Posted on 09/02/2005 9:15:38 AM PDT by Jalapeno
The first busload of New Orleans refugees to reach the Reliant Astrodome overnight was a group of people who commandeered a school bus in the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and drove to Houston looking for shelter.
Jabbar Gibson, 20, said police in New Orleans told him and others to take the school bus and try to get out of the flooded city.
Gibson drove the bus from the flooded Crescent City, picking up stranded people, some of them infants, along the way. Some of those on board had been in the Superdome, among those who were supposed to be evacuated to Houston on more than 400 buses Wednesday and today. They couldn't wait.
The group of mostly teenagers and young adults pooled what little money they had to buy diapers for the babies and fuel for the bus.
After arriving at the Astrodome at about 10:30 p.m., however, they initially were refused entry by Reliant officials who said the aging landmark was reserved for the 23,000 people being evacuated from the Louisiana Superdome.
"Now, we don't have nowhere to go," Gibson said. "We heard the Astrodome was open for people from New Orleans. We ain't ate right, we ain't slept right. They don't want to give us no help. They don't want to let us in."
Milling about the Reliant entrance, Sheila Nathan, 38, told her teary-eyed toddler that she was too tired to hold him.
"I'm trying to make it a fairy tale so they won't panic," said Nathan, who had four grandchildren in tow. "I have to be strong for them."
After about 20 minutes of confusion and consternation, Red Cross officials announced that the group of about 50 to 70 evacuees would be allowed into the Astrodome.
All were grateful to be out of the devastation and misery that had overtaken their hometown.
"I feel good to get out of New Orleans," said Demetrius Henderson, who got off the bus with his wife and three children. Many of those around him alternated between excited, cranky and nervous, clutching suitcases or plastic garbage bags of clothes.
They looked as bedraggled as their grueling ride would suggest: 13 hours on the commandeered bus driven by a 20-year-old man. Watching bodies float by as they tried to escape the drowning city. Picking up people along the way. Three stops for fuel. Chugging into Reliant Park, only to be told initially that they could not spend the night.
Every bit worth it.
"We took the bus and got out of the city. We were trying to get out of the city," James Hickerson said.
Several passengers on the bus said they took the matter into their own hands earlier Wednesday because they felt rescuers and New Orleans authorities were too slow in offering help.
"They are not worried about us," said Makivia Horton, 22, who is five months pregnant.
God bless Jabbar Gibson for having the strength and courage to save all those folks.
Question....
I've only heard Col. Hunt (On O'Reilly) say that the Gov. of La. NEVER 'pulled the trigger' to request Fed. assistance. Correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't the Gov. of any State have to request help in order receive Fed. help? From what I understand, NG troops from one State cannot enter another State without being requested by said state's Gov. Correct? If what I've heard from Col. Hunt is correct, how can the MSM continue to critize the President and his response time. This is really bothering me and if anyone can set me straight I'd appreciate it.
"... I've only heard Col. Hunt (On O'Reilly) say that the Gov. of La. NEVER 'pulled the trigger' to request Fed. assistance. Correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't the Gov. of any State have to request help in order receive Fed. help?
They're in Iraq. :)
i don't know how to do it, but count me in for a donation.
"These SOB's are criminal anarchists, not heroes-"
Get a grip.
Just like any citizen, when the government fails to act, THEY are allowed to act. That's what America is about. The government exists FOR us, not the other way around.
These buses were sitting there for days,abandoned, because a corrupt, incompetent governemnt failed to act. As a citizen, he chose to act, and both relieved part of the problem and helped dozens of people.
This guy wasn't looting a tv or jewelry from a store - a private enterprise. He was acting because his government FAILED to act.
Again, get a freaking grip.
You're being disgusting lady, these are fellow americans who've lost everything. I think Dallas and Texas will NOT have anarchy since the CCW holders and police keep crime down. Second thing, who gives a damn about a sports arena if it can help transition 20,000 saved lives? The owners will get paid and WILL clean it up.
I think the people in New Orleans (Excluding children and elderly and sick) could learn much from these people. Obviously survivors. Yes they did loot a bus but the bus would only have been flooded anyway, THANKS A BUNCH NAGIN *thumbs*.
