? On the government responsibility to citizens

[JRJ]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

The storm wasn't a surprise. The people that stayed are inconvenianced. Their poor planning isn't a national emergency. I think they stayed thinking the hotels would comp them a free vacation

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

can't they call onstar and get some help?<br />jk (normally that means just kiddin, not a poster's name)

 

[deputydawg]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

I see where you are going with that ken, and I agree that there should be available some kind of support for certain situations. But on the same side I have always felt that I am on my own. I guess I never dreamed that when traveling I should rely on my government for a free ride home should things go wrong. Now if there were some kind of political or legal thing with international travel in that country then it should be my government to the rescue. That is actually a situational dilema. Sometimes we should have assistance avalable, other times it is our own problem.

 

[wannagofishin]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

Personally, I'm fed up with all the crying "victims" of these storms. I heard all the boo hoos about people not being able to get out of New Orleans. You had DAYS, people! I could have walked far enough away to safety. I saw hundred's of vehicles flooded. Oops! I'm not supposed to be smart enough to figure out if everybody who had the chance, left, why are there so many cars still there? The truth is, people didn't want to leave. They always figure they can ride it out. Well, this time they got bit. When Rita hit, most people decided to leave and were stuck in traffic trying to get out. Oops again! We didn't hear about all the people stuck in traffic running from Katrina. <br /><br />Nature can be a beast. Floods, tornadoes, hurricaines, tsunamis, forest fires, mud slides, volcanoes, etc. Deal with it, go on with your life. Quit crying for the cameras.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

I have an idea.... Lets divide Americans into two groups.<br /><br />John Edwards has already tried that ... and will probably try again.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

It's funny that this issue has been mentioned....I have a friend that WAS in Cancun the week of the storm. She realized it was a bad situation and decided to get 'outta Dodge'. She called the airline,paid a little bit to go back early and got on the plane. She arrived back home on Wednesday, storm hit Thursday. She had never vacationed outside of the States,she just used common sense (not so common these days). Like I've always said,"If you don't want to be hit by the train, get off the tracks".......

 

[deputydawg]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

And I wouldn't call Cancun (or at least what I have seen of the tourist side) a third world country. <br /><br />I would bet that as soon as the U.S.Government did rescue these poor planning tourists, then the tourists or good citizens or whatever would immediately turn their back and say Big Brother needs to leave me alone! Then put their government back on the shelf out of sight until next time they need a hand out of something they have gotten themselves into.<br /><br />Like I said though, some countries with their rules and so on definately need this government to help them out with certain things.

 

[pjc]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

no PW2 flaming Liberal post to this thread? Guess 'cause it's mostly Caucasian people who are liken to the NO refugee status. Similar climate anyhoo. Sorry PW, but were this thread where the "victims" are poor minorities more vocal would the Libs be.

 

[jtexas]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

If you experience distress (and I mean real distress, like medical emergency, military coup, victim of violent crime, wrongful arrest, lost passport, death, etc.) while traveling in a foreign country, the U.S. Consulate will provide assistance if possible.<br /><br />I believe that's the extent of their "responsibility." A government does not have unlimited authority to act outside its borders.<br /><br />Remember some foreign press printed criticism of the U.S. government following Katrina because we didn't keep up with their citizens who were visiting New Orleans? Apparently the world expects us to be everybody's Daddy Warbucks.<br /><br />I lost my passport once, on a fishing trip in San Pedro, Belize. Gave a report to the police chief, who looked to be all of about 17 years old. I called my congressman, who sent a team of CIA operatives who found the missing passport in my hotel room. Okay, actually I found it myself. Forgot to call the San Pedro police - wonder if they're still looking...

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: ? On the government responsibility to citizens

I would like to think that if humane lives were at stake a government originated evacuation could be implemented. In the past the US government has aided in evacuation efforts for (vacationing) victims of terrorist attracts. (admittedly not the same circumstances) The night club bombing in Bali comes to mind. Air lifting victims to the US military hospital in Germany. To expect unplanned mass exodus from an ill-equipped, unprepared facility or region is a recipe for disaster. Personal planning and preparation can only safe guard against so much.