Local from La. statement.

[totalia]

I also live in La. 80 miles north of NO to be exact. While we did not have the devastation they had, we still had our share. My house and car were totaled. We have been without power for 2 weeks (just got it back). Although we had a generator, it has been virtually impossible to keep fuel for it. Everything we lost can be replaced. Thank God my family is safe.

Since we have been directly affected, I think I am entitled to my opinion on this situation.

Yes, the local and state govt in La. is corrupt. Yes, they did not do the job they should have. But, we are all forgetting how quickly this storm blew up and how little time there was. NO is a large city. Lots of people just don't have a way out. Our business is located right next to I-55 and it was amazing to watch both sides of the highway completely filled with cars headed north. Lots of people did leave.

The bottom line is that when the storm was over, the federal govt definitely dropped the ball. The people in NO are American citizens. They were left with no resources. No clean water, food, or sanitation. The US govt can jump and respond in a matter of hours to people halfway around the world, but these people were abandoned. That's the way I see it.

It's ridiculous that even now, trucks aren't making deliveries. The stores are not being restocked. My cell phone has not worked since the storm. Our land line phone will only call out about 15 miles. I've eaten my share of MRE's, stood in line for ice, waited hours for 10 gallons of gas. Our mail is running days behind, the banks are just now able to access customer accounts. This is the US and I think there is plenty of blame to go around.

I do have to say Thank Goodness for the American people. They have picked up where the govt didn't. We truly appreciate not only the direct aid, but the thoughts and prayers of everyone out there. I've always said that the greatness of America lies in her people and they have proven that during this catastrophe. Thank you all!!!

 

[totalia]

Native and current New Orleanian here and PERSONALLY know some of the players involved here...and while there is enough blame to go around I ASSURE you that help was offered and refused by our governor. Mr. Nagin finally had to intervene and remind everyone that it was HIS city and he wanted federal help.

I assure you I would not post this information if it were not true and believe me there are many rumors swirling around right now. This is accourate information.

That said, as I stated previously, there is enough blame to go around, I guess I just see it as "easy" to blame the federal government. Not saying that anyone here is doing that, I just think that generally, that happens sometimes.

By the way, I feel your pain. I live in the suburbs and have NEVER EVER flooded, and thanks to the break in the levee, I now am the proud owner of a worthless home on a beautiful (once) tree laden street.

 

[totalia]

So how does your fiance losing everything make him an expert on what the government did or did not do? And how would anything have changed for your fiance if FEMA had been sitting on his doorstep?

How are YOU an expert on everything the gvt does?

The question can go both ways. And in my fiance's case, I'm sorry but he has the better claim to it right now because his whole existance has been affected by this.

You forgot about the 5 friends, his aunt and grandmother (whom I don't talk about much because she lives with his aunt).

As for FEMA.... you know what? Not a damned bit. But I'm not just concerned about him. There are lots of people dead because the gvt took way too bloody long to respond. When a group of Canadians has to go into a suburb to save people a week after the hurricane has happened because FEMA hasn't even been seen...

Don't you think that shows a BIG problem?

You see, its not just about my fiance. Its about everyone in that city and in the gulf coast itself.

 

[totalia]

I totally disagree with your perception that there is a lack of compassion. Money, time, clothing, food, supplies, volunteers, companies, industries, corporations have opened their hearts and their wallets. I am sorry that you feel that no one cares because that is simply not true.

When did I say no one cares? In fact, I've said specifically that there are some truly wonderful people on these boards.

I've see some despicable things said on these boards. One of them in THIS thread.

 

[totalia]

Well said. I totally understand totalia's fiance's situation, having family members and close friends that had their houses destroyed in the storm.

But no amount of FEMA help could have stopped that storm from doing what it did. Whether FEMA was there 24 hours before the storm or 24 hours after the storm, it wouldn't have stopped the inevitable.

It has NOTHING to do with FEMA help immediately when it happened. They can't be waiting on a persons doorstep. The length of time it took them to respond is the problem. The fact that they turned away supplies like the Wal-mart water is the problem.

