Forums > Social Discussion > Katrina kills thousands
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
For those of you who haven't seen the news in the last few days, the US states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Thousands of people are thought to have been killed, many more are missing and thousands remain stranded without help, food or water.
Info from BBC site here
If you have seen the news, it's really quite horrific to watch.
These people who have grown up in a country of relative wealth and stability have seen their worlds crumble around them... and now, four days after the hurricane ripped through, help has still not arrived.
Many of the National Guard are in Iraq, and god knows what's happened to the army helicopters and emergency relief, because it's currently not getting through.
And so, after four days without aid, the people have turned to looting and violence to stay alive.
My thoughts and sympathies are with the people going through this disaster.
For those of you who haven't seen the news in the last few days, the US states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Thousands of people are thought to have been killed, many more are missing and thousands remain stranded without help, food or water.
Info from BBC site here
If you have seen the news, it's really quite horrific to watch.
These people who have grown up in a country of relative wealth and stability have seen their worlds crumble around them... and now, four days after the hurricane ripped through, help has still not arrived.
Many of the National Guard are in Iraq, and god knows what's happened to the army helicopters and emergency relief, because it's currently not getting through.
And so, after four days without aid, the people have turned to looting and violence to stay alive.
My thoughts and sympathies are with the people going through this disaster.
Getting to the other side 
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,942 posts
Location: London, UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,942 posts
Location: London, UK
Posted:
same here i have an online friend who lives there - i talked to her just before she evacuated - i have since heard via a mutual friend that shes ok and with relatives inland but all her stuff has probably been trashed
same here
i have an online friend who lives there - i talked to her just before she evacuated - i have since heard via a mutual friend that shes ok and with relatives inland but all her stuff has probably been trashed back
SILVER Member
member
136 posts
Location: Maryland, USA
member
136 posts
Location: Maryland, USA
Posted:
It is quite terrible down there, and the news keeps getting worse and worse. Rev has posted about it on Spherculism, since he is from that area and is dealing with it himself. It is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, natural disaster that this country has had to deal with. It boggles the mind to think about how long it is going to take to recover from this.
It was shocking to hear on the radio this morning that the evacuation of the Superdome (where thousands were staying) had to be put on hold for a while because someone was shooting at the military helicopters. WTF????
And unfortunately, the looting has moved beyond "staying alive" (i.e. food and necessities) into people stealing whatever they can and taking advantage of the situation. I realize that scores of people have lost everything, but I find it sad that some are taking advantage of this disaster in ways that they should not be. I guess it saddens me when civility goes out the window.
All that said, I cannot imagine what the people down there are going through, so perhaps my opinions aren't quite based in reality. I do know that my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has lost loved ones or their homes and possessions.
It is quite terrible down there, and the news keeps getting worse and worse. Rev has posted about it on Spherculism, since he is from that area and is dealing with it himself. It is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, natural disaster that this country has had to deal with. It boggles the mind to think about how long it is going to take to recover from this.
It was shocking to hear on the radio this morning that the evacuation of the Superdome (where thousands were staying) had to be put on hold for a while because someone was shooting at the military helicopters. WTF????
And unfortunately, the looting has moved beyond "staying alive" (i.e. food and necessities) into people stealing whatever they can and taking advantage of the situation. I realize that scores of people have lost everything, but I find it sad that some are taking advantage of this disaster in ways that they should not be. I guess it saddens me when civility goes out the window.
All that said, I cannot imagine what the people down there are going through, so perhaps my opinions aren't quite based in reality. I do know that my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has lost loved ones or their homes and possessions.
I was touched by His Noodly Appendage
SILVER Member
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Posted:
love and light to all x
love and light to all x Hoppers are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
BRONZE Member
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
Posted:
My heart goes out to the people involved. I feel much saddness for the city that was New Orleans. The song "New Orleans is Sinking" keeps playing in my head. I always wanted to spend time there... Heartbreaking.
More than anything, after my expereince working after the tsunami, and now watching this play out, I am aware of how unprepared we are to be self sufficient in case of an emergency.
THIS IS THE IMPORTANT BIT:
If you have not done it yet, go out now, and prepare an emergency kit that will have sufficient survival supplies so that in an emergency you can make it on your own without power transportation and medical attention, for at least a week. So, that means canned/dry food and *water*, first aid kit, any necessary prescriptions,pet supplies, basic tools, a solar or wind up radio/light/siren, glow poi, spare clothes, -- I am sure there are complete lists of this sort of thing available on line.Look it up.
Put it all together, and keep it in an accessible place. And it is not a bad idea to have a smaller version in your car. Also, have a plan on how and where to connect with loved ones assuming communication systems are down...
It sounds so dramatic, and we like to think it will never be necessary. But it is, and the consequences of being unprepared in a disaster are terrible. We were snowed in on my island, with power lines down last winter, just for a few days, but it was a nightmare for seniors, and the disabled. No heat, no water, no transportation, no communication.... think about what that means for the average person, never mind those with special challenges...Organization, and being able to be responsible for your own needs, and maybe that of your neighbors and friends would be helpful. Systems that we think will save us are not going to kick in immediately even in a best case scenario!
So, lets have a backup plan. I am not saying go all freaky survivalist, but at least have your basic needs covered! do it, and do it now....
Than, if we never ever have to use them, we can all just give thanks...
peace,
Andrea
My heart goes out to the people involved. I feel much saddness for the city that was New Orleans. The song "New Orleans is Sinking" keeps playing in my head. I always wanted to spend time there... Heartbreaking.
More than anything, after my expereince working after the tsunami, and now watching this play out, I am aware of how unprepared we are to be self sufficient in case of an emergency.
THIS IS THE IMPORTANT BIT:
If you have not done it yet, go out now, and prepare an emergency kit that will have sufficient survival supplies so that in an emergency you can make it on your own without power transportation and medical attention, for at least a week. So, that means canned/dry food and *water*, first aid kit, any necessary prescriptions,pet supplies, basic tools, a solar or wind up radio/light/siren, glow poi, spare clothes, -- I am sure there are complete lists of this sort of thing available on line.Look it up.
Put it all together, and keep it in an accessible place. And it is not a bad idea to have a smaller version in your car. Also, have a plan on how and where to connect with loved ones assuming communication systems are down...
It sounds so dramatic, and we like to think it will never be necessary. But it is, and the consequences of being unprepared in a disaster are terrible. We were snowed in on my island, with power lines down last winter, just for a few days, but it was a nightmare for seniors, and the disabled. No heat, no water, no transportation, no communication.... think about what that means for the average person, never mind those with special challenges...Organization, and being able to be responsible for your own needs, and maybe that of your neighbors and friends would be helpful. Systems that we think will save us are not going to kick in immediately even in a best case scenario!
So, lets have a backup plan. I am not saying go all freaky survivalist, but at least have your basic needs covered! do it, and do it now....
Than, if we never ever have to use them, we can all just give thanks...
peace,
Andrea
"God *was* my co-pilot, but then we crashed, and I had to eat him..."
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
Worst I heard recently on the radio is that there's six dead bodies on the floor of the superdrome, and the officials won't go in to get them because of the number of people inside with guns.....
Worst I heard recently on the radio is that there's six dead bodies on the floor of the superdrome, and the officials won't go in to get them because of the number of people inside with guns.....
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
member
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posted:
There are dead bodies everywhere....
This, I must say, is a cruel taste of irony for people who choose to live in such a dangerous place.
Come on, now! The city of New Orleans is below sea-level and the level of the canals that surround the city. WTF about that? Who thought of that brilliant idea? Living in an area that's been prone to hurricanes and flooding since the beginning of time. But- oh yeah, lets move there and live there and then boohoo when it gets flooded.
That's just tempting fate - that's like playing Russian Roulet and then going "well that wasn't suppose to happen" when you best friend is shot in the head.
-------
The other side to this is that there was no evacuation plan in place for anyone. I'm sure individual families who thought ahead and actually planned for this had a way of making it happen. But, apparently, most people never thought of it.
The government never thought of it, either. I'm horrified at the fact that no evacuation plan was ever thought of for people who are: in nursing homes and unable to care for theirselves; or for people who: are in hospitals and unable to care for theirselves.
One of the most shocking rescue operations was saving 16 infants and children from a hospital! That fact is more terrible than anything else. The fact that children had to be saved from a flooding hospital when people who could have taken them to safety BEFORE this happened didn't do a thing!
That infuriates me.
-------
It also infuriates me when people assume that America is a great, weathly country to live in. The cruel fact is - the one that the media hides a bit - is that a lot of Americans have crappy lives and the rest of our own country doesn't really care about them.
America has its projects and slums and bums and homeless and poor people and uneducated just like every other country. We have our rich and wealthy and corrupt, too. We have the normal people - the people who are honest and hard working and have worked hard for what they have.
We're just like everyone else - our government, unfortunately, is not.
Anyway, I'm a bit fired up over this entire situation - I'm angry with my government for not doing what it's their for and having all these people suffer when there's no need for it.
