• Obama To Offer Assistance To Earthquake-Stricken Japan
    71 replies, posted
[quote] WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said he was "heartbroken" by images of devastation in Japan following Friday's deadly earthquake and tsunami, and pledged U.S. assistance to help the country recover. "Our hearts go out to our friends in Japan and across the region, and we're going to stand with them as they recover and rebuild from this tragedy," Obama said during a White House news conference. Hundreds were dead or missing in Japan following Friday's 8.9 magnitude earthquake – the largest in Japan's history – and the accompanying tsunami. The West Coast and several islands in the Pacific were also under tsunami warnings, through no major damage was reported in the U.S. as the first waves swamped Hawaii's beaches and grazed the coastline of the mainland. Obama said he was confident that Japan would successfully rebound from the potentially "catastrophic" disaster, and offered his condolences to the families of those who were killed. "When you see what's happening in Japan, you are reminded that for all our differences in culture or language or religion, that ultimately humanity is one," Obama said. Obama spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan earlier Friday, and said the Japanese leader told him there were no radiation leaks from Japan's nuclear power plants. The Japanese government ordered thousands of residents near a plant in the city of Onahama to move back at least two miles from the plant. The reactor was not leaking radiation but its core remained hot even after a shutdown. One U.S. aircraft carrier is already in Japan, and a second is on its way to assist with the recovery efforts. A U.S. ship was also heading to the Marianas Islands. With West Coast residents anxiously watching tsunami warnings in their area, Obama offered his assurances that his administration was taking the threat seriously and monitoring the situation closely. He urged residents in the affected areas to take warnings from local officials seriously and evacuate if told to do so. The military was preparing to offer aid to Hawaii and the West Coast, if needed. The Coast Guard said cutter and aircraft crews were positioning themselves in the area to be ready to conduct response and survey missions as soon as conditions allow. Obama's chief of staff Bill Daley notified the president about the earthquake in Japan at 4 a.m. Washington time. Obama activated the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and huddled with senior advisers at the White House to discuss plans to assist Japan, as well as the U.S. states and territories that could be affected. Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan said U.S. and Japanese officials are talking constantly to determine what is needed, but it could include food, water, shelter, and medical supplies. The ships also have medical facilities to treat injured The State Department said no Americans killed or injured in Japan; there were also no reports of damage to U.S. installations or ships in the area. The department issued a travel alert, strongly urging U.S. citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Japan. "Tokyo airports are currently closed," it said. "Other airports in Japan may be closed or have restricted access. Public transportation, including trains and subways, are closed in the Tokyo area, and service has been interrupted in many other areas." "Strong aftershocks are likely for weeks," the department said. It urged U.S. citizens currently in Japan to "contact family and friends in the United States to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity." Spokesman P.J. Crowley tweeted early Friday that ambassador John Roos "has moved our U.S. Embassy's command center to an alternate location as a precaution, given the many aftershocks in Tokyo." "We have been watching a hopeful tsunami sweep across the Middle East. Now we are seeing a tsunami of a different kind sweep across Japan," Crowley said. At home, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said that "our immediate priority is the safety of the people and communities in the affected areas." "FEMA is closely monitoring the affects of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan," he said, "and through our regional offices in the West Coast and the Pacific area, we are in close contact and coordination with state and local officials and stand ready to support them in any way needed." Vice President Joe Biden, making a joint appearance at a news conference in Chisinau, Moldova Friday with Prime Minister Vlad Filat, said "the thoughts and prayers of the American people" are with the Japanese, who he said had suffered through a "mega earthquake." "We, the United States, stand ready to do anything we can to help our Japanese friends as they deal with the aftermath of this tragedy," Biden said.[/quote] [URL="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/11/japan-tsunami-prompts-oba_n_834463.html?utm_campaign=aolhp&icid=maing%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk3%7C49589"]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/11/japan-tsunami-prompts-oba_n_834463.html?utm_campaign=aolhp&icid=maing|main5|dl1|sec3_lnk3|49589[/URL]
Just saw this on Sky News, actually. And am I the only person who thinks that the footage of the Earthquake is that surreal that it looks like a movie?
[QUOTE=scurr;28547660]Just saw this on Sky News, actually. And am I the only person who thinks that the footage of the Earthquake is that surreal that it looks like a movie?[/QUOTE] Nah it's real.
Politicians have to look like they care.
[QUOTE=Sobotnik;28547710]Politicians have to look like they care.[/QUOTE] If he was a dictator then it would mean that he really did care, right?
[QUOTE=Sobotnik;28547710]Politicians have to look like they care.[/QUOTE] Japan is a close ally, trade partner, and we are responsible for their military. What's bad for Japan is bad for us, both on the regional level of the balance of power (CHINAAAAAAA), and for all the consumer products we buy from them.
