Katrina

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by dissention

These mother****ers will pay for this.

Did you hear that when someone told President Clinton about Denny Hastert's remarks about bulldozing NOLA Clinton said he was glad he wasn't there to hear it because he probably would have assaulted him?

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by amber

One of the articles posted said his previous training for head of FEMA was as ...Head of the Arabian Horse Society or something?

That is also true.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

They said it was because the "hadn't been asked for it." Does anyone at FEMA know how to be proactive? That excuse is getting really old, BTW.

I need to check the law to be sure, but I think once FEMA takes over, their people and plans are implements in conjunction with the state govt. - but FEMA is the head of the effort. Moreover, GOv. Blanco and May Nagin obviously publicly called for all the help they could get. Did FEMA assume that meant a few Band Aids I mean FEMA must have known what they meant because they starteed getting it ready on Monday and W mentioned that help was on the way on Moday. My beef if the five days it took to do so. I think that is BS. These people are supposed to be the instant response people in a national emergency.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Many people were commenting that they were able to drive into NOLA and directly up to the convention center, which was where the rescued people were dropped off with no word on help. So, FEMA cannot claim that it did not know about these people or that...

And yet they DID claim that. Makes me sick. I am so disgusted with all of this - I am embarrassed, seething, horrified, saddened, HELPLESS! I don't know what to do besides be angry. I gave to the Red Cross, but I don't feel like that's enough.

[strandinthewind]

Okay people - SAKS is about to burn - I have reached my limit here

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/kat...act/index.html

(obviously joking for levity - but I did LOVE that store and mall )

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by skcin

And yet they DID claim that. Makes me sick. I am so disgusted with all of this - I am embarrassed, seething, horrified, saddened, HELPLESS! I don't know what to do besides be angry. I gave to the Red Cross, but I don't feel like that's enough.

and here we are on Sat. afternoon and there are still THOUSANDS stranded at The Convention Center. This is utter crap - but at least they have food and water while living in filth. So much for FEMA preparedness.

At least the Pres. is continuing to acknowledge the error though and trying to make things right, though that cannot be accomplished without sending 1000 more buses and a few troop transport planes to NOLA, which has yet to happen.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Okay people - SAKS is about to burn - I have reached my limit here

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/03/kat...act/index.html

(obviously joking for levity - but I did LOVE that store and mall )

There are reports that it is arson. Someone pointed out to me that while insurance might not cover flood, it does cover fire. A dark thought, I know but something to consider.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

There are reports that it is arson. Someone pointed out to me that while insurance might not cover flood, it does cover fire. A dark thought, I know but something to consider.

Fires burn along river; thousands wait to leave
Military efforts begin amid suffering at convention center, hospitals

Saturday, September 3, 2005; Posted: 2:54 p.m. EDT (18:54 GMT)

Programming Note: CNN correspondents throughout the region gauge the impact from the heart of disaster. (Program Schedule)

Fires are blazing Saturday in New Orleans, but firefighting resources are thin and the hydrants are dry.
Image:


NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- While thousands of people waited to be evacuated from the squalor of flood-stricken New Orleans, two major fires raged along the waterfront on Saturday.

Without water in the hydrants, firefighters were helpless. They were forced to abandon efforts to fight a blaze that threatened to consume an upscale riverfront mall on Canal Street, where looters had been seen earlier.

Fifty-foot flames also engulfed an industrial district along the Mississippi River and threatened to spread from warehouse to warehouse. (Watch the fires sweep along waterfront)

Although much of the city is covered with foul water, there is no water pressure. An attempt to bring water tankers and fireboats into the area was unsuccessful.

Firefighters told CNN the blaze started under "suspicious circumstances." Smoke wafted from the upper floor of the Saks Fifth Avenue store.

Earlier, a CNN crew saw looters leave the mall carrying filled Gucci and Brooks Brothers bags. (CNN's Bill Schneider on the question: Who's in control?

In a rare live radio address Saturday, President Bush said more than 7,000 additional troops will be sent over the next 24 to 72 hours to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. (Full story)

"Where our response is not working, we will make it right," he said.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced a multi-agency federal disaster relief plan, which includes the military, at an afternoon news conference in Washington.

Chertoff said the U.S. Coast Guard had conducted 9,500 rescues, double entire number of rescues in 2003.

Aid has been given to 100,000 people, and more than 4,000 people have been airlifted out of New Orleans, he added.

The first Amtrack train carrying evacuees left New Orleans for Dallas on Saturday. Chertoff said plans are in place to 650 people a day on Amtrack.

He acknowledged that some hospital patients in New Orleans still need to be evacuated.

Earlier in the day, Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard, said about 54,000 troops will be deployed to Louisiana and Mississippi, also hard-hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Blum said troops will be assisting local law enforcement, noting that the New Orleans police force has lost about a third of its officers in the hurricane's wake.

About 500 officers are unavailable for duty because they lost their homes, can't get to their precincts or found the city too dangerous, he said.

Thousands of people remained Saturday at the Superdome and Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans after a day that saw one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history. Buses resumed evacuations at midday Saturday, Portable toilets also arrived.

