Thousands Feared Dead: New Orleans Uninhabitable For Months

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- With thousands feared drowned in what could be America's deadliest natural disaster in a century, New Orleans' leaders all but surrendered the streets to floodwaters Wednesday and began turning out the lights on the ruined city - perhaps for months.

Looting spiraled so out of control that Mayor Ray Nagin ordered virtually the entire police force to abandon search-and-rescue efforts and focus on the brazen packs of thieves who have turned increasingly hostile.

Late Wednesday, Tenet Healthcare Corp. asked Louisiana State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard to help evacuate one of its hospitals in Gretna after a supply truck carrying food, water, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals was held up by gunmen.

Nagin said there will be a "total evacuation of the city. We have to. The city will not be functional for two or three months." And he said people would not be allowed back into their homes for at least a month or two.

In Mississippi, bodies are starting to pile up at the morgue in hard-hit Harrison County. Forty corpses have been brought to the morgue already, and officials expect the death toll in the county to climb well above 100

Hundreds of people wandered up and down shattered Interstate 10 - the only major freeway leading into New Orleans from the east - pushing shopping carts, laundry racks, anything they could find to carry their belongings.

Tempers were beginning to flare in the aftermath of the storm. Police said a man fatally shot his sister in the head over a bag of ice in Hattiesburg, Miss.

In addition to the Astrodome solution, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was considering putting people on cruise ships, in tent cities, mobile home parks, and so-called floating dormitories.

Around midday, officials with the state and the Army Corps of Engineers said the water levels between the city and the lake had equalized, and water had stopped spilling into New Orleans, and even appeared to be falling. But the danger was far from over.

On the flooded streets of New Orleans, dozens of fishermen from up to 200 miles away floated in on caravans of boats to pull residents out.

HOUSTON (AP) -- The first busloads of weary refugees from New Orleans arrived early Thursday at Houston's Astrodome, where air conditioning, cots, food and showers awaited them.

Houston developers detailed plans for turning the rarely used 40-year-old Astrodome into a hotel last month not knowing that within weeks the Dome would be retrofitted into a temporary home for up to 25,000 hurricane evacuees.

Astrodome officials said it would only accept people who were stranded at the Superdome - a rule that was tested late Wednesday when an Orleans Parish school bus arrived, filled with families with children seeking shelter. At first, Astrodome officials said they couldn't come in, but then allowed them to enter for food and water.

Dr. Kevin Stephens Sr., in charge of the special needs shelter at the dome, described the Superdome and a nearby arena as a health department's nightmare. "These conditions are atrocious," he said. "We'll take trucks, planes, boats, anything else - I have to get these people out of here."

WAVELAND, Miss. (AP) -- Hurricane Katrina seemed to take a particular vengeance out on this town. The storm virtually wiped Waveland off the map, prompting state officials to say it took a harder hit from the wind and water than any other town along the coast.

The town of 7,000 about 35 miles east of New Orleans has been partially cut off because the U.S. 90 bridge over the Bay of St. Louis was destroyed. There is no power, no phones, no way out - and nowhere to go.

State officials would not confirm a death toll in the town, but Mayor Tommy Longo estimated that at least 50 residents died, The Clarion-Ledger reported. City Hall is gone, with nothing but a knee-high mural of a beach scene still standing.

MIAMI (AP) -- Carnival Cruise Lines said Wednesday the federal government has asked whether its cruise ships could be used as emergency shelters or help Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in some other way.

The world's largest cruise line said that although "to undertake such an endeavor would involve many complicated issues, we are actively taking a look at it."

Fox News is reporting possible new levee breaks.

NEW ORLEANS — The catastrophic flooding that has partially filled the bowl that is New Orleans may worsen in coming days because rainfall from Hurricane Katrina continues to flow into Lake Pontchartrain from north-shore rivers and streams, and east winds and a 17.5-foot storm crest on the Pearl River block the water's outflow.

