Is Louisiana being handled differently than Mississippi?

[supernova]

I wanted to ask because except for aid now flowing into the area, and the guy that shouted "Go fuck yourself, Mr Cheney", I notice not a peep out of Mississippi. Haley Barbour is being quiet as a mouse.

I just wonder what kind of arrangement he made with *. Did he accept federalization of the relief effort?

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Yes,

Mississippi closed the border and told the people of LA that they didn't want them in their state. Nice folks.

[SouthernDem2004]

5. Completely untrue rumor. The state lines were NEVER closed.

I have even been asked about the border closings when I was running a checkpoint in my city. I have no idea where that rumor came from.

[QC]

33. There's lots of Louisiana people staying here in Florida right now.

Did they have to drive all the way around Mississippi, or are you just blithely, uncritically passing on a wildass rumor you heard somewhere?

[pitohui]

47. this is not true at all, but i know how this rumor got started

the border was not closed, indeed, contraflow worked beautifully, the best it has ever worked to evacuate the ppl of louisiana through mississippi

let me repeat, the local & state gov'ts have corrected previous problems experience w. contraflow, i have never seen an evacuation go so smoothly

however

the interior of mississippi was hit by cat 2 winds in areas that have normally never experienced any hurricane force winds

the capital city, jackson, was hard hit, about 97 percent of homes lost power, the city lost drinking water & sewers, there were several gasoline shortages

after it was safe to travel, because of the sewers backing up, motels were closed & police asked us to move elsewhere

it wasn't a matter of "we don't want you," it was a matter of "there is no drinking water here and since you have a car and are able to travel it would be better to get to a more secure location"

at the south end of the state, borders were closed SOUTHbound, not northbound, to prevent evacuees from returning too soon & being killed by the down power lines

the borders are open now in both directions, i have personally crossed them & more than once

jackson, mississippi school system is now open & accepting evacuees starting, i believe, on mon., every effort is going to be made to help evacuees find new schools, homes, jobs

we have not heard more from mississippi because the media is lazy & new orleans is a bigger city, so a bigger story

[hootinholler]

60. What bridges survived?

I heard the Rt. 90 drawbridge at the East Pearl river failed during evacuation (not uncommon).

I've not heard anything about the I-10 high rise over the Pearl River basin. Nor the high-rise on Rt 90 at the mouth of Ponchatrain.

-Hoot

[SouthernDem2004]

61. Only bridge damaged on I-10 was the eastbound Pascagoula bridge.

One section was moved by the storm. It is repairable and should be back up in a reasonable amount of time.

[SouthernDem2004]

2. Answer is no. You will notice that only N.O. is having issues.

You never hear a word about Slidel or any other La cities. Slidel was hit just as bad as the rest of us but they are doing about the same as the MS Gulf Coast.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. oh good, you're here!

I didn't know if you'd have time to get online and post. As you can see from my post, I figure you'd be the person who could give accurate information as to what is going on in MS.
Have you found out about the insurance on your house? I hope your insurance company did get that flood insurance for you!

[SouthernDem2004]

9. In Alabama right now for the day. Still on hold on insurance info. /nt

[pitohui]

50. can't even get insurance co. on the phone

& i'm not talking abt a small insurer either

all lines are busy

it's a mess! i figure i do what i can to save what i can & keep all the receipts, if you wait to get an adjuster, you can be penalized because you didn't do all you could to secure against further damage

keep yr travel receipts also, hotel, gas, food, they will prob. reimburse some of that, they did last time i went thru this

everybody's trying to get an adjuster & a contractor at the same time so it's going to be a long process

[sandnsea]

10. Shall I get the news reports?

I really don't know why you say that, I've read reports from Slidell, Biloxi, Waveland, all over the place that say FEMA's response was awful and some still haven't seen a FEMA rep. I also recall some of your other posts about putting the security of tv's over saving lives, so I personally don't give your posts any credence whatsover. Not all southern dems are made alike and I'll leave it at that.

[SouthernDem2004]

13. I have no idea what your security mumblings are about. I said no

such thing. I see no need to further respond since you are making false statements.

[sandnsea]

29. Another MS cop I guess

Sorry, I guess you aren't the gun loving Mississippi cop I recall.

Still, post #2 and #23 are completely contradictory. You're getting no federal response, yet you say the only place that's having problems is New Orleans.

