Ive been watching the ongoing situation in louisiana and mississippi, people dying as we speak, and still no help to speak of. A country as great and powerful as the United States, and still we cant get it together and help these people out. I know there are problems with snipers and such, but those people have been there for five or six days now and begging for food, water and a way out. I cant even watch it anymore. Little babies crying with no food to eat, one mother even gave her baby to someone that got on one of the buses to make sure it got to safety, and I saw one school bus a young boy had gotten to get people out. Im not gonna point fingers, but Id say after this is all over, which will be a long time, some reorganization will be in order. I pray for em every day.
[ September 02, 2005, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: John Deaton III ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
John - take heart. The Government is, in fact doing a lot to help. You have to remember that in addition to rescuing people and delivering food,they have to plug all the breaches in the levies that collapsed, try and drain several square miles of flooded land, repair the damaged power infrastructure, get fuel flowing to the rest of the country...and on and on and on.
It's not like this happened to small ol' Potterville, Michigan. This is an enormous undertaking that none of us can probably even comprehend unless we were physically there and involved.
Here is another big reason why they can't help out people as expeditiously as they'd like: There are armed gangs of thugs shooting at the rescue helicopters....and the rescue folks have been chased away...so we have armed, military experienced National Guardsmen going there with "shoot-to-kill" orders - - apparantly it's *that* bad of a problem.
Read this Yahoo news link and you'll see the problems they are facing from these low-life, opportunistic thugs:
I hate to say it...but a bullet between their eyes is the quickest way to move that obstical out of the way to help people that truly want to be rescued. Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Rescue workers put their own lives on the line & face a lot of dangers when they try to help others, part of that should NOT be being shot at by those they are trying to help.
The loudmouth newscasters are complaining that there are bodies everywhere and no one is doing anything about it. Sending in rescue workers while these slugs are shooting at them would only create more bodies for the newscasters to bitch about and less rescue workers to help.
Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
I can't quit either John (lol)
As to the situation...I hate that the time has come for such abrupt measures...but it is alos appropriate. The innocent, the sick and the helpless cannot be sacrificed because we are afraid to deal with thugs that are in effect trying to thwart rescue efforts and hold the city, (or its remains) hostage.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
More evidence of roadblocks by armed thugs - - these guys are like Sudan Warlords:
Todd, FEMA spent a week down here last fall developing a plan for just such a disaster. Despite that they were terribly prepared, no single person seems to be in charge, our governor is crying on tv, that's real leadership Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
I'm sorry to hear that Mark...
I just watched Pres Bush being briefed by the governors from Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana...and they all made a point about how great the response from FEMA has been in light of the extent of the devastation.
But I don't know...cause I'm not there and haven't been affected...could be political bluster.
But it does appear watching live news that there is a lot of effort being put forth.
Hope things kick in to everyone's satisfaction soon.
I'd still like to see a couple of the armed thugs get cut down...sorry, but those people are of the worst calibre of human beings in my book.
Edit: I should add that Bush did say that there are some problems that haven't been acceptable and that they are being addressed....hopefully they will. It's a massive operation to supervise.
[ September 02, 2005, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
If what we have been watching is our country's Disaster Plan........We ARE F***ed! This is most disgraceful, sickening disaster I have ever see. Not the hurricae, but the response!