That water has found several holes in the lake's banks — all pouring into New Orleans. A 500-foot breach in the eastern wall of the 17th Street Canal separating New Orleans from Metairie had poured hundreds of thousands of gallons of lake water per second into the New Orleans area before easing up yesterday. Two more levee breaches along the Industrial Canal had created a flood in the Lower Ninth Ward on Monday that spread south into the French Quarter and other parts of the city.

That break might last no longer than the next high tide. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said the water in his city could reach as high as 3 feet above sea level. Louisiana State University Hurricane Center researcher Ivor van Heerden warned that Nagin's estimates could be too low.

Sewage from a treatment plant that stagnated in the canal created enough sulfuric-acid fumes that nearby homes in Lakeview painted with lead-based paint turned black.

A list of charitable organization here.

See here ... here .... here .... and here for complete articles.

Comments

[dori]

Oh My Gosh, all this death and devestation. It's just so overwhelming. Think of all the people this has affected, not only directly, but indirectly. There are people in other states frantically looking for families.

Many of the people that stayed were poor, did not have transportation, or even money for gas to get out of the city. It is heartwrenching.

[proudredneck]

Last year New Orleans was threatened with the same size hurricane, but it turned and went in another direction. The mayor and governor were relieved because they said they were not prepared, but assured their voting constituency they would be prepared next time. Well, 'next time' came and they were not prepared. That mayor is certainly not Rudy and that governor is certainly not Pataki. Shame, shame on the local politicians who lined their pockets while their poor perished.

[just an observer]

Texas has taken in 25,000 of the poor and needy.
Where are the rest of the states why aren't they helping?

[Tanya]

Many of the people that stayed were poor, did not have transportation, or even money for gas to get out of the city. It is heartwrenching.

Posted by: dori | Sep 1, 2005 7:03:32 AM

I thought there was transportation provided but they stayed to protect their homes.
Is material things more important than life?

[Tanya]

The boards they spent money on to protect their home could have gotten a taxi out with precious belongings

[LornaD]

And now it is being reported on at least two cable networks that evacuations from the Superdome have been suspended because shots were fired on helicopters.

Jeff Goldblatt of Fox News reports being fired on as he and his crew left New Orleans. They had been given a blue light to put on their vehicle. Hoodlums pulled up, yelled "F--- the police and fired on their vehicle.

This is a disgrace. I know people are hungry, thirsty, devastated and exhausted, but there is NO excuse for this, nor for the grinning hoodlums hauling non-essentials from stores.

These are not the acts of desperate refugees. They are the acts of human refuse, not worthy of the word "civilized".

The looting starts first and when this human refuse sees that no action is taken upon those perpetrators, they grow bolder... and bolder until it is total, senseless anarchy.

[DennisAOK]

Many of the people that stayed were poor, did not have transportation, or even money for gas to get out of the city. It is heartwrenching.

Posted by: dori | Sep 1, 2005 7:03:32 AM

The Chinese have much incomes than Americans, but they save 25% of their income. For someone to not be able to afford a bus ticket out of town is absurd.

[DennisAOK]

Many of the people that stayed were poor, did not have transportation, or even money for gas to get out of the city. It is heartwrenching.

Posted by: dori | Sep 1, 2005 7:03:32 AM

The Chinese have a much lower standard of living than Americans, but they save 25% of their incomes. For someone to not be able to afford a bus ticket out of town is absurd.

[clintcarter]

I am ashamed at the lack of imagination that seems to exist about ways to provide relief for these people.
It seems a catatrophe like this anywhere in this country could have similar results. (BTW, wasn't the National savings average for the last year at or Below 0%? I'm not sure.)
The WTC was surrounded by caring New Yorkers and others who were not structurally affected by the tragedy. There is no such support here, and that is no one's fault. Guiliani could only do what he did to rebuild because he had forces at his disposal and was THERE 24/7. I would expect Pres. Bush to be on the ground barking orders and forcing creative thinking and compromise from anyone he can influence or command. But this is not a man who leads by example OR thinks well on his feet.
Dispairing.

