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Athens · Sep 2, 2005, 02:16 PM

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

"We've said to the Americans, 'Look, whether it's water purification or General Hillier talking to General Myers in the United States, sending personnel, equipment or whatever is required, we have said to the Americans we will provide it," said Martin.

"The Americans have said to us, 'Listen we're not in a position to take this. We have to set up coordinating bodies.' Once they are set up, we will be able to do it. But for us just to land there in the midst of a lot of chaos really wouldn't do anybody any good.

This is a image of Medical and other supplies ready to be sent

Info on the DART Team

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/cdnmilitary/dart.html

Provide basic medical care: Its tented medical aid station can serve up to 250 outpatients and 10 inpatients a day. The medical platoon treats minor injuries and tries to keep diseases from spreading, but doesn't perform surgeries. The aid station includes a lab, a pharmacy, limited obstetrics services and rehydration and preventative medicine section.

Produce safe drinking water: Water purification staff can produce up to 50,000 litres of potable water a day, as well as chlorinating local wells and monitoring water supplies.

Repair basic infrastructure: Engineers can fix roads and bridges, repair electrical and water supply systems and build refugee camps.

Make communication easier: DART sets up facilities to make communication easier between everyone involved in the relief effort, including the afflicted country, non-governmental organizations and UN aid agencies.

Why isn't this offer of help being used?

budster101 · Sep 2, 2005, 02:28 PM

They are right. Just dropping this crap down on people will not do any good... remember the looters?

You think they are going to just hand this stuff over to those in need?

Athens · Sep 2, 2005, 02:32 PM

They can still be mobilized outside of the city ready to move in when the time is right. It takes time to send aid, accepting the aid, allowing it to come down and to have it wait outside ready to move in, even that isn't happening. On the news right now the Mayor in New Orleans is saying he needs thousands of troops and hundreds of buses. CNN is saying the problem is Iraq, the National Guard is at 50% or less and worse the National Guards equipment, more then half of it is in Iraq. The US needs outside help thats being offered. utilize it already.

Athens · Sep 2, 2005, 02:40 PM

http://mfile2.akamai.com/8753/wma/ww...agin050902.wma The Mayor thoughts

OreoCookie · Sep 2, 2005, 02:49 PM

Nevertheless, I think it's a big mistake that so far (AFAIK) the US made no requests to any government. I hope it's not a false sense of pride …

budster101 · Sep 2, 2005, 02:52 PM

Why can't this be in one of the other dozen threads about Katrina? Are you so self-important that you need to make multiple threads on one topic?

Athens · Sep 2, 2005, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Nevertheless, I think it's a big mistake that so far (AFAIK) the US made no requests to any government. I hope it's not a false sense of pride …

I personally think it is.

James L · Sep 2, 2005, 06:56 PM

Canada is on the ground in some of the worst spots right now:

http://www.can-tf1.org/

http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/usar/

With more help on the way:

http://www.news1130.com/news/nationa...ntent=n090223A

http://www.news1130.com/news/nationa...ntent=n090171A

And, of course the Red Cross here is doing their thing:

http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?i...88&tid=032

This is even as some Americans make comments like "no one will come to our rescue, even though we always go to theirs", and "don't expect help from anyone, we can take care of ourselves".

The truth of the matter is simple.... people are suffering, and nationality is irrelevant right now. Canada's prime minister was supposed to speak with the US president this week about the US getting their ass handed to them, again, in the illegal softwood lumber dispute that has been going on for years, and that has cost the Canadian economy $5 billion dollars in illegal tarriffs imposed by the US.

Instead, that phone call turned into a call about what can we do to help our neighbors to the south in their time of need. This is what Canada does, and has done in virtually every national disaster in recent history. Most Americans will respect it.

The bottom line is that the relief effort in the southern US is NOT going well... Bush himself has said the results are unacceptable. Right now, why isn't the important question. The only important thing is to get ORGANIZED relief to these people ASAP.

maxelson · Sep 2, 2005, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by budster101

Why can't this be in one of the other dozen threads about Katrina? Are you so self-important that you need to make multiple threads on one topic?