Oh, but we'll waste billions of dollars shooting off space shuttles and mars land-rovers that go missing in action. Sure, see - 'cause my government is made of a bunch of idiots!
My country has some of its priorities screwed up, seriously screwed up.
anyway enough of
There are dead bodies everywhere....
This, I must say, is a cruel taste of irony for people who choose to live in such a dangerous place.
Come on, now! The city of New Orleans is below sea-level and the level of the canals that surround the city. WTF about that? Who thought of that brilliant idea? Living in an area that's been prone to hurricanes and flooding since the beginning of time. But- oh yeah, lets move there and live there and then boohoo when it gets flooded.
That's just tempting fate - that's like playing Russian Roulet and then going "well that wasn't suppose to happen" when you best friend is shot in the head.
-------
The other side to this is that there was no evacuation plan in place for anyone. I'm sure individual families who thought ahead and actually planned for this had a way of making it happen. But, apparently, most people never thought of it.
The government never thought of it, either. I'm horrified at the fact that no evacuation plan was ever thought of for people who are: in nursing homes and unable to care for theirselves; or for people who: are in hospitals and unable to care for theirselves.
One of the most shocking rescue operations was saving 16 infants and children from a hospital! That fact is more terrible than anything else. The fact that children had to be saved from a flooding hospital when people who could have taken them to safety BEFORE this happened didn't do a thing!
That infuriates me.
-------
It also infuriates me when people assume that America is a great, weathly country to live in. The cruel fact is - the one that the media hides a bit - is that a lot of Americans have crappy lives and the rest of our own country doesn't really care about them.
America has its projects and slums and bums and homeless and poor people and uneducated just like every other country. We have our rich and wealthy and corrupt, too. We have the normal people - the people who are honest and hard working and have worked hard for what they have.
We're just like everyone else - our government, unfortunately, is not.
Anyway, I'm a bit fired up over this entire situation - I'm angry with my government for not doing what it's their for and having all these people suffer when there's no need for it.
Oh, but we'll waste billions of dollars shooting off space shuttles and mars land-rovers that go missing in action. Sure, see - 'cause my government is made of a bunch of idiots!
My country has some of its priorities screwed up, seriously screwed up.
anyway enough of
"I'm your Huckleberry."
The muse spake her thought and then there was silence. Thy spiked tongue had melted, only a bitter heart remained.
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
Uhm, I'm from New Orleans. Born and raised. Yes the city is below sea level, but the city most certainly does not go boo hoo when it gets flooded. THIS is an EXTREME case....very nearly the worst case scenario for New Orleans.
I grew up, and saw floods often...it's a fact of life. People recovered and moved on..many times. This is a unique situation where flooding is extreme.
The city is over 200 years old. The people who thought to live there were people who established a colony there those many years ago. Commerce built the city up, and it was, and is vital to commerce in the US. It is a well established port...one of the largest in the states, if not the largest. The port is vital to so much in the US.
Most of the people who lived their didn't decide to up and move there...they grew up there...born there. Raised there. It's their Home Town, and they have strong ties to the city.
Every part of the country has some sort of natural disaster...tornado ally has tornados...California has earthquakes, Washington and Oregon have volcanoes....living in any of these areas comes with some sort of risk.
Instead of questioning the sanity of people living there, how about questioning the decision by someone only giving the Army Corps of Engineers authority to build a levee system that handles category 3 storms?
Other places have the same sea level issue of New Orleans...Denmark comes to mind, but those places have dealt with it by engineering, and what have you.
Sorry...I've just heard too many people say that it's stupid to live below sea level in a place that gets hurricanes. When the big one hits California, are people going to say it's stupid to live there because the state is earthquake prone?
-----
On another note.....my family, who live well inland from New Orleans lost all the big trees on their property, but none hit the house or barn. They lost most of their roof. I don't know about my sister's house. . .I know she's ok..she evacuated, but went back to her house once it was ok to go...I can't contact her because of the phone situation.
Uhm, I'm from New Orleans. Born and raised. Yes the city is below sea level, but the city most certainly does not go boo hoo when it gets flooded. THIS is an EXTREME case....very nearly the worst case scenario for New Orleans.
I grew up, and saw floods often...it's a fact of life. People recovered and moved on..many times. This is a unique situation where flooding is extreme.
The city is over 200 years old. The people who thought to live there were people who established a colony there those many years ago. Commerce built the city up, and it was, and is vital to commerce in the US. It is a well established port...one of the largest in the states, if not the largest. The port is vital to so much in the US.
Most of the people who lived their didn't decide to up and move there...they grew up there...born there. Raised there. It's their Home Town, and they have strong ties to the city.
Every part of the country has some sort of natural disaster...tornado ally has tornados...California has earthquakes, Washington and Oregon have volcanoes....living in any of these areas comes with some sort of risk.
Instead of questioning the sanity of people living there, how about questioning the decision by someone only giving the Army Corps of Engineers authority to build a levee system that handles category 3 storms?
Other places have the same sea level issue of New Orleans...Denmark comes to mind, but those places have dealt with it by engineering, and what have you.
Sorry...I've just heard too many people say that it's stupid to live below sea level in a place that gets hurricanes. When the big one hits California, are people going to say it's stupid to live there because the state is earthquake prone?
-----
On another note.....my family, who live well inland from New Orleans lost all the big trees on their property, but none hit the house or barn. They lost most of their roof. I don't know about my sister's house. . .I know she's ok..she evacuated, but went back to her house once it was ok to go...I can't contact her because of the phone situation.
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
member
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posted:
lol! yes - I'll say it's stupid to live in California, too, when it falls off the face of the earth - I have plenty of family living there so I don't know if that'll be a good thing or a bad thing
And when my house it's taken out by a tornado - I'll say it was stupid for me to live here, too.
And when I die - I'll say it was a stupid idea for my parents to have me
For me, I've grown up only knowing New Orleans as being a party city. Honestly, seeing everything on the news in the past few days is the first I've ever seen of regular people at all. Up 'til all this happened - I thought: Orleans: party, Mardi Gras. Orleans: Trent Reznor and Favre's family. Not - Orleans, regular people like you and me.
That's what happens when you only see a place through the media...until you said it - I never even knew why it ever became a city to begin with. I would never have thought: commerce and it just happened to grow. I've been thinking: someone was a real idiot.
And I know that the people living there now don't have much of a choice. How many choices have I had as to where I live? None what so ever. And if I was born there, I'd still live there. And I'd probably be one of the people swiming right now, too.
The whole thing just makes me grumpy for two reasons: no one can go back and make things different. and: I can't do anything.
I took the bit of extra stuff I had - canned goods and bottled water, a few of my daughters baby blankets that she's too big for, things like that - to the local salv. army. But I'm zilcho broko just like a lot of other people out here.
Sorry if I insulted you - that wasn't my intention. Glad to see you're safe, as well as your family.
*Julie eats her feet*
lol! yes - I'll say it's stupid to live in California, too, when it falls off the face of the earth - I have plenty of family living there so I don't know if that'll be a good thing or a bad thing
And when my house it's taken out by a tornado - I'll say it was stupid for me to live here, too.
And when I die - I'll say it was a stupid idea for my parents to have me
For me, I've grown up only knowing New Orleans as being a party city. Honestly, seeing everything on the news in the past few days is the first I've ever seen of regular people at all. Up 'til all this happened - I thought: Orleans: party, Mardi Gras. Orleans: Trent Reznor and Favre's family. Not - Orleans, regular people like you and me.
That's what happens when you only see a place through the media...until you said it - I never even knew why it ever became a city to begin with. I would never have thought: commerce and it just happened to grow. I've been thinking: someone was a real idiot.
And I know that the people living there now don't have much of a choice. How many choices have I had as to where I live? None what so ever. And if I was born there, I'd still live there. And I'd probably be one of the people swiming right now, too.
The whole thing just makes me grumpy for two reasons: no one can go back and make things different. and: I can't do anything.
I took the bit of extra stuff I had - canned goods and bottled water, a few of my daughters baby blankets that she's too big for, things like that - to the local salv. army. But I'm zilcho broko just like a lot of other people out here.
Sorry if I insulted you - that wasn't my intention. Glad to see you're safe, as well as your family.
*Julie eats her feet*
"I'm your Huckleberry."
The muse spake her thought and then there was silence. Thy spiked tongue had melted, only a bitter heart remained.
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
Actually, I live in the North East. We don't get natural disasters. Occassionally power goes out and snow and ice fall on us like a mo-fo but we hunker down, stay warm and it eventually melts away.
For perspective, over 90,000 sq. miles of property have been destroyed. That is roughly the size of Britian. Imagine that. Your entire country destroyed by a flood.
Now...The part that is being hit the hardest is actually the poor, not priveledged people. This country is not paved in gold and a high percentage live below poverty level. The rest of the world needs to come out of this way of thinking.
