Rant from Biloxi, MS

[SouthernDem2004]

I am a Police Officer for Biloxi, MS for those that do not know.

My rant is not directed at who you may think. I logged on here a few minutes ago. I took my few hours off to travel to the city my family is in to start filing claims for my home that is no more. I log in here to tell people I am alive and the first post I read is about Army troops being sent to Mississipi. Some person is saying "what is next, concentration camps?" and other stupid things like that. Keep your conspiracy theories to yourself. We disaster victims are not pawns in the political struggle. Do not use myself or my dead neighbors and friends for your political cause! SHUT UP ABOUT POLITICS AND KATRINA! We need help. We do not need people yelling about their cause. This is not about Democrats and republicans. It is about saving humans. People are dying as we speak. Martial law is needed in some areas. Deal with it! We have looters and criminals running around left and right. They will be stopped. I do not care if you do not like it! (I am not talking about those taking food and clothing. Dont care about that.) THIS IS NOT THE REPUBLICANS OR GEORGE BUSHES FAULT. THE FAILURE OF FEMA IS NOT ANY POLITICAL PARTIES FAULT. NOs PROBLEMS ARE NOT ANY POLITICAL PARTIES FAULT. These problems were never addressed and have been known for decades. Everyone knew a hurricane would destroy New Orleans. NO ONE EVER DID A DAMN THING! Not bush I or II, not Clinton, not Regan, not Carter etc. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUCKS REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN CHARGE. The city government of NO and the state of LA are just as to blame. No one wanted to spend the money to prepare for such and event. They should all answer in the end.

For those of you that are making this political or spouting stupid conspiracy theories all I can say is shut the hell up. Walk through my neighborhood and smell the dead bodies that have not been recovered then I will listen to you bitch about what is just plain trivial to me. My area has resources pouring in and has from day one. It is just going to take time in Southern Mississippi. We have alot of help but we also have alot of damage.

Donate to the Red Cross. DO NOT TRAVEL TO THE COAST! People and traffic hinder emergency crews. STAY AWAY!

SouthernDem2004

[Midlodemocrat]

1. SouthernDem.

We are so glad to see you post. We were worried about you.

[wli]

2. Good to see that you made it.

People have been asking if you were okay.

[cally]

3. I'm glad you are safe

There have been many posts asking if you are safe. Thanks for doing your part helping folks in such desparate need.

[goclark]

4. God bless and thanks for your post nt

[spooked911]

5. Thanks for the post and I wish you and your family the best.

though I still think the Bush administration's response was crminally negligent.

[Zodiak]

12. and to that I would like to add

That the reason why so much help has suddenly emerged for NO especially is because of public outrage at our national leaders and outrage from the media. This is, unfortunately, about politics; human life is about politics and we can see that clear as a bell in these last few days. Our leadership has failed and we are working hard to embarrass them into doing more, before more people die. It is beyond ugly to someone living it every day, and I completely understand that.

Glad to see you made it and have been able to get to a computer....but for your own sake, please don't pay attention to this board during the crisis. Politics is what DU is about...it cannot be changed.

I am afraid of you pulling your hair out over something you cannot control...I imagine you have had enough of that, lately.

[spooked911]

46. well put.

[liberaliraqvet26]

6. thanks for the post...

but I doubt you are seeing the spin & damage control in the media right now

[Birthmark]

7. I am so sorry to hear about your home.

I'm glad that your family is safe, though.

There are things you said with which I agree and some with which I disagree. But I don't think that now is a good time for reasoned debate for many of us. That day will come.

In the meantime, take care of yourself (I can't imagine the pressures you're under personally and professionally), take care of your family, and take care of your community. We all wish you well.

- Birthmark

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. You're wrong

You have my respect, and I'm glad you're OK, but you're wrong.

This is all about politics, because it is all about policy and management. And that has been piss poor.

Your proximity to the event doesn't give you larger wisdom. It only gives you a closer view to the situation on the ground in your limited area. For the bigger questions of coordination and policy, that view is only a small part. Your proximity doesn't trump rational thought.

Keep working, and I'll keep doing what I can from here in PA. But I will not stop looking at the major policy problems that turned this from a natural disaster to a government failure.

ON EDIT: I do agree with you re: conspiracy theorists, though. We should separate policy from conspiracy theory at this point. Also, I understand the criticism I received below about lecturing people. Understand that I disagree with your position at the same time that I extend my thoughts and wishes personally to you, your family, and your community.

[Roland99]

13. I agree to an extent. For example, the levees are the jurisdiction of ACOE

NOLA and LA cannot dictate what is or isn't done.


Also, I don't know if I'd give to the Red Cross right now. Esp. considering they are NOT ALLOWED INTO THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS!

I wonder if the Red Cross is being kept out of other areas?


WWL had an official from St. Tammany Parish and the woman said they are tired of waiting on the feds and will take matters into their own hands in any way they can, given their very limited resources.

[Zodiak]

21. Think of

how many donations were given to the Red Cross from the NBC telethon last night that are never going to make it into NO. That is what makes keep the RC out of NO so criminal...it is deliberate negligence.

I noticed Bush was asking people to donate to the Red Cross, as well. One cannot help but to wonder if he knew that the plan included keeping the Red Cross out of NO.

