"We are big. We are bloated with political opportunists, bureaucrats protecting their fiefdoms, and mountains of paper work. Big is not necessarily better, sometimes it's just, um, bigger."

We were also a big country during the 1930s, WWII, and the Cold War era; yet were were able to do things--Boulder Dam, the Empire State Building, the Atlas missile program--in short time spans that seem inconceivable today.

I think something is broken beyond raw size.

Knowing how anti-Israel they are, we were SHOCKED when we saw this coverage on CNN. I agree that the US is a great country...but it's embarassing as an American to watch as Israel - the size of the state of New Jersey - comes so quickly and so efficiently to help those in Haiti while our country has done so little.

Great piece. Would have blown my mind if Christiane Amanapour had done it.

Everything goes back to the Torah. We were instructed how to build a Tabernacle, basically a movable temple as we moved through the desert. We've also been pretty nomadic for two thousand years with enemies trying to obliterate us. It's almost instinctive to grab what's dear to you and run. If Israeli's didn't have the know-it-all for quick responding they would have been in the Mediterranean Ocean 60 years ago.

Robert,
According to some reports I've heard, one reason that America's relief supplies and medical aid have been slow in getting to Haitians is because we have been waiting until appropriate levels of security were in place. Of course, other aid groups (such as the Israelis) are apparently doing fine without heavily armed security guarding their efforts.

I've been reading up on the Katrina relief effort, and I noted that, according to Wikipedia's entry on Katrina, "many police, fire and EMS organizations from outside the affected areas were reportedly stymied in their efforts to send help and assistance to the area. FEMA sent hundreds of firefighters who had volunteered to help rescue victims to Atlanta for 2 days of training classes on topics including sexual harassment and the history of FEMA."

Hummm. I guess the IDF didn't have to undertake any such courses or training before setting up their field hospital, right?

Speaking of the IDF and Katrina, I noticed in the Wikipedia entry that the IDF had a significant presence in the Katrina relief efforts, something I never knew.

Finally, it's interesting that the U.S. presence is now bringing out old-fashioned anti-Americanism among the French and Hugo Chavez, who are complaining about the U.S. "occupation" of Haiti. Well, there you go. To some America haters, this is going to be all about the "Big Satan" and the "Little Satan." I thought this sort of anti-Americanism was supposed to end with Obama.

Yea, fat chance.

Are you really sure that America is "the greatest?" Or are you just trying to reassure yourself?

Maybe you ought to get away and see it from a different perspective.

Yet another reason I love Israel. They are so often fearless. I love their spirit. And of course the UN backed out even when apparently many of the doctors wanted to stay. Go figure.

It reminds me of when that giant earthquake happened in Kobe, Japan and the Japanese wouldn't let in rescue dogs from other countries because they were worried about making sure the dogs didn't have diseases (at least that's what they said). Of course in the meantime people were dying.

There were clearly bureaucratic issues that stymied efforts to help people in Katrina that were unacceptable to the core. But Katrina was also the perfect storm in terms of how every avenue of entry into the area was blocked, how it lingered over the ocean collecting massive quantities of water, etc. People became arrogant from surviving hurricane after hurricane there for decades. It wasn't just ineptitude that killed people. (Not that anyone here is saying that. I just think it is important to be fair.) The last hurricane that went through NO was handled much better by both the govt. and by the citizenry, granting it was much smaller.

Hooray for Israel! You guys bring it!

I did not see this coverage when aired so I am thankful for the story at seraphicpress.com and for the link from the Drudge Report which pointed it out to me.

Re my earlier post: Sorry, it was a link from Breitbart, not Drudge.

You folks are GRAND,nothing but! Thanks,JWE,Reno

Nice to see those radical Israeli's helping and healing.

Maybe we can now become more inclusive and invite some radical muslims to help. They might be good at clearing away rubble, I hear they're good with explosives. . .

Bob, good post, very true. CNN also reported, and I call BS, that Castro & Bro, Inc have 12, TWELVE, hospitals serving all humanity in Haiti. Has anyone called to verify?? Who, how did they get there, why is almost everyone in the video not what you would expect to see of Cuban??? Odd the Cubans all speak Haitian french so well. Methink CNN making up for calling Isrealis good.

SRJIM200 The reason we probably didn't hear reporting about Muslims arriving there is probably because they were there the whole time. You know how the Muslim missionaries from the religion of love are out spreading it by helping less fortunate around the world. Remember we are the great SATAN. They are the religion of love. To date how much has any Muslim nation donated to help these people? Some of the richest nations in the world. They have donated nothing.