And speaking of the rest of the world....
When the Tsunami hit, the US was one of, if not *the* first country to respond with help. We've done the same for any country hit by natural disaster, including taking a large part in the recent G8 conference for Africa. Where the hell are the other countries to help us when we need it? And we do. Desperately.
That sickens me and should send a message to us to keep to our damn selves.
Next. GW is a jerk and a buttwipe. Did you know that the US normally has a reserve fund for natural disasters as granted to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association). Did you also know that the FEMA money is gone? GW used it to keep his f****n' war going. Same with the National Guard. Sorry...but the term NATIONAL is in there, that means they should stay home and help the NATION.
Next, sorry but the people who stayed are, for the most part, idiots. I have friends who evacuated when they were told to. They are fine. They have called and checked in. It is good. People didn't listen. Didn't want to believe and they are using their poverty as an excuse (I am too poor and don't know anyone to go anywhere.) I cry Foul! on that since the evac procedures involved free public transportation to the nearest evacuation spot.
The idiots.
And now we get to my favorite part...the violence. Arseholes are using "I'm hungry and thirsty." as an excuse to loot a gun store and then rob other stores, which they then burn down, and then...are you ready?
Nursing homes and hospitals have been entered and held at gunpoint. Can you believe that crap? They are beginning to arm their employees to hold people off. Not that it will do anyone any good, their food ran out 2 days ago (emergency kits keep a 3 day supply...it's on day 5).
And what does rape have to do with sating hunger and thirst? Yes. Rape. There are bands of guys walking around and raping women. The reports are staggering.
There are snipers on rooftops shooting people on other rooftops hoping to be rescued first, and if they aren't they are shooting at the rescue 'copters.
What of law enforcement? Well, they are on their own according to FEMA. They don't have food or water either, and they are still attempting to piece together justice in thier weakend states. Firemen too.
AND because of a lack of shelter and help and water, people who survived the flood and made it to the "rescue points" are dieing of heat exhaustion, since temps are in the 90's+ (30+c).
The sewers backed up in the flood, and in NO they "bury" the bodies above ground because the area is essentially swamp so not only are some of the bodies in the water from the flood, some are from the graveyards as well. There is a projection that bacterial infections from the flood water will actually make a high percentage of the population very ill and right now, there is no medical attention.
The damage to the levees will take years to repair as there is so much (and really to rely on a levy for the safety of a city is daft).
So...the greed and beastial nature from the Government down to the individuals using this as an excuse for excess violence is repulsive and disgusting.
And people are trying to help but in the wrong ways. A national bulletin has been sent out asking that people NOT send down clothes, blankets and the like. They want donations to put towards food and water right now....and fuel for the safety vehicles. They said they don't want to be bogged down with materials that are not needed (like one group is organizing quilts! C'mon, in that heat??), so monetary donations to reputible companies are best. There are many which are matching dollar for dollar what they receive.
FEMA has also called off the search for survivors in most areas because they can't manage the survivors they have and still look for more. There is simply not the man power available to do so, thanks to GW.
So what have we learned?
1. Some people revert back the most basic human beast when faced with the opportunity.
2. George W. Bush is a ginormous, greedy, power-manical, narcissistic
who is more than happy to screw the nation and all the people in it right into oblivion.
3. The rest of the world while happy to accept help from the US is not so eager to help.
4. Don't build a city below sea level on a swamp and rely on a levee to save your bum.
5. Mardi Gras is cancelled for 2006 and probably, with the current projections, for 2007 as well.
Yeah..think I am a bit upset with the gov and people on this one?
Btw, if anyone wants to know more about emergency kits there is info on them at www.ready.gov/index.html
EDITED_BY: Pele (1125634954)
Actually, I live in the North East. We don't get natural disasters. Occassionally power goes out and snow and ice fall on us like a mo-fo but we hunker down, stay warm and it eventually melts away.
For perspective, over 90,000 sq. miles of property have been destroyed. That is roughly the size of Britian. Imagine that. Your entire country destroyed by a flood.
Now...The part that is being hit the hardest is actually the poor, not priveledged people. This country is not paved in gold and a high percentage live below poverty level. The rest of the world needs to come out of this way of thinking.
And speaking of the rest of the world....
When the Tsunami hit, the US was one of, if not *the* first country to respond with help. We've done the same for any country hit by natural disaster, including taking a large part in the recent G8 conference for Africa. Where the hell are the other countries to help us when we need it? And we do. Desperately.
That sickens me and should send a message to us to keep to our damn selves.
Next. GW is a jerk and a buttwipe. Did you know that the US normally has a reserve fund for natural disasters as granted to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association). Did you also know that the FEMA money is gone? GW used it to keep his f****n' war going. Same with the National Guard. Sorry...but the term NATIONAL is in there, that means they should stay home and help the NATION.
Next, sorry but the people who stayed are, for the most part, idiots. I have friends who evacuated when they were told to. They are fine. They have called and checked in. It is good. People didn't listen. Didn't want to believe and they are using their poverty as an excuse (I am too poor and don't know anyone to go anywhere.) I cry Foul! on that since the evac procedures involved free public transportation to the nearest evacuation spot.
The idiots.
And now we get to my favorite part...the violence. Arseholes are using "I'm hungry and thirsty." as an excuse to loot a gun store and then rob other stores, which they then burn down, and then...are you ready?
Nursing homes and hospitals have been entered and held at gunpoint. Can you believe that crap? They are beginning to arm their employees to hold people off. Not that it will do anyone any good, their food ran out 2 days ago (emergency kits keep a 3 day supply...it's on day 5).
And what does rape have to do with sating hunger and thirst? Yes. Rape. There are bands of guys walking around and raping women. The reports are staggering.
There are snipers on rooftops shooting people on other rooftops hoping to be rescued first, and if they aren't they are shooting at the rescue 'copters.
What of law enforcement? Well, they are on their own according to FEMA. They don't have food or water either, and they are still attempting to piece together justice in thier weakend states. Firemen too.
AND because of a lack of shelter and help and water, people who survived the flood and made it to the "rescue points" are dieing of heat exhaustion, since temps are in the 90's+ (30+c).
The sewers backed up in the flood, and in NO they "bury" the bodies above ground because the area is essentially swamp so not only are some of the bodies in the water from the flood, some are from the graveyards as well. There is a projection that bacterial infections from the flood water will actually make a high percentage of the population very ill and right now, there is no medical attention.
The damage to the levees will take years to repair as there is so much (and really to rely on a levy for the safety of a city is daft).
So...the greed and beastial nature from the Government down to the individuals using this as an excuse for excess violence is repulsive and disgusting.
And people are trying to help but in the wrong ways. A national bulletin has been sent out asking that people NOT send down clothes, blankets and the like. They want donations to put towards food and water right now....and fuel for the safety vehicles. They said they don't want to be bogged down with materials that are not needed (like one group is organizing quilts! C'mon, in that heat??), so monetary donations to reputible companies are best. There are many which are matching dollar for dollar what they receive.
FEMA has also called off the search for survivors in most areas because they can't manage the survivors they have and still look for more. There is simply not the man power available to do so, thanks to GW.
So what have we learned?
1. Some people revert back the most basic human beast when faced with the opportunity.
2. George W. Bush is a ginormous, greedy, power-manical, narcissistic
who is more than happy to screw the nation and all the people in it right into oblivion.3. The rest of the world while happy to accept help from the US is not so eager to help.
4. Don't build a city below sea level on a swamp and rely on a levee to save your bum.
5. Mardi Gras is cancelled for 2006 and probably, with the current projections, for 2007 as well.
Yeah..think I am a bit upset with the gov and people on this one?
Btw, if anyone wants to know more about emergency kits there is info on them at www.ready.gov/index.html
EDITED_BY: Pele (1125634954)
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
Oh, and I forgot....the hospitals and nursing homes did *exactly* what they were supposed to do. They are supposed to move people to higher floors and have a 3 day supply of food and water for everyone. They did.
Normally in an emergency situation help and relief comes within 3 days. They thought they would be fine.
This is not a normal circumstance and even the most perfectly executed safety plans are not enough to sustain people in messes like this.
Oh, and I forgot....the hospitals and nursing homes did *exactly* what they were supposed to do. They are supposed to move people to higher floors and have a 3 day supply of food and water for everyone. They did.
Normally in an emergency situation help and relief comes within 3 days. They thought they would be fine.
This is not a normal circumstance and even the most perfectly executed safety plans are not enough to sustain people in messes like this.
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
BRONZE Member
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
Posted:
Pele, I can understand your anger and concern, it is horrifying. But like after the tsunami, other countries WILL help.People already are helping.... It took a startling amount of time to get the help there( tsunami hit zones) too, and for people to even recognize what form of help was needed. It is almost unbearable being patient when you see people suffering and dying, and there is such desparate urgency.