I understand that the Red Cross is everywhere else, but deliberately withholding the Red Cross from New Orleans smacks of favoritism.

[Roland99]

32. It smacks of something else, imo.

I don't *want* to politicize this situation but, DAMN, something smells...and it smells BAD!

[MADem]

87. An important--personally important, anyway-- note about the RED CROSS

Since the 911 business where a lot of the donations were not forwarded directly to those who needed it, but saved for a later disaster, there has been a change in leadership at the Red Cross.

Marty Evans, a retired Flag officer, is now in charge of that outfit. I can tell you that I know her, or knew her when she was on active duty, and I knew her to be smart, sharp, extremely intelligent, proactive, thoughtful, kind, forward-looking, and absolutely honest and honorable to her core.

I am rooting for her to make things happen.

[QC]

14. This isn't the time to lecture people who have lost everything. n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

17. I'm not lecturing anybody

n/t

[QC]

26. Believe me, I agree with you about the political implications

of what has happened. It has had me alternating between fury and tears all week. But I can well understand why someone who is in the midst of the tragedy, who has lost not only his possessions but his very community, would not want to talk about such things right now.

[Ripley]

33. But QC, look at the OP.

HE BROUGHT UP POLITICS. He didn't just tell us he is okay - he said shut up criticizing Republicans.

To SouthernDem... I am glad you survived, and deeply sorry about your loss of home and the utter destruction you have to deal with. I hope the Red Cross is allowed in Biloxi and Gulfport, because they are not being allowed into New Orleans.

Take care of yourself.

[SouthernDem2004]

24. He is correct to a point. My problem is with people making it a

Democrat/republican thing.

[ikojo]

25. You mean similar to the way 9/11/01 was

not politicized?

Everything is political.

[alcibiades_mystery]

27. I edited my original point

To extend my best wishes to you, your family, and your community.

I also agree with you about conspiracy theorizing.

And I thinki we can interrogate a policy without immediately falling into partisanship. Accountability does not necessarily mean partisanship. In fact, it should not. Too many of us only want the other party to be accountable, and we fall into the game of resisting our own party's accountability. Accountability in government should be all people's concern.

Again, my thouhghts and the thoughts of my family are with you and the good people of Biloxi.

[MsTryska]

31. I'm not sure who is making it a Democrat/Republican thing....

but i will tell you this - from where i stand this has been a Failure of Government in general, and since Buschco's in charge - the buck stops there.


Especially when so much of our money, attention and time has been spent focusing on Emergency Preparedness post 9/11. What the hell did it get us?


Other than that - I really do feel for you and your loved ones. This is a horrific time, and I'm glad that you are safe and sound, regardless of the state of your possessions.

[Ripley]

35. I agree. My best to my neighbors in MS.

I'm still missing some friends from Ocean Springs. No word of them.

But if this can't be pointed towards FEMA, Homeland Security, The President, the Congress and the lack of NG (because of the Iraq War) - which are all controlled by Republicans. Who can we blame for this failure to respond?

[MsTryska]

40. Well truth be told....

i'm not willing to take the heat off the Dems either.

Where were Kerry and Boxer and Kennedy and Obama, and anyone else we look to to be our champions on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday screaming bloody murder??

surely they saw the same footage we did?

Where were they screaming for an emergency convening of congress on Teusday night when it was obvious dubya was still on vacation?


Where was the coup we were threatening to have?


Why is the Congressional Black Caucaus kicking up a shitstorm all over the tube NOW? AFTER help has started to arrive?


i'm sorry - but i'm not able to forgive any of these people right now.


What I saw happening in America in the beginning of this week is a travesty.


there is no good fucking reason us regular folk should have to feel like we need to march on goddamned washington in order to get aid to our fellow citizens in the middle of a disaster on our soil.

It's not like we had any different information than they had. There is no possible way they can say well I jsut didn't know. We all get the same goddamn TV stations.

[mattclearing]

49. You're right. No one wanted to interrupt their vacation for this.

Dems and Republicans.

I do think the OP needs to know that the situation in Biloxi is significantly different than that of New Orleans. New Orleans seems to be a victim of outright neglect.

If the news media can get there the next day with all of their gear, you would think the National Guard, or locally stationed armed forces could do the same.

No one made the call, and that is a question of leadership.

Ultimately, the buck stops at the Oval Office.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

56. Bingo. That buck has been pasted squarely to Herr Busch's forehead.

[Pallas180]

38. South Dem, - from Wed. DU'ers phoned Sens/Reps to get you help down there

you have no idea how many people-citizens here were involved and furious that people were dying and there was no help from Feds.

We called Dems AND Repugs in DC screaming at them to get Gulf help.

WHY IS IT POLITICAL? CAUSE THEY HAVE THE POWER -AND THE MONEY

keep safe South Dem.

Pallas

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

41. I am very happy that you and your family are safe. Perhaps you

aren't aware though, that while people were Dying, the pResident was busy with pushing medicare in Arizona, then on to a GOP fundraiser in San Diego, making a speech about WWII, playing a guitar he was gifted and playing golf. No, this isn't a politcal issue, but an issue that this country is deteriorating minute by minute because we have a sociopath in power.

[Botany]

9. thoughts and prayers to you.

My heart breaks for all Americans effected. Please do not be
offended by our political rants ..... If I have posted anything that
has hurt you or anybody in these awful days I am sorry.

