Dear Log,
«When it comes to helping others, American aid is mean and hugely politicised. G8 talks about Africa or debt relief cannot disguise the fact that, with international aid a mere 0.16% of its economic might last year, the US has long been the least generous nation, while its trade regime impoverishes millions worldwide.Also,If we do give for Katrina, let's react as America would to any developing country which fails to prepare for disaster and allows its people to die, such as Zimbabwe or North Korea: set conditions for aid use, channel it away from the government to trusted charities, and insist on intensive scrutiny of the results.»
--"America needs change not charity": Withholding aid from the United States is the only way to remove its domestic and foreign policy blinkers
«Gerard and Sandra Scott were stranded in their New Orleans hotel with their young son but police did nothing as they shouted for help from the hotel windows. "I couldn't describe how bad the authorities were," Mr Scott told Radio 4's World at One. "Just the little things like taking photographs of us ... for their own personal photo albums, little snapshot photographs.Ugh."At one point, there were a load of girls on the roof of the lobby saying 'Can you help us?' and the policemen said 'Show us what you have got' and made signs for them to lift their T-shirts. When they said no, they said 'Fine' and motored off down the road in their motorboat."»
--"Blair apologises for lack of help": Foreign Office says diplomats denied access
