I've been watching TV coverage of the earthquake in Mexico

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

and the amazing rescue efforts of the first responders and the volunteers who are helping them. And then I thought about the people who were helping rescue people in Texas after Harvey, and all the annoying American Exceptionalism™ that went along with the news coverage - as if those rescues were happening because the rescuers were American and therefore special (and better), and not because they were just people helping other people. The same kinds of efforts are occurring in Mexico. There are hundreds of people digging through dangerous piles of rubble trying to find people who might be trapped, and they aren't even American! These efforts occur everywhere in the world whenever a disaster occurs. People everywhere are always going to help each other when these things happen. I don't mean to diminish what happened in Texas or Florida, but Americans aren't any more altruistic or selfless than other people. I get so tired of the USA! USA! crap...

[mcar]

1. I'm watching too

In tears for these brave people and grieving families.

And outraged at any who classify them as rapists and criminals.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. Had the same thoughts... so sad.

[lamp_shade]

2. I caught myself mindlessly raising my fist at times when silence was called for.

Such awful, awful sadness.

[malaise]

3. Yep -great post

I saw the same thing in the hurricane hit islands. People are by nature inclined to help one another.
rescue efforts in Mexico - there is hope for humanity.

[irisblue]

4. Americans are good at the immediate urgent need to help.

The systemic need for empathy, like health care, we do not seem to be good at that. That tenant of meanness, I got mine, too bad for you is the underpinning of the conservative republican philosophy.

[CousinIT]

5. Has there been ANY mention of this quake from POTUS? (sympathy, condolences, anything?)

Or is the self-centered, narcissistic ass just preening himself 24 x 7 as usual?

[haele]

7. He did tweet a short "thoughts and prayers with Mexico" blather within a half hour -

Of course, some staffer might have been on the ball for once and made the bare minimum effort to keep him from looking as stupidly selfish as he did with the 8.2 Mexican quake two weeks ago.
Whether or not we sent aid is another question, but with Maria bearing down on U.S. territories, our first responders might be pre-positioning themselves for "Irma with a second a" hitting Florida again.

This is going to be a bad fall...fire season is in full swing, also.

Haele

[yuiyoshida]

18. Isn't it amazing that people offer up their thoughts and prayers

but when it comes to things like sending emergency supplies or money to help out, like I did for JAPAN a few years back, for the Earthquake-Tsunami , that Republicans won't lift a finger and secretly say to themselves that they are "on their own' ...

Why is it THAT Republicans hope many poor and needy people need to JUST FUCK OFF AND DIE?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

30. It's just their nature... there's no other explanation.

[ban1941]

42. No surprise here.

A lack of compassion along with monumental greed and selfishness seem to be the necessities for a Republican frame of mind. If religion is added to the mix, one can add total disregard for the rights of others.

[octoberlib]

6. Totally agree. I also find it shameful that Trump hasn't offered to send them any help.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. There was an interview on MSNBC this morning with a Mexican official

who said that the US was sending help (people with specialized equipment and rescue skills), and they were on their way. He said Japan and Israel are also sending help.

[octoberlib]

9. That's good to hear. I don't think Trump or anyone in his administration has said a word.

I could be wrong. I haven't seen any of the press briefings the last couple of days.

[7962]

23. Trumps actual Tweet yesterday:

"God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you."
I havent seen any press briefings either.

[genxlib]

20. Search and rescue

At the very least, the USAR team out of California has been sent. Might be others but I know for sure that one has.

[genxlib]

25. That may not sound like much

But those guys are top shelf. A full USAR team delivers a tremendous amount of resources and that team in particular has been all over the world.

There might be at least one more team sent. FEMA has 28 teams around the Country. but there are two that specialize in international work and have special deals to work through USAID on international deployments.

In normal times, there could be more but the system is under a lot of strain right now. All 28 teams were mobilized for Harvey then most again for Irma and now again for Maria.

They are getting so desperate I might get dragged out of semi-retirement for Puerto Rico. It has me on edge.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

40. Thanks for that summary of our capabilities.

Perhaps none better in the world than those teams trained in CA. We also must be prepared to help any country around the world that requests it. I recall some of these efforts during the big Haiti quake. Sadly, all borders are not open to rescue specialists.

Should you go to Puerto Rico, please be very careful and share your experiences here on your return.

[genxlib]

41. I was in Haiti

It was the only time I am aware of that we have sent more than the two teams designated for international work. I fiorget the actual numbers but I think we had around 10 teams there.

Rescuing seven people from certain death is one of the high points of my life.

Leaving behind all the ones we couldn't help is one of the lowest. It is still hard to think about 250.000 deaths without losing it a little. I was not quite right for about a year after that deployment.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

43. Thank you for your service, GenX - I can relate.

That's highly commendable work you've done and I know it gets in your blood! Was a volunteer firefighter for quite a while and can relate to those highs and lows. I think those who volunteer for service to humankind are the best of heart, but also suffer the most in tragedy. Seeing death that could have been avoided is the worst, especially when it's little children.

