Posted on 08/16/2004 1:12:01 PM PDT by Semper911
If there are bodies in those trucks, then there must be a lot more than 14, otherwise the trucks would not be needed. There was a thread about "stacks of bodies", and also there was the hospital official interviewed on Fox who said there were 150 DOAs. But the count remains at 14 three days later.
Has anyone else found this curious?
I think when you're reporting fatalities, its not really our business to hear speculation. That only creates panic to families etc with uncontacted loved ones.
When they get firm numbers and make notifications they'll tell the truth. Until then we can wait.
It reminds me of 9/11 when everyone "speculated" that 10s of thousands were dead. All it did was create more (if its possible) panic, fear and sadness.
I don't find it curious at all. I see this more as an official who does not want to be misquoted or questioned as to why the numbers keep changing. I think they are more interested in taking care of the people and property in the area then letting the rest of us know how many bodies they have found so far.
For the life of me, I can't imagine any possible conspiracy that might be behind the delay.
When they have the correct number, they will release it.
I'm in St. Petersburg and I've thought from the minute the Hurricane turned suddenly that the death toll would be high. Also, I've heard rumors that one park alone had 60+ bodies. If that's the case, they need to come out with the info. Delaying it is going to anger people.
I also think it will become a political issue if the death toll is high.
... at her hospital, and she hadn't heard from the other three area hospitals. I'm somewhat curious about the way they're handling discussion of the actual count, but I think they're handling it tactfully. My prayers for the families affected by this catastrophe.
Also, I've heard rumors that one park alone had 60+ bodies. If that's the case, they need to come out with the info. Delaying it is going to anger people.
Who exactly will be angry? Angry about what?
I also think it will become a political issue if the death toll is high.
You honestly think the Bush Administration is going to sit on the death count until after the election?
If you don’t, what possible political angle do you see in them delaying the release of a huge number for a few days?
Once again, the media wants a body count. That is what they live for, not the well being of those living with the aftermath of the storm.
Besides if FEMA starts giving out numbers they have to put a name with that number which means someone should be notified.
Numbers are only important if you are keeping score. These people need help not conspiracy theories.
Yeah, I'd say "settle down."
In this instant news era, people think they have the right to every bit of information instantly.
Without electicity in the local funeral homes, it makes sense to store these bodies for a while in these special refrigerated trucks until relatives can take care of burial or medical examiners can perform autopsies.
I hate to say it but a lot of these old people will be dead before years end as a result of this thing. We lost our house in "mild" flood event a few years ago. The shock and stress made us both physically ill for a few months. There are going to be elderly who simply aren't going to be able to deal with it all. I doubt they will be included in any final total. Prayers with all.
We went through this same crap after Hurricane Andrew. There are still people that are convinced thousands of migrants died and the bodies were secretly burned in mass graves. According to them, all the Fire Rescue guys know about it and have been sworn to secrecy. Funny how much money one of them could make writing a book about it if it was true. That alone is enough reason for me to doubt it.
The government can't admit that it is powerless, and that its "measures" don't stand up against Nature. After all, how would their preparations stand up to war on our soil?
As for covering up the truth about anything? Business as usual. It would be interesting to know the actual motive, apart from what I've postulated.
They never did release the actual numbers of people killed by Hugo. There were many many more killed in that one than ever reported.
I do find it curious that they haven't released more details. I have no problem releasing data as appropriate but what I find strange is that this is not the way things usually work in this country (for the good or bad). With Andrew it seemed like 24/7 coverage. I get most of my updates from this storm on FR and TWC. It just seems strange. It's just BAU. Laci, Lori, Kobye, NJ Gov ...
No; I fear local (translate Dim) officials are sitting on it and Bush will take the heat.
If there had been no hurricane evacuation, they'd have probably lost more than that this weekend on the shuffleboard courts.
My point? Impressive forecasting technology was used and public-safety actions were taken. In many countries, there would be thousands dead.
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