Venting about Katrina

[DisneyAunt]

I'm sure everyone here is saddened by all that has happened. But what saddens me most is this blame game that is being played. Most importantly what the media is reporting and their interpretation of things.

I am single professional woman living in NJ....far away from the awful devastation. I am heavily involved in my local community and you might say it is my second job. I also have the honor of being a board member of my local Red Cross. I was heavily involved in the assitance of families from the 9/11 tragedy.

Why do I tell you this. Because I feel that the fingers are not being pointed in the right direction. I don't want to be part of the blame game but the facts need to come out. Yes ....our government is ultimately responsible but the local government needed to step up to the plate and let FEMA know what they needed.

Was the Red Cross turned away in N.O.....yes....why?? ...who knows ....and we will probably never know...because of politics. Red Cross was there ready to help but we were not able to. Some people have expressed their discontent for the Red Cross because of the 9/11 problems that occured. Believe 9/11 was a rude awakening for all of especially those of us who were there. But things have changed dramatically. As of Friday 9/9 the Red Cross has 8,000 people on the scene, 39,000 trained volunteers, housed 161,000 survivors, opened 675 shelters in 23 states, served 6 miliion hot meals, 5.9 million snacks. So....at least someone is doing something right down there.

I know for a fact that if something were to happen in my community the mayor would be in charge and take control and report to the governor as to what the needs of the citizens are. The governor in turn would communicate to Fed govt what is needed. What happened in N.O.??

There are so many questions that need to be answered by the local government first before we can have questions answered by FEMA.

I applaud George W. for his apology. I will wait to here Mayor Nagins and Gov. Blanco's apology.

Thank you for letting me let off some steam maybe tonight I will sleep a little better.

 

[totalia]

Here we go again.

 

[halestrm]

It is always hard when you try to help, but it is turned away. Remember this, all you can do is your best. When it is not appreciated, you can say you did your best. Remember, we help not for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do.

 

[Pugdog007]

Most people, Republican and Democrat, agree with you. And all people who've at some point completed a high school level Civics class agree with you.

The Dems seemed almost disappointed to hear that our President apologized today. They lose some of their ammunition with his apology.

 

[DisneyAunt]

Here we go again.

I'm sorry if this has been repeated. But you have to understand that I felt the need to get this off my chest. I said my peace....or at least a part of it.

 

[Pugdog007]

I'm sorry if this has been repeated. But you have to understand that I felt the need to get this off my chest. I said my peace....or at least a part of it.

Don't worry about it she's been saying her peace all over this board for 2 weeks. You are just as entitled. Moreso even. You're American.

 

[rascalmom]

DisneyAunt, I agree that there is way too much fingerpointing going on & I admit I have guilty of it myself. Part of it is deserved, part of it is premature, part of it is misdirected & part of it is because the whole catastrophe is so horrific that most every one feels a need to pinpoint a cause.

Natural disasters will continue to happen & everyone involved is human. We all need to remember that - for the victims & those trying their best to help. It's terrible to have to have all levels of our government go through "on-the-job" training, but the truth is that we haven't had many emergencies of this scope in our country. And it could have happened on any President's, governor's, or Mayor's watch. The plans and response systems can only be improved from here - we can't go back & change the past. We all need to remember our civics lessons & the reasons we have separation of local, state & federal powers.

The important thing is to do something now - help where & however you can. Donate and/or volunteer however you can. Thank you for being one of the ones who is helping. It sets a good example for all of us.

 

[DisneyAunt]

Don't worry about it she's been saying her peace all over this board for 2 weeks. You are just as entitled. Moreso even. You're American.

Thanks Pugdog. Just wondering where in Alabama you are. I used to frequent Orange beach and Gulf Shores.

 

[Pugdog007]

Thanks Pugdog. Just wondering where in Alabama you are. I used to frequent Orange beach and Gulf Shores.

Central - a suburb of B'ham. Gulf Shores is still recovering from Ivan... and of course Mobile was hit by Katrina. These beasts have really been devastating to the Gulf this last year. We just get remnants + 60-70 mph winds this far North.

