The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Of course those seeking some macabre thrill will be disappointed. Fortunately, some people and agencies still have and exercise common sense.

Like the site that sells nice stuff from murder scenes, etc.? :doh:

 

[Dara]

I can see the point of not allowing it, but I also get why cynder suspects it's part of a CYA/PR effort.

 

[cynder]

Like it or not - these dead people are the real "reality" TV. The truth hurts like hell, and it often isn't pretty either. Without the photos of Vietnam would we have known the "reality" of that war?
I understand respect, but where was the "respect" when these people were drowning in a flooded city, or dying in overcrowded, unsanitary shelters with no food, water or toilets? Is respect then found going without fanfare into an unmarked grave without a name?
If it was MY family member I would welcome the media photos. I would hope that at least the death of my loved one had meaning and would perhaps help save future victims from the same fate. Hiding them from public view makes their death meaningless in the big picture of what went wrong.
The pictures of dead bodies lined up like cord wood, left rotting in the water or abandoned in a gutter are just what people NEED to see, because they are the reality of Hurrican Katrina. We should be sickened and offended. We should be angry.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Like it or not - these dead people are the real "reality" TV. The truth hurts like hell, and it often isn't pretty either. Without the photos of Vietnam would we have known the "reality" of that war?
I understand respect, but where was the "respect" when these people were drowning in a flooded city, or dying in overcrowded, unsanitary shelters with no food, water or toilets? Is respect then found going without fanfare into an unmarked grave without a name?
If it was MY family member I would welcome the media photos. I would hope that at least the death of my loved one had meaning and would perhaps help save future victims from the same fate. Hiding them from public view makes their death meaningless in the big picture of what went wrong.
The pictures of dead bodies lined up like cord wood, left rotting in the water or abandoned in a gutter are just what people NEED to see, because they are the reality of Hurrican Katrina. We should be sickened and offended. We should be angry.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[Ntegrity]

I am sickened and offended -- by the horrific natural disaster named KATRINA. I still wouldn't want my family to be shown like some of those poor souls on ogrish.com. I can assure you that I wouldn't want to be on there with people gawking at me either.

 

[Mabel]

I'm undecided on this issue. On one hand, seeing the bodies shows the tragedy and enormity of the situation. On the other hand, out of consideration for the families of the victims and for the dignity of the victims themselves, I don't think it's a good idea. When I looked at the picture of the woman in green from the other thread, with her tongue hanging out - it's obvious that she was someone who cared a great deal about her appearance. How awful that she will be remembered in such a horrible way. She deserves better than that.

 

[tybee204]

I have no desire to view photos of the victims but I believe from a historic prospective they must be taken. That everything about this disaster needs to be documented and learned from. Sometimes faces have to be put on human tragedy lest we forget.

 

[Dara]

I think of the many similar photographs--of the dead, dying, injured--that have helped bring awareness of issues to us in a visceral way and possibly changed the world. The other day, I mentioned the Pulitzer prize-winning photograph by Kevin Clark of a starving child so close to death she was being stalked by a vulture. It's horrific. He ignited debate, but only for not helping the child, not for taking the photograph. I think we can picture stunning images--a naked running child from a Napalm attack, a Viet Cong execution. I think these images had an impact. But they're someone's loved ones, too.

I'm still conflicted. It's a tough call. Document it to preserve it definitely. Then what?

 

[Ntegrity]

When I looked at the picture of the woman in green from the other thread, with her tongue hanging out - it's obvious that she was someone who cared a great deal about her appearance. How awful that she will be remembered in such a horrible way. She deserves better than that.

Yes, she does. That's the picture that sticks in my mind too.

 

[Details]

Can they blur the faces - I think it's still necessary to see the pictures, to know what happened - but I'd agree that it'd be rotten for the victims families to have that image as their last one of that person. A bit of fog will let the truth be known with minimal hurt. I think it's very important for people to see what happened, to maintain the outrage about what was not done, how so many died, not because of nature, but because of delay and a lack of manpower.

 

[Anniegirl]

I watched Oprah too, and bawled and cheered long the the rest of you.

Oprah going into the Superdome really didn't show he magnitude because the lights were off, but I did sense the angst (not really the right word) when she came in with her mask and said even with it on she wanted to vomit and was standing in blood, urine, putrid water and feces; and the stench of death. The armed national guardsmen escorting her in after she had to state on camera that no one but her was liable if she were to become ill or injured hit it a little more home too. She was escorted in because there were ravenous dogs still in the building and maybe other people.

She did show some of the dead on the street (a sugeon friend of hers was walking around to see if he could provide medical assistance and was showing the bodies and describing the death process). He also toured the airport medical station. He was most appalled that there was so much disregard for life (especially the elderly) and was using whatever he could find to cover the dead. I did find it heartwrenching that those that came to the airport for medical treatment and were too bad off to make it until the next flight out, were directly placed into the makeshift morgue so they could just die in peace and quiet.

I am just not convinced that this man-made disaster, after the natural disater was racially motivated. I am honestly starting to believe that is was an extremely lack of planning combined with indifference to our nation's elderly and poor. I am liking the slogan I have been hearing - most recently on Oprah. I think it is "This is America and these are Americans." I am starting to cringe at the reference of these Americans as refugees. They belong to us.

God Bless them and give them the strength to continue to be survivors.

