• Hurricane Katrina, helping the U.S. Hurricane Katrina, helping the U.S. The Star, Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, Sept. That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a
• Hurricane Katrina, helping the U.S.
Hurricane Katrina, helping the U.S.
The Star, Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, Sept.
That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
These stirring words were uttered by Abraham Lincoln, the United States’ 16th president, at Gettysburg in 1863. But is America living up to this ideal?
In the wake of the death and destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina – the worst natural disaster to hit the US in recent times – many around the world are asking this question. The devastation is a sight to behold; a “humbling experience”, according to President George Bush.
But the symbolism of some of the images is even more stark. Who would have thought that over a million American citizens would become “refugees” in their own country and flay their government for its failure to come to their aid timeously? Or that in the most advanced society in the world, which gave us “ER,” the badly injured would be left for dead because of a lack of assistance?
The mayor of New Orleans was shown on television pleading for help as looters rampaged in his city. The starving survivors pleaded for food and water. Yet Washington, in a bizarre display of uncaring aloofness in their hour of need, appeared unable to respond to the crisis until days later. …
Jerusalem Post, Monday, Sept.
It is often noted, generally with unwarranted conster-nation, that America is the world’s only superpower. Natural disasters, like the southeast Asian tsunami and now hurricane Katrina, can make a mockery of such labels. This one, more importantly, should remind us of how much America helps the world, and what the world owes in return.
Normally, when disaster strikes, America is expected to come running. … Now American generosity, and the spirit of responsibility that this great nation so often takes toward the world, is being directed at itself.
… These burdens do not diminish the American interest in showing support for Israel, including in the form of military and economic assistance. Such support remains integral to advancing American values and strategy, all the more so in the context of the global struggle against militant Islamism and the extraordinary risks and sacrifices Israel has just taken for peace.
In the longer term, US assistance for Israel is still in America’s interest. But in the painful weeks ahead for the American people and its leadership, Israel should concentrate on offering its finest in the search and rescue field and providing disaster assistance for the refugees. Even superpowers, especially this superpower, deserve a helping hand in their hour of need.