 

[DisneyAunt]

Yes...I knew they were still recovering from Ivan. They are also cleaning up debris everyday from the beaches drifting from LA.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm sure everyone here is saddened by all that has happened. But what saddens me most is this blame game that is being played. Most importantly what the media is reporting and their interpretation of things.

I am single professional woman living in NJ....far away from the awful devastation. I am heavily involved in my local community and you might say it is my second job. I also have the honor of being a board member of my local Red Cross. I was heavily involved in the assitance of families from the 9/11 tragedy.

Why do I tell you this. Because I feel that the fingers are not being pointed in the right direction. I don't want to be part of the blame game but the facts need to come out. Yes ....our government is ultimately responsible but the local government needed to step up to the plate and let FEMA know what they needed.

Was the Red Cross turned away in N.O.....yes....why?? ...who knows ....and we will probably never know...because of politics. Red Cross was there ready to help but we were not able to. Some people have expressed their discontent for the Red Cross because of the 9/11 problems that occured. Believe 9/11 was a rude awakening for all of especially those of us who were there. But things have changed dramatically. As of Friday 9/9 the Red Cross has 8,000 people on the scene, 39,000 trained volunteers, housed 161,000 survivors, opened 675 shelters in 23 states, served 6 miliion hot meals, 5.9 million snacks. So....at least someone is doing something right down there.

I know for a fact that if something were to happen in my community the mayor would be in charge and take control and report to the governor as to what the needs of the citizens are. The governor in turn would communicate to Fed govt what is needed. What happened in N.O.??

There are so many questions that need to be answered by the local government first before we can have questions answered by FEMA.

I applaud George W. for his apology. I will wait to here Mayor Nagins and Gov. Blanco's apology.

Thank you for letting me let off some steam maybe tonight I will sleep a little better.

The Red Cross rules and that's all I'll say.

Except to wonder why one particular canine is always so rude.

 

[totalia]

No no. Its fine to vent. I hope you start feeling better soon and I can understand how you feel.

Its not that its been repeated so much that it usually sparks a political debate which results in one side attacking the other and the thread getting shut down. Its nothing towards you. This forum has just been a powder keg recently. Thats what I meant by "Here we go again."

 

[Bunch24]

Nothing wrong with a little venting from time to time.

But your post definitely made me realize something.

During 9/11, who emerged as a solid hero in the wake of that tragedy? Mayor Rudolph Guliani. He took charge of his city, calmed his citizens and rolled up his sleeves and went to work.

Would anybody consider Mayor Roy Nagin a hero? What has he done except complained about the governor and complained about the president and complained about FEMA?

I really like Nagin, and he's done a lot for the city of New Orleans, but clearly he was not prepared to step up in a time of disaster.

 

[chobie]

There has already been several threads blaming people.

 

[DawnCt1]

Here we go again.

You, most of all, whom I don't believe would have had the opportunity to complete a high school civics class in the United States, seem to need to have it repeated.

 

[DawnCt1]

Would anybody consider Mayor Roy Nagin a hero? What has he done except complained about the governor and complained about the president and complained about FEMA?

r.

This morning on the news, he was complaining that he wanted to hear "jazz again", that he was sick of the "sound of helicoptors". Given what he didn't do, helicoptors should be music to his ears.

 

[Charade]

Here we go again.

Just a suggestion... stop reading this thread if it bothers and upsets you so much and focus that energy in helping your BF and his family.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And all people who've at some point completed a high school level Civics class agree with you.

(sorry--so true and honest..it made me laugh ).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This morning on the news, he was complaining that he wanted to hear "jazz again", that he was sick of the "sound of helicoptors". Given what he didn't do, helicoptors should be music to his ears.

He's talking about reopening the city.

No need to stab the comment.

 

[swilphil]

I'm sure everyone here is saddened by all that has happened. But what saddens me most is this blame game that is being played. Most importantly what the media is reporting and their interpretation of things.

What saddens me most is the human suffering, the loss of live, and the horrible ordeal it will be for many people to put their lives back together. The blame game is being played on both sides. Some people seem to think it's okay to blame state and local officials, but not the federal government. It's still a game when it works the other way.