Let me repeat... IT'S THE RESPONSE TO THE HURRICANE THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

Responding in hours or even overnight to disasters overseas is a heck of alot different than the days it took to respond to this and then they ran off because of looters. I mean... come on....

They can face bombs and heavy fire overseas in a war but can't face the bullets of a few looters?

Doesn't that seem wrong to you?

And you can't dispute any of the things I just said because YOU saw it yourself unless you haven't been watching tv or listening to the news in the last two weeks.

 

[Bunch24]

It has NOTHING to do with FEMA help immediately when it happened. They can't be waiting on a persons doorstep. The length of time it took them to respond is the problem. The fact that they turned away supplies like the Wal-mart water is the problem.

Let me repeat... IT'S THE RESPONSE TO THE HURRICANE THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

Responding in hours or even overnight to disasters overseas is a heck of alot different than the days it took to respond to this and then they ran off because of looters. I mean... come on....

They can face bombs and heavy fire overseas in a war but can't face the bullets of a few looters?

Doesn't that seem wrong to you?

And you can't dispute any of the things I just said because YOU saw it yourself unless you haven't been watching tv or listening to the news in the last two weeks.

But the question remains, what could FEMA have done to help avoid your fiance and his five aunts, uncles and cousins losing their house/personal belongings?

Until you answer that question, you're just on a witch hunt. No offense.

You've yet to address how your fiance's property or the property of his family could have been spared.

 

[totalia]

Totalia where does your boyfriend live? He talks about the loss of the French Quarter,etc. but the French Quarter is fine. In fact, it is one of the few areas of the city that received little or no damage from either the flood or the hurricane.My friend's brother had drinks in a Bourbon Street bar last week!He was one of those who did not evacuate and stayed in his French Quarter apartment during the storm.
It seems to me that either you or your boyfriend or both of you have a political ax to grind. Look, I don't like Bush but I can see that the hurricane and the flood are not something he wreaked on Louisiana, nor did he direct the storm or the flood to impact black people. Has anyone mentioned that the first people affected by the 17 th canal levee break lived in the area of the Metairie Country club- one of the most exclusive areas in the state?
Oh and I live 45 miles from New Orleans and its where I spent my childhood. Its my favorite city in the world and I literally thanked God that the most historic parts of the city were not destroyed. Its on its way back already and will be better than ever!

Jefferson Parish. The locals call it Phat or Fat City. Its just a group of apartment buildings all jumbled together about a block from Lakeside Shopping Center. He did live there at least.

Uggg, I know the FQ is still standing. Shall I explain it in minute detail for you?

He... was.... speaking... metaphorically.

And AGAIN BUSH cannot control the weather. But he CAN control the federal response to it. He knowingly appointed someone incompetant to the position of FEMA head. HE ate cake and played the guitar while a major hurricane was tearing apart a major american city. HE diverted helicopters from their assigned mission to save survivors for a photo op. But I'm not saying anything you haven't heard elsewhere.

HE is responsible for the response to the hurricane.

As for a political axe to grind... I didn't before now. I've always thought Bush was an incompetant childish... well I can't say that word on a message board... but this... this just takes the cake. I'm not American so the most I can do is complain none stop about his utter stupidity and blatant political maneuvers to try to enable the Republicans to slowly move to a religious state as they gain more and more power.

The man is just horribly horribly wrong.

 

[disneymom3]

When did I say no one cares? In fact, I've said specifically that there are some truly wonderful people on these boards.

I've see some despicable things said on these boards. One of them in THIS thread.

Ummm, well right here....
[QUOTE+totalia]It really bothers me to see the lack of compassion and caring that people have for disaster area victims from their OWN country[/QUOTE]

I do understand your and your finance's frustration (which is not even close to a powerful enough of a word and I realize that.) and I agree that all parts of the gov really screwed up. Your DFs comments about how on earth we can rush aid to countries that experience hardship and our own citizens are "stuck" in unsafe, unsanitary conditions for days with no food and water coming in was completely true and totally appalling.

What some of the people on this thread are taking issue with however is you did say there was a lack of compassion by the people. No, not all Americans are perfect, but overwhelmingly there has been generous response to the people hurt by this from the citizenry itself.