I knew about this hurricane well in advance, and I live in Europe.
If you:
1.) Live below sea level
2.) See a category 5 storm coming
3.) Are given a MANDATORY evacuation order
...get out of town!
Thank you.
Okay, I'm working on getting a grip-doing much better this morning. Someone posted a picture yesterday of hundreds of buses sitting in a lake that once was the county schoolbus motorpool. It is obvious that the local government, including Mayor Nagin, had vehicles available to evacuate every person and their pets to safety during the week before the storm hit.
If the young man was able to get one of those abandonded buses runing and drive a load of survivors to Houston, I agree that he is a genuine hero. He should be Mayor of NO and Mayor Nagey should be put on trial for manslaughter and criminal dereliction of duty.
See my post # 271.
You are absolutely right. In a week these folks could have walked out of harms way.
To all you fellow FReepers, thanks for attacking me the way you all have on this thread.
Does it make you feel superior?
Does it make you feel holier than thou?
What about you who cussed at me, or said they wouldn't breath the same air as me?
Do you all feel better now???
I had good reasons for being concerned and I will post articles I have read elsewhere that will state why MY CONCERNS WERE VALID!
What was said about all this when my fellow FReepers and my Fellow Texas neighbors attack ME I have done nothing except to voice my concerns for my family due to the articles that stated what these people were doing.
Of all the time I have posted here I have never been cussed at nor have I been attacked like this, and I AM NOT the enemy here. As I am refered to as "listen lady" like I was some horrid something or another....
We all are stressed yes but what's happened to me on this thread is less than pathetic!
Not that I owe any of you a explanation but following are
articles that heightened my fears and concerns, I didn't realize I couldnt have fears and concerns, "Judge NOT lest ye be judged"!
The MURDERS, RAPES and BEATINGS IN THE SUPERDOME IN LA was NOT because of the horrid conditions because if that were the case why were the good people of MS and AL NOT act like animals?? AND these people were in the SUPERDOME and were being transported to the ASTRODOME!!
As was obvious and reported by the HOUSTON POLICE CHIEF:
"Arrivals were being searched for weapons. Capt. John Anderson of the Houston Police Department’s homeland security division said police had found six pistols and about a dozen knives this morning"
SIX PISTOLS AND DOZEN KNIVES!!!!!!(Brought to the astrodome)
And following are yet more articles about the people in the superdome:
"A worker in the superdome said that she was ROBBED of all her belongings down to her shoes"
A worker there was robbed.
Than this first hand acct:
"http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16475025%5E2703,00.html
Tourist tells of 'murder and rape'
Kevin Meade and D.D. McNicoll
September 03, 2005
AN Australian backpacker stranded in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina has told his parents he witnessed horrific scenes while sheltering in the city's Superdome, including murders, rapes and stabbings."
The people who were sheltered there>
Than here is the other side, Good people of AL and MS were under horrific conditions and did not murder, rape and stab their own:
"So begins the journey to the end of the earth - or at least the town of Biloxi on the US Gulf Coast. Largely ignored by the media in favour of New Orleans, Biloxi suffered the full wrath of hurricane Katrina, and may never recover from the devastation.
It is now a town without electricity, mobile phone reception, landlines, food, petrol and water, or even any recognisable architecture.
evertheless, Ms Punzo continued to smile and chat to emergency workers. "Well, baby, here in the South we've been through this kind of thing before," she said.
"We just clean up and get on with it. I know God will take care of me."
The Times"
So before you judge me and my concerns and my posts and cuss and swear and all the rest look at the whole situation.
You all have disappointed me but there are some very nice and good people who post here as is Jim for allowing us a place to gather and share, you haven't chased me away but I would have expected this from DU not people I considered my friends.
The caller forgets the time that Jesus and his hungry deciples, helped themselves to someone's corn field, on the Sabbath day.
Keep the faith , dear lady-those such as yourself are the very roots through which the life sustaining nourishment for the tree of FreeRepublic is delivered.
Thank you.
You said they had a 5 day warning of a Cat 5 storm. The simple fact is, you were wrong, and they didn't.
Hells Bells ... make him governor. He's obviously more competent than what's there now.
Thank you, too.
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