The throng of evacuees has thinned. As many as 5,000 people were at the Superdome, according to the Texas National Guard, and about 2,000 people remained at the convention center. (See the squalid refugee-camp conditions at the center)

_______________________________________________________

It most likely is arson, but I think the thugs are setting some of these out of spite. I say shoot them on the spot if they are caught. Then again, I am somewhat irrational and highly pissed right now.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

and here we are on Sat. afternoon and there are still THOUSANDS stranded at The Convention Center. This is utter crap - but at least they have food and water while living in filth. So much for FEMA preparedness.

This headline is a little disconcerting:

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f...25-1077495.php
Troops begin combat operations in New Orleans

Combat operations?

[GypsySorcerer]

Anyone hear Carol Mosely Braun's interview this morning with CNN? I wish I could find the transcript. She is great.

[strandinthewind]

and they deceide to do this TODAY - I am glad they did it, but I thought about this on Tues. Their incompetence amazes me. Moreover, I hope the ship line did not gouge us.

____________________________________________________________

Government Charters Ships For Katrina Evacuees

POSTED: 1:39 pm CDT September 3, 2005

Federal officials are chartering three Carnival Cruise ships to shelter people displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

The Ecstasy, Sensation and Holiday will be pulled from regular use for six months. They'll shelter as many as 7,000 people.

Ecstasy and Sensation will be pulled from service Monday and dock in Galveston, Texas. Each can accommodate about 2,600 passengers.

The Holiday can hold 1,800 people. It will be pulled Thursday and will likely dock in Mobile, Ala.

Federal officials asked Carnival for use of their ships shortly after the hurricane hit.

Carnival is apologizing to those whose vacations will be canceled, but says it "will provide desperately needed housing for thousands of individuals affected by this tragedy."

A spokesman says the world's largest cruise line doesn't disclose the price of charter contracts.

www.wdsu.com

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

This headline is a little disconcerting:

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f...25-1077495.php
Troops begin combat operations in New Orleans

Combat operations?

I think they are refering to talking back the city from the bad people who are shooting at hospitals and buring buildings.
___________________________________________________________

Also, FEMA cannot even control its own uniforms - these people need an a$$ kicking of the highest order

Thieves Pretend To Be ‘Procurement Officers’

POSTED: 11:32 am CDT September 3, 2005
UPDATED: 11:46 am CDT September 3, 2005

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Saturday that many FEMA uniforms, badges and letterheads have been stolen in the New Orleans area are being used as fake identification by robbers.

FEMA leaders said the crooks are referring to themselves as "FEMA Procurement Officers," even though no such officers exist.

The agency said that the robbers are using the phony status to steal vehicles, fuel and valuables.

In some cases, the robbers are armed. FEMA said its agents are never armed.

FEMA officials said that if an armed person claiming to be from the agency approaches you, ask for photo identification, but also cooperate with their demands to avoid being hurt.

Anyone with information about people who may be claiming to be FEMA personnel, call the offices in Baton Rouge at (225) 296-3421 or (225) 296-3335

[strandinthewind]

This is a good thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jefferson Parish Residents May Return Monday
Strict Rules Will Be Enforced

POSTED: 11:01 am CDT September 3, 2005
UPDATED: 12:01 pm CDT September 3, 2005

Jefferson Parish emergency management leaders announced a plan to allow residents to go back to their homes on Monday.

People will be allowed back starting at 6 a.m. Monday and continuing indefinitely. However there are strict conditions:

Nobody will be allowed to use Interstate 10 east of Laplace on the East Bank. In addition, nobody will be allowed to use the elevated West Bank Expressway routes. Those highways are reserved for the Louisiana State Police and the National Guard for emergency evacuations.

The driver of any car entering Jefferson Parish must show identification proving residence. Drivers without proper identification will not be allowed in and will be turned away.

Parish President Aaron Broussard suggests people plan on staying outside the parish until at least Sept. 11.

Parish leaders recommend that people carpool into the parish to save gas and time.

Parish leaders suggest appointing one person from your household to go to your home to secure valuables and assess the damage.

Parish leaders advise that women should not travel alone into the parish.

Bring bottled water. Do not attempt to drink the water from the faucet.

If you need to flush a toilet, the first flush will work, but the second flush will require more water.

No stores are open in Jefferson Parish. If you need anything, you must bring it in with you, including fuel for your vehicle.

People can stay for a night or two, but conditions are primitive because of a lack of electricity, water and sanitation services.

Drive carefully since many traffic signals and traffic signs have been destroyed.

A full curfew remains in effect from dusk to dawn.

Some items that you might want to bring include:
Cameras for insurance documentation
Prescription drugs
Non-perishable foods
Sanitation supplies
Plastic bags
Disinfectant
Batteries
Baby supplies
Manual can opener
Paper plates, cups, napkins, etc.

www.WDSU.com.

[strandinthewind]

I was incorrect

Among the many requests Blanco presented to Bush was the return of the 256th Brigade Combat Team, who are currently serving in Iraq and have only a few weeks left in their deployment. Blanco said the Louisiana National Guard unit is needed to help with the recovery activity.
“They are urgently needed back home,” said Blanco at a press conference Friday night at the state Office of Emergency Preparedness. Many of the soldiers who are currently serving in Iraq have expressed unhappiness about not being able to help with the situation back home in Louisiana, she said.

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakin...09.html#076577

and W is calling some troops home to help

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168397,00.html

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

Anyone hear Carol Mosely Braun's interview this morning with CNN? I wish I could find the transcript. She is great.

I'm trying to find her remarks but I can't. Heard about this earlier.