I can give you a quick answer to that one ... the tv networks had sent people to New Orleans, Mississippi, and Alabama before the hurricane. They were already there (reporters, camera crews, sound crews, the whole works) ... they didn't have to try to get there on flooded, broken roads with trees and power poles and fragments of buildings and other assorted debris blocking access to the disaster-stricken areas.
I've read something about the USS Bataan but don't recall the details. I think it was stationed way out in the Gulf, out of harm's way, awaiting calm enough seas and the abatement of the winds so that it could be stationed nearer to shore. It would be incredibly stupid to have it in the anticipated landfall area ahead of time ... but that sort of subtlety is apparently beyond comprehension to liberal minds. I'm still at work but will see what I can find once I get home.
I do know that a very sophisticated mobile hospital was set to leave Charlotte, NC, last Thursday morning for Louisiana. Late that evening it was still in Charlotte while the officials were still trying to get the ok from LA. It never came so now this state-of-the-art mobile facility and medical staff are in Mississippi providing medical care to the residents there. And the citizens of Mississippi are very grateful and appreciative!
We know the answers because we are rational.
Those people on the other side are NOT!
Kay - IIRC the Bataan was lurking in Western Caribbean and moved in immediately when they could. Think she carries 6 copters. On one of the shows about Friday they were interviewing a pilot off her. He stated they had been on search and rescue for three days.
I imagine that was what we were watching that first day we saw the red Coast Guard and some other green/drab military types pulling people off roofs. Most fascinating thing ever seen. It looked so scary. God bless them all.