But know that many people are responding urgently too. We need to respect the people there that are there , and are going there, putting themselves at great risk helping and supporting those suffering and in danger. We may not hear about those stories until much later.Yet, they are there now, many kinds of relief workers and emergency services, full of caring people are are working thier asses off. They should be honoured for their active compassion.
It was interesting that in the tsunami struck areas violence and looting were really minimal or non existant. Perhaps, once again, the US needs to reconsider the effects of such a gun culture... If you looted our Wal Mart you might get yourself a fishing rod,and some tacky furnishings, but certainly not a gun...
As for people accepting help from the US, and not offering it, I would like to point out that Canada has already offered and in fact immediately sent some of our most skilled rescue crews there. Unfortunately, some of them are not able to be of service because they are being shot at. But the Canadian Red Cross has reciprocal aid agreements with the US, and much of our resources have been/ are being sent to help.
As for you not being in a natural disater region, well, I would not count on it,-- or that a non natural situation won't occur in which you need to be self sufficient for a while. If more people had any kind of preparation plans,and responded appropriately to the request to evacuate, the care needed right now would be far less to be sure. It is disturbing to think that the emergency service providers like hospitals did exactly as recommended and are still in this horrible situation. Those that live will certainly learn.
It is a true tragedy, and we will learn the scale in the days to come. But do not be bitter that people are not helping, they are, and they will, even more in the days to come... It would be a huge mistake to think this is a short term crisis. It will require years of effort to rebuild, repair, recover. I think everyone thought the main issue after the tsunami was just about money, if you had the money you had the ability to recover quickly. Tons was donated. But that is not the most important factor to disaster relief and recovery. Much more is involved than money. First there are immediate relief efforts, but much more will follow: requiring planning, implementation, coping and adjustment...be patient , as the people and programs helping will be involved for years.
Obviously what emergency plans there were did not work, at least not for the critical immediate time frame needed. Everyone should be reflecting on what ones we have in place,where-ever you are. Learn from these examples and improve *before* such a bloody lesson occurs again.
How many of us have even run a fire drill at our place of employment? I know we actually had a tsunami warning here a few months ago, and not one person I knew had the slightest clue what response we were to have to the warning... Many did not even hear about it till hours after. Surely we can do better.
love and hugs
Andrea
Pele, I can understand your anger and concern, it is horrifying. But like after the tsunami, other countries WILL help.People already are helping.... It took a startling amount of time to get the help there( tsunami hit zones) too, and for people to even recognize what form of help was needed. It is almost unbearable being patient when you see people suffering and dying, and there is such desparate urgency.
But know that many people are responding urgently too. We need to respect the people there that are there , and are going there, putting themselves at great risk helping and supporting those suffering and in danger. We may not hear about those stories until much later.Yet, they are there now, many kinds of relief workers and emergency services, full of caring people are are working thier asses off. They should be honoured for their active compassion.
It was interesting that in the tsunami struck areas violence and looting were really minimal or non existant. Perhaps, once again, the US needs to reconsider the effects of such a gun culture... If you looted our Wal Mart you might get yourself a fishing rod,and some tacky furnishings, but certainly not a gun...
As for people accepting help from the US, and not offering it, I would like to point out that Canada has already offered and in fact immediately sent some of our most skilled rescue crews there. Unfortunately, some of them are not able to be of service because they are being shot at. But the Canadian Red Cross has reciprocal aid agreements with the US, and much of our resources have been/ are being sent to help.
As for you not being in a natural disater region, well, I would not count on it,-- or that a non natural situation won't occur in which you need to be self sufficient for a while. If more people had any kind of preparation plans,and responded appropriately to the request to evacuate, the care needed right now would be far less to be sure. It is disturbing to think that the emergency service providers like hospitals did exactly as recommended and are still in this horrible situation. Those that live will certainly learn.
It is a true tragedy, and we will learn the scale in the days to come. But do not be bitter that people are not helping, they are, and they will, even more in the days to come... It would be a huge mistake to think this is a short term crisis. It will require years of effort to rebuild, repair, recover. I think everyone thought the main issue after the tsunami was just about money, if you had the money you had the ability to recover quickly. Tons was donated. But that is not the most important factor to disaster relief and recovery. Much more is involved than money. First there are immediate relief efforts, but much more will follow: requiring planning, implementation, coping and adjustment...be patient , as the people and programs helping will be involved for years.
Obviously what emergency plans there were did not work, at least not for the critical immediate time frame needed. Everyone should be reflecting on what ones we have in place,where-ever you are. Learn from these examples and improve *before* such a bloody lesson occurs again.
How many of us have even run a fire drill at our place of employment? I know we actually had a tsunami warning here a few months ago, and not one person I knew had the slightest clue what response we were to have to the warning... Many did not even hear about it till hours after. Surely we can do better.
love and hugs
Andrea
"God *was* my co-pilot, but then we crashed, and I had to eat him..."
PLATINUM Member
Best fire theatre of BY, PL and UA in 2007, Bychyna competition
54 posts
Location: Minsk, Belarus
Best fire theatre of BY, PL and UA in 2007, Bychyna competition
54 posts
Location: Minsk, Belarus
Posted:
My sympathies, my heart and soul are with the people going through this disaster...
My sympathies, my heart and soul are with the people going through this disaster...
Best Regards, Aliaksej <span style="font-weight: bold">"Bekar"</span> Burnosenka,<br />Fire and Medieval Theatre <span style="font-weight: bold"> "DiGrease's Buffoon Theatre"</span> <br /> <br />e-mail: [email protected]<br />phone: +375 29 5076263<br />Minsk, Belarus
BRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,762 posts
Location: York University, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,762 posts
Location: York University, United Kingdom
Posted:
Err... If the money from FEMA is being used to fund the Iraq War, isn't that enough to get him impeached or something? Like SERIOUS mis-appropriation of funds?
And on a side note, the behaviour of the gangs is actually *below* that of the most basic human instincts. Neanderthal societies didn't need to rape their women, and didn't mug old people. Admittedly "Old" was probably about 30, but still.
Err... If the money from FEMA is being used to fund the Iraq War, isn't that enough to get him impeached or something? Like SERIOUS mis-appropriation of funds?
And on a side note, the behaviour of the gangs is actually *below* that of the most basic human instincts. Neanderthal societies didn't need to rape their women, and didn't mug old people. Admittedly "Old" was probably about 30, but still.
After much consideration, I find that the view is worth the asphyxiation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
Pele, sorry, but some of your rant is entirely unjustified.
The United Nations (yes, the organisation that GW Bush likes to think doesn't exist), have offered their help, but as of yesterday there were NO requests from the US. No requests at all - it's a bit like India after the tsunami, saying "we don't need anyone's help". You didn't actually hear that much about how they managed though since other areas were hit much worse.
Germany has offered help, too, I don't know about other countries, but surely if the UN and some countries have offered help, then all America has to do is to say "yes please"?
There may be less people feeling sorry and wanting to help than after the tsunami. It may be to do with the fact that people knew the storm was going to come, and didn't send in buses to get the people without cars or plane tickets out when they could. Or that they spent billions on an unnecessary war, but gave New Orleans only a small part of what would've been needed to prevent floods (they asked for it but weren't granted enough last year, according to the UK media, which may be wrong, so if they are, sorry!).
This shouldn't be a factor to make people less willing to help, because it's the poor people stuck in there and suffering, not the ones that make the big decisions
But help HAS been offered, and if I were Bush I'd rather get too much help in than not enough.
I'm really disgusted at people going round and looting everything and using the chance to get flat screen tvs, those raping people and especially those shooting at rescue teams. My thoughts are with the people in the hurricane area, and I wish something will be done soon.
I also apologise (as much as I have the power to do so) for the German environmental minister who's known to be an idiot in situations that need some tact. He's upset lots of Americans with a statement that blames everything on the US environmental policies and global warming (which may be a point, but is really inappropriate to point out now that people need help not lectures), and hasn't said a single word in it to show he feels for the victims and their families. Please don't think that's the standard German opinion, he has been heavily criticised for it, and as I said help has been offered - as soon as the US tell us what they need it will go on its way.
Pele, sorry, but some of your rant is entirely unjustified.
The United Nations (yes, the organisation that GW Bush likes to think doesn't exist), have offered their help, but as of yesterday there were NO requests from the US. No requests at all - it's a bit like India after the tsunami, saying "we don't need anyone's help". You didn't actually hear that much about how they managed though since other areas were hit much worse.
Germany has offered help, too, I don't know about other countries, but surely if the UN and some countries have offered help, then all America has to do is to say "yes please"?
There may be less people feeling sorry and wanting to help than after the tsunami. It may be to do with the fact that people knew the storm was going to come, and didn't send in buses to get the people without cars or plane tickets out when they could. Or that they spent billions on an unnecessary war, but gave New Orleans only a small part of what would've been needed to prevent floods (they asked for it but weren't granted enough last year, according to the UK media, which may be wrong, so if they are, sorry!).
