Should Australian tourists rescued from New Orleans be billed for their rescue?
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Should Australian tourists rescued from New Orleans be billed for their rescue?
Dear Moderator, before you dump this thread, please bear with me, for it is aviation-related, as many aviators, both military and civilian, are risking their lives rescuing people from this disaster, and the rescuees I’m referring to have only increased that workload, using up precious resources that could – should – have been expended on people who had been unable to escape before the disaster struck.
Rather than being treated as heroes, (as the media have done so far), should the Australian (and other foreign) tourists rescued from New Orleans be asked one, and only one question by their rescuers before they are asked to meet the costs of their rescue?
That question is, of course: What the **** were you doing remaining in the city after a mandatory evacuation order had been issued by the American authorities that gave more than enough time for anyone able to afford a bus ticket ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE to still be there? The stupidity displayed by these ‘heroes’ in remaining in New Orleans after such serious warnings ranks up there alongside the stupidity displayed other Australian who have become media celebrities after attempting to smuggle drugs into Indonesia or consume them there.
I’ve been involved in rescue efforts after major natural disasters and I can vouch that it brings out the very best in many more people than it does bring out the worst in others. (It seemed to me at the time that the worse the losses people had suffered, the more selfless many of them were in their efforts to help others, while some who’d suffered little more than having their carpets ruined would be in there demanding every handout they felt ‘the gummit’ should supply.) I’d like to see John Howard come out and say that the Australian Government will take a look at the circumstances surrounding each of the people who’ve been on television lambasting the Australian Government for not sending in Australian troops (!!) and consular officials into the area in the first days against the express wishes of American authorities with a view of sending them (the tourists) a bill for any expenses incurred by both Australian and American authorities.
However poor those excuses may appear with 20/20 hindsight, the poor and needy Americans who stayed in the city and surrounding towns after the evacuation order had been issued at least had the excuse that they couldn’t afford to move out or felt they needed to protect their property or possessions. The foreign tourists had no such excuses and rather than be treated as heroes, they should be given, along with a bill, the very public lambasting they are giving the government.
Rather than being treated as heroes, (as the media have done so far), should the Australian (and other foreign) tourists rescued from New Orleans be asked one, and only one question by their rescuers before they are asked to meet the costs of their rescue?
That question is, of course: What the **** were you doing remaining in the city after a mandatory evacuation order had been issued by the American authorities that gave more than enough time for anyone able to afford a bus ticket ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE to still be there? The stupidity displayed by these ‘heroes’ in remaining in New Orleans after such serious warnings ranks up there alongside the stupidity displayed other Australian who have become media celebrities after attempting to smuggle drugs into Indonesia or consume them there.
I’ve been involved in rescue efforts after major natural disasters and I can vouch that it brings out the very best in many more people than it does bring out the worst in others. (It seemed to me at the time that the worse the losses people had suffered, the more selfless many of them were in their efforts to help others, while some who’d suffered little more than having their carpets ruined would be in there demanding every handout they felt ‘the gummit’ should supply.) I’d like to see John Howard come out and say that the Australian Government will take a look at the circumstances surrounding each of the people who’ve been on television lambasting the Australian Government for not sending in Australian troops (!!) and consular officials into the area in the first days against the express wishes of American authorities with a view of sending them (the tourists) a bill for any expenses incurred by both Australian and American authorities.
However poor those excuses may appear with 20/20 hindsight, the poor and needy Americans who stayed in the city and surrounding towns after the evacuation order had been issued at least had the excuse that they couldn’t afford to move out or felt they needed to protect their property or possessions. The foreign tourists had no such excuses and rather than be treated as heroes, they should be given, along with a bill, the very public lambasting they are giving the government.
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Last nights TV news had an interview with two gals who had flown into NO not knowing of the situation and on being appraised of the situation could not get out - seemed they had flown in on one of the last arrivals. Extracted with the help of a TV crew.
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BA.
What Rubbish! Every US airport has TV's everywhere broadcasting Fox, CNN and local news 24 hours a day.
