190 replies to this topic

[folsom500]

At last count today there are 50,000 troops from various groups in the hard hit zones and more on the way , including Navy Ships.
Say what you want about why those that stay do so- but most from what I have seen in this area that did, had little or no choice to evacuate. I thought is a bit distastefull to see an editorial cartoon this morning - with mostly blacks filing into the stadium with the comment- some thing like " I bet the season ticket holders all got out in time"

Although most of the looting is terrible ( but not unexpected in a major disaster as this,= there are some that are just trying to survive by getting water and food ...

I just hope that the death tolls do not equal or exceed those suggested by the local press via their sources.

We will leave all other issues behind for now and sort them out later and work to do what we can in thought, prayer and money that each of us can and are willing to do to support the effort to recover , rescue and support those stricken by this situation.


F500

[Steve Heard]

This is not the time to place blame on Bush, Congress or anyone else.  It's a time to help so quit typing about who's to blame and donate or at least pray!

I agree to a certain extent, but isn't the first question we ask, when things go wrong, 'what went wrong?' How did this happen? Can it happen again?

There have been many articles written on New ORleans' failure to get attention and funds necessary to repair the levee system. It is a fact that funds were diverted for the war effort, and those diverted funds pale in comparison to the cost we must now bear for rescuing and rebuilding that city.

Pennywise and pound foolish.

Besides, and you know it's true, if we had a Dem for a president, the Republicans would be allover him about this.

Look, it happened on Bush's watch, and he's gonna take some heat.

[randb]

I agree to a certain extent, but isn't the first question we ask, when things go wrong, 'what went wrong?' How did this happen? Can it happen again?

No the first question I ask is "How can I help", help first, blame later. It's not going to happen again in the next few weeks, so let's drop the politics and work on helping people.

Besides, and you know it's true, if we had a Dem for a president, the Republicans would be allover him about this.

I would not step so low.

Look, it happened on Bush's watch, and he's gonna take some heat.

Agreed, but does the heat need to come while people are dying? These people need to do their job and right now they need our support, we can criticize later.

[jagayman]

I'll pose this question:

A year ago, would you have voted to reappropriate the new bridge funds our city and politicians have acquired to fix the levee system in New Orleans?

Certainly a failed levee could cost thousands of lives whereas a nice new bridge across the American River would not so this decision should be a no brainer, right?

I expect that the levee failed and *now* they are complaining that they didn't have the funds. However, funds existed elsewhere -- some right here in Folsom. They simply didn't provide sufficient reasons to obtain the funds from the government. And certainly, all they had to say was that a terrorist could take out the levee just as easily as a storm and wreck the same damage and that would have gotten some attention.

So, I expect that it is a whole lot easier to lay blame in hindsight. And after they get the funds to shore up their levees, they should come out to California and shore ours up next. Oh, but wait, our levees have needed help long before the war.

As for looters.

If they have a TV set in hand, shoot 'em. Who needs a TV during this time? They don't even have power or TV stations to broadcast from. Also, those same looters could be helping others instead of thinking about themselves.

If you shoot at an aid worker, evacuation helicopter, etc... You are not "scared", "an otherwise good person", etc... You are stupid. I hope the aid workers point out that you are the reason they have to leave and I hope that the remaining, reasonable folks take out their anger on *you* and then the aid workers may come back.

If folks are looting food peacefully, let 'em go and compensate the businesses later.

Jason

[matt]

So, why did all the thousands of people who had the ability to leave days in advance decide to stay behind and try to "ride out" the storm?
They thought it would be a fun adventure?
They wanted to gamble their life to attempt to protect personal property that was likely to be destroyed anyway?

[Chad Vander Veen]

New Orleans was founded in 1718. That means nearly 300 years have passed since then. Not once during those 300 years were levees reinforced to withstand a hurricane like Katrina.

Blaming the current president for something NO president ever did either is on par with the level of intelligence on display in the streets of New Orleans right now.

[cybertrano]

I think they though the levee would be able to withstand the force of the hurricane. Apparently not this time.

So, why did all the thousands of people who had the ability to leave days in advance decide to stay behind and try to "ride out" the storm?
They thought it would be a fun adventure?
They wanted to gamble their life to attempt to protect personal property that was likely to be destroyed anyway?

[Gina99]

Another great nonprofit agency is Noah's wish based in Placerville. They rescue animals during disasters and shelter them/reunite them with their owners or find them a new home. Please check them out at
http://www.noahswish.org/

They are in Louisiana now and posting daily updates

[forumreader]

... the first question I ask is "How can I help", help first, blame later.  It's not going to happen again in the next few weeks, so let's drop the politics and work on helping people.

I absolutely agree. All our efforts and prayers need to be directed to saving and rebuilding lives. There will be plenty of time to later analyze the "could 'a, would 'a, should 'as."

[JMH]

Being a native Houstonian I read the Houston Chronicle on line every day. Several thousand of the evacuees are being taken to the Houston Astrodome for at least the next six weeks. I am sending money to the Catholic Charities in Houston to help feed, clothe, and provide medical care to the many in need. I hope and pray that Houstonians will welcome them with open arms.

As to why people didn't evacuate, who knows? My niece is a senior at Tulane University there. She is extremely bright. My brother in Houston had to threaten to drag her out of NOL. She finally did leave on Saturday. So, why would someone with so much intelligence, act so dumb? Go figure ....

I just think the residents didn't understand what a Category 4 or 5 could and would be capable of.

[CostcoLover]

Having been through many hurricanes, that perception is true. Many people think it's just a little wind and rain, and assume that all they'll have to deal with is a little flooding.

And then there are those that can't leave for numerous reasons.

[matt]

Having been through many hurricanes, that perception is true.  Many people think it's just a little wind and rain, and assume that all they'll have to deal with is a little flooding.

And then there are those that can't leave for numerous reasons.

It would be really interesting to hear from all these people as to what they were thinking when they decided to defy the "mandatory" evacuation.
It was so obvious the hurricane was severe. The only hope was that it might change course and shift east or west a little and not hit at full force, but why risk it?

I know some people couldn't leave for logistical reasons, but if those were the only people who stayed, the problems would have been a fraction what they are now.
I bet 90% of the people who stayed really could have left.

[Steve Heard]

There are hurricanes every year, and nearly every year, people flee to safer areas, only to find that the hurricane wasn't that bad, or that it passed their town by. Some don't take it seriously.

Others stayed because they were too poor, did not have transportation, had no where to go, etc.

As for looters, isn't it a 'shoot on sight' kind of crime when martial law is declared?

As for the the first question one asks, I think it has to be, "how did this happen?", otherwise, it can happen again while you are trying to save people. You and I might ask, 'how can we help?', but the people down there may ask, "how did this happy? why did it happen? why us? is it going to get worse?"

As for the levees, studies were done, including by the Army Corps of Engineers. The city has been begging for the money since 1995. The data was there. The funds weren't.

New Orleans is my hometown. I hate to see any place go through that, when it's your home town, it hurts.

[randb]

"how did this happen?",

Mother nature.

why did it happen?

Talk to god.

why us?

Talk to god

is it going to get worse?"

Yes

Now that your owe so important questions have been answered can we get back to the question that will save lives NOW. What can I do to help.

http://www.fema.gov/...e.fema?id=18473

[CostcoLover]

Mother nature.
Talk to god.
Talk to god
Yes

Now that your owe so important questions have been answered can we get back to the question that will save lives NOW.  What can I do to help. 

http://www.fema.gov/...e.fema?id=18473

It's God with a capital G.