This shouldn't be a factor to make people less willing to help, because it's the poor people stuck in there and suffering, not the ones that make the big decisions
But help HAS been offered, and if I were Bush I'd rather get too much help in than not enough.I'm really disgusted at people going round and looting everything and using the chance to get flat screen tvs, those raping people and especially those shooting at rescue teams. My thoughts are with the people in the hurricane area, and I wish something will be done soon.
I also apologise (as much as I have the power to do so) for the German environmental minister who's known to be an idiot in situations that need some tact. He's upset lots of Americans with a statement that blames everything on the US environmental policies and global warming (which may be a point, but is really inappropriate to point out now that people need help not lectures), and hasn't said a single word in it to show he feels for the victims and their families. Please don't think that's the standard German opinion, he has been heavily criticised for it, and as I said help has been offered - as soon as the US tell us what they need it will go on its way.
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
because it has come to this.
i have opinions galore, but for now i'll keep quiet and offer sympathy and hope my idiot government comes to the aid of your idiot government
because it has come to this.
i have opinions galore, but for now i'll keep quiet and offer sympathy and hope my idiot government comes to the aid of your idiot government
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Pele, sorry, I think that was an entirely unsympathetic and quite unnecessarily harsh post.
These people are going through a rough time, some people have responded in desperation (as is human nature), and your response is to call them idiots!!
I know it is upsetting to see the devastation and to see what disaster can reduce people to, but seriously, if anyone else had posted about America what you just have about the rest of the world you would accuse them of being bigoted anti-americans.
People are ready to help out. People know that America is not all wealthy... but the issue here is that people are dying.... there will be time for recrimination later.
America has a responsibility to help out in other areas because it is the biggest country with the most wealth - the same as Britain and the other First World countries.
The attitude of 'well, if you won't help us then screw you' is just horribly wrong and flies in the face of any sense of global community and humanity I thought we were trying to promote here.
If anything, this disaster should be yet another illustration of why we need to work together.
PS: Andrea... thanks for that, it's good to see constructive advice being offered
EDITED_BY: Firepoise (1125661150)
Pele, sorry, I think that was an entirely unsympathetic and quite unnecessarily harsh post.
These people are going through a rough time, some people have responded in desperation (as is human nature), and your response is to call them idiots!!
I know it is upsetting to see the devastation and to see what disaster can reduce people to, but seriously, if anyone else had posted about America what you just have about the rest of the world you would accuse them of being bigoted anti-americans.
People are ready to help out. People know that America is not all wealthy... but the issue here is that people are dying.... there will be time for recrimination later.
America has a responsibility to help out in other areas because it is the biggest country with the most wealth - the same as Britain and the other First World countries.
The attitude of 'well, if you won't help us then screw you' is just horribly wrong and flies in the face of any sense of global community and humanity I thought we were trying to promote here.
If anything, this disaster should be yet another illustration of why we need to work together.
PS: Andrea... thanks for that, it's good to see constructive advice being offered
EDITED_BY: Firepoise (1125661150)
Getting to the other side
analytic
503 posts
Location: bristol
503 posts
Location: bristol
Posted:
Pele, one correction: whilst the US *did* offer aid after the tsunami in the East, it offered an astonishingly small amount. After criticism (from the UN, and the rest of the international community), that amount was increased more than tenfold. Even so, the total pledge amounted to 0.09 per *mille* of GDP . That's not much, for a country which spends around 60-70 per mille of its GDP on defence (for defence, read 'invading other people').
That is, the US spends 600 times as much on 'vital defence projects' - like securing its oil supply in the Middle East - as it does on helping people after one of the biggest natural disasters of our time. If you're concerned that the rest of the world isn't providing enough assistance, the reason is pretty simple: if the US has got money to waste on such a ridiculous foreign policy, it can damn well divert some of those resources to taking care of its own people. Unlike the countries which were affected by the tsunami, it has both the resources and the infrastructure to deal with the New Orleans debacle itself.
And re: 'We've done the same for any country hit by natural disaster, including taking a large part in the recent G8 conference for Africa.' My memory on this is imprecise, but I think you'll find that the US was standing in the way of, rather than helping out with, progress on key issues of Africa and climate change. See, in particular, trade restrictions and subsidies. And don't even get me started on Kyoto. But anyway.
I don't wish to detract in any way from the awfulness of what's happening in New Orleans. But I think that your suggestion that the US helps e.g. Africa, and therefore deserves help from Africa in return, is horribly flawed. One of the main reasons behind giving aid is that the recipient country is unable to help itself. The US isn't in such a position. Furthermore, the US doesn't give all that much - certainly not in relation to its defence spending.
Pele, one correction: whilst the US *did* offer aid after the tsunami in the East, it offered an astonishingly small amount. After criticism (from the UN, and the rest of the international community), that amount was increased more than tenfold. Even so, the total pledge amounted to 0.09 per *mille* of GDP . That's not much, for a country which spends around 60-70 per mille of its GDP on defence (for defence, read 'invading other people').
That is, the US spends 600 times as much on 'vital defence projects' - like securing its oil supply in the Middle East - as it does on helping people after one of the biggest natural disasters of our time. If you're concerned that the rest of the world isn't providing enough assistance, the reason is pretty simple: if the US has got money to waste on such a ridiculous foreign policy, it can damn well divert some of those resources to taking care of its own people. Unlike the countries which were affected by the tsunami, it has both the resources and the infrastructure to deal with the New Orleans debacle itself.
And re: 'We've done the same for any country hit by natural disaster, including taking a large part in the recent G8 conference for Africa.' My memory on this is imprecise, but I think you'll find that the US was standing in the way of, rather than helping out with, progress on key issues of Africa and climate change. See, in particular, trade restrictions and subsidies. And don't even get me started on Kyoto. But anyway.
I don't wish to detract in any way from the awfulness of what's happening in New Orleans. But I think that your suggestion that the US helps e.g. Africa, and therefore deserves help from Africa in return, is horribly flawed. One of the main reasons behind giving aid is that the recipient country is unable to help itself. The US isn't in such a position. Furthermore, the US doesn't give all that much - certainly not in relation to its defence spending.
ture na sig
member
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posted:
I just assumed that what they should have done was evacuate those people before something happened, not after.
And I'm with you on everything you said, Pele. It's one thing to have to find food to survive - that I can see being a reason people are looting and stealing. However, the violence (which is what you refered to) is uncalled for. And people are also looting and stealing things that aren't important. Like magazines and electric appliances for when the power is back on. Women are getting raped -- that's just disgusting and people are getting drunk (which is just fueling the violence even more.)
I'm seeing a lot of young, seemingly healthy people who chose to stay there say, "we couldn't leave." I feel bad for them, of course - but I can't help but ask, "don't you have legs to walk?" It's sad that the elderly, a lot else of who we see being airlifted out, couldn't make it out no matter what. They, really, didn't have the means even to walk away from it.
If a homeless guy around my neighborhood can walk from downtown to the park on the other side of the bridge (20 miles) every day. Winter, summer, spring, fall - for years. I'm pretty sure that a lot of those people who are now stranded and homeless could have hiked their way out if they didn't have a car or other means of leaving. I feel that those are the people causing the problems, they're the ones looting and raping. They aren't the ones on the rooftops flagging down the helicopters.
It's just tragic.
But that's just my view from the outside and from on tv. I'm taking what I know of people who I live near and applying it to people who live there. Perhaps I'm just being blind or cold. But I do feel for them, it's tragic.
Written by:
the hospitals and nursing homes did *exactly* what they were supposed to do. They are supposed to move people to higher floors and have a 3 day supply of food and water for everyone. They did.
I just assumed that what they should have done was evacuate those people before something happened, not after.
And I'm with you on everything you said, Pele. It's one thing to have to find food to survive - that I can see being a reason people are looting and stealing. However, the violence (which is what you refered to) is uncalled for. And people are also looting and stealing things that aren't important. Like magazines and electric appliances for when the power is back on. Women are getting raped -- that's just disgusting and people are getting drunk (which is just fueling the violence even more.)
I'm seeing a lot of young, seemingly healthy people who chose to stay there say, "we couldn't leave." I feel bad for them, of course - but I can't help but ask, "don't you have legs to walk?" It's sad that the elderly, a lot else of who we see being airlifted out, couldn't make it out no matter what. They, really, didn't have the means even to walk away from it.
If a homeless guy around my neighborhood can walk from downtown to the park on the other side of the bridge (20 miles) every day. Winter, summer, spring, fall - for years. I'm pretty sure that a lot of those people who are now stranded and homeless could have hiked their way out if they didn't have a car or other means of leaving. I feel that those are the people causing the problems, they're the ones looting and raping. They aren't the ones on the rooftops flagging down the helicopters.
It's just tragic.
But that's just my view from the outside and from on tv. I'm taking what I know of people who I live near and applying it to people who live there. Perhaps I'm just being blind or cold. But I do feel for them, it's tragic.
"I'm your Huckleberry."
