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Archive through September 01, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Sep. ~ Nov.: Free Expressions...: HURRICANE: ARCHIVES: Archive through September 01, 2005 users admin

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Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 4:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Another email from my friend in Baton Rouge in repsonse to a question everyone is asking...
********
I don't understand why the National Guard and state-side military weren't being moved in as soon as the storm stopped.

Annie, I just got finished listening to the mayor of N.O. on the radio. I have tremendous respect for this man and the way he has handled this disaster in the same way I respect Guiliani and his handling of 9/11. He has been calm, organized, and efficient. However, on the radio just now he's at his breaking point. I don't use profanity at all and don't like to hear other people use it, however, I was cheering him on in the car. he's beyond the point of political correctness and was going on and on about the *gd* politicians holding press conferences every few minutes and not doing anything. N.O. has received next to no outside help in the form of Nat'l Guard or other military support. People are stranded in Charity Hospital, Oschner Hospital, the Superdome, the convention center with NO food, NO water, NO sanitation, and temperatures upward of 100 degrees. We need Nat'l Guard, we need police, we need helicopters. It is a totally desparate situation and we need national help and it's not coming. The donations are flowing in, but we need machinery and vehicles to get it to the people stranded in N.O. while also getting them out ASAP. People in shelters are now being raped and brutalized. The mayor suggested that all that we as citizens can do right now is pray and write senators, the governor, and the president begging for help NOW. Mayor Nagin mentioned that Iraq didn't ask for help, the tsunami victims didn't ask for help but we rushed in and gave it. Now New Orleans is begging and no help is coming. the problems are starting to trickle into Baton Rouge. We are now the largest city in Louisiana and don't have the police forces to deal with that. Right now everything's okay, but that was a small riot at one shelter down town and the handful of schools back in session today were put under lockdown and/or released early and cancelled tomorrow due to "civil unrest."

So please email your state and national officials begging them to send military support ASAP. I think New Orleans is under martial law (not sure though), but there is not enough manpower to enforce it anyway. desparate people are doing desparate things---it's also hampering rescue efforts and people are dying by the day. they can't go too much longer without food and water.

I am a rare bird in that I'm not from LA nor is my DH's family. ALmost everyone I work with, live near, or go to church with has family and friends in the metro N.O. area who have lost EVERYTHING and have only the clothes on their back. It has touched everyone hear in some way.


***************


Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 5:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
The first buses have arrived at the Astrodome. Yayyyyy!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 5:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
I wonder how they chose who went first. This place looks super organized. Yayyyy!

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 5:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Wait a minute, I just turned on CNN and Paula Zahn was talking to a woman who had been at the Superdome. After the woman relayed her horrible story about the conditions and the fact that no police or National Guard or anyone else was there to keep order, Paula said they has just talked to the head of FEMA and he has just found out that there was a problem with security at the Superdome and was moving to do something about it. WTF?!?! Can that possibly be true or did I hear her wrong? How could ANY official JUST be finding out that there were terrible problems in the Superdome? Aren't they watching ANY of what we're watching (or at least having aides watch and give them updates)?????

This is ridiculous.`

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 6:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
One thing I love about this place. Anytime there is a disaster or harm in this world, we all have a place to gather and talk. I think it helps us sort out what we're feeling.

I just want to add for every story of looting, there are thousands of stories of heroism and selflessness. We'll never hear all the stories of the good people who are helping. In times like this..we see the very best and very worst of people. We have to remember the good are there, too. (Go look at the other hurricane donations thread)
I speak from experience because there were angels - dear friends and neighbors who helped us during our time of need.



Not1worry
Member

07-30-2002

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 6:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Not1worry a private message Print Post    
Whew...it's official, my cousin and his wife are safe and out of the area. I spent all day yesterday trying to figure out how I could drive from GA to get them when I couldn't get through most of Mississippi.

I called someone I was neighbors with 5 years ago, she still lives in western LA. She was amazing, she has 17 of her family members that evacuated from Grand Isle, LA living with her right now. They were ready within the hour to drive to the shelter in Thibodaux and go get my cousin.

Unfortunately, my cousin had managed to save the 7 dogs and 2 cats he had with me and would not leave them. My friend didn't have a vehicle big enough to handle that. At first, I was irritated by this - leave the dang dogs!! But then I realized that they've been through such a horrific experience. They had to swim off their rooftops to get some sort of boat, paddle to a church that was on higher ground and break into it, and then I don't know how they got evacuated from the church. They couldn't get any answers at the shelter and he ended up leaving and walking 2 miles to get to a phone to call his family for help. I think they felt like they had come so far with these animals, they couldn't leave them now. That, and now they own absolutely nothing, the animals were all that they had.

It ended up being the pet rescue people that saved them. My aunt has worked with the Colonel Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue network for years, rescuing this breed from all over the country. She contacted them to see if anyone could care for the animals so we could at least get my cousin out of the shelter. Someone came forward and not only fetched the animals, but took in my cousin and his wife for a few days until they can recover.

So now they have electricity, water, and a place to sleep. I think they are totally in shock for a few days. They just aren't sure what they will do or where they will go, but we are so thankful that they are safe.



Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 6:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Not1, I'm glad your family members are safe -- including their pets. :-)

Just heard on MSNBC that Fats Domino is fine. His manager was on and said he's been located and is okay.

Azriel
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 6:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Azriel a private message Print Post    
I just talked to my daughter and two of her friends that are in the NG have checked in with her. They are both safe. One of them is in a park right outside the city and the other is at the Superdome. Please pray for Jason and John.

The communication network being down is totally f'ing up everything there. I've even had trouble getting calls in to my family in NE Louisiana.

