'LOCKED AND LOADED'

[osaMABUSh]

cnn.com headline this morning

"She said Thursday night that 300 soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard had arrived -- "fresh back from Iraq."

"These are some of the 40,000 extra troops that I have demanded," Blanco said. "They have M-16s, and they're locked and loaded ... I have one message for these hoodlums: These troops know how to shoot and kill, and they are more than willing to do so if necessary, and I expect they will."


Can anyone say 'shock and awe'?

[tsuki]

1. 5 days, and NOLA gets 300 troops, locked and loaded. Wow!

I guess those that haven't starved to death will be shot.

/off sarcasm

[Blaq Dem]

4. This needs to be sent to the U.N. for human rights violations. n/t

[Blaq Dem]

2. why can't send in food and water?

That's all they're asking for while they wait to depart N.O. And they wonder why the situation is turning violent. This is a very violent country.

[ElectroPrincess]

3. This "Dodge City" mentality - Police State

disgusts me. It did NOT have to be this way IF ONLY they would have responded immediately after the hurricane to move the troops and supplies into the City of New Orleans.

This disaster was completely PREVENTABLE. No way should their ineptness and callous attitude be "swept under the carpet." It's beyond time to hold them accountable.

As Cheney loves to say, "BIG TIME Accountable!"

[Tesha]

5. Well, I guess Neil Young better get writing.

How many years is it now since he wrote "Ohio"?

Time for another massacre by a National Guard group.

Tesha

[brentspeak]

6. Well, what are they supposed to do?

Let everyone die because of the maurauders? These people are shooting the rescuers and attacking the population. Take them out, and save the people of New Orleans.

[Biased Liberal Media]

7. What I think is a problem here is

the fact that National Guard is a higher priority than getting clean water & food to the starving masses.

Now THAT is fucked up.

[mixedview]

16. don't you get it - BOTH are the priority- can't have one without the othe

The rapists/thugs will simply steal the food if there if order is not restored.

the supply/rescue lines must be secured AND supplies/food dropped.

[Tesha]

9. OH, I agree: the situation is out of control now.

What they *WERE SUPPOSED TO DO* was control the situation from
the get-go.

And we can debate how far back "the get-go" was. For example, an
*IMMEDIATE*, large-scale response with food and water would have
prevented "looting to eat". Earlier, an immediate, large-scale
response to evacuate the stranded citizens would have prevented
the need to provide emergency food and water. Earlier, the *SIMPLE
PROVISION OF TRANSPORTATION* would have gotten everyone safely
out of the city before the hurricane struck. Earlier, a few millions
spent shoring up the levies would have saved tens of billions of
dollars in storm losses.

But I agree: *NOW* we're fucked, and the Guard *WILL* kill people.

Tesha

[mixedview]

15. some people just don't get human nature, especially male human nature

unless there is a show of force to restore order/authority, the few bullies/thugs won't stop their bullshit - they are fucking up this entire situation and need to be put down if neccessary.

This is why I can't be a pacifist - sometimes non-violence is immoral - especially when it comes to self defense.

Shock and awe will most likely get the situation under control. Shoot to kill if neccessary.

[bleedingheart]

8. There won't be any one left to shoot tney will die of dehydration

or illness when they drink the brackish water around them.

[Wizard777]

10. Can you say, Canabalization of existing supplies?

That is exactly what these troops have been doing in Iraq. Bush doesn't help them either. So they can tell who's doing what. I trust them.

You guys really need to get a grip. Bush ass is in the fire. If you keep this up. You will pull his ass out of the fire and put your own in it. I despise Bush's every breath. But frankly your even starting to piss me off. Give them their fair chance to Fuck Up. Yeah I know AGAIN! THEN bash at will.

[jody]

11. The troops know how to protect themselves so looters and snipers

better run for cover.

After a tour in Iraq, the troops are not in any mood to die defending NO.

[Karenina]

13. Nor are they "fresh"

Those poor kids... :cry:

[Clintmax]

12. Amazing.

This indicates they will shoot to kill should they encounter any "marauders". This IS America, you know. They need to be taken into custody and given a trial per the constitution as it has been since the founders started this country! This is bad.

[MarkTwain]

14. Good for her....

.... there is absolutely no excuse for those murderers firing upon Coast Guard helicopters attempting to rescue people.

Further, there is absolutely no excuse for those thieves who steal televisions, jewelery, and all the other items we have seen carried and floated away that are non-essential to the support of life - no matter how much false, contrived, and phony "logic" and misplaced sympathy we see on this board which impotently attempts to explain away these acts of predation.

Without equivocation, the rule of law must be established before any meaningful, consistent, and true help and support can be given to this tragic situation and to the people who suffer it.

These looters and those who attempted murder upon the pilots of the choppers are but a scant three or four decimals places to the right in terms of the percentage of the souls who are suffering this overwhelming fuck up by the federal and state governments. The vast majority do not need their ilk making a horrendous situation even worse by their criminal acts.

Ready. Aim. Fire. It's the first strong statement of governance which I have yet to see from these fuck-ups "managing" this tragedy.

[melv]

17. right. Not.

Ready, Aim, Fire. Boy, that has really been a big help in Iraq, now hasn't it?