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| -Signs, Portents, and the Weather- |
| 5000 Australians missing in Tsunami Disaster |
| 2004-12-29 |
| EIGHT Australians have been confirmed killed, another eight are missing feared dead and 5000 are out of contact after the Asian tsunami disaster, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today. Given the large number of Australians who had not been accounted for since Sunday's Asian tsunami disaster, people should brace themselves for the official death toll to rise significantly, Mr Downer said. "We are very concerned that those numbers could grow and grow quite substantially," he told reporters. The official toll includes seven Australian citizens and a Dutch national with permanent residency. Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs Bruce Billson said officials were trying to locate Australians in difficult conditions after an unparalleled disaster. "We have been able to locate and confirm as safe 2,400 Australians in the areas affected - that's an encouraging trend that's increasing as each day goes by," he said. Of the eight Australians missing feared dead, seven had been in Thai coastal resorts and one was in India, Mr Billson said. 5,000 of my fellow Aussie brothers & sisters are missing, its a grim day. |
| Posted by:God Save The World |
| #6 Gentlemen--re: troll hunting: "It's a dirty business . . . but somebody's gotta do it!" : ) |
| Posted by: ex-lib 2004-12-29 10:18:00 PM |
| #5 Ouch! Nice grab, ex-lib! What was I thinking? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-12-29 10:07:24 PM |
| #4 I have to admit - the letter is just about perfect - so it was, from the "write to the Aussies POV" a thread-killer. However - ex-lib has nailed the inconsistency / duplicity factor square betwixt the eyes. If there were a comment / commenter ID search, much of the faux-debate here would be reduced to zip - leaving bandwidth for real discussion. Those who never concede a point, no matter what, are trolls. "I'm sorry, you're right." or "Cool idea - bravo! - I'll steal it!" need to be introduced into the lexicon / vocabulary of several of our posters. Give credit where due and cut the grandstanding / pontificating, eh? And, since I'm pontificating, I'm sorry. Excellent post, ex-lib - bravo! - I'll steal it! ;-) |
| Posted by: .com 2004-12-29 10:00:49 PM |
| #3 And Zen "And if I were leader of the free world, believe me my Aussie brothers, not one cent would be going to anyone, anywhere, until these rattyass countries make me a big promise to stop being corrupt and to root out Islamoterrorism from the tops of their countries to the bottoms--UNTIL THEN . . . no reconstruction aid. (Never mind the pesky little fact that there are plenty of terror cells, and corruption to boot, in the US and UK--that stuff just don't count cuz we're the civilized peoples of the world). Cheers, mates! "--from someone named "Zenster" (yeah, right) --the guy who really 'cares' in the US of A. " That would be more consistent with your viewpoints, no? You make me sick, Zenster, but you don't fool me. I know what you're about. (Zenster's "letter" to the Australians is a great example of what he tries to do here--suck up, suck in. For those new to Rantburg, I suggest the archives for more revelation--Zenster isn't what he pretends to be.) |
| Posted by: ex-lib 2004-12-29 9:46:57 PM |
| #2 Permit me to suggest sending condolences to the Australian embassy here in America. I've written them the following: public.affairs@austemb.org Re: Condolences To the Embassy Staff and All Australian People, Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss of so many Australian nationals during the Sumatra earthquake. In recent years many of us in America have felt an increasing bond with your great nation during such disturbing times. Australia's unwavering, clear cut support in helping to assure our world's stability and security only makes this tragedy just that much more grievous for all Americans. If there are any Australian citizens stranded in the United States who need help, comfort or temporary housing, please do not hesitate to ask for my personal assistance. I am located in ................. and will contribute in any way that I can. This disaster is one that reaches far beyond its boundaries and demands that all people of conscience rise to the occasion. Again, you have my deepest sympathies in this time of loss. With Great Sorrow, Zenster |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-12-29 4:19:41 AM |
| #1 Grim, indeed. I imagine the family of that poor mentally retarded boy are now ashamed of their outburst. But I am glad that 2400 of your compatriots have been found safe. Hopefully, many more will end up on the safe side of the ledger. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2004-12-29 1:50:36 AM |