The number of hurricanes/monsoons worldwide has not changed much over time. However, according to MIT, the average storm has increased 50% in intensity in 50 years. It's not much of a stretch to suggest that the warmer waters in the Gulf and Atlantic might have something to do with this, given that's where they draw their energy from. That's why the global-warming link is reasonably plausible.

As for SUVs, I don't think they rate so high on the scale of greenhouse gases - it's power plants and coal-burning power plants at that which present the largest piece of that puzzle.


On the other hand, according to Rick Santorum, MIT's location is in Boston, and is therefore responsible for the priest pedophilia scandals, so what do a bunch of scientists know anyway?

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"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin
"Don't you see the rest of the country looks upon New York like we're left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers? I think of us that way sometimes and I live here." - Alvy Singer, "Annie Hall"

In my experience, when somebody invokes somebody else's "socialist" or "Communist" agenda, that shows simply an inability to intellectually engage the topic at hand, by simply using taboo words to end the discussion. Rather sad, actually.

You think you can end an argument by saying somebody is a socialist, or that somebody hates the troops, even though these may plainly be untrue. Or for that matter, you're not willing to even discuss whether your allegations are rooted in fact rather than your hyperbole. It's not unlike Pat Robertson trying to justify his call to assassination by stating that Hugo Chavez is a Communist Muslim bent on exporting his philosophy abroad, when he is in fact a Catholic who has shown no signs of "exporting" his views to the US. It's simply an absurdist ploy to end discussion, especially when one's position has become untenable.

If you disagree with somebody, that's fine, but to call somebody a socialist and think that his/her position is now beyond reason because socialism is beyond discussion shows how little you're willing to consider the argument.

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"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin
"Don't you see the rest of the country looks upon New York like we're left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers? I think of us that way sometimes and I live here." - Alvy Singer, "Annie Hall"

Quote : "Please take your socialist agenda and shove it."



And you are serving the land of the free ? Why don't you start your own private extremist right wing militia ?

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Fuck a duck and try to fly

[reply]What does the hurricane have to do with Iraq?[/reply]

hurricanes are parts of the axis of evil!

YOU ARE an idiot. THanks Mr. English teacher. As for sources you can't provide any because what you wrote is not true. YOU ARE also a liar.

I never said anybody "hated" the troops here or any other thread so kindly do not put words in my mouth. Talk about not being able to intellectually ebgage in conversation. As for the claim of socialist. A quick search provides an interesting aray of terms and definitions related to the word Socialist. My comment about a Socialism was in response to this comment "We have more resources than any other country and have enough money to eliminate third-world conditions, but we don't." Sounds to me like a Socialist.



SOCIALIST:
"shared characteristics such as focusing on general welfare rather than individualism, on co-operation rather than competition, and on producers of wealth rather than on political leaders and structures."

Actually, in one of your posts which I declined to respond to, you suggested that people who are criticizing our presence in Iraq must be criticizing the troops as well. You seem incapable or unwilling to differentiate our concern for the human beings being asked to do things in our name, and the task itself which we oppose. Or rather you would like to hew to a simplistic view of the idea, as it suits your political views. So no, I wasn't putting words in your mouth.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...earch_string;#511808


I'm well aware of the definition of socialism. But you clearly used it, whether you wish to admit it or not, in a pejorative sense, which shows how little consideration you bothered to think about his commentary. Suggesting that we are able to ameliorate third-world conditions is not socialism. It's merely a statement of economic fact. But apparently the suggestion that we can alleviate the suffering of others is tantamount to the suggestion that all wealth be confiscated. One could just as easily argue that having a Federal government offer assistance to the displaced of New Orleans be just as socialist, since we are acting in the name of the collective good, which is apparently a concept you have truck with.

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"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin
"Don't you see the rest of the country looks upon New York like we're left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers? I think of us that way sometimes and I live here." - Alvy Singer, "Annie Hall"

[reply]YOU ARE an idiot. THanks Mr. English teacher. As for sources you can't provide any because what you wrote is not true. YOU ARE also a liar.[/reply]

I wrote, and I quote, from this very thread:
"Did some of you miss that whole thing about European floods last week? You know, a bunch of dead people, whole countries flooded... it was on the news, I'm sure of it.
Silly of me to ask, of course you missed it. It didn't directly affect you."

What did I lie about?

I think other countries will come to our aid and help out because helping us is good for them. Opec has a meeting in Vienna in September. They were already going to discuss ways to stabilize and increase petroleum supply. Maybe they'll do more.

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**All of these words finding themselves together were greatly astonished and delighted for assuredly, they had never met before**

Thu, September 1, 2005

Canada offers to help out

OTTAWA -- Canada has offered to supply the U.S. with troops, military engineers and water purification expertise to assist in relief efforts in devastated areas hit by hurricane Katrina.