My daughter said that the Walmart in West Monroe was filled with looters last night. We have no idea if it was refugees are just asses that saw they were missing out on the quality looting in NO. This is in extreme Northeast Louisiana. My daughter said that it is making her scared. :-(

Fruitbat
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 6:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fruitbat a private message Print Post    
Max, I heard that they just found out there were people at the convention center. Is that it perhaps? I found it odd and totally unbelievable. I guess these people dont watch CNN. It would be a great tool for them.

New Orleans is not under Marshall Law as far as I know and I have been listening non stop all day except during BB.

Azriel
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Azriel a private message Print Post    
Fruit, I think it is under martial law, now. They had reported it was, then took it back and said it wasn't, but then said it was again yesterday.

My daughter's two friends said that it is bad down there. Jason has been in NO since before the hurricane struck and he has been in the city, they just pulled back to the park and he had a chance to text message his friends. John went in the day after the storm and he was one of the ones that was driving buses until that got halted because of the shooting.

Fruitbat
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fruitbat a private message Print Post    
God Azriel, that is nuts. I would have to assume that the looting in NO is directly related. yuck.

Azriel
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Azriel a private message Print Post    
Kady, if you are reading this thread, I've been trying to call you for the last three days. I keep getting all circuits are busy and it's making me crazy. Anyway, I'm thinking of you.

Fruitbat
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fruitbat a private message Print Post    
Thanks AZ, I missed that. How are those kids getting water?

I am still confused as to why those trapped in the side of the city that is flooded just don't walk to the dry side. Some people seem to come and go. If you look at a map it can be done if you are able bodied and don't mind walking a few miles.

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Fruitbat, I'm not sure the people in the situation know that. It would be hard to decide to try and walk out when you aren't sure if conditions several blocks or more away are better or worse than where you are now. I'm also not sure why officials haven't gone over in helicopters and told those folks what direction to walk to safety via bullhorn.

I don't know. Just seems like the whole thing is tied up in what appears to be a bureaucratic nightmare compounded by the fact that communications are so difficult. It's so hard to say without being there, and it's so frustrating to watch. :-(

Fruitbat
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fruitbat a private message Print Post    
I should have said. I don't understand why guards are keeping them knee deep in diseased water with rotting corpses when they could be on dry land as they await transportation. I realize they are being forced to stay there.

Azriel
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Azriel a private message Print Post    
Fruit, I've thought about that and you know I think some people just don't want to leave. There were people at the Superdome that refused to get on the bus.

I know some people are still looking for friends and family members that got washed away and they are hoping they are still alive and they will find them, so they are afraid to leave.

There were a lot of homeless people in NO before the hurricane and maybe they just don't care to walk out because they can sleep on the sidewalk now and no one bothers them. A lot of them were not mentally stable to begin with.

There are a few people that just want to be in the middle of the drama. Some people just thrive on that.

Then, there are people that are partying it up, looting and being 'in charge' of their new kingdom. They are going to have to drag them out.

It's all so crazy and unreal. :-(


Fruitbat
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fruitbat a private message Print Post    
It is hard to believe that we know more from TV than people in charge do. It is all very strange and troubling.


Fruitbat
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 7:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fruitbat a private message Print Post    
There are many angry people who want to get out as well. We will never get it. The longer this goes on the less sense it makes. Even the sane reporters are raging about the lack of help but no one is saying..........just walk out, this water is going to kill you.

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 8:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
Looters denounced, but also called 'heroes' link

Officials have been denouncing the looting rampant in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina struck. But some say looters are also heroes.

A woman at the city's convention center says she's barely seen the police. She says the thugs and the criminals are the ones who saved her from her flooded neighborhood, using a stolen speedboat and moving truck.

At the Superdome, another Katrina evacuee says the looters have been distributing food to the evacuees there. Otherwise, he says, they'd starve. [...]

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 8:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
Canada offers help if needed:

CTV

Canadian Press



Azriel
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 8:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Azriel a private message Print Post    
The sheriff of Plaquemine Parrish has posted armed guards on the roads coming into the parrish and will not let anyone come into the parrish. He said they were not going to have what is going on in Orleans parrish happen in their parrish.

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 8:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
darn computer is broken. There isnt martial law in NO, or anywhere. CNN explained that one mayor declared Martial Law in is parish, and interestingly enough is not having widespread anarchy, however, to declare 'true' martial law is (I dont remember I want to say an act of congress.... but its a helluva lot more than just saying martial law

{{hugs}} and prayers

Abby7
Member

07-17-2002

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 8:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Abby7 a private message Print Post    
nevermind

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 8:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
As I have said earlier, I have no problem with the looting of food, water and clothes, especially shoes. I saw a woman from Mississippi on the news this evening who said she never thought she would be looting a store with her 2 sons but she was going to do whatever it took to keep them alive. It's people who are looting electronics, guns and such that really anger me.

My brother-in-law finally heard from his family in Lumberton, MS. They received a lot of damage which is fixable, but there are no supplies or power. There are two gas stations in Hattiesburg with lines up to 4 miles long that are having to be patrolled by police because of violence. BIL and his wife are leaving Saturday morning with drums of gasoline so they can bring his family back to Texas.

One of my co-workers has 25 relatives at his home, some of whom need prescriptions filled but have to do it in the State of Louisiana. Another co-worker has 15 at her home and another has around 30 between her and two relatives. All of them have lost everything.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 9:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Uh oh. Now they're reporting that buses are being diverted elsewhere. They've taken all the people they want at the Astrodome--well short of the 25,000 the facility can hold if the reporters are correct.

Evidently the bus drivers were given a location, but would not share it with the reporter.

I thought these buses were air conditioned. They looked like they were. They were not! And if I heard correctly, one person has died aboard one of the buses.

So the problems continue.

(CNN)