Is anyone watching CNN?

[peachgirl]

He was mumbling thank you's and looked so embaressed __________________

That's not how he seemed to me at all. He seemed disgusted with her and was pretty much just giving her the brush off.

 

[septbride2002]

You won't find many people that are more into states' rights than me, and I usually agree with you Bet, but I've got to say that I'm flabbergasted at this statement.

NOT a national emergency? A major US city is virtually destroyed, and that's not a national emergency? Would you say the same if it had been a terrorist nuke or chem bomb?

NOT a national emergency? Hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans are dead and thousands more are struggling just to get by, and that's not a national emergency?

NOT a national emergency? Two major gasoline pipelines, the Plantation and the Colonial are shut down, forcing potential shortages and price spikes all up and down the Eastern seaboard, and that's not a national emergency?

This is not just a matter of lots of water and dead people - it's a matter of humanity, of a national government that can and should step in when state and local governments are overwhelmed. This is not just a matter of the local economies of NOLA and the Mississippi Gulf Coast being devastated - it's a matter of ripples and repercussions throughout the country.

If this isn't a national emergency, then we need to rip up the Constitution and start over, beginning with an airtight definiton of "national emergency".

Rant over.

Dang! If Brenda and I are starting to agree I have to wonder if it isn't a sign for the End of Days.

~Amanda

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

um, constitutes, not constitues....sorry

Perhaps start a dictionary thread Lotts of misssspellings twoday.

 

[snoopy]

He used to host the reality show the Mole. He is also Gloria Vanderbilt's grandson.

Wow....that is something I never knew. That cute, and blueblood to boot! Some people have all the luck.

Sorry to hear he broke down......I'm not at all surprised though.

 

[Lebjwb]

This is NOT a national emergency. This is a state and local emergency. And it's obvious those officials were lazy, negligent, ignorant or incompetent. Or maybe a combination of all four.

Are you huffing bags of glue?

Holy Schnikes!

 

[Val]

A national emergency is when a group of our fellow Americans are hurting and need our help. We are ONE united nation- not a bunch of 50 odd assortment of states. Its kinda like a marriage- for better, for worse, in good times (and decisions) and bad. The best guess is that at least 1.5 million of our citizens, probably many more, are homeless. There are thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands without food, water or shelter. Families are split apart, people are dying in the SHELTERS, and bodies are being eaten by rats. Many of the people affected are the poorest of the poor- a disgrace in country as good as ours.

If the Indonesian tsunami was a world problem, so is this. It is at very, very minimum a national disaster. It effects every state. For example, our local gas station is closed due to a lack of gasoline to sell; prices have risen dramatically, and I expect that food prices will soon go up as well. But the bottom line is that people are hurt, hungry, dying and psychologically stressed (at the least). I agree that the disaster may have been forseen, was not adequately prepared for, and is being badly managed. But, we are not in the trenches. The mayors and many of the first responders have lost their homes and are missing their families- they are not in the best state of mind to be making great decisions. Now is not time to place blame- that will come later. FIRST we help, then we reassess our pre-response and our post- response. We change the bad, and keep doing the good. But, we put people first.

I hug my children and my DH a little tighter these past few nights. I don't complain about the 90 degree heat because I have an air conditioned office to go to and a nice home to come home to at night. At least I ate a warm, well balanced and tasty meal sitting at at MY dinner table with MY family. I have gas in my gas tank, and can afford to buy more- even at current prices. We have a refrigerator full of "luxury" items such as pop, ice cream, our favorite meats, fruit and vegetables. We have clean water to drink and we can shower at our leisure. I have my pets, my favorite books and my computer. I can still dream of my next visit to WDW. I am one of the most blessed people on this earth. This disaster has been a slap up the side of the head to me- I will try harder not to complain, be more thankful for all I have, and try to help others in their time of need. I earnestly pray for the people in LA, MS, and AL. But for the grace of God, this could be me and my house and my family. And I pray that my fellow Americans would lend me a helping hand when I needed it.

