Tough questions?!? He's standing in front of the Superdome and asking where people should go! That isn't asking tough questions. That is exhibiting idiocy. And exactly who did he ask? Some idiot cop who refused to even talk to him, and a State Patrol lady who I don't think was ever completely identified and certainly wasn't in a position to direct city evacuation efforts (maybe he should have asked her about the conditions of interstates outside of New Orleans since that is the jurisdiction of State Troopers). You ask if I think the people asking him the same question were clueless? Well, let's look at the facts. First of all, despite all the warnings, despite orders to evacuate, and despite offers of free bus rides to shelters before the hurricane hit these folks are wondering around an interstate days after the hurricane hit. Strike one. Second, they were smart enough to migrate to Interstate 10 and the Superdome after surviving the hurricane, but not quite smart enough to walk the extra half mile to complete the pilgrimage to that HUGE domed building hovering over Shep's shoulder. Strike two. And when it becomes obvious that sitting on Interstate 10 in the hot sun isn't very productive, they ignore the Salvation Army rescue centers positioned below the bridge they are sitting on, and DEMAND to be told where to go. Strike three. Yes. I believe they are, in fact, clueless. That sounds harsh, but it is hard to ignore the obvious. If Shep wants to join in their inability to grasp the obvious, I just have to question his motives.
Did you miss it this afternoon when he spent his entire broadcast making sure authorities knew just where to find people? And continually talking about all the people on the bridge and what risks they were facing? Even had an emergency mangement person and told her where to find people?
OK Now I know you are full of it."
The Bridge they were sitting on was surrounded by water and the folks walking to Shep where walking out of the water and doing it on the road he was on, if the Salvation Army was set up under the bridge he was on they must have been using their new Submersible unit. BTW just read they stopped allowing folks into the Super dome Yesterday so I suppose Shep was supposed to send them up there to be turned away.
I think you are flailing trying to find some rational for your Shep Hating.
Shep was very clear that there were no resources available for the people on the bridge in the immediate area. Was he lying and there was really a Salvation Army station in walking distance? Why would he lie about that?
I heard that the "moat" around the Super Dome was 5 feet deep. Are you aware of spots which would be easy to cross? How are you aware of this and Shep, standing there, is not?
I share some of your frustration with people who weren't smart enough to leave when they could, and with the general management of the situation thus far, but I can't understand your criticisms of Shep Smith or the people on the bridge. It seems to me that if those people, having walked so far, could have gotten into the Dome, they would have. I've seen a lot of stupid things done by people in NOLA today, but I can't fault this.