this is what is on our news service

20 countries offer Katrina aid
From: Reuters From correspondents in Washington
September 02, 2005

MORE than 20 countries, from allies Germany and Japan to prickly Venezuela and poor Honduras, have offered to help the United States cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Accustomed to being a rich donor rather than on the receiving end of charity, the United States initially seemed reticent about accepting foreign aid, but later said it would take up any offers. The hurricane devastated New Orleans and other parts of the US Gulf Coast, killing hundreds and possibly thousands.
"Anything that can be of help to alleviate the tragic situation of the area affected by Hurricane Katrina will be accepted," said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

"America should be heartened by the fact that the world is reaching out to America at a time of need," he said.

Earlier, President George W. Bush said in a television interview that the United States could take care of itself.

"I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it," Mr Bush told ABC's Good Morning America.
Mr McCormack said there had not been a change of position over accepting foreign aid and White House spokesman Scott McClellan also said the United States would take up offers of help.
The State Department said offers so far had come from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, China, Jamaica, Honduras, Greece, Venezuela, the Organisation of American States, NATO, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, South Korea, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Assistance ranged from medical teams, boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators and cash donations.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wrote to Mr Bush offering medical teams that specialised in trauma and natural disasters and said they could be ready in 24 hours.

"During these difficult times, we, the people of Israel stand firmly by your side in a show of solidarity and friendship," said the letter, which was released by the Israeli Embassy in Washington.

Where the United States really needs help is getting cheap oil and the Bush administration will be approaching Arab nations and other oil producers over the coming days.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area.

The State Department did not comment on Venezuela's offer but several officials smiled at the gesture from Mr Chavez, who yesterday called Mr Bush a "cowboy" who failed to manage the disaster.

Cuban President Fidel Castro, a close Chavez ally, led a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of Katrina in parliament on today. The parliament then returned to normal business with a resolution attacking Mr Bush over the Iraq war.

Definitely, DB! I just read this morning that gas station attendants are being cursed at. :( Like it's their freaking fault!!!

So help me God, if sdls was still working at a gas station, I would have gone down there to stand guard.

My local pump is up 14 cents to $2.89 ($2.79 cash price) and I've been driving 55 on the freeway to conserve fuel.

just saw $3.25 on my way home tonight and am now kicking myself for not stopping when it was $2.99 yesterday as I'll need gas by the end of the long weekend.

pssssst.....maddy......


;) click here

pssst... all the good prices are from yesterday and prior ;)

Here's the latest around here...

Psssssst......they have a search function that shows results within the last 4 hours. :D



Click "all areas" & "all stations" too. Some towns don't have current prices posted, yet the neigboring towns do. Looks to me like the peeps in Waterford are behind the crowd in raising prices. Just five minutes ago they're reporting $2.99 a gallon.



PS...lmfao @ Aqua

woot! A station very very close to me that is usually high is still at 2.99... I should dash out.

it's up to $3.59 at some spots here now

pfft! The 2.99 station is now 3.19 ... I sucked it up (literally) and filled up my car figuring it's not getting any cheaper over the weekend. The pump was flowing faster than I recall a pump flowing in a long time, odd!

I paid 2.89 today. Funny thing is we have a refinery only about 50 miles north of Seattle. Tell me the oil companies don't stick it to us every chance they get! :mad:

That's a good idea. I'm going to do it. They had most of my business before. They have it all now.

About 2 months ago, I read a survey that show Tulsa, OK to have the lowest gas prices in the nation. Just got home and I saw most of the stations at $3.25 a gal. Damn!

Prices have dropped back here. Had peaked at $3.29 ... but have retreated to $2.99 a gallon ... and that surprised me with this being a holiday weekend.

It is very heartening to see the offers of help from around the world. I was quite surprised in some cases, but very heartened. Helps to renew a bit of faith in humanity.