The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

[Anngelique]

Good story Anngelique!

It truly is... see it doesn't matter what color we are, what religion we are, what country we live in, we can all get along with just a little humanity and kindness.

 

[Magnum PI]

If GWB is determined to save the bodies and souls of people in Iraq that don't even want to be saved by us, how does he have a hard time wanting to save our own people?Many of us have said many things on this topic...Condi is buying shoes that would make Elmeda Marcos jealous, he's reluctently cutting his vacation short for a few photo ops...We need innovative answers NOW...exactly who is running this show?

 

[ariel7]

I know. And I really don't want to be snippy. I am kinda so upset and would love a hug. I want to fight this battle and I want these people to be OK but the issues are so real and so in my face. Just peace and resolve.

awww!
(((((hugs))))) for you!!

I SO understand!!!

I find myself wishing more than anything that
I could just hop in my van and GO THERE and HELP somehow,
anyhow....
To see the city...to hear/read the stories...to see the ppl---especially
the children and the elderly...oh and to see the dead...those that
survived the storm only to die in the aftermath--hurts me for them.

I am SO glad that help is starting to arrive. It does NOT surprise me
that it has taken SO long though...the chaos there is astounding...
the magnitude of the disaster SO hard to grasp.
Doesn't seem real in a way.....doesn't seem like America...yet, I
could drive just over half a day and be there --IF I could afford the gas!

with much love,

Ariel:blowlkiss:

 

[Cypros]

Understandably, the pledges flowing in from other nations are accompanied by criticisms:

As it is, criticism of Mr. Bush has been unsparing, especially abroad. European newspaper headlines used words like "anarchy" and "apocalypse" and some ordinary citizens in less fortunate parts of the world spoke with virtual contempt for what they saw as an American failure to live up to its professed ideals.

"I am absolutely disgusted," said Sajeewa Chinthaka, 36, watching a cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka, according to the Reuters news agency. "After the tsunami, our people, even the ones who lost everything, wanted to help the others who were suffering. Not a single tourist caught in the tsunami was mugged. Now with all this happening in the U.S., we can easily see where the civilized part of the world's population is."

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/03/n...&en=701f5b453c07f07a&ei=5094&partner=homepage

 

[aussieblue]

and very well deserved criticism at that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but to get the whole story you need to look at more than the american media.

My heart (and tears) goes out to all those effected

~aussieblue

 

[Cypros]

Oh, I am sure that the international papers are FILLED with criticism. Our ears are burning!!

This article listing pointed questions with straight answers is from a London paper:

The questions a shocked America is asking its President
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article309938.ece

 

[Marthatex]

It is so gratifying to see how happy and relieved some of the refugees are to have arrived at the Astrodome. They were being interviewed last night and said the funniest thing - "this highway rocks" and one older woman yelled something at Bush I couldn't understand LOL. Her eyes were all swollen (I think from waiting out in the sun for days) I was even impressed with Gov. Rick Perry, he was really involved in setting alot of things up at the Astrodome. SBC is putting in an entire phone system so they can call their loved ones.

I was so impressed with the guys and gals that Greta interviewed. Really sweet, polite kids, kind of dazed and sad to have lost their homes but looking forward to being in Texas and receiving help.

Here in central Tx. we are receiving 5000 the last I heard, the property owners are donating apartments, and many of the businesses will be giving freebies, including Starbucks - free water and Coffee, not sure about food.

Churches are going into action, and we are receiving lists of what is needed - baby items and food, kitchen items, clothing, towels, sheets. Many of us are cleaning out our closets at this time. My son is getting involved in a shelter being set up this weekend I believe.

This is going to be an amazing opportunity to bring blacks and whites together, to help them to a certain extent with their dire straits; usually we remain so segregated.

 

[aussieblue]

Well what your saying here is totally different to what your own President said.
He stated in a press conference (in your media) that criticism being made that there isnt enough help getting into N.O because everything is in Iraq is totally INCORRECT.

He stated Iraqs (budget/people/supplies etc etc) is totally seperate to your countries plan for disasters wether it be natural or terrorists etc etc.
He actually held up his hand when he was describing it (so Iraq was 1 hand your country the other hand). Iraq is not interferring with your governments response to Katrina and thats what your Pres said!

I watched his speach on tv and that was my yesterday. I cant remember what station it was of yours. Our cable is showing nearly 24 hour coverage on one channel and it is covering all your networks so its getting very confusing (what channels what).

Believe it or not i didnt post just to sledge America, i posted because i truelly believe (as well as many others) the people YOUR people have been let down by your government.

Oh and please remember that after the Tsunami your government criticised many of those countries for BADLY MANAGED PLANS for NATURAL DISASTERS and also Australia was told by your government that we need to step up and manage the Pacific/Asian region better. Australias popualtion is 20 million!
If you doubt my word on the above i will try and find some links to some articles.

I will also try and find a transcript on that tv interview that your Pres did.
Surely some one alse saw it as well, after all it was your media But I'll try anyway.

~aussieblue

PS Cypros sometimes criticism is good and i think this time it is well deserved as already the buck passing is happening. Your people deserved better than what they have got, my heart goes out to them all.

 

[Dara]

I know. And I really don't want to be snippy. I am kinda so upset and would love a hug. I want to fight this battle and I want these people to be OK but the issues are so real and so in my face. Just peace and resolve.

I can only send a cyberhug, but cp, you've been one of the people who have helped me stay sane over this. Thank you for being here.

 

[Dara]

Believe it or not i didnt post just to sledge America, i posted because i truelly believe (as well as many others) the people YOUR people have been let down by your government.

