I was watching CNN and MSNBC last night, and was just sickened with all that is happening in and around New Orleans. To see people out there for days with infants and small children, it is horrifying. The fact that their has been no real response or plan has been ridiculous. What about our magnicifent new Homeland Security Department that our wonderful administration setup (for billions of dollars)?? Wasn't this supposed to be the way federal/state/local officials could work together and "keep America safe"?? Well how safe do the people of NO feel right now?? Why are people suffering for **days** and bodies lying in the streets and nobody is bringing supplies and aid to this area?? We could sure use that National Guard of ours right about now, I think these situations are what the Guard is supposed to be used for. But instead they're across the globe helping to "liberate" Iraq. Oops. I know there are Guard coming over now (or in the next few days) but why the long delay?? Sheesh, if this had been a terrorist attack, imagine how much worse it would be? Here, we even had a few days warning!!
I loved the quote from our "leader" yesterday about how this is a "temporary disruption". Really? Tens of thousands (at least) are homeless, an American city is pretty much destroyed, we now have refugees in America, people are dying in the street, police are handing in their badges, businesses will not be rebuilt in the city anytime soon...yup it all adds up to me as a "temporary disruption" Mr President. As always, you have your finger firmly on the pulse of the situation.
Lastly, watching "Scarborough Country" (who I normally would never watch) last night even Joe Scarborough was appalled at the federal response. He was being extremely critical of the feds for not acting, openly questioning why last year in Florida they had three hurricanes in five days and were able to handle the situation efficiently, yet in New Orleans and around the gulf there has been virtually no action. You can draw your own conclusions on that.
Over the last view years I have been thinking occasionally "What Country is This?", as I feel more isolated from how our government chooses to "operate" on any number of topics. The images that we have all seen really struck that chord again with me, as I couldn't fathom seeing a scene like that in an American city. Lets hope the feds "get off their asses" (nice quote mr mayor) and get some help to those people down there before more people are left dead days *after* the hurricane hit.
3 comments:
Agree with most comments on why it has taken so long and how the heck can Florida react so quickly and in all honestly, how the fuck did New York respond so quickly before there was even a homeland security department.
Here are a few additional thoughts on the situation:
1. How can anyone have any faith in any federal or state department to provide a quick benefit to the people that are paying for it. This isn't anything new. It has always been a huge waste of money. When Baltimore had the floods several years ago it took FEMA about 2 weeks to react to that situation to get checks to families whose houses were seriously damaged. And that was just a small flood that was cleaned up within a few days. How can you be surprised at the lack of response now?
2. I see a major difference between the way that Guiliani handled 9/11 and the way this boob of a mayor is handling the New Orleans situation. You never once thought that Guiliani wasn't in control. From day one in New Orleans, there was confusion and a lack of leadership by all parties.
3. Don't bring Iraq into this. It isn't like we had to scrounge up troops to send down there or Bush is saying there is no money to give to the city. The delay is just organizing the troops and basically making the decision on how they should be used. Remember troops have been down there since Monday, but they are being used to help distribute food and water at the Superdome, not control looters.
4. I'm clearly not defending Bush here since it should of been clear from day one that there was a major issue and the leadership in the area could not handle the situation. I mean what the hell is this that FEMA had no idea that people were at the convention center when the mayor was telling everyone to go there? I'm just so confused on the lack of communication between state and federal government. Everyone is at fault here.
5. Please send Eric down there so someone in the area can do basic math. I mean come on. First it was the Superdome capacity, then it was the buses, and now the Astrodome. As Eric stated before, its not that hard to divide or subtract.
6. I have some friends in Birmingham and Baton Rouge who are absolutely miserable. The Baton Rouge folks are under attack from everyone coming up from New Orleans. Our office is closed now since there is a serious safety concern for all of the local residents. Locals are being advised to leave the area. In Birmingham, gas is at $6.00 and there are rumors that they are seriously running out of gas.
7. Heard some people say that our response time to this is amazing compared to other countries. Um..who gives a shit. Its like comparing Bonds vs. Mike Gallego. We should be better at responding than any country in the world since we were supposed to have a top notch government, money, and manpower. We should never be seeing people die after they are rescued because of a lack of food, drugs, or just plain water.
This is between pathetic, crazy, amazing, and sad all at the same time.
much agreed on all points. but maybe the iraq thing. well, i agree that the assignment of troops aspect of it shouldn't be part of it.
but maybe iraq can be used as the metaphor for not being focused on the right issues?
Yes, the feds have a whole lot of blood on their hands - including Mr. Brown, who said on Wednesday (I believe) that he didn't know people were at the convention center...
but what about the other two? Mr Mayor- who looks more and more like someone who is interested in blaming eople first - and Ms. Governor, who has played a very, very small role in this and (according to some reports) told Bush to wait 24 hours before sending troops in.
There is a whole lot of blame to go around, and should be equally directed at a lot of people.
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