BTW, how's Turkey Creek doing?

[SouthernDem2004]

32. You continue to post misleading posts. Your comments about

something I supposedly said about security are clearly false. I stated no such thing.

Try rereading my posts including 2 and 23 as well as the others. NO is having the majortiy of serious problems. We are not because of our state and local governments and outside LE. The Feds are doing very little for anyone. NO and La are greatly responsible for their current problems. They should have known better then to count on the feds.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

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

[sandnsea]

46. And again, how is Turkey Creek doing?

You didn't answer that yet.

[Libby2]

53. I've read the same thing

that many areas have not seen FEMA.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. Here's a report from the POV of the National Guard

that talks about the police and NG putting up checkpoints at the exits on the bridge. If you have a report that debunks the one that's been going around about the Police blocking people from coming in, please post it?



Mission: Deterrence

September 10, 2005
GRETNA, La. —

<snip>

The deputies asked the Guard how things were going. When the soldiers said it was boring, one deputy said "I guess we'll go make a run through there to see if we can stir some (stuff) up."

"They're going in in squad size. It looks like they're loading up," one Guardsman said as the deputies pulled forward about 50 yards to get ready to make their patrol.

The Guard prepared to spread out to catch anyone running from the deputies, but the next hour or so was quiet.

<snip>

With New Orleans instituting a mandatory evacuation Thursday, the Guard, across the river from the city, was worried about an influx of refugees and other, less welcome people.

"It's possible the bad guys, thugs and drug dealers may seek alternate living arrangements in our area," said Maj. Michael Papariello, the second-in-command of the Guard force. "They may come looking for weapons, vehicles, gas, cash or food."

So the third platoon of the 1st Battalion, 86th Field Artillery, was tasked with manning a checkpoint and patrols on Holmes Boulevard — near the first exit south of the Mississippi River across a major bridge.

"The bridge is Exit 10, our guys will be at Exit 9," Papariello said. "We don't know what to expect.

He added, "It's an expect-the-worst, hope-for-the-best kind of thing. … That's what we're here for: deterrence."

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050910/NEWS/509100365/1004

[SouthernDem2004]

17. I have manned these points. They are keeping anyone out of certain areas.

These areas have curfews and are restricted to local residents and emergency crews. No one is prevented from entering the state. No one is prevented from entering any place east of Biloxi. No one is allowed in disaster areas not should they be.

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. Please posts citations to back up your claims?

We all know what should have happened. We all know what normally happens, but from credible eyewitnesses we know that this is not what happened at the MS border when the 'wrong' people wanted to cross.

[SouthernDem2004]

22. Read my post #20. Stop editing your citations to make them misleading.

That article was about a neighborhood checkpoint. No one is being allowed in neighborhoods if they do not libe there or they are not emergency crews. That is just common sense.

[DoYouEverWonder]

27. Exit 9 and Exit 10 on the Mississippi River Bridge

are not in any neighborhoods. As a matter of fact there's not much of anything on the MS side of the bridge.

[SouthernDem2004]

34. There are residence and they lead to residence. There is no reason for

anyone else to get off in those areas. There is no reason for anyone to exit into the disaster areas. It would not make any sense to let people who fled NO to enter destroyed areas. Like I have said numerous times people can exit east of Biloxi or they can take 49 north as long as it is before curfew.

[SouthernDem2004]

20. Lol, your article is about a neighborhood checkpoint. I mentioned those.

No one was prevented from entering the state or any area east of Biloxi. Only residents and emergency crews are allowed in
disaster areas.

I need no cites. I know the orders because I have read them. Believe what you wish. Post edited and misleading posts. Dont care.

[Skwmom]

40. Were you personally on site when every person tried to enter the state or

any area east of Biloxi? If not, I don't understand how you can make these types of blanket statements.

[SouthernDem2004]

58. I-10 was never closed. Find one source that says it was. I know for

a fact that it was not. The borders were never closed.

Read it where exactly?

[supernova]

25. This is a common practice

to prevent people from entering areas where there are downed power lines, heavy debris, IOW it isn't safe to be there.

My original question has more to do with are people in MS getting better treatment than people in LA and why or why not?

[DoYouEverWonder]

28. This is not the same has purposely not allowing desperate people

to cross the border into another state who desperately needed assistance.

