The Jamaica Observer reports that the American government has decided it really doesn't need help.
Nevermind the loud sanctimonious shouts from isolationists and/or xenophobes claiming other countries just aren't helping out the way America, the richest country in the world, does.
Jamaica was among the nations offering what help they could. But the Kingston embassy, while stating its appreciation for the support, politely declined the offers, saying in a statement: "The United States Government is not yet requesting international assistance at this time."
The embassy suggested, however, that persons and organisations wishing to help may still contact the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, www.fema.gov, coordinator of the recovery efforts.
Yes, you read that right, apparently FEMA is not the United States government, and actions beyond words of sympathy in the form of actual help really aren't wanted.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Matt
Unreal. It really is. A chance for some folks to make payback on the tsunami and a million other things, and we thumb our noses at it.
2 - Marc
"The United States Government is not yet requesting international assistance at this time."
What it actually says, given the chaos for a variety of reasons, the government declined to accept the offer at the time of the statement.
What is it about "at this time" that is incomprehensible?
To some clear thinking folks it may indicate once the area is stabilized to some extent they will entertain the offer.
Some people might think that, some other wouldn't and are content with a knee-jerk reaction.
And considering Canada has three Navy ships enroute the area with supplies kind of lays to waste any thoughts that it is a blanket policy.
To some people.
3 - NC
Ever think that maybe we're refusing the donations because those countries can use the money more than we can?
You fucking people are unbelievable. If you didn't have shit to bitch about, you'd kill yourselves.
4 - Temple Stark
That's semantics ... It's also true Marc, agreed, but does it make sense to you?
Neither does the comment that they could help FEMA but not the federal government.
Thank you
Temple
5 - Temple Stark
That's silly NC. I am hardly bitching. Have you checked the site lately?
This post asks a question
NC - Aren't you doing a little bitching of your own about a harmless post?
6 - D L Ennis
Personally, I’m so tired of the US being blasted and blamed for everything…it solves nothing!
D L
7 - Temple Stark
Me too, DL.
Although I would argue that it sometimes does solve something to ask questions of your country.
But what's that got to do with this post? I see no blame or blast, just a question.
Thank you DL
- Temple
8 - Marc
Do we know what the Jamacians offered? Do we know if what they offered would actually help in a meaningfull way? The Jamacian Observer report dosen't give details of what was offered.
Your headline is nonsense in that context and only there to provoke and further the meme that the Bush Admin is screwed.
Oh and btw Qatar has offered, and it has been accepted, $100 million dollars in cash assistence.
Now go ahead and spin that into Mr.ChimpyBusHitlerCo and how it's all about the OIL!!!
9 - Temple Stark
You have in mind the completely wrong person here, sir.
And you didn't answer my questions. Not that you have to but ...
10 - Marc
I forgot to add:"I see no blame or blast, just a question.
Correct, but I see a title that is written in the plural, when you provide one example. Misleading on purpose? Oversite?
I don't know and really don't care because I have followed this story and can sort fact from fiction unlike the first commenter who took it at face value and ran with it.
11 - Marc
Sorry I thought I did answer your questions, in a way.
If what they offered wasn't what was needed or was something that can only be used at a later date, or many other possibilites, it makes perfect sense.
Remember that little word "yet." They didn't say flat out go to hell. Let me know what they offered and I' be more difinitive on whether it was the right decision.
Another thought. I, nor you can be positive that the denial came from D.C. it may have been some idiot from the embassy that was working under a false or out-dated pretense. Read the quote, it sounds like a script.
Having had way too much experience dealing with US embassy staff all over the Middle East and Asia I know for a fact once some of those idiots get a hold of a D.C. directive they cling to it like a dog clings onto a T-bone steak.
At least til a new one filters down to them and that may be days later after a policy has changed.
12 - D L Ennis
Sorry Temple! I read another article earlier that spoke of US arrogance for refusing aid. I guess it stuck with me.
D L
13 - RJ
I have read quotes from Condi Rice suggesting that ALL aid from ALL countries will be accepted...just that SOME of that aid from SOME of those countries will not be accepted immediately, for reasons that are unexplained, but not inexplicable.
14 - DrPat
I wonder who offered to send 50,000 virgins?
15 - Jennifer
I bet it was the Canadians *rolls eyes*
16 - DrPat
No, the Canadians sent a boat full of oil-rig roughnecks.
So did Texas - does that count as "foreign aid"?
17 - Jennifer
lol.. Send CANADIAN Bacon.. that'll make everything better ;)
OH oh and maple syrup. That'll dry up the water.
18 - DrPat
Gotta be better than pickled Cajun. Or MREs..
19 - RJ
Honestly, I like MREs...
20 - DrPat
How about the "other white meat"? (Pickled Cajun)
21 - RJ
I've never dined upon the desiccated remains of a human being from New Orleans, so I cannot intelligently comment on this subject... :-/
22 - Dave Nalle
Fankly, I don't think we should take money from small countries which are relatively financially strapped, even if it's a token amount. $100 million from Quatar for sure, but they've got money to burn. Not everyone who has good will and wants to help can really afford to.
Dave
23 - Cerulean
I wish we knew more about the subject of the article. I also heard we refused an offer of some kind of rescue personnel from Russia. I'm worried that we are offending kind of generous people who want to help us and possibly keeping out help we could use. Other countries have done this, like India during the Tsunami. I think some Israeli doctors were also refused from somewhere during the Tsunami and other stuff like that. I've seen other stuff like that. I think that's wrong, unless it was a significant amount of money and Jamaica could not afford it. I still think it was sweet of them.
24 - HG
By Friday, American received offers from Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Britain, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Georgia, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates.
25 - Temple Stark
On reflection and in the general sense of thngs - after reading this thread - here I have come to the conclusion that I was somewhat simplistic in my post.
Not that it was wrong, but that measuring donations to a cause is not easy. Thousands of people across the globe can, have and will continue to donate to The Red Cross, in this case to help the US.
I'm not sure those Red Cross donations are measured in this manner. I think they could be - %s from each country and when the spikes of donations occurred are likely trackable.
A lot of people when they mention figures talk directly about state-sponsored aid and dollars, though occasionally the overall estimated figure of a country's generosity gets thrown in the mix to confuse things.
I just didn't want to see the US turning away any AID from countries who are truly trying to be helpful - unless it is from an abjectly poor country like Ethiopa.