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
Todd, you must be watching different news than I am. Like Tony said, the response has been horrible. ALot of the people have just started walking out on their own. They need to deal with the thugs and thieves with quick judgement. People are the most important thing here. Nothing else. Human lives are top priority. If they cant deal with the gangs of thugs, they need to get someone who can. Those people have to be helped. And Kissy, if it wasnt for the newspeople that are there, we wouldnt know anything that was going on. They could be biased in their reporting, I dont know. I probably would be too, if I saw what was going on down there.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
12:20 pm friday. #1. the stories of helicopters geing shot at...has been nothing more THEN JUST THAT...A STORY that blown outa porportion(reported on CNN). the thugs shooting at cops IS FACT!!! the mayor of NO. was just on tv...READING THE RIOT ACT...to end all the PRESS BRIEFINGS ...AND FOR THE FED GOVT TO GET OFF THEIR A.S.S.E.S. and get some relief to these people...NOW!!!!!! i can speak from experiance(sept 14, 2004)of the wide spread devastation that happened in my own small spot in this world. the day after IVAN....power trucks, trailers with ice, distrbution centers, blue roof managment, and FEMA....WHERE ALL IN PLACE WITHIN 48 HOURS!!!! again i say to those of you who HAVENT BEEN HERE....stop defending P.I.S.S. poor govt intervention......yes this is 10 greater then IVAN, but to each comunity its very small, as they see it.......most have no idea how wide spread the devastation is. but are concerenred with SURVIVAL......of themself and family and freinds. within 2 hours after IVAN was done, we on the street where we lived was all tryin to help our neighbors clear drive ways, give imeadiate relief, food, water, shelter and showers.......so WE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED to this sort of radical change of lifestyle can attest to how things where handled when WE WHERE THE SUBJECTS of SURVIVAL MODE LIVING. iam sure don, cheryl, and the rest who have had to live thru these conditions can attest to what iam saying......and i will say the govt can drop food to IRAQS, mobilize a war 6000 miles away, kepp it suppied with troops, food, water, medicine, machinery....AND CANT GET THEIR S.H.I.T. together in their own backyard.....INDEFENCABLE is the word of the day!!!!!!!!
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
quote:Originally posted by Steve Shortreed: What the hell is going on with all of you? Instead of using this forum as a tool to help our friends in trouble, the same old gang is playing politics once again.
There are at least 2 dear friends we have not heard from at this point. I'm worried about Kathy, RT and all the others that need help. Can't we concentrate on using our energies to suggest ideas that fix the problem instead of the blame?
I suggest each of us all think about doing something. I for one am sick and tired of seeing this crap. Take your political and religious rantings somewhere else.
Sure looks to me like Steve posted that in English. Why do so many seem to not understand a word of it?
So far as I can see, Steve locked this post thread before it was even started. He has plenty on his plate, between his son, his heart and things we don't even know, without having to babysit this board.
[ September 02, 2005, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: Don Coplen ]
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
I didnt start anything political here Don. OP might be ranting a little, but thats about it. This is something affecting alot of people. If Steve dont like this post, he can lock it too. We all got alot on our plates.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
The great and powerful OZ has spoken...
Posted by Mark Perkins (Member # 296) on :
It's the largest disaster to ever hit this country, we should be able to talk about it and keep politics out of it, I don't care who is the president or what party is in office it wouldn't have made any difference in the response, they just weren't as prepared as they should have been. We had an evacuated person arrested in my lil town last night, he was caught breaking into the office of the church that was giving him shelter...two truck stop casinos here in Eunice have closed because most law enforcement is in New Orleans and the truck stops don't want all the video poker money to be an attraction as they now have no security except rent a cops. They have a police officer at out Wal Mart 24 hrs a day...kinda scary situation
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Why didn't the mayor deploy these buses...knowing full well what was coming..and knowing people needed transportation to evacuate?
He's doing a lot of complaining...but it looks like HE HIMSELF could have done more before it hit???
Just askin.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
I was thinking of that, too, Todd. Too bad he didn't think to get a bunch of buses in his city before it hit, to get the people out.
But it doesn't help to keep thinking of what COULD have been done, does it?
I just cannot keep myself from thinking about all this. I found that even tho I prefer FOX news, I get a better view of what is going on by switching to different stations.
When I saw those people being interviewed & SAW & FELT what they were going through, then my heart was overcome. The public NEEDS to see this, & to hear it from their mouths.
PLEASE, whatever you guys do, please do not get nasty with each other, ok? It is so that good we can come here to share our thoughts & opinions & news with each other, but let's not turn on each other! I mean, this is HORRENDOUS, how can we avoid talking about it? But let's stay peaceful with each other & respect each other's opinions, ok?
I think Steve only locks these posts when we get nasty & hurl direct insults at each other.
As someone else says on this site,..... Peace out...
Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
quote:It's the largest disaster to ever hit this country, we should be able to talk about it and keep politics out of it,
I agree!
This situation, isn't going to go away anytime soon. Add to that, some of our own 'Letterville family' live and work in this zone! Their homes and livelihoods have been destroyed. Their lives turned upside-down. 'They', (and we) have family and friends who are also sharing this experience.
We NEED to talk about it. WE CARE!
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Hey! Let's get real!
11million bottles of water and MREs, 20,000 cots and blankets, 130 million pounds of ice, medical supplies, etc. DON'T magically appear!
