Do we really know what is going on?

[KathyTX]

No one knows what's going on.

Between the anarchy and violence, the lack of any meaningful communication infrastructure, and all the political posturing and spinning, I think it will be months (or longer) before the story of what happened when becomes clear.

And if we think we're confused out here (I know I've been glued to the TV and the internet for days, and I'm an emotional and exhausted wreck), just imagine the confusion and despair of those in the middle of the devastation, with no link to the news media or the relative normalcy of everyday life and access to food and shelter.

I'm not hungry, I've got a car full of gas, I'm sleeping in my airconditioned home in my own bed with a hot shower and working plumbing, I know where my family is and that they're safe... and I'm crying for those who can't imagine what I consider those basic necessities.

 

[Jennifer S]

They keep showing the same footage over and over!
I know that CNN has an affiliate in Houston. Where is the footage of the busses arriving and unloading the refugees?
Where is the footage of troops arriving at the New Orleans airport?

They don't show it so everyone can get mad at Bush- after all he did create the hurricane and broke the levees all by himself then refused to help them all so he would look bad. You know Bush is really evil at heart.

I think you are right - I have seen the same footage over and over too. There has to be help if the Astrodome is full. Granted I think more needs to be done but this is the largest US natural disaster in history. Lets hope they pick up the pace today.

 

[KathyTX]

The Astrodome is full. San Antonio and Dallas will each be housing another 25,000 refugees, many or most of them already here.

Lots is being done. But we have to focus the news on the sensational and political...

 

[Beastlover]

They keep showing the same footage over and over!
I know that CNN has an affiliate in Houston. Where is the footage of the busses arriving and unloading the refugees?
Where is the footage of troops arriving at the New Orleans airport?

Exactly. Instead they are focusing on the dead body left in the road.

 

[bcvillastwo]

We can count on the media at large to do what they do, sensationalize, sensationalize and done without a shred of intellectual honesty.

That is why more and more people are turning them off and getting their news from other sources. But, the media is still the domanant source of news for the vast majority.

I don't expect them to be objective.

With all of that said, I do wonder why it is taking so long to get aid to these people. I realize that we have never been hit by anything like this before so we are plowing new ground. I am just curious why. I'd like some specifics so that I can understand what has hindered the effort up to this point.

I know people are doing the best that they can.

 

[Free4Life11]

CNN is showing people on buses right at this very momeny...now they are interviewing a survivor in Houston.

 

[Free4Life11]

We can count on the media at large to do what they do, sensationalize, sensationalize and done without a shred of intellectual honesty.

The starving babies and eldery I saw last night, the lady who went into diabetic shock....looked pretty HONEST to me. This wasn't some carefully edited, perfect piece of journalism. It was gritty and real.

 

[MandM-Mom]

Msnbc is just reporting that there is such a lack of communication people are not showing up in the places where they are offering the food and water.....they are reporting about how much aid is there and how much of it is just sitting there....trying to put a bit of positive in the mix.

As for the what the OP said I don't believe anyone was questioning what they were doing at the superdome, they recieved rations they were uncomfortable but not dying of thirst and hunger... we all saw all day the busses in and out of there the media is just wondering why they can get to the convention center and NO ONE else can.

 

[peachgirl]

The starving babies and eldery I saw last night, the lady who went into diabetic shock....looked pretty HONEST to me. This wasn't some carefully edited, perfect piece of journalism. It was gritty and real.

As I said in another thread, I guess this isn't really happening. It's all just a creation of the evil media that is intent on making the President look bad.

Thank goodness! We can all go back to our comfy lives secure in the knowledge that all is well and there really aren't any people suffering.

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Even Fox is someone guilty of sensationalism in this (shocking, I know). Yesterday, Shepherd Smith kept interviewing that I-10 was lawless, no help was over there, and he had to move from there. Then, they cut to a report on I-10 who was saying how everyone was banding together, trying to take care of one another, that a triage hospital and supplies had been set up, etc.

Which one was it?

 

[septbride2002]

Last night I was flipping between Fox and CNN and both were showing people at the Astro Dome getting food and having cots to sleep on. They showed footage of the buses rolling in as well.

~Amanda

 

[Saphire]

I am really starting to wonder if the media is showing what they want to show to increase the hysteria and up their ratings

That is why I am staying away from the television, I feel manipulated as they are showing me what they want me to see (over and over). I prefer written news and radio.

 

[Jennifer S]

As I said in another thread, I guess this isn't really happening. It's all just a creation of the evil media that is intent on making the President look bad.

I don't think anyone believes there is no suffering. We all know there is but the media is mostly showing the bad over and over. I just wish they would show more of neighbor helping neighbor.

There are churches all over taking in the people of NO. I heard that from a member of the church - not on the news. I just think some positive stories would help get people motivated to help too. Instead of just getting angry at the looters and shooters.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I don't know Alex, you are a smart guy, you went to Penn State!

Are they staging the dead bodies too that are left to rot on the side of the road and in wheel chairs?

Are you just trying to quell mass hysteria and outrage on the boards, or do you really believe that?