People are trapped under INSANE conditions.
I say IGNORE the looting BUT shoot anyone who fires a gun ON SIGHT. This is not a time for judgement about how people act, nor for blanket condemnation based on the actions of a few.

What about deputizing people to help with crowd control?
Trucking in water stations in tanker trucks?
Handing out lunch boxes? Crates of apples, oranges, hats for the sun, on and on.
Why isn't there a line of relief vehicles stretching along the accessible highways?

Are the surrounding areas so Broke they have to wait for non-governmental agencies to provide relief to the affected areas?

The calls I've made this a.m. indicate LOTS of money being collected. Were there NO reserve funds to enable overnite mobilization of serious aid?
And it is past time to say that much of the organized help needed is in Iraq or dealing with Iraq. YES, there is NOW a definite and unavoidable connection between the Federal/State (Ray Nagin can't do anything right now without help) ability to respond and so many of our resources being tied up making the world safe? for democracy? in another country.

[curiositykillsme]

DennisAOK
In your definition of Republican does it describe one who has no compassion?

[curiositykillsme]

clintcarter

I could not agree more. What a nightmare. Am I naive to say that preperations were nowhere near adequate?

[clintcarter]

Every other domestic scene that came anywhere close to this in past generations included crowds of Natl. Guardsmen patrolling and assisting. Where is our Homeland Security now?

Trust me, this is not a time to tell me that lining up behind the rich people getting richer off a highly questionable WAR is the patriotic thing to do. I'm disgusted by what I see. Richest and most powerful country in the world? Prove it for it's citizens.

If Bush wants any legacy at all he should do the humane thing and get to this Ground Zero and WORK his tail off. Embarassing.

[curiositykillsme]

I can not wrap my head around why there were not many more shelters and stations for aid set up prior to this storms tremendous landfall. Can they really say they did not understand the severity not just of the storm, but of the chaos that would insue from thousands of already economically challenged people pushed to refugeeism in their own city. Why do we make such sacrifices? I am not a bleeding heart before you all pelt me with stones. I lean more to the right as I age. I just believe in people helping people no matter what it COSTS. It is our duty to help eachother not just financially, but with whatever you can provide as relief. People should have been mobilized a lot sooner.JMHO

[clintcarter]

BTW, thanks, Dan. YOUR blog will save and help rebuild lives.

Gotta go to work. Peace and blessings to those in need.

:-(

[Cindi in PA]

The Chinese have a much lower standard of living than Americans, but they save 25% of their incomes. For someone to not be able to afford a bus ticket out of town is absurd.

Posted by: DennisAOK | Sep 1, 2005 9:13:08 AM

The Chinese are also limited to the number of children they can have. Many of these familles caught in this storm were lower income. Consider an average family of 4/6 people if lucky and make 40,000 a year, would be strapped for a bus ticket, not to mention food, lodging, gasoline.
Easy to sit at a keyboard and project what others can afford.

[curiositykillsme]

The Chinese are also limited to the number of children they can have. Many of these familles caught in this storm were lower income. Consider an average family of 4/6 people if lucky and make 40,000 a year, would be strapped for a bus ticket, not to mention food, lodging, gasoline.
Easy to sit at a keyboard and project what others can afford.

Posted by: Cindi in PA | Sep 1, 2005 10:22:50 AM

Exactly.

[George T.]

so many of our resources being tied up making the world safe? for democracy? in another country.
Posted by: clintcarter | Sep 1, 2005 10:05:06 AM

Well stated Clint.
Good article Dan. Well done.
And to realize that this is just the beginning! Now all we need is a few inside terrorists to act and we will be done for.
We are not thinking realiztically trying to make the world democratic. We need to step back and take care of our own nation, shore up our own people inside our boundaries.
That includes me also. To be hungry in this nation is a crime, and often I am. To have no recourse to live in a viable environment is a crime, and yet I do not.
And I am an educated person trying to figure it all out as how to survive when circumstances do not allow me to earn income. What can possibly be the hope for the people of the south who do not have that privilege, and now are dealt such a bad hand.
And yet, we as a nation do not see that we need to elect a president who will move the nation into self sacrific by example, and then as a role model for the rest of us. We need to take care of US citizens first.
Where are our government programs and hope of the past?
Prayers and blessings to all involved in this great adventure into taking care of our fellow man, for who ever has done it unto the least of these, has done it unto me.......