The muse spake her thought and then there was silence. Thy spiked tongue had melted, only a bitter heart remained.
BRONZE Member
member
829 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
member
829 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posted:
I live here in houston, and the amount of Louisiana plates on cars has shot through the roof. I hired a guy yesterday that came into my store looking for work. They are living with his sister here and had lost everything. He came into my store looking for a job. Hes very over qualified, but he expects to be here for only about 3-4 months while they get their situation under control. Anyone in States, i work at CompUSA. if you want to donate anything we are taking (across the united states) clothes, non perishables, and money donations in any amount to help.
My heart reaches out to those that have lost loved ones..but people are strong, neighborhoods and communities are too.
Super'
I live here in houston, and the amount of Louisiana plates on cars has shot through the roof. I hired a guy yesterday that came into my store looking for work. They are living with his sister here and had lost everything. He came into my store looking for a job. Hes very over qualified, but he expects to be here for only about 3-4 months while they get their situation under control. Anyone in States, i work at CompUSA. if you want to donate anything we are taking (across the united states) clothes, non perishables, and money donations in any amount to help.
My heart reaches out to those that have lost loved ones..but people are strong, neighborhoods and communities are too.
Super'
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear.
- Mark Twain
SILVER Member
comfortably numb
2,676 posts
Location: The countryside, Australia
comfortably numb
2,676 posts
Location: The countryside, Australia
Posted:
Hey! We just gave $10 million to a fund for you guys!
Written by: Pele
3. The rest of the world while happy to accept help from the US is not so eager to help.
Hey! We just gave $10 million to a fund for you guys!
.All things are beautiful if we take the time to look.
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
It's easy to explain the looting and chaos and raping and drinking that's going on. People who have been underdogs all their lives now have the chance to rule the city, or what's left of it, if only for a few weeks. So they're pushing down those who are now lower and weaker than them. It's no excuse, but it's pretty simple reasoning
About the walking out of the city, if I had the choice I'd rather stay in a relatively safe area of a city I know rescue units will concentrate on, than walking out of it to be hit by the storm in the open and without a big town or lots of people around me. Noone knew where exactly the storm was going to turn to, so where would you go?
It's easy to explain the looting and chaos and raping and drinking that's going on. People who have been underdogs all their lives now have the chance to rule the city, or what's left of it, if only for a few weeks. So they're pushing down those who are now lower and weaker than them. It's no excuse, but it's pretty simple reasoning
About the walking out of the city, if I had the choice I'd rather stay in a relatively safe area of a city I know rescue units will concentrate on, than walking out of it to be hit by the storm in the open and without a big town or lots of people around me. Noone knew where exactly the storm was going to turn to, so where would you go?
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
member
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posted:
Well, I suppose it comes down to fight or flight (in the means of "walking out.")
There's always a place to go - even the homeless who have nothing can find a shelter to sleep in at night. No one is that abandoned.
I am the type of person who would flight - In a different type of situation - I've had to choose to either hunker down or pack my butt up and head out. I headed out....It was 5 years ago, I was pregnant with my second son. It was snowing, I had to leave at 4:30 in the morning to grocery shop and then pick my husband up from work at about 7:30. No cell phone, driving down a stretch of road that's endless nothing for miles in the woods.
My car overheated, completely dead (we later found out that the radiator overheated and killed the engine, we had to buy a new one.) so it was me, pregnant, and my son. I waited for about an hour for someone to pass and stop to help. No one came. How far to the nearest house? road? *shrug*. What else could I do? We were shivering, huddled up in the back of the car with nothing. Would we have died - no, someone eventually would have come by. But did I want to sit there, freezing for hours hoping that maybe someone would drive down that road? No, I bundled him up in his coat, put him on my back and walked away from that damn car, in the snow, down the road until someone saw us.
Was it a passer-by in a car? No, it was a farmer who was out to find a horse that wandered off in the middle of the night. If he wasn't out there looking for his horse, who knows how long it would have been...no one drove down that road the entire time I was out there. My husband wouldn't have worried until 7:30, and even then he would have just gone "she's running late." and waited. What happened to us? My son was fine - he was quite warm in his coat. I had mild frost bite on my feet from the snow melting through my shoes.
So no one can tell me there'd be no place to go if you had to hike your way out of a situation.
If a man can cut off his own hand to save himself from death in a canyon in the middle of the desert and climb his way out, shimmy down a rope (one handed, mind you) and hike for miles before finding someone to help him - after starving and not sleeping for days -
If I can piggy back my pregnant butt and my son out of the woods in the middle of a winter, snowy morning then someone can walk out of a city and find a safe place to stay.
Well, I suppose it comes down to fight or flight (in the means of "walking out.")
There's always a place to go - even the homeless who have nothing can find a shelter to sleep in at night. No one is that abandoned.
I am the type of person who would flight - In a different type of situation - I've had to choose to either hunker down or pack my butt up and head out. I headed out....It was 5 years ago, I was pregnant with my second son. It was snowing, I had to leave at 4:30 in the morning to grocery shop and then pick my husband up from work at about 7:30. No cell phone, driving down a stretch of road that's endless nothing for miles in the woods.
My car overheated, completely dead (we later found out that the radiator overheated and killed the engine, we had to buy a new one.) so it was me, pregnant, and my son. I waited for about an hour for someone to pass and stop to help. No one came. How far to the nearest house? road? *shrug*. What else could I do? We were shivering, huddled up in the back of the car with nothing. Would we have died - no, someone eventually would have come by. But did I want to sit there, freezing for hours hoping that maybe someone would drive down that road? No, I bundled him up in his coat, put him on my back and walked away from that damn car, in the snow, down the road until someone saw us.
Was it a passer-by in a car? No, it was a farmer who was out to find a horse that wandered off in the middle of the night. If he wasn't out there looking for his horse, who knows how long it would have been...no one drove down that road the entire time I was out there. My husband wouldn't have worried until 7:30, and even then he would have just gone "she's running late." and waited. What happened to us? My son was fine - he was quite warm in his coat. I had mild frost bite on my feet from the snow melting through my shoes.
So no one can tell me there'd be no place to go if you had to hike your way out of a situation.
If a man can cut off his own hand to save himself from death in a canyon in the middle of the desert and climb his way out, shimmy down a rope (one handed, mind you) and hike for miles before finding someone to help him - after starving and not sleeping for days -
If I can piggy back my pregnant butt and my son out of the woods in the middle of a winter, snowy morning then someone can walk out of a city and find a safe place to stay.
"I'm your Huckleberry."
The muse spake her thought and then there was silence. Thy spiked tongue had melted, only a bitter heart remained.
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Ok, so because you managed to get out of a difficult situation, that automatically means thousands of people left in flooded areas should have been able to do the same?!
What about the sick? The elderly? What about those who just didn't know where to go - who were confused and disorientated as a hurricane raged around them?
I'm really surprised by the lack of sympathy and basic compassion shown here.
Anyways, my thoughts are still with the people struggling, dying, and mourning the loss of loved ones to Katrina.
Take care
Clare xx
Ok, so because you managed to get out of a difficult situation, that automatically means thousands of people left in flooded areas should have been able to do the same?!
What about the sick? The elderly? What about those who just didn't know where to go - who were confused and disorientated as a hurricane raged around them?
I'm really surprised by the lack of sympathy and basic compassion shown here.
Anyways, my thoughts are still with the people struggling, dying, and mourning the loss of loved ones to Katrina.
Take care
Clare xx
Getting to the other side
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
I disagree with Julie.
Everyone has different abilities and disabilities. I'm great in a crisis. It's very easy to sit here hydrated, well fed, on dry land and judge. It's a different story when you're in it. I have no problem moving around or leaving home but if I lived somewhere for 65 years and knew nothing else, I might be scared enough to just go down with the ship. One of my students was trapped down there until YESTERDAY with her family and they're rich. I can't imagine what those who don't have any resources would do. I don't think that thousands of people chose to drown because they were too lazy to walk.
I think it's pretty heartless to assume that everyone has the same mental and physical resourses as you do. And maybe you should feel lucky for what you do have as well as compassion for those that don't.
I disagree with Julie.
Everyone has different abilities and disabilities. I'm great in a crisis. It's very easy to sit here hydrated, well fed, on dry land and judge. It's a different story when you're in it. I have no problem moving around or leaving home but if I lived somewhere for 65 years and knew nothing else, I might be scared enough to just go down with the ship. One of my students was trapped down there until YESTERDAY with her family and they're rich. I can't imagine what those who don't have any resources would do. I don't think that thousands of people chose to drown because they were too lazy to walk.
I think it's pretty heartless to assume that everyone has the same mental and physical resourses as you do. And maybe you should feel lucky for what you do have as well as compassion for those that don't.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
SILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Posted:
This is horrific, and all the more so due to the possible prevention of such extensive suffering and death. Apparently a hurricane hitting New Orleans was actaully one of the simulated natural disasters on the US, and there have been 2 near misses in recent years. This didn't come out of nowhere.
