[HPFGU-OTChatter] Disasters

[Bamajenny]

My family lives in New Orleans. They evacuated, and have been staying at
my house since last Sunday. The fault here is not with the White House.
All possible preparations were made, and if we were only dealing with
hurricane damage, the people of New Orleans would be back home by now.
They most likely would not have power, they would probably have to boil
their water before they could drink it, but odds are they would have
running water/toilet facilities.

However the problems now really have not much to do with Katrina and
everything to do with flooding and the collapse of the levees. No one
expected that. In fact, after the storm was over, New Orleans actually
started celebrating because they believed that the levees had held. Most
of the people who are now being plucked off of flooded roofs in New
Orleans were ordered to leave, because everyone knew that if the levees
did fail, then there would be flooding. Shelters were set up in the
Superdome, and transportation was provided for the people to get there.

The problems now are partly the result of transportation limitations caused
by the flooding and just the logistics of dealing with thousands of refugees.

But the biggest fault, in my opinion, lies with the governor of Louisiana. Unless
and until she calls out/activates the National Guard, the military cannot go in.
Now that she has (finally!) called out the Louisiana national guard, and requested
additional national guard from other states, the national guard can only be used
to supplement local law enforcement/emergency workers. The military cannot
take control unless/until martial law is declared. The governor of Mississippi
declared martial law there yesterday but that still has not happened in New
Orleans, in spite of the fact that the rescue workers have been shot at, and
armed gangs have shot at police precinct houses.

The local rescue workers and police are facing the same limitations as any one
else with lack of gas, water, food, etc. Yes, if this had been a 'dirty bomb' attack,
the situation would probably be even worse. But, if we were watching this
situation unfold in some third world country, we would be congratulating
ourselves on how fast American aid got there. And American officials will
learn from this, so that if the dirty bomb attack does ever come (God forbid!)
the results will not be the same.

Jenny
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: dumetella2000 
  To: HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 10:40 AM
  Subject: [HPFGU-OTChatter] Disasters


  My prayers are for all who suffer, makes me feel good, may help them 
  hold on, but they need more.  If prayers are all we have, what are we 
  as a people?  Where is the preparation?  Where is the foresight?  What 
  about the drained wetlands that could have absorbed the storm surge?  
  What about the levees that weren't raised and strengthened?  Where's 
  the planning?  Where's the funding?  Where is the equipment?  WHERE IS 
  THE NATIONAL GUARD?    

  We had days to get ready.  What happens if a dirty bomb goes off in 
  downtown Washington?

  Dark Mark on the White House.  

  You who can get there, be in Washington September 24, posters and 
  banners held high.  Fudge no longer-- this is REAL.










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