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The ones that chose to stay that didn't think this was a serious situation. Those that did survive this and when interviewed have said that remaining was a stupid idea. The order to evacuate was mandated by the Governor. I know the mention of having a few days of food was mentioned. But if people were turned away because they didn't have food, then there is a bigger problem. The order to evacuate came from the Governor. I can't see anyone being turned away because they didn't have food. If so then the Governor had better investigate this cruelty. Cos that's not cool..not at all. But aside from that...

Right now there is a huge need for supplies, money and blood. The people that are risking their lives to save those trapped in homes or buildings need our support also. For those folks in the US get thee to the nearest Red Cross. Find out what your local chapter is looking for, take the time and share. If you don't have money, donate clothing (time to clean out those closets), or if you can donate blood. Or if you can't do any of these. Keep these people in your thoughts and prayers.

I live on an island in hurricane alley. They say evacuate, me and Kitty, we're gone. I've always been around one type of weather condition or another. Hurricanes, tornados, typhoons and blizzards. Property can be replaced, but life can't.

Oh absolutely AW! I'm just frustrated and upset that so many people died that didn't need to. If the state had the National Guard at the ready, oh wait they're in Iraq. The death rate would have been much lower. People would have been helped to get out of harms way. But those that couldn't get out were left to fend for themselves.

On the flip side of this:
Thirty people lost their lives in one apartment complex because they didn't think it was going to be that bad.
Their complex was right on the water. All that remains is the concrete foundation.

I guess it's the past military experience coming out here. I lived through a typhoon and saw first had the devastation and destruction. I remember the parties that folks were having. Typhoon parties. Sadly a lot of people in the local village lost their lives. Being part of the clean up effort really left an impression with me. So if I came off as testy with you AW I apologize. The emotions surrounding this disaster are many and complex.

SUPPORT HURRICANE KATRINA SURVIVORS! It'll make ya feel oh soooooo goooood.

That is terrific news!! Woooohooo!!
Looks like an angle was looking out for him! A hip cool one, that wears sandals and kicked up shades.

Folks things are getting rough beyond anyones imagination. The people of New Orleans are in desperate need of food, water, ice and medicine. Biloxi, beautiful Biloxi is hurting bad as well.

There have been reports of people shooting at the rescuers, which stops them from helping people. The shooters demanding that the rescuers help their families. Why should it take four days! Four days to help these people?

I thought that after 9/11 we woke up to the fact that disasters happen. Be it terrorists or natural. It's very clear there wasn't a contingency plan, not even close to a thought of what should the city do if a major catastrophic event should happen.

I'm stunned that less than 3000 National Guard soldiers are there. The place is total lawless chaos.

People are frightened,hungry, angry, lonely and tired. This nightmare after the nightmare must seem like it's never ending. In addition to reports of people shooting at rescuers. There have also been reports of rapes, beatings and folks just dropping dead from lack of water.

So tomorrow night, on NBC Matt Lauer will be hosting a telethon. Spearheading the effort of the entertainment industry to raise money to help the victims/survivors of Katrina.

Hurricane exposes issues of class, race 1 hour, 7 minutes ago



Although TV correspondents covering Hurricane Katrina avoid commenting on the obvious, their cameras hold back nothing. The people who couldn't or wouldn't leave New Orleans are overwhelmingly poor and black. As are the looters.


The images may surprise people whose visual pictures of the city are of tipsy partiers on Bourbon Street or plump chefs in French Quarter restaurants. But the vicious winds of Katrina exposed a far different reality.


The Census Bureau reported this week that the number of Americans living in poverty rose last year to 12.7%, the fourth consecutive year the poverty rate has risen. New Orleans' poverty rate is nearly double the national rate, and 40% of the city's children live in poverty. More than two-thirds of the city's residents are African-American.


Those are the people gathered in desperation at the Morial Convention Center, their shattered and messy lives on full public display. Those are the faces behind the dry statistics in the government reports.


Failure to address that reality appears to be a central reason that New Orleans' meager and mismanaged disaster plan failed. Many of the poor lacked cars, leaving them unable to escape the city.


Lacking money, many also surely lacked places to go. Lacking education, many may not have grasped the threat. And lacking good health, many were too weak to survive.


Those shortcomings were not addressed. The result is the heartbreaking pictures coming out of the city Thursday. They were reminiscent of Third World refugee camps.


None of this, of course, excuses the looting, except perhaps to obtain food and water to survive. And it certainly doesn't excuse the shooting. Some looters even fired shots at rescuers Thursday, interfering with their critical missions as the city descended into near-anarchy.


But lawlessness is the inevitable companion of mass poverty, and a threat to civil order should have been anticipated.


There seems little doubt that order will be restored swiftly. Police and National Guard forces headed for New Orleans certainly have the capability. And there is no doubt that Americans will respond with an outpouring of generosity to citizens in need, just as they did for the tsunami victims of Southeast Asia.


Sadly, there is also no doubt that when New Orleans eventually returns to some form of normalcy, its poor will once again become invisible. At least until the next disaster strikes.

Oh man don't get me started about lawyers, criminals and courthouses.grrrr

Tonight my sister, Ms. Republican herself was ripping apart FEMA, the president and anyone who could have and should have been able to put in motion evacuation, rescue and relief efforts sooner than today. It would have been less expensive to do so than what we are gonna have to pay now! (well that's all I can post here, without heavy editing)

Idea!
How about getting some cruise ships and putting people on them. They could be docked. They'd have access to food, sanitary facilities, sleeping quarters.

Idea!
How about opening up some of the empty military housing to families? Military housing is some of the best housing that a person can get.. But Families would get to be TOGETHER!! Instead of getting seperated like they are in Houston.
There are empty barracks for single folks as well.

Tonight the NBC networks will be broadcasting a fundraising Telethon to raise money to help the victims Hurricane Katrina.
Yeah there's gonna be some great jammin' tunes. But...think about making a donation. Whatever you can give. No amount is too small.

It's been suggested that Rudy Guiliani step in and get things going. Now that would be a smart thing to do.

Poor planning knows no political party or ideology. This was poor planning. As part of the Homeland Security this type of disaster should have been integrated into the training. New Orleans is by far the worst hit. Yes Biloxi, beautiful Biloxi is a shambles as well. Those amazing big southern houses. Kessler Air Force Base.

People that had very little to begin with have lost everything.
Including their lives.

The United States is an amazing country. We really and truly are.

But a category 5 hurricane was headed towards the US. Weather watchers from all over had been tracking this storm
At the very least the National Guard should have been put on alert to be deployed where ever the storm would have hit. To assist in maintaining Law and Order during this crisis. It would have help to avoid (for the most part) the meltdown that has taken place.

Right now it's extremely important for people to help as much as they can. In what ever capacity you can do so.

www.redcross.org

Contact your local chapter of the Red Cross. See what they need, make a donation of money, blood, time, clothing or toys (if needed).

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