Wondering about Drince88 [Archive]

Scrooge McSam

08-28-2005, 07:51 PM

Even in the midst of worry, it's nice to have something to laugh at.

From MSNBC's The Big Uneasy: French Quarter eerily deserted (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9107488/)

Roommates Michael Seward, 45, and Jesse Rowe, 28, went out Sunday to buy a battery-powered radio. They don’t have a car to get out of town, but they feel perfectly safe in their second-story apartment.

“The house we live in was built for Napoleon’s nephew,” Seward said. “It’s been here a while.”

Seward pointed out that the Quarter was on some of the highest land in the city, “on the upper lip of the bowl.”

Rowe said “hysterical” family and friends were calling to beg them to flee to Mississippi. Seward, who fled from Mississippi, quipped: “That’s a fate worse than death.”

I hear you, Michael and Jesse. I hear you.

Prudence

08-28-2005, 10:56 PM

Or, from an AP article: (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apus_story.asp?category=1110&slug=Hurricane%20Katrina)

His wife, wearing a Bourbon Street T-shirt with a lewd message, interjected: "I just don't want to die in this shirt."

wendybeth

08-28-2005, 11:10 PM

I'm glad Drince headed for safer grounds. After so many hurricanes over the past few years I didn't pay too much to this one initially, but news reports are sounding pretty damned ominous. Not good, not good at all.

Not Afraid

08-29-2005, 12:09 AM

I'm really glad to know Drince left NOLA behind for the storm. I'm been pretty out of touch with it all day - as I sweltered in black at Disneyland - but the updates I've found look pretty devistating. It should be hitting landfall any time now. (Not that all the early storm stuff is a piece of cake!)

Drince88

08-29-2005, 06:48 PM

Hey everyone!
Yes, I'm here in Dallas, TX - a very fun trip! It took about 12 hours - but the first 100 miles or so were the toughest/longest. My cat was actually pretty good about it, though!

Right now, I have no clue if I'm homeless. I'm not even sure how I'm going to be able to find that out without going there. At this point, I'm in this hotel until AT LEAST Saturday morning - depending on what the news reports are, I'll make a call then. One of the reasons I evacuated to Dallas was because my company has an office here, so I'm going to go into there tomorrow and try to get some work done. BUT I'm safe, my cat is safe, and I have flood insurance.

If any of you are seeing some of the coverage - the Hyatt is very near the SuperDome, and my office literally looked out on the Dome. I haven't seen pictures of our office building, but if my window blew out - there's a bunch of papers on Poydras with my handwriting on them --- when I left the office Friday afternoon, we were barely in the cone of uncertainty (Friday morning we were outside of it). If we'd thought at that point we were going to be leaving, I would have at least cleared off my desk into the file cabinet. Oh, the Hyatt is the hotel they're showing that has 3 or 4 concave archs to it, and one entire arch has all the windows blown out.

The other pictures I saw that are actually quite irritating to see, is of I-10 near the cemeteries. The interstate goes under the railroad tracks, and they just last year finished installing a LARGE new pump station - and supposedly it has no generator backup. Though I did hear that on the radio, so maybe the generators are underwater. But if they don't have generators, that was VERY poor planning.

Sorry for the long post - some times you just have to let stuff out. Thanks for having me on your list Scrooge McSam -- and thanks to everyone else for the thoughts/etc.

SacTown Chronic

08-29-2005, 07:03 PM

One of the reasons I evacuated to Dallas was because my company has an office here, so I'm going to go into there tomorrow and try to get some work done.

Holy crap....you're incredible. :snap:

Scrooge McSam

08-30-2005, 06:25 AM

Thanks for having me on your list Scrooge McSam -- and thanks to everyone else for the thoughts/etc.

Well, of course! I HAVE to look out for my NOLA folks. Y'all are neighbors!

It looks very bad, Drince. I'm 200 miles from shore and we got clobbered. I can only imagine how bad NOLA took it... especially since our cable and power has been off since yesterday afternoon and will most likely be off for days. I'm messaging from the Corps of Engineers emergency ops center and trying to soak up all the news I can. It was the "not knowing" last night that was so terrible. Word we're getting this morning is that the Gulfport/Biloxi area was "totally devastated". Hwy 90 is GONE. I-10 is closed.

I'm glad you got out when you did. Don't try to get back just yet. They won't let you back into the area.

Ghoulish Delight

08-30-2005, 08:33 AM

Looking at images and reading descriptions...it's overwhelming. They say 80% of the city is under some significant amount of water. Both airports are flooded. I don't even want to think about the mounting death toll. And to think it could have been so much worse. :(

Ghoulish Delight

08-30-2005, 09:55 AM

:eek:

Before:
http://www.mahuffer.com/New_Folder-1/new-orleans9.gif
After:
http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0830/4913672.jpg

cirquelover

08-30-2005, 10:04 AM

I'm so glad you are ok!! Yesterday I started taking mental inventory of the people I know in the area and you popped up in my head. I'm so glad you and your cat are ok and safely out of the way. Stay where it is safe until they tell you it's ok to return home.

Take care of yourself and your kitty!

Motorboat Cruiser

08-30-2005, 11:07 AM

Glad to hear you are both safe, Drince88 and Scrooge (I didn't realize you were so close, Sam)

It has been so heartbreaking to watch the coverage and see all of the devistation. It really makes me sad to see how many lives have been affected by this.

Not Afraid

08-30-2005, 11:28 AM

Glad to hear you are both safe, Drince88 and Scrooge (I didn't realize you were so close, Sam)

Being from California, I forget that other states are closer to each other than I traditionally think of them. If a hurricane hit So Cal, Arizona and Nevada would probably not be effectd. But, in the south, it is a different story.

wendybeth

08-30-2005, 05:55 PM

Gosh, this whole hurricane thing must really be serious- Bush (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,167699,00.html) just cut his vacation short!:rolleyes:

(Sorry- but I was reading about how things are going from bad to worse in New Orleans, and watched the video of the poor man who's wife was swept away from him in the floodwaters, and that news just sort of rubbed me the wrong way).

Drince, I am astounded at the level of destruction, and I am hoping that all is well for you and your loved ones.

SacTown Chronic

08-30-2005, 06:29 PM

It was the "not knowing" last night that was so terrible. Word we're getting this morning is that the Gulfport/Biloxi area was "totally devastated". Hwy 90 is GONE. I-10 is closed.
I'm reading but not really comprehending. I cannot wrap my mind around it. :(

We're anxious to hear from you again, Sam.

Not Afraid

08-30-2005, 06:34 PM

The reports I was hearing while driving this afternoon were that entire neighborhoods of HUGE mansions were reduced to nothing more than a pad of concrete. I know some of those houses were quite old. I remember being enthralled with them when I drove thru there years and years ago.

It is beyond the worst earthquake damage I've experienced in California.

Scrooge McSam

08-31-2005, 06:45 AM

I'm reading but not really comprehending. I cannot wrap my mind around it. :(

We're anxious to hear from you again, Sam.

Ask and ye shall receive ;)

Clean up continues here, but very slowly. Most all of our local resources have been directed to the coast. Scattered spots of town are just now beginning to get power back. I'm waiting to hear from the Corps now if I'll need to go to work today. Late yesterday, the emergency ops teams we were supporting were dispatched further south. The past 2 days we've been working off a generator which provides only enough power for lights and a few scattered computers. If any of you have lived through a hurricane, you know the skies are generally clear right after and it gets dreadfully hot which is what we've seen. But people are pulling together, checking on their neighbors and getting the older folks some relief from the heat. There's not a generator for sale within miles of here. We heard last night that WalMart had dispatched trucks with generators to the general area.