I totally agree w/ you about the need for law and order. When you
think the time is right please let me know by PM if you know
of anybody who would need some help ...... I sent to the Red Cross
I am a landscaper ..... i could bring my tools and chain saw and
work for a week anyplace on the gulf that I can help. But i don't
want to get in the way.

Please take care of yourself and let us know the real story.

[tjdee]

10. I disagree with some of what you say, but I am glad that you are alright.

I hope that things go as smoothly as possible for you, your family, and the rest of Biloxi.

[progmom]

11. Thank you for checking in. We were so worried about you.

:hug:

[OhioChick]

15. Glad to hear that you and yours are safe n/t

[wellstone dem]

16. So glad to hear from you

please take care.

[1932]

18. Everything is political.

I agree that people shouldn't say stupid things, but read what John Edwards says. There are political implications in this statement:

During the campaign of 2004, I spoke often of the two Americas: the America of the privileged and the wealthy, and the America of those who lived from paycheck to paycheck. I spoke of the difference in the schools, the difference in the loan rates, the difference in opportunity. All of that pales today. Today - and for many days and weeks and months to follow - we see a harsher example of two Americas. We see the poor and working class of New Orleans who don't own a car and couldn't evacuate to hotels or families far from the target of Katrina. We see the suffering of families who lived from paycheck to paycheck and who followed the advice of officials and went to shelters at the Civic Center or the Superdome or stayed home to protect their possessions.

Now every single resident of New Orleans, regardless of their wealth or status, will have terrible losses and life-altering experiences. Every single resident will know and care about someone who was lost to this hurricane. But some, ranging from the very poorest to the working class unable to accumulate a cushion of assets to rely upon on a very, very rainy day, will suffer the most because they simply didn't have the means to evacuate. They suffered the most from Katrina because they always suffer the most.

These are Americans some of whom who left everything they possessed behind in order to save those they loved. These are Americans huddled with their children or pushing a wheelchair between rows of those too beaten or weak to stand. In this moment, we have to remember they are part of us, Americans who love their country and are part of our national community. In this moment, it is hard because our hair is clean and our clothes are washed and our eyes are not glazed with hopelessness. But these are our brothers and sisters, and we have to remember this not just for them, but for us. We must finally recognize that when any of us suffer, we are all weaker; it affects us all.

Commentators on television have expressed surprise, saying they think that most people didn't know there was such poverty in America. Thirty-seven million Americans live in poverty, most of them are the working poor, but it is clear that they have been invisible. But if these commentators are right, this tragedy can have a great influence, if we listen to its message.

The people most devastated have always lived on a razor blade, afraid of any setback, any illness, any job loss that could disrupt the fragile balance they achieved paycheck to paycheck. They didn't leave New Orleans because they couldn't leave. Some didn't leave their homes because they wanted to protect the hard-won possessions that made their lives a little easier.

The government released new poverty statistics this week. The number of Americans living in poverty rose again last year. Thirteen million children -- nearly one in every five -- lives in poverty. Close to 25 percent of all African Americans live in poverty. Twenty-three percent of the population in New Orleans lives in poverty. Those are chilling numbers. Because of Katrina, we have now seen many of the faces behind those numbers.

Poverty exists everywhere in America. It is in Detroit and El Paso. It is in Omaha, Nebraska and Stockton, California. It is in rural towns like Chillicothe, Ohio and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Nearly half of the children in Detroit, Atlanta and Long Beach, California live in poverty. It doesn't have to be this way. We can begin embracing policies that offer opportunity, reward responsibility, and assume the dignity of each American.

There are immediate needs in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, and the first priority is meeting those, but after that, we need to think about the American community, about the one America we think we are, the one we talk about. We need people to feel more than sympathy with the victims, we need them to feel empathy with our national community that includes the poor. We have missed opportunities to make certain that all Americans would be more than huddled masses. We have been too slow to act in the face in the misery of our brothers and sisters. This is an ugly and horrifying wake-up call to America. Let us pray we answer this call. Now is the time to act.

[Renew Deal]

19. I don't think you understand what has happened in NO.

You have been getting everything you want. Many people in NO have gotten nothing. No food. No evacuation from the flooded areas. No police, so armed looters are running around.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

55. And now some senior military officer is yapping about a non-existent....

..."insurgency" for which "combat operations" are necessary, in his opinion, and treating New Orleans like a "little Somalia".

What the heck???

[lonestarnot]

20. Hang in there SouthernDem ...This too shall pass.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

22. Thank God you are safe!

I've been very worried and have been praying for you.

FYI, my company sent money to the Red Cross, and we Arkansans are not heading south-we're staying here and offering refuge for the refugees from Louisiana and Mississippi.

I have heard rumors that the Red Cross has not been able to set up comfort stations, etc, in the devistated areas. I have heard the Salvation Army is there and working hard. Are these reports correct? I need to know so as to direct donations to the agency that is able to help the most. For right now, I'm donating funds to help the refugees that have come to my neck of the woods, because I know it will help them right now.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

23. I'm just thankful you're safe & sound.

We're praying for you and everyone else, too! Trying to coordinate donations to the red cross, too. Keep your head up because regardless of how anyone feels politically one way or another, the whole nation is with you and we love you all!
:hug:

[FlaGranny]

28. So glad you are okay.

So sad about your neighbors. Just heard on the news that the area of destruction is the SIZE OF GREAT BRITAIN. It seems like an impossible task.

