CISHAN, Taiwan - President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan sharply raised the expected death toll from Typhoon Morakot yesterday to more than 500, amid mounting criticism of his handling of the worst storm to strike the island in more than 50 years....
Gee, that sounds familiar, doesn't it, American?
Now, I normally wouldn't get all "conspiratorial" over natural disasters and weather events; however, the question must be asked: cui bono?
The criticism is significant because Ma has embarked on an aggressive campaign to improve relations with rival China, from which Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949. While most people still back the reconciliation efforts, support is slipping amid opposition claims that they are making Taiwan economically dependent on the mainland and undermining its de facto independence.
Should the impression be created that Ma failed badly in responding to the Morakot challenge, support for his China initiative could falter further as more people question his overall leadership ability. For its part, China is preparing to send additional storm assistance to Taiwan, the official Xinhua News Agency said, without giving details. In addition, the Chinese Red Cross Society, an official Buddhist association, and five leading Chinese companies have offered another $3.5 million in cash for Taiwan relief work....
Related: Can You Hear the HAARP?The timing SURE IS ODD, isn't it?
Morakot dumped more than 80 inches of rain on the island last weekend and stranded thousands in villages in the mountainous south. A total of 15,400 villagers have been ferried to safety, and rescuers are working to save another 1,900 people. The storm destroyed the homes of 7,000 people and caused agricultural and property damage in excess of $1.5 billion, Ma said at the security conference.
National security conferences are held only when Taiwan faces extremely serious disasters or grave defense or diplomatic affairs situations. It dramatically raised the previous toll, concluding that 380 of about 600 people living in the mountainous village of Shiao Lin in southern Taiwan perished when flash flooding unleashed mudslides that buried the community early Sunday.
Criticism of Ma’s handling of the Morakot disaster is growing quickly - even within Ma’s own party and in media outlets normally friendly to the president. Much of the criticism focused on comments he made Thursday to Britain’s Independent Television News in which he appeared to blame Morakot victims for their own fate.
“They were not fully prepared. If they were, they should have been evacuated much earlier,’’ Ma told an ITN reporter. “They didn’t realize how serious the disaster was.’’
So ALL GOVERNMENT PUKES are basically OUT-of-TOUCH, ARROGANT ELITES, huh?
Taiwan’s normally pro-Ma China Times newspaper lambasted the president for the remarks, saying they were badly out of place. “It is not presidential to tell international media that the blame falls on people who would not evacuate in order to safeguard their own homes,’’ the newspaper said.
Ma also has come under fire for his handling of government efforts to save storm victims and help the island’s hard-hit south recover. “If we expect the people to do everything themselves, what do we need a government for?’’ chided lawmaker Lo Shu-lei of Ma’s ruling Nationalist Party....
That is a GREAT QUESTION!
Taiwan’s own rescue efforts continued with emotional scenes at Cishan Junior High School, a focal point of relief operations. As a helicopter bearing storm survivors landed yesterday at the school’s improvised landing zone, anxious friends and relatives pressed forward, hoping their loved ones had finally been brought to safety. There was joy for some, sadness for others.
I don't want anyone to suffer sadness and pain, I don't care who they are.
Even these rich pukes. I don't want their homes destroyed.
"Calif. declares emergency as several wildfires spread" by Brooke Donald, Associated Press | August 15, 2009
DAVENPORT, Calif. - Fire crews fanned out yesterday across a parched California where wind-whipped wildfires have forced hundreds of people to flee their homes and led to an emergency declaration in Santa Cruz County.
Related: California Campfires
In the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Lockheed Fire has blackened 6.5 square miles and prompted mandatory evacuations of the communities of Swanton and Bonny Doon, which have about 2,400 residents....
The blaze, which started Wednesday about 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, was only about 5 percent contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
C'mon, buck up, California!
Fires don't raise much of a concern around here:
"Phil Bruneau, who lives near the Ames Street firehouse, said he did not realize that it had already been closed. “I know they’ll respond,’’ he said. “But it won’t be as quick as before.’’
Which I'm sure will be JUST FINE as you WATCH your HOUSE BURN DOWN, right? Does the Globe MAKE THESE PEOPLE UP? I am REALLY STARTING to WONDER!
