the world gets hit with the defacation when hits the oscillation, whether it a natural disaster or man made one, we are always asked for help.

We do take care of our people. Help is there, but not meant to be a lifestyle... unfortunatly there are those who don't contribute a damn thing to society but still feel like they are owed a living.

Everyone here started with a "zero" post count...some of us have chosen to post wisely, while others.... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[RescueMe7]

Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
Always? I guess you haven't been on a whole lot of EMS calls.


If our help is not wanted when we get on scene, all they need to do is sign a refusal waiver.

unfortunatly there are those who don't contribute a damn thing to society but still feel like they are owed a living.

I agree with you there Cap.

What I'm trying to say is that we always get taken advantage of whether it be by other countries or by our own people. There's probably people over in asia right now saying to their friends "I want these fat American's out of our country." I guess I'm just pissed off that we help so many people and I never hear a good thing said about us. All I ever hear about us is negative. "Those fat lazy Americans!"

I'm done arguing about this, as there is no point to it and I have better things to do.

[FlyingKiwi]

Your level of arrogance is OUTSTANDING.

You are NOT the only country that cops the muck from others, it is kind of a global thing.

New Zealand and Australia lost people in the Bali bombings from Bin Ladens cronies. We also lost people on 9/11. We have lost soldiers defending the rights of the people from Timor to live a free life from Indonesia.

NOW we are sending aid to the same region, to help those countries.

Why?

Because the vast majority of the people affected are just like us. They just wanted to live a normal happy life, and that plan has been stuffed up by a NATURAL disaster.

In this life, someone is always going to hate you, just because of Where you are from, the colour of your skin, or your belief systems. WELCOME TO REALITY

[blueeighty88]

China has pledged $500,000,000.00

What the US Government has given, or is planning to; isn't all that has come from the United States. Private donations to organizations have topped nearly 100,000,000.00.

If you decide to make a donation to the American Red Cross for Tsunami Relief efforts, make sure you make it specifically for the International Response Fund.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Kiwi, just for the record, my posts were not meant as a slight to other coutries, especially loyal US friends like Australia and New Zealand.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Im very proud of the response of the American people to this tragedy. To think that these victims are somehow put off that Americans are delivering relief supplies is insane. These people are trying to stay ALIVE. If "all you ever hear is negative", then you must be listening to the wrong people. Dont be "pissed". If you dont want to donate a few bucks, thats your right. I for one am not too worried about "what people from Asia are probably saying". You shouldnt either.

[ThNozzleman]

What I'm trying to say is that we always get taken advantage of whether it be by other countries or by our own people. There's probably people over in asia right now saying to their friends "I want these fat American's out of our country." I guess I'm just pissed off that we help so many people and I never hear a good thing said about us. All I ever hear about us is negative. "Those fat lazy Americans!"
I'm with you, man! I say, let them all starve...that would teach 'em a lesson, wouldn't it? :rolleyes:

[coldfront]

I support the princples of what UNCLE SAM and the rest of the world is trying too do.{SAVING LIVES).

This requires feeding the hungry,medical support,and providing shelter.

We are providing basic services for which, most of us take for granted.

My tax dollar is well spent feeding childern.(I SUPPORT THIS CAUSE)

I do believe, if the UN blinks some of those foreign nations and leaders will place most of the supplies and cash in their pockets.

Maybe E-BAY!!

Then the sales of this food and supplies to the highest bidder begans.

P.S.

Now! I would hope that we delay clearing the streets totally,in theory, this should delay the dragging of any headless aid workers.

[firenresq77]

From www.snopes.com

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

Claim: Comedian Robin Williams came up with a plan for how the U.S. should handle foreign affairs.
Status: False.

Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2003]


A GREAT PLAN

Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan . . . what we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.

Robin Williams' plan...(Hard to argue with this logic!)

I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of one plan for peace. "Books, not Bombs" won't work. The head mullahs won't let anyone read them. If they do, they poke their eyes out.

Here's the plan:

1) The US will apologize to the world for our "interference" in their affairs, past &present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini and the rest of them 'good old boys'. We will never "interfere" again.

2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany, South Korea and the Philippines. They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No more sneaking through holes in the fence.

3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of who or where they are. France would welcome them.

4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit. No one from a terrorist nation would be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself, don't hide here. Asylum would not ever be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers.

5) No "students" over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a "D" and it's back home baby.

6) The US will make a strong effort to become self sufficient energy wise. This will include developing non-polluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while.

7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else.

8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not "interfere". They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if any anyway.

9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an island some place. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, it would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.

10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us "Ugly Americans" any longer.

Now, ain't that a winner of a plan ??


Origins: We don't yet know who is responsible for the piece quoted above, but it definitely wasn't actor-comedian Robin Williams (of Mork & Mindy fame). This item's debut appears to have been a 20 March 2003 posting to the USENET newsgroup alt.motorcycles.harley, and from there it was rapidly disseminated via e-mail and blogs, credited to either "author unknown" or no one at all. The Robin Williams attribution wasn't tacked on until several weeks later, apparently because along the way someone appended a genuine Robin Williams quote to the list as an eleventh item:


"The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'You want a piece of me?'" - Robin Williams.