[DennisAOK]

curiositykillsme,

No, that is not my definition.

Hollis,

The Democrat Senator from Louisiana said last night on Larry King that no amount of preparation could have prevented this disaster - it was simply too large. The non-partisan head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the same. The head of FEMA said they had planned for this exact scenario two years ago. No doubt faults in the system have been exposed, and we will learn from this experience, but it is ridiculous to say that if such and such had been done, this would not have happened. Not everything in life can be planned for; not every ill averted. The last major hurricane to hit New Orleans was in 1965. Many administrations have come and gone since then. If the insufficiency of funds was so glaring in this area, shouldn't all of them bear responsibility?

[curiositykillsme]

While I agree with most of your points, Dennis, there seems to be a sense of shock at the number of dead and the behavior of the refugees. That is just plain disgusting. In all this planning and testing for a disaster plan no one addressed the issue of thousands of poverty striken minorites with little resource having no way to leave? Bulls***! Why was there no troops ready to go in sooner? There was time for them to arrive in safe places until the storm had passed. Why were there not more pre established shelters in unaffected areas along the evacuation routes? Knowledge is power and there were an incredible amount of powerless people out there. There is not just a govermental solution, but also a human solution. Why did we not rally for these citizens like we have for the citizens in Iraq?

[crystal]

40,000 a year in Louisiana, especially in New Orleans would have been a huge income. We are talking about families that were lucky to make 12,000 a year.
Alot of the people on Tv were the very poor, but my mother being a 22 year associate of Wal-Mart told me that there are people coming in there begging to work for money just so they can feed their family, and do you want to know what the pay will be--$6.25 an hour. Thats no enough when you have nothing!
Also, Walmart has donated 1 million on top of 250 cash to all walmart employees that were from there plus cash advancements on their paychecks, not to mention every employee that walks into a walmart will automatically be put to work at a different walmart when they get there!

[curiositykillsme]

They had to know the security risks that were going to occur. It is already a city with high crime and alot of poverty. When people with nothing have everything taken from them desperation increases at a far graeter level that in communities where resource is great. It is undeniable.

[DennisAOK]

CindiInPA,

To be blunt, if someone cannot afford a bus ticket, they have no business having 4-6 children. I am not projecting what people can afford, I am saying what they cannot afford.

curiositykillsme,

There are 1-2 million people homeless. Should shelters have been ready this number of people? How far back in time? How many shelters should be available right now in California, as we wait for the big earthquake that will one day hit there? By the way, I wrote a large check out to the American Red Cross yesterday, if that equates with "compassion" in your view of the world.

clintcarter,

I did not support the Iraq war either. However, the existing National Guard troops cannot get to the effected areas. Same for many of the utility crews volunteering from around the country to help. More people from Iraq at this point would not help much. And your comment about rich people getting rich off the war is the same old Marxist rhetoric we used to hear from eastern Europe. Their system failed, buddy.

[Dan]

I honestly don't know what is wrong with some people. That this was a disaster waiting to happen is nothing new. I read about this two decades ago in John McPhee's book, which I previously linked.

All of a sudden it is the doing of one President, one party?? Pathetic.

How small your agenda in the face of this tragedy - which has been in the making for over 100 years and NO government or administration did anything about it. Good grief - this goes back past the TVA. Put away your personal political agendas for the time being, or just shut the eff up.

[LornaD]

Sorry, don't buy the "they had nothing" so that's why they act this way now" excuse.

If you have nothing you'd better learn to help one another, not shoot one another. If you can't help, at least don't hamper the efforts of others. Excusing people, be they child or adult, for bad behavior is never a solution.

Ordinary people with boats have come to help with the rescue. They are sitting still in the water because the first boats to go out were fired on, according to a Fox reporter.