I was able to get some television news last night for the first time. They were talking about a total mandatory evacuation from the NO metro area. As chilling as that sounds, I think it's for the best. Health conditions in the NO area are only going to get worse. I still haven't been able to get word from my friend who was hospitalized at Tulane, but I did hear they were evacuating patients to facilities outside of the damaged areas. Hopefully, I'll hear something today. I still don't have any word on how levee repairs are going. Those of you with uninterruped television coverage probably know more about that than I do.

If you haven't already, please consider sending a contribution to the Red Cross. They're in the thick of things down there and need our support. If not money, give blood.

I'll post again when I can.

SacTown Chronic

08-31-2005, 06:54 AM

Thanks for the update, Sam.

Red Cross (http://redcross.org)

Scrooge McSam

08-31-2005, 07:21 AM

I'm trying out for Anderson Cooper's job next week. Or maybe they'll let me co-host ;)

Ghoulish Delight

08-31-2005, 07:53 AM

From what I've heard, levee repairs haven't started. They are still attempting to figure out the full extent of levee damage. What they have done is dropped a couple 3000 pound sand bags via helicopter to mitigate the worst of the levee damage.

Ghoulish Delight

08-31-2005, 08:24 AM

I'm reading but not really comprehending. I cannot wrap my mind around it. :(
Go to MSNBC.com, click on the slideshow at the right side of the page, look at the second image and you'll see what's left (or not left) of the 90. It's unfathomable.

Gulfport Mississippi: This appears to be a large 3 story building in the middle of a 4 lane road.

http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0830/4915992.jpg

scaeagles

08-31-2005, 08:36 AM

I just heard on the news that the sand bag plan is not working. Apparently, they dumped lots of them there already, but the bags are just disappearing. The theory is that it isn't just the levee, but that the tremendous flow of water coming through has eroded a gigantic hole under where the levee used to be. They are not going to be able to plug it until there is someway to assess how much erosion there has been.

I think what we are looking at is a modern day "Grapes of Wrath". It will be several months - if not a year or more - until New Orleans is inhabitable again.

The plan now, as I understand it, is to build a temporary dam inside the lake that broke through the levee. This will stop the flow of water so they can pump out the flooding. Then the levee will have to be repaired. This process alone will take a couple months. After being submerged for a couple months, there will not be one structure that is salvagable. This means massive rebuilding, again taking months.

This time period means that the people that lived there will have to go somewhere else. How can you put your life on hold for a year? Kids need to go to school. Families need income. Families need shelter.

So they will migrate in all directions and settle elsewhere. I see no other alternative for those that lived in NO, and perhaps the same will apply to other communities.

Mind boggling and sobering. I watched the same news story that Wendybeth mentioned and it is amazing.

Prudence

08-31-2005, 09:00 AM

The whole thing is unfathomable.

Right now I'm "unfathoming" this:

What the hell is wrong with people? Every time there's any sort of issue the looting begins. And people act like it's totally normal. Or even expected. Apparently they're all entitled to free jewelry, teevees, guns, etc... If they're looting, I'm assuming they have somewhere to take all this bounty. Surely they're not taking it back to their cot at the Superdome? So they still have homes? If they have homes, then that "we're just the less fortunate taking our share of society" argument doesn't hold much water, (har), does it? So, instead of helping neighbors who may have lost everything, they're looting the Walmart?

It's not that I'm surprised that there is looting -- there are always pathetic opportunists. I'm surprised at the extent. The neighborhood block party atmosphere. The knowledge that eventually these people will go to church on Sunday and think nothing of their shopping spree. Instead of praying for the forgiveness of their sins, they'll be thanking God for the windfall of loot. And they'll actually believe that God granted them that opportunity as a reward for being such swell individuals.

And this is why I hate people.

Ghoulish Delight

08-31-2005, 09:02 AM

Ugh, this is making me horribly depressed that I never got to visit NOLA as it was. It's gone forever now. :(

This kind of thing hasn't happened in a long long time, a city disappearing due to disaster. Seattle and Chicago were devestated by fire and rebuilt from the ground up. Life returns eventually, but it's a slow and difficult process. And so hard to absorb that it's a city like New Orleans that's been around for so long.

Scrooge McSam

08-31-2005, 09:15 AM

Gulfport Mississippi: This appears to be a large 3 story building in the middle of a 4 lane road.

It's a law here that gambling establishments must be free floating. The casinos you hear about are built on large barges. All the supporting parking, lobby, meeting and hotel space is built landside, but all the gambling occurs on these barges, 4 or 5 stories tall. That building is a PIECE of one of those casinos. You'll see other pictures where the entire casino barge has been pushed to the other side of Hwy 90.

lizziebith

08-31-2005, 09:16 AM

Bee and I were just lamenting skipping over visiting NO on our X-country trip this past February. We were just going to fly back out there "later." We actually got out our trip maps to see where we'd made that decision after seeing the I-10 pictures...

Man. We took the 10 across the country and didn't stop in the Big Easy. Feeling dumb now.

But, tourism concerns aside, I cannot fathom this loss. It's weird... a major city is pretty much gone. It's like 9/11 again, but we can't blame some political/cultural group.

And I had to tell my son what "looting" meant. Another piece of his innocence gone. Still, when these things happen, civilization does go out the window. I can't blame the poor souls who just see opportunity and go for it...I don't think they are thinking right. I sure wouldn't be...

Cadaverous Pallor

08-31-2005, 11:23 AM

Wow. This makes the '94 Northridge Quake look like a joke.

As was mentioned above, it's been a long time since a natural disaster has leveled an entire large American city. The San Francisco Earthquake and Fire was the last, and that was in 1906. I know I have been under the basic assumption that there was no way an entire metropolitan city could be destroyed these days, especially one as old as NO! I am sad that I never got to visit.

Looting sucks. I know there are plenty of people going for TVs, but I heard an interview with a woman who was sobbing as she stole food for her family. There were others hunting for bottled water.

I'm just as shocked as everyone else about all this...

Ghoulish Delight

08-31-2005, 11:50 AM

The real scary part is the report that police got into a WalMart and found the gun section wiped out. There are already reports of armed groups walking through the streets.

Cadaverous Pallor

08-31-2005, 01:52 PM

Bush will speak at 5pm Eastern time today (that's in 10 minutes or so)

Cadaverous Pallor

08-31-2005, 02:41 PM

Check out this (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2000/wnoflood.htm) article written 5 years ago.

Eliza Hodgkins 1812

08-31-2005, 04:00 PM

I lived in New Orleans for two months. I almost moved there a couple of years ago, but decided instead to come home to Los Angeles. I love the city so much, and this is so, so heartbreaking. So many people’s lives lost or irrevocably changed. So much stunning architecture and history, erased. Even for those not left homeless, their livelihoods are likely gone.

I feel grateful to have been a part of the city for a brief time. And that I’ve had the opportunity to visit there since. I often dream about the city, and have always thought about moving back, because there's just something so magical about it (in addition to it also being very often crime-ridden and filthy). I cannot imagine, my residence being so brief, how people who have lived there for many years, or their whole lives, must be feeling. Or even how my good friend, Alli, must feel. Two years ago she moved there, met her husband there, had her first child there, and fortunately moved away to Baton Rouge a few months before this disaster.

A sacked sculpture, a sacked building, these things happen from time to time. Poltical unrest. Terrorist attacks. Protests. But, goodness, a natural disaster sacks an entire city and so much is lost. Not even thinking about the economical ramifications, New Orleans is a treasure for so many reasons. There’s something different about that city’s energy, something so uniquely its own. The idea that it could really all be lost? You can rebuild a city, of course, but….so much of that almost unearthly quality about the place will very likely be gone forever. I hope not, but man. Man!