Is it a national disaster?- You betcha! And each of us must respond in whatever capacity we can. My university has opened the doors to the displaced students, my church to displaced families, my town is collecting money. I only hope that I can find it in my heart to give until it hurts. And even then, it will only be a drop in the bucket in comparison to the pain that the people in OUR southern part of OUR country are feeling. I am proud to live in the USA. I live with the most generous people in the world- and for that I am eternally greatful.

 

[shelby_36]

Landieu needs to get off the tv. I have seen her on EVERY talk show and news broadcast getting her face in every interview. What is she running for? There hae been some FEMA people on, some emergency personnel but no one has been on as much as her... could she not be doing something other than running her mouth?

 

[bsnyder]

You won't find many people that are more into states' rights than me, and I usually agree with you Bet, but I've got to say that I'm flabbergasted at this statement.

NOT a national emergency? A major US city is virtually destroyed, and that's not a national emergency? Would you say the same if it had been a terrorist nuke or chem bomb?

NOT a national emergency? Hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans are dead and thousands more are struggling just to get by, and that's not a national emergency?

NOT a national emergency? Two major gasoline pipelines, the Plantation and the Colonial are shut down, forcing potential shortages and price spikes all up and down the Eastern seaboard, and that's not a national emergency?

This is not just a matter of lots of water and dead people - it's a matter of humanity, of a national government that can and should step in when state and local governments are overwhelmed. This is not just a matter of the local economies of NOLA and the Mississippi Gulf Coast being devastated - it's a matter of ripples and repercussions throughout the country.

If this isn't a national emergency, then we need to rip up the Constitution and start over, beginning with an airtight definiton of "national emergency".

Rant over.

Ack! I was rushing when I posted this, to run to the grocery store, and I now realize I didn't make myself clear at all!!!

I was responding to a poster who was complaining about the lack of response, on the federal level. IMO, I don't think it's fair to do that yet (although we're getting close). The federal government has never been considered to be the first responder in a hurricane. No matter where it is, or how bad it is. Maybe we'll change that now, but at the time Katrina hit, those were the facts.

So, my choice of words in saying it's "not a national emergency" and my criticism of the local and state officials is based on what I've been saying for days - that there was obviously NO adequate planning for the aftermath of a disaster that's been talked about all my life. The federal government doesn't write that plan, the state and local folks do.

That doesn't mean I don't think the federal government should be involved now. They should and they are doing so now, and hopefully that will aleviate this horrible, horrible situation.

I didn't mean that it's not literally a "national emergency" now.

Does that clear things up?

 

[goofygirl]

That's not how he seemed to me at all. He seemed disgusted with her and was pretty much just giving her the brush off.

I agree. That's the impression I got.

I just cannot believe the disorganization, and the horrific results. The tsunami survivors fared better, and that was in the 3rd world! This is ridiculous!

 

[Kath816]

I was watching and when she started "high 5'ing" (as another poster accurately put) the other politicians I got totally disgusted and changed the channel. Now I'm sorry I did. Good for him!

 

[BuckNaked]

I didn't mean that it's not literally a "national emergency" now.

Does that clear things up?

Yes Bet, thanks for clearing that up!

 

[peachgirl]

I was watching and when she started "high 5'ing" (as another poster accurately put) the other politicians I got totally disgusted and changed the channel. Now I'm sorry I did. Good for him!

Cooper is on CNN now talking about the incident.

He's standing by his interview, not sorry at all Alex.

He says that he's sick and tired of seeing politicians patting each other on the back and saying how they understand what these people are going through when what he's seeing is people dying, corpses being eaten by rats and a frustration level that is unbelievable.

So, doesn't sound like he was embarrassed or sorry at all and I see no reason why he should be.

The fine Senator sounded like she was accepting an Academy Award..I'd like to thank my mother, my father...blah, blah, blah...