Of course, this is not a political issue so much as it is an incompetence issue. Heard a survivor of Camille last night who said that President Nixon had sent in the army (?) within 48 hours. The NG search and rescue was in New Orleans almost immediately and did a great job pulling people off roofs in flooded areas. I know it takes time, and from the above example, the army can be mobilized in hours. No order was given to send them in for about 72 hours. It was not good.

[AnnInLa]

29. The Red Cross and the Louisiana Democrats

All monies donated to the Red Cross will, eventually, get to the displaced evacuees. It's a travesty that they are not allowed into N.O., but please don't base your decision NOT to contribute on that fact. The Red Cross will continue to help these victims for months, years. In addition to shelters being set up by state and local gov'ts, FEMA, there are already around 87 (I think that was the # I heard) that are being paid for by Red Cross. Also, Red Cross is paying $$ to landlords to move evacuees into vacant homes and apartments. Please do give to the Red Cross.

Unfortunately, the federal gov't and FEMA will rally around bush/rove and blame the local Dem officials here in LA for the fiasco in N.O. It has already begun. LA Dems have already vowed to fight to correct this impression. You know damn well what rove will do. Politics are inevitible later...right now, aid is the most important thing.

[IndyOp]

81. Thanks AnnInLa -

I gave (what is for me) a big donation to the RC before I found out that they had not been allowed in NOLA. I was never sorry for having done it - trusting that the money would get to someone - but I feel better reading your post.

[Barack_America]

30. With all due respect...

First of all, I'm very glad that you are a survivor and I wish you well as you rebuild...

However, here's what you said:
"Everyone knew a hurricane would destroy New Orleans. NO ONE EVER DID A DAMN THING!"

While I agree that this is not a new realization, one thing that is different with the Bush administration is that they are post-9/11 and post-enormous funding for "Homeland Security".

There's nothing they could have done about the destruction of the city by a hurricane, but what was ABSOLUTELY preventable was the number of people left stranded in the city and the lawlessness that developed!!!

It's not that the evacuation plan didn't work, it's that THERE WAS NO EVACUATION PLAN!!! Four years after 9/11 and incredible spending on "Homeland Security" and we don't even have plans to evacuate our major cities in the face of disaster?????

I live in a major city (Philadelphia) and I thank God that I have a car, but most people around here don't. I can't believe that I now that, should a disaster come, that I will have to choose who comes with me and who is likely left to die. How can I do that? How can any of us do that?

Evacuation of our cities (including those apparently less desirable poor people) should have been the top priority of homeland security, but it's a fucking afterthought! Don't believe me, then check out their website http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/

That's absolutely unacceptable and the people who allowed that to be need to be taking to task.

BTW, I'm allowed to vent like this because each of my representatives have heard it first...how about the rest of you??

[alittlelark]

89. Nice post Kristi!

I agree, but if I were stuck on the Gulf coast about now I might react in a similar way to SDem. Survival and safety come first.... I'm sure he is holding it together during the 20 hour day, and re-stringing himself together at night.

You are right, but he can't see that far right now.

:cry:


:hi:

[B Calm]

34. Glad you are safe, but thanks to Bush this is political

[laylah]

36. SouthernDem

I am glad to hear you are safe and saddened you have lost your home. :hug:

Jenn

[Mnemosyne]

37. So glad that you and your family are safe SD!

:hi: :hug:

[charlie]

39. Save it for your governor

and our prez who are spinning this into a Haley-done-good Kathleen-fucked-up scenario.

[SouthernDem2004]

44. Actually our tool of a governor has done well. The state has been

outstanding. We have every available state Law Enforcement officer on the Coast. The National Guard is deploying rapidly. We are getting all the aid the state has. I have no complaints with the governor or the state.

[charlie]

45. Doesn't excuse either of them

You rightly deplore politicization of Katrina. Save a bit of umbrage for Haley and Dubya, tag-teaming each other to boost Bush's and their party's fortunes. Blanco and Nagin are dealing with a metro in a soupbowl situation, they don't need to be contending with pennyante partisan crap from those two.

[mattclearing]

50. Yeah, it seems that the affiliation of a state's officials has a direct

correlation to the effectiveness of Federal relief efforts. You should have seen Mary Landrieu begging for help on CNN the other day while Anderson Cooper dared her to knock the federal response. It was awful.

Seeing the big picture from outside, you can tell that Louisiana is getting left out in the cold while Miss. and Alabama are being taken care of. It's truly disturbing.

[qanda]

94. Then exactly what are you complaining about?

The fact that people see a breakdown in the way this was handled, at the federal level, and it's awfully strange that the divide seems to be along party lines. Why shouldn't this be pointed out? And what's up with the fact that you can praise who you want to praise but we cannot criticize who we want to criticize. I have seen numerous reports of people unhappy with the response in Mississippi, so I guess they should just shut up and be happy because you are.

There have been plenty of posts, mine included (do a search if you don't believe me) criticizing the initial response from the local and state government. However, it is the federal government's responsibility to get in there and handle what the state and local government could not and I will not stop criticizing that regardless of who tells me to.