It must be so weird to have lived in a place that has been waiting for something like to happen. The city has been almost waiting to become the next Atlantis for years. But even confronted with this possibility, it always just seemed unlikely. Like, how bad could it really be?

Bad, apparently.

Motorboat Cruiser

08-31-2005, 05:34 PM

I just spoke with a friend who has a lot of family in central Mississippi. They have been told that they will have no power or water for at least 1-3 months. The effects of this storm cover a huge area.

I also never got to visit NO and I am horribly saddened by this fact. It was always on my must see list for the wonderful food and jazz, and just for the wonderful history. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that I will never see the French Quarter the way it was.

I'm not sure any of us can really comprehend the long term implications that this destruction will have. It's just horrific.

wendybeth

08-31-2005, 06:28 PM

It's only been two days and already it's getting out of control in New Orleans. It's frightening how fast our civilized society breaks down in such a situation. How incredibly frustrating and very frightening this is for all involved. I've read a few reports on the world response, such as it is, and it's largely predictable. The Islamic wingnuts have made Katrina an official member of the Jihad, and are rejoicing per usual. Citizens from Switzerland have been extremely kind, and are asking where they can donate to help the relief. There are other countries doing the same, which makes me feel a bit more kindly disposed towrd them, but some of the comments coming out of places like Holland are unnecessary and innappropriate. ("We know how to build these things- what's wrong with those Americans?") Still, it's nice to know that some countries see this for the tragedy it is, and instead of laying blame or gloating, are offering a helping hand.

SacTown Chronic

08-31-2005, 07:18 PM

The Islamic wingnuts have made Katrina an official member of the Jihad, and are rejoicing per usual.

Silly jihadists. Everyone knows that Pat Robertson, with an assist from He Who Can Kick Allah's Ass, controls the natural disasters in this country.

Motorboat Cruiser

08-31-2005, 07:31 PM

The Islamic wingnuts have made Katrina an official member of the Jihad, and are rejoicing per usual.

Speaking of wingnuts...

Link (http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/08/083105nola.htm)

(New Orleans, Louisiana) An evangelical Christian group that regularly demonstrates at LGBT events is blaming gays for hurricane Katrina.

Repent America says that God "destroyed" New Orleans because of Southern Decadence, the gay festival that was to have taken place in the city over the Labor Day weekend.

"Southern Decadence" has a history of filling the French Quarters section of the city with drunken homosexuals engaging in sex acts in the public streets and bars" Repent America director Michael Marcavage said in a statement Wednesday.

"Although the loss of lives is deeply saddening, this act of God destroyed a wicked city." Marcavage said. "From ‘Girls Gone Wild’ to ‘Southern Decadence’, New Orleans was a city that had its doors wide open to the public celebration of sin. May it never be the same."

Cadaverous Pallor

08-31-2005, 07:34 PM

Silly jihadists. Everyone knows that Pat Robertson, with an assist from He Who Can Kick Allah's Ass, controls the natural disasters in this country.Apparently the gods were angered by all the celebratin'...

Not Afraid

08-31-2005, 10:25 PM

(New Orleans, Louisiana) An evangelical Christian group that regularly demonstrates at LGBT events is blaming gays for hurricane Katrina.

Repent America says that God "destroyed" New Orleans because of Southern Decadence, the gay festival that was to have taken place in the city over the Labor Day weekend.

"Southern Decadence" has a history of filling the French Quarters section of the city with drunken homosexuals engaging in sex acts in the public streets and bars" Repent America director Michael Marcavage said in a statement Wednesday.

Yeah, because the Catholics celebrating Mardi Gras are so boring and staid.

Kevy Baby

08-31-2005, 10:41 PM

It's frightening how fast our civilized society breaks down in such a situation.While initially I was really pissed off about the looting going on, I realized that this is only a small part of our society. While I am saddened by the loss of life, property and basic neccessities of life that so many people are having to deal with, I am also reminded of what a great country we live in. The outpouring of help from all around this country in the form of money, food, supplies, anything has been just tremendous. When we face a crisis, we are able to rally and support our fellow man.

Sure there are opportunists who are taking advantage of the situation (we received a junk fax today made to look like a "Notice to all Employees - in regards to Hurricane Katrina" - it was a solicitation to sell discounted trips to the Bahamas!), overall, we as a people are stepping up and doing everything that we can as individuals and groups.

Don't let the small stuff get you down. Let people deal with their own Karma. Focus on the positive things people are doing and do what you can to help the people in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi who need it!

Mousey Girl

09-01-2005, 07:22 AM

Prudence

09-01-2005, 08:30 AM

One of the new reports I saw yesterday (or the day before) showed 2 policewomen pushing a shopping cart through Walmart. They were taking shoes off the shelf. For some reason it struck me as odd. Had this footage been shown at a different time you would think they were shopping on their breaks.

There was one article (that I can't find now in the 50 gazillion hurricane stories) that noted that Walmart did have a standing arrangement with police, medical, and other public health and safety personnel that they were permitted to take whatever they wanted/needed to help survivors and to just make a list and settle accounts later.

I suspect shoes are a big need. If you're trapped in rising water you'd take 'em off lest they slow you down. But once you're on land again, the hazards underfoot are pretty extreme.

Areas of Mississippi were also hard hit, but New Orleans stands out. It's such an iconic city. Or at least it was. It's the city we emulate every year in the leadup to lent. Bourbon, beads, and beignets. Vodoo and religion. How many movies and novels drew upon the big E for plot development -- or even as a full-fleged character? I just watched "Live and Let Die" the other weekend. Heck, even Disney World has the Port Orleans complex themed for that area (albeit in sanitized form.) It was a place like nowhere else with a history like nowhere else, terrifying and intriguing and charming all at the same time.

And the levees that protected it through the years likely sealed it's final fate.

I wonder if they will ever rebuild? And if so, will they try to capture the spirit of the original or will it become just another city?

Ghoulish Delight

09-01-2005, 08:31 AM

While initially I was really pissed off about the looting going on, I realized that this is only a small part of our society.Unfortunately, it doesn't take a particularly large percentage to cause chaos. Witness the continuing evacuation efforts at the Superdome. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/

The evacuation of the Superdome was disrupted Thursday after at least one shot was reported fired at a military helicopter and arson fires broke out outside the arena. No injuries were immediately reported.
An air ambulance service official said helicopter transfers of the sick and injured were suspended.

Medics were calling him and crying for help because they were so scared of people with guns at the Superdome, he added.

Having seen the new War of the Worlds, the description and images from this are eerily reminscent of the scene where they have the car taken away from them. It's on the verge of complete chaos.

And in many ways you can't blame people, it's out of complete, and justified, desparation. The city's infrastructure is so devestated that the sad fact is, they can't get everyone what they need: namely food, water, medical care, and a way out. Yeah it's great that there are so many people trying to help, but for a while at least, that help is not going to be able to reach a lot of people and it's going to be ugly.

Eliza Hodgkins 1812

09-01-2005, 09:40 AM

It was a place like nowhere else with a history like nowhere else, terrifying and intriguing and charming all at the same time.

So silly, but I really do have a strong desire to vist DL now, and just hang out in the Square. So, so sad. I really cannot imagine what will happen to all these people who not only lost their homes, but lost loved ones, their places of business, etc. Jesus.

scaeagles

09-01-2005, 10:03 AM

In the face of the looting and shootings, crime and choas, I often wonder what extreme circumstances would cause me to do.

I am certain I wouldn't be heading into Best Buy and taking laptop computers, or into a jewelry store to grab some diamonds. But would I steal water to get my child a clean drink of water or something to eat? Absolutely. I have never known true desperation, and desperate circumstances cause people to do desperate things.

