I am so Angry

[Mabel]

This is my problem too. Look at the difference a day has made in getting help. Someone dropped the ball and lots of people died because of it and others will be facing serious health consequences.

The blame game is importent as this is how we make our future decisions about who will be our govenment leaders. This is what we pay taxes for....good representation for the community good. Anything else is irresponsibility.

I keep thinking about what a day means to those families still trapped in their attics in the sweltering heat with no water, no food, no knowledge of what's going on around them. I'm sure they expected the water would recede within hours, yet here it is, days later, and they (if they're still alive) are suffering. Just thinking about them brings tears to my eyes, yet I can't seem to stop.

 

[KrazyKollector]

It's no game. People died, and that is no game. Being very concerned about that is hardly petty. Wanting to know why and recognizing that Bush did make mistakes both now and leading up to tragedy is part of being patriotic. Following any leader blindly isn't. But I can see that anything that isn't praise of Bush just irks you. Well, you might want to avoid TV, the newspapers, anyplace where no one except staunch Bush supporters gather.

BTW, how are you doing with the criticisms and blame of the mayor and others? Those ok since it isn't Bush or are you going to complain about those? Or have you and I just missed it?

I was wondering if the mayor was ever going to get mentioned. Perhaps thinking of the Gov can bring about a small diatribe.
Oh, I forgot. They are on the other side of the political spectrum so they are really "okay" people. :doh:

THEY are the ones who get the majority of the blame. Their own state should have paid to get the levees improved, since it's their citizens who choose to live there. THEY are the ones who should have had a plan of action ready on a STATE level instead of waiting around B&Ming and wringing their hands waiting for the federal government. THEY are the ones who should not have trusted a building that was over 30 years old to hold up and have the plumbing keep working. Why didn't THEY bring in porta-potties BEFORE the storm? Why didn't THEY get water and food and medicine and supplies in stock for a WCS? Are there not stores and warehouse clubs in LA to get water and food and diapers etc? THEY dropped the ball. BOTH should be run out of office. THEY should have known what to do and they didn't. Now the good old mayor thinks if he screams enough about the federal government, it will take the heat off him. He must have been taught by Jesse Jackson. :twocents:

 

[Beyond Belief]

This is my problem too. Look at the difference a day has made in getting help. Someone dropped the ball and lots of people died because of it and others will be facing serious health consequences.

The blame game is importent as this is how we make our future decisions about who will be our govenment leaders. This is what we pay taxes for....good representation for the community good. Anything else is irresponsibility.

It had been suggested that the conversation regarding the politicians be in the political forum. I have never ventured there so I have no comments about it.

 

[Ntegrity]

Sadly 4 days is to long for many many people.

Katrina hit Monday morning and lasted all day (even here in Florida). The levees broke Tuesday and flooded the city. On Wednesday, Bush asked Congress for $10.5 billion in aid. Aside from putting his hip waders on, what more should he have done?

 

[Dara]

I was wondering if the mayor was ever going to get mentioned. Perhaps thinking of the Gov can bring about a small diatribe.
Oh, I forgot. They are on the other side of the political spectrum so they are really "okay" people. :doh:

I don't know what you mean by this. Could you explain please. The rest of your post didn't clarify that.

 

[KrazyKollector]

Some people won't be satisfied until Bush puts on his hip waders and swims to the rescue of people on rooftops. You know, like Kerry would've done.

ROFLMBO!! As long as we wouldn't let Teddy Kennedy drive out any of the people rescued. He doesn't do well driving around water.

 

[Dara]

Katrina hit Monday morning and lasted all day (even here in Florida). The levees broke Tuesday and flooded the city. On Wednesday, Bush asked Congress for $10.5 billion in aid. Aside from putting his hip waders on, what more should he have done?

Told Michael Brown there were people at the convention center?

Or maybe realize that people were dying and being raped and shot, and that rescue efforts were being halted because of shooting and taken some action (all of which I knew about). He's the boss.

I think I'm going to need some hip waders myself.

 

[concernedperson]

I was wondering if the mayor was ever going to get mentioned. Perhaps thinking of the Gov can bring about a small diatribe.
Oh, I forgot. They are on the other side of the political spectrum so they are really "okay" people. :doh:

THEY are the ones who get the majority of the blame. Their own state should have paid to get the levees improved, since it's their citizens who choose to live there. THEY are the ones who should have had a plan of action ready on a STATE level instead of waiting around B&Ming and wringing their hands waiting for the federal government. THEY are the ones who should not have trusted a building that was over 30 years old to hold up and have the plumbing keep working. Why didn't THEY bring in porta-potties BEFORE the storm? Why didn't THEY get water and food and medicine and supplies in stock for a WCS? Are there not stores and warehouse clubs in LA to get water and food and diapers etc? THEY dropped the ball. BOTH should be run out of office. THEY should have known what to do and they didn't. Now the good old mayor thinks if he screams enough about the federal government, it will take the heat off him. He must have been taught by Jesse Jackson. :twocents:

I am going to jump in here. I know Kathleen Blanco, she and I are from the same little town in Louisiana. I saw her falling apart "before" the storm happened.It was apparent to me that a "real" situation wasn't in her calling and the diatribe was political CYA. Her office didn't get the military in there fast enough....period. The President didn't take the bull by the horns when things were going down. Too much down time for a devastated area where there should have been action. Nagin was a pawn in this situation.

