Italy's top disaster Chief slamming us on Haiti

No, I'm not really offended since this is only one man's opinion and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said he is not speaking for the Italian government. I have no doubt the U.S., the relief workers from other countries and all of the other groups and organizations who are down there to help are doing the very best they can under near impossible conditions. Annie

No offense, but I do feel that countries (not just the US) often take chances trying to "look good to the world" when any disaster happened. Governments competing in terms of the amount of donation to show the world that how humanity they are and how to show how wealthy the nation is. Meanwhile peoples are living in absolute poverty back in their country, or violating humanity in its own country. But only the peoples have the right to criticise the governments, not the so call politicians. It is pot calling the kettle black, there are all the same.

I don't think there's any way we can really know if things could have been done faster or more efficiently because we weren't there, but apparently he isn't there either, is he? If so, he should be busy carrying out wounded, handing out water, digging out bodies instead of taking the time to whine and complain about those who are doing those things. If he isn't there, why not??

My impression, after reading the article, is that this guy is a Monday morning quarterback and his comments are nothing more than sour grapes. I suspect that he would love to be coordinating relief efforts in Haiti and, since no one invited him to, he's lashing out. The article mentioned that he showed President Obama around a site in central Italy which had been hit by an earthquake when the president was there for the G-8 summit in July. Perhaps he expected his buddy to call him. My thoughts are that coordinating relief efforts when you have personnel from many countries on the gound at the same time is difficult, especially immediately following a desaster like this when time is of the essence. There are military, government and private charity groups over there right now. The U.S. would be slammed for announcing "We're in charge!" and trying to run the show from the start.

Although these things take time as you said, the people under all the rubble do not have time. I am afraid a lot of people in England are saying America has not done as well and as fast as it should have done.

I'm not really offended... It seems no matter what the U.S. does these days its under scrutiny from the beginning anyway. (surprisingly) Obama reacted quickly. i think we've done the best we can and if other countries feel we're not doing enough or they could do it better, should do something then! im sorry, but it seems like the ones talking crap have done nothing themselves, so they can stuff it. JMHO...

I think he is an idiot. But I do want to point out the fact that I think that it is great in times like this, those of us who despise the President's policies and views will support him internationally.