The American Spectator

p> TAKING COMFORT br> Re: Jed Babbin’s Joint Task Force Katrina : /p>

Jed Babbin is absolutely correct. As usual, the United States has to rely on its own resources in a time of catastrophe. In the latest scenario, it’s the U.S. military flying the rescue missions in Mississippi and Louisiana. You would think Canada or the Europeans could muster a few specialized rescue teams to supplement the rescue teams on-site, and to give these over worked people a bit of break each day.

If the U.S. isn’t sending all available resources to a part of the world in a time of trouble, we are derided by the U.N. and the Europeans, yet in our own time of trouble, these same critics can only “pile on” with criticism of U.S. environmental policies that defies even the logic of a fourth-grader. I suppose it will always be that way, and Lord help this country when the nations on this planet decide to support us.

p>God bless those in the military servicing us at home and abroad. br> — Tom Fries br> Dublin, Ohio /p>

The response from the military is, as always, truly impressive. But surely the writer couldn’t have missed the presence of all those orange and white helicopters that say “U.S. Coast Guard” on the side? Yes, I noticed the mention in the last paragraph (sorry, old coastie habit of bitchin’ if we’re not mentioned in the first paragraph!).

He mentioned the USS Hope, a quick Google shows that the Hope hasn’t sailed since 1973. I’m sure he meant to say USNS Comfort, which should be departing Baltimore soon, if not already enroute.