 

[DawnCt1]

Jefferson Parish. The locals call it Phat or Fat City. Its just a group of apartment buildings all jumbled together about a block from Lakeside Shopping Center. He did live there at least.

Uggg, I know the FQ is still standing. Shall I explain it in minute detail for you?


A
HE is responsible for the response to the hurricane.

As for a political axe to grind... I didn't before now. I've always thought Bush was an incompetant childish... well I can't say that word on a message board... but this... this just takes the cake. I'm not American so the most I can do is complain none stop about his utter stupidity and blatant political maneuvers to try to enable the Republicans to slowly move to a religious state as they gain more and more power.

The man is just horribly horribly wrong.

No, the local and state government was responsible for the response to the hurricane. If you are not American be lucky that you can be here to complain about our president. With regard to your comment about a "religious state", it would do you well to familiarize yourself with our Constitution.

 

[WDWBetsy]

No, the local and state government was responsible for the response to the hurricane. If you are not American be lucky that you can be here to complain about our president. With regard to your comment about a "religious state", it would do you well to familiarize yourself with our Constitution.

Um, no they were partially responsible. So was the federal government.

 

[DawnCt1]

How are YOU an expert on everything the gvt does?

The question can go both ways. And in my fiance's case, I'm sorry but he has the better claim to it right now because his whole existance has been affected by this.

You forgot about the 5 friends, his aunt and grandmother (whom I don't talk about much because she lives with his aunt).

As for FEMA.... you know what? Not a damned bit. But I'm not just concerned about him. There are lots of people dead because the gvt took way too bloody long to respond. When a group of Canadians has to go into a suburb to save people a week after the hurricane has happened because FEMA hasn't even been seen...

Don't you think that shows a BIG problem?

You see, its not just about my fiance. Its about everyone in that city and in the gulf coast itself.

There are a lot of people dead because they did not evacuate when ordered and the mayor and state government did not provide for it. In fact, AmTrak was turned down as a means to evacuate prior to the storm FEMA was late getting in and there was a delay in rescue because the governor did not activate the resources that were available to her. When a disaster strikes a 90,000 mile square area with millions of people, destroying the infrastructure, it takes time to reach everyone. That is why volunteers came, money was sent and the military was activated. If you sit around in any country waiting for any government to show up and rescue you, then you will be sorely disappointed. FEMA may have been a little slow out of the box but they have caught up and every resource that this country has is at the disposal of the Gulf states.

 

[totalia]

No, the local and state government was responsible for the response to the hurricane. If you are not American be lucky that you can be here to complain about our president. With regard to your comment about a "religious state", it would do you well to familiarize yourself with our Constitution.

That was rude.

I have every right to say anything I want about your gvt. It has nothing to do with luck. You can say anything you want about mine (just be polite enough not to make jokes about being Canadian since I don't make jokes about being American).

I have a copy of your Constitution and all its ammendments sitting right beside me. I've read it. Many many times. And just a little enlightenment on words written on a paper, they aren't written in stone. Things can change when you least expect them to and in ways you didn't see coming.

 

[DawnCt1]

Um, no they were partially responsible. So was the federal government.

No, they were primarily responsible for evacuation and response. When they realized that they were or were going to be in over their heads, they were responsible for calling the Feds. President Bush contacted the governor, sent paperwork, etc to expedite the federal response and she refused. We do not invade states. We are a nation of laws first.

 

[DawnCt1]

I have a copy of your Constitution and all its ammendments sitting right beside me. I've read it. Many many times. And just a little enlightenment on words written on a paper, they aren't written in stone. Things can change when you least expect them to and in ways you didn't see coming.

Our Constitution may as well be written in stone because it isn't easily or quickly changed. By while you have that copy of the Constitution in front of you, point out to me where it says that the Calvary will respond in case of a storm.