He said the Super Dome should be used as a last resort and to have enough food and water for 3-5 days before the storm. He knew that this wasn't available and wouldn't be available. But he knew it was the highest ground around. Knowing Louisiana politics the Governor and the Senators are the force and you have to play ball.He also said in an interview for the President and the Governor to get the details worked out. I think they cut him out of the loop and that is why his give a sh.t broke and he saw what was happening and just spoke out, against any future political aspirations in the State of Louisiana that he will ever have.

 

[Ntegrity]

He also said in an interview for the President and the Governor to get the details worked out. I think they cut him out of the loop and that is why his give a sh.t broke and he saw what was happening and just spoke out, against any future political aspirations in the State of Louisiana that he will ever have.

He may have better a chance at election than the rest of 'em, LOL.

 

[BirdieBoo]

Apparently Bush did not learn from the criticisms of him continuing to read "My Pet Goat" on 9/11. Supposedly he needed to keep reading it so the children would not be scared. What's his excuse this time? Perhaps that he needed to continue to talk up his war so that people would "not be scared."

Meanwhile, people are starving and thirsting to death in sweltering heat while contaminated water swirls around them, armed thugs are attacking and raping children, and no help in sight for four days. In the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.

How's that war in Iraq coming along anyway, now that whatever rights women had there have been successfully stripped away from them?

 

[Ntegrity]

ROFLMBO!! As long as we wouldn't let Teddy Kennedy drive out any of the people rescued. He doesn't do well driving around water.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[tybee204]

Katrina hit Monday morning and lasted all day (even here in Florida). The levees broke Tuesday and flooded the city. On Wednesday, Bush asked Congress for $10.5 billion in aid. Aside from putting his hip waders on, what more should he have done?

Expediated the paperwork to get More Guard in. Was applied for last Sunday (before Hurricane), signed Thursday. Made sure the Director of DHS and FEMA were up to their tasks. Actually he could have called in Private Airlines to fly out evacuee's before and immediatly after the Hurricane. ( I will go find the link) . Then there is the small matter of redirecting Funds from the Corp of Engineers for New Orleans levee improvement budget to Iraq for the last 4 years, but that is an entire different discussion.

 

[Ntegrity]

Expediated the paperwork to get More Guard in. Was applied for last Sunday (before Hurricane), signed Thursday. Made sure the Director of DHS and FEMA were up to their tasks. Actually he could have called in Private Airlines to fly out evacuee's before and immediatly after the Hurricane. ( I will go find the link) . Then there is the small matter of redirecting Funds from the Corp of Engineers for New Orleans levee improvement budget to Iraq for the last 4 years, but that is an entire different discussion.

I agree on the paperwork for the Nat'l Guard *if* that's the full story. Since when does the president start calling in private airlines to evacuate people? No U.S. President in history has ever done that as far as I know. This isn't the first major hurricane to hit a vulnerable coastal area and it won't be the last. Shall we call in private airlines for every one of them?

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Well, as long as SOME people have food and water lets not trouble ourselves worrying about those who are dying. Odd that you, who are so upset that people are questioning the government's lack of response, are so quick to criticize the media for the same thing. It's the governments DUTY to assist these people, not the media's. How do you know that the media hasn't given assistance when they could? I've heard stories that many of them have.

you know what, like a few other nameless posters, you have specifically picked on me and my posts since I have posted in another particular forum. But whatever.

I think you are completely misunderstanding me, as my original post wasn't even directed to you or necessarily to people at websleuths. It was to people who keep b*tching about the gov't.

I DO care about these people. I happen to personally know people who have lost their homes there and my work has lost one of our offices there as well as our employees losing their homes there, so please pipe down on me a little bit, please.

I have donated money and am in the process of adopting a pet from a person who lost their home in NO due to this disaster.

I am very concerned for the elderly. Very concerned.
I am very concerned for those who may still be in their homes, dying.
I know their are military helicopters flying overhead trying to find peopel on rooftops. It's a mess. What's the best way to solve this?? Does anyone really know?

I have compassion, I am concerned for those left behind and I care about them getting out safely, but I will NOT criticize the rescue efforts.
They are doing their best right now.

 

[BirdieBoo]

I agree on the paperwork for the Nat'l Guard *if* that's the full story. Since when does the president start calling in private airlines to evacuate people? No U.S. President in history has ever done that as far as I know. This isn't the first major hurricane to hit a vulnerable coastal area and it won't be the last. Shall we call in private airlines for every one of them?

I believe that Bush started this policy after 9/11, when he chose to evacuate Saudis first.

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=34405

 

[tybee204]

I agree on the paperwork for the Nat'l Guard *if* that's the full story. Since when does the president start calling in private airlines to evacuate people? No U.S. President in history has ever done that as far as I know. This isn't the first major hurricane to hit a vulnerable coastal area and it won't be the last. Shall we call in private airlines for every one of them?