2luvmy.. HI! I have missed you dearly! How are your girls?

Shopper, i wouldnt leave my pet either, she and they ( i have cats too) would have to go with us, it would be like leaving my child behind .

Olivia- you are doing the same thing I did here, i dont have much, but i gave with what i normally wouldve spent at the tanning /hair salon or eating out this month..i can do without both of those things!!!
I love that Oprah hasnt forgot where she came from- she lived and worked in nAshville , years back, Chris Clark, still doing the news at night gave her ,her first job on channel 5 WTVF as a reporter.

Her dad still has a barber shop in Nashville even-

I plan to watch Oprah again today, its difficult to watch, BUT i feel i have to to understand what these fellow americans are going through so that when i pray from the depth of my soul, it is coming not from what i really dont see or know ,but what ive witnessed by watching and hearing with my own eyes and ears---makes it much more personal.

Off topic, I noticed ABC has slowed down previewing of the upcoming show "Invasion" about aliens or something happening in aftermath of a horrific hurricane.. amen to ABC for that- i think the timing is bad for that show, but it likely will air as sceduled.

*hugs* and love to all,..,. and thank you shopper for your kind words, but many here would disagree...lol i still love them all.

 

[Anniegirl]

2 luv my: I am liking the slogan I have been hearing - most recently on Oprah. I think it is "This is America and these are Americans." I am starting to cringe at the reference of these Americans as refugees. They belong to us.

Amen to that ,sister :blowkiss:

It makes me sick to my stomach that people died waiting to be saved on those roofs and in their attics , for days .
As New Orleans mayor said, " these wouldnt have been allowed to happen in Los angeles, Chicago- etc.the "rich"- ? Do you believe that as well?

I tend to want to lean towards just believeing the problem was so vast, so wide spread ,..and if so many troops werent in Iraq , maybe there wouldve been more military ,national guardsmen and women on hand sooner.
It just sickens me to believe that because the majority of the people left in New Orleans were poor and black was reason they were put last. I dont want to believe such evil exsist.

 

[Ntegrity]

I think it's very important for people to see what happened, to maintain the outrage about what was not done, how so many died, not because of nature, but because of delay and a lack of manpower.

There's no way we'll ever know how many died because of those reasons. As I mentioned previously, many people who were interviewed before the storm were able to leave but chose not to -- for whatever reasons. I wanted to climb through the screen and smack the young woman holding her baby and saying she refused to leave!! It's easy to blame the government for all the death, but I've lived in hurricane alley my entire life and know that many people simply refuse to heed the warnings.

 

[2luvmy]

The pictures of dead bodies lined up like cord wood, left rotting in the water or abandoned in a gutter are just what people NEED to see, because they are the reality of Hurrican Katrina. We should be sickened and offended. We should be angry.

Hi, Annie! Girls are great! Getting so big and independent. It ihas been fun to watch them grow up and sad at the same time.

I think it's very important for people to see what happened, to maintain the outrage about what was not done, how so many died, not because of nature, but because of delay and a lack of manpower.

I agree with the above posts. While it is sickening and disheartening and impersonal to be showing loved ones floating down the street or dead in a lounge chair, I do think they need to be shown. When our people where crying out for help in the superdome they wanted us to see the dead and dying. Why? To get the nation to see what was happening to them, to show our country and the world not only the devesation of property, but the devastation inflicted upon human life. Granted things should be shown on the after school hour...but they should be shown.

While the devastion and flooding of the city/buildings/structures/cars etc. amazes me to no end and tugs at my heartstrings, it is the human tragedy that helps me to understand/feel/realize the spectrum of this disaster. Homes can rebuilt and new material things acquired, and yes precious momentos are lost, but what is forever touched are the people who lived through the horrors of watching loved ones and neighbors die whether it be during the hurricane or the catostrophic aftermath and the fact that there will be/are so many that have left this earth never again to utter I love yous to family and friends and to continue to make their mark on the world.

This is real. Reality makes you wake up when you are smacked in the face with it.

 

[bakerprune64]

I just came back from donating blood at the local BloodSource office. They are shipping blood out daily to the areas surrounding New Orleans. They said they will continue drawing and shipping blood for the next several months to the areas surrounding new orleans and along the gulf coast. Just a thought

 

[Details]

I'm a regular donor (unavailable now, unfortnuately) - if anyone wants to, but is scared, or has some questions or worries, PM me or whatever, I've been through it gallons and gallons of times (going for that 10 gallon club membership before too much longer), and I know all the pitfalls.

 

[bakerprune64]

I'm a regular donor (unavailable now, unfortnuately) - if anyone wants to, but is scared, or has some questions or worries, PM me or whatever, I've been through it gallons and gallons of times (going for that 10 gallon club membership before too much longer), and I know all the pitfalls.

I'll make my one gallon mark in November.

 

[jannuncutt]

I'm watching Oprah now. Julia Roberts called Oprah and asked Oprah to send her somewhere to help. So, I am looking at Julia at a shelter in Birmingham, AL where NO victims were sent. Julia is wonderful. It is heartbreaking. I am crying.

 

[jannuncutt]

Does anyone remember whether or not they showed those types of pictures of September 11th?

 

[Olivia77]

We see images of death from other countries all of the time in the media to illustrate the ravages of hunger, war, violence, natural disaster, etc... Why is that acceptable journalism, but showing Americans is not?