 

[totalia]

There are a lot of people dead because they did not evacuate when ordered and the mayor and state government did not provide for it. In fact, AmTrak was turned down as a means to evacuate prior to the storm FEMA was late getting in and there was a delay in rescue because the governor did not activate the resources that were available to her. When a disaster strikes a 90,000 mile square area with millions of people, destroying the infrastructure, it takes time to reach everyone. That is why volunteers came, money was sent and the military was activated. If you sit around in any country waiting for any government to show up and rescue you, then you will be sorely disappointed. FEMA may have been a little slow out of the box but they have caught up and every resource that this country has is at the disposal of the Gulf states.

Its amazing how it just seems to go right over your head.

Just to let you know, sometimes you need help and cannot help yourself. Sometimes things happen that you can't forsee. And sometimes there is just nothing you can do. Like alot of the people who died from this because they were stuck there.

What makes you think that everyone could just pick up and walk out? Where would they go if they have no money, no food, no car, and no family outside of the city?

 

[totalia]

Our Constitution may as well be written in stone because it isn't easily or quickly changed. By while you have that copy of the Constitution in front of you, point out to me where it says that the Calvary will respond in case of a storm.

Being blind never helped anyone.

 

[DawnCt1]

Its amazing how it just seems to go right over your head.

Just to let you know, sometimes you need help and cannot help yourself. Sometimes things happen that you can't forsee. And sometimes there is just nothing you can do. Like alot of the people who died from this because they were stuck there.

What makes you think that everyone could just pick up and walk out? Where would they go if they have no money, no food, no car, and no family outside of the city?

Again, let me repeat, Evacuation prior to the hurricane was the responsibility of the mayor. If he couldn't handle it, he needed to enlist the assistance of the governor who had at her disposal the National Guard of La. If they all couldn't handle it, and she should have certainly figured out that she couldn't, she should not have refused the offer from President Bush on Friday before the storm to assist in the evacuation. Why were there 1000 buses under water? Why was the Red Cross not allowed to stock the superdome with food and water? How is help supposed to get to people who didn't or couldn't evacuate when the roads are destroyed? There are 2500 full time FEMA employees, not 25000, which is the manpower that a storm of this size requires.

 

[karebear1]

Can't any of you see the raw emotion that is taking place in this thread? Come on guys! Here (some of) you type, arguing with someone who is in obvious distress, egging her on with words that will only sting harder and impress her less then you intend them to. Perhaps her view of what has happened would soften if she was met with compassionate thoughts and tempered responses.

 

[DawnCt1]

Being blind never helped anyone.

Seeing things that don't exist leaves one vunerable to flooding.

 

[Bunch24]

Its amazing how it just seems to go right over your head.

Just to let you know, sometimes you need help and cannot help yourself. Sometimes things happen that you can't forsee. And sometimes there is just nothing you can do. Like alot of the people who died from this because they were stuck there.

What makes you think that everyone could just pick up and walk out? Where would they go if they have no money, no food, no car, and no family outside of the city?

And that, my friend, falls squarely on the shoulders of the Mayor of New Orleans:

The burden of planning for and responding to natural disasters is shared by scores of agencies at all levels of government. As the debate rages over what went wrong in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and who was responsible, here's a look at the lines of authority when disaster strikes:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The first response to an emergency falls to local government, which is most familiar with local conditions. Its responsibilities include planning and prior arrangements for evacuation, shelter and first response by police, fire and medical personnel. In Louisiana, flood-protection levees also are the primary responsibility of local levee boards.

What was done before Katrina

On Aug. 27, two days before the storm hit, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin warned his citizens not to be complacent. He advised people to board up their homes, fill their gas tanks and gather their medications. For people without cars or other ways to flee, the city designated the Superdome, convention center and other sites as temporary shelters. City bus pickups were available.

Nagin did not at first make the evacuation mandatory, and it's unclear whether the city plans included those in nursing homes or homebound residents. About 134,000 residents had no transportation, but the city didn't provide for that need.

The next day, Nagin made evacuation mandatory. "The storm surge will most likely topple our levee system," he said.

In the City of New Orleans hurricane preparedness plans, they even address the elderly/poor/disabled and estimate the numbers to be near 200,000. They say in the plans they will use city and school buses to evacuate those people. But all they did was pick them up and bring them to the Superdome and Convention Center.

Why do people keep ignoring this?