190 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

Please please please don't let the actions of a relatively small number of people,, people, some criminal, some desperate, some both, cloud your image or harden your heart toward the people of New Orleans.

Yes, there is chaos and looting, but there is also human suffering that has nothing to do with a few nuts with guns.

This great American city has been virtually destroyed by the floods, which don't don't distinguish between good and bad, rich and poor, or black and white.

I have family there, some who are lucky enough to know that their homes are damaged but relatively safe, some who are hopeful but don't know for sure, and some who know that their homes are under water.

This is an horrific human tragedy, and it looks to get worse before it gets better.

This great American city, throughout its history, has seen the best and worst of mankind, from slave trading, epic battles, and riots, to magnificent celebrations, music that influenced the world, great sporting events and the spirit of 'laisse le bon temps rouler'

It tears at my heart to see the images of my home town descending into chaos.

Please give what you can to the American Red Cross, in cash. This will allow them to purchase the right goods and services needed, and they can, eventually, buy those goods and services in New Orleans, putting the money into the local economy.

New Orleans will never be the same, but as it always has, it's seeing the best and the worst of mankind.

[jagayman]

Who else saw the interview of the lady at the Astrodome complaining that they didn't get a *warm* meal at the Superdome?

I'm also wondering why if the conditions at the Superdome was sooooo bad, people didn't hoof it out of there to someplace better. They could have been in Baton Rouge in a day.

I feel for the disabled, for the young, for the old. All the safe, healthy adults, however, need to stop their whining and thank God they are not a casualty.

Jason

[DrKoz23]

Please please please don't let the actions of a relatively small number of people,, people, some criminal, some desperate, some both, cloud your image or harden your heart toward the people of New Orleans. 

Yes, there is chaos and looting, but there is also human suffering that has nothing to do with a few nuts with guns.

This great American city has been virtually destroyed by the floods, which don't don't distinguish between good and bad, rich and poor, or black and white.

I have family there, some who are lucky enough to know that their homes are damaged but relatively safe, some who are hopeful but don't know for sure, and some who know that their homes are under water.

This is an horrific human tragedy, and it looks to get worse before it gets better.

This great American city, throughout its history, has seen the best and worst of mankind, from slave trading, epic battles, and riots, to magnificent celebrations, music that influenced the world, great sporting events and the spirit of 'laisse le bon temps rouler'

It tears at my heart to see the images of my home town descending into chaos.

Please give what you can to the American Red Cross, in cash. This will allow them to purchase the right goods and services needed, and they can, eventually, buy those goods and services in New Orleans, putting the money into the local economy.

New Orleans will never be the same, but as it always has, it's seeing the best and the worst of mankind.

I couldn't agree more! This is less than 1 percent of the entire population reacting in a disgusting fashion. Although the reporting would lead us to believe it is quite a bigger percentage... its necessary to remember that it is quite a small number with some of the people stranded just victims of circumstance wanting to get out in any fashion at all.

I visited the city once... while on a family trip back when I was 8 years old. I remember quite a bit from our visit... and it was fun to reminisce with my parents about our trip just the other day. We were there in 1984 and went to the World's Fair... rode the street cars along St Charles... walked up and down the French Quarter... ate at unique restaurants... took a paddle boat ride along the Mississippi on the Natchez... listened to Jazz at Preservation Hall on a hot and humid night (no there wasn't any A/C in the place)... and just took in the great history of the city. It is sad to see what is happening to the area... but I will always remember these memories and the great family vacation... probably one of the best ever!

These are our fellow Americans suffering along the Gulf Coast. We must all get together and show our strength and rally behind these individuals. Give what you can... any amount will help. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are doing great things trying to bring aid to the region.

[LexHillsmom]

I am appalled at the images I am seeing on television. Is this the United States of America? I am disgusted at the anarchy and obvious drawn out suffering of so many elderly and children, yet wonder where the heck is the help? It seems like our government would/should be able to get these people out by now.

And reports of rapes/sexual assault? My God, sounds like the Congo - not the U.S.A for Pete's sake.

[nhardy]

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?

Although some people did stay back to ride out the storm, there were a number of people who didn't have the transportation to leave the area.

[Al Waysrite]

I said it before, I'll say it again (along with steve, drkoz and a few others)
Forget about blame, or bad behavior of a few. Just give what you can or else pray!

[benning]

I agree with all that's been said and I'm still wondering why more hasn't been done on the governmental level. I mean, why don't we have an aircraft carrier in the gulf, and multiple helicopter runs to evacuate these people. Dont' we have lots of boats that can go in real shallow water? Aren't there 'some' roads open?

I know that I'm dumb about this stuff and probably there are reasons why this type of rally isn't possible. But I wish someone would cover the 'why' about the continued suffering and slow, non-action.

[forumreader]

Just give what you can or else pray!

Or, you could do both!

[bishmasterb]

But praying is cheaper!

[matt]

Although some people did stay back to ride out the storm, there were a number of people who didn't have the transportation to leave the area.

Yes, I know. I was specifically addressing the vast majority "that had the ability to leave days in advance" and chose not to.

[nhardy]

The media is a joke. I just watched a clip on foxnews.com where they were saying the "calvary was on the way" and they showed 10 school buses drive towards downtown.

10 school buses? WTF?

[Steve Heard]

Who else saw the interview of the lady at the Astrodome complaining that they didn't get a *warm* meal at the Superdome?

I'm also wondering why if the conditions at the Superdome was sooooo bad, people didn't hoof it out of there to someplace better.  They could have been in Baton Rouge in a day.

I feel for the disabled, for the young, for the old.  All the safe, healthy adults, however, need to stop their whining and thank God they are not a casualty.

Jason

Let them eat cake?

[CostcoLover]

Jason,

People may be caring for elderly parents, children, and other loved ones. Perhaps their cars were wiped out during the storm, or they can't fit everyone in the family vehicle, and they're staying there to protect their loved ones.

Would you simply leave your loved ones behind because you happen to be able bodied?

Many people did heed the warning by going to the Superdome to take shelter. There are really 2 incidents here. One is the storm itself, and NO has been through many storms; the other is the levee gave way - noone in NO has been through that.

Perhaps a number of folks, ie. engineers, those that fully understood the implications of the levee giving way, etc. knew what was coming, but I doubt you can apply that to the general population.

On 9/11/01 it was a similar situation, we had experienced planes crashing into tall buildings before in NY, but no building had ever gone down as a result of a crash. Mainly because skyscrapers were built to withstand crashes from known aircraft at the time of their design.

Sure, building designers, engineers, etc. those in the know, realized that those buildings could come down, but you can look at the images from 9/11 and see that the general population, police, fire, emergency crews, etc. was not aware, as they stood outside looking up at the buildings.

I'm sure that there are some folks that could have left and had the means and time to do so, but felt that it was unfathomable that the levee wouldn't hold.

[randb]

Sacramento's risk of flooding, in short, is the greatest of any major American city, according to SAFCA

http://www.sacbee.co...-14338923c.html