[QUOTE=Explosions;28547775]If he was a dictator then it would mean that he really did care, right?[/QUOTE] You seem to quite dislike me.
[QUOTE=Sobotnik;28547807]You seem to quite dislike me.[/QUOTE] Thanks for noticing. Why does it matter if he really cares or not anyway?
[QUOTE=Sobotnik;28547710]Politicians have to look like they care.[/QUOTE] yeah politicians lack any kind of empathy fuck the government
[QUOTE=Explosions;28547850]Thanks for noticing. Why does it matter if he really cares or not anyway?[/QUOTE] I tend to view most politicians today rather cynically.
"First he bows down to Islamic terrorists, now he's helping out Nazis!? How can you doubt that he's out to destroy America now!" :foxnews: Okay, that may be a bit too exaggerative. More likely: "Has he forgotten about Pearl Harbor!?" "Why the hell should we help them? Let them deal with it!"
With what money?
[QUOTE=FPChris;28548238]With what money?[/QUOTE] Avatar fits.
FUCKING ASSHOLE. I knew he would do this. Now, I understand it, we trade with Japan a lot, most of our electronics are Japanese, but, face it, we probably won't ever get paid back in return. I hope this shaves off some of our debt or some shit because this is stupid.
[QUOTE=Kylel999;28548345]FUCKING ASSHOLE. I knew he would do this. Now, I understand it, we trade with Japan a lot, most of our electronics are Japanese, but, face it, we probably won't ever get paid back in return. I hope this shaves off some of our debt or some shit because this is stupid.[/QUOTE] You can't be seriously suggesting that we should force them to repay aid given in the face of a catastrophe. What the fuck is wrong with you?
[QUOTE=scout1;28548429]You can't be seriously suggesting that we should force them to repay aid given in the face of a catastrophe. What the fuck is wrong with you?[/QUOTE] Probably because we're seen as monsters on the International stage yet expected to help out every country when something bad happens to them.
I'm fine with giving money to Japan, since they will actually need it and use it. It's a little late to get all the money back from Egypt though.
[QUOTE=scout1;28548429]You can't be seriously suggesting that we should force them to repay aid given in the face of a catastrophe. What the fuck is wrong with you?[/QUOTE] Because, for some reason, I seriously doubt anybody would help us, if we had such a catastrophe.
For fucks sake U.S. Stop helping other people and start helping yourself. This is another reason why our country is down the shitter.
[QUOTE=Kylel999;28548789]Because, for some reason, I seriously doubt anybody would help us, if we had such a catastrophe.[/QUOTE] [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina[/url]
[QUOTE=Kylel999;28548789]Because, for some reason, I seriously doubt anybody would help us, if we had such a catastrophe.[/QUOTE] Actually, lots of people would jump to help the USA. They'd be smug about it, but they'd do it anyway. It's just what you do. You, sir, are an asshole. [editline]11th March 2011[/editline] [quote=canuhearme?;28548907][url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/international_response_to_hurricane_katrina[/url][/quote] this.
[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;28548907][url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina[/url][/QUOTE] A large portion of it went uncollected. Stupid government. We could have had free money :argh:
[QUOTE=redBadger;28548887]For fucks sake U.S. Stop helping other people and start helping yourself. This is another reason why our country is down the shitter.[/QUOTE] yep it's helping people that's causing us problems, not conservative economic policies or anything like that. The recession was caused by all the money we gave to the victims of the 2006 Tsunami
Lol we help other countries out all the time, we've done it practically since the U.S was created.
Record breaking earthquakes and radioactive tsunamis? they're pretty fucked
Most countries will help other countries in times of crisis in one way or the other, either through monetary aids or manpower or material. US being the international bogeyman is completely irrelevant here. US is not expected to do anything, and probably can get away with not sending aid, but the amount of propaganda material it will hand over to opposing countries will be immense. Apart from huge, and I mean huge, economic ties with Japan, US has to aid other countries in need because it has declared itself through actions and economy to be the leading superpower and that has certain responsibilities. If the US wants to be an isolated power then so be it, but if you are to have such a dramatic role in the world stage you are required to do certain things, whether they make sense or not. And to be an isolated power you need to keep to yourself not be involved in military operations in at least 2 countries and send monetary aid to another country in a very hostile environment on a yearly basis. There is quite a bit of stupidity in this thread, what the fuck did you expect would happen, it is an assistance not a loan.
[QUOTE=Bryanrocks0;28549181]A large portion of it went uncollected. Stupid government. We could have had free money :argh:[/QUOTE] the countries get all pissy when they expect something back and dont get anything though
Licking the butt of the country he owes lods of emone
I'm surprised that many Facepuncher doesn't seem to understand that always in large catastrophic events, the whole world assists the affected nation by sending supplies, sometimes money, rescue teams, experts and so on.
I don't think anyone would help north korea
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