AHN (via Fox) Red Cross Says "We Were Kept From Superdome By State"

[guruoo]

AHN via Fox News alert:

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7000060641


Update: Red Cross Says "We Were Kept From Superdome By State"

September 7, 2005 7:01 p.m. EST

Douglas Maher - All Headline News Staff Reporter

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A report on Fox News from correspondent Major Garrett Wednesday night reveals a major break into what exactly went wrong at the Louisiana Superdome in the days after Hurricane Katrina struck the city.

An American Red Cross representative tells Fox News that the Louisiana State Homeland Security Department refused the relief organization permission to take food and water to the Superdome because they did not want to "encourage people to go there."

They State office of Homeland Security wanted to get people out and were afraid that providing support would be a "magnet" attracting more displaced citizens of New Orleans.

<snip>

[skooooo]

1. ? wtf

[cthrumatrix]

8. funny the other 1000 accounts say FEMA truned people

rove is employing Fox TV to lie and spin

[guruoo]

11. This came from AHN ~via~ Fox

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7000060641

[guruoo]

10. ***Got debunk?

Freepers are doing high fives over it
like it's some sort of smoking gun..

[bribri16]

34. OK, but what has this to do with the federal response and lack thereof?

Also, when was did this happen. I recall seeing on TV that the Red Cross was there giving out food.

[valerief]

2. Rove must dizzy with all his spin spiraling in his spin machine

[blitzen]

3. yeah, that's the ticket!!!! n't

[bluestateguy]

4. Operation "Protect the Baby Bush" continues

Protect the little child at all costs!

[Mass]

5. Do we have another source? FOX?

[bamademo]

6. This is true...I was volunteering yesterday...

There was an offical memo stating this. The RC was pissed.

[guruoo]

12. So this happened AFTER the 'dome was evacuated?

[peekaloo]

7. Fall Guy #2 please state your name and occupation.

Chertoff, we hardly knew ya.

Just don't blame Bu$h will be Fox's new motto.

[me b zola]

9. Is there any more proof needed that they are gop-bots?

I'll continue to give blood, but they can go fuck themselves if they want any cash from me! :grr:

[justgamma]

13. Does each state have their own?

Wouldn't they be part of the federal DHS?

[guruoo]

15. I thought all DHS fell under fed control

[PatsFan2004]

24. In Massachusetts, we have our own state Homeland Security

organization.

[NewJeffCT]

33. I think every state has one, like every state has Social Sec.

But, it should report up to the Fed, as I'm sure every state has their own IRS department, INS department, Social Security Dept, etc.

[PatsFan2004]

36. In Massachusetts, our governor makes the first decisions, but

there is coordination with the Federal Homeland folks.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. Notice what's missing here: A DATE

If the claim is that the Red Cross was prohibited from bringing more food to the Superdome in the last two days or so, then that means very little. It's common knowledge that all aid organizations have been encouraged not to resupply stragglers in the city so that they will be "incentivized" to leave now. Without specifiying a date for this event, it means nothing.

[jjmalonejr]

18. No, the claim is it was right after the storm passed

last Monday.

[alcibiades_mystery]

31. Where you see that?

In the article?

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. Yep. And the most important clue that this is bullshit is that they

weren't yet evacuating anyone that early. So it really doesn't make sense that they wouldn't provide food and water to get the people to evacuate, when tens of thousands were more than willing to do it. In those early days, nobody knew how to evacaute nor where.

FoxNews disinformation, once again.

[bribri16]

28. But the Red Cross was at the Superdome giving out food. We saw it on TV

They must have been asked to not come back after the dome was being evacuated to other locations.

[TomClash]

16. "An American Red Cross Representative"

That's very specific and verifiable reporting!

And by the way - where's the dateline?

[jjmalonejr]

21. This is what Drudge is pushing

http://www.radioblogger.com/#000967

It's a transcript of the interview and it's pretty darn specific.

We'll see about verifiable.

[guruoo]

46. The 'source' is a Fox News Reporter

Major Garrett

[recoveringdittohed]

17. Here is link to Red Cross Website

Red Cross state on their website that state Homeland Security & National Guard requested them not to enter New Orleans. I found out about this on another thread at DU on Sep. 3 printed out this page from the Red Cross website on Sep. 3 and the statement on the website is the same now (at 10:00 pm Sep 3) as it was on Sep. 3

Here is the link

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

[jjmalonejr]

19. I saw that, too, but it doesn't specify that it was La. Homeland Security

The claim being floated right now is that it was La officials.

Thus blaming Blanco.

Clearing Bush.

Game. Set. Match.

[PatsFan2004]

23. All I see on the FAQ is that state Homeland Security Department

refused the Red Cross permission.