Hoping your old wounds will be better healed during your next tour! Please keep us up to date.

[genxlib]

48. You hit the nail on the head

The ones that could have been avoided hit the hardest.

The big number of 250,000 deaths is a tremendous loss but they never weighed so heavily on my soul. I am a big believer in fate so I can pretty much accept that as out of my control.

But late in the deployment we came across several cases where people had survived for days in the rubble but passed away before we got there. I have no doubt we could have saved them if we had found them in time. Those crushed me. I couldn't help but feel like their fate had been in my hands if only we had been at the right place at the right time. It took me a while to come to terms with that.

It seems fitting that this topic surfaced for me to contemplate today. The anniversary of 9/11 is often an emotional time for me (I wrote about that here https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028157750 ). But this year passed without much thought because I was in the throws of a hurricane and power outage. I guess the Universe wanted to remind me.

Thanks for your well wishes and for your service as well.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

50. Time is our enemy before and our best friend after.

Thank you for that link to your beautiful letter on 9/11. What an honor it is to have been there, and I'm sure you know millions of first responders (and retired ones like me) that couldn't be there were by your side in spirit - all wishing they were there, if only to tote water. If you have no objection, I would like to print that for my daughter, a 5th grade teacher in elementary reading classes. She perhaps can use it for an inspirational and patriotic reading.

Having written that, I'm sure you understand the psychological power of writing of your experiences after trauma. Many times for me when it's a highly personal issue, it still works magic even if I tear it up after it's written.

I recall now the horrifying delays in basic aid reaching Haiti with the airport and shipping ports damaged, making your job more urgent. Like you, when we responded to fires, many times it was "if only this had been discovered a little sooner". In some ways, natural disasters are easier to cope with, as they're beyond our control.

Fate sure weaves a tangled web, with a brew of tragedy mixed with what appears to be a miracle. Thank goodness that with enough time and the support of friends, we're able to heal.

[genxlib]

52. Thank you

I would be honored if you wanted to share it and/or use it as you see fit. It was published in a regional professional journal so I have a professional mock-up of it if you want to PM me.

I am not sure it is correct enough for teaching. Content aside, it has some patches that would get beaten up by an English teacher. Part of that is my limited ability but part of it is purposeful. This was originally a public speaking piece and I find that what works in a conversational style sometimes violates the rules of grammar.

Writing has definitely been an outlet for me. Doing it as a public speaking exercise has been helpful for me because I acknowledge my feelings in front of friends and strangers. It strips away any shame at "not being strong enough". But you are right that the writing exercise that goes into it is the real therapy. It forces me to take vague feelings and process them in a way that can be articulated to others.

The other thing that helps is communicating with others that understand. Clearly, all of these disasters have stirred some thoughts in me so I thank you for engaging in some therapy.

It may not have been clear before but I am not a first responder in real life. I am an Engineer full time. The USAR teams have positions for Engineers to advise on stability, shoring, secondary collapse, etc. I have it easy compared to the real first responders.
But I know a whole bunch of firemen through this work. I have long thought that the hardest part of their job is not running into a burning building. The hardest part is the constant inundation of human suffering that they witness on a daily basis. It wears on them in a way that they will rarely admit and that we can barely fathom.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

53. Thanks GenX, she'll use it in parts and keep it in context.

I'll send you a PM soon, and appreciate your offer of a printable copy. Since she teaches reading rather than English, I think she looks for pupil's interpretation and retention more than perfection in structure.

Regarding writing, that has been an indispensable tool for me during many troubled times, along with my self-designed forms of meditation. The way I look at writing down things that bother me is that I am "exposing them to the sunshine". I'm very shy and an introvert, so letting my stuff go verbally to a crowd doesn't work well for me, although I do crave one-on-one private talks with friends. I'm glad you're able to use the tool of open speaking effectively.

I also agree that writing stressful stuff down helps detangle all those random threads of confusing and contradictory thoughts - sometimes so bad for me I go into what some might call a mental "tizzy", LOL. Putting it on paper seems to throw aside the meaningless issues. It's amazing though, how damn hard it is sometimes to drag out that pen and paper!

Quite a coincidence - I'm an engineer, too (EE). I've worked primarily as a "Mr. Fix-it" in so many different commercial and industrial domains you probably would accuse me of lying (or being Trumpish, LOL). I was a volunteer firefighter for around 8-years in my 20s and was quite obsessed with it, but had to move on to support my family. I have quite a photo album from that time buried in my brain. Many images - some good and many bad - flash back at odd times. Overall, it was a great time for me, as I was raised to be of service to my fellow man by very loving, country folks that went through the very worst of the Great Depression. I still light-up when I hear the sirens.

Your mention of the stress of that profession is correct and I know many pros that have had serious psychological issues, with many suffering from severe alcoholism and/or depression, and early death. Our efforts to put on a facade of being strong, brave men - while bottling our emotions and feelings - is a very destructive but almost standard practice. For a number stupid reasons, our society does not deal with PTSD from any profession very well at all.

