[An.American.Expatriate]

how can the buses be taken away from the hotels? they're also shipping people out of New Orleans... what difference does it make? someone please explain rationale of FEMA... :(

It's called coordination and, to some extent, prioritization (and possibly protection as well).

FEMA is charged with the evacuation of the city. Some people may have more of an immediate need to get out than others (hospital patients for example). Lastly, when the "mob" at the Superdome startes seeing that "the wealthy" are being given "priority" (a subjective perception!!) the situation could spiral even further out of control!!

Sorry, but in this situation, the old saying - all are equal - MUST apply.

[singfreedom]

I'm afraid that if my hotel had HIRED me a bus and some government dope decided some ne're-do-well, bottom feeding scumbag, crawled out of the trees with an AK47, should have my bus because the "scum" might riot, I'd be REAL pis*ed. Has the world gone crazy? You cave in to these jerks because you're afraid of what they might do? Me thinks their dogs need training!

[EasySt]

" It's called coordination and, to some extent, prioritization (and possibly protection as well)."

I think you've nailed it.
I also think these people need to be allowed to do what they can with what they can get. They've got enough screaming people there to take care of, without even beginning to consider all the screaming coming from people who aren't there.

Here's an edifying read:

www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1474973/posts