Bush ready to send quake relief to Iran --

[dahunan]

This is the America I know and love

Bush Says U.S. Ready to Help Iran After Quake
Fri December 26, 2003 04:39 PM ET

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4047882


CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush expressed sympathy for Iran on Friday as it grappled with an earthquake that killed more than 20,000 people and offered U.S. support for the country, with which it has no formal diplomatic ties.
"Laura and I heard this morning of the earthquake centered in the city of Bam, Iran," Bush said in a statement from his ranch, where he will spend the upcoming New Year's holiday with his wife, Laura, and other family members.

"We are greatly saddened by the loss of life, injuries and widespread damage to this ancient city," he said. "I extend my condolences to all those touched by this tragedy."

"The thoughts of all Americans are with the victims and their families at this time, and we stand ready to help the people of Iran," Bush added.

The United States has a frosty relationship with Iran for more than two decades. It broke off diplomatic relations with the country in 1979 after militant students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

Bush has referred to Iran as part of an "axis of evil" along with North Korea and pre-war Iraq and Washington has accused Iran's government of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons.

 

[Ulfwald]

Bush is ready to send aid to the people, this is good. Because it shows that we can see the difference between a tyranical government, and people in that contry who are in need.

 

[ReiAyanami]

food supplies and temp shelters are good, but i don't know if he's willing to send personel, such as from neighbor iraq. nice of germany and russia to help

the count is already upto 20,000? it was 5,000 a few hours ago. this is terrible

 

[MonstaThrilla]

Good decision by our President. :beer:

 

[HombrePequeno]

20,000? That's horrible.

It is cool that we're helping them despite our diplomatic differences.

 

[Piano Man]

Originally posted by: MonstaThrilla
Good decision by our President. :beer:

Agreed. I hope we can get the aid there quickly.

 

[Bitdog]

I can't ever recall getting foriegn aid when we have a natural disaster ?
We rebuild/repair/fix our own problems in our country.
They have a government & rich people for financial support, & lots of people looking for work, & lots of people that are right there ready to help those who need help.
It sounds nice that we're ready help out the world by giving them money,
but we're in debt, and getting further in debt every Bush day.
If Bush wants to send money, I hope it's his personal money directly from his own bank account,
and money that wasn't some how recieved by an political pay offs of any kind, in any way.

But giving away government money that we haven't got, is a bad idea.

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: Bitdog
I can't ever recall getting foriegn aid when we have a natural disaster ?
We rebuild/repair/fix our own problems in our country.
They have a government & rich people for financial support, & lots of people looking for work, & lots of people that are right there ready to help those who need help.
It sounds nice that we're ready help out the world by giving them money,
but we're in debt, and getting further in debt every Bush day.
If Bush wants to send money, I hope it's his personal money directly from his own bank account,
and money that wasn't some how recieved by an political pay offs of any kind, in any way.

But giving away government money that we haven't got, is a bad idea.

 

[rbV5]

But giving away government money that we haven't got, is a bad idea.

IMHO, its never a bad idea to lend help to those that desperately need it like those hit by the disaster in Iran. I fully stand by the President to offer any and all aid in this situation. This isn't about Politics, this is human suffering. You've got plenty to crap on this particular Administration for perhaps, but this aint it.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Bitdog
I can't ever recall getting foriegn aid when we have a natural disaster ?
We rebuild/repair/fix our own problems in our country.
They have a government & rich people for financial support, & lots of people looking for work, & lots of people that are right there ready to help those who need help.
It sounds nice that we're ready help out the world by giving them money,
but we're in debt, and getting further in debt every Bush day.
If Bush wants to send money, I hope it's his personal money directly from his own bank account,
and money that wasn't some how recieved by an political pay offs of any kind, in any way.

But giving away government money that we haven't got, is a bad idea.

