Katrina Live Thread, Part XIV

Various ^ | 2 September 2005 | Various

[md2576]

5 days to get the largest relief effort in our history assembled, and deployed is an amazing feat. Communications in New York were completely disrupted for 3 days when 2 buildings fell. You are expecting a response that our present technology cannot provide. There are 92,000 square miles of devastation that you appear to be forgetting about. If anyone has a reason to gripe it is the 2 million people outside of New Orleans that are taking a backseat because of the race politics going on in NO

But they had 5 days before the storm to plan for the worst and obviously they should have.

[Born in a Rage]

Something funny is going on.

I didn't want to say it before, but I was thinking the same thing. I'm wondering if there is an illness in that area and they want to keep it contained...just a thought, a scary thought.

[DrewsMum]

I don't know. I got an email today from citizen corps of houston to go help. Some friends of mine went and came back and said they are packed full with volunteers and refuges. I did notice on my local news that some of the volunteers were standing there waiting for what seemed like another bus load i have not idea but they weren't doing anything,,,(not saying they were working) it just looked like they had it under control. There is hotels all around me to that I know are full of people (good middle class) that came before they storm and I know they can't afford to stay there much longer,,,I may just go try to help them,,,,,

[PhiKapMom]

Exactly Noticed they had weapons and also money for buying drugs since some of the people trying to break into hospitals were drug addicts looking for a fix.

[numberonepal]

My hat's off to those National Guardsmen. They've been doing a lot of the heavy lifting the last couple of years.

Don't forgt about the men and women of the Coast Guard. Stand up, stellar, awesome, positive etceteras, job. Hands down the most impressive search and rescue operation in our history. Not even a Democrat will touch their funding for a long long time.

[Wampus SC]

"Thanks for the update about your uncle's son on the other thread. Prayers are continuing."

And thank you. ACtually it's my cousin's son but that's a minor detail. I got another update about 11PM. I need to leave certain details out. I'm fatigued so don't expect me to be that coherent, and excuse my wordiness ----- He got out of New Orleans, finally, which wasn't easy. He's completed his assignment of delivering the ill officers to medical facility in another state. He was aided by another PD along the way, who fed them and gave them a place to nap a while. (It had been several days.) He's sick but still walking, and will recover. He's been placed on leave. His family and his father's family have lost everything, and are relocating here. I'll be scarce around here while helping them do this. That'll also be where my donations are going, since family comes first.

I want to thank all who have offered prayers and other forms of help. It did help. I'll always be grateful.

And now another matter - BB, this does not apply to you -I've seen several people who keep repeating "the cops are the looters" and "the cops are deserters". I don't doubt there have been incidents, but I think that's too big a brush to paint with. We know how the MSM distorts - mainly by leaving things out. They won't tell you of the business who told the police, fire and EMS, "come get what you need". But I have firsthand knowledge. I won't doubt that there have been desertions, but I don't want to hear anyone say this young man is a deserter just because he left NOLA. He had a a mission to accomplish under extreme circumstances while sick, and he did it. He could have walked away, but chose to keep serving his community, and still is. I think that when more details are known, we'll hear many more stories like this. There are still a lot of heroes out there.

[Steve_Seattle]

Fox and the media have been focusing very much on the people at the convention center and on the freeway ramp, perhaps 5,000 of the million or so affected by the disaster, and people are left with the impression that NOTHING is being done. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people are being rescued, fed, and sheltered elsewhere, with very little publicity.

[Spktyr]

FEMA *is* in MS and AL, the media just isn't covering it. They're certainly in Biloxi.

There is also plenty of gas in the ground iin tanks n parts of MS - but they have to get power going to run gas station pumps. FEMA is bringing in generators to help with that and ALL the utility companies have sent people. It will take time. People will die. Gas alone will not save people. They need fuel, power, and most importantly, water. Water is being trucked in to all three heavily hit states, some by FEMA, some by private donors.

It sucks. it really does. But that's how reality is.


Now, FEMA has an 800 number, listed at the top of the thread. Why don't you call them and ask? They will probably be able to tell you where the closest aid distribution station is to your friends and family down there.

[Texas_Conservative2]

I tell you what I need to go dig in my closet for my tin foil hat cause something is messed up with the news coverage tonight.

[P.O.E.]

You're right. I've been pretty calm about this whole thing - but I just spent about two hours watching media coverage.

Most of the rest of the week, I've been praying for these people down there. I think I'll turn off the tube and go back to praying.

[plushaye]

But the AP photo shows otherwise. Look at all the pallets. Check the CNN website at:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/katrina.impact/index.html

Unless this is not the same Convention Centre (unlikely) or maybe the first groups of people took all the food and there was none left (unlikely). A picture is worth a thousand words? I'm confused about all these conflicting stories.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I missed that. I'm assuming they know this because they found the weapons?

[Txsleuth]

Hopefully, the conservatives will take notice of who runs and who stays in the GOP, when it comes time for elections next year!!!

I expected LOTT to bash Bush, because he has worked against him some, since he lost his Majority Leader position...

but, the transcript that was posted here that had his interview with Anderson Cooper didn't seem to "throw Bush under the bus"....now, that is not saying he won't..once he gets back with his buds in Washington...but so far..

[StarFan]

Didn't watch LKL knowing he'd probably invite Jackson to add to the ridiculousness of what his son said earlier.

Instead of demanding the rapists, murderers and looters in NO stop the nonsense and act like human beings, Jesse Jr., blames the media for directing their attention to lawlessness instead of the PLIGHT of the people. In short you're to ignore the PLIGHT of those murdered, looted and raped and ignore those causing mayhem. Liberal thinking at its finest.

[oceanview]

let's see where it goes. americans are going to have little tolerance for rap stars on telethons telling us Bush is a racist, when they've seen photos of rampant looting in new orleans. the administration always makes the mistake of trying to play it straight on an issue like this, keep politics out of it, but you can't do that with the Dems. so now the gloves are off, and that's a good thing.

[PhiKapMom]

I need to find out more info but our local Red Cross said you can specify which State gets your donation but I don't exactly trust the Red Cross. They were saying on the local news that MS/AL really needs the donations.

[united1000]

You are welcome!

Yes you did say thanks, I just wanted to give you the link to the complete article.

[Spktyr]

Louisiana had 45 years to plan for this, not just 5 days.

LA govt and the NO govt failed the test MISERABLY.

[Txsleuth]

Since we are talking about Nahlins here...shouldn't it be the "Dirty rice bowl"????? LOL

[Texas_Conservative2]

what I don't get is that litterally hundreds of simingly empty tractor trailor trucks are just driving by those people on the bridge... why the heck dont they stop and load those trucks up with those people and drop them off ANYWHERE out side of town.