[Lexingtonian]

42. I'm glad you're safe and doing what you can.

Thank you for all your efforts.

But...you're falling into the judgmental errors that people under severe stress do make when they become overwhelmed.

You're saying there is practical moral equivalence of the political sides here. You and I know that's the way it looks- but not the way it truly is.

I'm sorry you live in what is widely considered the great backwater, backwoods, provincial, social and economic and governmental armpit of America. Your state government doesn't work for its people. Your portion of the federal governmental agencies and bureaucracy is incompetent. This by design of and toleration by your region's powerful.

It's better where I am, not that I consider that personally virtuous or that I'm in some significant fashion responsible for it.

You know perfectly well that we Out Here are getting dealt another Bush political effort/exploitation effort out of this. They'll keep on selling the people outside the South the shit they're doing as chocolate. That is our fucking business to deal with. Yes, that may strike you as irrelevant in your frame of things. In a month you might be a bit more sober and admit that someone has to deal with the immoralism that our Rulers roll out at every massive amount of chaos.

Yes, we can't help you much by doing so. We think we're doing what needs doing in the long run. Frost said that 'Men work together even when they work apart' in his long argument about human redemption and God in "Mending Wall". Give the idea a chance. I mean, I thought accountability the moral plane also counted for something in Southern culture, not just the material one. It's all we've heard from there for many years, and now it's no longer true?

[marions ghost]

43. people speaking out

--all kinds of citizens, politicians and public servants--have helped get aid to the Gulf Coast, southerndem--helped to overcome the abysmal response by the federal government somewhat. Many at DU have done nothing but try to help. Nobody is saying that protection of your area is not warranted. It is a relief that Gen Honore is on the scene in NO. You're going to read some things (even stupid things) that you don't agree with on DU but that doesn't mean everyone here buys into it. That's painting with too broad a brush. And as you know, there are those who post just to start flame wars.

There will be MANY attempts to spin this and to find blame--from all sides. It will be very political. There are very strong feelings about how it is being handled--many Americans have suddenly seen that the emergency services in this country are inadequate to meet a really big disaster. And that funds have been diverted from preventative measures. That is a very disturbing realization.

I understand that you might want to insulate yourself from all that stuff right now. In fact I urge you to do so. I have been a hurricane victim myself and I know how angry and sensitive it leaves you. I lost a lot that can never be regained. It is hard to deal with such a shock--such deep feelings of loss, and the overall loss of control and sense of order. The hurricane I experienced changed my life in profound ways, and I know this will for you too. It's a tough thing to go through. Go ahead and release some anger our way. We can take it. It gives us the chance to say we care about you and all those suffering in this awful disaster. I believe that the majority of us here at DU are with you in every way as you seek to regain some order in the midst of chaos. One day at a time.

It can be done, and you will do it. No matter what's going on at DU.

:hug:

[IdaBriggs]

47. I'm glad you are okay, but you are wrong.

This is about politics. Politics made the decision where to put the money BEFORE the problems occurred. Politics made the decision to send the National Guard, etc. to Iraq instead of where they were needed. Politics put INCOMPETENT IDIOTS in charge of FEMA.

We are all here for you. You deal with the important stuff as best you can with what resources you have. (The amount of resources you get are directly tied to politics, by the way.)

In the meantime, maybe I'll get to meet you. I'm being deployed by the American Red Cross later this week.

Good luck! :)

[Boredtodeath]

51. Exactly, Ida!

Isn't it coincidental that these folks want to scream "It's not political" when the politics can harm their guy, but are the first to scream politics if the President in office happened to be a Democrat?

And, now, this uncompassionate DUer - who had no compassion for the Dead by Taser at the Hand of Cops - suddenly comes rushing to to DU for some of that compassion he so desperately needs now.

Sorry, I'm preserving my compassion for those homeless, uninsured, destitute folks in New Orleans.

I'm fresh out for insured homeowners who don't want to play politics today.

[IdaBriggs]

57. Boredtodeath, I'm sorry, but you are misunderstanding me.

I have complete compassion for this DU'er. He's working his ass off in a difficult situation, and he wants / needs help; he doesn't care if the people who are providing it are Dems, Repugs, or Purple People Eaters, and I understand that. My point to him is that while he is doing the "take care of it now" stuff, the rest of us have to examine how and why this was allowed to happen -- and the answer is political.

I'm sorry if you don't like his views on "Death by Taser" incidents, but that is part of what makes DU such a fabulous place -- different people with different viewpoints.

Personally, I am a "Law & Order" Independent, which means I expect people to treat law enforcement with respect. That doesn't mean I think multiple tasering is a good idea (and yes, there are some people who abuse it through poor education or too much adrenalin), but I am usually inclined to give the initial benefit of the doubt to the folks who put their lives on the line to save their fellow citizens. And when it is abused, I expect that situation to be addressed, too.

Just as a side note, did you know the "retirement time" for police and fire folk is usually less than seven years? If they manage to survive the stress of their careers, they are usually dead within seven years. There is no known explanation for this phenomena, although "permanent" damage to their system from the constant "adrenaline rush" is a current theory....

[Swamp Rat]

48. .

:hug:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

52. Sorry but the failure of FEMA does indeed rest squarely

at the foot of George Bush who put a person who was FIRED from his last job (with the Arabian Horse Assn....now there's some experience in catastrophes) for INCOMPETENCE!