All that stuff had to be collected, put on trucks and driven into New Orleans from other states...over roads that are almost impassable!
The local Office of Emergency Preparedness did NOTHING. The Mayor did nothing! The Governor did nothing! All they have done so far is pose before TV cameras and bitch about the federal government! We are shown pictures of hundreds of school busses sitting in place flooded out! Why weren't they activated as soon as the levy was breached? Why didn't the Governor call out the National Guard, as she could have done herself?
I tried to stay out of this...BUT... when you start blaming people....at least place the blame on those who deserve it...the complete failure of local and state officials!
Just my 2˘
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
The blame lays solely on our leaders and emergency organizations. They've done nothing until today, just stood by and wished it would go away. If ever something like this happens again, they now know what NOT to do. But god forbid we put any blame on our government.
[ September 02, 2005, 04:06 PM: Message edited by: John Deaton III ]
Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
What John Deaton has pointed out has already become an international scandal. Somebody here said yesterday that more helicopters and National Guardsmen might be available, if so many weren't in Iraq. Dispute it all you want in USA, but lots of folks in the rest of the world are thinking the same thing.
As yall may know, levees along navigable waterways are the responsibility of the Army Corps of Engineers. That branch has been complaining for a couple years that money they need is being diverted to you-know-where.
It was embarrassing to hear, along with the rest of the world, that Bushie II had to cut short his vacation to deal with Katrina -- after she had landed. Presidente Chávez of Venezuela called him "the king of vacations," and then offered assistance! Chávez, of course, is guessing that the rest of the world has forgot that flooded parts of Venezuela are still disasters after 5 years. But you see what happens in a world that pays more attention to appearance than to substance, when you do something that "looks bad."
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Our Secretary of State, (I see what Bruce just wrote) actually took those two days of Mr. Bushes, where he cut back on his five weeks, as her own. On Tuesday night she went to a comedy on Broadway, and on Wed some woman screamed at her in a department store about being selfish, as she was buying $ 3000 worth of shoes. Condoleeza, who seemed not to be needed in this National Emergency, had the woman arrested.
Now to something else:
Since we all are "jus askin" to quote Todd,
Does anyone have any idea why the aid that was offered in the last 3 days from Canada/Sweden/France/Russia/Germany/Venezuela/China and more has been either summarily rejected or some countries are still waiting for answers from President GWBush?
"The Military Leaders of the United States have declined, and for this reason: “The United States Government and its People Respectfully Decline your offer of assistance and refer you to our previous State Department Bulletin (NCO:13788) in which we had stated that this remains an internal action.”
Which of the "United States and it's people" were they speaking for? You and me and all of the miserable wretches suffering and waiting for a split screen of a smiling President and more than late aid and troops?
Venezuela has offered their Medical Airlift Command for the evacuation of peoples trapped in these devastated regions; Holland has offered the resources of their Public Works Ministry (and who are the acknowledged World Experts for below sea level water evacuation procedures); Russia has offered over 100,000 temporary living structures, along with Military Personal to assist their American counterparts; Iran has offered 1 Billion US Dollars in immediate assistance and guaranteed 5,000,000 barrels of oil at $35.00 US Dollars; China has offered their Military Rescue Forces (Who are acknowledged as one of the best in the world for rescuing peoples in flood ravaged areas.) And this is only some of what I could find.
So, I'm "jus askin". Anyone know the answer? Rejecting that help in our names looks to me even more loony a decision as to shoot at rescue helicopters.
Now : Either you're gonna be shocked because you did not know, and want proof so you can attack the source, and are freed up to continue to defend the incompetent.
Or you bypass reality and just attack me, which is simpler.
Or you look into it, and find out that this really happened.
[ September 02, 2005, 04:45 PM: Message edited by: Myra Grozinger ]
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
quote:Originally posted by John Deaton III: I didnt start anything political here Don.
Oh, we all can certainly see that, John. Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
I'm for simple....c'mon Gavin...it's time for an appearance - - kick some a$$.
[ September 02, 2005, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
What a joke you people are!
like I said, a bunch of armchair quarterbacks!!!!!!
PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!!!!
I volunteered to go there and help for a 30 day shift, what did you do?
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
One, two, three, four.....I hear it coming....
