Superdome evacuation suspended after shots fired at choppers

per Foxnews on air

[shadowman99]

Looter are armed gang situation worsening.

[LWalk18]

Excuse me...but what absolute crap! So you think this might be your deity's punishment on an evil city? What of all the Christians in New Orleans? What of the good Christian folks in Mississippi and Alabama? Shame!

They should have somehow controlled the minds of the evil people to make them act right. Since they couldn't make people stop sinning (and of course, no one sins anywhere else but New Orleans) they had to die. It makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

[MineralMan]

"I don't think that God punishes people as such, but I do believe that He uses disasters such as this to get people's attention. And yes, good people suffer along with the bad. It's the nature of society."

So that's your deity? One who punishes good people because there are some bad ones? No thanks!

So, it's OK that NO is destroyed because there are some bad people there? You're OK with that? Never mind...

[MizSterious]

Is that a promise? :)

[OldFriend]

Perhaps this horrific storm will be the beginning of a new way to protect and serve the communities, or parishes, of New Orleans.

[olde north church]

How many other cells exist in major cities waiting for a opportunity like this too arise? Planned in advance to hit the sporting goods, gun and department stores to build an arsenal.

[jackbill]

Every time that FNC talks about the firing at the choppers and about the Super Dome they are showing footage of chaos at a highway interchange. That interchange (Exit 226 on I-10) is miles away from the Super Dome. Miles.

[MizSterious]

If you're talking about the French Quarter, please remember that New Orleans is not just the Quarter. Many people, including Shep Smith, make the mistake of equating the Quarter to the rest of New Orleans. The rest is no more "sinful" than any other city, maybe a whole lot godlier if you consider the huge number of churches in the city. (With large congregations.)

[tx_eggman]

The difference being if you are 60-70 miles further north

There's water up to fifteen feet deep between downtown and the two roads going north.

Oh, and let's take a look at thse two roads ... The Ponchetrain Causeway is down and the Twin Span on I-10 is down ... care to tell me how you're planning on going north, on foot - or any other direction for that matter, in these conditions.

[JFC]

I am as caring as the next person but I am just not sure I want some of these people in my state of Texas.
My thoughts exactly. I welcome displaced, hardworking citizens (I may even have employment to offer the right people) but the prospect of importing thugs here concerns me.


I agree with you. By the looks of 95% of these people have not been without meals. I can see this hitting us Texans harder than anyone. We open our state to them and how many will live off the state of Texas instead of going out and getting jobs.

[twigs]

You are a godless atheist, so I don't expect you to understsand. But I know that you have a good mind and caring heart from the time I've been on FR. God clearly says in His word that both good and evil people are affected by what happens in life. Everything that happens is not punishment and since I'm not God, I don't know if this is "punishment" or not. I tend not to think that God punishes like this. But I do believe He uses events to grab the attention of those with eyes to see and ears to hear. It is my responsibility to try and understand to the best of my ability God's voice in all that happens.

[two23]

ok..I thought I was hearing things..I wasn't totally watching and listening, so I wasn't sure if he said "police" or what. Jeff Goldblatt finished up that segment with something about "survival of the fittest".

[Rutles4Ever]

the term "godless atheist" seems redundant.

[MizSterious]

That is exactly what needed to be done there. Some NO homeowners might be doing the same--but my guess is most sensible people got out of town before the hurricane hit.

[sure_fine]

---

1) FEDERAL AGENCIES EXPAND HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS

http://www.fednews-online.com?publicationId=8307

---

Federal agencies expanded their efforts Wednesday in aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina.



"We are directing the full range of federal resources and capabilities to assist and protect those who have born the brunt of this catastrophe," said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. "We will ensure that citizens in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina have the sustained support and aid necessary to recover and reclaim their homes and communities."



The Federal Emergency Management Agency, a part of DHS, has moved a total of 39 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to staging areas in Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana, and the teams were moved into the impacted areas Wednesday. FEMA has also increased its number of Urban Search and Rescue task forces to 18.



