So begins the 3 ring circus ala tsunami

[jonnythan]

How does sending Powell over get in the way of real relief efforts?

It does not. It reassures everyone involved that the US is treating this as high priority.

It's not getting in the way of anything else, so what's the problem?

 

[cdiver2]

This subject was covered with the hurricanes this last year. Yes we do need these people to asses the situation and decide what and how much go's where, what we don't need is reporters going in and lay people second guessing everyone.

 

[Wildcard]

There are people that no matter how much the US does will find fault. Sending Powell and Bush to bring back first hand reports of exactly whats needed can do nothing but good for the region.....The supplies that are "stuck" in the airports and being distributed as best they can be since the roads are gone. Air lifts are being done round the clock by the US military and a few others....DIsasters of this size are a learning process. No one has ever dealt with this exact scenerio before and they are doing the best they can....Great job guys and gals who are helping out. Keep it up!

 

[RICoder]

There are people that no matter how much the US does will find fault. Sending Powell and Bush to bring back first hand reports of exactly whats needed can do nothing but good for the region.....The supplies that are "stuck" in the airports and being distributed as best they can be since the roads are gone. Air lifts are being done round the clock by the US military and a few others....DIsasters of this size are a learning process. No one has ever dealt with this exact scenerio before and they are doing the best they can....Great job guys and gals who are helping out. Keep it up!

Good point. We have a carrier and aircraft in the region...so it's not just Powell and Bush. I'd rather see a dozen DoD people over there than a single reporter asking people how they feel.

Thank God for the internet and bloggers as well, since the real spread of knowlege about this tragedy has been done online. I've seen vid footage on CNN and MSNBC that was supposed to be "HOT OFF THE PRESSES!" that was actually posted online HOURS earlier.

 

[jbd]

...so it's not just Powell and Bush.

We now also have a senator and entourage going over there to "assess" the damages.

I'd rather see a dozen DoD people over there than a single reporter asking people how they feel.

Thank God for the internet and bloggers as well, since the real spread of knowlege about this tragedy has been done online. I've seen vid footage on CNN and MSNBC that was supposed to be "HOT OFF THE PRESSES!" that was actually posted online HOURS earlier.

Agreed about the reporters. They are asking some really stupid questions now. Also saw one news story in which a CNN guest was trying press the point that this disaster was devastating to the reporters covering the story. I tip my hat to Mike Chinoy for not taking the bait on that story line.

News coverage via TV and online has pretty much put the devastation out in plain view. Satellite photos, both military and civilian, clearly show the damage. How much more assessment is needed?

Supplies are stuck at airports, not due to a lack of supervision and management, but due to the fact that roads are blocked or damaged to the point of being unusable. No amount of visits by high profile people is going to clear those roads. Military assets(helicopters from the USS Lincoln) will cope initially with overcoming that problem until enough heavy contruction equipment can be brought in to deal with the roads themselves. The local leaders and heads of state in the region know this and have asked for this kind of help. No doubt this kind of stuff is on its way.

It will be interesting to see just how many US politicians travel to the region to assess the damage.

 

[jepuskar]

JBD,

I understand what you are saying, but we DO need to send representatives there. It would look very bad to the international community if we didn't and THAT would be brought up. The affects that their visit will have on relief efforts will be null, in the end only a positive result can be achieved. Do you think they are gonna come back and say, you know Congress...we need to cut back on our relief money? No, they will come back and recommend more money be given.

It's all politics, but in the end it shows how compassionate our government can be in times like these.

 

[jonnythan]

jbd, do you think the government is doing anything *besides* sending representatives over?

If so, how does sending these figureheads interfere with real relief efforts?

 

[Jeddah Aquanaut]

Lot's of good discussion. However, less talk and more action is needed, whether by politicians or Joe Blow diver. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Sri Lanka, with a death toll soon to exceed 50,000, I frequented many of the devastated areas there. I hope to look up old friends when I go there next week to visit my family. Let's stop talking politics and get out and do something. If you are/already have, great! If not, would you consider doing so? I've seen stories of people writing checks, churches and other groups doing various fund-raising activities, and even young kids selling lemonaid to get money together to send. I would just caution people on choosing an organisation to which to donate. As I mentioned in Suggestions, as have others in Asia, Oxfam, UNICEF, ICRC, are but a few reputable groups. At least on the ground in Sri Lanka, I also know of a handful of local/foreign NGO's, helping out with anything from immediate relief to reconstruction to orphanages. Already normal people like us are putting up more money than politicians, so let's really put them to shame. Thanks...

 

[FredT]

It will be interesting to see just how many US politicians travel to the region to assess the damage.

It will be even more interesting to note how many of those on the boondoggles either have experience with disasters (other than Libermans campaing 2004 disaster) or are up for re-election in 2006.

Maybe I'm just cynical but I consider playing internal US politics with mass death & destruction as poor form.

FT

 

[cdiver2]

It will be even more interesting to note how many of those on the boondoggles either have experience with disasters (other than Libermans campaing 2004 disaster) or are up for re-election in 2006.

Maybe I'm just cynical but I consider playing internal US politics with mass death & destruction as poor form.

FT

Are you saying if someone is up for re election they should not be sent there?.
If so what is the alternative, look for someone to send that is not up for re election or just waite until after the elections then send someone.