Wondering about Drince88

[Gn2Dlnd]

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.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Mousey Girl

This just sickened me.

Originally Posted by GD

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]

Originally Posted by Gn2Dlnd

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.

I so freaking agree. As I said earlier, I am deeply ashamed at our nation's lukewarm response. And again I have run out of words. I am no writer or journalist so I just have my own visceral response. All emotion: no logic. All anger/frustration: no solutions. Just a regular human I guess...

But why does help take so long? I wish I could give them the glass of water sitting on my desk...

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

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]

Originally Posted by Gn2Dlnd

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

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]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

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]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

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]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

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.