We'll perhaps chat further on these topics on PM, as I'm probably way past my allotment of bits and bytes on this thread.

[B2G]

10. You know what?

I watched wall to wall coverage of both hurricanes. I honestly saw none of that you described. Of course it was pointed out that neighbors helped neighbors. Because they did.

Bit I saw one of the rah rah USA crap you're taking about. Most people I saw were in shock and distraught. .

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. There was quite a bit of it; I'm not making it up.

I wouldn't be annoyed over something I'd imagined; there's enough real stuff to be annoyed about. Most of it came from officials, not the news talking heads. But it was definitely a thing.

[B2G]

12. Well it's highly likely

They were just giving credit to the citizens who put their lives on line to help.

Should they have gone unacknowledged?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. That wasn't it at all.

Accolades were delivered in the sense that this is an American thing do do; aren't Americans wonderful because they help their fellow citizens? It wasn't just a thank you to the rescuers for their service. Maybe you didn't hear it but I did, a number of times. I am not making this up.

[Lisa0825]

28. I'm in the Houston area, and it was also presented as a very Texan thing to do...

and that it was proof of how great Houstonians are.

Yes, Americans help Americans and Texans help Texans and Houstonians help Houstonians, but Mexicans also help Mexicans, and Japanese help Japanese, etc.

It always irks me when a tragedy like this is twisted into some tribal boast.

[Mariana]

39. Yes, I remember that.

In particular, I heard several times that Joel Osteen isn't a real Texan, because a real Texan would never act like he did. Of course he is a real Texan, born and raised there and everything.

Some people just like to think that they and whatever group they identify themselves with are special and unique and better than everyone else.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

31. I saw it too.

[marybourg]

16. Yes, there was a lot of it, but that's part of a normal

human reaction, to be proud of your group when they do good. What I heard was mostly Houstonians and local reporters saying things like "that's how Houston sticks together", etc. not so much Americans, or even Texans, but Houstonians.

Same as N.Y. after 911, and I know just how that one felt. Yes, proud of your neighbors and your neighborhood and your city, (although you know deep down inside that all other cities would have reacted just the same way). It just helps you find some good in a terrible situation

[B2G]

17. Thank you for stating that so eloquently.

That was my exact impression. They weren't implying other areas wouldn't have reacted exactly the same. But the crisis was THERE.

[7962]

21. Yes. nt

[VOX]

34. Velveteen Ocelot is correct, I saw a fair amount of metaphorical flag-waving myself.

Wish I could be more specific as to channel and individuals involved, but I was surfing like a madman, bouncing back and forth between coverages. But it was along the lines of, "This is what Americans do when disaster strikes, they come together as one, and do what must be done, which is why our country is so great, etc., etc."

[spanone]

13. K&R...

[sinkingfeeling]

19. People are people all over the world. Some are bad and evil, but most

are good and kind.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. I used to think that too... but now, with the Fuhrer-in-Chief in power, I'm not so sure.

[sinkingfeeling]

33. Why?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

35. sinkingfeeling, you ever just get that "sinking feeling"?

[sinkingfeeling]

37. I just don't think 45's evil really changes the percent of good

people over evil ones around the globe. There are many more good hearted people in every country.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

38. No, but I guess it just brings more evil ones outta the woodwork; guess that's what I'm reacting to.

[Stonepounder]

22. You nailed it!

Regardless of your religion, or lack thereof, this is what Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, and all the other founders of religions that have survived and prospered taught. This is what people do, we come together, we help our neighbors, we help strangers, and we don't care what color they are, and we don't ask them their politics or their religion. And it is not because we are American, or Mexican, or Japanese, or Chinese, it is because we are caring beings.

(Unless you are a Republican Congressperson who wants to cut health insurance for approx 30 million Americans so you can give tax cuts to the rich. But, then again, I am not at all convinved that they are even human.)

[bdamomma]

24. Mother Nature and

global climate change is kicking a$$, and what makes me so livid is that there are those in authority who don't fucking (sorry) believe in climate change. Geez these storms are not normal they will just get worse unless we scale things back.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

36. No need to apologize... I'm fuckin pissed off too over this!!!

[50 Shades Of Blue]

26. Thank you!

[bigtree]

27. I love the way they're organized

...countless volunteers.

I'm thinking of the sizable flotilla of private volunteers providing relief and assistance (out of pocket), as well, to the islands under heavy weather.

[Weekend Warrior]

44. I would be willing to bet their coverage is about the same as ours.

Including the exceptionalism. It should be and it makes sense.

[B2G]

47. Yes. nt

[brooklynite]

45. Are you under the impression that there won't be Mexican flags waving when a rescue occurs?

Rallying always happens in situations like this.

[B2G]

46. Yep. Remember the Chile mine rescue?

It was an enormous source of national pride for them.

As it should be.

[lunatica]

49. Having lived in Mexico my entire childhood and young adulthood I know that.

That's why I consider myself a World Citizen.

Americans aren't any more special than everyone else on the planet.

[randr]

51. Human kindness is universal

No borders, no religion, no ideology separate we the people of planet earth