You know these helicptor rescues are certainly spectacular.

[cornermouse]

And they're good PR for the army, but I think about those small boats which were turned back a couple of days ago and can't help but think that although not as flashy and spectacular, having been there a couple of days ago, they would have been faster, cheaper, more efficient at searching, and would have saved more lives.

[izzie]

1. Are you hearing that men with boats just could not get in the city?

I am getting some odd feeling about all this. Bush is going to need a white wash and I think bot for the die hearts this is not going to go over.

[cornermouse]

2. I heard and was appalled.

Did you know the media has reported that they had buses sitting outside of town for two days before they went in? I would have driven one of them myself. Better that than watching people die all week.

[kliljedahl]

3. I read that a couple of days ago

Whole flotilla of boats from Northern LA, expeienced boaters, hunters & fisherman. Turned back because it might be "dangerous". I only could say :wtf:

[Spike from MN]

7. "Too dangerous." Gee, that's the same thing a Red Cross

van driver told me yesterday. I happened to park behind a Red Cross van at the gas station yesterday and when the driver came back to the van, I asked him why we haven't seen the Red Cross front-and-center in NO like they usualy are in disasters of this type. He said NO was "too dangerous." People are shooting and stuff. I asked him if it was possible that people might be firing shots into the air to try to get the attention of the rescue helicopters. He said "I've been down there before. I know what kind of people they are dealing with. Those people are dangerous." Apparently, all blacks are dangerous. Ugh. Yes, I know this guy doesn't speak for the RC but he pissed me off just the same. I'm glad I didn't donate to them this time around. I gave my money to other organizations and will continue to do so in the future.

[bananas]

9. It was on the Red Cross website

FEMA wouldn't let them in

on edit: links

Homeland Security won't let Red Cross deliver food
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1749261&mesg_id=1749261

the Red Cross is NOT in New Orleans.....did you know that?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4612716&mesg_id=4612716

http://www.redcross.org/faq/0,1096,0_682_4524,00.html#4524

[bluedog]

4. the Coast Guard did and is doing a great job..they were the first to go in

[cornermouse]

6. I'm not arguing against the Coast Guard.

Actually, I don't really consider the Coast Guard the same as the military. And I do think that there is a proper purpose and place for the military in the rescue effort as well.

However, I'm not happy with the fact that the military seems to have completely taken over and that civilians have been completely shut out, especially when they made such a strong effort to shut out civilian help which arrived before the military did.

[leftchick]

5. I think of how many would be alive if not for that

and with their pets as well. You can get a lot on a boat and literally hundreds were available and turned away. I am convinced the Federal Government wanted these people DEAD.

:banghead:

[cornermouse]

8. Appalling.

CNN just did Broussard's interview again. It tears my heart out. :cry: