Homeland Security To Red Cross: Stay Out Of New Orleans

I suspect it makes sense. But it is going to be controversial.

The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

It wouldn't send them into an active War Zone either. And from all reports, that is at least something like what we have been seeing. We would likely have to protect them with Military personnel needed elsewhere, or for security in the city until things are under control.

Update:

via Instapundit - It was on the radio tonight, Mark Levin, I believe, that Galveston, TX had its school buses fueled and ready to roll in case Katrina turned their way - not so for New Orleans. Glenn has the photo of the flooded buses - all sitting in a row. Now, what was that the Hoorable Mayor was saying about Emergency planning by the Feds? Hmmm .... Such a damn shame. Ultimately, the local government and even the State Government in LA has to shoulder their share of the blame for ineffective planning. They knew full well what a storm like Katrina could do - including to the levee system.

Comments

[blue]

Goodnight (maybe) for awhile, and to all a good night...lol from the big blue goose to some, to others a person who loves the US of A.

[angelaberdine]

I was reluctant to share this here, but I will and will omit the nurse's name. Many from Alabama will know who it is, so be it, but JUST HAD TO SHARE THIS.
****************************************

Just to update everyone. We just returned from New Orleans to Birmingham with 4 neonatal patients at the same time on transport. We flew to New Orleans airport via jet and Lifesaver helicopter met us
there with the helicopter. Lifesaver took 3 crew members from the airport to Oschner since there was no ground access due to flooding. Oschner's heliport was under water and we landed on the parking deck.

With equipment in hand, we walked down 6 flights of stairs, (all of the elevators are out of service), through the hospital where there is caution tape and leaks all throughout the hallways. We then walked up two flights of stairs to the unit where they are now caring for the babies. Luckily it was now the 2nd floor instead of originally the 10th floor. All of the windows were blown out of the 10th floor by the storm. On the flight into the airport all you could see is destruction and water everywhere, I thought "Truly a saddening sight", then with the
flight on the helicopter it got worse. We were much closer at that point and could see more destruction, more water, looters, Police/ EMS, and uncontrolled fires all over.

Upon entering the make-shift nursery, the first two staff were on phones crying their eyes out talking to someone on the other end trying to cope. All of the staff in the unit were overjoyed to see that someone had come to help. They had requested help from all over but they told us we were the only ones to show up today. They thought we were coming
for only one patient and when we told them we had the resources to transport 4, they were shocked to say the least. Then we said maybe we can help more tomorrow and to our surprise they all were even more
excited that we would come back again to help. The nurse practioner in the unit pulled me aside and asked me "How bad is it out there looking from the air? I mean really, is it as bad as they say?" With tears running down her face and tears in my eyes I said "Yes Ma'am it is, maybe worse and my heart is broken for all of you down here". With that she had to walk away.

All of the staff are working in t-shirts, shorts and flip flops due to the lack of ventilation. It was at least 110-120 degrees in the unit. They had all of the babies in open cribs or warmers that were off and all were down to their diapers, some with elevated temps still. All of the staff have been there since Saturday and said they don't think they
will be able to leave until the 5th of September. With that said, many have nothing to go home to.

Tonight all 4 babies came back to UAB RNICU but they have at least two more babies for us to transport tomorrow and Dr. Prince here in Birmingham said we could bring one back to TCH and one to UAB. Plans
may change by tomorrow.

New Orleans is in a total state of destruction and chaos and my heart is broken so badly. I didn't have good words to make them feel better but
made sure they all knew they were in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm sorry to have been so chatty but I had to release somewhat.

Respectfully and mentally/emotionally drained,

Coordinator, Critical Care Transport.

(P.S. This is the medical school Natalee Holloway would have attended).

[DeeDee]

Danger in bus:

http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050902/NEWS05/50902031

[Glen Bradley]

Bill O'Reilly,

So you really want opinions from your 'viewing public'? Then I'll throw my two cents down your throat...

I thoroughly enjoy how you lay the blame on the lack of relief effort at the feet of the Louisiana Governor and the Mayor of New Orleans, stating that they had 'ample time to prepare, they knew it was a Cat 5 storm, they knew the risk of the levees breaking'.

Didn't your President also know these facts? Or did the latest warning from the NWS come after Bush was tucked in bed at 8:30pm on Sunday night?

Here we sit six days later and the Calvary has just now arrived... All what? 12,000 sparse National Guard troops from various parts of the country? Oh, that's right, we don't HAVE any Military personnel left in the States, they're too busy guarding oil wells in TexIraqiStan...

And let's see, when the Calvary DOES finally arrive, where do they go? Secure whitey and let the blacks continue to be locked in, blocked in, and denied any relief... They are told repeatedly to 'stay where they are, relief is on the way'. Then stand and watch Guard troops and supplies continually pass them by... Glad to know that I'm a WHITE GUY, and that if any natural disaster came down upon me and my family that my precious 'Gummett' (as Bush calls 'his' Government) will protect me since I pose no threat to them because of the color of my skin.

Listen to your OWN CONSTITUENTS, Geraldo and Shepard, and pull your head out of King George's xxx long enough to take a deep breath and look around!!! YOUR fellow countrymen and women ARE DYING because of the shear lack of authority, the lack of decision making, the purely anemic, gutless response from YOUR fearless leader!!! Do YOU believe the shit he spews from his mouth about the 'progress we're making' in the relief efforts while even your OWN 'fair and balanced' station continues to show large groups of predominantly black people BEGGING for any assistance? Where are the buses, where is the food, medicine, water, TROOPS? Hell, even the Police have to barricade themselves in at night for their own safety!!

12,000 troops to regain a city of 400,000 (over a Million in metro N.O.) from armed thugs, gangs, rapists and murderers.. Wonderful, must be some form of 'New Math' that I just don't get... And yes, oh Holy Bill, I realize that there may at the most 10,000-20,000 out of the New Orleans population that have taken their own city hostage. Explain to your fellow Americans, oh Mensa member, how twelve thousand troops can can restore order, feed the needy, give Medical attention to the sick, injured and dying, house the displaced, repair the levees, repair the infrastructure of a city 90% destroyed...

I am so glad this isn't the way the Bush Administration responded to the 9/11 attack. But of course, that wasn't an attack on an impoverished people in the deep south, that was an attack on the Nation's Financial Capital, and also a higher caliber and 'whiter' slice of American pie..

My family and I have weathered many hurricanes on the Carolina coasts, fortunately none as bad as Katrina, and we feel the pain of the victims in their ultimate time of need, no matter the color of ones skin.

If only you would find one drop of courageous Irish blood and move your lily white ass from your cushy NYC office and go and experience some REAL LIFE, maybe you too, could feel some empathy and have a grain of respect for the rampant suffering that these good people are going through. Get down there Bill, let the stench fill your lungs, the grime stain your starched Republican suit and allow the sheer inhumanity to permeate your 'fair and balanced' skin to the core of your being.

Show us Bush's arm around Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, standing united and strong as was so gloriously depicted in the many photo-ops shared with NYC's mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Show us that brave and resilient side of the President that you so love, adore and defend.

And while your at it, show YOUR caring and sym(pathetic) face doing a LIVE report from any of the many devastated towns and cities on the Gulf Coast. You can pick a nice, safe, white area if you like... You know, maybe show the destruction of Sen. Trent Lott's 184 year old family estate that was wiped out, that would surely fit your style, hell why not have a black tie benefit to restore his plantation to it's full glory.

Who's to blame, you ask? The dropped ball is still bouncing from DC to Iraq to Crawford, TX and I for one cannot wait to see your 'spin' on the Congressional Hearings after the last piece of shit is finally flushed down the toilet in the Great Big 'Easy'.

Please, Opine, Mr.Oreilly.


A Proud and politically unattached citizen of these United States.

Glen Bradley

Greensboro, NC

[warrenb]

Thanks for posting this Dan...At least it brings it up for discussion. I do not agree with the Red Cross "rule" here but it is questionable, and I understand that. But those people desperately need the Red Cross who have the ability and authority to travel ANYWHERE in the world to offer assistance. It should be their descision whether to go in or not. They're quite used to going into war zones.

[Monique]

Galveston update:

In 1900 Galveston was on the way to becoming a major port city in Texas. After the hurricane of 1900, when 6000 people died, Houston passed galveston when they built the ship channel. Galveston was totally destroyed and it took a long time to rebuild. They know what a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane can do and were prepared. I am sure the Governor was prepared for Katrina to come to Texas. Bush would have been prepared when he was Governor of Texas. We, as texas citizens living on the gulf coast, would also have been prepared. If Katrina hit Texas there would be no looting. We would have had our food, water, candles, and guns...

[listener]

I wonder if George Bush and his daughters and wife were sitting on a roof top in New Orleans right now......would they agree with the NO RED CROSS order in order to not promote looters and the bad elements to remain in the city?

If his family were dying of thirst -- would he say, go ahead and sacrifice my loved ones in order to empty the cess pool??

oh but that's right - he had no problem with letting Terri Schiavo die a death of dehydration. so it may not be a problem for him in this case either.

[angelaberdine]

I am so glad this isn't the way the Bush Administration responded to the 9/11 attack. But of course, that wasn't an attack on an impoverished people in the deep south, that was an attack on the Nation's Financial Capital, and also a higher caliber and 'whiter' slice of American pie..

A Proud and politically unattached citizen of these United States.

Glen Bradley

Greensboro, NC

Posted by: Glen Bradley | Sep 3, 2005 12:41:19 AM

Good that you are unattached. I can see why and might I add, "detached" as well.

Why did 911 get more prompt attention? Because there was leadership: Rudy and Pataki. I could tell you the truth but you are unwilling to listen. The mayor had buses that he could have taken those people out of town. The governor had access to whatever she needed. She and the mayor skipped town and waited until things were in dire straits to do anything. Yep, all the mover, shakers and politicians left town and left it to the "feds" like they always do.

I have worked four days this week with Hurricane relief but after hearing the poverty of appreciation coming from the people who have their hands out, I refuse to work another day and sorry that I sent that check that I could have used for a vacation.

[!]

You are right on DAN....THANKS !
---------------------------------------------

AS FOR YOU TWO....

Posted by: Glen Bradley | Sep 3, 2005 12:41:19 AM

Posted by: listener | Sep 3, 2005 12:58:46 AM
-----------------------------------------------
Crawl back in your holes you to. Go lie on another site someplace. Jerks !

[morristhepat]

Apology - this is a rant:

I have been literally outraged at the lack of response to this catastrophic event.

My dearly departed mother, a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat and democrat voted for George W. Bush. She just couldn't abide Gore. I voted for Gore. After 9/11 I thought that Gore might not have been able to handle the situation and was glad to have Bush in charge. Looking back, I realize that it was others, NY mayor, etc., that really calmed us and took action to save the people that had survived.

Mom died at the end of March 2002. She never saw, or even knew, of the impending invasion of Iraq and the inept management of the aftermath. I wonder what she would say to me today.

I am sick and tired of hearing platitudes from George W. He promises and does not deliver. He's good (fair) at the talk but falls down on his face at the walk.

No American citizen should have to to through what those people in New Orleans have and are still going through. No one!

This is a disgrace! I found myself uncontrollably crying and yelling at my t.v. (at G.W.) last night as we learned that the people in the Super Dome were being murdered, raped and abused. Today I read (unsubtantiated) that victims were eating corpses to stay alive. My God! What have we come to? Why weren't we in there on Tuesday? Harry Connick Jr. drove right into the Super Bowl this morning with just an ordinary car proving that there was no excuse to not send in relief teams.

I am almost 50 years old and have seen a lot of disasters. I have never seen such an inept response! This government is totally uncapable of executing any service. What do we pay our taxes for? We deserve better. Again I say, No American Citizen should be left for 5 days with no help under these conditions.

I heard a commentary this morning on KABC radio in Los Angeles - a conservative bent, but rational show - If we were a parlimentary style of government, this government would fall! They would be voted out.

I live in Los Angeles, and I can only hope that there won't be a major earthquake until after 2008. After G.W. Bush is out.

And let's not even talk about how porous our borders are and how there is nothing being done to stave off the massive influx of illegal aliens from Mexico and South America.

God I'm mad!

Thanks for indulging my rant.

[angelaberdine]

I am almost 50 years old and have seen a lot of disasters. I have never seen such an inept response! This government is totally uncapable of executing any service. What do we pay our taxes for? We deserve better. Again I say, No American Citizen should be left for 5 days with no help under these conditions.

God I'm mad!

Thanks for indulging my rant.

Posted by: morristhepat | Sep 3, 2005 1:36:50 AM

You are right. What was the problem with that governor and mayor down in Lousiana? What did they do? Why did they leave town? Why did they not use the resources at hand?

That responsibility was theirs. I hope we have congressional hearings over how poorly these two elected indivudals responded.

[morristhepat]

Posted by: angelaberdine | Sep 3, 2005 1:44:21 AM

You are right. What was the problem with that governor and mayor down in Lousiana? What did they do? Why did they leave town? Why did they not use the resources at hand?
______________________________________________

Angel,

The governor of Louisana and the mayor of New Orleans were begging for help all week. The federal government took the majority of the Southern National Guard to serve in Iraq. (Don't even get me started on this waste of man power.)

We are Americans! Remember?! Yes, we are a republic. 50 states bounded together with our own local governments. But this is outrageous! G.W. declared Louisana, Mississippi and Alabama disaster areas hours before the hurricane hit. The federal government knew what kind of disaster this storm could cause.

This is Friday. The storm hit on Monday with everyone knowing on Sunday that this was going to be bad.

We seem to be able to deploy troops to anywhere in the world to kill others, but we can't deliver help to our own citizens?!!

There is something so wrong in this country. We have to correct it. We are better than this! Our own people have died because of our lack of organization.

G.W. Bush couldn't even run a fairly small oil company. It failed. Yet we have elected him twice to run the only important power on this planet. What were we thinking!

G.W. wanted to be the baseball commissioner, but Daddy's cronies talked him into running, twice mind you, for President of the United States!

Now, he thinks reading the Bible and praying dayly makes him competent to run the last remaining superpower on the planet. What a fool!
Its all very nice to pray and read the Bible - I do that too - but I know that I'm not qualified to run this country and I had a higher GPA than G.W. when I was in college and didn't have my "Daddy" help me to get in and then out of college.

Oh, geez, sorry, but I'm am still so Mad!

[sensible]

I live in Los Angeles, and I can only hope that there won't be a major earthquake until after 2008. After G.W. Bush is out.
Posted by: morristhepat | Sep 3, 2005 1:36:50 AM

Well, morris, you better hope Hastert isn't around when that earthquake hits either. He'd want LA abandoned and all the angelenos moved to Nevada.

[morristhepat]

Sensible,

I know that this is a mostly conservative website, and I may have flaired some sensativities.

Hastert has clarified his earlier comments - please read here:

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/il14_hastert/katrinastatement9_1_05.html

I guess I am woefully not able to communicate my thoughts - My intent is really not to be devisive.

I was bolstered a little bit tonight while watching the News Hour with Jim Lehrer. As you might know, Friday night they have a weekly rap-up opinion segment.

Tonight they had conservative David Brooks, liberal Thomas Oliphant and also liberal, and may I add, black,Clarence Page. I add black, because most victims left to fend for themselves, as we all can see, are black.

I was amazed and consuled to hear David Brooks (whom I greatly admire) admonishing this administration for its lack of action.

My message is this - we need to give up the divisiveness that we have been actually lulled into by the powers that be. We (so called liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans) are not so different. We are all Americans. We all Love this country. We have to tell our representatives that this is all b.s.

We have to stop fighting each other and work together to solve the problems of our society as our parents and our grandparents did. Or else we WILL perish.

Seriously.

[morristhepat]

And this is the point I'm trying to make -

It shouldn't matter (does't to me) if those in power are Democrat or Republican. I just want my government to WORK.

This government IS NOT WORKING. Unfortunatley,we have the evidence.

Look, I wish G.W. was the great. I'd support him if he were. I just want a president that can run this country. I don't care what party he's/she's affiliated with. I trust you don't either.

Time to recognize the reality. These people don't know what they're doing!

And the fish stinks from the head down.

Nuff said.

[angelaberdine]

have a friend who is a physician and has been waiting at the hospital with 90 people in their group to go help these hospitals. FEMA has requested that they go down there.

You know what's holding them back? Governor Blanco (democrat) hasn't signed the form. She had to sign it before 50 today or they'll have to wait until tomorrow, (or until she signs it), as the truck drivers who are taking them and the equipment can only drive a certain amount of hours at a time.

If people die because of lack of doctors it is not because of poor planning on FEMA's part.

These doctors are from all over the state. They have been waiting at medic since 80 this morning to get the word to leave. Only Governor Blanco's signature is holding them up.

MuncsMom

[*flo*]

We are Americans! Remember?! Yes, we are a republic. 50 states bounded together with our own local governments. But this is outrageous! G.W. declared Louisana, Mississippi and Alabama disaster areas hours before the hurricane hit. The federal government knew what kind of disaster this storm could cause.
Posted by: morristhepat | Sep 3, 2005 2:06:24 AM

a revised definition for humanity in the making?

[morristhepat]

Governor Blanco's signature would not have been required had the federal government taken the appropriate action immediately, or even just the next day (Tuesday?).

People, do you really think that the local officials were holding up relief for their own citizens. Get real!

Please, look at George Will's columns, look at what David Brooks is saying. For God's sake, even O'Reilly has acknowledged this administration's ineptitude regarding this emergency.

You know, I just want to feel safe in my own country.

[morristhepat]

Flo -

Can you clarify? Sorry, I don't understand your point.

I do think things are going to change as a result of this catastrophe.

Is that what you're getting at?

[ustt]

The excuse that "communications were sketchy and down"...........just does not fly for me.

There were reporters "embedded", if you will, right at the scene.

They were reporting.

We were watching.

All that would have had to have been done was utilize what was working -- television and cans of spray paint on overpasses and buildings to give direction as to what to do and were to go.

The president could have gotten on any one of the major TV stations.........and hourly given out status reports to any and all agencies needing COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION.

Did you know that hospital ship has not even left yet for that area? 2 weeks!!!!! 2 weeks after the storm is when it is expected to arrive.

[morristhepat]

If people die because of lack of doctors it is not because of poor planning on FEMA's part.

MuncsMom

_______________________________________________

I understand that your friend told you what they knew as to what they were being told.

Last night I watched the head of FEMA in an interview on PBS with Jim Lehrer. The director of FEMA lied bald faced to him and all we viewers saying that the refugees in the arena had been receiving meals from FEMA each morning and evening.

These people had not received any help until today, Friday.

Lies, lies, lies. Shame, shame, shame.

[ustt]

These doctors are from all over the state. They have been waiting at medic since 80 this morning to get the word to leave. Only Governor Blanco's signature is holding them up.

MuncsMom

Posted by: angelaberdine | Sep 3, 2005 3:02:49 AM
___________

tell me you guys........do you smell as big a rat as i am smelling?

there is no way this much foot dragging could have been done without a reason.

I wish I could be a fly on the wall when Shep Smith and Geraldo sit down over a beer and talk about their experiences........they have actually been where people are being held hostage in cess pools and on bridges for 5 days with no food or water and yet check points not allowing them off the bridges/overpasses.

that reeks to me. and Shep and Geraldo almost said as much.

[morristhepat]

Ustt,

To reiterate - the fish stinks from the head down. We, as Americans, together, conservative and liberal, Republican and Democrat, have to come together. Enough is enough.

We are being bled dry.

I don't care what party our next president is affiliatled with. I don't care who is the majority in the House. I just want my government to work and take care of American citizens first, and manage our foreign affairs second.

(Yikes, is that a conservative point of view!)

What is this administration doing!!!!!

[ustt]

morris, I agree.

and to go a step further - i have been listening to my neighbors and people in the grocery line.

this country is ready to do an upheaval over this. they already were on the verge with the iraq never-ending-war.

the non-response of our so-called leaders has pushed even the easy going people over the edge. it wouldn't take much for a civil war right here and people trying to take back their country by force - a scary thought - but i could see it happening.

[morristhepat]

Answer to my own question -

No - conservative's don't have a parlay on patriotism.

We all are Americans. We all want this country to work.

[moonpie]

I would love to see a factual report on exactly what the city goverment of New Orleans accomplished to prepare for this catastrophe - from the minute that the first weather report that Katrina was headed their way! Their city buses and school buses were not ready to roll -- they were sitting in a huge parking lot full of water. Foresight would have been a wonderful thing -- the buses could have been driven 100 miles west, out of the worst part of the storm's path (this was forecast by the meteorologists). And while driving them west, why not fill them with people who had no means of transportation and take them to shelters? The buses would have been ready to come to the aid of the people left homeless in the city days sooner. That city has known for over 40 years that a huge hurricane like this one could destroy the city. Where was the city government's plan that addressed evacuating the hundreds of thousands of people that had no transportation or enough money to leave? That's all hindsight now, but before Bush haters try to make this disasterous response to a true disaster the fault of one man, some people in leadership roles in the city of New Orleans must be held accountable for what is obviously an example of how not to plan for a massive hurricane.

[morristhepat]

ustt,

Thank you for agreeing, but I hope you are wrong.

My plea, if you will, is for unity.

We people who are not goverment officials need to tell those who are to stop it! Enough. And we have to stop this diviseness.

For the last several years (decades) we have allowed ourselves to become separated as conservative and liberals. We are all Americans and we need to acknowledge that we all love our country.

If we are to continue as a unified democracy, we need to stop it, right now.

I'm serious. This castastrophy in New Orleans needs to be a wake up call.

Things have got to change and we all have to become better at handling problems like our parents and grandparents did. Talk is not enough.

We need to be able (and I think we are able) to do what needs to be done.

[morristhepat]

Moonpie -

You make a great many points. What you may not know is that the federal government knew for many years that if a category hurricane greater than 3 hit New Orleans, the levees would not hold. They were built aided by the federal government civil engineers to only withstand a category 3 hurricane.

In fact, from 1740 or something, when New Orleans was first established, we've known that the port city was in danger.

G.W. Bush cut federal funding, I think 3 years ago
(could've been 4), to reinforce the levees surroundng New Orleans.

Look - if it had been Clinton, I'd be railing just as much.

We have to get over this "my guy is right" stuff and wake up and take care of business.

[moonpie]

Look - if it had been Clinton, I'd be railing just as much.

We have to get over this "my guy is right" stuff and wake up and take care of business.

Posted by: morristhepat | Sep 3, 2005 4:34:45 AM

Yes, let's get over the "my guy is right" stuff. That's an excellent idea. Let's start by doing our research where we will learn that the Clinton administration had the chance to fund the project to reinforce the levees, too, and that administration did NOT approve it. Start "railing."

[morristhepat]

moonpie -

If that's the case, let 'er rip.

We can blame Clinton, we can Bush Jr., or Sr. So what?

The current state of affairs keeps us pointng fingers and remaining angry at one another. Let's get the facts out. What ever they are. Who ever is responsible. Maybe then we will all aknowledge our own responsiblilty at where this country stands.

In the past, conservative and liberal, agreed to disagree, and respect each other in the process.

My point is that we need to do that again. We, as Americans, need to come together and resolve our problems.

[moonpie]

Morris- Then start by taking your own advice in the future, and you will create an example more worthy of following. You are the one who brougt up the "failure" of the Bush administration to fund the reinforcement of the levees, are you not? You did the blaming that you say we all need to stop. I simply corrected your misstatement of the facts. Walk your talk.

[angelaberdine]

One 18-year-old boy stole a bus and drove a bus load of people out to safety. Why could the governor and mayor not have ordered an evacuation of that type? I would have done the same thing that kid did. Why did nobody have the wherewithal to use the buses for this? Why? The people sitting in that superdome must be asking that same question. At least they would not have been in that water had they gone to higher ground.

[angelaberdine]

Angel,

The governor of Louisana and the mayor of New Orleans were begging for help all week. The federal government took the majority of the Southern National Guard to serve in Iraq. (Don't even get me started on this waste of man power.)

George Bush called the governor Saturday and Sunday urging her to get her people out of there.

[Survivor]

I don't post much here but I have to put my two cents' worth in. If I were a New Orleans resident and knew a Cat 5 hurricane was headed my way, I would have WALKED to higher ground if necessary. When I woke up Tuesday morning and saw the water coming in, do you think I would have sat on my ass and waited for the government help? I don't think so. I understood from TV that 50,000 New Orleans residents don't have a car! How to do get to work? Or do they work?!? I am sure the one who do work use city buses to get to work. Where were those buses when the city started flooding? Where was the Mayor and Governor when the city was flooding?

You see, everyone forgot about the fact that the levies were built to withstand a Cat 3 hurricane which is a LONG way from Cat 5. Seems to me that knowing that fact and knowing a strike from a hurricane was possible and knowing the levy system could fail, why didn't the city have an evacuation plan?

This is NOT a racial issue. It is a failure of the local government to plan for a disaster.

BTW, I am from lower Alabama, I love the New Orleans people; however, I also believe their local government is incompetent when it comes to planning evacuations for their people. It seems to me that most cities have disaster recovery plans. What happened to New Orleans?

Just MHO!

[Mike R]

It is absurd to place blame on anyone except the folks who did not heed the warnings to evacuate.Yes perhaps the mayor should have used his resources more wisely.For instance those buses that sit submerged in water could now be part of the caravans that are being used to transport people out.I will not call the victims because to do so would only be calling them victims of themselves.

Sure there were some poor people who could not get out but the simple fact remains that if the naysayers who were able to get out would have gotten out then there would have been far less people to rescue.So yes many of the victims are victims of their own demise.

Another thing that is being reported is racism playing a role in this disaster.That is laughable when anyone who can work a calculator and can see a TV screen can very easily squash any thoughts of racism.For those of you who cant see the forest for the trees the fact is the population in N.O. is being reported as being more than 70% black.It does not take a rocket scientist to work a calculator and come to the conclusion that the stranded people are mostly black since they make up over 70% of the population of N.O.,so it makes all the sense in the world as to why we are not seeing a lot of whites or Asians or hispanics on the TV screen.Now yes that very same TV screen that is showing those images of mostly blacks stranded is the very same TV screen that is showing mostly blacks over in Houston at the Astrodome and the many other shelters.Yes blacks that have been rescued and fed,no they were not victims of racism and neither are the people still stranded and waiting to go to shelters.It simply is not their turn to board the buses.But they will be rescued and their nightmare will have somewhat ended.

Common sense tells folks to go to the available public shelters and that is exactly what they did.When these shelters reached capacity and there were still thousands upon thousands still stranded and in worse conditions than those in the shelters a decision had to be made on how to proceed to evacuate those who had not reached a shelter,so therefore common sense tells the authorities to bus out the ones who were not in a shelter first and when that is complete and as more buses are rounded up then the removal of the people at the shelters will accelerate.

While the public officials,particularly the local city officials should have used their resources a little more wisely the federal government is not to blame.They are reacting as they always do and they will take care of those in need,yes even those who have always been taken care of by the federal government.Just because some people receive monthly checks from the federal government does not entitle them to expect to be rescued any sooner than anyone else.They will be taken care of as usual and the rest of us will pay for it.That is reality so you may as well accept it.

Before anyone dare compare this disaster to 911 please use your brain.The scene of 911 was a very small area while the Hurricane is a 200 mile wide area that has to be responded to.Yes the taxpayers of the rest of the coast who lost everything deserve attention too.So yes 911 was responded to in a more timely manner since it was in a confined area and that makes it a lot easier to administer help.Remember 911 was only a few buildings while this disaster is a whole major city and a lot of other cities and all communities deserve the help of the federal government and they will get the help.

It takes time to arrange the logistics of such a massive undertaking as the relief organizations are doing.

The city government of N.O. and then the state government are to blame for not using all of their resources available.They could have used many helicopters to drop relief in the shelters.I mean come on now are we to believe that the local and state officials need to be told to drop in supplies on a daily basis and are we led to believe that only the federal government can do food drops.

Last time I saw the mayor of N.O. on TV he had a bottle of water in his hand and a toothpick dangling from his mouth.It does not look like he has missed any meals.On a side note he was stationed at the Hyatt hotel since the hurricane made landfall and yes the tourist of this particular hotel were the very same tourist who were shuffled to the front of the line at the Superdome to be carried out by buses,basically they were shown preferential treatment by none other than the mayor of N.O..Now how about the mayor go to the Superdome and explain why the tourist were allowed to depart N.O. before they were allowed to do so.

This act of kindness by the mayor of N.O. may be the only thing that he did right since this all began.Call it a PUBLIC RELATIONS move,yes that is what it was.The tourist who flock to the city of N.O. do indeed deserve to be moved to the front of the line as they are the very ones who have provided the city with revenue in the past years.In fact these tourist who spend their money in N.O. should have been amongst the first to be evacuated since they were not the ones who voted in the failed and miserable public officials who have failed to even attempt to do their jobs as elected officials.It seems their only response to the pending storm for the ones who could not make it out was to go to the Superdome.I suppose it never entered their mind to use their public transportation system to get their own people out while the initial evacuation was under way.So yes the residents of N.O. are reaping what they sow.Perhaps one of the stranded residents of N.O. will demand a recall of the elected officials and put someone with a little bit of backbone and general knowledge and common sense in charge.

But I dont suppose that will happen since the local officials have passed the buck on to the President.Folks you have to remember the President does not live in N.O..Oh but the mayor does and it was the mayors job to do his job and he failed miserably.

No doubt the debates will rage over this for months to come,but really folks there is enough blame to go around and we should not hesitate to place blame just so long as it starts where the problem started and then the blame can work itself up the ladder.SO far the ladder does not reach to the federal government.Perhaps it has this far reached the state government level.But from all accounts the federal government has reacted as they have in the past.Hell face it folks the monthly checks that come off the press come off the press at the same time every month and the recipients of these checks can always look for their checks in the mailbox at the same time every month.Unfortuantely the computers that are programmed to print those checks in a timely manner are not capable of dispatching federal help of this magnitude in the same timely manner as the checks are printed.Humans are involved and it takes time to rally the forces.But they are coming and they will take care of business.

In the coming months the same ones who get their check like clockwork every month will be the ones complaining the loudest about how no one is helping them and it will never occur to them that they are no longer stranded as that help will have been forgotten.Sometimes people just need to lace up their boots and do for themselves what they have become accustomed to others doing for them.

Dont get me wrong here,many people need continued help and far more than that have been bilking the system for years and will continue to do so because they are allowed to do so.

In closing just one last thought.

Why in the heck did the people who could get out not get out.It sure would have made things easier.
DUH.

[cdb]

The city announced a evacuation.
That means leave the city period.
Those people could have found a way to leave, if they wanted to.
Some people gambled and lost.
Don't blame President Bush for New Oleans failure to provide for their own. The state and city knew that this would happen some day put the blame there. I hope the people in the dome realize that people in their own community prevented relief fromm getting to them. Please don't make this a black and white issue.The fact is most urban areas have a large percent of blacks esp in the south. As for the rapist, robbers, murderers to bad you weren't washed away with the hurricaine.

[TJ]

I fully agree with you CDB and Mike R. I too would have found a way to evacuate (walking if I had to). These are the same people (not all but most) who have lived off the government for God knows how long and are now complaining that nothing is being "given" to them once again. I have an idea, send all the people who are out of work now and complaining that it has taken too long to receive "help" to the places that are going to be rebuilt and put them to work. I heard that 10,000 temp jobs will be available for the rebuilding efforts in Alabama and Mississippi. See how many of them want to go to work. I bet not many. As far as the so called racial issue (which again is being fed by some MSM), I have to say I would be very ashamed of anyone who is looting in this time of disaster, whether they be black, white, green, purple. But, the MSM is only showing black people looting and hence feeding into this becoming a racial issue.

[Duck from Dallas]

Are they gonna prosecute the local officials for failing in their responsibilities to protect the citizens of New Orleans?

How about for the negligent waste of public funds by failing to move public vehicles out of the way of this cat 5 hurricane that the whole world watch coming for a week?

Why did the local state officals sit on their well fed (*&(*&(('s while their poor stood in the path of this destruction?

JMO but the local officials seemed to have no pre-plan for the biggest risk to their citizens. Unbelievable. Businesses should have been shut down for the public good.

I have heard the casino's in gulfport stayed open until the local government came in and took their license and shut it down. Albiet almost too late.

How many years have the officials been warned of this catastrophe? 37.... yet no plan or even course of action?

Stunned.........

Duck

[wirefox]

I am so glad this isn't the way the Bush Administration responded to the 9/11 attack. But of course, that wasn't an attack on an impoverished people in the deep south, that was an attack on the Nation's Financial Capital, and also a higher caliber and 'whiter' slice of American pie..

A Proud and politically unattached citizen of these United States.

Glen Bradley

Greensboro, NC

Posted by: Glen Bradley | Sep 3, 2005 12:41:19 AM

As a native of North Carolina, I would like to note that Glen Bradley does not speak for the people of the Tarheel state. I am embarrassed that Mr. Bradley would use this tragic event to push his political and social agenda.

[Mike R]

TJ,
Better yet,why is there a need to evacuate now,the storm has passed.Sure the ones who are too old or ill need to be evacuated.But there are a lot of able bodied people who are being shown on TV that surely could be starting the cleanup effort in the areas not flooded.Heck it will have to be done so what better people to do it than the citizens who live there.I say make sure they have plenty of food and water and require them to start working for their keep.

Why yes they could start the cleanup right there at the very buildings they have destroyed.From what has been shown of the Superdome it needs one helluva a cleaning as does the convention center.

I just dont get the need to get everyone out who lives there.Someone is going to have to do it so why is it expected that everyone be evacuated and folks from other areas of the country and military are expected to come in and clean up their city.Why are able bodied men being sent hundreds of miles away to sit in a shelter everyday while they could be used to get their own city back on its feet.

Surely if it is safe for the military and public workers that remain there to be there then it is surely safe for the able bodied residents to remain there and roll up their sleeves and strap up their boots and get busy and do for themselves.They can do a lot for their city witha broom than they can on a cot in a shelter.Somebody will have to begin the cleanup and do it without plumbing and drive thru restaurant service and air conditioning and so who better than the residents who will reap the benefit to do the job.

As far as the looters being shown on TV.Perhaps thousands were taking food and water and bare essentials and I dont think anyone should have a problem with so called survival looting but these folks who are breaking into jewelry stores and appliance stores are nothing more than everyday commoon thieves who are only seizing the opportunity to steal.More than likely this is not the first time they have committed criminal acts and unfortuantely will not be their last time.So yes the people who are being shown on TV looting non essentials is news worthy while folks geting food and bare essentials is to be expected and not news worthy.However I have seen footage of all races participating in survival looting and that is to be expected.The news reporters cant help it if the people who are looting non essentials happen to be black.What would you expect when the city is over 70% black?

[LDK]

Mike R, CDB, and TJ -- you read my thoughts! Right on.

[less0305]

As a native of North Carolina, I would like to note that Glen Bradley does not speak for the people of the Tarheel state. I am embarrassed that Mr. Bradley would use this tragic event to push his political and social agenda.

Posted by: wirefox | Sep 3, 2005 9:34:32 AM

Thank you wirefox....

I'm native NC also. That guy is nuts!! and don't speak for me at all!!!!1

[ustt]

ustt,

Thank you for agreeing, but I hope you are wrong.

My plea, if you will, is for unity.

We people who are not goverment officials need to tell those who are to stop it! Enough. And we have to stop this diviseness.
(by morris)

_____________

sadly morris your words fall on deaf ears.
for several years all of us for the most part have
known and said what you say.

our elected leaders do nothing.

they shut the doors and don't answer the phones.

that's why i said what i did.

we can sit out here all day and say platitutdes such as we need to come together.
and i think most of us would IF ALLOWED TO.

but we are overworked and struggling - at every turn we are met with another hill to climb - never helped with a government that wants to help instead of take.

health care
schools
homes
jobs

they are taking from us instead of giving a plan where all can do better.

health care - what is that? can't afford it - can't have any - and is it getting better - NO - big business has turned medicine into even bigger business.

schools - now there's a joke. everybody is a chief and no indians. why not just teach kids basics - teach them how to think - and forget thinking we have to have special this and special that - we don't need carpeting in schools and a computer on every desk. We need a teacher in every room who knows the subject/with the power to maintain control/lockers for kids to put their coats and books in and quit all this bookbag stuff. school isn't a mysterious entity - basics - people need basics. Those that want to learn more will march ahead. Those who want to stay day to day - they will and no amount of special classes will change that. Just give every child the right to learn to think and that is done with basics - not computers, not calculators, not cokes at the ready, meals in the middle of the day if you are keeping them all day - and give them a load that is reasonable - don't try to teach them the WORLD IN 12 YEARS!

homes - well, we have all watched the housing market - but that is again big business stepped into the area of life that it shouldn't be. - where are the common working class to live? - we still do and will always have them - but without roofs over people's heads there will be anarchy like we are watching on TV - we are humans not animals and in fact i believe animals are living better than what people have lived in in new orleans the past week.

jobs - CAFTA, NAFTA.....my job has gone to India...my neighbor's job has gone to China - what exactly does the United States MAKE anymore except non-essential "stuff"? what do we even have that we can sell on the market? we are basically providing our services to low income people who don't have them where they are coming from - but i tell you what - in case the govt isn't looking - your tax base man is dying - i know that's why govt is trying to slip these illegals in under the wire and push this "fair tax act" in order to bring in income that way because the American tax base worker just can't do it anymore BECAUSE WE HAVE NO JOBS. - every day i hear "jobless rates are down" - well, yeah, after so long you don't qualify for unemployment - that doesn't mean the people have found jobs - only that the benefits have run out.

although this hurricane has been atrocious - in a way i'm glad it did what it did.

and it didn't happen just in New Orleans - NO would have been a blip on the screen if the levy had not failed.

but the whole thing i think - and i'm not a superstitious person only a spiritual one - i think this storm was to show us ...what lies in store for us in America if we don't force these blood-suckers out of office (NO MATTER THE POLITICAL PERSUASION) and get people in Wash who want to help it's citizens/not use them for more and more profit.

right now we are ripe for a takeover from almost anywhere - we are stretched to the limit and today gas is nearing $4 a gallon in some places. what do you think that will do the rest of the economy?

i know educated economists get on TV and say: "this what happened on the gulf coast will not affect the overall economy of the US - we are built on such a diversified economy - making so many different things (I almost gagged on that!)

Well, i'm here to tell you, i may not have a PhD in economics and didn't graduate from the Yale School of Muckity Mucks, but i do have common sense and i know what things are going in the toilet.

[PVTay]

As a person who lives in the midwest, we are frequently and consistantly hit by tornados. And believe me, when warnings are issued we take them seriously. In the days leading up to Katrina's landfall, I was 'stunned' by peoples lack of concern. The "it ain't gonna happen here" attitude. My God...they had every chance to evacuate...every chance to escape...

Do you know how thankful we would be, were we to receive 48 hr notices before tornados hit? Do you think the people of Hallam Nebraska...Ok. City etc. would have stayed knowing their towns would be leveled soon?

Truthfully, I for one am fed up with the so called "victims" trapped in New Orleans. As you said, they had the choice to get out. Ok, so you can argue they were very poor, but what does that have to do with it? They had mouths and they had feet and that's really all you need to get help. Why didn't they call churchs? The Red Cross, the fire dept., the police? One short..."hey we got old people here that needs evac." was all it would have taken because what church wouldn't have responded to a need such as that.

It makes me sick to see people standing on their roofs while others try to save them because they chose NOT TO GO. And on top it...? When a reporter asked the Gov. why people were not evacuated when "mandatory" was issued, she shrugged and muttered, "well we really didn't mean it". Excuse me? What the hell does that mean??

Everyone dropped the ball folks. From the federal gov., to the state and local officials down to the people who just didn't bothered to leave.

And frankly, in my opinion, this isn't about race because Miss. didn't receive aid either. In fact, if you ask me, this problem stems from something far more basic than the color of skin and it's called politics.... Yeah, remember last year when Flo. kept getting hit? Was there a delay then? Of course not because every vote counted.

The biggest misfortune (from what I see) is the fact that the gulf was hit a year AFTER the presidential election, so urgency? Nahhhh...especially when it interferes with governmental vacations...

[TJ]

PTVay - You don't "see" very well then, do you?

[usmcmom]

One 18-year-old boy stole a bus and drove a bus load of people out to safety. Why could the governor and mayor not have ordered an evacuation of that type? I would have done the same thing that kid did. Why did nobody have the wherewithal to use the buses for this? Why? The people sitting in that superdome must be asking that same question. At least they would not have been in that water had they gone to higher ground.

Posted by: angelaberdine | Sep 3, 2005 5:19:55 AM

Angela,
Was that kid not awesome!!! Saw him last night on Greta's show. While others are shooting at rescue helicopters, this young man takes charge and rescues 70-80 people. Now that is character. I would like to see how Mayor Nagin is going to explain this young man's common sense against a City government so inept.

Morris,
The levee breach, as reported by NYTimes, occurred at a section that had been upgraded to current standards. That is why everyone was shocked that it breached, it had the newest materials and engineering design. So before you post blame on lack of funds, you need to know the facts on the breach. It wasn't a lack of funds, it's called an Act of God. Remember Pangea in your high-school geography books. Notice anything resembling our current continental layout.... hmmmm, yea didn't think so.... Only a liberal would think that you can rule, regulate, and engineer the God-given, natural forces of this earth to fit your land development plan.

Also, to all the folks that keep complaining about the Federal gov't lack of response. Governor Blanco is the ELECTED leader of Louisiana, NOT Mike Brown of FEMA and NOT Bush. Louisiana elected this incompetent leader, and unfortunately for the folks of NOs you are getting what you paid for. You want to know why Alabama and Mississippi aren't in chaos right now.. it is called LEADERSHIP. You know why Texas is taking 100,000 of Louisianas evacuees.. it is called LEADERSHIP. Governor Blanco of Louisiana is responsible for her actions, she is the SOLE authority to activate the National Guard, she is the SOLE authority to initiate the troopers, and other various state agencies... She did NOT do HER job. Nagin is no brain-trust obviously, but he counted on his Governor to get the Feds in place but she abdicated her responsibilty and her behavior is pure negligence and dereliction of duty.

Now many of you somehow think that the FEDS can just go running to the rescue, but they CAN'T, it is against the Law. If you don't like it, have your congressman and state senators abdicate your state's authority to the FED's then. But until that happens, the person you elect as your Governor is your state's Commander-In-Chief, next time you vote understand the magnitude of that job and make sure you elect a person who is a LEADER not a friggin mamby-bamby, wishy-washy, idiot. IMO

[wirefox]

usmcmom....Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking and feeling!!!

[!]

I saw the school buses on the news. Many of the people in the projects have more sence and more of a brain than the Damn sorry Mayor of New Orleans has. He is no better that them. He needs to be run out of town. If he had any srupples he would just resign. Sorry Mayor !!
Cities and towns all over America need to learn from this. Any place in this country can be victims of natural disasterS like this. There is flooding of cities and tornados and snow storms and earthquakes and dams breaking and all sorts fo things that can happen because of weather. Then you have other things that could happen in cities and towns. Chemical spills from trains, fires and Nuclear reactor failures. I can go on and on. Not to mention things similar to 9-11.
We need elected officials with a brain that care about their people. It is not the federal goverments responsiblity for everything. Yes, they help but it starts at the cities and towns and states themselves! Still wondering how some of these people in this city got their jobs.

[PVTay]

Cities and towns all over America need to learn from this...

My point exactly. Does anyone think when a tornado flattens a town in our area, we sit back on our "laws" and wait for FEMA and the red cross to arrive? Are you kidding me?? Long before they've even had a chance to 'organize', families, communities, churches...anyone and everyone is on the move getting the affected town the help they need.

As for me not seeing the point? Unfortunately I see to well. The people who did everything right - those who followed orders and evacuated to the super dome & the convention center - who's to blame for that? Noone except our government, who failed those people badly.

But those who chose to stay in their homes -ignoring all the warnings? You want me to feel sorry for them? Sorry, I can't! They got themselves into it and they have noone to blame but themselves.

Unfortunately, for all you people who refuse to see - do yourself a favor and look at this response. THIS is what we got from something that was expected. Imagine what will happen WHEN, (not if) a bio/chemical attack happens without warning. Are you going to sit around and wait for FEMA and the red cross to come and rescue you OR are you going to do what that 18 yr old kid did? He took action when none was offered and he saved a lot of lives. That 'kid' is one american hero!!

[TheAlamo]

Isn't it amazing what we have seen on here the past couple of days?
People blaming Bush, people blaming the mayor, people blaming everybody but those who are actually responsible. I don't like Bushlander, but the president is NOT the authority to go to when these things happen. Who is?
YOU, the individual The people who stayed behind by choice (and I know some were physically unable...but they are not those causing the crime now anyway) are responsible adults(?) They CHOSE to ignore the warnings. They CHOSE to stay there. Obviously the organizational failure of the government both at the local and national level are a site to see...but I can guarantee you one thing. Government inefficiency is the price you pay for a socialist country. Government never has...and never will do the job that the people are capable of doing themselves. Won't happen in N.O., won't happen anywhere, anytime...ever. Hell, if it had been me at the superdome...I would have found my own way out--walking or swimming--whatever it took.

As for those shooting at the helicopters and rescue workers. One or two Apache helicopters with orders to shoot to kill would end it in one day. But not we have to try to make the hurricane a racial thing, a thing of "equality." We have to "take pity" on the "poor" snipers shooting at rescue workers. We hear, "well, they're black and they are poor." What the hell is that? They are criminals no matter what color they are. If they are white shoot them. If they are black--shoot them. If they are brown shoot them. Snipers are criminals and they don't care what color you are when they shoot you.

Wake up America and dump this socialist mentality from your minds. Next thing you will see is government trying to legislate "hurricane eaquality." What a damned joke.

The mayor is not responsible for you--you are, black or white. The president is not--you are, black or white. Your mommy and daddy are not--you are, black or white. (unless you are a kid of course)
The government and the media are playing this for all they can. This ineptitude is not an accident. It is obviously a controlled agenda. IF we hear of all the "big companies" and how "charitable" they are then why don't the mega billion dollar oil companies toss in some and LOWER gas prices--especially in areas hit? Hell, they are liars and thieves. Profits, yes, even from the hurricane. THAT is the only thing on the minds of politicians and companies alike. "Let's see, how can we take advantage of this situation." Nothing new here.

It is magnified by the fact that 40% of New Orleans was on welfare due to government programs in the first place, and those are the people left behind. Hell they have been taught from age 1 that "sombody will take care of it." And they know nothing else. They won't even bury the dead lying right next to them, even though they might get a disease from the bodies and die. But...that is all they know. Welcome to the budding results of your socialist country.