# Won't somebody PLEASE help lil' ol' us? ! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 31, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494 "2005-08-31T22:06:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/1 "2005-08-31T22:06:27Z")
From [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=332443). I’ll just quote the OP in its entirety: > [@lk1932](#): > > How many countries of the world will offer us aid during OUR hour of need. Does the number “0” sound about right? Obligatory curse: Fuck you, **lk1932**. You snivelling little piece of shit. The winds from a crippling storm haven’t even calmed down to gale force and you drag out this “nobody loves me” bullshit? What a pathetic waste of skin! In one remark you have symbolically invalidated every bit of aid this country has ever given? Were you raised by fucking babboons? Or did a babboon simply fuck a female of some lower order to spawn…you? Last I heard a “gift” is given freely, with no thought of return. It is the very act of giving some of your surplus to someone less fortunate. No strings attached, just an act of compassion…heard of that before you whiny little fuck? Compassion? Days later nobody even knows what the situation is along the US Gulf Coast and you’re standing tall wondering where’s our free handout? You make me ill you festering weed! Even if we weren’t arguably the WEALTHIEST FUCKING NATION ON THE PLANET with more than ample resoutrces to handle this disaster on our own, even if we had less cash, global control and natural resources than some piddly little island, asking for a handout is just plain…rude. To bitch about not getting one at all is despicable. But to get all _indignant_ about our friends, or even past recipents of our assistance, not coming to our aid before anyone even has a clue how badly we do or do not need them, well. Words fail me. You, and anyone else who thinks like you do, are an embarassment to this nation! Fucking deadbeat, you don’t belong here. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/2 "2005-08-31T22:24:22Z")
I’m glad you called him on it, **Inigo**. Maybe, just maybe, if it turns out that the country really _does_ need help, and everyone turns a deaf ear, then _maybe_ it’s acceptable to bitch about it a little. But guess what? People [_are_](http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/08/31/Canadian_relief_Katrina20050831.html) trying to help. And it’s only been a couple of days. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/3 "2005-08-31T22:38:52Z")
I know I will probably get flames out of this **but** I don’t think I would mind a couple of countries sending a few hospital ships with manpower aid even if they wear the blue helmet. As a member of the United Nations who we have paid (off and on) for years and years. They should mobilize or at least call a special session to call for help, even if it is denied by the government, I think it would do more good for the American people’s feelings toward the UN then they may have now. \*Sorry if this is rambling, and possibly undoable due to some laws or something. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/4 "2005-08-31T22:44:13Z")
I thought such actions generally were on the basis that the government in question requested them? Seems to be the diplomatic way to do stuff. Or do you want to be offered without even having to ask? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/5 "2005-09-01T00:13:41Z")
> [@LostGoals](#): > > I know I will probably get flames out of this **but** I don’t think I would mind a couple of countries sending a few hospital ships with manpower aid even if they wear the blue helmet. As a member of the United Nations who we have paid (off and on) for years and years. They should mobilize or at least call a special session to call for help, even if it is denied by the government, I think it would do more good for the American people’s feelings toward the UN then they may have now. No, you’re absolutely right. It would be NICE, and the help would be welcome. I didn’t mean to suggest any offers of aid would or should be belligerently refused (although with our current administration anything’s possible), only that it’s uncouth to bitch before anyone’s had a chance to refuse to offer. And yeah, **GorillaMan** , that’s exactly the sequence considered polite on this side of the pond. Unless you’re going down for the third time, you generally don’t _ask_ for help. If someone wants to offer it because you appear to need it, then you may accept or politely decline. But to burst into a preemptive fit of cynical anger only guarantees a self fulfilling prophesey of abandonment. How could you not look at such a display and think, “Alright, arrogant dick head, since you think I suck so bad fuckin’ drown and be quiet, then.” ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/6 "2005-09-01T00:48:38Z")
The assholes at the Las Vegas Review Journal have the same despicable things to say in today’s editorials. > [@](#): > > So where is the rest of the world in our time of need? There’s nary a peep from the “global community.” And then they get _really_ over-the-top: > [@](#): > > Hurricane Katrina is yet another opportunity for the rest of the world to realize they have much to learn about the United States of America. **Inigo** already said it well, but I’ll echo it: FUCK YOU. We are the richest, most powerful nation in existence; we shouldn’t expect aid from all the other countries we are constantly putting down and putting in their place. Nascent empires don’t whine for help, assholes. Once again these people will squander any goodwill from the rest of the world with their insufferable righteousness. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/7 "2005-09-01T01:19:53Z")
Out of curiosity, I popped by the websites of a few national Red Cross chapters this morning, and again this evening. The Canadian, British, and New Zealand Red Crosses all have links on how private citizens can contribute to help Katrina’s victims. None of those websites had those links this morning. (The Canadian website had a link to a statement saying that the American Red Cross wasn’t currently requesting assistance; it’s been changed in the interim.) I can only assume they added those links because kind and generous people around the world want to help and sent emails inquiring on how to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/8 "2005-09-01T01:36:16Z")
Yeah, that guy’s a bitch, but his overall sentiment, that world governments don’t seem to have a lot of sympathy for the US, seems to be borne out by things like [this](http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,372405,00.html). The resulting firestorm of emails to Spiegel from Americans is hilarious. And before any rabid anti-generalists reply, yes, as a representative of his government, speaking in an official capacity, his statements do reflect badly upon the entire German government. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/9 "2005-09-01T02:07:37Z")