What am I capable of? What would I be willing to do to survive? I hope I never have to answer those questions.

Ghoulish Delight

09-01-2005, 10:12 AM

This seems like a silly thing to be paying attention to, but it illustrates just how unmanageable the situation is. I was reading about Brett Farvre's family in Mississippi. His mother's house was destroyed, but his home survived. There are about 50 people using it as shelter, including his wife and children. They have no food, no water, no electricity, and they have absolutely no way to get any of it. This is the family of a man who makes several million dollars for putting his shoes on in the morning. And they are just as trapped and desparate as everyone else. Throwing money and resources into the area is only going to help so much for a while. All the caring in the world can't change the reality that much of the city and the people left are inaccessible and that there just aren't enough resources to cover all of that ground quickly enough. It's so hearbreaking.

Motorboat Cruiser

09-01-2005, 02:51 PM

Apparently Fats Domino (http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/01/katrina.fatsdomino.ap/index.html) is missing. He and his family decided to stay.

Mousey Girl

09-01-2005, 03:20 PM

The Today show interviewed a couple yesterday morning. They were getting out of a shelter in NO. They said that people are getting desperate and things are going to get really ugly really soon. They said that they had already witnessed fights over food and water. They said that they are the lucky ones, they have somewhere to go.

Not Afraid

09-01-2005, 04:15 PM

I was listening to NPR's on-going coverage of the Katrina aftermath (http://www.kcrw.com/cgi-bin/db/kcrw.pl?show_code=tp&air_date=9/1/05&tmplt_type=show)today and they were interviewing the Director (http://www.cee.lsu.edu/facultyStaff/heerden/index.htm) of the Center for the Study of Public Health Impacts of Hurricanes (http://www.publichealth.hurricane.lsu.edu/) at Louisiana State University . He has HUGE concerns about several nasty effects on the health of those residing in the hurricane areas.

The entire show was informative, and very grim. The chance for spread of disease alone - through mosquitos, rabbid rodents, decaying bodies, sewage-polluted water - gives me the creepy crawlies. I have a feeling we will lose many more people as a result of this disaster.

Hurricane Katrina's eight-hour pounding of the gulf coast was horrific, but the wreckage she left in her wake is even worse. There are countless dead bodies still strewn on the streets of New Orleans, and authorities are nowhere near assessing an accurate death count. Thousands of homeless residents sit and wait for help, with scant supplies of food and water; thousands of others are evacuating, some with no destination in mind. There is reportedly little police or National Guard presence in the city, and civil unrest, looting and carjacking are not yet under control, although though 30,000 troops, FEMA food and water air drops, and convoys of ships and trucks are arriving or on their way.

Scrooge McSam

09-01-2005, 04:56 PM

The military's coming in.

New Orleans newspaper Times Picayune reports on Joint Task Force Katrina (http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_09.html#075934)

lizziebith

09-01-2005, 05:09 PM

Just the facts, m'am... (http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/007432.php)

And some good commentary (http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/) ...

Holy crud. I feel reaaaaly grateful right now.

Ghoulish Delight

09-01-2005, 05:16 PM

Just the facts, m'am... (http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/007432.php)

I have serious doubts about those "facts". Right off the bat, he says "3000 rescued", failing to note the minimum 50,000 people accounted for between the Superdome and the convention center.

lizziebith

09-01-2005, 05:30 PM

I think that he wrote that pretty early into this...the entire article is a quote. Even if not entirely up-to-date it gives one pause...

Not Afraid

09-01-2005, 06:38 PM

Apparently Fats Domino (http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/01/katrina.fatsdomino.ap/index.html) is missing. He and his family decided to stay.

He's been located. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/eo/20050902/en_music_eo/17283)

There's a quote from NOLA Native Harry Connick Jr. in the article that just made my soul bleed.

"New Orleans is my essence, my soul, my muse, and I can only dream that one day she will recapture her glory. I will do everything within my power to make that happen and to help in any way I can to ease the suffering of my city, my people!"

There are few cities that inspire that kind of love and reverie.

Motorboat Cruiser

09-01-2005, 11:07 PM

Thanks for the update, Lisa! :)

tracilicious

09-02-2005, 12:20 AM

I'm wondering what is happening to the babies and toddlers that are without food and water. It's not very likely that many formula feeding moms that didn't evacuate had very much formula stocked up. Babies go through a lot of that stuff. Even the moms that are fortunate enough to be breastfeeding in a time when formula isn't available won't be able to make milk after a few days of dehydration. Are the babies just going to starve? I know there were moms having babies on overpasses and such. Tiny babies can't survive for more than a few days without some kind of hydration or sustenance.

I can't imagine having small children and not evacuating. I suppose that many of them didn't have the resources to evacuate. My heart goes out to the moms and dads and babies that are suffering. I simply can't fathom not being able to feed my babies.

Drince88

09-02-2005, 05:33 AM

Finally made it back here for a little while (here to the Lounge - most of my surfing time has been spent on news sites, trying to find out if my house flooded).

If any of you have a chance to watch CNN, they've been playing sound bites from the Mayor of New Orleans - that man is severely (and rightly) peeved. I'm not sure if they STILL have got the levee breach fixed. Ok, I just found this -7:01 A.M. - Jeff Parish Emergency Operations Center Director Walter Maestri: 17th Street Canal Levee breach is now under control...not fixed...but under control. (This is Central time on Friday morning)

And the 'going to a place with an office for my company' is for my own personal sanity, not for some 'altruistic' type reasons - I evacuated from Ivan (unnecessarily in retrospect) to a small town between Jackson, MS and Memphis, TN (Grenada) and it was tough being someplace like that, where I only had dial up, and wanted to do some work to take my mind off of questions in my mind (before the hurricane hit). For that one, we had a little more warning, too. I was in the office for 8 hours on Tues and Wed, and between the 2 days, got 2 hours of work done - so it's more for the structured support and ability to communicate than anything else (and to not feel 'stuck' in a hotel room).

They are letting people into my Parish to check on stuff starting on Monday, but don't want anybody coming back for good for about a month (I live in Metaire, in Jefferson Parish - the New Orleans airport is in Kenner in Jefferson Parish - Metairie is between Kenner and Orleans Parish). I saw one FEMA map that showed my house may have flooded, but I really don't know (but unless there was damage from a tree, it shouldn't have been deep enough to sweep it off the foundation). I did find a NOAA-related site that has some photos - but couldn't quite bring myself to look at them quite yet to see. I'm NOT going back on Monday - I need to hear that there aren't problems with car jacking and looting of people going back before I'll do that. I am going to have either my Dad or a Brother-in-Law come to Dallas to drive with me there to check on things.

There were some houses along the Mississippi coast that had survived MANY a hurricane that were leveled by this one. Including the house of one of the Senators (I'm thinking Trent Lott, if he's from MS). Fortunately, they're able to start their recovery efforts (I'm sure they don't fell fortunate, though!) That's what toughest for me to deal with right now - I can't even start an insurance claim because I DON'T KNOW if I have damage, or if I do, is it from the wind (and therefore covered by homeowners) or rising water (and therefore covered by my flood insurance, which is a different policy).

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers for everyone in the region - And no matter what Hastert may say - New Orleans (and the whole region) WILL rebuild! As soon as it's up and running, you all make sure and visit and support the economy!