The breaking down of society and of moral respect is quite staggering- desperation and fear have put these people here, regardless of their abilities to leave or otherwise, and I hope that the full might of the US resources will be fully mobilised to save every last life they can.
Estimated death toll in Louisiana alone is now being mooted as 10,000. OMFG.
This is horrific, and all the more so due to the possible prevention of such extensive suffering and death. Apparently a hurricane hitting New Orleans was actaully one of the simulated natural disasters on the US, and there have been 2 near misses in recent years. This didn't come out of nowhere.
The breaking down of society and of moral respect is quite staggering- desperation and fear have put these people here, regardless of their abilities to leave or otherwise, and I hope that the full might of the US resources will be fully mobilised to save every last life they can.
Estimated death toll in Louisiana alone is now being mooted as 10,000. OMFG.
newbie
12 posts
Location: A weelbin!!!
12 posts
Location: A weelbin!!!
Posted:
Maybe now they will listen about global warming instead of actualy burning 15% more feul a year.. the funny thing is bush (may as well be a hedge) is always talking about how 'The people will get better after this terrible event' and not how hes going to help them and deal with the current situation... correct me if im wrong but that guy has to go
Maybe now they will listen about global warming instead of actualy burning 15% more feul a year.. the funny thing is bush (may as well be a hedge) is always talking about how 'The people will get better after this terrible event' and not how hes going to help them and deal with the current situation... correct me if im wrong but that guy has to go
Life's short, Party Naked
Le Parkour - the expression of freedom
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
1. I never said that Africa or Taiwan or an obscure tribe in Brazil needed to come to our aid. Don't read into my words. What I am finding most interesting is that people are not differentiating between government aide and personal aide. Governments do jack squat and ours sucks more than most (get to that later). However, the increase of aide tenfold from the US did not come from the gov't. It came from the American public who gave our money and our time and our blood to help those people...to the tune of millions and millions of dollars through the Red Cross and other charities. Our gov't had NOTHING to do with that and it ticks me off that people automatically give them credit. (have you got yet that I HATE our current gov't?). I think the same for other countries...don't let the gov't take credit for what the public has done.
2. I have every right to call them idiots. They are. When you have two days notice and free transport to somewhere safe, and are healthy enough to leave, staying is stupid. Fats Domino decided to stay. He has money and is now wasting our tax payers money because he is one of the ones on the "unaccounted for" list. There are so many shooting and looting that it is hampering rescue attempt. I recognized and said that there were some conditions...but damn straight I will call them idiots...especially the ones saying they want to get saved and then thwarting the efforts.
Along the lines of Superman, thanks for that btw, has anyone seen the Craigslist about this? Hundreds and Hundreds of listings of short term rooms for free available to survivors and thier families. It is very touching.
3. Comparitively speaking, I don't live in a "danger zone". Please don't attempt to lecture me on "how it can happen to anyone". I live near a nuclear power plant, literally 5 miles away, and I am an hour from Niagara Falls, a MASSIVE power generation hub for the North East. We have storms that shut us down for days, including no power, and I have our safety kits in order. It's why I put up the link. I live near one of the biggest faults in NYS. But we don't get decimated and the percentages are, we won't unless the power plants are hit. I know about where I live and I know we are safer here than many other places. And yes, I have told family members in Hurricane Zones who have had to rebuild or repair year after year (and those in Earthquake/mudslide zones too) that they are idiots. I am totally non discriminatory there. There are places which are "more" safe to live than others and I see no reason for staying in at risk places after a disaster has levelled it (Florida and Cali being my two biggest).
4. Unfortunately, no reprocussions for the GW because using the emergency money for his war on oil is not concidered misappropriation. The "war" is written off as a national emergency. Isn't that nice? (note: that is supposed to drip with sarcasm)
Has anyone else in the US heard the latest "Don't travel and reserve gas." bulletin? If you research the nations oil/gas percentages...only 4% of this nations supply came from the Gulf Coast and yet it is being used as an excuse for gas hikes far north even AND insurance rates have already started to rise, even for those who don't need flood insurance.
I spoke with a friend who works in an insurance office and she said there is absolutely no reason why people in non-hit, non-flood style areas should be paying on this except that insurance companies are attempting to recoup from everyone...which even those in the insurance support fields are saying is wrong. It is kind of like, a building burns so everyone around it needs thier overall insurance to go up, not just fire insurance.
Several of us have spoken with reps and offered to go down to help and have been told to stay put.
National guard is down there, and what army we have left here is down there in what is being touted as the largest stateside relief effort in US history. And most of it wouldn't be necessary if people would put their damn guns and bottles down and help each other out!
Andrealee, you absolutely *CAN* buy guns at many Wal-Marts in the sporting goods dept. You can even sign up to test to get your shotgun permit through them as well. Yes, I come from a redneck family so I can tell you all about where to find guns.
Sethis, you're right about the neandrathal behaviour. Sadly...so right. The NG has shoot to kill orders now that they are there. I am not sure if I agree with that either but I can't think of a different solution either.
I think, what pissed me off the most, was watching fully empty National Guard vehicles driving past the thousands trapped in the baking sun on the 10 overpass. Here are these people, some of whom their babies were dying from exposure, and this vehicle could have picked up the sick at least and taken them somewhere...or given them a small bit of shade. I understand that the driver was following orders. I understand that the two people in the cab couldn't have controlled that crowd, but at that point, guns weren't an issue so it might have been do-able. I dunno. It was heart breaking.
Or the fact that a guy decided to take a suicide swan dive because he felt he lost everything and had nothing left to live for.
It was on the news and I don't think the visual needed to be shown the way it was.
And the fact that I am watching people blaming the police for not doing anything...when they can't. They've lost everything too. They have no food and no water either.
Can a country mutiny on a President? In my mind, he takes the bulk of the blame for the way this has been handled and I am one bitter, bitter person about it....especially when I hear from people I know who once lived in the strike zones and how broken these normally vivacious people sound, or the longer I don't hear from them. There is still one person unaccounted for from my Ren group.
Continually being told give us your money but there is nothing else you can do is really not helping the tensions mounting over this. There's been so much corruption surrounding so many disaster "relief" efforts in the past, Americans want to help and get gun shy in donating funds that most of us don't really have. (no pun intended, though it would be best if they *did* really get gun shy lol)
I'm going to go save a lizard today. It's nothing comparitively but dammit, it'll feel like I'm doing *something* good for the world.
1. I never said that Africa or Taiwan or an obscure tribe in Brazil needed to come to our aid. Don't read into my words. What I am finding most interesting is that people are not differentiating between government aide and personal aide. Governments do jack squat and ours sucks more than most (get to that later). However, the increase of aide tenfold from the US did not come from the gov't. It came from the American public who gave our money and our time and our blood to help those people...to the tune of millions and millions of dollars through the Red Cross and other charities. Our gov't had NOTHING to do with that and it ticks me off that people automatically give them credit. (have you got yet that I HATE our current gov't?). I think the same for other countries...don't let the gov't take credit for what the public has done.
2. I have every right to call them idiots. They are. When you have two days notice and free transport to somewhere safe, and are healthy enough to leave, staying is stupid. Fats Domino decided to stay. He has money and is now wasting our tax payers money because he is one of the ones on the "unaccounted for" list. There are so many shooting and looting that it is hampering rescue attempt. I recognized and said that there were some conditions...but damn straight I will call them idiots...especially the ones saying they want to get saved and then thwarting the efforts.
Along the lines of Superman, thanks for that btw, has anyone seen the Craigslist about this? Hundreds and Hundreds of listings of short term rooms for free available to survivors and thier families. It is very touching.
3. Comparitively speaking, I don't live in a "danger zone". Please don't attempt to lecture me on "how it can happen to anyone". I live near a nuclear power plant, literally 5 miles away, and I am an hour from Niagara Falls, a MASSIVE power generation hub for the North East. We have storms that shut us down for days, including no power, and I have our safety kits in order. It's why I put up the link. I live near one of the biggest faults in NYS. But we don't get decimated and the percentages are, we won't unless the power plants are hit. I know about where I live and I know we are safer here than many other places. And yes, I have told family members in Hurricane Zones who have had to rebuild or repair year after year (and those in Earthquake/mudslide zones too) that they are idiots. I am totally non discriminatory there. There are places which are "more" safe to live than others and I see no reason for staying in at risk places after a disaster has levelled it (Florida and Cali being my two biggest).
4. Unfortunately, no reprocussions for the GW because using the emergency money for his war on oil is not concidered misappropriation. The "war" is written off as a national emergency. Isn't that nice? (note: that is supposed to drip with sarcasm)
Has anyone else in the US heard the latest "Don't travel and reserve gas." bulletin? If you research the nations oil/gas percentages...only 4% of this nations supply came from the Gulf Coast and yet it is being used as an excuse for gas hikes far north even AND insurance rates have already started to rise, even for those who don't need flood insurance.
