Trittin Accused Of America Bashing

[Aeternitas]

Trittin Accused Of America Bashing

Trittin claims that Katrina is a result of bad environmental policy

Germany's Enviromental Minister, Jürgen Trittin claimed in a speech that Hurricane Katrina might be an effect of US policy toward global warming. DW-World readers responded to his comments.

The following comments reflect the views of our readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

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© DW 2005

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Aeternitas

I find Trittin's comments pompous and offensive! I do not believe he speaks for all Germans--thank goodness. My husband and I have served five tours of duty in Germany starting in 1979 and ending in 1997. We both have a great love for this "adopted" country of ours and have many good friends there.

Hold on.. adopted, tours of duty, ... ? Does that mean in US military bases in Germany? How considered of her..

It pains me to think that anti-American sentiment runs so deep that someone would insinuate that we "deserve" this tragedy!

Did he insinuate that they "deserve" it, or is that actually the usual hysteria to which Americans have us accustomed?

Trittin should be reprimanded for his insensitive comments and also be reminded of the sacrifices many Americans have made on behalf of his country.

...

Cecelia Abrams

No comments.

It is pretty much accepted that Germans have a real problem with Americans

Wake up. Who doesn't?

--such a strange way to repay an old friend.

Such a strange concept of friendship that he has.. with such friends, who needs enemies?

I am an American college student in Birmingham, Alabama.

His comments do not reflect the feelings of all Germans and vice versa.

...

Scott Hughe, Birmingham, Alabama

Of course they don't if you say so. From rural Alabama, you must know better.

Let's all pull together and stop this useless finger pointing. -- Peggy Ives

Wow.. speak those who have spent decades finger pointing all others.

I think that the people of Germany are kidding themselves if they think that the comments of the likes of Mr. Trittin have any impact on Americans. We have grown accustomed to the constant criticism offered by Germany and, at this point, could care less. -- Richard Hondlik

No impact at all, which must be why Deutsche Welles, a German media, is being flooded with the rants of Americans. Even from rural Alabama.

As an American, I think Trittin's remarks about Katrina and the reality of global warming are entirely appropriate. Unfortunately, most Americans are not nearly as pragmatic and realistic as the Germans. It would certainly not surprise me if the majority of German citizens agree there is a connection between catastrophic weather events and global warming. It will be interesting to see if Americans will be willing to learn from this horrible event. -- Suzanne Gentling, Glen Rose, Texas

Not bad. However, terrible as global warming may be, I think that Herr Trittin has been to quick to point to responsabilities. Or maybe not.

I think Trittin's smug words reflect the attitude of all Germans, or for that matter, all Europeans. After defending Europe for over sixty years, all they do is mewl about how terrible we Americans are. I'm sick of it.

Does anyone know about possible mental diseases as secondary effects deriving from hurricanes?

[Aeternitas]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Did he insinuate that they "deserve" it, or is that actually the usual hysteria to which Americans have us accustomed?

He's actually criticised Bush.

"The American president has closed his eyes to the economic and human damage that natural catastrophes such as Katrina -- in other words, disasters caused by a lack of climate protection measures -- can visit on his country," Trittin wrote.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1699073,00.htm

[Menydh]

So it was the usual hysteria. The international media would surely agree with him. Here is a collection of articles in the international media that come in Cuban's official paper, Granma. Even third world countries are shocked by the inefficiency shown by Americans.

Mexico's El Universal

• The slowness with which the USA's federal emergency services have joined the rescue operation has already generated great political tension... There is no doubt that the lack of well-timed responses to assist the population will have political costs for President Bush's Republican Party in the next federal elections.

Colombia's El Colombiano

• It is now urgent that the world's leaders take heed of nature's warning, look at the evidence and realise that the climate, on a global scale, is changing. This is already known from scientific reports, but they continue to ignore it, to play it down, or not to care about it.

Argentina's Clarin

• Katrina had more than the power of the wind and water, because, now, when they have subsided, it can still reveal the emptiness of an era, one that is represented by President George W Bush more than anyone.

Spain's El Pais

• Up until Monday, Bush was the president of the war in Iraq and 9/11. Today there are few doubts that he will also pass into history as the president who didn't know how to prevent the destruction of New Orleans and who abandoned its inhabitants to their fate for days. And the worst is yet to come.

Spain's La Razon

• Proving that even the gods are mortal, it is clear that the USA's international image is being damaged in a way that it has never known before. The country will probably be able to recuperate from the destruction, but its pride has already been profoundly wounded.

France's Liberation

• Bush had already been slow to react when the World Trade Center collapsed. Four years later, he was no quicker to get the measure of Katrina - a cruel lack of leadership at a time when this second major shock for 21st century America is adding to the crisis of confidence for the world's leading power and to international disorder. As happened with 9/11, the country is displaying its vulnerability to the eyes of the world.

France's Le Progres

• Katrina has shown that the emperor has no clothes. The world's superpower is powerless when confronted with nature's fury.

