New Orleans

[Diesel]

i guess we better just start dumping all our money into California now to make sure an earthqauke doesn't happen... :rolleyes

 

[Magneticzero]

P4E...are you trying to say that the US should not have spent money on defending the country...I'm trying to understand your point.

 

[Winged Shadows]

Hmmm.. I don't see what more could have been done to be honest - the citizens were given warning. Those with the resources made it out. Others, for whatever reason, be it poverty or stubborness stayed.

There are what, 75,000 people needing aid? It ain't a "huge" amount...and getting aid across shouldn't be that much of an issue for a country as big as the US. There definitely needs to be more of a military presence on streets, 'cause some people are losing their minds through hysteria.

Looting for survival.. well that's desperation. Stealing peoples plasma screens at a time like this, damn sickening! But people being raped in the Superdome (as well as elsewhere)? WTF!!!

How the can 'onlookers' allow things like that to happen???

There's one picture that summed the atmosphere up for me:

(For those struggling with reading it: "I am sleeping inside, with a big dog, an ugly woman, two shotguns and a claw hammer" "Looters will be shot")

I find it sad the guy had to call his wife/girlfriend ugly in order to keep her from becoming a potential victim...

I'll make a donation, but just like the Tsunami appeal (where millions went 'missing')...I know my money will never reach the people that really need it.
:|

 

[screamingmetal]

It's not about spending money to make sure a hurricane or an earthquake or a flood doesn't happen it's about being prepared incase it does happen.
Scientists and FEMA knew for quite some time that the levees could break in New Orleans flooding the surrounding areas but not much was done about it. There were several measures that were proposed to fix the problem and all they have done was moving earth around to try and prevent flooding. Much more should have been done.
In California people have already spent billions preparing for large earthquakes. Schools have been storing fresh drinking water in huge water tight containers for decades. Food has been set aside incase of an emergency. The buildings have been retrofitted in case of a major earthquake. The public has been informed to keep extra water, food, clothing, shoes, flashlights, batteries, Money, and first aid supplies in their cars for years in case of a catastrophe.
It's quite apparent no preparation incase of a flood or hurricane was done in New Orleans or the surrounding areas by either the residents or the government even when they've known for some time this very well could happen.
That's the huge screw up that happened here. That's why it's worst then it should've been.

And as someone who is proud to be a liberal, I say shoot the rapists, thugs taking shots at rescue helicopters, and the thieving looters stealing 20 pairs of shoes, plasma TVs, and money from businesses dead. There is no excuse for someone taking advantage of a very bad situation.

 

[GilGalad HK]

My brother-in-law is an Electrition, and was sent down to Louisiana along with 50-100 other Union Electritions from the area here. He left here (Ohio) Monday morning. This was even before the hurricane had made it all the way through. I for one think it is PATHETIC that a group of Union Members are prepared enough to organize a group to go down and help out with bringing power back, and getting pumps running etc, and it took until today for the US government to get thier @#%$ together and send help today. (Friday) I for one think this is a major problem. I do not see what the hold up was. Everyone knew the Hurricane was coming and that it was a level 5 and what this would mean. If the Local Union understood this enough to organise, why not the government? I mean come on this is horrible.Needless to say my sister is worried sick. She finally heard from her husband last night and he said it is horrible down their. They can not get to where they need to go to do any good because of snipers etc. They are all wondering where the troops are to escort them and protect them so they can try to make a difference down there. I just don't understand where the hold up is. I understand that the troops that are now there are helping with evacuations and handing food and water out etc, (which I agree is more important) but why in the hell arent there enough reserves/coast guard there to help in all areas? Just doesnt seem like enough is being done to me.

 

[pitchin4eva]

P4E...are you trying to say that the US should not have spent money on defending the country...

How is the millions spent & lifes ruined invading Iraq, defending your county? That money coulda been better spent...........war on terrorism, I thought that's why Afghanistan was invaded. Like screamingmetal said.....if some (just a fraction) of the money spent on Iraq had been spent on the levees a potential 10,00 Americans might be still alive. But that's just my opinion, make love not war

PS. UK has offered to help out but Bush has said no thanks

 

[GilGalad HK]

Update: FEMA has now sent his group to Mississippi to help out there.

 

[Lookin4Precious]

PS. UK has offered to help out but Bush has said no thanks

IS THAT TRUE?!?!?! Because Helmet Head said that NO offer would be refused. That we needed help and ANY country or offer that was made would be taken. Why the F@ck would we not accept the help of our closest allies?

GGHK- EXACTLY! No body is saying Bush is responsible for the Hurricane, but as the leader of the country the responsibility falls on him to be best prepared to meet the threats to its citizens whether they be threats of terror or mother nature. There was susbstantial warning and numerous areas that could have been repaired or better prepared for this awful disaster which would have alleviated some of the devestation. Bush HIMSELF did something that I never though i'd hear by saying he would never have done.. which is... he admitted they had made mistakes! True many of the people truly suffering in New Orleans right now are the poor.... they didn't have the luxury of just leaving town. But the govt should have been ready to step in and immideatley provide food/water/instruction. Those poor people sleeping in and outside of the Convention Center had NOT A SINGLE authority figure there. Nobody telling them what was happening or what was going to happen next! c'mon!

As far as there not being any troops/national gaurd/coast gaurd there.. well.. we know why that is.

And as another proud liberal I will join with Screaming metal (and i assume most everyone else here) in saying hang the looters (as long as we understand the difference between the true looters and those who are simply surviving)

 

[Magneticzero]

Relax P4E...I was just trying to clarify your point.

Also...it took so long to reach people because many roads were washed out or covered with debris.

The bottom line is they knew things could get bad with a direct hit from a hurricane but it has always been human nature not to react until a catastophe happens. Why do you think houses are still currently being built on the San Andreas fault.

By the way being liberal or conservative has nothing to do with what's going on...it's a natural disaster that caught everyone off guard...now we have to do our best to help people.

 

[screamingmetal]

Like screamingmetal said.....if some (just a fraction) of the money spent on Iraq had been spent on the levees a potential 10,00 Americans might be still alive.

I may be someone who is against the Iraq war, but I didn't say the money spent on Iraq should've been spent on the levees specifically. Both the Clinton administration and Bush administration could've done something more about the levees and flood/hurricane preparedness but didn't. It's also up to the local state government to do something about the levees, so it's partially their fault too.

It's a sad turn of events that I hope brings out the best in people, which will be the only way to improve the evacuees situation and make the affected areas habitable again.

 

[pitchin4eva]

sorry should've worded that better, I meant:

Like screamingmetal said and if some (just a fraction) of the money spent on Iraq had been spent on the levees a potential 10,00 Americans might be still alive


Looks like the official line from the white house has changed to " we will not appeal for aid but any help offered will be taken"

 

[Gazmog]

re

Well, with a nationwide popularity rating of 41%, Bush could hardly avoid travelling to that region, unlike his father back in 1992 in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew...and look what staying away did to GWB Snr.

He was so slow to react, but thank God he's pulled his finger out and acted as a President should.

As for the looters and the armed gangs roaming New Orleans, the 'shoot to kill' policy is a right one. How dare they hamper rescue efforts by shooting at helicopters delivering aid! The sooner some Americans realise that it's more constructive to work together in a unified manner, the sooner they'll recover from this devastation.

On this occasion it would seem God wasn't blessing America.