 

[LauraR]

This is NOT a national emergency. This is a state and local emergency. And it's obvious those officials were lazy, negligent, ignorant or incompetent. Or maybe a combination of all four.

If the worst natural disaster to ever hit our country doesn't count as a national emergency, I don't know what does...and I guess FEMA must have been confused all these years helping out after hurricanes...and what's President Bush been doing on T.V. so much? Someone should tell him he can go back to the ranch since this is Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi's problem.

If anyone's dropped the ball here, it's the Federal government. They're the Big Dogs, this is what they're there for, the BIG stuff. If they can't keep up with this, how the heck do you expect state governments to be able to??

As I read in the Washington Post this afternoon:

Terry Ebbert, head of New Orleans's emergency operations, bitterly complained about the situation, criticizing the response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "This is a national disgrace," he told the Associated Press. "FEMA has been here three days, yet there is not command and control. We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims but we can't bail out the city of New Orleans."

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Cooper is on CNN now talking about the incident.

He's standing by his interview, not sorry at all Alex.

He says that he's sick and tired of seeing politicians patting each other on the back and saying how they understand what these people are going through when what he's seeing is people dying, corpses being eaten by rats and a frustration level that is unbelievable.

So, doesn't sound like he was embarrassed or sorry at all and I see no reason why he should be.

The fine Senator sounded like she was accepting an Academy Award..I'd like to thank my mother, my father...blah, blah, blah...

I'm sure he is! And I am sure the reason CNN felt it neccesary to dredge it up again was because the press are as bad as the politicians, they can't ever admit they are wrong. Otherwise why even bring it up?
Sorry I watched it with my own eyes and the man lost it. He was not a reporter asking hard hitting questions he was on the verge of hysteria.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I agree with Anderson's sentiments.

I hate to be a real pig here, but I'm outting my husband's military chain of command for what seems to be the same general thoughts as the politicians.
My husband forwarded this note to me today from him.

"FYI. Let's take care of our own for now. As always, you can also
donate canned goods, funds or whatever is being gathered through your
church or local charity. If we hear of other opportunities we will get
the word out.

Thanks to all the folks who have approached me asking how they can help.
Thanks for your great attitudes during this whole hurrevac endeavor.
You have pulled it off with class (again) and gave credit to us all.

As always, if we have a need to help on of our own, please get the word
out."

I won't post his name, but darnit, these military guys can stop their mission for a few days and get down there to help. This is insane.

 

[peachgirl]

Sorry I watched it with my own eyes and the man lost it.

All in the eye of the beholder I suppose and not everyone saw it as you did.


Although, if it weren't for the "hysterical" press, the director of FEMA still wouldn't know that there are 5000 people in the Convention Center who haven't had anything to drink for 4 days.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Could not watch CNN

 

[WebmasterAlex]

All in the eye of the beholder I suppose and not everyone saw it as you did.


Although, if it weren't for the "hysterical" press, the director of FEMA still wouldn't know that there are 5000 people in the Convention Center who haven't had anything to drink for 4 days.

I am kind of curious about that director of FEMA quote, is that on the web somewhere or was it in a live interview? I did not see it

 

[damo]

I saw that. Paula Zahn was interviewing him this evening and she tried to call him on the statement. He repeated what he said and Paula pulled away from it. It was almost a wink, wink, nudge, nudge statement from her to him. Now Paula,...we only just found out today... (or words to that effect). It was rather shocking actually.

 

[peachgirl]

I am kind of curious about that director of FEMA quote, is that on the web somewhere or was it in a live interview? I did not see it

It was a live interview on CNN and he said it while I was in the middle of a post here so it ought to be fairly easy to figure out which program it was. I'll try and figure it out and look at the transcript when it comes out.

I'm not paraphrasing at all. He said that he was unaware of the people at the Convention Center until today.

Thanks Damo, I really couldn't remember which show it was.