Now how does growing up poor teach you to shoot people who risk their life, limb and property to save you?

[usmcmom]

They had to know the security risks that were going to occur. It is already a city with high crime and alot of poverty. When people with nothing have everything taken from them desperation increases at a far graeter level that in communities where resource is great. It is undeniable.

Posted by: curiositykillsme | Sep 1, 2005 10:58:46 AM

What is undeniable is that people instead of helping their neighbors are shooting at helicopters trying to evacuate them to safety. On Fox&Friends, they said it wasn't until this am that Nagin called for a state of emergency in NO. They are so friggin PC, then can't even call it Martial Law! The man with two plastic bags of groceries heading out of the store, is not the problem, the mental giants stealing plasma screens is really not the problem, it's the friggin scum that overrun the weakest and poorest among them. If these scum want to act like the warlords of Somalia, then fine they should be treated as such. The gloves need to come off, and the people of NO need to be saved from this dredge of humanity.

[curiositykillsme]

Dennis no need for hostility. The fact is the enormity of a situation like this and its impact for a long time. Long enough to better educate the citizens there on what to do in this type of disaster. You don't just ignore the inevitble, you prepare in the best way you can and I do not believe this is the best we got.

[clintcarter]

"All of a sudden it is the doing of one President, one party?? Pathetic"

Dan I don't understand. Do you Not feel that the President should be more hands on about this massive tragedy?
Do you Not feel (whether you agree with the war or not) that our presence there handicaps our ability to respond to this crisis?

I do not have a small agenda nor do I feel I have criticized wihtout cause. Yes, many have been aware of this problem but not only is the true test in the fire but $ that could have helped prepare was diverted out of this country.

It is natural for people to get upset when they see others in need and wonder why more isn't being done. Some would rather focus on the inevitable acts of lunatics as a way of separating themselves from this human tragedy, it seems.
Your blog is now part of the crucible of change, and it needs to get hot for that to happen.

[usmcmom]

I make just over $300K a year- I didn't need a tax break! I would have preferred that money go to shore up social security for the poor, Medicare, disability.

Posted by: Marla | Sep 1, 2005 11:13:35 AM

Well Marla, here's your opportunity to now donate all that tax break you received over the past 4 years to the charity of your choice. Thanking you in advance.

[usmcmom]

Clint,
Morning, Chertoff is now running this thing, as of yesterday I believe it was signed off. So no it's not the President, it's Homeland Security now.

[Dan]

I am a true Republican. Bush and the neocons have hijacked our party.

Well, in reality, I'm neither - and, what's more, right now I'm just American. And I have the rest of my life to assign blame. Try having a political argument after getting off the phone with a Mother who last talked to her daughter as her roof was coming off, the cars were underwater and she and the kids in Gulfport haven't been heard from since Monday.

Then call some folks at the TV networks you know, forward it to a journalist or two in the South before you scour the web for any hint information and all you see is devastation - sorry if I'm not in the mood to play the blame game right now.

Get real? Oh, I'm very G damned real, Marlo.

[Dan]

The MO. Air NG The 131st, has been activated and will be sent to the Gulf States. They are on standby waiting their final orders. The Sgt. Major I know has been trained for EMT by the guard. Also, St.Louis University, has said it will take Loyola U. students, will accept all transcripts,finanacial aid,etc. for the students, as they do not know when Loyola will open.

[DeeDee]

Curisitykills and Clint...why aren't you over there? Why are you sitting here typing away your opinions and criticizing what is being done. Get off your *** and get on the road. Take a load of water, and snacks and blankets and pillows and head to the shelter in Baton Rouge, Beaumont, Alexandria, Tuscalousa, Pensacola.........take your choice!!

[clintcarter]

And your comment about rich people getting rich off the war is the same old Marxist rhetoric we used to hear from eastern Europe. Their system failed, buddy.

