It Looks Like I was Right (Hurricane Katrina Merged)

[lvbuckeye]

I'm completely ignorant to whats going on down there, but I'm wondering why they couldn't just leave the superdome at any time after the storm?

it's probably been answered by now, but at first no one could get out because there was eight feet of water holding the doors shut... now that the poeple can get out, they have no place to go... but just think about this: they had been locked in a virtual tomb for 72 hours with no food, no light, no electricity, no running water, no idea what was going on, and nothing to do about it... i'd probably go crazy in there too...

 

[crzykillernut]

Hastert Blames Residents of New Orleans, Says City Should Not Be Rebuilt

<!-- begin content -->Thursday, September 01, 2005
New Orleans Times Picayune
By Bill Walsh
Washington bureau
WASHINGTON - House Speaker Dennis Hastert dropped a bombshell on flood-ravaged New Orleans on Thursday by suggesting that it isn’t sensible to rebuild the city.
"It doesn't make sense to me," Hastert told the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago in editions published today. "And it's a question that certainly we should ask."
Hastert's comments came as Congress cut short its summer recess and raced back to Washington to take up an emergency aid package expected to be $10 billion or more. Details of the legislation are still emerging, but it is expected to target critical items such as buses to evacuate the city, reinforcing existing flood protection and providing food and shelter for a growing population of refugees.
The Illinois Republican’s comments drew an immediate rebuke from Louisiana officials.
“That’s like saying we should shut down Los Angeles because it’s built in an earthquake zone,” former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., said. “Or like saying that after the Great Chicago fire of 1871, the U.S. government should have just abandoned the city.”
Hastert said that he supports an emergency bailout, but raised questions about a long-term rebuilding effort. As the most powerful voice in the Republican-controlled House, Hastert is in a position to block any legislation that he opposes.
"We help replace, we help relieve disaster," Hastert said. "But I think federal insurance and everything that goes along with it... we ought to take a second look at that."
The speaker’s comments were in stark contrast to those delivered by President Bush during an appearance this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
“I want the people of New Orleans to know that after rescuing them and stabilizing the situation, there will be plans in place to help this great city get back on its feet,” Bush said. “There is no doubt in my mind that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city.”
Insurance industry executives estimated that claims from the storm could range up to $19 billion. Rebuilding the city, which is more than 80 percent submerged, could cost tens of billions of dollars more, experts projected.
Hastert questioned the wisdom of rebuilding a city below sea level that will continue to be in the path of powerful hurricanes.
"You know we build Los Angeles and San Francisco on top of earthquake issures and they rebuild, too. Stubbornness," he said.
Hastert wasn't the only one questioning the rebuilding of New Orleans. The Waterbury, Conn., Republican-American newspaper wrote an editorial Wednesday entitled, "Is New Orleans worth reclaiming?"
"Americans' hearts go out to the people in Katrina's path," it said. "But if the people of New Orleans and other low-lying areas insist on living in harm's way, they ought to accept responsibility for what happens to them and their property."

 

[lvbuckeye]

ouch... people need to stop and think before they utter every thought that crosses their minds...

 

[Bucklion]

You're talking about politicians, right?

 

[sandgk]

When did we turn from being a can-do country into a gaggle of weak-kneed Bad Samaritans? Shame on Hastert, shame on the heartless editors of the Waterbury Connecticut paper. Last thing those poor folk need to hear wind of is a suit in Washington hinting at their long-term demise. And plaudits to our President for setting the right tone -- one that promises the right kind of help and looks to support New Orleans rebuilding efforts. Build those levees higher, stronger and get New Orleans back on dry ground.

 

[Bucklion]

Here here, sandgk. Any moron who believes that the Crescent City isn't worth saving or rebuilding has their head so far up their ass they couldn't pull it out with a post-hole digger. It's by far one of our greatest and most cultured cities (not to mention one of the oldest) and they'd better goddamn well be rebuilding it. Any jackoff who says America "lacks culture" needs only look at New Orleans...we need it back, we want it back, and we're going to get it back.

 

[Oh8ch]

Any truth to the rumor the Governor of Texas has asked for Federal assistance in patrolling the border and slowing the influx of illegals - from Louisiana?

 

[sandgk]

Any truth to the rumor the Governor of Texas has asked for Federal assistance in patrolling the border and slowing the influx of illegals - from Louisiana?

Pretty sure Texas has enough on its mind helping the flood victims.
In real news, Bush did call for Homeland Security to arrange 100 CBP's Customs Border Patrol Officers to assist in the safe evacuation from the Super Dome.

 

[ScriptOhio]

From an AP story on ESPN website (in case you go to the game).

"Ohio State will help relief efforts by donating $2 from each football program sold in September and by collecting money from fans at Ohio Stadium."

