Posted 9/10/2005 10:44:00 AM by Douglas

Why in the hell are we still readying stories like this? If there's a compelling reason why we should be refusing aid from anyone that wants to give it, I'd like to hear it.

Frustration mounted among European countries that have been stymied in their efforts to send aid to the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, with tons of supplies sitting idly at airports awaiting a green light from Washington.

"Since last Saturday we have been waiting for permission to fly into the United States but so far we haven't got any response," lamented Claes Thorson, spokesman at the Swedish embassy in Washington.

Thorson said as soon as the United States appealed for foreign aid, his government loaded a transport plane with water purification equipment, temporary cell-phone networks, blankets and jerry cans.

But the Hercules C-130 has yet to be given permission to fly into the United States, despite repeated requests by Sweden, Thorson said.

"The only answer we get is that our request (to fly) has been suspended until further notice," he said.

Can they land it at the Astrodome?