Mousey Girl

09-02-2005, 06:28 AM

I am glad to hear you aren't heading back just yet. The last thing I heard last night was that car jacking is running rampant, mostly from desperate people trying to get out. My local news talked to a couple from Bakersfield, who were turned away at the only reamining bridge out saying that they couldn't leave yet and would have to wait until they were called. I am just glad that you are safe, and that you are planning to remain that way until the coast is clear (no pun intended).

wendybeth

09-02-2005, 07:46 AM

Well, the director of FEMA really stepped in it: Blame the victims (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/01/katrina.fema.brown/index.html) .

I suppose he's not aware of the shut-down of public transport and massive gridlock going out of the city in the hours prior to the storm. Many of the people stranded were tourists, elderly, poor, sick, etc. I'm sure a fair amount were people who could have left but chose not to, but to blame them for the current situation is beyond asinine.

Gemini Cricket

09-02-2005, 08:28 AM

Hang in there, Drince 88. :)
I suppose he's not aware of the shut-down of public transport and massive gridlock going out of the city in the hours prior to the storm. Many of the people stranded were tourists, elderly, poor, sick, etc. I'm sure a fair amount were people who could have left but chose not to, but to blame them for the current situation is beyond asinine.
I agree. He got a lot of heated reactions for the inaction FEMA took initially. He's trying to pass on the blame to someone else. Nice. :(
Here's the quote that pissed me off last night:
It makes no sense to spend billions of dollars to rebuild a city that's 7 feet under sea level, House Speaker Dennis Hastert said of federal assistance for hurricane-devastated New Orleans.
"It looks like a lot of that place could be bulldozed," the Illinois Republican said in an interview Wednesday with the Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, Ill.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002466132_kathast02.html
Uh, isn't Hastert 3rd in line to run this country should something happen to Bush and President Cheney? This isn't how a leader should be speaking as people are stranded and dying in New Orleans.
He retracted the statement today, but his hopeless attitude towards the rebuilding process is staggering.

It's almost as staggering as Bush's yet again uncaring attitude after a crisis.

scaeagles

09-02-2005, 08:53 AM

There is much criticism that should begin going around. Bush deserves some, no doubt. However, after 9/11 Bush was accused of exploiting the tragedy for political gain because he was out at the wreckage hugging the workers and families and doing some digging himself. Criticism of that type serves no purpose. That being said, should Bush have been a bit more inspiring in his interviews and speeches? Most certainly. He has finally started to a bit today.

Hastert deserves criticism for his statement. Feuls hopelessness and is completely irresponsible.

The Governor of Louisiana should be criticized because martial law has yet to be declared. This is exactly what martial law is for. I'm sorry, but those thugs in NO who are shooting at rescue helicopters should be shot. I make no apologies for that statement. Under martial law, they could be.

I was going to criticize the government - and Bush specifically - for not opening up the numerous military bases in the south to house the refuges. However, I just heard that they will be doing this.

EVERY governor of Louisiana deserves criticism, as it has been talked about for 50 years how a huge hurricane could break the levees and cause exactly what has happened. How can a better plan not be in place?

The cover up regarding the use of the Superdome is sickening. How can you house 10000 people (or whatever) in that place with no electricity and not let them out? Rapes, suicides, and unsanitry conditions that I simply cannot comprehend. Whomever is responsible for that should be fired or resign their elected position at very least.

Some government official - I think it was the head of homeland security - said the government did not foresee the massive criminal activities that are taking place. Did not foresee them? If you cannot foresee that, you are stupid and should resign.

This is just off the top of my head. I'm sure as time goes on I'll think of more.

Cadaverous Pallor

09-02-2005, 09:19 AM

Drince, looks like you're doing a good job keeping your head. Hope you find a best case scenario when it's ok for you to go see your house.

All of this is too overwhelming for me to comment on.

Mousey Girl

09-02-2005, 09:39 AM

This (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/) just sickened me. If you can handle click on the video link. They keep promoting their 1 hr concert special on NBC, but the people suffering don't need a freakin' concert, they need help!

Motorboat Cruiser

09-02-2005, 09:40 AM

I have plenty to say about this situation but it just doesn't seem like the time. I started on another board, then backed away. There will be plenty of time in the future to talk about failures, poor planning, lack of resources, all that stuff. The fact of the matter is, there are people suffering and dying right now. Lots of them. We all need to do what we can to help.

scaeagles

09-02-2005, 09:46 AM

I agree, MBC. There is going to be political hell, some deserved, some manufactured, and it is going to get ugly. It has already started in some stuff that I have read.

lizziebith

09-02-2005, 10:15 AM

I think I feel as many Americans do right now: angry, frustrated and ashamed that we are failing so terribly. Other than that, words are just failing me.

Not Afraid

09-02-2005, 10:19 AM

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers for everyone in the region - And no matter what Hastert may say - New Orleans (and the whole region) WILL rebuild! As soon as it's up and running, you all make sure and visit and support the economy!

I'm glad you at least have a place for you and your cat to call home.

I will gladly visit NOLA again. We honeymooned there in '87 and have been back to visit. Each time I find the city to be such an incredible joy. No city is a vibrant and full of life as NOLA.

While I'm grateful my beloved French Quarter and Garden District were mostly spared, I feel for the rest of the city. Each day I read accounts that just sicken and sadden me. It is ironic that the rebel spirit that makes NOLA so great is what is contributing to it's continuing downfall. It is beyond sad.

Ghoulish Delight

09-02-2005, 10:19 AM

Ugh, my sister just relayed to me a scary interview by Ted Koppel last night.

He had the head of FEMA on, Michael Brown. This guy actually said that he didn't know there were people in the convention center until today (Thursday). Koppel said "with all due respect, don't you watch TV?" We've been reporting that for days. The citizens were told to go to the convention center, just like the Superdome, and told there would be food and water there. There was nothing for them. The FEMA guy said he didn't know "factually" that there were people at the convention center. He needed people on the ground to tell him "factually." How is the press more on top of that kind of crucial info?

It's becoming harder and harder to hold back laying blame.

Motorboat Cruiser

09-02-2005, 10:35 AM

It's becoming harder and harder to hold back laying blame.

With each passing hour, it gets harder and harder. This is becoming a major clusterf*ck.

Ghoulish Delight

09-02-2005, 10:36 AM

Finally some good news:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/

A military convoy with relief supplies has arrived at the Convention Center.

Gn2Dlnd

09-02-2005, 11:21 AM

Cadaverous Pallor

09-02-2005, 11:28 AM

This (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/) just sickened me.
Finally some good news:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/

A military convoy with relief supplies has arrived at the Convention Center.Funny that these are the same links.

Yes, definitely good news, but read the whole article and the whole situation is absolutely horrifying.

I'll bet you anything that no matter what, they bulldoze the Superdome afterwards...after the atrocious happenings there, no one will ever want to look at it again.

lizziebith

09-02-2005, 11:43 AM

Ghoulish Delight

09-02-2005, 11:45 AM

Funny that these are the same links.
MSNBC has a habit of just growing the same article as new info comes in instead of starting a new story.

scaeagles

09-02-2005, 11:48 AM

Why is it that any criticism of the half-assed response to the flooding is labeled "political?" Why is it that any criticism of an elected official who spends his time "getting on with his life" by eating cake with a political pal, posing for pictures with his new gee-tar, and looking down on the utter devastation of a jewel of American culture and the destroyed homes and lives of hundreds of thousands from the comfort of the most luxurious airplane in the world labeled "political?"

I am so angry.

If you are referring to my post, I clearly said that much of the criticism is warranted. I just find it funny that Bush keeping his distance - when criticized for not keeping his distance in the 9/11 disaster - is ridiculous.

Would you be critical if he didn't view the damage? (See! He doesn't care enough to even look at it!) Would you be critical if he took a huge security entourage to the area so he could view it up close (all the money he spent to come view it just to look good could have gone to the relief efforts! He's just getting in the way so he can look good!)