"CLICK"
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Since I wrote my little piece above, Ms Rice is nowon TV thanking over 60 nations for their help, and saying:
"No offer of help has been rejected". the flipside was "No offer of help has been accepted".
Some man has been appointed to look over the offers and see how they would match with the needs.
Nations I found that Have Offered Katrina Hurricane Aid:
Russia Japan Canada France Honduras Germany Venezuela Jamaica Australia UK/Northern Ireland Netherlands Switzerland Greece Hungary Colombia Dominican Republic El Salvador Mexico China South Korea Israel United Arab Emirates Taiwan Sri Lanka Singapore
I suppose, as this is in flux, time will tell what that man who was appointed will decide, and what the answer will be to the people at the ready to help.
I hope when they get the final answer they're still willing. If I were in charge, they would be here already, I can look at my TV and see just where they could be of use.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
No, No, No!!!!!! Be nice, PLEASE!!!!!!
Some of us really do want to talk about this, ok? I know you guys are kidding around, but PLEASE don't let it get mean & messy & nasty & all that again, ok?
THINK before you post. Please do not ruin what could be a GOOD post by attacking each other. I was really hoping that someone would start another one so we could try to be civilized about it & talk decently.
Just because you don't like what someone says, .... ok, so you don't like it! Don't retaliate, ok?
I am just saying this so maybe the poo-poo will not hit the fan. We seem to be ok so far....
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
Hey Gang... Letterville is a community. It really don't matter where our Family lives. When one of us is in trouble, the whole Community is involved.
Barb and I are very concerned about those who need help. Bickering and pointing fingers does nothing constructive. At times like this the last thing I want to hear is more Conservative vs Liberal junk.
Mark Smith has offered to match financial donations to the Red Cross. That's something we can all do that may make a difference right now. There's another idea we have been talking about.
There is a benefit to losing everything material. Many are now free to begin a new life. If there is a Letterhead out there that would like to start over here in Ontario, we would consider helping your Family get that start.
At this point we are just tossing out an idea. If each of us could help just one person, it could make a big difference. Any other ideas?
Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
Bobbie said 'No, No, No!!!!!! Be nice, PLEASE!!!!!!. . .I am just saying this so maybe the poo-poo will not hit the fan. We seem to be ok so far...." ------------------- Don't worry. John Deaton said it all the first time: It is a national disaster, the US gov't has done a shameful job of responding (late) so far, and this shouldn't happen again.
New Orleans, the birthplace of Jazz and a lot more American culture, may be lost to the world. Its heritage may go in 2 directions: A backwater refuge for beggars and thieves, and a scattered, permanent refugee population.
You know, on the 8th of January 1815, Andy Jackson and a bunch of hillbilly sharpshooter saved that place from capture by the British. It would have been a different world if that assault had succeded, and it will be a different world after Ms Kat nearly 200 years later.
Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
Steve said "At this point we are just tossing out an idea. If each of us could help just one person, it could make a big difference. Any other ideas?" -------------------
Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
At this point we are just tossing out an idea. If each of us could help just one person, it could make a big difference. Any other ideas?
Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
Steve said "At this point we are just tossing out an idea. If each of us could help just one person, it could make a big difference. Any other ideas?" --------------- Best idea so far. Can we be reasonably sure that we're getting the help to the right people?
(This note tried to send itself a couple times before it was finished, so sorry about that.)
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
You know what, I think that if we will just wait & see what happens down the line, we will find out exactly what happened & the reasons certain decisions were made. It is utter chaos right now, & we are all hearing so many different things. We do not know what the real truth is, but our own preferances get us to lean the way we want to believe. Let's give it some time & see what happens.
And prayer may sound lame, but it is NOT. Those people need our prayers & any other way we can help them.
Steve, that is a very generous offer. I like hearing that.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
I dont give a damn if anyone believes that I didnt start this thread to be political. I said I didnt, and if that aint good enough, suck air. Now we got TOdd wanting Gavin to come on here and "kick ass". Todd, I do believe you spend most of your time on here surfing threads, just looking for a fight, or looking for someone to say something about you know who. Ive stayed off of that out of respect for the board, and still will, but I could say plenty. I started this thread out of desperation and worry for some of our fellow americans who are suffering horribly in louisiana. Its absolutely disgusting that until today, nothing was done. Si argues that they basically should take care of themselves. Not! They are citizens of this country, and they are in need of help, and we have the money and resources to do that. Those people should have been cleared out of that area days ago. Oh yeah Harris, Id be glad to go down there, but in the meantime, I made a donation to the red cross and have called on friends and family to do the same. Im pretty sure they'll do their best to help out. Hey Barry, scoot over, I might need a place to sit.
