HELP - South Mississippi already devastated - now DOD to close Keesler AFB

[merh]

The rumor is that the Pentagon/DOD/admin will not rebuild Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi Mississippi. Keesler took a great hit from Hurricane Katrina, but not rebuilding will destroy the chances of the Mississippi Gulf Coast rebuilding. It has been one of the largest employers on the Coast since the 40's and now the government is going to take it away from us.

Thousands are homeless, jobless and broken spirited and the Administration could care less. If the rumor is true that the DOD will close Keesler, then they have just put another nail in our coffin.

Please DUers - email - pmail - call Conyers, Boxer and anyone else you can think of and object to the DOD/Pentagon closing our Air Force Base.

Call the media - alert the press - help South Mississippi keep this base alive so that we can try to rebuild.

[tsuki]

1. Did Kessler have a large VA Hospital?

[merh]

2. Keesler has a huge MILITARY HOSPITAL

It is imperative to the Coast that it stay open to get the economy going.

[Skidmore]

3. Lordy. Trent "Happy Talk" Lott needs to be slapped down.

I've heard him and other MS pols talking these two days and it sound like everything is under control down there. This morning I heard a replay of his speech before the Senate yesterday. He was blathering on and on about how everyone was pulling together, how everyone just sucked it up and got the chainsaws out to clear brush, and how everyone was getting things hummming along while whistling a happy tune. Merh, I'm glad to see you post but sorry to hear of all the devastation. We need to call these SOBs on their lies. Do you know anyone down there with a working camera besides the press? Also, are you aware that some NO survivors are gathered in DC across from the WH?

[KamaAina]

7. Did somebody say "clear brush"?

everyone just sucked it up and go the chainsaws out to clear brush

I know someone who just loves to clear brush! He's just sitting around with his head up his ass, so maybe he could come join you!

[merh]

22. There is no happy talk - they turn away donations - the locate

Point of Distribution centers in predominately white areas - poor have no transportation to get to POD - can't afford gas if they did.

Happy talk is for Chester Trent Lott because Bush promised to rebuild his home. :grr:

[Skidmore]

26. Suppose there are any pols who can get by Trent's victimhood

stance right now to call him on this sellout of his constituents?

Chester???

[merh]

34. Trent Lott's first name is "Chester"

:-)

[NVMojo]

4. was it on the Rumsfeld shit list??

[merh]

9. No - the entire base was not on their BRAC list

They did want to shut down the hospital - make it a clinic, but the BRAC bunch said no - keep it as it is.

Now with the destruction, word is the DOD/Pentagon won't rebuild it and will ship the troops to other bases.

[merh]

5. That is where the Hurricane Hunters fly out of.

The base is vital to our economy

[theboss]

6. I figure Lott can save this

He does not let the military leave Mississippi.

Of course, he shit all over Frist in his book so who knows what's going to happen at this point.

[merh]

11. He couldn't save the Pascagoula Navy Home Port from being

closed by the BRAC bunch - he doesn't have the pull he once had. We have to generate the news - get the media on it.

[tsuki]

8. I'll write the Repubs from here, but I think I'll put it on my email

list. Lots of retired military. If they start feeling the bite, maybe they'll show some sympathy.

[merh]

15. Tons of retired military here

Keesler if vital to our chances to rebuild - if they close it, they will kill us for sure.

Thanks for sending the emails and doing what you can. :hug:

[DemocracyInaction]

10. Regarding "closed" bases

Let me deviate here a little. Do you trust the scum that ignored this disaster to make decisions on all these base closings??? It's all about money and not the safety of this nation. Every base on their closure list should not be touched until they are out of office and someone else can make the determination. These people have a zero record when it comes to protecting the American people.

[merh]

13. Closing Keesler will put a nail in the coffin of the MS Gulf Coast

That base employs thousands and is vital to our economy - we have nothing - the entire Coast is wiped out - no industries, no retail, no casinos and now no base - we will never be able to rebuild

[Selatius]

12. The casinos are reluctant to rebuild as well

They don't want to rebuild in such a vulnerable location. If the casinos go and the base is closed, Biloxi will never truly recover, and Mississippi will slip further into poverty.