While I sympathize with not politicizing YOUR particular plight, you would not be NEAR as exhausted as you are now had you had the resources of your own state such as National Guard available to you.

You know as a police officer how the COPS program was cut. In New Orleans alone, they had to let go of 100 officers due to cuts in the COPS program that went to the disorganized money funnel called Homeland Security.

Again..I sympathize with you and understand why you would rather see aid than see posts documenting these points but ask yourself this:

If we DON'T underscore just HOW inept they are, do you really want to go through this every time a powerful storm or any other catastrophe strikes your home?

[proud2BlibKansan]

53. Thank goodness you are okay

and your family is safe.

I am assuming you have not been able to watch the coverage of the storm this past week. If you had, you would see how bush has failed miserably to send help to the victims. We reached the tsunami victims at the other end of the globe faster than the feds got to your part of the US to aid in disaster relief.

You obviously have not seen the people dying at the NO convention center.

You must not have seen the people who have been evacuated to interstate highway ramps to wait in the heat for help and food.

You haven't seen babies and small children and the elderly dying from dehydration. They have been out in the hot sun for 5 days now and no one seems to be able to figure out how to get water to them.

You must not have heard the reports telling of massive federal aid being sent AFTER bush put in his photo shoot appearance yesterday - 5 days AFTER the storm.

You must not have read Will Pitt's excellent column posted here Thursday, titled Wake of the Flood. It details the failures of the bu$h administration which have indeed contributed to a massive number of deaths in your part of this country.

If you knew all of this, you would understand why yes indeed, this is about politics and a govt's refusal to provide basic aid to its neediest people. This is the perfect time to expose the evil leaders of this nation for the un-compassionate asses they are.

[bamademo]

54. SouthernDem

Glad you're ok. I'm in North Alabama (Huntsville) and if you need any help just let us know. Pet fostering, clothing, anything.

[TankLV]

58. THIS IS SOLELY THE REPUBLICANS OR GEORGE BUSHES FAULT!

THIS IS THE FAILURE OF FEMA AND SINCE THE REPUKE PARTY IS THE ONLY PARTY IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING, IT IS ONLY THE REPUKE PARTY'S FAULT!

Don't like the truth? TOUGH!

I'm tired of all the repuke bullshit and the crys of "don't politicize this!

This criminal misadministration has been caught with it's pants down for all the world to see - no spinning can erase this!

They are incompetant!

They are criminally negligent!

We WILL be angry AND PLACE THE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS!

We will REMEMBER and NURTURE THIS ANGER and NEVER FORGET so when it comes time, we will THROW THE BUMS OUT and restore America to what is was before THE REPUKES destroyed it!

I am sorry for your family - but you have no business at all telling us how we should feel or what we can and cannot say!

How DARE you tell us what we can say and when we can say it!

[SouthernDem2004]

59. The dangers of a hurricane striking NO have been known for decades.

No President has ever done a thing. No party has ever done a thing. No governor has ever done a thing.

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Miss Chybil]

75. See my post further down. This is about the response, not about

the lack of prevention.

[TeeYiYi]

88. That's not necessarily true . . .

First things first — I am sincerely happy to hear that you are safe. I am also terribly sorry that you're living in post-Katrina first-responders gulf coast hell. I've been listening to the LA police scanners for the past 5 days and am grateful to the officers who have been pulling triple shifts in the absence of our national guard. So please take care of yourself and don't let the stress of everything bring you down. Help has finally arrived. Things can only get better. :hug:

Regarding "not true", I think you're mistaken when you say that NO president has ever done anything. The Clinton administration DID do something, only to have it destroyed by the *shrub:

(from 2004) . . . "But long before this hurricane season, some emergency managers inside and outside of government started sounding an alarm that still rings loudly. Bush administration policy changes and budget cuts, they say, are sapping FEMA's long-term ability to cushion the blow of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires and other natural disasters.

Among emergency specialists, "mitigation" — the measures taken in advance to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters — is a crucial part of the strategy to save lives and cut recovery costs. But since 2001, key federal disaster mitigation programs, developed over many years, have been slashed and tossed aside. FEMA's Project Impact, a model mitigation program created by the Clinton administration, has been canceled outright. Federal funding of post-disaster mitigation efforts designed to protect people and property from the next disaster has been cut in half. Communities across the country must now compete for pre-disaster mitigation dollars." http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2004-09-28/cover_story.html

Anywayzzz... take care and be safe. Peace.

TYY

[POLEIS]

90. The dangers of economic insecurity have been job-one since 9-11

SD, you are obviously the kind of citizen that can definitely be called upstanding. Few enough have but after this disaster more will want to step up and take more responsibility for the safety and security of their own communities certainly.

The element of the disaster that most people are reckoning is how after 9-11 we have been promised that every contingency and plan has been made to protect not just individual buildings and cities, but that the whole picture of the greater economic safety of the nation has been well considered and refined to react to any, including the most dire of situations.

At issue is whether the lessons of 9-11 have been ignored as part of a cut-rate shortcut approach to governance and protection of the nation and its people.

Given you have a moment to give a question some thought I'd ask if you feel, boots on the ground, as a cop, if the plan your commanders are working from is less a complete action response and more in reference to further studies to be completed or even am appendix missing altogether.