[jjmalonejr]

26. Yeah, I just noticed that.

Missed it the first time.

Are officials from the La DHS state officials or federal officials?

[PatsFan2004]

29. In Massachusetts, Governor Romney makes the call

on the activities of our state Homeland Security department. He was actively involved in raising the alert level when the British bombings occurred.

[jjmalonejr]

40. You really want to make sure everyone gets this, don't you?

How altruistic of you.

[Melinda]

30. It says National Guard & local authorities... but its spun out of context

Read it in its entirety:

Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?


Acess to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.

The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

The Red Cross has been meeting the needs of thousands of New Orleans residents in some 90 shelters throughout the state of Louisiana and elsewhere since before landfall. All told, the Red Cross is today operating 149 shelters for almost 93,000 residents.

The Red Cross shares the nation’s anguish over the worsening situation inside the city. We will continue to work under the direction of the military, state and local authorities and to focus all our efforts on our lifesaving mission of feeding and sheltering.

The Red Cross does not conduct search and rescue operations. We are an organization of civilian volunteers and cannot get relief aid into any location until the local authorities say it is safe and provide us with security and access.

The original plan was to evacuate all the residents of New Orleans to safe places outside the city. With the hurricane bearing down, the city government decided to open a shelter of last resort in the Superdome downtown. We applaud this decision and believe it saved a significant number of lives.

As the remaining people are evacuated from New Orleans, the most appropriate role for the Red Cross is to provide a safe place for people to stay and to see that their emergency needs are met. We are fully staffed and equipped to handle these individuals once they are evacuated.

[alcibiades_mystery]

35. LOL

Yeah, right.

Game. Set. Match. Don't be a credulous fool. You make others look bad when you behave like an idiot.

[jjmalonejr]

43. Why are you calling me a fool?

I'm just saying that this is how they operate. Find some small ounce of truth that they can cling to and declare the discussion over. Unfortunately, a lot of people buy that.

It certainly doesn't end the discussion for me.

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

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

[guruoo]

45. Red Cross thought decision was right one

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

Disaster FAQs

Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?

Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?

* Acess to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.

* The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

* The Red Cross has been meeting the needs of thousands of New Orleans residents in some 90 shelters throughout the state of Louisiana and elsewhere since before landfall. All told, the Red Cross is today operating 149 shelters for almost 93,000 residents.

* The Red Cross shares the nation’s anguish over the worsening situation inside the city. We will continue to work under the direction of the military, state and local authorities and to focus all our efforts on our lifesaving mission of feeding and sheltering.

* The Red Cross does not conduct search and rescue operations. We are an organization of civilian volunteers and cannot get relief aid into any location until the local authorities say it is safe and provide us with security and access.

* The original plan was to evacuate all the residents of New Orleans to safe places outside the city. With the hurricane bearing down, the city government decided to open a shelter of last resort in the Superdome downtown. We applaud this decision and believe it saved a significant number of lives.

* As the remaining people are evacuated from New Orleans, the most appropriate role for the Red Cross is to provide a safe place for people to stay and to see that their emergency needs are met. We are fully staffed and equipped to handle these individuals once they are evacuated.

[Melinda]

25. It's totally reasonable - the entire thing is a MUST READ

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

Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?

Acess to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.

The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

The Red Cross has been meeting the needs of thousands of New Orleans residents in some 90 shelters throughout the state of Louisiana and elsewhere since before landfall. All told, the Red Cross is today operating 149 shelters for almost 93,000 residents.

The Red Cross shares the nation’s anguish over the worsening situation inside the city. We will continue to work under the direction of the military, state and local authorities and to focus all our efforts on our lifesaving mission of feeding and sheltering.

The Red Cross does not conduct search and rescue operations. We are an organization of civilian volunteers and cannot get relief aid into any location until the local authorities say it is safe and provide us with security and access.

The original plan was to evacuate all the residents of New Orleans to safe places outside the city. With the hurricane bearing down, the city government decided to open a shelter of last resort in the Superdome downtown. We applaud this decision and believe it saved a significant number of lives.

As the remaining people are evacuated from New Orleans, the most appropriate role for the Red Cross is to provide a safe place for people to stay and to see that their emergency needs are met. We are fully staffed and equipped to handle these individuals once they are evacuated.

==============
Gee, who woulda thunk Faux would spin, contort and lie?

[Avalux]

22. Wait a minute! We're not supposed to play the Blame Game!

No fair Fox News. YOU CHEATERS!!!

[stevietheman]

27. Yeap, it's the MO of the reich-wingers to tell everyone not to do...

exactly what they are about to do... in kinder, gentler times we called this hypocrisy.