These peole did not see any TV?
Admitted they were delayed getting into NO. Whilst they were waiting did not go anywhere near the bookshops and could not see Newspaper headlines?
Wiley tells it exactly as it is.
Wherever we go in the world we have a resposibility to ourselves and if we are stupid and dumb enough to carry drugs, not check what is going on where we propose to travel then be it on our own heads and don't whinge if you are caught or it all turns to grubs.
In each and every country we visit we have been granted permission and the privilege to be guest in that country and are obliged to obey their laws.
We should also understand that country is obligated to look after their own people first and foremost - No questiions asked!
it should be fully expected of people entering our country to understand it is the same here and they should respect the priviledge and permission we grant them and they are obligated to obey our laws.
Enough is enough - stop the whinging and whining and sounding like the `Sisters of Whinge and Whine' (Macklin & Gillard) and start accepting some personal resonsibility.
Yes; Charge them for every cent it cost.
DK
ps>> as for Mr Beasley's suggestion of pre-emptive strikes this just illustrates he has finally and totally lost the plot!
What Rubbish! Every US airport has TV's everywhere broadcasting Fox, CNN and local news 24 hours a day.
These peole did not see any TV?
Admitted they were delayed getting into NO. Whilst they were waiting did not go anywhere near the bookshops and could not see Newspaper headlines?
Wiley tells it exactly as it is.
Wherever we go in the world we have a resposibility to ourselves and if we are stupid and dumb enough to carry drugs, not check what is going on where we propose to travel then be it on our own heads and don't whinge if you are caught or it all turns to grubs.
In each and every country we visit we have been granted permission and the privilege to be guest in that country and are obliged to obey their laws.
We should also understand that country is obligated to look after their own people first and foremost - No questiions asked!
it should be fully expected of people entering our country to understand it is the same here and they should respect the priviledge and permission we grant them and they are obligated to obey our laws.
Enough is enough - stop the whinging and whining and sounding like the `Sisters of Whinge and Whine' (Macklin & Gillard) and start accepting some personal resonsibility.
Yes; Charge them for every cent it cost.
DK
ps>> as for Mr Beasley's suggestion of pre-emptive strikes this just illustrates he has finally and totally lost the plot!
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Yeah, just loved Beasley’ suggestion (demand?) that the Oz military staff from Washington should truck on down to Louisiana to get the silly damned Australian tourists out - in direct opposition to US Federal, State and local government policies at the time. (That used to be called an act of war, I believe, foreign troops operting in a soverign land against the wishes of its government.)
My God, and this is the bloke damn near 50% of the Australian population wants to lead the nation? Wiley’s got to right. There might have been a very small number who were caught out through no fault of their own, (although the circumstances of how a tourist could be eludes me), but the vast majority need to asked some hard questions on camera and presented with a hefty bill.
Notice to editors of Australian women’s magazines who’ll be tripping over themselves to get the exclusive rights for these idiots' stories: spin your stories to the tune of how INCREDIBLY STUPID these people were and how they UNNECESSARILY distracted rescue services and Australian consular officials at a time when they could have been using their limited resources to far better effect elsewhere.
My God, and this is the bloke damn near 50% of the Australian population wants to lead the nation? Wiley’s got to right. There might have been a very small number who were caught out through no fault of their own, (although the circumstances of how a tourist could be eludes me), but the vast majority need to asked some hard questions on camera and presented with a hefty bill.
Notice to editors of Australian women’s magazines who’ll be tripping over themselves to get the exclusive rights for these idiots' stories: spin your stories to the tune of how INCREDIBLY STUPID these people were and how they UNNECESSARILY distracted rescue services and Australian consular officials at a time when they could have been using their limited resources to far better effect elsewhere.
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They could afford a ticket to go in the first place and as I understand it, entry into the US and most countries as a tourist, requires a return ticket.
If you are travelling to the US and Europe you understand (unless you are real dumb, stupid or both) it aint going to be done on the cheap.
Let them use Visa, Mastercard, garnishee their wage or put them to work to earn enough to pay for thier rescue.!
