Kudos to the city & citizens of Houston and other places that have opened their hearts to the people impacted by this tragedy. From some of the reports I have heard, it was private companies, citizens and organizations that were actually there with aid before the government.

Someone on this thread earlier wondered if all those countries that complain that the US doesn't give enough in times of crisis would come through with offers of aid. I was watching one of the cable news shows (not sure which one since I was flipping between 3 of 'em) and was reading the ticker along the bottom that was listing offers of aid from various countries - the usual weathier nations and some unexpected from "poorer" countries such as Honduras. I remember one was Sri Lanka pledging $25,000 to the Red Cross (bless 'em with all they've been thru) and then came the listing of one offer that made my heart stop & my blood run cold - from Columbia (I think) an offer of troops to be sent to New Orleans to restore order! (Note: I have not seen this repeated so I don't know if the ticker I saw was correct. I certainly hope not)

The thought of foreign troops in an American city (however well intentioned the offer) certainly gave me pause for thought. And perhaps a small insite into how citizens of other countries feel with the presence of American troops (however well intentioned) on their home soil. Besides the tragedy that has unfolded, let's hope that the message that goes across the world IS NOT that we are too weak to maintain our own cities & borders.