Comments on: Hurricane Katrina - BBC

Hurricane Katrina - BBC

Pretty_Generic — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 08:37:08 -0800

BBC correspondent Matt Wells lays it down straight

By: three blind mice

three blind mice — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 08:51:15 -0800

The only difference between the chaos of New Orleans and a Third World disaster operation, he said, was that a foreign dictator would have responded better. Shazam. Saddam Hussein for President? Certainly, he'd do better than another John Kerry.

By: matteo

matteo — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 08:54:26 -0800

In the workout room of the condo where I am currently staying in the affluent LA neighbourhood of Santa Monica, an executive and his personal trainer ignored the anguished television reports blaring above their heads on Friday evening. cool, but Mr Wells didn't tell us about his breakfast. what did he have, I'm wondering? was it good?

By: Pretty_Generic

Pretty_Generic — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:01:52 -0800

Yes, that line probably indicates the anger is getting to him.

By: leftcoastbob

leftcoastbob — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:03:23 -0800

This has been said more often and much better in other comments by MeFi members. I don't really know that this deserves a FFP since it adds nothing new.

By: mayl

mayl — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:18:17 -0800

Dontcha just hate "according to a broadcaster/barfly" quotes? Just hiding away cheap prejudice, not wanting to accept responsibility for saying something, because it might 'upset a big boy'...Oohh I didn't say that, it was him, over there. And who is he blaming? Local pols/national pols/the political class/ those who elected the political class/ everyone but himself? It is shallow timewasting tripe that neither adds to the debate nor furthers the rescue.

By: zaack

zaack — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:34:15 -0800

was that in english?

By: zaack

zaack — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:34:44 -0800

(mayl's comment, that is)

By: three blind mice

three blind mice — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:38:09 -0800

I don't really know that this deserves a FFP since it adds nothing new. Well, it provides a view of America from abroad that might contrast with America's view of itself. You do know there are other countries, don't you? Reading the foreign press (UK, Germany, Scandinavia) they are literally shocked at how poorly America has responded to this crisis. The view from abroad that America is an all powerful overlord has been substantially blown away by Katrina. I think that's worthy of an FPP.

By: justgary

justgary — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:44:38 -0800

Well, it provides a view of America from abroad that might contrast with America's view of itself. You do know there are other countries, don't you? Looking at the polls regarding the response to Katrina I don't really see this 'contrast' you speak of.

By: leftcoastbob

leftcoastbob — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:54:02 -0800

You do know there are other countries, don't you? No, I didn't realize that before you pointed it out. This post is well worth it now that I have learned a new and very valuable fact.

By: malusmoriendumest

malusmoriendumest — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:58:25 -0800

*clears throat* Ha. Ha ha ha, ha. Too bad for Manifest Destiny.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 10:02:25 -0800

Katrina Elicits Sympathy, Jeers Worldwide

By: mayl

mayl — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 10:03:45 -0800

Yess zzackk it was in a form of English understandable to most people. I missed a few sub clauses, and verbs, and probabley a few other things that might not match your expect6ations of grammatical and erudite useage, for which I apologize. I didn't realize the audience here was so strict about the niceties of useage. The point was, as you obviously missed it, that using unattributable quotes, and other lazy forms of journalism are not helpful in promoting an arguement or proposing a course of action/avenue of thought. In the same way, asking puerile questions reflect on the asker of the questions as much as what is questioned.

By: zaack

zaack — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 10:56:32 -0800

Jeez, at least I spell people's names right when I yell at them. To comment substantively: What, exactly, in the article are you referring to? Might you want to quote the offending passage so we can see from whence your anger rises?

By: wendell

wendell — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 10:58:02 -0800

mayl's response reflects on himself as much as what he has commented on. Keep trying; in time you may become as efective as dios.

By: Baby_Balrog

Baby_Balrog — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 11:38:46 -0800

no one is as effective as dios.

By: scheptech

scheptech — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 11:43:28 -0800

One gets the impression that many in other countries are empathizing more (and a whole lot sooner) with the victims than some of their fellow Americans are. Possibly due to their own experiences with great natural disasters, poverty, etc with which the executive and personal trainer may be less familiar and find less personally relevant.

By: cenoxo

cenoxo — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 12:48:10 -0800

Discover What the World Thinks About U.S. http://www.watchingamerica.com/ NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands Unnecessary Flood Damage: Advice on Dikes From the Dutch Corriere della Sera, Italy Storm Reveals Leader Who Divides America El Universal, Mexico President Fox Tells Migrants In New Orleans 'Not to Fear Authorities' Arab News, Saudi Arabia New Orleans Teaches U.S. Hard Lesson About Iraq Der Spiegel, Germany Katrina Teaches America Painful Lesson In Global Warming The Economist, U.K. Katrina May Push U.S., World Into Recession New Straits Times, Malaysia Bush Can Be Expected to 'Show the Muscle'small>

By: VulcanMike

VulcanMike — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 12:51:23 -0800

Reading this article made me think that the next step should be a march on Washington, DC. Take all those busses, and when the people are fed and rested, take those who wish to go and set up camp all over DC. Let the President see firsthand the enormity of his negligence..

By: jb

jb — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 12:51:31 -0800

I have been wondering why I am relating so much more to this disaster, unable to pull myself away from the coverage, than I could to September 11. And I think it's because from the minute the evacuation was called, I have been picturing myself and my family, none of whom drive and who live without much financial cushion (though my mom always tried to have a month - it's been harder lately), among the people at the Superdome or the convention centre. Those are people like us, much more so than people who work in a financial district.

By: dodgygeezer

dodgygeezer — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 05:42:16 -0800

Greg Palast on Katrina In 1927, the Democratic Party had died and was awaiting burial. As depression approached, the coma-Dems, like Franklin Roosevelt, called for balancing the budget. Then, as the waters rose, one politician finally said, roughly, "Screw this! They're lying! The President's lying! The rich fat cats that are drowning you will do it again and again and again. They lead you into imperialist wars for profit, they take away your schools and your hope and when you complain, they blame Blacks and Jews and immigrants. Then they push your kids under. I say, Kick'm in the ass and take your rightful share!"