Jaybrad
Old Disney Dude
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2001
- Messages
- 440
This statement is posted on the Golf Channel discussion board. After reading this, I think the blame goes all the way from bottom up...
First I would like to state that I am from Louisiana so I have the right to make the following observations:
1) Despite the fact that everyone in Louisiana is fully aware of the potential for devestation in N.O., many chose to stay in the city and face the catastrophe, rich and poor.
2) New Orleans has a history of corruption and governmental ineptitude that exceeds comprehension from outsiders and citizens of N.O. have long accepted that and in many ways encouraged it.
3) New Orleans' throw caution to the wind attitude is what made it unique and a place where millions traveled to do the same.
4) Less than 3 years ago, a tropical storm flooded the city and the same type of caos occurred, just not on the scale we are seeing this week.
5) It is quite obvious that the city government and the state government had absolutely no contingency plan for this type of scenario. In fact, during the previous flooding the superdome was used and at the time it was looted and trashed by the refugees. Clearly, officials new what to expect this time around.
6) There were absolutely no assets standing by after the hurricane to immediately get people out of N.O. It was not until 24 hours after the hurricane that the levees broke. The city should have been evacuated beginning monday morning and not tuesday afternoon. Even without the flood water, it should have been clear from previoous experience that the place would turn into a war zone.
7) The State of Louisiana has been giving 10 million plus $$$$ annually to the N.O. Saints for the last 5-10 years, yet has not spent a nickle on the flood control system.
8) The State of Texas was able to put its hurricane emergency plan in action before the authorities in Louisiana could even set up any system to use it. Where was our plan?
9) 500 plus civilian boats were sent to N.O. over the last 3 days for evacuation, most if not all have been turned away because State authorities have told them "we have it under control". And that comes from the mouth of a friend who went there wednesday morning.
10) Millions of federal money has gone into Louisiana coffers for Homeland security, it is quite obvious that this money was wasted by the usual "good ol'boys" N.O. cleary was at risk of terror attacks on the levee system and all the oil and gas interest in the area, including one of America's largest port. What was our plan to address this type of emergency? Clearly we had none. But I'm sure the "good ol'boys" got the kickbacks and lined their pockets.
11) As I am typing this message, the corrupt politicians in this state are salivating over the FEMA money that they will be put in control of. The usual supects in my own community are already trying to figure out ways to get in on the money fest that is sure to be pooring in, all the while one of America's greatest treasures is about to burn to the ground.
Please do not blame anyone but Louisiana and our people for allowing the governmental ineptitude and corruption to continue for over a century, this is our legacy and now we see the fruit.
The grand irony in this whole thing is that the people who are in need now are the constituents of the woefully inept State and Local Governments. Maybe next time we will vote for the best person for the job and not for the person who throws the biggest campaign parties and promise the most government handouts and corruption.
And I know there are plenty of grammatical and spelling errors, but hey, I'm a product of the Louisiana Public School system.
The shame is that this is my State and there are so many fine hardworking people in this State and it is a most beautiful place, but we have been taken advantage of by corrupt politicians and corporate interest looking to rape our vast natural resources for centuries and it is painful to accept and it is most painful at times like this.
First I would like to state that I am from Louisiana so I have the right to make the following observations:
1) Despite the fact that everyone in Louisiana is fully aware of the potential for devestation in N.O., many chose to stay in the city and face the catastrophe, rich and poor.
2) New Orleans has a history of corruption and governmental ineptitude that exceeds comprehension from outsiders and citizens of N.O. have long accepted that and in many ways encouraged it.
3) New Orleans' throw caution to the wind attitude is what made it unique and a place where millions traveled to do the same.
4) Less than 3 years ago, a tropical storm flooded the city and the same type of caos occurred, just not on the scale we are seeing this week.
5) It is quite obvious that the city government and the state government had absolutely no contingency plan for this type of scenario. In fact, during the previous flooding the superdome was used and at the time it was looted and trashed by the refugees. Clearly, officials new what to expect this time around.
6) There were absolutely no assets standing by after the hurricane to immediately get people out of N.O. It was not until 24 hours after the hurricane that the levees broke. The city should have been evacuated beginning monday morning and not tuesday afternoon. Even without the flood water, it should have been clear from previoous experience that the place would turn into a war zone.
7) The State of Louisiana has been giving 10 million plus $$$$ annually to the N.O. Saints for the last 5-10 years, yet has not spent a nickle on the flood control system.
8) The State of Texas was able to put its hurricane emergency plan in action before the authorities in Louisiana could even set up any system to use it. Where was our plan?
9) 500 plus civilian boats were sent to N.O. over the last 3 days for evacuation, most if not all have been turned away because State authorities have told them "we have it under control". And that comes from the mouth of a friend who went there wednesday morning.
10) Millions of federal money has gone into Louisiana coffers for Homeland security, it is quite obvious that this money was wasted by the usual "good ol'boys" N.O. cleary was at risk of terror attacks on the levee system and all the oil and gas interest in the area, including one of America's largest port. What was our plan to address this type of emergency? Clearly we had none. But I'm sure the "good ol'boys" got the kickbacks and lined their pockets.
11) As I am typing this message, the corrupt politicians in this state are salivating over the FEMA money that they will be put in control of. The usual supects in my own community are already trying to figure out ways to get in on the money fest that is sure to be pooring in, all the while one of America's greatest treasures is about to burn to the ground.
Please do not blame anyone but Louisiana and our people for allowing the governmental ineptitude and corruption to continue for over a century, this is our legacy and now we see the fruit.
The grand irony in this whole thing is that the people who are in need now are the constituents of the woefully inept State and Local Governments. Maybe next time we will vote for the best person for the job and not for the person who throws the biggest campaign parties and promise the most government handouts and corruption.
And I know there are plenty of grammatical and spelling errors, but hey, I'm a product of the Louisiana Public School system.
The shame is that this is my State and there are so many fine hardworking people in this State and it is a most beautiful place, but we have been taken advantage of by corrupt politicians and corporate interest looking to rape our vast natural resources for centuries and it is painful to accept and it is most painful at times like this.
