[ekwd]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe that the convention center was a storm shelter, just a place where people began to gather when they learned that it was above water, so officials would not have known before the storm that a large number of survivors would be there. Also, I think that Fox first reported (I don't watch CNN at all) about survivors at the convention center Thursday at the earliest. It was only when the cameras reached the convention center that I was convinced of a crisis there.
At one point a Navy or Coast Guard officer was asked about the convention center. From his answer it was clear to me that he thought he was being asked about the Superdome survivors. Confusion reigned.

We were continually warned about "rumors and propaganda" while I was in the Air Force. Diverting resources to deal with a false rumor can defeat you long before the enemy does.

Get this straight folks: the people at the convention center, in the Superdome, and on those overpasses, as terrible as their plight was, were among the relatively fortunate victims of Katrina. The people trapped under rubble for more than 100 miles east of New Orleans and the people trapped in attics and on roofs in the New Orleans area were far worse off.

[turbocat]

You, I think, are the first to mention what I have been wondering. I was shocked to hear about the convention center when it came up on TV. All talk was about the Superdome. And the convention center location never came up early on. The networks didn't even know early, IIRC. So how would anyone else know.... except of course unless the local officials let someone know. And I agree, the administration was not sitting around watching TV.

[maica]

Get this straight folks: the people at the convention center, in the Superdome, and on those overpasses, as terrible as their plight was, were among the relatively fortunate victims of Katrina.

#####

This needs to be pointed out regularly. The Superdome was meant to be a refuge for those "unable" to evacuate. The plan, before the storm was for any 'special needs' person with one caregiver to come to the Superdome. Three days of water and MREs for 15000 people was prepositioned. Somehow portapotties for 15000 have not been in evidence, and the loss of a sewage system that has to pump sewage uphill was not planned for.

^^^^

The people who showed up later on the overpasses, the convention center and at the Superdome were by and large strong enough to fend for themselves - much better than the people trapped in their attics.


^^^^^
Very few people in those locales, except for three infants who died, appear to have suffered from dehydration. No one is suffering from starvation.

[DouglasKC]

Get this straight folks: the people at the convention center, in the Superdome, and on those overpasses, as terrible as their plight was, were among the relatively fortunate victims of Katrina. The people trapped under rubble for more than 100 miles east of New Orleans and the people trapped in attics and on roofs in the New Orleans area were far worse off.

Exactly and bears repeating.