[bluestateguy]

37. You're right. WE are not supposed to

So that they CAN play the blame game and WE can't defend ourselves. It's kind of like the kid who always gets beat up by the school bully saying "please, please stop being mean to me! Stop beating me up..." CLUNK!

[walldude]

32. What difference does it make.

Let them answer this question. Medical Marijuana is legal in some states yet the Feds say they don't honor those laws and will arrest people for growing or posessing MM. Why is it their authority supercedes the states when it comes to that but not this?
Local governments have many things to answer for. It doesn't change the fact that the feds purposfully held back relief for Bush's photo-op.

[PatsFan2004]

38. It is important to find out what went wrong! We certainly

would love to blame our most hated enemy, but for the sake of the people in future disasters, we must straighten out the procedural mess.

[NewJeffCT]

39. everything was supposed to be run by FEMA after 8/26

so, if the state national guard was interfering, it should be FEMA's responsibility. Please note the date of the press release below:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html

Statement on Federal Emergency Assistance for Louisiana

The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina beginning on August 26, 2005, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the parishes of Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, Catahoula, Concordia, De Soto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

Representing FEMA, Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named William Lokey as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

[PatsFan2004]

42. That may be why Massachusetts and other states have their own

Homeland Security departments. These are the departments that coordinate with the Federal department. However, as in the British bombings, the MA Homeland Security department raised its own alert level and called for more security even before the Federals got involved.

Our state department consist of state bureaucrats coordinating the state police, the local police, as well as our transit police and emergency services.

[guruoo]

47. That one doc trumps Rove's "blame game" game - thanks

:toast:

[KittyWampus]

41. WHAT KEPT FEMA FROM THE SUPERDOME?????

sorry for the caps.

[ThoughtCriminal]

48. Has anybody asked the LDHS Commander to comment?

The Adjutant General and Director for DHS in Louisiana is Major General Bennett C. Landreneau, who was appointed to his position in 1997 by former Louisiana Governor Mike Foster, a Republican. He was re-appointed by current Governor Kathleen Blanco in December 2003.

http://www.newshounds.us/2005/09/07/head_of_the_red_cross_points_finger_at_louisianas_homeland_security_department.php#more

[Ioo]

49. "Louisiana State Homeland Security Department"

Wow, they are going to do everything they can to pin this on the state.

[magellan]

50. It doesn't explain a thing

The reason, FAUX says, is the LA DHS office refused to give the Red Cross access. Why? Allegedly, Gov. Blanco had to authorize them to allow the emergency aid in.

:wtf:

THESE TWO DOCUMENTS override all that BS:

Homeland Security Prepping for Dangerous Hurricane Katrina / Residents in path of storm "Must take action now" - Release Date: (Sunday) August 28, 2005

On Saturday, President Bush has declared an emergency for the states of Louisiana and Mississippi opening up FEMA’s ability to move into the state and assist the state and local governments with mobilizing resources and preparations to save lives and property from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. FEMA is moving supplies of generators, water, ice and food into the region for immediate deployment once the storm passes. FEMA’s Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) are also staged for immediate response anywhere in the region. The funding and direct federal assistance will assist law enforcement with evacuations, establishing shelters and other emergency protective measures.

FEMA has deployed USAR (Urban Search & Rescue) teams from Tennessee, Missouri and Texas to stage in Shreveport, LA.. USAR teams from Indiana and Ohio are staged in Meridian, MS. Two teams each from Florida and Virginia and one team from Maryland are on alert at their home stations.

A total of 18 DMATs have been deployed to staging areas in Houston, Anniston and Memphis. There are 9 full DMATs (35 members per team) and 9 strike teams (5 members per team) in these staging areas.

Both Mississippi and Louisiana have mandatory evacuation orders in place for some areas. National Guard troops have been deployed to
assist law enforcement in evacuations.

and

President Declares Major Disaster For Louisiana - Release Date: (Monday) August 29, 2005 (this disaster declaration by the President is what FEMA needs to move into action.)

Also, tucked away on the FEMA site is this little nugget:

Where can I get food and water?

The American Red Cross and other volunteer agencies will provide you with food, water and clothing. Listen to your radio or watch local media for the location of the nearest volunteer agency facility.

Notice it doesn't say "Your state's local DHS dept must authorize the Red Cross to move in and provide you with the basic necessities." DHS/FEMA has authorization to do all the above once the Presidential declaration of disaster is given. They did NOTHING -- no rescues, no supplies -- for FOUR DAYS.

And then there's FEMA director Mike Brown's Thursday, Sep 1, illuminating confession that they had "just learned" about the situation at the convention center. That's the same day some food and water was finally dropped at the convention center...by the NG. Did they suddenly get permission? Coincidence?

Let me conclude by reiterating the FACT of the matter: the Federal Gov't dropped the ball.