 

[CRB#33]

Yes, they are interviewing a survivor in Houston, but even he is being pretty negative.

My impression up until today was that there were very few positives at all.

The media will emphasize the morbid because we as a nation thrive on it. That's something to really wrap your brain around, isn't it?

The media will emphsize the fights between the political parties, thereby feuling the fire. We as a nation cannot get along politically, the media will rely on this and use it for ratings puposes. Sad, isn't it?

It's like the media asks a question, "Are you getting people out?" Yes, is the answer, and then the reporter asks, "But not quick enough right? Not enough busses, planes, helicoptors?" They feed negativity to everyone they interview.

The politicians will scream at whomever they can depending on which way the wind is blowing. Whatever makes them as an individual politician look better or whatever will get the heat off themselves. I'm unable to truly believe a word any of them say, can you? That goes for the republicans and democrats because they are all politicians and they think of themselves first.

I will say, I'm seeing better news today.

But you know what scares me? Are we seeing better news because the media feels we as a nation are getting tired of this particular story? How long will it be before this is the last thing we hear about on the news rather than the first thing.

How much longer will aid be sent to this part of the country? Once it's not part of the media's ratings base, we won't hear about it much and the money will stop flowing.

We as a nation are short on memory unless it happens to us.

The government is short on memory unless they need it or can use it against someone.

The media will only report what gets them money.

Pardon my cynicism. I've lived too long, I think and have seen it happen too often.

 

[MELSMICE]

the media is just wondering why they can get to the convention center and NO ONE else can.

A reporter on NBC this morning said that there are many buses & ambulances sitting in areas & when questioned as to why they weren't moving in to transport people they said that they felt the situation "inside" was dangerous. They got this idea from watching & listening to news reports.

The reporter said the situation was not dangerous & that people were very calm, just waiting for relief.

Are they staging the dead bodies too that are left to rot on the side of the road and in wheel chairs?

I certainly don't mean to make light of the people that have died & the fact that their bodies are just laying there, however, the people living are the main concern. Should these bodies be properly taken care of - certainly - but they must concentrate on the people that have survived first.

With that in mind, the media should actually have more respect for these people that have passed on & should not sensationalize their deaths on TV.

 

[guangs]

The starving babies and eldery I saw last night, the lady who went into diabetic shock....looked pretty HONEST to me. This wasn't some carefully edited, perfect piece of journalism. It was gritty and real.

I agree with you. I have been watching CNN and FOX and hey....they knew where the refugees were before FEMA! That IS UNACCEPTABLE! They were saying before the storm that this could be "the one". The governor didn't let fema know where thousands of people took shelter BEFORE the storm? Why didn't they have a massive plan? Why didn't they already have designated places for shelters? This is a plan they should have had for decades. The media had their reporters in the area. They knew it was coming. So why on earth didn't the feds have troops by the thousands waiting just outside the area. Or better yet whey didn't they fly or bus those who were not able to leave out before the storm? They know the big easy has a high population of poor people. Why aren't they air dropping food and water to those people who are picked up off there roof and left on the interstate for days to die of thirst. All they have to do is watch the news to find out where these people are. They keep saying all communication has been lost.........WATCH THE NEWS!!! They are telling you where the people are! And by the way I am not one of the BUSH bashers! I voted for him, but this is crazy.

 

[wvrevy]

According to Fox News - hardly a critic of the administration - they did, in fact, make a drop of supplies to the people that had been told to go to the convention center...and it was about enough to feed 2,000 people. Nice gesture, but since there are reportedly around 20,000 there, not likely to do a lot of good, either.

Reports of babies and the sick and elderly dead from dehydration...bodies lying beside the road...callers from hospitals that have been waiting for evacuation for three days...Tell me how the media is making that up ?

Is there good news ? Of course there is ! There are probably more stories of heroism, bravery, and "miracles" than on any day in our nation since 9/11. But those aren't the stories that need to be told right now. They will absolutely be told. But right now, people are dying and in desperate need of assistance. I'm sorry, but I absolutely believe the media should be telling that story, particularly if it helps to get people moving.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I do agree, a lot of media focus on one aspect, the bad, and not the other, the good. It is always that way, local papers, local news, international, whatever, it sells. I agree there is so much that is bad there now, a lot if it I along with most of us can't understand as to why the delays and all. But there are good things happening also.

I did hear on the news this AM, that the reason for the change in the Astrodome capacity was that (and this is only what I heard reported), a high number of those brought there were the critically ill, and the medical folks in charge stopped more from coming in. The folks in Houston (whoever is running things there), thought 20-25K, the med folks needed to lower the number due to being able to address the needs of the group there. May be misinformation, but wht I heard.

 

[MELSMICE]

I did hear on the news this AM, that the reason for the change in the Astrodome capacity was that (and this is only what I heard reported), a high number of those brought there were the critically ill, and the medical folks in charge stopped more from coming in. The folks in Houston (whoever is running things there), thought 20-25K, the med folks needed to lower the number due to being able to address the needs of the group there. May be misinformation, but wht I heard.

Makes sense, Dan. Not to mention that all this medical personnel are also people that they must take into consideration when determining the # of people they allow into the building.