Donald Trump moments ago said via Twitter that the federal government (surprisingly, he didn’t blame Obama directly) has done a worse job responding to Hurricane Sandy than they did to Hurricane Katrina: Â
And, sadly, this:
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All we’ll say is that the aging real estate magnate and birther king who half-tried but failed to win the Republican nomination for president is mistaken in his mind.
READ: Sandy Kills 75 But Trump Says ‘This Is A Very Sad Day’ Because Obama Didn’t Take His Bet
To wit, I bring you, Wikipedia:
“At least 1,833 people died in the hurricane and subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane; total property damage was estimated at $81 billion (2005 USD), nearly triple the damage brought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.”
If the Obama Administrations’s response to Sandy were actually worse than the Bush Administration’s response to Katrina, would this have happened?:
International response to Hurricane Katrina:
Over seventy countries pledged monetary donations or other assistance. Notably, Cuba and Venezuela(both considered as hostile to US government interest) were the first countries to offer assistance, pledging over $1 million, several mobile hospitals, water treatment plants, canned food, bottled water, heating oil, 1,100 doctors and 26.4 metric tons of medicine, though this aid was rejected by the U.S. government.Kuwait made the largest single pledge, $500 million; other large donations were made by Qatar and United Arab Emirates (each $100 million), South Korea ($30 million), Australia($10 million), India, China (both $5 million), New Zealand ($2 million),Pakistan ($1.5 million), andBangladesh ($1 million).
India sent tarps, blankets and hygiene kits. An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft delivered 25 tonnes of relief supplies for the Hurricane Katrina victims at the Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas on September 13, 2005.
Israel sent an IDF delegation to New Orleans to transport aid equipment including 80 tons of food, disposable diapers, beds, blankets, generators and additional equipment which were donated from different governmental institutions, civilian institutions and the IDF. The Bush Administration announced in mid-September that it did not need Israeli divers and physicians to come to the United States for search and rescue missions, but a small team landed in New Orleans on September 10 to give assistance to operations already under way. The team administered first aid to survivors, rescued abandoned pets and discovered hurricane victims.
Countries like Sri Lanka, which was still recovering from the Indian Ocean Tsunami, also offered to help. Countries including Canada, Mexico,Singapore, and Germany sent supplies, relief personnel (like Technisches Hilfswerk), troops, ships and water pumps to aid in the disaster recovery.Belgium sent in a team of relief personnel. Britain’s donation of 350,000 emergency meals did not reach victims because of laws regarding mad cow disease.Russia’s initial offer of two jets was declined by the U.S. State Department but accepted later. The Frenchoffer was also declined and requested later.
In addition to receiving aid from around the world, there was criticism to go along with it, including accusations of racism. Quoted from the UK Mirror, “Many things about the United States are wonderful, but it has a vile underbelly which is usually kept well out of sight. Now in New Orleans it has been exposed to the world.”
Grow up, Mr. Trump.
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