Should we be more worried about politics in a time like this, or should we except all nations help no matter what political issues we had in the past? http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/09/05/katrina.cuba/index.html Castro: U.S. hasn't responded to Katrina offer HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Cuban President Fidel Castro told more than 1,500 doctors Sunday night that American officials had made "absolutely no response" to his offer to send them to the U.S. Gulf Coast to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Castro, a longtime adversary of the United States, initially offered to send 1,100 doctors and at least 26 tons of supplies and equipment, but the Communist leader announced Sunday during a televised speech that he had increased the number of physicians to 1,586. Each doctor would carry about 27 pounds of medicine. "You could all be there right now lending your services, but 48 hours have passed since we made this offer, and we have received absolutely no response," Castro said at Havana's Palace of the Revolution. "We continue to wait patiently for a response. In the meantime, all of you will be taking intensive courses in immunology and also something that I should be doing -- an intensive brush-up course in English." Besides Cuba, several other countries and international agencies have offered money and supplies to the hurricane victims. (Full story) In the past, Cuba has refused U.S. offers of aid, the most recent following Hurricane Dennis. That storm killed more than 10 people in the Caribbean island nation in July. At that time, Castro said he would not accept help from Washington because of the U.S. trade embargo against his country. The United States has no diplomatic relations with Cuba. Castro has named the Cuban rescue team the Henry Reeve Brigade in honor of an American who fought with Cuba's rebel forces during the Cuban War of Independence against Spain that began in 1895. The doctors who have been mobilized went to South Asia after the December tsunami and have worked in other disasters.
The sad thing is that the single BIGGEST shortage we have as of right now is shortage in qualified medical personnel. More than money or even general volunteers, we need medical personnel to help out. Cuba's offer should be taken, their M.D's are world-class, everyone knows that. We need them here if at all possible...
You guys don't understand: These are COMMIE doctors! They would obviously come here and try to undermine our democracy, because that's what those communists/socialists/marxists/Hollywood types do. Dubya is just protecting us by turning away their slimey offer of "help." We should all be grateful. Or something like that.
rudy juliani rejected the 4th richest mans donation after sept 11.... i dunno why, but at times like these, ego's, politics nd other stupid crap should take a seat behind need.
There's more to the story than that. I'm assuming you're talking about the Saudi Prince Alaweed (or whatever his name is...) who threw in the unsolicited critical comment about the US's foreign policy. He can keep his money.
Accepting money/help from someone makes you owe to that person. If I were the head of a big household and our family were down in a crisis, I'd probably think twice before I accept donations from my nemesis. But then again, although George W Bush is the "head" of this country, he doesn't represent the best interests of all people, especially those of underclass. Too bad the victims of hurricane Katrina can't directly take aid from foreign countries, even if they are in desperate need. What are the possible repercussions of accepting foreign aid? The greatest sin is nothing more than losing (political) face, I guess.
If true, doesnt that mean that LOTS of countries/folks owe us BIGTIME? charitable donations made with the epectations of repayment are not donations..
I have a friend whose dad is a doctor. So the dad(from NY) went over to Baton Rouge on Friday when his friend, a doctor, over there asked him to help out. When he got there, the hospital rejected his offer to help because he "doesn't have a license to practice medicine in Louisiana."
As far as charitable donations are concerned, I'd say yes. But it's up to the recipients of donations to pay back the gratitude they owe. As a benefactor, U.S. should not expect to be paid back any time soon, or ever. Another thing is, not all aid comes in pure monetary form. IMO, the offer by Castro's Cuba does not need to be taken ill-intended.
I wouldn't say that right after 9/11, when a dozen or so of his countrymen killed 3,000+ innocent victims would be a good time to do that.
well, its like this. if somone needs money, and you tell them hey man, heres a few bucks, but u no, they are hiring at home depot just to let you know, and the guy throws the money back at you... well thas how i felt it was... w/e to each their own, now explain this castro thing? if it aint ego what is it?
so just because it was ppl from the same area as his, he has no right to talk about ways to solve the barrier? you say his countrymen as if he payed and planned the whole operation and btw at that time they dint know it was saudis who did this it was still under investigation ----