Posted by: DennisAOK | Sep 1, 2005 10:59:15 AM

?? Just like it is not balck & white, liberal or conservative, it is not just capitalism or Marxism.
Instead of being dismissive (see link somewhere to 'red herring') why not say something substantial about how it is that some Captains of Industry in this country are NOT making money off war; or how it is that the gulf between rich and poor is NOT growing greater daily?

People are DYING because of that growing disparity. And you pull out that old Marxism chestnut to condemn others and ignore factors that contribute to this suffering? You are either rich yourself or blinded to the self-interest of those who are. The same self-interest that drives people to loot.

Compassion without action = Death

p.s. I'm sure your contribution will help.

[clintcarter]

Now how does growing up poor teach you to shoot people who risk their life, limb and property to save you?

Posted by: LornaD | Sep 1, 2005 11:10:02 AM

Please do not condemn many for the senseless acts of a few. Those boats should be out there anyway. I'm sure that shooting at aid workers isan anomaly. Are soldiers staying in their tents in Iraq because they're being shot at? Life is inherently dangerous. We must forge ahead. Delay only makes it worse.

Now, if there were more Natl. Guard to assist with this...

[Dan]

Do you Not feel that the President should be more hands on about this massive tragedy?

Absolutely not, unless you enjoy Carter praralysis. The role of the executive is to delegate, not be hands on. No one or three men could be.

Do you Not feel (whether you agree with the war or not) that our presence there handicaps our ability to respond to this crisis?

As I supported and still support the war, your point is moot. Should we not have fought wwI because a depression was coming? 20/20 hindsight.

Yes, many have been aware of this problem but not only is the true test in the fire but $ that could have helped prepare was diverted out of this country.

So how did you feel when Clinton spent the "peace dividend" on, um, what exactly? How many pudgy interns do you need? I didn't see an ex- Ark. governor do much to firm up a levee structure that was no more up to a Cat 5 hurricane then, did you?

Yeah, the money was diverted out of the country - unlike the airplanes that crashed into the WTC's - the planning for whichtook place under Clinton aqs he striped out military and hand-cuffed our inteligence services because he needed the money for, um, what was that, again?
Oh, new furniture for the Licoln bedroom, or did that go to the China set? Geesh! You MUST be kidding.

[clintcarter]

Uh, DeeDee, the issue is what Could be done.
My posts are full of ideas (you?) and my Considerable volunteer legacy provides fodder for those ideas. I get off my a** AND I type.

AND I'm mad,too. Join the club.

[LornaD]

Clint Carter, I can and do condemn people who shoot at folks who come to help them.

THEY AREN'T SOLDIERS!

They are common people who had a boat and came to help. They didn't come to get shot at.

I condemn the shooters. I condemn their parents. I condemn the society they grow up in that excuses and even embraces their actions as children which in turn makes them the lawless adults they are. I condemn their families, neighbors and others who know exactly who the miscreants are and do nothing about it. And I condemn their apologists.

They should be shot. Period. For the good of the people who are abiding the law and trying to get out of New Orleans.

[usmcmom]

or how it is that the gulf between rich and poor is NOT growing greater daily?

Compassion without action = Death

Posted by: clintcarter | Sep 1, 2005 11:31:27 AM

To me the gulf should not be labelled between rich and poor, but between educated and uneducated. We all have the opportunity to obtain the education we want, we all have the opportunity to excel or just get by, or not even show up... don't begrudge those of us that chose to excel in education instead of just getting by. The adage, "You reap what you sow"... is never more pertinent than in the field of education.

[DennisAOK]

Marla,

Medicare and many other federal programs are fundamentally flawed and in need of a complete overhaul using market mechanisms. It sounds as if your solution to the problems of Medicare, disability, poverty is throwing more money at them. If so, you are a Republican in name only.

[DeeDee]

Clint you are a friggin TROLL

No country, no allegiance, no sense!

[clintcarter]

So, Dan, you do NOT feel the Pres. should be more hands on about this?
Then we disagree.

And my point is not moot. Our presence in Iraq handicaps our ability to respond domestically.

I never mentioned Clinton. I'm not interested in tit for tat.