Sending Aid and Relif personal to Iran now will go a long wways to help foster a working relationship with the Iranians. It sure beats sending troops in later if we don't (Which is a distinct possiblity with the Neocons in charge)

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Bitdog
I can't ever recall getting foriegn aid when we have a natural disaster ?
We rebuild/repair/fix our own problems in our country.
They have a government & rich people for financial support, & lots of people looking for work, & lots of people that are right there ready to help those who need help.
It sounds nice that we're ready help out the world by giving them money,
but we're in debt, and getting further in debt every Bush day.
If Bush wants to send money, I hope it's his personal money directly from his own bank account,
and money that wasn't some how recieved by an political pay offs of any kind, in any way.

But giving away government money that we haven't got, is a bad idea.

You(US) gets foreign aid quite often, practically every year to some degree or other.

 

[Analog]

the "axis of evil" has to do with the Iranian government, not the Iranian people. Most Iranian people want a free and democratic Iran. This aid does in no way condone the government there, thank goodness we live in a nation where we can look beyond the governmental aspects and reach out to people in need. Its a sad situation where so many are suffering as a result of this disaster.

 

[mastertech01]

Offering assistance is one thing, getting the government of Iran to accept it may be another challenge. If we are in any way successful in softening the walls we have built around our diplomatic relationship it could well do more to help us in IRAQ, than anywhere else.

 

[Crazee]

Originally posted by: Bitdog
I can't ever recall getting foriegn aid when we have a natural disaster ?
We rebuild/repair/fix our own problems in our country.
They have a government & rich people for financial support, & lots of people looking for work, & lots of people that are right there ready to help those who need help.
It sounds nice that we're ready help out the world by giving them money,
but we're in debt, and getting further in debt every Bush day.
If Bush wants to send money, I hope it's his personal money directly from his own bank account,
and money that wasn't some how recieved by an political pay offs of any kind, in any way.

But giving away government money that we haven't got, is a bad idea.

Link to Article detailing offers of foreign aid after 9/11

 

[Ldir]

Originally posted by: Bitdog
I can't ever recall getting foriegn aid when we have a natural disaster ?
We rebuild/repair/fix our own problems in our country.
They have a government & rich people for financial support, & lots of people looking for work, & lots of people that are right there ready to help those who need help.
It sounds nice that we're ready help out the world by giving them money,
but we're in debt, and getting further in debt every Bush day.
If Bush wants to send money, I hope it's his personal money directly from his own bank account,
and money that wasn't some how recieved by an political pay offs of any kind, in any way.

But giving away government money that we haven't got, is a bad idea.

It is the right thing to do IMO. Maybe a few people in the Middle-East will decide we are not so evil after all.

 

[daclayman]

If 'quake relief' means the Red Cross and/or other non-christian humanitarian help, then this Precedent has suprised me for the 1st time. If 'quake relief' = 'haliburton' or one of its subsidiaries, then you know the rest...

 

[Bitdog]

sandorski:
You(US) gets foreign aid quite often, practically every year to some degree or other.
------------------
That may be true, but I can't recall ever hearing of any. Could you give an example ?
When, where, what, foreign aid to the USA?
------------------

Red Dawn:
Sending Aid and Relif personal to Iran now will go a long wways to help foster a working relationship with the Iranians. It sure beats sending troops in later if we don't (Which is a distinct possiblity with the Neocons in charge)
------------------
In theory you're correct. But haven't we sent them money in the past that changed nothing ?
Their people are already favoring freedom and democracy. It's those in power who won't give it up &
sending them some government money we don't have, won't change that.
Also, on 911 USA citisens donated quite a substantial sum of money.
Isn't there a private donation organization that helps out in times of foriegn disaster, that a citisen can donate to?
(preferably one that doesn't keep 90% of every dollar donated & gives the other 10% to where it does 1% good.)
-------------------

Ldir:
It is the right thing to do IMO. Maybe a few people in the Middle-East will decide we are not so evil after all.
-------------------
True, but we are evil. I mean, there is good, bad, & ugly in everything and everybody.
A new paint job ain't gonna disguise us much. Those who dislike us based on our wrongfull actions, arn't going to forgive us if we help out via government money we don't have,
any more than civilian donated money would up our image.
Often times donated money goes to the people on the top, and it never trickles down.
Only garbage trickles down.
Our second hand institutions throw out litterly tons of donated clothes and stuff every year.
If that stuff was donated to countries in need, those at the top wouldn't want it.
But children who need warm clothes would want it, & free would be all they could afford.
Our T-shirts are always printed with some American commercial product.
Now that's real advertizement for us here in USA.
So food & clothes donations sounds ok to me if delivered immediately.

