Some Bush-bashers are now starting to say that stories of violence and chaos were just rumors being used to cover for delays in evacuation and provision. But here is just a brief sample of reports over the last week:
New Orleans in Anarchy With Fights, Rapes
NEW ORLEANS (9/2/05) -- New Orleans descended into anarchy Thursday as corpses lay abandoned in street medians, fights and fires broke out, cops turned in their badges and the governor declared war on looters who have made the city a menacing landscape of disorder and fear.
Looting Escalates in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (9/1/05) -- With thousands feared dead and the city's remaining residents told to evacuate for weeks, conditions deteriorated further in submerged New Orleans as looting spiraled out of control... "They are starting to get closer to heavily populated areas — hotels, hospitals, and we're going to stop it right now," Nagin said Wednesday.
New Orleans thugs rape, loot and shoot
NEW ORLEANS (9/2/05) -- An explosion jolted residents awake early today, illuminating the pre-dawn sky with red and orange flames over the city where corpses rotted along flooded sidewalks and bands of armed thugs thwarted fitful rescue efforts. Congress was rushing through a $10.5 billion aid package, the Pentagon promised 1,400 National Guardsmen a day to stop the looting.
Looting Takes Place in View of La. Police
NEW ORLEANS (8/30/05) -- With much of the city flooded by Hurricane Katrina, looters floated garbage cans filled with clothing and jewelry down the street in a dash to grab what they could. In some cases, looting on Tuesday took place in full view of police and National Guard troops.
This would not have happened had there been an effective police force operating in the city. A workable local emergency plan likely would have prevented the breakdown in order. Sadly, none existed, but that is not the responsibility of the federal government. Without basic security, federal and volunteer relief workers could not move into New Orleans and save the innocent.
The U.S. government worked their way through a hurricane ravaged region the size of Great Britain and then through the anarchy that had emerged in New Orleans. They've evacuated that city now in less than five days since the flood waters started rising. They deserve America's gratitude, not condemnation, for this accomplishment and for their accompishments to come.