Switzerland's Le Temps

• The sea walls would not have burst in New Orleans if the funds meant for strengthening them had not been cut to help the war effort in Iraq and the war on terror... And rescue work would have been more effective if a section of National Guard from the areas affected had not been sent to Baghdad and Kabul... And would George Bush have left his holiday ranch more quickly if the disaster had not first struck the most disadvantaged populations of the black south?

Ireland's The Irish Times

• This is a defining moment for Mr Bush, just as much as 9/11 was. So far his reputation for prompt and firm crisis management has fallen far short of what is required.

Saudi Arabia's Saudi Gazette

• The episode illustrates that when the normal day-to-day activity of society disintegrates, the collapse of civilisation is only a few paces behind. We all walk on the edge of the abyss.

Musib Na'imi in Iran's Al-Vefagh

• About 10,000 US National Guard troops were deployed [in New Orleans] and were granted the authority to fire at and kill whom they wanted, upon the pretext of restoring order. This decision is an indication of the US administration's militarist mentality, which regards killing as the only way to control even its own citizens.

Samih Sa'ab in Lebanon's Al-Nahar

• The destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina... has proved that even the No 1 superpower in the world is helpless in facing nature's 'terrorism'.

Pakistan's The Nation

• To augment the tragedy, the government of the world's richest nation defied the general expectation that at the first sign of the storm it would muster an armada of ships, boats and helicopters for the rescue operation. For nearly three days it sat smugly apathetic to the people's plight, their need for food, medicine and other basic necessities.

Hong Kong's Wen Wei Po

• This disaster is a heavy blow to the United States, and a lesson which deserves deep thought... [It] is a warning to the Bush administration that the United States must clear its head and truly assume its responsibility to protect nature and the environment in which humankind lives.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post

• Even if our money may not be needed, at the least we should be offering moral support. Our skills in dealing with storms may be useful to help Americans prevent other such tragedies. We should be offering this help rather than shrugging off what should be our humanitarian duty.

Ambrose Murunga in Kenya's Daily Nation

• My first reaction when television images of the survivors of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans came through the channels was that the producers must be showing the wrong clip. The images, and even the disproportionately high number of visibly impoverished blacks among the refugees, could easily have been a re-enactment of a scene from the pigeonholed African continent.


[source]

[Aeternitas]

In 2001, FEMA warned that a hurricane striking New Orleans was one of the three most likely disasters in the U.S. But the Bush administration cut New Orleans flood control funding by 44 percent to pay for the Iraq war.
In 2004, the Bush administration cut funding requested by the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for holding back the waters of Lake Pontchartrain by more than 80 percent. Additional cuts at the beginning of this year (for a total reduction in funding of 44.2 percent since 2001) forced the New Orleans district of the Corps to impose a hiring freeze. The Senate had debated adding funds for fixing New Orleans' levees, but it was too late.

http://www.informationclearinghouse....ticle10050.htm

[Menydh]

In 2001, FEMA warned that a hurricane striking New Orleans was one of the three most likely disasters in the U.S. But the Bush administration cut New Orleans flood control funding by 44 percent to pay for the Iraq war.
In 2004, the Bush administration cut funding requested by the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for holding back the waters of Lake Pontchartrain by more than 80 percent. Additional cuts at the beginning of this year (for a total reduction in funding of 44.2 percent since 2001) forced the New Orleans district of the Corps to impose a hiring freeze. The Senate had debated adding funds for fixing New Orleans' levees, but it was too late.

With this in mind, I would highlight a few of the things written in the newspapers:

[...] who abandoned its inhabitants to their fate for days.

El País, Spain.

[...] would George Bush have left his holiday ranch more quickly if the disaster had not first struck the most disadvantaged populations of the black south?

Le Temps, Switzerland.

[...] The images, and even the disproportionately high number of visibly impoverished blacks among the refugees, could easily have been a re-enactment of a scene from the pigeonholed African continent.

Daily Nation, Kenya

[...] The episode illustrates that when the normal day-to-day activity of society disintegrates, the collapse of civilisation is only a few paces behind. We all walk on the edge of the abyss.

Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia

Somewhere else I read the question on if it had not been a [mostly black] poor area, the US administration would have responded with so much inefficiency and careless. I have few doubts, if any, that a good number of the USers who round these forums will believe (rather hope) that it wouldn't have been the same had this happened in mostly white areas.

However, this is a much wrong idea, as you have enough blacks in the US Government now, starting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The key here is not black, as many might think, but poor. It is the result of the American neo-liberal spawn of society, which will not stop at Bush, and which by its own nature will continue hitting the poor in the future. Be them black scum or white trash.

[Phlegethon]

Just more evidence (as if we needed any) that yankees are indeed ignorant.

[Siegmund]

Originally Posted by Phlegethon

Just more evidence (as if we needed any) that yankees are indeed ignorant.

It's even worse than you think:

Condoleeza's retail therapy



There's nothing like a major national emergency to get the old retail therapy juices flowing.

Gawker reports that while New Orleans drowns, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice shoe shops in Ferragamo.

What does surprise us: Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleeza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we’ve confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo’s Robin Givhan). A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice’s timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, “How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!” Never one to have her fashion choices questioned, Rice had security PHYSICALLY REMOVE the woman.