DHS Secretary Chertoff has authorized the recall to active duty of 550 United States Coast Guard Reservists to support response and recovery activities.



USCG activated three national strike teams to aid in the removal of hazardous materials.



Numerous other federal agencies are assisting DHS in relief efforts:



* National Guard units from across the country have increased the number of those assisting the effort to 31,500.

* The Department of Defense's U.S. Northern Command created a Joint Task Force Katrina to act as the military's on-scene command in support of FEMA. JTFK is based out of Camp Shelby, Miss.



DoD's U.S. Transportation Command is flying eight swift water rescue teams to Lafayette, La. The teams will provide a total of 14 highly-trained personnel with vehicles and small, rigid-hulled boats capable of rescuing stranded citizens from flooded areas.



The Navy's USS Bataan sailed to the Louisiana shore to aid in the effort. Four helicopters from the ship are "flying medical evacuation and search and rescue missions in Louisiana," according to a DHS press release. Bataan's hospital is also being used for medical assistance.



The Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group is preparing to sail from Norfolk, Va., loaded with disaster response equipment. ARG consists of four amphibious ships and will be off the coast of Louisiana in the next four days.



The USNS Comfort, a hospital ship, is leaving Baltimore to bring medical assistance capabilities to the Gulf region and should arrive in six days.



* The Department of Health and Human Services sent an initial shipment of 250 mobile hospital beds, which have already arrived at the Louisiana State University facility in Baton Rouge.



HHS has also placed 415 Public Health Service officers on stand-by for deployment to offer medical support.



Louisiana state officials have received 27 pallets of basic medical supplies from the HHS's Strategic National Stockpile for use at a mobile hospital at LSU in Baton Rouge.



Centers for Disease Control are working with Louisiana state officials to implement a mosquito abatement program.



* The Department of Transportation dispatched a team of 66 transportation experts to support state and local officials in the damage assessment of highways, railroads, airports, transit systems, ports and pipelines. DOT is also supporting detour planning and critical transportation system repairs.

* The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sending experienced emergency response personnel. The Forest Service has assigned 10 management and logistical teams and seven crews of 20 people each to the affected areas and host communities. These resources are intended establish logistics staging areas, food distribution and debris removal.



USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is providing food at shelters and mass feeding sites, issuing emergency food stamps, infant formula and food packages.



* The Department of Treasury's Internal Revenue Service announced special relief for taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Areas.

* The Small Business Administration will position loan officers in federal and state disaster recovery centers.

[MineralMan]

"You are a godless atheist, so I don't expect you to understsand. "

I understand this:

1. If there were a deity, it would not do as you suggest happened in this disaster, unless it was an evil deity.

2. You seem to think your deity just might do such a thing.

3. I think I'll pass on your deity, thanks.

4. You live in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh is an evil city, full of evil people. Pittsburgh is next, then, according to your twisted sense of the Christian religion.

A disaster has occurred. Your deity had nothing to do with it. Indeed, the worst section of N.O. is the French Quarter. There is no flooding there. Did your deity miss?

[twigs]

Yes, I know that there are wonderful Christians down there. But the point was that there is a lot of witchcraft down there and you're right, the French Quarter is sheer evil. I thought that NO was a lovely city.

[jackbill]

Steve Harrigan just reported from NO. He was with a lot of guys with small boats who were attempting to rescue some of the people left in flooded areas. FEMA told them to stop because some boats were being fired upon.

[ChinaThreat]

New Orleans is a time bomb. It is absolutely ludicrous to live in a place where you have to drive uphill to get to the beach.

[twigs]

Yes, "godless atheist" IS redundant. But I took it from MineralMan's own words.

[MineralMan]

"But the point was that there is a lot of witchcraft down there and you're right, the French Quarter is sheer evil."

I would point out that the French Quarter is not flooded. Does your deity have bad aim?

"A lot of witchcraft?" What the heck are you talking about?