Posted on 09/11/2005 8:03:20 AM PDT by Brian Mosely
WASHINGTON
The commander of active duty troops involved in hurricane relief efforts said Sunday his soldiers will not enforce New Orleans' order for residents to evacuate the flooded city.
Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore said military units are continuing to provide food and water and other aid despite the order, which he indicated is the responsibility of state and local authorities to enforce.
"Federal troops will not be involved in the direct evacuation in any way, of any one, from their home. That is a local and state law enforcement task not to include federal troops," Honore told CNN's "Late Edition."
He added that local officials and the National Guard also are providing food and water to people who have stayed.
Thousands of residents are defying orders to leave the city, but security forces were not physically forcing anyone to go. The mayor, Ray Nagin, had warned that residents could be forcibly removed, but authorities have been reluctant to take that step.
Honore, who heads the military's Joint Task Force Katrina, said that over the next three days, officials should learn how many people died in New Orleans. He said the preliminary figure of 10,000 offered last week by some officials was "a number we'd be very happy to be wrong about."
Honore also addressed the issue of media access during recover efforts. The Bush administration, challenged in court by CNN, agreed on Saturday not to prevent the media from following the effort to recover the bodies of Katrina victims.
On Thursday, Honore said the media would be allowed "zero access" to recovery efforts. But on Sunday, he said reporters and photographers have "total access" to the area.
"I can't swing a dead cat without hitting a reporter," Honore said.
He said his concern had been that news media would report deaths before family members had been notified. Reporters also were denied a seat on rescue craft because of concerns for overcrowding, he said.
The government is not permitting photographers to join rescuers in boats or helicopters during the mission to recover bodies from flooded homes.
"Federal troops will not be involved in the direct evacuation in any way, of any one, from their home. That is a local and state law enforcement task not to include federal troops," Honore told CNN's "Late Edition."
Smart move. Keeps them out of the lawsuits coming down the pike.
They need to return the already displaced persons to their homes (if they choose to return) with their WEAPONS. Somebody will own Compass's a$$ for the fool order he issued to disarm the populace.
"I can't swing a dead cat without hitting a reporter," Honore said.
I suspect there's plenty of dead cats there and if there aren't maybe PETA can send some of theirs along. Keep swinging General! Every dead cat strike on a reporter is a blow for common sense.
No, it's the Law.
When Gen. Honore is finished with this mammoth task, I vote he replace Scott McClellan. I'd pay to watch him conduct press briefings. I love this guy!
With all the pontification I see on TV, this is almost never brought up by the MSM. Go figure.
Except in the case of that 80-year old woman that everyone saw dragged out of her home by a SWAT team last week...
Agreed, and also flash images of U.S. soldiers dragging private American citizens kicking and screaming out of their homes would be a public relations nightmare for the Army, not to mention a real dteriment to recruiting.
This reminds me of:
"Off again, on again, gone again, Finnigan."
Smart move.
No, it's the Law.
It might be the law, but it's a smart move telling everyone in advance.
Not smart move, the law...Their still restricted under Posse Comitatus
I hope Honore is an honorable man. He appears so. However he should enforce the Constitution.
THAT IS BLATANT HYPERBOLE. She only looked 70-years old or so.
You did mean "defend" the Constitution. yes?
Enforce - Defend. I mean he ought to start arresting the police and National Guard that are violating it. Of course that would be violating it - I think.
.....Somebody will own Compass's a$$ for the fool order he issued to disarm the populace......
It is far worse than disarming. I heard a first hand account where a black brother and sister were ordered out. They gathered what they thought important..... drivers license, SS cards all their money and put it in a plastic bag with spare clothing. They traipsed through the water and on emerging had the bag confiscated. The bag and contents including soggy money was said to be contaminated and disallowed in the evac processing areas and plane.
They arrived here with nothing, no ID, no money.
I find your priorities out of place.
This has gone well beyong politics. What we have here is a a huge catrosphe with an mind boggling mix of heroism, courage and sacrifice; right along side unlelievable inertia, stupidity and incompetence.
I thought the adults had taken charge, but I'm starting to wonder. I hope they got a receipt for their contaminated property.
There's the money line. Thanks, General.
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