The footage of the NO cop standing up for the oath and promise he swore to his badge and duty was one of the most powerful images I've seen. Your profession stands well with the likes of that officer.

PM me if you have some private comments.

[Zynx]

74. New Orleans impending fate has been known since before * was born

So it's not COMPLETELY his fault.

The Department of Homeland Screwups and FEMA are his fault, though.

[MellowOne]

61. I wish I could help-- other than money

We feel so powerless as we sit and watch the suffering people. All I could do was send money and scream at my TV...."Somebody do something." I sincerely wish I could do more.

[Zen Democrat]

62. SouthernDem, I don't think you've seen what we've seen on TV all week.

If you don't know it now, you'll know it soon enough -- what has happened in New Orleans can only be described as negligent homicide.

The Red Cross was ordered not to enter New Orleans. Not to feed people at the Superdome or Convention Center.

The news media got in, but nobody brought water or food to tens of thousands herded into makeshift shelters where bodies piled up and people screamed for help for days.

Sorry SouthernDem, but this is the time to ask these questions. During the early days of 9/11 we were told that this was not the time to ask questions -- but our questions were never answered with any credibiity and it's been four years.

During the invasion of Iraq we were told that this was not the time to ask questions with our military in harm's way -- but our questions still haven't been answered. Ask Cindy Sheehan and other Gold Star Mothers for Peace.

So, we need questions and we need answers now. Deferring this to a time when people have an opportunity to construct lies and cover-ups for their negligence is too late.

There's no end to people wanting to volunteer and help. But when these potential aid workers are turned away -- and the suffering multiplies -- we all need answers.

[really annoyed]

63. Just glad to see that you are OK

:)

[Rainscents]

64. I'm so sorry for your lost, but I am glad that you're safe.

However, you're NOT seeing what is going in NO, it's a mess! People are dying on the streets, babies are dying in their mothers arms, elderly left dying in their wheel chair, this is all due to NO FOODS and WATER for them. I urgy for you to NOT judge US here until you can actually see the whole picture long after this all pass.
Our president, while this was going on, he was doing fun raising, eating birthday cake with MaCain, playing guiltar in CA... it took him, 5 days before he decide, he better head down to NO, Miss area to do photo op!

[joe_sixpack]

65. My thoughts are with you

Good post, I agree with you. It's sad to see some of the responses you've received. Just concentrate on your family and their safety. Heal yourselves and then help heal your neighbors. I've spent time at KAFB in your area. Can not imagine the damage done to your friendly resident's lives, homes and beautiful temperate shoreline. At a time like this for you, politics is trivial. To some, politics is all they have. Vayo con Dios.

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[QC]

80. If that's not the single most grotesque thing ever posted at DU,

it'll do until another contender comes along.

:puke:

[newblewtoo]

67. Thank you, glad you are safe...

Thank you for your service to your community and for saying what you feel. First hand reports are always better than MSM.

Stay safe.

[Name removed]

68. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nyhuskyfan]

69. Bush has major responsibility here...

I'm glad you're okay, but we can certainly criticize the person at the top of this clusterfuck which caused needless death (especially since he didn't bother coming back from vacation until Wednesday).

You want to say nobody did anything? FEMA was in much better shape under Clinton, including the creation of Project Impact, which Bush gutted.

This was written last summer. Read it when you get a chance...

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/dispatch/2004-09-28/cover_story.html

As a result, some state and local emergency managers say, it's become more difficult to get the equipment and funds they need to most effectively deal with disasters. In Louisiana, requests for flood mitigation funds were rejected by FEMA this summer. (See sidebar.) In North Carolina, a state also regularly threatened by hurricanes and floods, FEMA recently refused the state's request to buy backup generators for emergency support facilities. And the budget cuts have halved the funding for a mitigation program that saved an estimated $8.8 million in recovery costs in three eastern North Carolina communities alone after 1999's Hurricane Floyd.

Consequently, the residents of these and other disaster-prone states will find the government less able to help them when help is needed most, and both states and the federal government will be forced to shoulder more recovery costs after disasters strike.

In addition, the White House has pushed for privatization of essential government services, including disaster management, and merged FEMA into the Department of Homeland Security -- where, critics say, natural disaster programs are often sidelined by counter-terrorism programs. Along the way, morale at FEMA has plummeted, and many of the agency's most experienced personnel have left for work in other government agencies or private corporations.

In June, Pleasant Mann, a 16-year FEMA veteran who heads the agency's government employee union, wrote members of Congress to warn of the agency's decay. "Over the past three-and-one-half years, FEMA has gone from being a model agency to being one where funds are being misspent, employee morale has fallen, and our nation's emergency management capability is being eroded," he wrote. "Our professional staff are being systematically replaced by politically connected novices and contractors."

[lildreamer316]

70. Kick nominated. Be safe . n/t

[crispini]

71. You're alive!

YAY!

[Silverhair]

72. Reccommened for greatest. NT

I used to live in Long Beach, then New Orleans, then Gulfport, then Waveland, then Biloxi, (Now Dallas area) I am with you completely.

[Miss Chybil]

73. I agree about conspiracy theories. That's ignorant. Criminals

who are taking advantage of this situation need to be dealt with and severely. Nobody cares about people taking food and clothes, but people who are shooting at helicopters trying to rescue the sick and dying need to be taken out. They are inhuman and we don't need them.