Seems like looting is not just a problem down south.

http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryfla...eezas_ret.html

[Agrippa]

The USA and its multinational companies already control much of the world reserves and sell and trade it with its worthless Petrodollars and now Europe has to donate its own oil reserves just for the USA not losing a little bit, though they have already taken so much from the world and Europe in particular and using it for their imperialist and exploitive policy.

As for the climate change, I recently heard that still one American uses on average 2,5 times more energy than an European. Of course, the land is bigger, of course you need your car more desperately and transport is more energy intensive etc., but still, they didnt even really tried with the necessary consequence to change that situation! Just look what they did if its about the Kyoto protocol!
And the global warmin seems to lead to more climatic extremes and catastrophies, so who is to blame? And who is to blame for a saving policy with not enough social programs nor racial policy on the one hand and on the other no actions to prepare for such a catastrophy many people, already some years ago, saw to come! The levees were in bad shape and the reaction was slow, very slow and more often, as always, private organised and paid by charity.

Its a horrble catastrophy for those involved, but the USA are not just a "victim", because they simply failed, as they often do - but of course whos perfect. On the other hand, its ok to send teams and material help, but I dont want to see European oil reserves used for helping the major usurer and oil trader, great profiteer and imperialist, for just keeping up the financial and oil control.

[Aeternitas]

Shame on you Germans. I am American born of German parents and your lack of concern and compassion in these trying times and lack of support and financial aid without being asked is despicable. I am appalled at your lack of response. Not proud of my ancestry! -- Susan Kempf, US

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,...697163,00.html

The Bush regime simply refused to provide any modicum of relief to the hurricane victims for five full days. That's all that needs to be known to reveal the hatred and contempt Bush and his regime have for the American people. It proves they don't give a damn about the "collateral damage either here or in Iraq. These cold-blooded despicable bastards are indeed capable of unleashing yet another 9-11, and this time a nuclear one.

And no, God will NOT bless America. He will probably be real glad we,re finally off His radar screen.

http://www.rense.com/general67/ashamed.htm

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Agrippa

The USA and its multinational companies already control much of the world reserves and sell and trade it with its worthless Petrodollars and now Europe has to donate its own oil reserves just for the USA not losing a little bit, though they have already taken so much from the world and Europe in particular and using it for their imperialist and exploitive policy.

Someone, somewhere talked about greed.

As for the climate change, I recently heard that still one American uses on average 2,5 times more energy than an European. Of course, the land is bigger, of course you need your car more desperately and transport is more energy intensive etc., but still, they didnt even really tried with the necessary consequence to change that situation! Just look what they did if its about the Kyoto protocol!

Their constant refusals to implement enviromental friendly policies forces too the countries which would like to see such policies implemented world-wide to not being able to do it themselves at the risk of losing in competitivity. It is greedy beyond belief.

And the global warmin seems to lead to more climatic extremes and catastrophies, so who is to blame? And who is to blame for a saving policy with not enough social programs nor racial policy on the one hand and on the other no actions to prepare for such a catastrophy many people, already some years ago, saw to come! The levees were in bad shape and the reaction was slow, very slow and more often, as always, private organised and paid by charity.

Charities? I presume that they know nothing about the principle of intra-national solidarity. In Europe it would be consider a most gravious insult to a people that, after a catastrophe of such magnitude, they have to rely on private charity when the rest of the country has enough resources to make it a national issue and put the bill on the Government.

Its a horrble catastrophy for those involved, but the USA are not just a "victim", because they simply failed, as they often do - but of course whos perfect. On the other hand, its ok to send teams and material help, but I dont want to see European oil reserves used for helping the major usurer and oil trader, great profiteer and imperialist, for just keeping up the financial and oil control.

From what I've read in Cuba's Granma, they have yet given no answer to Cuba's offer to send 1,100 doctors, each prepared with two rucksacks filled with medicines and medical supplies, to the area.

According to that information (for some reason they haven't translated into English yet), Cuba had clearly told the US that they wanted no publicity from it, and that they did it just as they did in other areas of the world. Which is true. Castro may be a Communist (arguably), but I believe his offer to be honest as he is a quixotic idealist.

Now, Cuban doctors will not count themselves among the best in the world, but given the state of precariety in which they are forced to live by the embargo, they are very well prepared for such emergency situations. And it is also true that, being the island so close to the area, they are best located to deploy the teams there in little time.

I could even understand that they kindly declined the offer for paranoid reasons, but I cannot understand the lack of style in reading a list of countries which have offered help, in which of course they have conveniently ommitted Cuba.

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Siegmund

Gawker reports that while New Orleans drowns, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice shoe shops in Ferragamo.

This reminds me that on this morning paper they reported how people had their shoes washed away by the water, and the skin of their feet cracked making the misery even more unbearable. It's sick.

[Aeternitas]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Charities? I presume that they know nothing about the principle of intra-national solidarity. In Europe it would be consider a most gravious insult to a people that, after a catastrophe of such magnitude, they have to rely on private charity when the rest of the country has enough resources to make it a national issue and put the bill on the Government.

I'm curious where the American aid was when entire villages in Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, Serbia etc. were under water, when people had their houses and belongings taken away o