Most people donate because of guilt.
They make a living out of treating those around them like garbage,
then they donate a couple quid to elieviate the guilt and call it good.
Jailers, cops, etc. Your "just say no" or else, self proclaimed good people basicly.
I've investigated a few and found that they didn't do any research into who they donate their money to
as associated with what percentage of the dollar donated makes it to the needy and in what way.

Murphys law overrides all state, local, and federal laws,
and when it comes to the government, "if it can go wrong, it will".

 

[sandorski]

Bitdog: During Forest Fire season it is common for people and equipment to be given from Canada, if available.

 

[Gaard]

<<Most people donate because of guilt.>>

You heard/read this somewhere?

 

[Aegion]

It looks like Iran will accept aid from "The Great Satan" but not from Israel.

Jahanbakhsh Khanjani, a spokesman for Iran's Interior Ministry, yesterday said Iran would accept aid from all countries in the world except Israel. The announcement came after foreign correspondents in Jerusalem reported that unofficial Israeli sources were considering sending aid to Iran.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran accepts all kinds of humanitarian aid from all countries and international organizations with the exception of the Zionist regime," Khanjani said.

The United States is sending government and civilian emergency workers and 150,000 pounds of medical supplies to help Iran, the White House said yesterday.

"The U.S. government is currently working with Iranian authorities, the United Nations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent to rapidly deploy humanitarian assistance to the people of Iran following yesterday's devastating earthquake in Bam," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

The U.S. States will send medical response teams from Boston, Los Angeles and Virginia and disaster experts from government agencies, the spokesman said. The U.S. military will deliver medical supplies from bases in Kuwait, said McClellan, who was with President George Bush at his ranch.

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/376710.html

 

[Bitdog]

A radio news broadcast reciently reported that a cargo plane of supplys destined to rebuild Iraq was sent to Iran
to help the quake victoms. Then stated that the two kidnapped germans & the one Irishman being held in Iran were
released. It wasn't stated that the two incidents were related, but being back to back reports indicated that they were?
Instant help by delivering needed supplys & releasing kidnapped people are two good/positive things.
But it just seems messed up some how. The Iran government may have been protecting the kidnappers ?
Or even supporting or instigateing that kind of behavior? I mean, why would they all of a sudden be released?
If the Iran government could have them release after the supplys were delivered, why wern't they released before ?
Any way there seems to be some info missing.


sandorsky:
Bitdog: During Forest Fire season it is common for people and equipment to be given from Canada, if available.
--------------
Ok, that's a good thing. It doesn't seem like a money donation though. It seems like the neighborly thing to do,
and we may actually have an agreement with them for that kind of thing.
I mean, I'll bet that we have sent fire crews & or equipment to help them or simular help also.
We seem to be neighbors with Canada, but we don't seem to be neighbors with Iran.
-------------------


Gaard:
<<Most people donate because of guilt.>>
You heard/read this somewhere?
-------------------
I just inquire about what's in peoples minds, when I find that they are donators,
and I've found a guilt thing appears to be a serious part of the motive in many cases.
They don't admit it some times, but I can anilize their life or buisness practices to draw that conclusion or not.
I screwed up by not being clearer. There are many reasons to donate, some good, some bad, & some ugly.
I seemed to go straight to the ugly side. Sorry.


Anyway, right now, it looks like we've got a lot of BEEF TO DONATE
out of the country if possible.

 

[CaptnKirk]

In order for any of Bushes generosity to have had a impact on the situation in Iran he would have had to have sent the aid in the hours immediatly after it happened - not 2 or 3 days later. It will take even more time for anything to arrive, and it was already too late by the time he offered to help - the window of opportunity had already closed. Token assistance too late to make a difference to those who really were affected.

But it gives him and his advisers a feather in the cap for their local supporters to say 'Look how George Bush is helping the Iranianian Government' - but it's nothing of substance.
He waited too long to do anything, so it's effectively another photo-op - without the photos.