Criticize the progress thus far. Criticize the stupid statements of Hastert and the FEMA guy and the homeland security guy. Be critical of a lack of a plan when it has literally been discussed for 50 years that a big hurricane could do this the NO. But the "uncaring" comments, to me, are ridiculous.

Scrooge McSam

09-02-2005, 11:49 AM

I finally heard from my friend who had surgery.

They evacuated him from Tulane early yesterday morning under military escort (Evacuations from Charity hospital had no such escort). The soldier accompanying his boat told him he was being evacuated to OHIO, of all places. My friend told him if he could just get to Jackson MS he'd be able to get family to pick him up. Soldier said he was under orders, but if my friend was to slip away on his own there was nothing he would do to stop him.

He did. Soldier turned his back, my friend bolted, mind you with a fresh incision in his side and a drain tube and IV ports in his arms. He walked from Tulane hospital to his home in the bywater to check on his house (he's been desperate to find out about his home). His house was OK, as it turned out, high and dry, so he cleaned out his fridge so it wouldn't start stinking and started making plans to get out of the city on his own. A friend of his from the neighborhood, Toussant, lent him a jeep.

So here goes my friend, cut open and sporting IV ports in his arms, driving out of town in Toussant's jeep. He made it to Brookhaven before he could get a signal on his cell, at which point he called his mom here in town to come help him out.

The convoy leaves here yesterday containing my friend's mom, his sister and her boyfriend. They pick him up in Brookhaven and almost make it home, but had to stop about 5 miles out of town with a flat. My friend and his mom are standing behind the car while sister and her boyfriend change the flat when around the corner comes some stupid fool going way to fast. He plows into the back of their car, sending sister and her boyfriend tumbling off the shoulder and into the brush, while my friend and his mom watch helplessly.

Long story short (if that's possible at this point) sister and boyfriend spent the night in the emergency room. No major problems, just a bruised collarbone and a lot of scrapes and cuts. My friend is in Port Gibson today getting care from a local doctor.

Now then...

If my friend, cut with needles hanging out of his arm, can get out of town on his own, why can't FEMA get a ham sandwich to the convention center?

lizziebith

09-02-2005, 12:00 PM

Now then...

If my friend, cut with needles hanging out of his arm, can get out of town on his own, why can't FEMA get a ham sandwich to the convention center?

Damn straight. This is crazy. Bush looking out over the disaster and saying it's got to be "double the devastation on the ground" just doesn't make me feel good.

I live in earthquake country. Do my fellow Americans think I deserve what could come? Will there be help when it does? I'm loading water into my truck, and shoes and a spare jacket. Because I don't think I'll be getting any help when OUR disaster hits... and it will.

Geez. Is this my country, to which I've happily paid my tax dollars because I believed it the whole mythology-thing, in spite of being educated to the contrary? Aren't we supposed to be better at all this?

SacTown Chronic

09-02-2005, 12:03 PM

If my friend, cut with needles hanging out of his arm, can get out of town on his own, why can't FEMA get a ham sandwich to the convention center?
The Bush doctrine of cronyism?

Prudence

09-02-2005, 12:09 PM

Now then...

If my friend, cut with needles hanging out of his arm, can get out of town on his own, why can't FEMA get a ham sandwich to the convention center?

That might just be the question of the year. And so very well stated, too. I'd give snaps, but the whole topic is so distressing.

I understand that the level of destruction perhaps caught people off guard. I understand that there's some confusion over FEMA's shifting role. I understand that the current situation would be easier to manage if more people had evacuated.

But in the name of all that is holy, why is seemingly no one in charge? Why are local forces struggling to get by while federal agencies stalled for days? Any idiot knows how vital communication is in a disaster. So why are officials oblivious and victims kept as in the dark as it is possible to be? Why did the situation have to get this bad before help arrived?

And most terrifying -- what does this mean for my community? It's no San Fran, but it's still earthquake country up here. If that big quake they say is overdue comes knocking, will there be any evidence that public officials have learned their lesson? Hell, we can't even have an international conference up here without descending into anarchy downtown.

It's a 3 day weekend. Over this weekend, I strongly suggest that each and every one of you lucky enough to have a roof over your head and 3 squares a day take a look at your own situation. If a natural or other disaster hit your area, would you be prepared? Do you have food, medicine, and bottled water on hand? What about at work? In your car? Do you have a plan for reaching family members? If you have to evacuate your home, do you know what you would take with you? Is it easily accessible? Do you make sure you have half-a-tank of gas in the car at all times, just in case? Do you have an emergency, battery-powered radio? Do you know where it is? Have you considered your pets and their needs?

I'm no saint -- When I sold my old car I didn't transfer my emergency kit to the new car and I frequently wait until 1/4 tank to fill up. But I'll be checking my stocks again this weekend.

(In the meantime -- I'd love to see the head of FEMA's personal preparedness plans. I'm not sure glass houses offer much protection in times of disaster.)

Gn2Dlnd

09-02-2005, 01:09 PM

If you are referring to my post, I clearly said that much of the criticism is warranted. I just find it funny that Bush keeping his distance - when criticized for not keeping his distance in the 9/11 disaster - is ridiculous.

Would you be critical if he didn't view the damage? (See! He doesn't care enough to even look at it!) Would you be critical if he took a huge security entourage to the area so he could view it up close (all the money he spent to come view it just to look good could have gone to the relief efforts! He's just getting in the way so he can look good!)

Criticize the progress thus far. Criticize the stupid statements of Hastert and the FEMA guy and the homeland security guy. Be critical of a lack of a plan when it has literally been discussed for 50 years that a big hurricane could do this the NO. But the "uncaring" comments, to me, are ridiculous.

No, but thanks for making my point. You seem to think I'm looking for an opportunity to criticize, you create scenarios and responses I might have, and, because you ignored my original question (why is criticism political?), you seem to imply that, in fact, I am making a mindless political criticism of the situation. Again, thanks.

I've heard, and read, many people other than you, including the President and his spokesmen, decry simple criticism as politicizing.

At what point did I say anyone was "uncaring?"

It was clear 3 days ago that officials with bullhorns should have been out communicating with the victims. At the same time, the President should have landed his ass in Louisiana in a helicopter. The mayor of New Orleans has been left hanging out to dry. We should be getting hourly updates from whatever is left of FEMA on the progress in New Orleans.

Leadership has failed from the top down. Communication has failed from the top down.

I AM SO ANGRY.

scaeagles

09-02-2005, 01:20 PM

Gn2Dlnd, I completely missed your point and I think we have some miscommunication coming in.

My post, originally about criticism, etc, was in direct response to a post from Gemini Cricket, where he said this -

"It's almost as staggering as Bush's yet again uncaring attitude after a crisis."

With all the genuine things there are to be critical about, I thought that was political in its origins. The other criticisms, many of which I have brought up as well, are completely within the realm of intelligent debate and not political whatsoever.

I read this and tought it was well done - plenty of blame to go around everywhere -

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050901/D8CBNMA88.html

Again, my apologies, Gn2Dlnd. I misunderstood where you were coming from. Just as you have read many, many things about how some are saying that all criticism is simply political (which I disagree with), I have read (and I am sure you have as well) many inflamatory things with baseless criticism designed solely for political gain.

Gn2Dlnd

09-02-2005, 01:23 PM

I apologize for not first acknowledging Drince, I'm glad you and your people are okay. Scrooge, what a horrifying experience for your friend, I hope he gets whatever treatment he needs and quickly.