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner, R-Va., plans to make oversight of the Defense Department, the National Guard and their assistance his top priority when he returns to Washington next week from an overseas trips, spokesman John Ullyot said Friday.

Bush had the legal authority to order the National Guard to the disaster area himself, as he did after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks . But the troops four years ago were deployed for national security protection, and presidents of both parties traditionally defer to governors to deploy their own National Guardsmen and request help from other states when it comes to natural disasters.

In addition to Guard help, the federal government could have activated, but did not, a major air support plan under a pre-existing contract with airlines. The program, called Civilian Reserve Air Fleet, lets the government quickly put private cargo and passenger planes into service.

The CRAF provision has been activated twice, once for the Persian Gulf War and again for the Iraq war.

Edited to add link.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_national_guard

 

[tipper]

I am going to jump in here. I know Kathleen Blanco, she and I are from the same little town in Louisiana. I saw her falling apart "before" the storm happened.It was apparent to me that a "real" situation wasn't in her calling and the diatribe was political CYA. Her office didn't get the military in there fast enough....period. The President didn't take the bull by the horns when things were going down. Too much down time for a devastated area where there should have been action. Nagin was a pawn in this situation.

He said the Super Dome should be used as a last resort and to have enough food and water for 3-5 days before the storm. He knew that this wasn't available and wouldn't be available. But he knew it was the highest ground around. Knowing Louisiana politics the Governor and the Senators are the force and you have to play ball.He also said in an interview for the President and the Governor to get the details worked out. I think they cut him out of the loop and that is why his give a sh.t broke and he saw what was happening and just spoke out, against any future political aspirations in the State of Louisiana that he will ever have.

Actually I think Nagin may ultimately get a boost from this. At least he voiced peoples' frustration and didn't walk around mouthing platitudes like he was on some other planet. I was thinking this morning it's too bad LA will be coping with life and death situations in the immediate future and won't have time to focus on getting together a recall for their governor.

 

[nanandjim]

I was wondering if the mayor was ever going to get mentioned. Perhaps thinking of the Gov can bring about a small diatribe.
Oh, I forgot. They are on the other side of the political spectrum so they are really "okay" people. :doh:

THEY are the ones who get the majority of the blame. Their own state should have paid to get the levees improved, since it's their citizens who choose to live there. THEY are the ones who should have had a plan of action ready on a STATE level instead of waiting around B&Ming and wringing their hands waiting for the federal government. THEY are the ones who should not have trusted a building that was over 30 years old to hold up and have the plumbing keep working. Why didn't THEY bring in porta-potties BEFORE the storm? Why didn't THEY get water and food and medicine and supplies in stock for a WCS? Are there not stores and warehouse clubs in LA to get water and food and diapers etc? THEY dropped the ball. BOTH should be run out of office. THEY should have known what to do and they didn't. Now the good old mayor thinks if he screams enough about the federal government, it will take the heat off him. He must have been taught by Jesse Jackson. :twocents:

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

 

[Ntegrity]

Bush had the legal authority to order the National Guard to the disaster area himself, as he did after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks . But the troops four years ago were deployed for national security protection, and presidents of both parties traditionally defer to governors to deploy their own National Guardsmen and request help from other states when it comes to natural disasters.

I bolded something I'm questioning. Why didn't the governor do this herself? Does anyone know?

In addition to Guard help, the federal government could have activated, but did not, a major air support plan under a pre-existing contract with airlines. The program, called Civilian Reserve Air Fleet, lets the government quickly put private cargo and passenger planes into service.

The CRAF provision has been activated twice, once for the Persian Gulf War and again for the Iraq war.

Edited to add link.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_national_guard

Thanks for the info on CRAF. I've never heard of it before. I still think it's unlikely to be used for hurricane evacuations but I could be wrong. I think I was once ... but I could be mistaken.

 

[KrazyKollector]

I am going to jump in here. I know Kathleen Blanco, she and I are from the same little town in Louisiana. I saw her falling apart "before" the storm happened.It was apparent to me that a "real" situation wasn't in her calling and the diatribe was political CYA. Her office didn't get the military in there fast enough....period. The President didn't take the bull by the horns when things were going down. Too much down time for a devastated area where there should have been action. Nagin was a pawn in this situation.

He said the Super Dome should be used as a last resort and to have enough food and water for 3-5 days before the storm. He knew that this wasn't available and wouldn't be available. But he knew it was the highest ground around. Knowing Louisiana politics the Governor and the Senators are the force and you have to play ball.He also said in an interview for the President and the Governor to get the details worked out. I think they cut him out of the loop and that is why his give a sh.t broke and he saw what was happening and just spoke out, against any future political aspirations in the State of Louisiana that he will ever have.

Thank you for your insight.
In some ways, I almost feel sorry for the Governor. She really was a deer in the headlights. But, I'm not excusing her.
I think the people of NO were let down by all three levels of government, Katrina and the levees.
I feel for them and the people all along the Gulf Coast who no longer have a place to call "home". My fervent hope is that they will be able to recover and go on from here. It won't be an easy journey.

BTW--"Hi" CP! {HUGS}