Now, to use these criminals as an excuse NOT to help people is criminal in itself. The response to this disaster was absolutely incompetent. What happened before with policy, etc., can be dealt with later, but nobody got off their ass to take care of this problem until it became politically suicidal not to. There is NO EXCUSE for the lack of response to this disaster. NO EXCUSE for the cronyism that has people in charge of our safety and well-being who are not qualified to handle the job. There is NO EXCUSE for our president to stay on vacation when he is needed at the White House to deal with this situation. There is NO EXCUSE.

I'm glad you're alive and well and I'm deeply sorry for the losses you have suffered - human and otherwise.

[Mythsaje]

76. Speaking the plain, honest truth isn't politicizing...

On edit:

The only "conspiracy" involved here was the conspiracy to funnel resources from one area to another for whatever purpose...and a "conspiracy" to cover their incompetence.

[qanda]

77. Now IS the time for politics

George Bush used 9/11 to get every agenda he wanted passed from tax cuts to the Patriot Act to war, and if the working poor and struggling middle class don't get the fact that this tragedy is the picture of our own plight then we are doomed or just plain dumb.

[bpilgrim]

78. aid has been actively BLOCKED for a WEEK (5 days) something ain't right

and now they are sending in sharpshooters and NG locked and loaded ready for combat coupled with the massive hyping of the looting angle in the media.

something is up and folks are naturally gonna talk about it on the one place that is paying attention since it is an ongoing tragedy.

some folks can't tolerate any negative talk about our gov but that is one of the things that makes this country great.

I am very sorry to hear about your loss but i am very glad to hear that you have your health considering the magnitude of this catastrophe. May your recovery be swift and painless. :hug:

peace

[KerryOn]

79. SouthernDem,.....

My heart pours out to you, your family and your friends.

I can never begin to put myself in your shoes. If I said that I know how you feel it would be a lie. All I know is that it must be the absolute lowest time in your life. I simply can't find the words to tell you how sad I feel for all of you.

God Bless.
KerryOn

[satya]

82. With so much to do, you may not know that the floods, not the hurricane,

destroyed NOLA. The blame for that does rest with the Bush administration, who cut funds to repair the levees.

We'll worry about the politics and fingerpointing now, you have far too many other things to be concerned about.

Sorry for your loss, but glad to hear you're safe and well.

:hug:

[brokensymmetry]

83. Welcome back.

I'm glad you and your family came through this disaster alive.

[Wheezy]

84. our hearts go out to you

I hope you can forgive our outrage on your behalf. I don't post a lot, but I'm here every day, multiple times. And what I've seen here is thousands of folks, social activists, rallying around you and other survivors. Yes, there are the conspiracy threads. But I think the main cause of those of us who have not experienced your pain first hand is to get to the bottom of what seems to be a class and racial prejudice. This rescue was fucked up. Many more people died, are dying as we speak, because of the incompetence.

If anyone here, who speaks out in compassionate outrage, has not already donated to the red cross or other charities, or opened their homes to survivors of this catastrophe, I'd be pretty surprised. I am amazed at the generosity of DU, and we will not let you down.

We've given all the money we can. Folks on limited incomes have given their own grocery money -- one outraged elderly American I know of said 'if they don't eat, I can't eat either.'

We understand that going to the disaster sites is fruitless at this point. So we turn our efforts on not only finding out why it had to happen this way, but also on how things should have gone, so this never happens again. We are sad, we are weeping, we are heart-broken as we watch the news and listen to the radio, knowing that we aren't even getting the full truth. We also know we will never understand what you, or others in the middle of this, are going through. Yet, we grieve because we care.

Please know that by talking this through, being heard by our government, and holding people accountable, we are doing what we at DU know best to do, to help in our small way. If we don't do this, we are rendered completely helpless.

I wish you health and peace. My sympathies to you for those you've lost.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

85. "My area has resources pouring in and has from day one." You are lucky....

"My area has resources pouring in and has from day one. It is just going to take time in Southern Mississippi. We have alot of help but we also have alot of damage."

People in New Orleans have had no food or water for five days and didn't have any help for 5-6 days.

[bvar22]

86. I'm glad you are OK. I STRONGLY disagree.

New Orleans survived Katrina. The policies of the REPUBLICAN PARTY over the last 5 years KILLED New Orleans.

The REPUBLICAN PARTY defunded Hurricane Protection projects that would have upgraded (finished) the Levee that failed on 17th St!

Nature is responsilbe for the Hurricane,
The Republican Party is responsible for the FAILED Levee on 17th Street.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4605534&mesg_id=4605534


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2056728&mesg_id=2056728



The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[MojoXN]

91. I glad you're safe. Godspeed.

MojoXN

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wildflower]

93. SouthernDem2004

First, I am glad to hear that you are safe and to know more of what's going on in your area.

Second, I think a lot of the reason (at least speaking for myself) to talk about the government right now is to get them moving and helping people. Because unfortunately they don't seem to do anything unless/until shamed into it. And they haven't been doing it, so emotions are running high. I personally have been at my wit's end.

Finally, you mentioned the Red Cross. They are being allowed in where you are? Can you make a list of what is needed in your area, if there is anything?

wildflower

[The Magistrate]

95. Locking

This has become a flame-war.