[merh]

14. And if they close Keesler - we will have nothing

:-(

[tom_paine]

16. Mission Accomplished for the Busheviks!

The Busheviks LOVE angry, defeated people for the same reasons the Nazis loved them.

Their anger is wonderfully malleable...by a Noble and Godly Fuhrer, of course.

[KamaAina]

21. Argh! I was going to propose a tradeoff

in which the greedy corps keep their filthy mitts off New Orleans and instead build their Disney theme park on the Mississippi Coast. Now they don't even want to do that!

[gulfcoastliberal]

57. MS will change the law so they can build on land.

Trust me, they don't want those casino taxes leaving. All they could talk about right after Katrina hit was how they were losing $500,000 per day in casino taxes or something like that. Plus, look what happened to the Grand Casino in Gulfport - the surge picked it up and dropped it on homes accross Hwy 90.

[merh]

59. There is no doubt they will change the law to entice the casinos to

stay - the question is will they stay - Treasure Bay is history, they had no insurance - Boomtown split in half, the powers that be may not want to invest more in the property - Beau Rivage is very questionable, those in the business believe she will be put on the market, Grand (Harrah's/Ceasars) lost 3 properties - Gulfport, Biloxi and New Orleans, they may not stay (they have given exec 3 months severance).

Keesler has been our life line for years, we can't afford to lose it! We must make the admin/DOD answer to us, our needs. We NEED Keesler.

[gulfcoastliberal]

60. I'll write to Gene taylor, Lott, and Cochran

On behalf of my grandmother (whose entire house and everything except her car and life got utterly destroyed in Waveland) asking they ensure Keesler stays open. But I recall reading how the MS casino's had all been bought out by the Las Vegas majors so my "bet" is they'll rebuild once they're assured they can do it on solid ground.

Hopefully, DuPonts Delisle "agent orange" dioxin pumping, Bay St Louis killing, titanium dioxide plant is the thing that never gets rebuilt.

[HeeBGBz]

61. Unless they build on land they won't be back

That's what someone was telling me the other day.

[H2O Man]

17. Okay.

For you.

How are you doing?

[merh]

18. I'm hanging in there - had hope we could come back from this

but if they close Keesler, they will have destroyed our chances.

I am now disgusted and tired - FEMA won't get back with me, insurance companies won't get back with me - phone lines (cell & land lines) don't work all the time - this is just a bunch of kakakkakakak

:hug:

[Me.]

19. Hey There Merh

This is the first I've seen of you since all this began. I hope you're holding up and that your family is safe. Glad to see your presence back on DU.

[merh]

20. I am doing the best I can - one step at a time

I'm homeless, car less, but no broken - my family and I survived. Thanks so for your concern. :hug:

[Me.]

24. I Can Well Believe You're Not Broken

I wish you and your family the best, along with my best thoughts and hope for your future, are with you.

[merh]

25. Thanks so much

That means a great deal to me. :hug:

:loveya:

[laylah]

27. Good to see you

merh. PLEASE, if I can be of any help, pm me. While I don't have cash, I have lots of extra clothing and household "stuff". It would be no problem for me to gather up more. Just let me know. Glad you and yours are safe :hug:

Jenn

[merh]

47. I do appreciate the offer --

When I get to a place where I know what I need. I will let you know. It's so hard to know about anything now. :hug:

[dogday]

23. Keesler has been hit twice now in one week

Well just another way to screw the people of Mississippi.

[merh]

29. The "rumor control" number says this is a rumor

But my source tells me a 3 star general has confirmed the closing. We can't let it happen. :argh:

[flyarm]

55. hey our sweet merh!! trying to get this to a bunch of media folks!!

done..... like you asked me!!

i love you sweetie and am so glad you are safe!!

kisses and hugs

:hug: :hug: :hug: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :pals: :pals: :pals:

fly

[merh]

58. It is so good to see you flyarm!

:hug: Thanks for the love and support and encouragement and love!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

((((((((((((((flyarm))))))))))))))))))

Thanks for everything :hug:

[troubleinwinter]

28. NOMINATE this. It is VITAL to the people of Mississippi.

JOBS.