Why should the taxpayer keep supporting people who refuse to accept resposibility for their actions.
DK
If you are travelling to the US and Europe you understand (unless you are real dumb, stupid or both) it aint going to be done on the cheap.
Let them use Visa, Mastercard, garnishee their wage or put them to work to earn enough to pay for thier rescue.!
Why should the taxpayer keep supporting people who refuse to accept resposibility for their actions.
DK
Tinpis
thats obvious. Shoot them, their looters if they don't pay.
Seriously though, I guess we do not really know the circumstances they were in. Hindsight, or the comfort of the lounge rooms, makes for easy judgment. Did the Aus. government actually occur any cost to get these people out anyway? I thought the complaint was, from couple of them at least, that nothing was done to help.
We all make mistakes and we need to have some compassion for people who may have made a mistake. We do not charge for beach rescues even if they are out of the flagged area, or rescue services for car accidents etc. I certainly don't wish to live in a society that wants to cost every small service provided to us to the last cent. I have enough trouble with red-tape within my business as it is. I certainly do't wish to fill out more forms. I had better stop here before I explode over this issue (red-tape)
thats obvious. Shoot them, their looters if they don't pay.
Seriously though, I guess we do not really know the circumstances they were in. Hindsight, or the comfort of the lounge rooms, makes for easy judgment. Did the Aus. government actually occur any cost to get these people out anyway? I thought the complaint was, from couple of them at least, that nothing was done to help.
We all make mistakes and we need to have some compassion for people who may have made a mistake. We do not charge for beach rescues even if they are out of the flagged area, or rescue services for car accidents etc. I certainly don't wish to live in a society that wants to cost every small service provided to us to the last cent. I have enough trouble with red-tape within my business as it is. I certainly do't wish to fill out more forms. I had better stop here before I explode over this issue (red-tape)
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Andu,
I just hope if those magazines run the stories (as they probably will...0 that they waive any "fee" to the person concerned and give it to the relief fund...
As for sending Aus troops/ consular officials in..... if the situation were reversed and Australia asked US to stay out (yeah like that'd happen
) if the US barged in I'm sure it would be considered a hostile action. As someone before me rightly pointed out technically it'd be an act of war. Sometimes the govt of the area concerned actually does know better; they know the area and the situation (even if not very informed in the early stages) they still know it better than the Aussies likely would have.
Not sure about asking them to pay; perhaps reconsidering future visas granted might do the trick?
Seriously though a few months down the road when things are relatively in order again maybe some of these 'young Aussie heroes" will go back to volunteer and rebuild....?
I just hope if those magazines run the stories (as they probably will...0 that they waive any "fee" to the person concerned and give it to the relief fund...
As for sending Aus troops/ consular officials in..... if the situation were reversed and Australia asked US to stay out (yeah like that'd happen
) if the US barged in I'm sure it would be considered a hostile action. As someone before me rightly pointed out technically it'd be an act of war. Sometimes the govt of the area concerned actually does know better; they know the area and the situation (even if not very informed in the early stages) they still know it better than the Aussies likely would have.Not sure about asking them to pay; perhaps reconsidering future visas granted might do the trick?
Seriously though a few months down the road when things are relatively in order again maybe some of these 'young Aussie heroes" will go back to volunteer and rebuild....?
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Didn't they just catch normal flights back? Wouldn't have they had return tickets anyway?
Call me insensitive, but quiet a few of them seemed like a bunch of sooks, not heroes.
Call me insensitive, but quiet a few of them seemed like a bunch of sooks, not heroes.
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Yeh, bunch of sooks is right!
What ever happened to being responsible for your own actions?
Those young Oz travelers interviewed, who were bagging the Gov for not dropping everything to rescue them, need a good hard look at themselves in a room full of mirrors and grow up.
They need to realise the world does not revolve around them, disaster or not. They are adults so need to grow a spine and accept responsibility for their own travels.
Sure, the Gov does have duty to assist it's rate payers overseas if needed but when it's restricted from doing so, you can't bag them.
