Sagepaper

People are wondering about international aid for us. Usually, we say, "We're fine, thank you." Now, many people polled think we have been generous enough with the world to merit some assistance in our hour of need. So far as I know, only Russia and Germany have offered to help so far.

I think a well-considered acceptance of foreign aid would make sense. I was amused, though, at one citizen who said he wouldn't be satisfied until South Korean troops were on the streets stopping looters. "Boots on the ground" is not the problem right now. They have more of that than they can cope with.

I did like one suggestion for a request to an ally who has not formally offered aid. The Netherlands could perhaps give us a really big boost with their expertise. The Dutch are top-of-the-world in the engineering of dikes, dams, levies, locks, and all sorts of other engineering to make water go where you want it, and not where you don't. If we called on the Netherlands, they might help us repair the levies we have lost. While they haven't made a public offer of aid, I'm sure they would be more than happy to help us out.