Glad to see you are doing something useful with all the American money shipped to Israel.

Jean:

The aid to israel is issued almost exclusively in credits used to purchase military equipment from American companies. Further, the Israelis and the Americans work closely together in developing and customizing military gear in order to more effectively fight Islamist terror. Thus both countries benefit economically and in security.

If you are worried about foreign aid being wasted check out Egypt which uses American tax dollars to prop up one of the most corrupt regimes on the face of the earth.

This must make things a bit awkward for the progressives who seem to be so anti-Israel. Good.

TO ISREAL:
Thank you for leading the way in science, medicine, journalism, business,technology, communications, finance, and more.
Thank you for remembering our Lord in His Finest, serving mankind in a way that we all would wish to be treated.
If I'd been in the rubble, I wouldn't have cared what religion you were.
I simply would have believed, as a believer, praying all night, that God sent YOU to me.
Thank you for the hard work all these years.

There are two reasons the Israeli mobile hospital got there first.

1. The were ready first in delivery/arrival.

2. They were first in application to land before the UN and the Haitians had a prioritization system established that the US Military now has to follow.

This is why, as an American citizen, I will always support Isreal.

Our Government is so worried about offending the UN and other NGO's.

If I had my way, I would kick the UN out of the US and plop them right down in the middle of Syria, where the anti semitic crap they spout fits right in with the populace.

Thank you for everything you do around the world. You are fearless and live up to it on a daily basis.

Wish all my fellow Countrymen felt the same. Unfortunately, it will take a while to get our Country back, but we started to do that last night. Give us a little time.

Robert, the mamzers in Iran never miss an opportunity to search for the REAL reason that Israel is prepared, on short notice, to send its field hospital, where needed.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=116613§ionid=351020706

I think this is great that Israel is on the ball and already helping these folks. I hope it gets more attention, there are too many people bashing Israel when they have been our only trustworthy ally in the middle east!

As I have reiterated countless times the Israeli medical system and its physicians are world class.
Having lived here in Israel as a practicing Cardiac Intensivist for over 15 years I can factually state that our medical facilities and patient care is of the highest standards.

BTW the avg Israeli physcian earns one tenth of that of an American physician!!

This is the first time I have read this website and no race is that wonderful and not Israelis how you can ignore what you do to the Arabs because you were allowed in to Haiti by the USA who have invaded the place and will set about taking over its what they do best. I have read a lot about the Jewish Religious beliefs as to me all religion is the Glorification of man by men I saw a Qatar plane and many nurses and doctors came from Cuba there was also many from UAE countries but as the media is run by Jewish people they were not shown but were there first
as for not allowing people to object to what you do or any thing you class as anti-Semitic well you do not own the world and you can not claim to me a democratic country because there is a lack of free speech to others Do on to there what you wish done to you. No matter what you think we are all human but I sense you think yourselves better than the rest off us, well what you think and what you are is to different things.

people are hurt and dying no matter what they believe in or what colour they are they need help from any body it is not we were first game.

I'm certain that others will address Denise's somewhat disjointed diatribe, but I just want to confirm, for her benefit, that, yes, she does smell like a classic antisemite.

There's only one way that Israel and the world's Jewish community could make her, and her ilk, happy. That would involve national and corporate suicide.

It ain't about to happen, Denise, so kindly observe the sprig of mistletoe on my coattail.

Is Denise banned?

Many of the USA field hospitals are in use with our combat troops.

The unique nature of the IDF, being heavy on reserves and light on active duty, requires that they be able to mobilize quickly. USNS Comfort will be one of the last military medical units to go home.

Patrick:

Denise was not banned. I believe that her comment provides a valuable peek into the mind of a Jew hater.

We were also a big country during the 1930s, WWII, and the Cold War era; yet were were able to do things--Boulder Dam, the Empire State Building, the Atlas missile program--in short time spans that seem inconceivable today. Posted by: david foster at January 19, 2010 09:16 AM

The point being made in the original posting is that these were all massive efforts that required ramping up and performing a large task over a period of time. The mission in Haiti was a matter of an immediate response that was able to be started at once. It is the difference between a sprinter and a marathon runner.

Smaller groups can respond more quickly and be there at once with what they can contribute (like Israel). The larger groups can contribute more, but require a longer time to get the help there (like the United States).

For example, the Israelis could get a field hospital there and set up, but it took longer for the Hospital Ship Comfort to load up and sail to Haiti. Once they got there, they had more supplies than the Israelis could afford to send.

Both types of activity are required.