Could go on about many issues about New Orleans but I'll save my breath here.
What ever happened to being responsible for your own actions?
Those young Oz travelers interviewed, who were bagging the Gov for not dropping everything to rescue them, need a good hard look at themselves in a room full of mirrors and grow up.
They need to realise the world does not revolve around them, disaster or not. They are adults so need to grow a spine and accept responsibility for their own travels.
Sure, the Gov does have duty to assist it's rate payers overseas if needed but when it's restricted from doing so, you can't bag them.
Could go on about many issues about New Orleans but I'll save my breath here.
Evertonian
Not sure I'd be charging them for rescue efforts...big can o worms that one, but I'd be taking an issue about their perception of what their Govt.'s role is in these situations.
It's the Australian Government, not Thomas Cook for cryin' out loud! Every time something happens OS, somehow, the Australian Govt. gets apportioned some blame. In fairness, if I was in their position, I'd really appreciate their assistance, but I wouldn't expect it! Obviously, the welfare state extends beyond our shores.
It's the Australian Government, not Thomas Cook for cryin' out loud! Every time something happens OS, somehow, the Australian Govt. gets apportioned some blame. In fairness, if I was in their position, I'd really appreciate their assistance, but I wouldn't expect it! Obviously, the welfare state extends beyond our shores.
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well i think the Australian Govt. are doing a good job. The Australians stuck over there need to understand that there are procedures in place that have to be followed and a lot of red tape between the Aust. and US governments. The way they were all talking was as if they thought the Aust. Govt should have flown in a plane to pick up all the Aussies and take them home the day after it happened. I know it's a hard time for them, but they need a little patience, things can't just happen at the click of a finger!
just my opinion anyway.
Oz
just my opinion anyway.
Oz
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Dark Knight
Don't be so impertinent. I've spent more time wandering national caverns called airports than I care to remember. When I'm on hols as these girls were WWWIII could start and be won/lost before I'd find out about it. And watch US TV - now you are joking (I hope). Ditto for the print media.
Don't be so impertinent. I've spent more time wandering national caverns called airports than I care to remember. When I'm on hols as these girls were WWWIII could start and be won/lost before I'd find out about it. And watch US TV - now you are joking (I hope). Ditto for the print media.
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I understood that when you are overseas on your aussie passport you have the full protection of the consular,
I am disapointed that the Aus gov challenger and BBJ are not used for these purposes, speed can be vital, and I am sure a Politician could fly mainline for a couple of days if he had to whilst his a/c was away.
I remember being disgusted at the time of the Bali bombing when the injured were made to fly in Hercs for ten plus hours to Perth hospitals 3-4 hours to Darwin and the GG Holingworth was using a chalenger in Galipoli and the PM set off to Mexico a few days after to some comference. as far as I know neither offered their aircraft to help the injured get a faster trip to a burns unit.
Maybe they were not available or there is another reason that they were not used but I suspect it was ego and they probably did'nt want the great unwashed bleeding on their carpets however I could be wrong.
I am disapointed that the Aus gov challenger and BBJ are not used for these purposes, speed can be vital, and I am sure a Politician could fly mainline for a couple of days if he had to whilst his a/c was away.
I remember being disgusted at the time of the Bali bombing when the injured were made to fly in Hercs for ten plus hours to Perth hospitals 3-4 hours to Darwin and the GG Holingworth was using a chalenger in Galipoli and the PM set off to Mexico a few days after to some comference. as far as I know neither offered their aircraft to help the injured get a faster trip to a burns unit.
Maybe they were not available or there is another reason that they were not used but I suspect it was ego and they probably did'nt want the great unwashed bleeding on their carpets however I could be wrong.
I remember being disgusted at the time of the Bali bombing when the injured were made to fly in Hercs for ten plus hours to Perth hospitals 3-4 hours to Darwin and the GG Holingworth was using a chalenger in Galipoli and the PM set off to Mexico a few days after to some comference. as far as I know neither offered their aircraft to help the injured get a faster trip to a burns unit.