I spoke with a friend who works in an insurance office and she said there is absolutely no reason why people in non-hit, non-flood style areas should be paying on this except that insurance companies are attempting to recoup from everyone...which even those in the insurance support fields are saying is wrong. It is kind of like, a building burns so everyone around it needs thier overall insurance to go up, not just fire insurance.
Several of us have spoken with reps and offered to go down to help and have been told to stay put.
National guard is down there, and what army we have left here is down there in what is being touted as the largest stateside relief effort in US history. And most of it wouldn't be necessary if people would put their damn guns and bottles down and help each other out!
Andrealee, you absolutely *CAN* buy guns at many Wal-Marts in the sporting goods dept. You can even sign up to test to get your shotgun permit through them as well. Yes, I come from a redneck family so I can tell you all about where to find guns.
Sethis, you're right about the neandrathal behaviour. Sadly...so right. The NG has shoot to kill orders now that they are there. I am not sure if I agree with that either but I can't think of a different solution either.
I think, what pissed me off the most, was watching fully empty National Guard vehicles driving past the thousands trapped in the baking sun on the 10 overpass. Here are these people, some of whom their babies were dying from exposure, and this vehicle could have picked up the sick at least and taken them somewhere...or given them a small bit of shade. I understand that the driver was following orders. I understand that the two people in the cab couldn't have controlled that crowd, but at that point, guns weren't an issue so it might have been do-able. I dunno. It was heart breaking.
Or the fact that a guy decided to take a suicide swan dive because he felt he lost everything and had nothing left to live for.
It was on the news and I don't think the visual needed to be shown the way it was.
And the fact that I am watching people blaming the police for not doing anything...when they can't. They've lost everything too. They have no food and no water either.
Can a country mutiny on a President? In my mind, he takes the bulk of the blame for the way this has been handled and I am one bitter, bitter person about it....especially when I hear from people I know who once lived in the strike zones and how broken these normally vivacious people sound, or the longer I don't hear from them. There is still one person unaccounted for from my Ren group.
Continually being told give us your money but there is nothing else you can do is really not helping the tensions mounting over this. There's been so much corruption surrounding so many disaster "relief" efforts in the past, Americans want to help and get gun shy in donating funds that most of us don't really have. (no pun intended, though it would be best if they *did* really get gun shy lol)
I'm going to go save a lizard today. It's nothing comparitively but dammit, it'll feel like I'm doing *something* good for the world.
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Ug... Too grumpy to disagree.
Fine, fossil fuel and the president caused the hurricane. Now that we've placed blame can we go back to regularly scheduled programming? All of these news bulletins are impeding my Simpsons.
I'll tiptoe out of this thread and let you guys figure out who's fault the hurricane was and what the victims did to deserve to die.
Ug... Too grumpy to disagree.
Fine, fossil fuel and the president caused the hurricane. Now that we've placed blame can we go back to regularly scheduled programming? All of these news bulletins are impeding my Simpsons.
I'll tiptoe out of this thread and let you guys figure out who's fault the hurricane was and what the victims did to deserve to die.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
um,
i think thats what she was saying.
that you can in the us, but not in canada(where she is from)
no comment on the rest (time, not intent)
cause you are obviously very upset about this.
R
Written by: Pele
Andrealee, you absolutely *CAN* buy guns at many Wal-Marts in the sporting goods dept. You can even sign up to test to get your shotgun permit through them as well. Yes, I come from a redneck family so I can tell you all about where to find guns.
um,
i think thats what she was saying.
that you can in the us, but not in canada(where she is from)
no comment on the rest (time, not intent)
cause you are obviously very upset about this.R
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
SILVER Member
member
136 posts
Location: Maryland, USA
member
136 posts
Location: Maryland, USA
Posted:
Letter from Michael Moore to Pres. Bush
"Friday, September 2nd, 2005
Dear Mr. Bush:
Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted. Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man, was that a drag.
Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with?
Last Thursday I was in south Florida and sat outside while the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed over my head. It was only a Category 1 then but it was pretty nasty. Eleven people died and, as of today, there were still homes without power. That night the weatherman said this storm was on its way to New Orleans. That was Thursday! Did anybody tell you? I know you didn't want to interrupt your vacation and I know how you don't like to get bad news. Plus, you had fundraisers to go to and mothers of dead soldiers to ignore and smear. You sure showed her!
I especially like how, the day after the hurricane, instead of flying to Louisiana, you flew to San Diego to party with your business peeps. Don't let people criticize you for this -- after all, the hurricane was over and what the heck could you do, put your finger in the dike?
And don't listen to those who, in the coming days, will reveal how you specifically reduced the Army Corps of Engineers' budget for New Orleans this summer for the third year in a row. You just tell them that even if you hadn't cut the money to fix those levees, there weren't going to be any Army engineers to fix them anyway because you had a much more important construction job for them -- BUILDING DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ!
On Day 3, when you finally left your vacation home, I have to say I was moved by how you had your Air Force One pilot descend from the clouds as you flew over New Orleans so you could catch a quick look of the disaster. Hey, I know you couldn't stop and grab a bullhorn and stand on some rubble and act like a commander in chief. Been there done that.
There will be those who will try to politicize this tragedy and try to use it against you. Just have your people keep pointing that out. Respond to nothing. Even those pesky scientists who predicted this would happen because the water in the Gulf of Mexico is getting hotter and hotter making a storm like this inevitable. Ignore them and all their global warming Chicken Littles. There is nothing unusual about a hurricane that was so wide it would be like having one F-4 tornado that stretched from New York to Cleveland.
No, Mr. Bush, you just stay the course. It's not your fault that 30 percent of New Orleans lives in poverty or that tens of thousands had no transportation to get out of town. C'mon, they're black! I mean, it's not like this happened to Kennebunkport. Can you imagine leaving white people on their roofs for five days? Don't make me laugh! Race has nothing -- NOTHING -- to do with this!
You hang in there, Mr. Bush. Just try to find a few of our Army helicopters and send them there. Pretend the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are near Tikrit.
Yours,
Michael Moore
[email protected]
www.MichaelMoore.com
P.S. That annoying mother, Cindy Sheehan, is no longer at your ranch. She and dozens of other relatives of the Iraqi War dead are now driving across the country, stopping in many cities along the way. Maybe you can catch up with them before they get to DC on September 21st."
Letter from Michael Moore to Pres. Bush
"Friday, September 2nd, 2005
Dear Mr. Bush:
Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted. Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man, was that a drag.
Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with?
Last Thursday I was in south Florida and sat outside while the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed over my head. It was only a Category 1 then but it was pretty nasty. Eleven people died and, as of today, there were still homes without power. That night the weatherman said this storm was on its way to New Orleans. That was Thursday! Did anybody tell you? I know you didn't want to interrupt your vacation and I know how you don't like to get bad news. Plus, you had fundraisers to go to and mothers of dead soldiers to ignore and smear. You sure showed her!
I especially like how, the day after the hurricane, instead of flying to Louisiana, you flew to San Diego to party with your business peeps. Don't let people criticize you for this -- after all, the hurricane was over and what the heck could you do, put your finger in the dike?
And don't listen to those who, in the coming days, will reveal how you specifically reduced the Army Corps of Engineers' budget for New Orleans this summer for the third year in a row. You just tell them that even if you hadn't cut the money to fix those levees, there weren't going to be any Army engineers to fix them anyway because you had a much more important construction job for them -- BUILDING DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ!
On Day 3, when you finally left your vacation home, I have to say I was moved by how you had your Air Force One pilot descend from the clouds as you flew over New Orleans so you could catch a quick look of the disaster. Hey, I know you couldn't stop and grab a bullhorn and stand on some rubble and act like a commander in chief. Been there done that.
There will be those who will try to politicize this tragedy and try to use it against you. Just have your people keep pointing that out. Respond to nothing. Even those pesky scientists who predicted this would happen because the water in the Gulf of Mexico is getting hotter and hotter making a storm like this inevitable. Ignore them and all their global warming Chicken Littles. There is nothing unusual about a hurricane that was so wide it would be like having one F-4 tornado that stretched from New York to Cleveland.
No, Mr. Bush, you just stay the course. It's not your fault that 30 percent of New Orleans lives in poverty or that tens of thousands had no transportation to get out of town. C'mon, they're black! I mean, it's not like this happened to Kennebunkport. Can you imagine leaving white people on their roofs for five days? Don't make me laugh! Race has nothing -- NOTHING -- to do with this!
You hang in there, Mr. Bush. Just try to find a few of our Army helicopters and send them there. Pretend the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are near Tikrit.
Yours,
Michael Moore
[email protected]
www.MichaelMoore.com
P.S. That annoying mother, Cindy Sheehan, is no longer at your ranch. She and dozens of other relatives of the Iraqi War dead are now driving across the country, stopping in many cities along the way. Maybe you can catch up with them before they get to DC on September 21st."
I was touched by His Noodly Appendage