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Dre L

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Barbara Bush Calls Evacuees Better Off



By THE NEW YORK TIMES

Published: September 7, 2005

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 - As President Bush battled criticism over the response to Hurricane Katrina, his mother declared it a success for evacuees who "were underprivileged anyway," saying on Monday that many of the poor people she had seen while touring a Houston relocation site were faring better than before the storm hit.



"What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas," Barbara Bush said in an interview on Monday with the radio program "Marketplace." "Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality."



"And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway," she said, "so this is working very well for them."



Mrs. Bush toured the Astrodome complex with her husband, former President George Bush, as part of an administration campaign throughout the Gulf Coast region to counter criticism of the response to the storm. Former President Bush and former President Bill Clinton are helping raise money for the rebuilding effort.



White House officials did not respond on Tuesday to calls for comment on Mrs. Bush's remarks.



Flame on.
 
Rice: All Foreign Aid Offers Will Be Accepted

Thursday, September 01, 2005



WASHINGTON — In a turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.



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



The United Nations informed U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton (search) it was prepared to support the relief effort "in any way possible." Under Secretary-General Jan Egeland (search) said his office had offered the services of the U.N.'s disaster assistance and coordination teams to the U.S. Agency for International Development.



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



"We also offer field hospitals, medical kits and equipment for temporary housing, reinforcement for hospitals, or any assistance that you may require," Sharon wrote.



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



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



However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid.



On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to Bush and said Russia was prepared to help if asked.



Boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators, cash assistance and medical teams have been offered to the U.S. government in Washington or in embassies overseas.



Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said.



Also, the Singapore embassy said the Southeast Asian country was sending three Chinook helicopters with 38 air force personnel from military exercises in Texas, to Louisiana to support relief efforts by the Texas National Guard.



President Chandrika Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, in China on a state visit, sent messages of sympathy to Washington while her government contributed $25,000 through the American Red Cross.



Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it."



"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."



Historically, the United States provides assistance to other countries experiencing earthquakes, floods and other disasters.



Germany, which was rebuilt after World War II largely by the U.S. Marshall Plan, offered its help in a telephone call to Rice.



"The German Government is prepared to do all that is humanly possible," the German embassy said. In his call, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer assured Rice of Germany's solidarity with its American friends in a difficult time, the embassy said.



Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon called Wednesday at the State Department to offer condolences and assistance. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid, ab
 
The president is a scapegoat puppet with higher ups controlling the strings..

Todd Z

 
At least she didn't remark on those who will be housed on cruise ships. I can hear it now: "They'll have terraces and buffets and play shuffleboard. Best thing that ever happened, they'll have the time of their lives...!"
 
Say what you will about President Bush but one thing for sure: the guy has caught more shit while in office then probably any president in the last couple of centurys. No matter who was in office I have no doubt they would be receiving equal criticism.
 
Scott,

I'm sure she had the best intentions. I've always like Mrs. Bush and choose to believe her age is finally getting the best of her and she made an offhand, unguarded comment (like we all do at times) rather than she isn't too "bright."

 
I like what the Mayor or Portland and the Gov of Oregon said about the evacuees heading to Oregon..they are in for a culture shock!



I don't think I would choose a rainy area after going through the rains in the hurricane.
 
I have worked with/for both the Bush's as well as both of their wives. I can tell you without a doubt that her words were not meant in a mean or degrading way. I know her personally and would tell you that she is one of the most sincere people I have ever met. Very down to earth.



That said, I will admit it was a poor choice of words that are going to be easily manipulated.



The truth is that to a certain percentage of the people of the devastated area this will be the best thing that ever happens to them. I am not saying they did not go thru hell to get to where they will be going. I'm just saying that the area had homeless or at the least a low income environment. We, the USA, will be handing them money with no hitch.



They will be able to do what they want to do with it. A high percentage had no insurance on the things they did own. My view on that..... Don't have it if you can not afford to protect it or afford to replace it. It simply is not fair to all the others. You and I will be paying this bill for many years to come.



Do they deserve help. Sure do. And i will more than likely be there myself to provide some sort of help or support. So lets find out what they need and get it to them. Handing them cash will not solve the issue.
 
I think giving them a $2000 debit card is a bad idea. You think some of those folks are going to buy necessities?
 
Geez, Darin, these folks have just survived a catastrophic event with nothing more than the clothes on their backs in most cases, and you're worried they won't spend the money the way you think they should?
 
I think he's worried they'll spend it all on beer and other things that aren't strictly speaking necessities. And I'm sure some of them will since nothing humans do surprises me anymore.



But the majority will probably buy necessities first.



:D

 
Yes, after all of this, if they started out totally debt-free, their net worth would be $2,000 (the value of the debit card). I doubt many will be in this condition though. Most will already be in debt, and now without a home or job. They may have medical issues to take care of and lost family members that will need to be buried (if their bodies are ever found). Many will be forced into bankruptcy.



The least we can do is help them find a new home and a job, so they can start earning some income to take care of their obligations. The $2,000 gift is seed money to help them get started with their new life.
 
Rocco,



My point is, they've earned the right to determine what they think a necessity is. It's not our place to tell them what to buy.
 
Eric,

Actually, a lot of people believe if the government gives them money they have a right and an obligation even to have some sort of strings attached on how it's spent. Isn't that the way food stamps work? Is this that much different?



In short - the general belief is it may not be the government's place to tell them how to spend the money they are giving them, but it is their place to tell them how NOT to spend it.



And I don't believe they have done anything to "earn" the $2K. It's a gift to help them get back on their feet, not to help them party or blow on a new iPod.

But I also believe it doesn't matter if you put restrictions on it, the irresponsible ones will figure a way around them anyway. So why bother?



And people call me a liberal?



:lol:

 
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In case you're worried about some wino spending the $2,000 on booze, I'm sure the government is smart enough to have the card programmed so it can't be used to buy firearms, booze, "adult" services, etc. Government Travel Cards are routinely restricted to prevent such usage.
 

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