Obviously the Robin Williams attribution for the final item was interpreted as applying to the list as a whole, so now the entire piece is making the rounds as 'the Robin Williams plan.'
Last updated: 24 May 2003


Here is the link: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/williams.asp

[FlyingKiwi]

George, just for the record. My comments were not made in relation to what you have been saying. They are aimed at the Ostrich community.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

ABOARD THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN - Desperate, homeless villagers on the tsunami-ravaged island of Sumatra mobbed American helicopters carrying aid Saturday as the U.S. military launched its largest operation in the region since the Vietnam War, ferrying food and other emergency relief to survivors across the disaster zone.



From dawn until sunset on New Year’s Day, 12 Seahawk helicopters shuttled supplies and advance teams from offshore naval vessels while reconnaissance aircraft brought back stark images of wave-wrecked coastal landscapes and their hungry, traumatized inhabitants.

“They came from all directions, crawling under the craft, knocking on the pilot’s door, pushing to get into the cabin,” said Petty Officer First Class Brennan Zwack. “But when they saw we had no more food inside, they backed away, saying ‘Thank you, thank you.”’

“The mob decided how we distributed the food. There were so many hands outstretched I don’t think any package touched the ground,” added Zwack, of Sioux Falls, S.D.

Special delivery
The helicopters took off from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, staged in calm waters about three miles off the Indonesian province of Aceh along with four other vessels to launch the sprawling U.S. military operation.

More than a dozen other ships were en route to southern Asian waters, with the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault vessel carrying Marines, headed for Sri Lanka, which along with Indonesia was the worst-hit area. The mission involves thousands of sailors and Marines, along with some 1,000 land-based troops.

[coldfront]

As violence continues to sweep southern Thailand, journalists are also suffering, says the BBC's Nualnoi Thammasathien, who writes here of the intimidation she has met with as a result of her reports.


" I was reporting in Thailand at the time of the Takbai incident on 25 October, in which protesters were piled on top of each other in military trucks, and 78 of them died, many from suffocation.

Two weeks later, still in the country, I was surfing the airwaves when I suddenly heard a programme mentioning the BBC.


I heard the two male presenters talk about how the media could undermine the country in a time of crisis.

The next thing I heard was them mentioning my name as a journalist who had done damage to national unity with my 'unpatriotic reports' on the incident.

'She has interviewed people whom she shouldn't have interviewed,' said one of the presenters, a freelancer who had hired airtime on a national radio channel which belongs to the Thai parliament.

I assume they were referring to my attempts to talk, not just to government officials and Buddhists, but to Muslims in the south, whom the authorities regard as being at the heart of the violence.


" The presenters invited their audience to write to and call the BBC to complain about me and my reports "
Nualnoi Thammasathien

They did not discuss any of my reports in detail, nor did they elaborate on the weaknesses or faults in them. I found it absurd for someone to criticise another's work without giving a shred of evidence.

But they did give their audience some information about my background, saying that after I had worked as a reporter in the country for some time, I 'fled the country', apparently for no particular reason.

They even mentioned, casually: 'Well, we do quite understand it really. Since she took the money from the outsiders she has to do it.'

This was a serious accusation, since for many people, taking money from outsiders in order to act in an unpatriotic fashion is tantamount to a crime against the nation.

Arranging a protest

The presenters invited their audience to write to and call the BBC to complain about me and my reports. They gave out what they thought were the BBC's telephone numbers, but apparently they got them wrong.

They also criticised human rights activists, the UN and those senators who have tried to investigate the Takbai incident.

Then the presenters and the listeners who called into the programme discussed how to arrange a protest against any representative of the UN who would want to visit Thailand to investigate the incident.

The tone of the programme sounded very extreme. It reminded me of the atmosphere leading up to the massacre of student activists at Thammasat University in October 1976, when soldiers killed students whom they thought were a communist threat.

And, to my horror, the presenters also stated clearly to their listeners that I was in fact staying in the country "at this moment"'.

To me, that was a clear case of intimidation.

But many other reporters are also in a difficult position. Some have responded with self-censorship, for example by suddenly switching their focus from the suffering of Thai Muslims to the suffering of Thai Buddhists, or by simply burying reports well within the inside pages.


" They [southern Muslims] deserve to die. They're the ones who do the routine hit and run killing and then hide behind their sarongs. "
Bangkok taxi driver

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has also reportedly threatened to have anyone disseminating the video footage of the detention of 1,300 Muslim protesters on the day of the Takbai incident arrested.

Some of those who have seen the video say it contains brutal and humiliating scenes of the security forces handling the detainees.

A number of people tried to organise a public showing of the video, but were told by the authorities to cancel their plans. An opposition politician, Thanin Jaisamut, who has done so, has been called in for questioning by the police.

Thai officials insist the video has been manipulated to make it appear that the soldiers brutally suppressed the protesters - and that is why the authorities have had to ban it.

Changing attitudes

But banning the video is only part of a wider attempt to stop the public from searching for the truth.

On the very day of the Takbai incident, a senior army commander in charge of the operation to disperse the protest told local reporters that they needed to keep the news among themselves.

As a result of all this, Muslims in the south are gaining a new kind of image.

"They [southern Muslims] deserve to die," a taxi driver in Bangkok told me. "