I didn't think you were trying to slam us and I feel let down, and have for a long time. I appreciate your info and look forward to any links you have. I've been reading some foreign media to see what they're saying. I like to hear from a lot of sources.

As Cypros said, the criticism is understandable. I appreciate the media, US and foreign, shining a light on this bungled mess, for without the press, I think the cover-up would be a lot more successful than the "rescue" effort.

 

[Cypros]

Well what your saying here is totally different to what your own President said.
He stated in a press conference (in your media) that criticism being made that there isnt enough help getting into N.O because everything is in Iraq is totally INCORRECT.

....

PS Cypros sometimes criticism is good and i think this time it is well deserved as already the buck passing is happening. Your people deserved better than what they have got, my heart goes out to them all.

Aussie, Was that first part of your message to me? All I can say is that I TOTALLY agree with you. I think you have misunderstood me. I am right in there criticizing the Bush Administration (nothing new for me), the US government, etc, along with everybody else. I am not one of those Americans who views her country through rose colored glasses. I am against the Iraq War and against the US efforts to control the world. I am hoping that one of the positive results of this outrageous tragedy is that Americans will FINALLY wake up and view themselves in a new light. We are a good people and a nation with a great history but we no better than any other great people and nations. We have been sheltered from the realities of the world (and NATURE) for a long time and need a complete overhaul in the way we view ourselves and the rest of the world. The criticism from others at this tragic time is difficult to take but, IMO, mostly deserved. If Bush doesn't get impeached over this AND is handling of Iraq I will be very disappointed.

This thread is probably going to end up in the Political Forum where there are already any threads related to the hurricane and our inept government.

 

[Linda7NJ]

I didn't think you were trying to slam us and I feel let down, and have for a long time. I appreciate your info and look forward to any links you have. I've been reading some foreign media to see what they're saying. I like to hear from a lot of sources.

As Cypros said, the criticism is understandable. I appreciate the media, US and foreign, shining a light on this bungled mess, for without the press, I think the cover-up would be a lot more successful than the "rescue" effort.

BBC News pretty much sums it up for me:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4210674.stm

 

[Magnum PI]

I keep hearing you with your wishful thinking. He "appeared to be walking a walk" today, but so far I am not impressed. "New Orleans will rise up again", and nearby older folks are dying. People couldn't get out to go to the Astrodome. The hospitals were critical. But he kept having these photo-ops and hugging the same people over and over again.

No, I've got his number. An awful lot would have to happen before I'd ever be convinced of his walking any walk.

I just saw on the news huge areas burning in NO. Why didn't I see firefighting planes making runs, one after another? If houses and buildings or even forests were burning somewhere else, would we see the planes? I know, "this was unexpected" (quote GWB) like the levee breaking...mpi

 

[Beyond Belief]

This is September. The height of hurricane season. Theres so much discussion on whose at fault. As a family living in an area which experienced Frances and Jeanne last year, I hope each individual along with their communities are preparing themselves. The hurricane threat doesn't end with Katrina.

 

[aussieblue]

My apologies cypros i did read it wrong then.

BTW i cant find a link to that tv interview your Pres did about saying being in Iraq isnt causing any probs with getting what your people need in NO.

Im still looking though. His comments during that interview really shocked me, he seemed so distant from the suffering of his own people.

Our media is running 24/7 on this and its getting so confusing on what station and when. I really should stop watching im starting to feel very sick and ive cried so much.

My heart goes out to these people.

~aussieblue

 

[Cypros]

Hi Aussie,

Don't worry about it.

I can't help you with finding that video clip with Bush's ludicrous statement that the fact that having all of our soldiers and resources wrapped up in Iraq isn't affecting the rescue efforts. There are SO MANY clips posted on all of the web sources that it is difficult to find anything from just a few days ago. It is possible that the administration is preventing some from being posted out of embarassment. ???

 

[Pepper]

I remember studying this in school many decades ago. Here's what I remember.

If left alone, the Mississippi River would change it's course continually as silt is deposited along the mouth of the river, changing the mouth back and fourth over many miles of real estate.

A very long time ago it was decided to dredge out the mouth to allow for deep water ports upstream. The Army Corp of Engineers was instrumental in dredging out the river so that cargo ships could travel inland via the Mississippi. By interfering with Mother Nature, we upset the natural flow which contributed to the problem of the city being below sea level and needing the levies on both the river and the lake on the north side.

The ACE and local government has known about the vulnerability of New Orleans for DECADES. Congress has failed to appropriate adequate funding to shore up the levy system. Local government in the N.O. area has failed to impress upon Congress the severity of the situation.

The ACE and local officials had to know exactly where the water would flow in case of breaches in the levies, and exactly how high that water would be.

Those people living in those low-lying areas should have been made aware that flooding would be up to their roof tops, and they were in extreme danger of drowning. I just don't believe those people were made aware of the extreme danger they were in. Busses should have been provided for the evacuation of these people who had no cars or means to leave the city. It wasn't done, and as a result many people died.

There is plenty of blame to go around.

 

[less0305]

And haven't we heard that N.O. has been actually sinking for years??

 

[mjak]

These acts of generosity from around the world make me proud to be a citizen of Earth.
May we always recongnize that citizenship and never ever alow the humanity and caring which fuels our species to diminish. Thank you world.

mjak

 

[kgeaux]

I *think* she said something like "You listen to me, Mr. Bush. You will never get my vote. You didn't get it last time and you won't get it next time."

She was one angry lady and not afraid to say it, either! But for Mr. Bush, there won't be a next time, he's already in his second term.