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
So the real question in the end will be: Do you rebuild a city that sits below sea level and is surrounded by water, and risks even greater damage in the future by a direct hit?
What landfill do you "put" a ruined city in?
The ecologocal damage to the ocean is yet to be seen when they pump all that crap into the sea.
It aint over till it's over.
Get past the current situation, and think about the future. It's gonna be a hard long road.
[ September 02, 2005, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: Mikes Mischeif ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
John...I'm not looking for a fight! You wanna make something of it?! Hehehehehe...dude...the sarcasm of that last post obviously isn't making it through the keyboards.
Everybody cares John...have a good one. Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
quote: Si argues that they basically should take care of themselves.
John ... that is a complete misstatement!
What I said was that the Local & State Governments did nothing while waiting for the Federal Government to gather supplies and reach New Orleans!!!!!
With flooded airfields and destroyed roads.. it takes time to get help on site! Obviously most people have absolutely no comprehension of the time and effort required to accomplish this type of task!
Myra ... taking cheap potshots at Pres Bush and Sec Rice does not help the situation! Your acid tongue is not appreciated!
[ September 02, 2005, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
I'm really glad you started the thread John. How can we not all be thinking about this stuff?
I think it can be a good one, too, if we just be careful of what we post & how we say things. Sometimes the comments we post are offending others & are not meant to, just to express our opinions. The sometimes they are posted to offend on purpose. That is when tempers get hot & it gets nasty & the thread is locked.
Let's not get this one locked.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Si is completely right.
This is a catastrophic event, it's going to take time to organize aid efforts. The gangs and people looting TV's and tennis shoes and shooting rescuers are not helping the situation any.
I know plenty of people that are part of Rescue teams, and one thing you have to realize about rescue is:
They are NOT going to send rescuers into unsecured areas where they have no protection or police coverage to ensure their own safety. The gangs and all that are hurting everyone else.
They've got hundreds of thousands of able-bodied people at their disposal who have no jobs and no other time committments at this point. They could be put to work, cleaning up and helping rebuild, so they have some pride in their own community.
They COULD turn this around into a positive situation and help each other, and help themselves. But no, they're going to sit there on their roof, or in some sports arena, crying into their cheerios while waiting for the handouts to come. They could become survivors through this, but it looks like most are content being cysts.
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
I am with Steve in his offer to help ....I too would like to offer a place to stay and a job to any signmakers displaced by Katrina, who might be looking for a new start.
It's hard to imagine being an overnight refugee in your own country..if I can help one person get through something like that, then I'll feel good.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
I'm with Jeff and Steve. Should anyone need a place to crash for a while or somewhere to relight the fires, the door's open.
The devastaion is massive. No one person has a perfect solution, but each of us, in our own way, no matter how great or small, can help.
We, the people... Rapid
[ September 02, 2005, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
I too would like to offer any help I can to Katrina victims......I realize I am pretty far North, but I will do all I can from here. My doors are open if you need a place to stay.
It really helps if people quit thinking and acting in the "they" mode and ask what can I do to help a fellow human being RIGHT NOW?
I'm trying to crank out more work so I can donate more $$ to the Red Cross.....take care all.
Peace,
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Here is a way to help, for those who want to offer shelter to someone: you could take in an artist who is stranded: http://www.theleaf.com/hurricanesupport.php - I'm thinking of doing it. =============================================== Si - don't take up with me , it's not worth it, and it's inaccurate and emotional, kind of like your information. ================================================ In this greatest emergency, I am learning other things constantly, that we the people ought to know. Some of them touch on what is being discussed or wondered about here, I apologize for the length, but we deserve to be in the loop.
We the people, after all, ARE the government.
I learned that the governor of Loisiana asked for 5 Million to help evacuate the poor in the city of New Orleans, the ones who wanted to and could not/ the aid was refused by the Federal Government. Even to the most obtuse it should be obvious the States, and the City, already saddled with uncountable fiscal cutbacks, could not do it alone for one of our largest and poorest cities.