[troubleinwinter]

30. Please DUers - email - pmail - call Conyers, Boxer and anyone else

"Please DUers - email - pmail - call Conyers, Boxer and anyone else you can think of and object to the DOD/Pentagon closing our Air Force Base."

The people in the area of destruction NEED JOBS. It is a thing that we can do for our fellow citizens to rebuild their homes, lives and communities.

[fooj]

31. Anything you need!

Peace.

[fooj]

32. Nominate!

Peace.

[merh]

37. Thanks fooj

(((((((((((((( :hug: ))))))))))))))))))))

[fooj]

62. It's Redball!

I sure missed you, merh.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((:pals:))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Peace.

[T Town Jake]

33. They'll never close Keesler...

...too many tech schools & too much USAF history there.

You heard it hear first: count on it.

[merh]

35. A general here said they would - 95% of it was damaged

DOD can't afford to repair - they are fighting a war.

[Bluebear]

36. OH THANK HEAVENS to see your name here

I did get word you were OK but was thinking about you through this whole mess. :hug:

[merh]

38. It is so good to see you Bluebear.

(((((((( :hug: ))))))))))))

I am fine - just trying to get by - day by day. :loveya:

[Bluebear]

39. Do you need housing/funds/anything?????

[merh]

48. I don't know what I need - it is so confusing and such a whole new

world - my reality has altered so. Thanks for asking and if I get to a place where I know what I need, I will let you know. :hug: :cry: :hug:

[T Town Jake]

40. Really? I hadn't seen that, and if true...

...that sucks beyond all measure.

A lot of good aircrews came out of Keesler. Still talk to people this day in my business who got their start in aviation there.

I hope they're not serious.

[Sequoia]

41. NO, don't close Keelser !!!!!

I had my techinical training there and have happy memories of that place with all the nice locals. I've been wondering what happened there but could never hear any news. Thank you.

[Horse with no Name]

42. Merh!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been so worried about you.:hug:
I hope you are doing well, despite everything.:grouphug:

[merh]

43. I am doing okay - living in another realm of reality and

homeless, car less and basically confused, but I am alive and all of my family members survived.

It is so good to see you Horsey :hug: :loveya:

[Horse with no Name]

46. I have no doubts

when you are ready to rebuild....you will have plenty of liberal volunteers!
:hug::loveya:

[KBlagburn]

44. I trained @ Keesler

in Aug/Sept 89. It's a great base and would be a greater loss if it were
closed.

[merh]

50. My father was an electronics instructor there for years.

It is a great base. :cry:

They can't close it - it will mean the death to the Coast.

[Javaman]

45. did they fly the planes out before the storm hit?

If so, then since they are part of the federal gov't they were given a warning from someone, that same someone that didn't notify the people in N.O.

colossal failure*.

[merh]

49. I don't think they had the planes here - we knew what to expect

basically - the runways were covered with the tidal surge and tons of the buildings were ruined or severely damaged.

[T Town Jake]

51. The Triangle?

(n/t)

[merh]

52. They haven't shown many images - I don't know

I just know that the storm surge did tons of damage.

[In_The_Wind]

53. .

:kick:

[HeeBGBz]

54. We were expecting that.

They shipped all the surgeons out to Texas last week I think.

This storm finished off Keesler.

They still have the Biloxi VA which now has combined with the Gulfport Mental Health VA which was totalled in the storm.

[merh]

56. They can't close it HeeBGBZ --- our economy relies upon it - we have

nothing else - we have to raise hell and prevent the closing.

So glad you are safe - :hug: :hug: :loveya:

Call everyone you can and tell them to pitch a fit - we need Keesler to be able to rebuild.