Hmmm, how about a "Billionaires Band of Brothers" fund whereby all your billionaire friends and acquaintances can ante up their billions of dollars? How about that, instead of relying on taxpayers? Just a stray thought.

Marshall Plan needed in Caribbean: Branson

http://www.news.com.au/world/b...001004af897f049cd9fb

British billionaire Richard Branson has called for a "Marshall plan" to help the Caribbean recover from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma, which left tens of thousands homeless and sparked looting on islands left short of food and water.

Irma ripped through the Leeward Islands last week as one of the Atlantic's strongest ever storms, uprooting trees, tearing down power cables and severely damaging the homes of poor locals and the global jet-set alike. Nearly 40 deaths were reported across the Caribbean.

As the storm crashed into Florida at the weekend, looting erupted on some Caribbean islands where residents and tourists were stranded with little food, shelter or drinking water.

Despite sending troops and ships to deliver help, France, Britain and the Netherlands have been criticised for an insufficient response in islands that are their territories.

Branson, who has lived in the British Virgin Islands for the past 11 years, weathered Irma on Necker, his private island.

In a blog post he said the region needed a "Disaster Recovery Marshall Plan" to aid in recovery and the long-term revitalisation of its economy - a reference to the multibillion-dollar US program that helped rebuild Western European after the devastation of World War Two.

He said he was writing from Puerto Rico, where had travelled to mobilise aid efforts, and said he would be returning to the Virgin Islands soon for recovery work.

Branson said the British government had a "massive role to play" in rebuilding its territories, including the British Virgin Islands, an offshore financial centre.

The premier of the British Virgin Islands, Orlando Smith, also appealed for urgent aid from Britain, saying the situation was critical and calling for a comprehensive package. He said the plan should include the possibility of higher intensity and extreme weather "as the effects of climate change continue to grow".

Britain has defended its effort as "as good as anybody else's". Dutch King Willem-Alexander was due to visit the Dutch side of Saint Martin on Monday, the palace said in a statement. French President Emmanuel Macron was expected in the Caribbean on Tuesday.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tanner,

It amazes me how smart people like this can be so dumb sometimes.



Sorry, we're tapped out. Maybe he could deign to leave his mansion on his own island and help out himself. And he displays ignorance about what the Marshall Plan was really about. It was about building up Western Europe so the then-Soviet Union couldn't just roll right over it, as well as being easier and cheaper to feed the Germans than fight them.

The liberal creed is to use other people's money to help the needy, not their own money.

Well, if they use their billions, the billionaires will end up becoming millionaires

Sounds like a socialist to me with his ideas on how to use someone else's money.

Why doesn't he get some of his billionaire friends together to chip in some money? That would end up being more than anything us "regular" people or governments could put together.

Not that long ago, he and Obummer were pal'ing around. Let him ask Zero for help & $$$.

https://www.usatoday.com/story...c-vacation/97592260/

You mean a guy who has an airline? A guy who owns a major telecommunications company? A guy who has at least one huge yacht?

Those things that people need in disaster relief: planes and boats to move supplies and rebuilding communications infrastructure.

So, uh, Beardy, can't you just cowboy up some of that shit you already have, to say nothing of cash money?

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
Not that long ago, he and Obummer were pal'ing around. Let him ask Zero for help & $$$.

https://www.usatoday.com/story...c-vacation/97592260/

Seems to me Obama's lifestyle has ramped up significantly since his time in the Oval Office, much more than his compensation as POTUS could account for. I wonder what side deals he did to help fund his retirement.

you first Branson

and when you're all tapped out, ask again nicely

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
you first Branson

and when you're all tapped out, ask again nicely

The left never steps to the plate, they always figure out a way for someone else to be forced to step to the plate.

"Marshall Plan for Caribbean"
Then put the Clintons in charge of it. After all, look what they have done for Haiti.

After reading what was posted it looks to me like he was saying Britain, France and the Netherlands need to put up more money to help their possessions in the area recover. I don't see where he's asking for any money from the US specifically.

quote:

Originally posted by Paten:
After reading what was posted it looks to me like he was saying Britain, France and the Netherlands need to put up more money to help their possessions in the area recover. I don't see where he's asking for any money from the US specifically.

Fair enough, and to be clear I wasn't implying the US should pay. My point was that taxpayers, be it French, Dutch, or British would be on the hook to restore properties. Didn't buy the insurance you needed to adequately pay to replace your property in a hurricane zone, too bad. Don't expect the taxpayers to bail you out.