People asked for advance pay, since at 11 000 a year one lives paycheck to paycheck, and wanted to get out of town with that. They mostly did not get it and were also told that if the Hurricane did not hit and the workplace is open, and they are not here on the day after, they would be fired.
I learned that contracts are in place from 2004 that were made with Halliburton, that they would be the ones to rebuild Loisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama should a hurricane hit. That NOW already the Navy is in contact with them to make the damage assessments, remove debris, and repair roofs. I hope to God this is not true.
I learned today that wherever President Bush goes wonderful gifts seem to parallel. I watched the split screens with one third him, and the rest of the screen showing for the first time, on the fifth day, the simultaneous arrival of barges, soldiers, buses, trucks. I learned that some of the help was held back so that the photos could be properly co-ordinated. Another thing I hoped is not true, but should I believe my lying eyes or what?
I hope the bounty stays when he leaves, and I hope he goes to many many many places where the conservative compassion and the disastrous planning have left the people seeing corpses being eaten by rats, and where they are dying of hunger and dehydration in our very own country, and unecessarily so.
Because I also learned that ordinarily, outside the stormfield, in our country as it used to be, ships/trucks/buses/supplies were waiting all loaded and ready to be dispatched.
I learned that the incidents of firing on rescuers were isolated and ought not have prevented the few helicopters available to drop water and food and medicine to ward off disease.
I also learned that wherever it was necessary nobody, anywhere, was on the ground to bullhorn talk to people, give them hope, timetables, explanations, care, and compassion and therefore stave off anarchy, and tell them where might be higher ground, lead them out of cesspools of infectious water, and encourage them to hold on. FEMA is now under the auspices of Homeland Security. Why do I not feel safer ? ============================================ I'm so ready to learn some good stuff. It will come, and I will share it. We can all use it.
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
To anyone who makes it this way, I will do all I can to help. My red cross certifications expired so I can't go help, but the director is to call me back Tuesday morning to let me know when I can help with collections & other stuff locally.
I stand by my earlier post. Sad as it, the truth is that until the area is secure, sending rescue workers in isn't helping. It's giving those who just want to be as lawless as they can be more targets to shoot at. Then the rescue workers become victims and you need even more rescue workers to help those that truly need the help and the rescuers that have become targets. It's a bad cycle. I hope order can be restored soon so help can get in there. It brings tears to my eyes and it angers me to see those who stand up to help, who leave their families, their comforts of home to risk their own health & safety in times of disaster to also have the risk of being shot by those they are trying to help. The rescuers have enough dangers to face, they don't need that danger too. Don't believe me, find a volunteer fireman or EMT & ask them.
Common sense tells me that the workers & supplies take time to get there. Yes, they were on the ground after Ivan alot sooner than after this one, but did Ivan leave roads 20 feet under water? I wish they had been able to get in sooner, but you can only go so far so fast when roads are covered with feet of debris and/or water. Supplies & workers also need to be kept far enough away before the storm so they aren't killed or destroyed in it too.
I have been watching the news until I can't watch any more & I've been bouncing stations. I applaud CNN (I think) for taking time to have the survivors on air saying who they are & naming a family member to contact to tell them they're ok. A lot of the coverage has been trying to fix blame & instigate anger which doesn't help the situation at all.
Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
One thing is certain. Everyone is emotional about this. Even the tough guys are scared. I have donated some already, and I plan on doing more just as soon as I have a better understanding of what I'm supposed to do.
The bottomline is this thing will have far reaching ramifications that like 9-11, will impact us all, but instead of uniteing, it woll divide us even more than we already are.
The rest of the world is watching....what will tha mean for us?
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Keep thinking, Myra.
The rest of us are doing. Nuff friggin said. Rapid
PS: You do not wanna know how much impact I put into every single keystroke of this post!
Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
Myra...how 'bout posting some of these sources where you are doing all this learnin'? I don't have time to sit and browse all day, but I bet I could "learn" plenty that slants the other way too. Why try to further polarize an already untenable situation?
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Barry, why label me? And negatively at that. It is not deserved.
It only diffuses the information and blames the messenger. It's just the old trick to divert attention that I talk about all the time.
On this board I have learned, that giving sources is used the same way. Discredit the source and ignore the "beef" or the meat of the matter
I won't play.