This is killing me- I want to stay but I'm living on the edge myself, so talk to ya later.

[clintcarter]

Please do not condemn many for the senseless acts of a few.
Posted by: clintcarter | Sep 1, 2005 11:37:21 AM

Clint Carter, I can and do condemn people who shoot at folks who come to help them.
Posted by: LornaD | Sep 1, 2005 11:47:12 AM

OK, we agree.

[clintcarter]

Fortunately there are 100's of people who know or have known me who would roll their eyes at your comment for me.

later deedee. nice life.

[Monica]

The reality is we are not going to have nearly as much money as we would have to deal with this hurricane and the aftermath if so much of our money and resources weren't being thrown down the drain in Iraq and if we didn't have the unnecessary tax cuts.

[Hooch]

Ok-we live in Austin and the news is reporting that they are sending these people to San Antonio and Austin. I am not sure I want them in Austin where I live. When the national crime was down last year New Orleans was up 10%. After watching them looting and even police officers caught on tv looting a Walmart-I am not sure I want a bunch of unmoral people coming to our city.

I know I am probably going to get some pretty nice responses from my comment but this is a real situation. I've spent all morning watching the coverage on all different channels.

They are talking months until New Orleans residents can return. Mean while they will be sitting around bored in other cities.

Do they plan on putting them to work to keep them busy?

I am truely afraid.

[usmcmom]

Do they plan on putting them to work to keep them busy?

Posted by: Hooch | Sep 1, 2005 12:09:26 PM

IMO what needs to be done in a few weeks, after all the folks are evacuated, is to go back to what worked in the 1930's. Get out those old "abc" programs and get those refugees working on the various clean-up projects that are necessary. There is not enough manpower in this country to get that job done in a timely manner, and our national guard should not have to leave their own families and real jobs to do this clean-up work. There are many able-bodied men and women from NO's that can do the work. I truly believe most would be glad to have the opportunity to work, earn a living, and make such a difference in their community.

[!]

All these morons that are looting and causing all the trouble in the city of New Orleans need to be rounded up and put in a holding area nearby on safe ground until the entire city is evacuated down to the very last person.
When the city and state officials along with the goverement decide how they are going to go about cleaning up the mess, then the ones that were looting (and I do not mean the ones that got food and water) I mean the THUGS that took other stuff....
They should be the ones that go in and clean up the city. That should be their punishment. PRISON WORK CAMPS should be set up for them.
There were truly good people in New Orleans that should nto be punished because of what a bunch of low life thugs have done.!!

[DeeDee]

IMO what needs to be done in a few weeks, after all the folks are evacuated, is to go back to what worked in the 1930's. Get out those old "abc" programs and get those refugees working on the various clean-up projects that are necessary.

Excellent suggestion! usmcomom....I hope your post will jog some suggestions to Senators and Fema leadership.

[!]

All these morons that are looting and causing all the trouble in the city of New Orleans need to be rounded up and put in a holding area nearby on safe ground until the entire city is evacuated down to the very last person.
When the city and state officials along with the goverement decide how they are going to go about cleaning up the mess, then the ones that were looting (and I do not mean the ones that got food and water) I mean the THUGS that took other stuff....
They should be the ones that go in and clean up the city. That should be their punishment. PRISON WORK CAMPS should be set up for them.
There were truly good people in New Orleans that should nto be punished because of what a bunch of low life thugs have done.!!

[Hooch]

Sounds like ya'll are thinking like me. From the interviews on tv I have heard alot of demands by these people that we "owe" them. They don't understand the magnitude of what has happened to them.

I highly doubt that the majority of the refugees think they need to help with the clean up. I was born in LA. My family had an apartment on Canal Street. I love LA. Parents went to LSU. I still have lots of family in southern LA. The poor in New Orleans think differently. It's a fact.

The government needs to put these refugees to work otherwise the looting will spread to Baton Rouge, Houston, San Antonio, Austin-where ever they house them.

I pray I am wrong and that they will understand what has happened and take personal responsibilty for themselves and there families. Not just take handouts.