Gen. Rick Hillier spoke to his U.S. counterpart Gen. Richard B. Myers late yesterday and made the offer, confirmed Steve Jurgutis, spokesman for Defence Minister Bill Graham.

America's Health Human Services department also contacted the Canadian Public Health Agency yesterday and asked for an inventory of medical supplies and personnel that could be provided if needed.

But Canada has yet to receive a request for assistance, said Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan.

"There may very well be things that they will need, whether in the short term or as the days go ahead. For example, clean water is at a premium now," McLellan told Sun Media last night.

McLellan called it an unfolding disaster of "enormous proportions".

"We are monitoring the situation very carefully ... we need to work closely with the United States so that we understand what they need the most, at the right time," she said.

Canadian Red Cross spokesman Suzanne Charest said relief workers will face some of the most difficult conditions ever.

"We are sending some of our most highly trained disaster response volunteers. It could be well over 100," said Charest, adding volunteers will begin leaving Canada as early as today.

Although many Canadians want to send goods to the disaster zone, Charest said the Canadian Red Cross is discouraging that. Cash donations can be made through www.redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111.

Why the hell would we come to help assholes like Armytriguy ? Get a grip. You are comparing the United States with third world countries like India, Soudan, Ethiopia, etc... This is obscene. If your government would ask for help (which will be very specific like certain types of medicines or rescue teams. Not money, blankets, food, etc...) it will be given immediately. You, sir, are a wanker like your president who was on holiday even he knew Katrina was coming.



Don't think I was asking you or anyone to help assholes like Armytriguy. I am also not sure I ever compared the United States with third world countries like India, Soudan (sic), and Ethiopia.

Not sure what a "wanker" is but I am am positive its not something nice. As for the president being on vacation you are really showing your ignorance. Do you think there is something he could have done from Washington DC that wasn't being done from Crawford? You think he should be in New Orleans filling sand bags?

3) Find your own sources you fucktard.
(Just to avoid confusion, fucktard is a coined term. Can you guess which two words make it up? That's right, fucking and retard.)



WOW. I am shocked. Shocked I tell you that someone with your intellect would have to resort to such language to convey your opinion. Do you kiss your mom with that mouth?

Nah, just your mom.

[reply]

Not sure what a "wanker" is but I am am positive its not something nice.[/reply]

it depends .....

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wanker

Nah, just your mom.



Oh thats real original.

This is like the snowmobile debate up here. One new snowmobile polutes 50 times less than one built 10 years ago. Current SUV's have a bore and stroke that only produces polutants according to the RPM times that volume. Today's engines polute less than a 1980 VW rabbit and at least in the US we put catalytic converters on our cars.

I apologize to the UN.

Annan Offers Bush U.N. Disaster Guidance
September 02, 2005 7:07 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS - Secretary-General Kofi Annan told President Bush on Friday that a U.N. task force was already at work in anticipation of U.S. requests for assistance and expertise in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

At its first meeting, the task force determined that U.N. agencies are ready to provide to provide water storage tanks, water purification tablets, high energy biscuits, generators, planes, tents and other emergency supplies as well as experienced staff members, said U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs known as OCHA, which is chairing the task force, also sent out an alert to U.N. Disaster Assessment and Coordination teams which are trained to evaluate needs and coordinate aid during natural disasters, she said.

There are over 100 of these highly trained experts who specialize on a wide range of issues from flooding to earthquakes and health crises. Five teams helped in the Indian Ocean area with last December's tsunami.

Annan issued a statement Thursday offering the United States "any assistance that the United Nations can give," saying it could "supplement the American response with supplies from other countries, or with experience we have gained in other relief operations."

On Friday morning, Annan spoke to Bush "and expressed his heartfelt sympathy with the victims and reiterated his offer of U.N. assistance," Okabe said.

"We don't have money as the U.N., but we'll come with some expertise and experience," Annan told reporters in Stockholm soon after he arrived from New York on Friday for a private visit.

"We also believe that we may be able to share our experience in dealing with major crises around the world," Annan said. "So I would urge all countries and any group that can help to assist."

Secretary Rice confirmed today that over 60 countries have offered help to the U.S. Including Sri Lanka - which is just mind boggling after what they have just been through.

This is what I would call an "outpouring" of support from the world.

I only read the OP ...

... but I am hoping the rest of the world DOES NOT come to our aid. We can handle it. I hope the rest of the world decides to do something about other hot spots in the world that see devestation regularly ... whether it be famine, torture, poverty, disease, etc.

