Katrina disaster

From:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050907/21/vu2a.html

Butler accuses US of stifling poverty reduction
The former Australian ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Butler, says the United States is deliberately trying to stymie the elimination of global poverty.

World leaders will meet in New York in a week's time to review progress towards the Millennium Development Goals which aim to free the world of extreme poverty.

But the US has proposed 750 amendments to the draft declarations on the goals.

Mr Butler, who chaired a world leaders summit on poverty at the UN 10 years ago, says American intentions are clear.

"The terrorist who tried to bring that declaration down was actually then the Government of Syria," Mr Butler said.

"Ten years later, the terrorist trying to bring the declaration down is the Government of the United States."
....
Richard Butler is considered a bit of loose canon and I do not understand the reference to Syria. But there are similar reports about USA trying to undermine UN efforts with Millinium Development Goals, Global Warming etc. :
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0908/p09s02-coop.html
It is strange that even now when at least 90 countries, many of them poor, are offering to help USA in its hour of need, USA is refusing to take a more long term and compassionate attitude.
Swarup

New Orleans was the Murder Capital, and now 30% of the Police Force have resigned. The Mayor has asked the people to get the hell out of there. Gas prices have sky rocketted. Boy am I glad I live in Cali. :|

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rajraj

I have never seen such a sluggish response from the US government.

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The responce would have been infinatly faster if this had occured in the Bible belt regions (Mainly other parts of the south, where the poppulation is mainly White, Constervative, and Xtian.) Because those are the main Bush Supporters. A discription of a Bush Supporter is stero-typically White, Conservative, Xtian.

A good chunk of those people come form the Bible belt regions. But New Orleans doesn't hold many Republicans, even though it is located in the bible belt. The dominating population there are
African Americans. Most ppl there don't even vote. That's why the Bush govt is moving sluggisly on this issue. They're not taking it as serious as they should because this isn't happening to their voters. :evil:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sandeep

In a country where school shootings are a daily occurance is this a surprise.

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Welcome Back! :D How's Singapore? :)

Although "Daily Occurence" might be pushing it, it does happen often. But NO is different, it's known for it's Violent Crime, and the Traffic of Drugs. Espicially during Mardi Gras.

On aid from other countries:

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/h...0509070301.htm

Why no blaim is going to Lusiana govt.

In India the most blaim goes to the state government during natural disasters. Then in US which gives more powers to states shouldnt the state government own up. Or is it like Bush Is the pet basher.

Is Lusiana govt democratic or republican?

And Yes Singapore is really fantastic! Enjoying.

Louisiana was republican the last time I checked. But the ppl of New Orleans are not. Like I said, the most of them don't even vote, the ones that do tend to be democrates.

State vs Central?
Still the Lousiana Govt would have acted more responcilbly if some of the White/Conservative/Republican neighborhoods had been affected. I think that both State and Central are guilty in this issue.

In a disaster of this magnitude, it is the federal government that steps in to help. The states are not equipped to handle such disasters.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...bilities_x.htm

Thanks Rajraj. :D

And where will the poor people go if the Federal Govt is being bias because of the demographics of the city? :cry:

Surya said:

Quote:

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Louisiana was republican the last time I checked.

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The governor Kathleen Blanco is a Democrat and she defeated Bobby Jindal (of Indian origin) in the last election. Boby Jindal is now a congressman. I think Mississipi and Alabama have Republican governors. One of the TV reports mentioned that the difference in political affiliations may have caused some problems in establishing good contacts between state and federal establishments earlier.
Swarup

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pavalamani pragasam

A forwarded message:
I couldn't' stop making this comparison.

inches of rain in new orleans due to hurricane katrina... 18
inches of rain in mumbai (July 27th).... 37.1

....
oopss...did i get the last fact wrong??? Or am I just being proud of being
an INDIAN?

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ground level above sea in new orleans : -0.3 to -3m
ground level above sea in Mumbai : +10 to 15m

Mumbai was hit by only rain
New orlanes was hit by hurricane and rain

Any one with some basic knowledge about the vulnerability of drainage system when the city is below sea level, can understand the level of disaster in New orelanes.

We can't take the natural adavnatage of Mumbai over New orelanes and any proud of being great indian is unjustifiable!!!