International Opinions About Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans with all of her destructive force almost two weeks ago now, but countless civilians are still missing, dead, and slowly dying. The news has been reporting local allegations of federal oversight in disaster prevention and support.
Racism and classism are also hot topics, as so many of the people who were unable to flee in time to avoid the hurricane were poor and African American. Most will agree, New Orleans, and thousands of her citizens, are now gone forever.
Perhaps the most tragic/infuriating truth is that human oversight is responsible for many of the situations which lead to the increased devastation and therefore increased loss of life.
So the questions I have posed to my international friends are, "What do you think about this? Is this the America you have seen in the media? "The following is a response from one of my very intelligent friends in Japan -
I will allow their response to speak for itself...

I knew the news about Hurricane Katrina. I was so sad to see it. And I change the image about America. Before I knew it I thought America is safe, big and everyone is friendly. And I thought maybe they do not have any discrimination because America is the strongest country in the world. But my think was wrong.
The United States is an ability society, is not it?? I heard that the evacuation order had been put out when the hurricane came there. However, it was not possible to run away because a lot of people did not have there car. When I watched the TV, I thought that people that had not had cars are black. I was very surprised it.
They were stealing shoes and foods. And they pleased to steal new shoes and foods. They said "we could get new shoes!" "we could eat foods!" I doubted all. I thought is there really the United States?I experienced a big earthquake of seven degrees in the seismic intensity ten years ago. It deprived people of a lot of lives. The house is burnt in housework. All roads broke and crumbled. There was no water. There was no food. Still, we helped with a united effort each other. At that time, I felt man can not live alone.
In America, rich can buy car but poor can not buy it? In America, white can buy food and new shoes but black can not do?
Will it be an ability society that the United States means? I do not know and I do not believe the news. I was not studying the United States well. However, I was going to understand the United States well. I was not able to notice my ignorance. That was very regrettable. I will send mail to you again. From today I am going to study about the world again.