The Sickening Politics of Hurricane Aid

So, the Government says they are not inserting politics into AID offers but we know nothing regarding Cuba and Venezuela goes on without the right-wingers getting their dirty hands all over it. (Venezuela's offered millions from Citgo and also offered to selling cheap gas directly to poor communities. Cuba offered of 1,500 medical personnel).

But compare what we want to believe to the reality below: "Our function here at the State Department, to help coordinate with FEMA as well as other U.S. Government agencies, is to see what the American people need, to see what these people who have been affected by the hurricane need. That is our criterion." Sean McCormack, State Dept. Spokeman.

On Venezuela's "cheap gas" offer however, Mr. McCormack made crystal clear that selling gas cheaply to Americans is not gonna happen: "But I have to point out that that is -- that the sales of that gasoline product will be based on whatever the market prices are. It's just they're making more gasoline available on the market, but the sales will be commercial sales at whatever the market price is." I wonder what the people in those poor communities who desperately need cheap gas would think of that if it ever became news.

Then on Cuba's Doctor offer, they have the nerve to say that all in hunky dorry and that the health care needs are in the bag: "I will say after talking to some of my colleagues at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency.... (and) there has been a robust response from the American medical community in terms of medical supplies, in terms of medical professionals, doctors, nurses, as well as public health officials."

But i wonder if he or anyone else actually did speak with HHS. Because if they did they would know they have put out a desperate call for medical personnel, as has the Red Cross - not just for right now but for the next few months at lease. And I wonder if he has read any of the hundreds of reports that continue to come out of the region talking about the desperate need for more medical personnel. Google helped me compile a few reports to prove the point.

How the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the Surgeon General has requested physicians from Kaiser for Houston and Scripps in San Diego to "volunteer" their service.

How the federal government is picking up the tab for transportation and housing of these "volunteers," while Cuba offered to pay all expenses

How in Mississippi, there is only one hospital in 6 counties up and running. And more damaged residents are coming back daily.

How in New Orleans, 10/13 hospitals are shuttered and clinics only open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.

How "greatly needed" medical supplies were, and how even FEMA abd Red Cross workers did not have their tetnus shots and

How volunteers are pouring in but Red Cross "the agency needs licensed doctors, nurses and mental health professionals."

How lines with thousands of people at mass triage centers are popping up.

How Doctors and Nurses worked around the clock

How the need for medical services is growing by the day

How Doctors in MO expect to be inundated when the city allows tens of thousands of people back to see their homes or what’s left of them. In the meantime, Doctors are calling the Feds saying they need MASH units, military doctors and nurses,

How oveerwhelmed Doctors had to ditch and kill their patients

How health-care officials say they are concerned about tuberculosis, leptospirosis and West Nile virus, as well as gastrointestinal viruses.

How 8,000 people with HIV and AIDS who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina now face the massive challenge of trying to manage their disease without their doctors, their clinics and their support systems.

How 45 patients died becaue of the lack of medical personnel able to cope with the deteriorating conditions