Cadaverous Pallor

09-02-2005, 01:25 PM

Have you guys been hearing what the Mayor of NO is saying? He's cursing in interviews. They have to bleep him out. He is majorly pissed.

I don't think any resources were held back, or that no one cares. What I do feel is that nothing was put into readiness. Nothing was prepared. No one wanted to face what kind of scale this could end up at, and when it did happen, all the resources were still scattered. No one could say that NO hasn't had a target on it's back for 50 years. The lack of preparedness on all counts is incredible.

And unforgivable.

All this makes me wonder where the resources are.....where the food/blankets/other essentials are stored around city centers.....if anywhere at all.

scaeagles

09-02-2005, 01:29 PM

I have heard him. I think what happened is he started coming under a bunch of criticism for his own inaction and is trying to deflect it.

I agree, though, CP. I think everyone is trying now, but it is too late. The cliche "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is a complete understatement in this case.

lizziebith

09-02-2005, 01:31 PM

Have you guys been hearing what the Mayor of NO is saying? He's cursing in interviews. They have to bleep him out. He is majorly pissed.

Oh I have totally heard and said Hallelujah!

He said "goddamn" on teevee. Bless his heart. I agree with everything he said including the expletives...

SacTown Chronic

09-02-2005, 01:59 PM

Bush speech (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050902/dcf054.html?.v=7)

Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house -- he's lost his entire house -- there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch. (Laughter.)

It's almost as staggering as Bush's yet again uncaring attitude after a crisis.

You've nailed it yet again, GC.

Would you be critical if he didn't view the damage?

Nope.

The guy asked us to conserve fuel this Labor Day weekend and he's flying around for photo-ops.

scaeagles

09-02-2005, 02:11 PM

Nope.

The guy asked us to conserve fuel this Labor Day weekend and he's flying around for photo-ops.

OK - I believe you. But I'll assure you that no matter what he did, the criticism would be erupting. If he didn't view it, or go to the scene, it would be viewed as evidence he doesn't care.

SacTown Chronic

09-02-2005, 02:22 PM

Yeah, it's a no-win situation for him.

Gemini Cricket

09-02-2005, 02:37 PM

Here's a transcript from CNN's coverage of Bush's visit to Biloxi:
(He's talking to 3 survivors. One man and two ladies.)

Bush to women: "There's a Salvation Army center that I want to, that I'll tell you where it is, and they'll get you some help. I'm sorry.... They'll help you.....

Woman 1: "I came here looking for clothes..."

Bush: "They'll get you some clothes, at the Salvation Army center..."

Woman 1: "We don't have anything..."

Bush: "I understand.... Do you know where the center is, that I'm talking to you about?"

Guy with shades: "There's no center there, sir, it's a truck."

Bush: "There's trucks?"

Guy: "There's a school, a school about two miles away....."

Bush: "But isn't there a Salvation center down there?"

Guy: "No that's wiped out...."

Bush: "A temporary center? "

Guy: "No sir they've got a truck there, for food."

Bush: "That's what I'm saying, for food and water."

(Bush turns to the sister who's been saying how she needs clothes.)

Bush to sister: "You need food and water."

---------------------------

I think I would feel worse after talking to him...
:(

Prudence

09-02-2005, 03:48 PM

New story:

As if it wasn't bad enough already, a bus loaded with refugeees overturned, (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apus_story.asp?category=1110&slug=Katrina%20Evacuee%20Wreck%20HK1) killing one and seriously injuring several others.

€uroMeinke

09-02-2005, 04:59 PM

I'm overwhellmed as all of you are at the situation. If anything it point to just how fragile modern civilized living really is. Everything I see and read seems like it should be coming out of a third world country, but instead it's coming from New Orleans, a place I've enjoyed several times. How could things deteriorate so quickly? How long will it take to restore? and what will the "new" New Orleans become - I am just dumbfounded by these questions.

But I think Prudence really hit it on what we oursleves should be doing, taking a look at our own situations and seeing what we would do to survive a disaster in our towns. Most disaster planners recommend that you have supplies enough to last 72 hours on your own, as it could take at least that long for someone to respond - clearly after Katrina, we'll have to up that expectation.

I used to make fun of the fact that when we bought our house we had to sign an aknowledgment that we were in a Tsunami inundation zone; however, today as I exited the freeway and crossed over the typically dry Los Angeles River bed, I cast a glance at the recently upgraded floodwalls and wondered if they were high enough, or strong enough to protect our home from a freak-tsunami-caused flood.

So perhaps it's time to check out the camping gear, the propane stove, and make sure they're in a higher elevation of the garage. Contemplate how would I keep our 5 cats safe (gotta get another carrier), wattered, and fed. Think about what I would need to take, and what could be left behind.

You see this stuff and think it shouldn't happen to us, as advanced as we are, yet nature always finds a way, and always triumphs. God, I hope things are finally turning around for those who live in the gulf coast but I know it will be a long time till anything is close to normal again.

Scrooge McSam

09-02-2005, 06:19 PM

Bravo!

Drones to help rescuers (http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/09/02/katrina.drone.reut/index.html)

Unmanned remote-controlled airplanes used in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars may be deployed to find people trapped in New Orleans' buildings by Hurricane Katrina's flood waters, a U.S. congressman said Friday.

Five Silver Fox "unmanned aerial vehicles," or UAVs, equipped with thermal imaging technology to detect the body heat of storm survivors, are en route to the crippled city, Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Curt Weldon said.
Weldon told reporters in Baton Rouge that he had bypassed government bureaucracy to obtain the drones from a private company to be used in search and rescue operations in New Orleans, scene of one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

"With thermal imaging capability ... you can actually see into the buildings and see the body image of a person still alive," Weldon, vice chairman of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, said.

"It could help assess whether there are people trapped alive in attics or upper floors," Weldon said. "Once you've got them pinpointed you can send rescue teams in."

A new purpose for war machinery

I'm OK with that ;)

mousepod

09-02-2005, 06:24 PM

am I the only one who just saw Kanye West go completely off script on the NBC Hurricane Relief concert? wow. cool.

Scrooge McSam

09-02-2005, 06:30 PM

NBC? That's television, right?

I remember television

*Scrooge bangs his head on the wall*

Cablelynx, Please fix my cable and internet

[/whining]

Gemini Cricket

09-02-2005, 07:37 PM

I read on americablog.com today that Condaleeza Rice was at 'Spamalot' on Wednesday night.

http://www.broadway.com/site_images/517287.jpg
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Photo_Op.aspx?ci=517286

I guess she feels one should 'get your funny on' while hundreds are stranded and dying...
:(

Scrooge McSam

09-02-2005, 07:56 PM

The Red Cross was never in New Orleans. They weren't allowed in. (http://www.redcross.org/faq/0,1096,0_682_4524,00.html#4524)

Homeland Security (FEMA, if my guess is correct) thinks their presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

Drince88

09-02-2005, 08:43 PM

Dang, lost a long post.

To summarize:
Scrooge, I'm glad your friend's ok - that has to have been scary (all of it).
I DO hope the 'doze the 'dome, but I doubt if they do (not sure I want to look at it when I get back to the office, but also not sure I want to look at a leveled site, either.

Emergency prep for animals - put proof of vaccinations with your house insurance papers (I almost had to get Jaxie re-vaccinated to be able to board him when I go check on my place) - also don't forget their food, containers for feeding, and litter arrangements.

Have a back up plan to calling people on their cell phones to make sure 'everyone' is ok - the cell phones with New Orleans numbers are ok outside the city to make calls, but I can't receive calls because incoming calls are routed through New Orleans (why they don't reroute them, I'm not sure...)

If you live where ash fallout from a volcano may be an issue, include surgical masks for the people and nylons to use as a pre-filter on the car air filter.

