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Philippine typhoon death toll jumps; U.S. helicopters boost aid effort

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When a US carrier arrives it can produce electricity, water, and medical shelter. It can offer food, rapid transport and naval personnel. An amazing tool used in humanitarian purposes.

Anti USA mongers here on this board. USA is extremely generous and helpful when tragedy strikes throughout the world. Often first. Often most personnel. Often the most supplies. Often the most monetary assistance.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

I'm not surprised that Pres Aquino is under fire since all politicians have enemies. But as in all natural disasters of this kind the actual death toll count will rise as recovery progresses so it may take a while to get an accurate picture. I think such attacks on Aquino at this time are purely politically motivated, which is rather stupid since the Philippine leadership has it's hands full right now. The presence and assistance of the USN and allied navies clearly expose why the majority of countries in Asia would prefer that the United States remain the dominant strategic power in the Pacific, rather than the PLAN.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

@MarkG

Anti USA mongers here on this board. USA is extremely generous and helpful when tragedy strikes throughout the world. Often first. Often most personnel. Often the most supplies. Often the most monetary assistance.

Exactly, could NOT have said it better. The US has done more good for the world, especially when it comes to nation building and humanitarian aid, we can disagree, but UNLIKE other nations, the US can put pride aside and even in this bad economy, Americans are ALWAYS willing to give up their last cent to help others, it might not always be a lot, but we try, even to our enemies in a natural disaster. We don't like to see people suffering and that people have that much love and kindness in their hearts make me proud to be an American!

2 ( +7 / -5 )

OssanAmerica,

Why should Aquino be under fire. If you realistic, look at where typoon struck and you notice that Leyte is an island. There is no road from Luzon or other main islands. It's an isolated area and all supplies has to be transported by ship or plane. The logistics are alot more complicated. If you compare with Fukushima tsunami, you can load most of the supplies by the trucks from Tokyo and drive to the destination.

2 ( +4 / -3 )

I'm not surprised that Pres Aquino is under fire since all politicians have enemies. But as in all natural disasters of this kind the actual death toll count will rise as recovery progresses

Ossan

I guess have you been to Tacloban city or not? Air traffic control tower of airport has been damaged before. Pilots have to stuggle to land on the runway. Air Field lightings are worse than Congo airports. Pinoys staff are impotent to manage air traffic. If the president allow US air force to manage the traffic, things will be speed up and delivery and rescue service were more efficient. Phillipines logistic infrastructures and managments are not better than African nations.

In theory, US marines and Japanese SDF are operating with freedom. Reality is there are many red tapes and interference from Fillipino authority. Phillipines are very prone to natural disasters. Typoons are nothing new to their history like Tornado and Hurricane to US. If you compare Phillipines with Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and PRC, it is pretty hopeless nation for dealing with natural disasters.

US is one of the wealthy nation. However President Bush even joked about the Hurricane Katrina and his response to disaster relief effort was so weak and inefficient. Many victms from New Orleans were swept away on the road while they were escaping with foot. Difference between life and death was a speed. Imagine they drove the cars, all of them survived.

Both President Aquino and Bush are identical. They can talk big. When the crisis come, they are pretty helpless. There is no any political motivation about criticism of Aquino. He admitted by himself relief effort and delivery process were so slow and unorganized. Aquino mum was a presdient before. Even she could perform better than her incompetent son.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Why is it that you guys always seem to drag Bush's name into everything. I you guys run out of milk, for some odd reason, you all are going to blame him for it. Get over it already, he's gone, happily retired. Bush got reamed for his lack luster response for Katrina for NOT being engaged. Everyone makes a mistake, he learned from it and it never happened again. The main thing is to help these people any way we can. That comes first before petty partisan politics.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

@sfjp330 There is passable road all the way to Tacloban from Manila with a single RORO ferry hop from southern Luzon to Samar. Its operational now. Some aid is already coming in via this route.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

When a US carrier arrives it can produce electricity, water, and medical shelter. It can offer food, rapid transport and naval personnel. An amazing tool used in humanitarian purposes.

Partly true. In order for the carrier to provide electricity, it would need to be tied up pierside and connected to the existing electrical system to send power back. In this case, the GW is anchored off shore so it can't provide electricity. It can still produce water, probably about an exter 20,000 gal/day that can be put into containers and flown by helos to distribution points. The same with medical, the more critical cases would be flown out to the GW. Much like was done in the aftermath of the tsunami that struck Indonesia a few years back.

FYI, after the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, Navy ships that were moored in Alameda at the time did send power back to the city and some did produce water for the city.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Philippines has an unfortunate tendency for incompetent autocrat-like leaders. What a fool for revising a death toll at a time like that.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I wonder if there is anyone in Tacloban complaining that the OSPREYS are too loud! Or untested! Like a lot of people did here in Japan. When life is good it is easy to forget the hardships of desperate times. Maybe people should not be so quick to judge new technology.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Here is a link about how the storm was formed. Do not shoot the messenger. And I have no opinion about it either. Make your own comments about it as you wish.

11-8-2013 Microwave Pulse gives birth to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5x8gY_Zo3U

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So hard to believed that the powerful and strong typhoon in the World Haiyan/Yolanda hits , and devastated the Visaya's Region...Tacloban,Samar .Ormoc Leyte and some parts of Cebu and Palawan And the Aquino Administration doing their best and working to help to all the victims of typhoon Haiyan.. And in behalf of my countrymen i want to thank you all !to giving us support and helping hands The Phils.Gov. especially the Haiyan victim's GOD BLESS YOU ALL ...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Report today that the RAF has sent a C17 loaded with JCBs and Land Rovers to help.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Amen MarkG, I wouldn't expect to see Bertie in this thread chanting US go home. Every live saved justifies the presence more and more.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey's carried the Japan SDF medical team to areas in the Philippines today.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Philippines would rather have Uncle Sam and the Japanese Self Defense Force rather than Mickey Mao Tse Tsung sending his warships and claiming the the whole Philippines next.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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