WHOA, dude. What's up with this? Are you inconvenienced by it? Are you so self important you feel the need to police the forum?
Has this discussion harmed you in any way?
You obviously thought enough of it to respond.
Chill, bud. This isn't one of those bipartisan "debates".

loki74 · Sep 2, 2005, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by maxelson

WHOA, dude. What's up with this? Are you inconvenienced by it? Are you so self important you feel the need to police the forum?
Has this discussion harmed you in any way?
You obviously thought enough of it to respond.
Chill, bud. This isn't one of those bipartisan "debates".

Are you so self important that you feel a need to police budster?

As a member of this community budster has the right to voice his opinion, which frankly I agree with--there are already many Katrina threads... this is like unnecessary "thread polllution." As a memeber of this communty yourself, you should also feel free to police me about policing you about pollicing budster about policing the OP. Follow?

You also say this is NOT one of those bipartisan things... I dont get your meaning... so getting aid to these people should NOT be a bipartisan effort? Do you mean to say that the question of us accepting the Canadians' aid should not be a partisan debate?

If you mean the latter, I totally agree with you--this should be a bipartisan effort, and NOT an argument. However, the OP's well known political inclinations and Anti-American reputaion does give a little reason to the notion that he is trying to bash America, even though reading him objectively, he is not. He does make a very good point, and in this case I prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt.

That being said, it is true--just dumping things in there won't really help. We greatly appreciate the Canadian generousity, and would like to see that it is not wasted and in vain. I'm sure once a plan of attack (for lack of a better term) is established, our government will be more than glad to accept your help.

One last thing I would like to say--I cannot express how moved I am by this decision of the Canadians'--donating to people in need, even when they are not popular, and even when you disagree with them. That is honor. Like I said, our countries have many disagreements, but I cannot say how comforting it is to know that at the end of the day, we are still friendly. A good neighbor is a good neighber.

maxelson · 11:49 PM

JEEZUS, loki. "Not one of those bipartisan things". What I meant was this isn't a political argument. Don't be so eager to start a fight. Just ask, dude. I'll clear it up for you. So. He has a right does he? I guess I do to. You know. As a member of the community, and all. What. you think I don't know how this joint works? And self policing has, apparently, become a banner of priiiiiiiide here abouts. Well, sort of. In a "Lord of the Flies" kid of way. Yeah, I guess I am that self important. To call out a bully. A petulant and aggressive ascii bully who might have noted his objections with a bit more class.
So shoot me, imp.
Now I'm policing you.
Would someone call spliffy down here to police me? And then we're going to need davesimon to police him. Now, wait. You expressed an opinion in there. A couple, in fact. Looks like we're going to have to have the goon squad down on you. BRussel's gonna bring the posse...

I'd add that I'd expect nothing less from Canada. As much as we work to piss them off, they generally are a great neighbor.

Well, I guess another thread on a different topic underneath the Katrina umbrella was called for. Y'alls talking, right? Now that's not such a bad thing. Is it.

Scandalous Ion Cannon · Sep 2, 2005, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by budster101

Why can't this be in one of the other dozen threads about Katrina? Are you so self-important that you need to make multiple threads on one topic?

The truth hurt that much?

loki74 · Sep 3, 2005, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by maxelson

JEEZUS, loki. "Not one of those bipartisan things"

Well, I think I did ask. Notice the question marks? hrmm.... Okay I'll be honest; I knew exactly what you meant (my second "guess" in previous post made this clear, no?) and wanted to correct your misuse of "bipartisan," which IIRC means both sides working together without being "direct."

And you are RIGHT it should not be a political debate. Here's you making it one:

Originally Posted by maxelson

As much as we work to piss them off,

Who are you to declare who's right and who's wrong?

Canada is a great country. Not sure Id want to live there, but there are lots of good people and by and large they are quite friendly. On the same token, they are not entirely "correct" in their policies just as we are not entirely "correct" in our policies.

I just wanted to point out that despite our differences we get along when all is said and done, and whether or not it is my "expectation," it is a very good thing that makes me happy.

Try to be objective.