Oh, and if you want to listen to Mayor Nagin's 'no more press conferences' interview, this link http://kiro.liquidviewer.net/kiro-od/sullivan4sept2.asf, supposedly has it (and KIRO is a Seattle news outlet!)

lindyhop

09-02-2005, 08:46 PM

This has all been so overwhelming.

A week ago I was just getting around to thinking about the conference I was going to attend in New Orleans starting 9/12. I got out the book I bought after my last visit in 2000 so I could remind myself about some of the places I wanted to revisit and others I'd missed the first time.

Tuesday morning I knew that wasn't going to happen. And I've gone from feeling whiny because I'm going to miss the trip to horrified at the destruction. NO is such a special place but it's also old and fragile and I don't know if it will recover from this. Or how much of the spirit of the city will survive.

Can you even imagine what it must be like to be trapped there? I can't even think about it.

There's been no leadership anywhere in this country to handle this situation. Cutting short your vacation to show you're concerned is not leadership, George. You should have been out there yelling at your people to get things done from the first day. You've built up a lovely buracracy there with the Department of Homeland Paranoia but all they know how to do is choose a threat-level color scheme.

Okay, I'm done. I've been sick for more than a week and every time the cold medicine wears off there's more bad news to absorb. I'm a little cranky.

Prudence

09-02-2005, 08:57 PM

I guess she feels one should 'get your funny on' while hundreds are stranded and dying...
:(

You know, I actually wouldn't begrudge someone a night of entertainment -- even if I disagreed with their politics. Sometimes those are great opportunities to solict donations. And sometimes when I'm in problem-solving mode I go do something totally unrelated and let my brain start to free-associate.

However, I readily conceed that in this particular instance, a sense of balance is lacking. If the recovery and refugee efforts were well under way, demonstrating both hard and effective work on the part of various officials...hey, after so many hours of work my brain stops functioning well unless I rest it. But the recovery efforts are crap, so everyone involved should go to bed without dessert.

Meanwhile, someone please send that photo to the fugly website.

SacTown Chronic

09-02-2005, 09:25 PM

I am an antichrist
I am an anarchist
Don't know what I want
But I know how to get it
I wanna destroy the passerby

Is the Vice President of the United States still on vacation?

Motorboat Cruiser

09-02-2005, 09:34 PM

Yes, along with Andrew Card.

wendybeth

09-02-2005, 09:35 PM

I am an antichrist
I am an anarchist
Don't know what I want
But I know how to get it
I wanna destroy the passerby

Is the Vice President of the United States still on vacation?

He's in a bunker under the White House, hooked up to an EKG machine.

Drince and Sam, so glad you are both okay, and also glad Sam's friends are okay as well.

I am so astounded at this travesty, and on so many levels. The lack of preparedness, the lack of response, the lack of leadership, and the lack of accountability. We'll get our coast back in shape, but it will be us, regular Americans, who do so. It's not the Federal Government who goes galloping to the world's rescue- it's us. They get the credit, but we pay for it in blood, sweat and dollars. The politicians can all go to hell, as far as I'm concerned. New Orleans will be rebuilt, and I fully intend to play tourist there when it is. Until then, I'll contribute whatever I can toward that end.

Motorboat Cruiser

09-02-2005, 09:49 PM

Maybe this guy (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/honore.profile/index.html) can get something done. Could there possibly be a leader here finally. He doesn't look like someone to be messed with.

CNN) -- New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin calls Lt. Gen. Russel Honore a "John Wayne dude" who can "get some stuff done."

"He came off the doggone chopper, and he started cussing and people started moving," Nagin said in an interview Thursday night with a local radio station.

The three-star general directed the deployment of an estimated 1,000 National Guard troops from a New Orleans street corner Friday, making it clear that it was a humanitarian relief operation. Getting food and water to the people at the city's convention center was a difficult process, Honore said.

"If you ever have 20,000 people come to supper, you know what I'm talking about. If it's easy, it would have been done already."

Not Afraid

09-02-2005, 10:28 PM

I am an antichrist
I am an anarchist
Don't know what I want
But I know how to get it
I wanna destroy the passerby

Is the Vice President of the United States still on vacation?

Who is the Vice President again?

Ghoulish Delight

09-02-2005, 11:01 PM

You know, I actually wouldn't begrudge someone a night of entertainment -- even if I disagreed with their politics. Sometimes those are great opportunities to solict donations. And sometimes when I'm in problem-solving mode I go do something totally unrelated and let my brain start to free-associate.If it weren't a national disaster, if there weren't a failure at every single level from the top down, if the President of the United States weren't admitting that it was a failure (do you realize how BAD things have to be BUSH to say there was a mistake?? Even if he still hasn't taken any personal responsibility), if people are dying and their bodies rotting in a location they were told to go for shelter food and water, you don't go see a freaking play.

€uroMeinke

09-02-2005, 11:13 PM

Prudence

09-02-2005, 11:23 PM

If it weren't a national disaster, if there weren't a failure at every single level from the top down, if the President of the United States weren't admitting that it was a failure (do you realize how BAD things have to be BUSH to say there was a mistake?? Even if he still hasn't taken any personal responsibility), if people are dying and their bodies rotting in a location they were told to go for shelter food and water, you don't go see a freaking play.

Sorry -- I'm dead tired and I'm not expressing myself well. I meant it more in a hypothetical sense -- I could see a hypothetical situation where it would be appropriate -- or at least not glaringly inappropriate -- for someone in her position to go to a Broadway musical. Something along the lines of one of the NBC relief concerts -- "After 5 full days of personally filling sandbags, the Secretary of Bed Linens hosted a special $50,000 seat fundraising performance of the Tony award-wining musical Spamalot."

In this specific situation, I think we're agreed that those in power positions should lay off the public funtimes.

Ghoulish Delight

09-03-2005, 10:19 AM

Sorry -- I'm dead tired and I'm not expressing myself well.Hmm, seems I was even more dead tires as I managed to completely overlook or not comprehend the second half of your post. Umm, yeah, what you said. :blush:

Drince88

09-03-2005, 11:16 AM

Maybe this guy (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/honore.profile/index.html) can get something done. Could there possibly be a leader here finally. He doesn't look like someone to be messed with.
They showed him walking around New Orleans - ordering the National Guardsmen to point their weapons down, to not look like they were walking in a war zone - AND he ordered the NOPD to do the same. One guy kind of looked at him, and decided that order was a good idea and complied with it. He did look like a 'kick butt and take names later' kind of guy.

Oh, and I found this on the WWLTV.com Katrina blog. THIS is the kind of fundraiser that's appropriate to do for New Orleans! :cheers:

11:55 A.M. - NEW YORK (AP): The Big Apple will raise its glasses to the Big Easy -- not for toasts, but to collect money for more than 80,000 hospitality workers from the hurricane-ravaged city.
In addition to New York, bars around the country also have promised to mix cocktails to help the Louisiana bartenders and hotel, casino and restaurant workers facing unemployment.
Four New York-based cocktail experts are spurring the "Save New Orleans Cocktail Hour" -- a two-hour nationwide drinking session scheduled for next Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Each $10 drink -- Big Easy classics like the sazerac, the ramos gin fizz and the Pimm's cup -- will be served with a set of free Mardi Gras beads.
New York bartenders stepped forward first, with dozens of establishments from Soho's tony new Pegu Club to the Central Park's Tavern on the Green and the lively Havana Central, agreeing to participate in the fundraiser.
Organizers said the effort is spreading quickly and now includes the Sierra Gold tavern in Las Vegas, a half dozen businesses in Washington, D.C., and more in Arlington, Va., and Silver Springs, Md.