According to the CBC news this evening, the premiers of Quebec and Ontario have both offered assistance to the US ambasador, and are waitng on a formal request from the USA. Hydro Quebec has offered assistance, and is wating for a formal request. On a more cynical bent, a radio host from a local private broadcaster wondered if the Americans would be needing a lot of softwood while rebuilding. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/10 "2005-09-01T02:13:06Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > I thought such actions generally were on the basis that the government in question requested them? Seems to be the diplomatic way to do stuff. Or do you want to be offered without even having to ask? Well just the offer, whether declined or not. Like the offer from Chavez which IMHO may of been for motives unclear to a pion such as myself, it still raised him a bar or two on my okay list. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/11 "2005-09-01T03:11:59Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > On a more cynical bent, a radio host from a local private broadcaster wondered if the Americans would be needing a lot of softwood while rebuilding. Wow. That one cuts to the bone. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/12 "2005-09-01T05:14:51Z")
Like I said in the thread in question, Canada did everything we could when 9-11 happened, and we will do whatever we can now. The Las Vegas Review is full of shit. If you think Canadians haven’t been watching coverage of this and crying along with you, you don’t know us very well. The donation boxes will be going up soon - I’m surprised I haven’t seen one yet. Our medical and other necessary trained personnel are volunteering for the Red Cross as we speak. We will be there, and I don’t know why any Americans would question that. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/13 "2005-09-01T05:20:26Z")
Prime Minister Howard of Australia has already offered his country’s assistance. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/14 "2005-09-01T05:36:59Z")
From a recent article: [Canadian leaders, relief agencies stand by to help U.S. after Katrina](http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n083135A): > [@](#): > > Canadian officials have started getting ready to send whatever type of aid the United States requires to help with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said Wednesday. > > “We want to reassure the president and the people of the United States that we are their best friends and their neighbour, and we will be there to help them in a situation that truly is without parallel in our country or theirs,” said McLellan. > > … > > “Yesterday, the Department of Human Health Services in the U.S. contacted our public health agency and asked for an inventory of emergency supplies that, if they need them, we could send at a moment’s notice.” > > That inventory was completed Wednesday. > > American officials are still assessing their needs, but in coming days Canada will be prepared to send everything from water purification systems to the Canadian military’s Disaster Assistance Response Team. > > … > > Prime Minister Paul Martin was set to speak by phone Thursday with U.S. President George W. Bush about what Canada can do to help the reconstruction effort. So, sounds like what others have said: it’s up to the U.S. to ask first, once the authorities on the ground know what they need; Canada is ready to help once asked, as a good neighbour should. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/15 "2005-09-01T05:48:34Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Prime Minister Howard of Australia has already offered his country’s assistance. Really? Huh, I hadn’t heard that reported here. There’s been a lot of news coverage here, but this doesn’t really seem to be affecting the Australian psyche as much as the tsunami or 9/11. In other words, no one’s really talking about it (at least that I’ve encountered). I think, though, that once the long term ramifications start really hitting home (and the official body count goes way up), it might generate a little more concern. I think, too, it’s a little hard for people to imagine. I mean, with the tsunami, you actually saw footage of the waves coming in and people running for their lives. I think with hurricanes, unless you’ve actually been through one or seen the damage firsthand, it’s a little harder to wrap your head around. ---
**Author:** ![ramesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d07c76/32.png) [@ramesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ramesh)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/16 "2005-09-01T06:03:13Z")
And there is no way the US will let foriegn aid workers on its soil. Security, military intelligence, etc. etc. This includes the UN aid workers. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/17 "2005-09-01T06:42:01Z")
> [@ramesh](#): > > And there is no way the US will let foriegn aid workers on its soil. Security, military intelligence, etc. etc. This includes the UN aid workers. You wouldn’t happen to have anything even vaguely resembling a cite for that assertion, would you? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/18 "2005-09-01T06:52:22Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > On a more cynical bent, a radio host from a local private broadcaster wondered if the Americans would be needing a lot of softwood while rebuilding. I don’t understand this. Is it some sort of criticism of the building codes that exist in Louisiana? > [@C3](#): > > I think, too, it’s a little hard for people to imagine. I mean, with the tsunami, you actually saw footage of the waves coming in and people running for their lives. I think with hurricanes, unless you’ve actually been through one or seen the damage firsthand, it’s a little harder to wrap your head around. **C3** , unfortunately there’s been plenty of experience in Australia of the damage that cyclones (hurricanes) can do. I’m assuming that the effects in the southern US states at the moment are much like what Cyclone Tracy did to Darwin in 1974, though on a larger scale. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/19 "2005-09-01T07:01:06Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > Like I said in the thread in question, Canada did everything we could when 9-11 happened, and we will do whatever we can now. It took the President of the United States nine days to forget we’d helped on 9/11. Is it any surprise that U.S. papers don’t even notice us trying to help now? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494/20 "2005-09-01T07:15:54Z")
> [@ramesh](#): > > And there is no way the US will let foriegn aid workers on its soil. Security, military intelligence, etc. etc. This includes the UN aid workers. Huh? Tell that to the Disaster Assistance Response Team that the Canadian Fed has deployed, Vancouver’s Urban Search and Rescue group, which left for Louisiana this afternoon, the Canadian Red Cross workers who will be relieving American Red Cross Workers on rotation, the hundreds of Mennonite Disaster Service workers from Manitoba who will be helping with the reconstruction, and god alone knows how many other foreign aid workers who are and will be entering the U.S. despite hell and high water. > [@Cunctator](#): > > I don’t understand this. Is it some sort of criticism of the building codes that exist in Louisiana? No, a reference to a [decade-long trade dispute](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_-_Canada_softwood_lumber_dispute) between the U.S. and Canada. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-somebody-please-help-lil-ol-us/319494.md?page=2)