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."

[honeywagon]

amen

[pageonetoo]

Mike, bigotry comes in lots of flavors. You should know that by now.

Take a chill, and keep posting your comments. Ignore those who you don't like, and encourage those who have a conscience.

I have posted some experiences in the "projects", earlier in my life. There are a lot of people to love there. There seem to be a lot, not to like, as well. But, most of them are black, and some are white. That's just the way it is...

I am lucky to have been born white. I often wish that I had been born rich, but I have had to make my own living. I earned it, and have come out on top. Many people stood in my way, but my desire to overcome them won...

People are always the problem, dammit, and each is an individual, with his own concepts, culture, and education! You know it as well as anyone! Most just don't know any better, than to lead with their chins.

Suck it up, and ignore them! You're among friends!

[TaxRelief]

He was worried about his slot machines, apparently.

[GraniteStateConservative]

It would have been an easy matter to permit buses to drive through the city on US 90 -- which is a limited access highway -- through Gretna (which ain't that big, mind you) on to the west.

I think Lawson panicked and didn't think of allowing bus traffic, but no stops, as an option. Or, he thought that there wouldn't be a way to enforce the "agreement"-- people begging for exceptions over and over or just ognoring the agreement. Or, he thought too much of the traffic would be by foot or car. I think we can all agree this whole thing was a tragedy all around, with blame to lay everywhere. One big CF. I don't think you can say this is racist at all. I'm saying that with a straight face, yes. If NOLA had a lot of white drug addicted and/or hopeless people, Lawson would still be as concerned about this element entering his town.

[samiam1972]

I love reading your posts. You are one of the posters I recognize and respect. I hope you don't let the uglies run you off. Maybe just a short break? I'm sorry this place has become a challenge for you. There have been an awful lot of deleted posts lately. Guess we don't all do well under stress! Hang in there! :o)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I am not sure what to say here- I haven't followed any of this. Stay or go Mhking... it is your choice- as it is our choice to stay or go. Who the heck cares if anyone wants you here or doesn't want you here. You are a free person- you decide.

I am never going to take a poll to find out if people want me to stay or go- and I don't think you should either.

You are a human, a man and some sort of Republican( from what I have read of your work), you have your "cross to bear" as do we all- you stand alone many times- as do we all- you believe what you believe - feel what you feel and think what you think. Screw anyone of any color who wants to change any of that about you .....it really makes no difference to me what color you skin is,I don't want you to stay because of it and a I don't want you leave because of it, and frankly- I don't want to even think about what color your skin is...because, I agree with you some of the time and disagree with you some of the time.
BUT!
I know this- if I were in on a stranded island and could have 10 liberals to help me get home or one of you- I would choose you-and I would not choose you because your skin happens to be darker than mine- get my drift?.

Take it for what it is worth and could you please stop paying attention to what small minded people say.

Only small minded people would lump you together with anyone...who really cares what they say?? We smart freepers know that you can never judge a person by the amount of pigment they have- You have nothing to prove-don't you know that???

[trussell]

The only ones who don't want you here are the ones who are trying to run off all the good freepers. (AKA: Trolls)

They would like nothing more than to shut FR down! Please don't go...you are respected, and your opinion is desired!

[King Prout]

Mike,

I know what you mean.
Wouldn't blame you if you left.
I hope you shall not.

[steveegg]

Speaking from a somewhat-selfish perspective, I enjoy your posts. You say what needs to be said.

I have to echo what Petronski said; if the good are driven away, what will become of this place?

[Darksheare]

"You are obviously upset, but I can't let that stand. Excuse me for wanting more facts before I jump to conclusions about a story."

Last night I had some multiple retread telling me that I was likely dishonorably discharged from the military.
This on top of his other insults.
He also called me "Professor Chomsky".
He had the guts to call everyone else 'perpetual name callers', and throughout the entire thread HE was the one calling everyone else names.
He dared to suggest to MikeinIraq that he Mike was a member of Act Up.
By the way Mike, the guy who was being stupid last night got the zot- he was as he admitted a multiple retread.

Lancey, there are some extremely hateful people out there.
Recently we had a troll showing up and posting the Tubgirl image along with racist text.

"Please do not post to me again until you regain your sanity and sense of proportion."

In other words you do NOT want to hear facts about people being disgustingly hateful?
Thank you kindly, cheers.

[TaxRelief]

It's worse than that, this was not just a small town sheriff turning people away. He was a Blanco crony. He was a corrupt Dem and he was protecting his slot machine interests:

35805873K 11/01/2004
PREMIER GAMING DISTRIBUTORS, L.L.C
1400 FRANKLIN STREET GRETNA, LA 70053
Agent: BRETT A. SULZER 212 LAUREL STREET BATON ROUGE, LA 70801

Member/Manager ARTHUR LAWSON, 1400 FRANKLIN STREET GRETNA, LA 70053
Member/Manager BRETT A. SULZER, 212 LAUREL STREET BATON ROUGE, LA 70801
Member/Manager NICKY L. NICHOLS, 2424 MARIETTA STREET KENNER, LA 70062

[Darksheare]

If you two have to, take a small vacation from the forum, but do come back.
Make sure and certain you come back.
Heck, you two are some of the most reliable people I have run across.

If you leave, then the creeps have won.
And I personally do not want the creeps to win.

[Tribune7]

Hang in there Mike, you are an important Freeper.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>So yes, I have considered departure. If people don't want me here, then why should I stay?

Stay.

The people who make you want to leave are a minority of loud-mouthed, knuckle-dragging, mouth breathing, long-haired, socks smoking, good-time plastic bananna whazoo apertures. Ignore them.

[darkwing104]

So yes, I have considered departure. If people don't want me here, then why should I stay

Bummer, I respect you guys...Please stay.

[Jaded]

I'm with you on this one.

[bad company]

It's not just bad here, it's bad everywhere. Another board that I post to, I don't think I have any friends left after this episode. I wound up squaring off with people I thought had their poop in a group. I may be outta there.

The bigots are playing the same game the dems are. The dems are taking advantage of the fact that a hurricane hit, and the bigots are taking advantage of the fact that it hit a city that is 70% black. Political opportunism at its most vile.

I don't know what to tell you. You've taken a lot of shit that you don't deserve. Honestly if this place gets to where brown people aren't welcome, I'll have to fade on outta here myself.

[Petronski]

If you leave, then the creeps have won.

Precisely. Do NOT let the bastards win.

[Windsong]

Its kind of sad our Physicists have not developed transporter technology yet..

(uh..just thought of Muslims. Never mind..)

[TaxRelief]

Why would anyone want to talk to a pair of self-proclaimed communists?