We Shut Down the Bridge

Washington Times & UPI via NRO ^ | Sep. 9, 2005 | Shaun Waterman

[hipaatwo]

Think local officials are less to blame for deaths in New Orleans than federal officials? In the most jaw-dropping story of the week, UPI has the police chief of Gretna, Louisiana, admitting that he closed off one of the major arteries out of New Orleans on Monday, before the storm hit:

"We shut down the bridge," Arthur Lawson, chief of the City of Gretna Police Department, confirmed to United Press International, adding that his jurisdiction had been "a closed and secure location" since before the storm hit.

"All our people had evacuated and we locked the city down," he said. The bridge in question -- the Crescent City Connection -- is the major artery heading west out of New Orleans across the Mississippi River.

He added that the small town, which he called "a bedroom community" for the city of New Orleans, would have been overwhelmed by the influx. "There was no food, water or shelter" in Gretna City, Lawson said. "We did not have the wherewithal to deal with these people. If we had opened the bridge, our city would have looked like New Orleans does now: looted, burned and pillaged."

[stand watie]

i'm both fascinated & HORRIFIED at HOW DUMB "the average citizen" of this country is.

according to a recent poll conducted by some students of our local community college (as a class project) here in NOVA, over 85% of those @1,000 people questioned said that the press "tells ONLY the facts" and does NOT "slant or misrepresent the news" most or all of the time!!!!

free dixie,sw

[Luis Gonzalez]

Genuine?

You couldn't possibly understand the term. I decided to comment on some issues that I wanted to comment on.

When I'm done, I'll probably stay away for a while again.

Or maybe I'll stay.

I do what I want, come and go as I please, and stay until I'm ready to go.

"Glory"?

It's always been jealousy with you, hasn't it Willie?

[SJackson]

IF you were reliably told that "on the other side of the bridge" AND "out of your jurisdiction" (where you have NO AUTHORITY, whatever!), that a MOB of armed criminals and PERHAPS "some innocent persons" was trying to enter YOUR TOWN, what would YOU do????...open the "floodgates" & let them in to possibly LOOT,MURDER,RAPE,ROB,etc. OR would you protect your town/citizens????

I'm not sure I have all the facts yet. It's not at all clear to me they were facing a MOB of armed criminals and PERHAPS "some innocent persons" mixed in. The Chief hasn't said that as far as I've seen, most articles seem to indicate the "mob" presented no immediate risk, rather the concern was that they might turn to looting if they crossed. After a few days adrift, that's certainly possible. I don't know what personel the Chief had available, or whether he could have protected the property in the town should something develop. Nor do I know what, if any facilities might have been available and where. It seems to me at the least, children and the infirm could have been aided.

[Willie Green]

When I'm done, I'll probably stay away for a while again.
Or maybe I'll stay.
I do what I want, come and go as I please, and stay until I'm ready to go.

Well, at least you'll keep the Orkin Man busy.

It's always been jealousy with you, hasn't it Willie?

LOL! Not hardly, pilgrim.

[rdb3]

The people who started this whole mess are not here- they have run of to their handlers, provided them with good cut and paste material at a different website- and they are busy supporting people who do nothing but call freepers racist and sexist names. Of course they are eating up the star-status they are getting there while the other posters pander to them both for being black.

Handlers? You're saying that I have a handler?

Prove it, or retract it.

[NeoCaveman]

Hey RDB3, good to see you.

[mhking]

Of course they are eating up the star-status they are getting there while the other posters pander to them both for being black.

Personal insults are not necessary - especially since I don't take to being pandered to; I am smart enough to know when I am being pandered to; and I don't relish any kind of "star status."

It is like they have a new toy over there.

"New toy?"

I'm sorry, was I supposed to check with you before I posted elsewhere? I didn't realize I needed anyone's "permission" to go, do or say anything, least of all, yours.

DBR, I'm going to ask politely. Please cease posting about me -- especially regarding matters that you have no knowledge about in any way, shape or form.

[spectre]

Whew...another false rumor put to rest..welcome home :)

sw

[AppyPappy]

especially regarding matters that you have no knowledge about in any way, shape or form.

She'd be awfully quiet then.

[dirtboy]

Posting guidelines prohibit me from saying what I really think about DBR's post here, except for the fact I think she always gets an extra set of sheets when she shops at K-Mart.

[dirtboy]

The drama has been a bit over the top

Your post was way over the top and way out of line. Don't whine when your own words bite you in the arse.

What goes around, comes around. You sling mud, it usually ends up coming back at you.

[T Minus Four]

Oh my gosh! Please don't go!

[rdb3]

Whew...another false rumor put to rest..welcome home :)

Y'all were sayin' my name so you must be lookin' fa me...

HERE I GO!

HERE I GO!

HERE I GO!

If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
They're going fast!

[spectre]

BUMP!

[puroresu]

You mean you didn't leave?

You should be deleted for scaring everyone like that! :-)

Just kidding! Glad you're still here.

[newgeezer]

Ah, here it is.

Read it for yourself.

[stand watie]

UNfortunately, as the Chief you have at least as much (if not MORE information) than he did at the time.

according to the LA News Service, a MOB of armed persons was what was REPORTED to him at that time.

so Chief, knowing what LITTLE you actually know, what is your decision????

as i said, i've been in that PLACE & it's NO FUN to have to make a decision without the FACTS. you just do your best & HOPE you made the right one.

what is your decision, given what you were offered in my scenario??? NO DECISION is ALWAYS the WRONG DECISION in a crisis!

free dixie,sw

[stand watie]

NICE to SEE you back (if indeed you left for a spell), Mike!

i'm glad you're here!

FREEP ON!

free dixie,sw

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Dear me are you still trying to pick a fight with me?

Have you considered taking up a hobby? Knitting is very soothing.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I am sorry I am just now getting back to you ,but I had to run to get to work.

It amazes me ,because I figured out a long time ago that you can not trust everything you hear or read on the MSM.

I am thankful that my kids at the ages 17 and 12 know better and neither of them believe half the things they hear on the news,if they want the truth they'll come here to FR and research it on the Internet,before deciding whom or what to believe.

It is actually unbelievable , with all the technology we have today i.e. Internet,that so many people still believe everything they hear in the MSM.