[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

I predict much wailing and hand-wringing from the UN and their fellow travellers — followed by an eruption of cash, that flows, pyroclastically, into the pockets of connected officials. No actual aid or comfort will be provided to Ecuadorians; but, the NYTimes will wax eloquently about the valiant efforts of the UN.

Meanwhile, the U.S. will rapidly deploy a large, well equipped, well supplied, and well prepared contingent of rescue and aid workers. The NYTimes and their ilk will criticize the U.S. for some combination of: being in too big a rush & not cooperating with the international efforts still being “planned” by the U.N.; taking too long; using military ships and aircraft in a humanitarian crisis; not having enough military equipment available for the mission, because it's tied up in Iraq; wasting money; and not spending enough.

[Egon]

Excellent.