If other countries want to send a "get well soon" card and some balloons that will be great ... but not expected.

I like to think of America as a country that is willing to help other countrieseven if they do not or cannot repay the favor ... heck, I like to think we'd help other countries, even if they don't say thank you. They may or not be reality, but that is what I would want us to be like. We are fortunate, we have a duty to help the unfortunate. It's our role as citizens of the world. As aa fortunate country, perhaps the most fortunate, I don't see where we should be in a position to request ... or even accept help from anyone. We should say, "We appreciate the offer, but we have the capabilities to take care of it ... but [3rd world country] really needs some help, if you're still lookin' to do some good."

Just my take.

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-- Every morning brings opportunity;
Each evening offers judgement. --

 Sri Lanka is making its $25,000 donation through the American Red Cross, which is running the largest relief operations in the hurricane-ravaged area.

Having suffered the tsunami of December 2004 ``the people of Sri Lanka and I fully comprehend the grief and the sense of loss experienced by the victims of the hurricane,'' Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said in a statement.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a target of criticism by the U.S., offered $1 million to the Red Cross through Citgo, the U.S. subsidiary of the country's national oil company. As many as 2,000 Citgo refinery workers in Lake Charles, Louisiana are homeless, Venezuelan embassy spokeswoman Arelis Paiva said.

The U.S. has tentatively agreed to Germany's offer of airlifting, vaccination, water purification, medical supplies and pumping services, Schroeder said. The aid is ready to go on German air force and chartered planes, he said.

France has offered 600 tents, 1,000 camp beds, 60 generators, and three portable water-treatment plants, Denis Simonneau, deputy spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry, said at a press briefing. A 60-strong disaster relief team could be sent ``very quickly,'' and two planes, two naval ships, a hospital ship, and 35 aid workers are standing ready in the Caribbean, he said.

Australia said it will donate $8 million to the American Red Cross. Japan said it will give $200,000 to the relief group and is also ready to provide an additional $300,000 worth of tents, blankets, power generators, and water tanks. Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura telephoned U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today to offer help, the Japanese Embassy said.

``What you see is a combination of things: cynical efforts to get in good with the U.S., from people like Hugo Chavez, but there is genuine good will,'' said Michael Mandelbaum, a professor of foreign policy at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. ``It's the government's policies that are unpopular, but people have a reservoir of good will for Americans.''

Gasoline shortages are among concerns facing the U.S. after the hurricane damaged at least eight refineries. The Bush administration has already decided to offer refiners oil from its national reserve of crude oil.

European Union governments agreed to provide oil reserves to the U.S. to plug shortages triggered by Hurricane Katrina, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told reporters before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Newport, Wales today.

``There is international assistance that might actually make a real difference, and that's on oil,'' Mandelbaum said.

Yevgeniy Khorishko, spokesman for the Russian embassy in Washington, said Russia has offered aircraft and specially trained search-and-rescue specialists. He said his office is still waiting to hear from the U.S.

``The offer was made several days ago to the United States, and the new offer was sent yesterday,'' Khorishko said. ``They are assessing what they need at this point.''

Other nations or organizations that have offered assistance are: Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, El Salvador, the European Commission, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Lithuania, Mexico, NATO, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Organization of American States, Paraguay, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the U.K., and the UN High Commission on Refugees, according to the State Department.

The complete article is here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aYRTyOPCfj1A&refer=europe

Agree to disagree. I say every dollar we get from our friends is less you and I will have to pay to rebuild New Orleans. The cost will be staggering.

Castro has offered to send doctors and medical personnel and refused to comment on Bush's reaction to the hurricane saying he does not want to kick his adversary while he's down... i think that says a lot...

my mom's idea - send the refugees to Crawford, TX where there is a very large ranch and lots of empty space in which to set up a refugee camp...

Puuuhleeze. Castro would like to think of Bush as his adversary. It feeds his misplaced ego. I only wish Castro was as gracious to the freedom dreaming people that are courageous enough to speak out only to be jailed or executed. They need his charity far more than Bush does.

Sure, they could use these buses.



All working BEFORE Katrina but were never used. I guess since BUSH personally didn't squash the local authority in NO and insist that US citizens give up their own rights not to head the advice of the state to evac. What if they didn't want to go? Would Bush have been guilty of kidnapping a few thousand folks and holding them against their will at his private property. Does he have the authority to open up a new French Quater West and move entire populations of people? They coulda sung campfire songs and made Smores with Sheehan if she took a break from drinking beers with Randi Rodes. She was on a lot of dry land too. And what if the hurricane changed course or weakened down to a Cat 3? Of course this didn't happen, but nobody knows for certain what will happen with forces of nature. There have been plenty of close calls before with this level of destruction.