I worked a 10 hour day today, not sitting much believe me, and I have my eyes and ears open though, communication equipment in my basement workshop, and every now and then I make a note or a phone call to someone who knows how to corroborate stuff or someone who knows specifics. I am highly interested, and I care a whole lot.
Everything can and is being slanted in this incredibly divided country. Witness some of the posting wars of old on this board, where one posted internet link about stuff would be trumped by another saying it differently.
We are given really fine brains. They have the filters through which the stuff we see read and hear flow. We have the right to make our own determinations and come to our own conclusions, and heaven knows the information to use as the basis for it is everywhere.
The only right we don't have is to smear those whose conclusions are different from ours.
Just check it out! Then decide.
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Rapid: I don't get your drift about the keystrokes, but if you ever need help, just call. I know how to give help from a long life of experience, including now.
Posted by Gavin Chachere (Member # 1443) on :
Everyone is emotional about this my ass...its just one more excuse for the usual suspects who want a different political administration in there to flap their gums and pretend they're lighter versions of jesse jackson. As usual,you have plenty complaints,zero solutions,and you certainly arent gonna lift your complacent asses outta the chair youre sitting one inch to lift a finger to do anything to rectify the situation and i feel oh so certain that you have flights booked to come on down.....oh HAHAHAHAH sorry that would mean youwould have to do something other than toss a few $$$ to the red cross and remain lemming like in your bitching. You wanna help evacuate the people you see on tv???? Get vaccinated and get your ass end down there and help out....i suspect there will be ZERO takers for that offer. The bungled evac coordination is the responsibility of our illustrious and incompetent dumb as cow sh*t on a rock mayor and his moron asshat thats in charge of emergency preparedness and the incompetent IQ challenged "i must be PC so i dont offend people governor",theyre the f'n band of idiots that puts in the official requests with every govt agency for aid.......oh...ooops there goes my potty mouth again oh woe woe is me,but Si,you're right,its also the logistics of something this big,it doesnt just snap into place in 3 hrs,wait sorry in the limited scope of placated bubbles of artificial reality,it does. Some of you here are so transparent in your intentions its pathetic,yet i understand because you just cant help yourselves,you harbor such childish closemindedness you just cant resist taking snide little shots whenever you can, I dont need to come in this thread and "kick ass" todd....the two faced people here do a wonderfully fantastic job of showing their true selves. The only comforting thing in all this is that none of you complaining is in charge of the operation or you'd be sitting there on a laptop with a flashlight using google trying to spell evacuation right so you search for the right thing trying to figure out what you were doing "as you went along" and making buttonholes in the seat with your rearend. Once again the offer stands.....soon as i can get myself and 5guys i have close to here vaccinated tommorrow we're going back in there to put and end to the BS. Any of you policy planning geniuses coming? Let me answer for you...no. Its like watching penguins waddle behind each other to the edge of the ice cliff
[ September 02, 2005, 09:39 PM: Message edited by: Gavin Chachere ]
Posted by timi NC (Member # 576) on :
This one is for you "Z",...Theodore Roosevelt once said this and I greatly admire his way of saying what I feel,...... "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Ray..I completely understood your "impact on every keystroke" reference. And I understand why.
Sure wish THIS thread was locked down too.
But that wouldn't accomplish much, I guess, since some folks can't seem to stop themselves from turning any post into a partisan political battlefield.
And that's a real bummer.
My heart goes out to those who are REALLY hurting in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.
Posted by Tim (Member # 1699) on :
Hey Myra,
The Vancouver Fire Dept, Urban Search and Rescue team, 40 men, that I spoke of in the locked thread, were called and left wednesday. First team responding from Canada. They were unable to do much yesterday because the area of N.O. they were dispatched to, was unsafe due to gunfire and sniping. Today with the arrival of more National Guard, they are getting things done!
Canada was there 2 days ago Myra, try not to read only what you want to. Get some real facts from real people who know!
Wish there was a way to killfile on this board...
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Thanks, Timi, that was good stuff to hear.
I think we all are only hearing little bits here & there.
Read Timi's quote again. VERY GOOD>
Posted by Gavin Chachere (Member # 1443) on :
Timi thx...i personally luv that quote
Tim,i for one appreciate them going but in alotta areas in the city it is not safe for em just yet...but you know its not about facts
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Barry....Myra's source is mostly from Mike Moore's www.democraticunderground.com. Home of the lunatic fringe that make up lies and then quote each other as impeachable sources!