'Bama fans asked to give up rooms to refugees

<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->Associated Press

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->Alabama football fans have been asked to help hurricane refugees by giving up their hotel rooms this weekend to evacuees.
Hotels around Tuscaloosa are booked leading to the school's football opener Saturday night against Middle Tennessee, and those reservations could displace evacuees currently staying in the rooms, athletic director Mal Moore said.
Moore sent an e-mail Wednesday to more than 50,000 supporters and season-ticket holders, asking people with hotel reservations to cancel so evacuees from Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi can have shelter.
"The human tragedy as a result of Katrina is staggering and I know Crimson Tide fans will do what they can to help those who are not able to immediately return to their homes," Moore said.
Alabama's Student Recreation Center is also serving as a Red Cross shelter for hundreds of evacuees.
In Tallahassee, Fla., a big college football weekend awaits.
There is concern hotel space might disappear for Katrina victims since Florida law requires hotels to honor all reservations. The hotels have been booked for weeks, with Florida State playing its opener against Miami and Florida A&M hosting Delaware State.
Red Cross officials in the city said Thursday they have room for up to 3,000 evacuees. The area's 5,200 hotel rooms have been filled with refugees. They were full Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and at 85 percent capacity Wednesday. Refugees forced from hotels can turn to shelters, officials said.
Florida State officials met with the Red Cross concerning a fund-raiser during Monday's game. Students will collect donations around the 84,000-seat Doak Campbell Stadium.
Ohio State will help relief efforts by donating $2 from each football program sold in September and by collecting money from fans at Ohio Stadium.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2149023

 

[tibor75]

Look at that worthless FEMA director:

Brown said those who ignored the city's mandatory evacuation order bore some responsibility.

"I think the death toll may go into the thousands and, unfortunately, that's going to be attributable a lot to people who did not heed the advance warnings," Michael Brown told CNN.

Let's see...look at all the 1000s of people shipped to the Astrodome. Why are they there? Obviously, they don't have any money to stay in motels and feed themsevles. Secondly, they obviously don't have any family elsewhere to take them in. So, really, how were they supposed to evacuate? Let's see...I have little money, I have no family elsewhere, I have small kids and/or grandma to look after, but yeah, I should have found some way to leave the city and fend for myself.
What a fucking prick.

 

[Brutus1]

I felt that way at first , too. Then , I realized, how the heck are they going to evacuate? And, supposedly, the Superdome was a hideout for those that could not evacuate, and look whats happening to them now!

Maybe in the next evacuation, officials could plan for transportation for all those who just can't afford to get out. That does nothing for those who are currently fighting for their lives.

 

[Buckin' A]

Look at that worthless FEMA director:

Brown said those who ignored the city's mandatory evacuation order bore some responsibility.

"I think the death toll may go into the thousands and, unfortunately, that's going to be attributable a lot to people who did not heed the advance warnings," Michael Brown told CNN.

Let's see...look at all the 1000s of people shipped to the Astrodome. Why are they there? Obviously, they don't have any money to stay in motels and feed themsevles. Secondly, they obviously don't have any family elsewhere to take them in. So, really, how were they supposed to evacuate? Let's see...I have little money, I have no family elsewhere, I have small kids and/or grandma to look after, but yeah, I should have found some way to leave the city and fend for myself.
What a fucking prick.

Hell has completely frozen over...and I agree with Tibs 100%.

 

[Bob Buck]

I think that the city of New Orleans should be rebuilt, but definitely not below sea level or maybe not even in the same place. An entirely new city should be in the works after this. It could be a huge testing ground for what future cities should be like. Considering the amount of money that will go into this process, I think the new New Orleans should strive to be as energy efficient as possible. Solar homes, wind power, wave power, etc. All that good environmental stuff that we will need in the next 50 years to prevent going to war with the entire Middle East.

Somehow I think this is what Hastert had in mind, but did not vocalize very well. Or maybe he really does think they're all idiots and somehow they deserve it. I hope it's the former scenario.

I know this sounds crazy, but this disaster will create jobs and there will be an economic boom because of it.

 

[Oh8ch]

My post about guarding the border with La was in jest, but there is a very real issue here.

The last census identified 112,000 households in NO that did not own transportation. That is sad. Poverty is sad. What is happening in NO is incredibly sad. But who are these folks? They are in no way shape or form a random demographic.

Poverty correlates to a lot of things. Unfortunately it correlates to race. But it doesn't stop there. It correlates to illnes. It correlates to single parent families. It correlates to hard luck.

But it also correlates to anti-social and criminal behavior. It correlates to poor work habits. It correlates to drug use. It correlates to an inability to manage ones daily life. Clearly not everyone left in NO is a criminal or drug addict. But it is not unreasonable to suggest that the proportion of such folks is remarkably high.

The population of Shreveport has almost doubled with refugees. The crime rate has sky rocketed over night.

There were three murders and six rapes in the Superdome last night.

28,000 of these folks are being bused to Houston where they will have no job, no income, no family and 24 hours a day with nothing to do.

So what is my point? I'm not quite sure.

I am certainly not suggesting these folks not be helped. The current efforts absolutely must continue.

But on the backside of this help comes yet another very ugly problem that is uncomfortable and politically incorrect to discuss. A problem unlike any ever created from a natural disaster in the past. These are not refugees with a proven track record of being able to solve their own problems. Mark it down. You will be hearing a lot more about the problem created in Houston and other cities in the weeks to come.

 

[BB73]

Here's an SI.com article about tOSU and the relief efforts.

si.com
Ohio State to help hurricane victims

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State will help the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by donating $2 from each football program sold in September and by collecting money from fans at Ohio Stadium.

"Ohio Stadium is where our statewide community comes together every fall, and this effort allows our faculty, staff, students and fans to come together and make a significant difference for people in need," Ohio State president Karen Holbrook said in announcing the drive on Thursday.

The athletics department will donate $2 from every program sold at four September home games to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The games are Saturday against Miami (Ohio), Sept. 10 vs. Texas, Sept. 17 vs. San Diego State and Sept. 24 vs. Iowa in the Big Ten opener. The programs will cost $7, and a total of 76,000 programs will be available for those four games.

In addition, cash donations for the relief project will be collected at several locations at the stadium where merchandise is sold.