[ September 02, 2005, 10:01 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
Steve, Your handling of this board on this subject is like the relief effort in New Orleans.
It's not working.
You've asked for silence. Everyone is getting LOUDER!
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
ya think he outta shut er down???
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
why, Karyn? They'll just start another one and do the exact same thing again.
Like I tried to say 20 or 30 or 40 posts ago, he already locked this post...it's just got a new title.
Posted by Tony Broussard (Member # 935) on :
To quote Myra,
"I learned that the incidents of firing on rescuers were isolated and ought not have prevented the few helicopters available to drop water and food and medicine to ward off disease."
I'd like to know where you learned that. The owner of Acadian Ambulance who himself is in the middle of it all at a hospital helping to get patients out of there said that as a helicopter was about to land, about 100 thugs stormed the helipad. The helicopter had to abort the landing.
The supplies weren't delivered.
I know guys who went with boats. They had to pull a 9mm on one of the "victims" that was in his boat threatening them.
I hear a lot of "what if they all were white". Tell ya what, if they're were no shootings going on, you would have at least a 1000 good hearted folks with boats out there. The shootings kinda puts a damper on the rescue spirit.
You need better sources.
New Orleans was such a huge tourist magnet. But looking at these idiots, who would want to go there after this is over with. These thugs have been there all along, they didn't crawl out from the woodwork just because of the storm. they really make Louisiana look great.
I feel truly sorry for the good innocent ones who suffer for these ignorant bastards.
I want people to know that they most certianly don't represent the truely good folks in Louisiana.
Good Luck Stay Safe Zee!
[ September 02, 2005, 11:08 PM: Message edited by: Tony Broussard ]
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tony Broussard: I want people to know that they most certianly don't represent the truely good folks in Louisiana.
I believe we all know that, Tony...and you're one of them.
Thanks, too, for setting us straight on the helicoptors. But, I seriously doubt anybody believed otherwise...save for one.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Thank you, Tony., Best read by someone who is from Louisiana.
Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
I am certain they don't Tony. I don't think anyone believes that.
Now if folks will just quit screaming racism is the reason it has taken so long.
Yes everybody "knew" this was gonna happen, they just didn't "BELIEVE" that it would.
ANd Gavin....forgive me for being soft up here in Arkansas, but I cried the day the levies broke, and wanted with all my heart to go and be there and help---those are my people down there. They are AMERICANS.
But as much as I want to go....I can't. I have a wife and three kids here that need me PERSONALLY more than New Orleans does.
My heart is in it though, and I swear we will continue to give as much as we can possibly spare as we are led of God to do it.
Here's to you and yours. I pray daily for relief and safety for all the victims of this event.
To those who say threads like this should be shut....don't read them.
There are those who find closeness and familiarity in this little "psuedo-cyber-community" and at moments like this, it is only natural to process this kind of crap by talking about it.
I personally disagree totally with Myra and her point of view, but at times like this even she oughta get to speak, and those who disagree ougtha be able to respond.
That's part of a free-thinking society, and it is a healthy way to process this otherwise overwhelming reality.
Please have some sympathy, some understanding....its one thing to hammer ME since I am such a trouble maker.... But D3???
C'mon! Somebody needs to brush off the ol' shoulders cause you still got some mighty big chips on there.
Let's be people...who help each other through this thing. ALL OF US will be effected in varying degrees by the aftermath of this tragedy. We need to help each other and get used to doing it.
Myra, with respect, I think that if you are to self-concious to name your source, that kinda nullifies it. I am not trying to label you. You have done that yourself. Instead of spreading a leftist agenda...hows about trying a more centrist approach and try Learnin' something positive. Change your filter and try to "learn" from someone else's perspective. You might just find a whole new world.
Please don't respond with some wordy furtherance of the above. It isn't helping anyone.
Let's talk through this, find our own ways to help and remember what America(or Canada or the rest of the World) used to be. We are bigger than this.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
quote: why, Karyn? They'll just start another one and do the exact same thing again.
Yer probably right Don, being the informed person that you are. But, go ahead and lock er down anyway if you want to Steve. I feel good in knowing that most of the dang country feels the way I do about the slow response to this problem.
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