[SouthernDem2004]

35. THE BORDERS WERE NEVER CLOSED.

[supernova]

36. Then start and new thread about that.

this is a side argument to my original question.

[Moderator]

55. DoYouEverWonder

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.



Thank you.


DU Moderator

[Skwmom]

21. Only N.O. is having issues?

I think the media is focusing on N.O. but it seems like there are plenty of other places that aren't doing so great.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1768895

[SouthernDem2004]

23. We are doing as good as an be expected. FEMA is worthless and has been

more of a hinderance then a help. Aside from that we are able to feed our people and keep them alive as we start to recover. I am staying with another Officer in Biloxi and we now have power, water, sewer and CABLE!

[Skwmom]

26. Do you think your limited experience can be used to make

such statements as only N.O. has issues? As noted in other posts, there's towns in Mississippi that aren't doing so well.

[SouthernDem2004]

37. Yea, ask anyone familiar with NO and La about their issues. They

have had problems long before the hurricane.

[supernova]

43. I'm not denying that, however

I'm not prepared to say it was the primary cause of the failure here. Sorry.

[DoYouEverWonder]

56. Then if you didn't have cable or electric

how come you know more about what happened throughout the region then those of us you have been following every aspect of the storm on line and in the media the whole time?

I am sorry if you happen to live there and that certainly is an unique and valuable POV, but when you don't have much for communications, it's a little hard to know what is happening outside of your immediate world.

Also the bad behavior of a few, even your friends in law enforcement, does not imply that everyone else in the state treated people in need the same way. For every bad incidents there are probably at least a thousand acts of heroism. However, withholding assistance to anyone in the middle of an emergency when it is life and death is not only wrong it is criminal.

BTW: Do you know anything about the situation in Ocean Springs? I had a friend there who was part of the family that owns Shearwater Pottery. Thanks?

[SouthernDem2004]

57. Reply:

I know what is happening because I am briefed daily. I am actually there or will be back in the morning actually. My fellow Officers live throughout southern Mississippi. We are well aware of what is going on. You are relying on national media reports. Sorry, but they are far from accurate.

I do not have communications? I do not know what is going on outside of the Coast but I know alot of what is actually going on here.

What bad behavior? Who has withheld assistance?


Ocean Springs has power and some sever damage along the coast. They faired better then Biloxi and to the west. The Biloxi/OS bridge is destroyed. No idea about that business. I have not driven through alot of OS due to the bridge problem.

[madrchsod]

3. mississippi-republican

louisiana-democratic

[SouthernDem2004]

11. MS-competent Gov. LA-corrupt beyond belief /nt

[supernova]

14. What makes you say that?

[SouthernDem2004]

16. Our gov started measures prior to the hurricane making landfall.

After impact all of MS resources were quickly moved south. We have every available state LE officer on the coast. The National Guard has been in the area almost from the start. NG numbers are increasing daily. FEMA was been useless. State and local resources have done everything with the help of out of state LE.

NO and La have a history of corruption. Right now the Mayor and Gov are arguing over forced evacs. Watching the NO news is just sad.

[sandnsea]

30. "Fuck you Dick Cheney"

Guess you missed that.

You do serve a purpose though, I keep pointing to posts like yours in order to show the futility of just "showing up" as a strategy to win in the south.

[SouthernDem2004]

38. Sure I did, we are kind of busy and do not normally have time to sit

around and watch TV and second guess everyone. We did not have cable until a day ago. Most of our radio stations are gone. The paper is unavailable in most areas when it is printed.

You continue to be hostile, post insulting post and make clearly false and misleading statements. I see no point in reading such drivel. bye ye

[Skwmom]

42. If your communications are so limited, how do you feel comfortable

making such broad statements?

[SouthernDem2004]

59. Outside communications are limited. Inside are fine.

[Skwmom]

19. I doubt these Mississippi towns would consider the MS Gov competent.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1768895

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. SouthernDem2004 is from Biloxi

He's a policeman there, and I'm sure he's busy right now. But he'd be one that would probably know. We heard from him after the storm, and know his house is badly damaged, but his family is safe. Let's hope he's found out his insurance will cover all the damage-the last post I read from him was about this matter.

[SouthernDem2004]

6. :) Insurance adjuster is still MIA.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. I heard one interviewed on NPR

the other day, and I yelled, "Go to SouthernDem2004's house now!"

[cornermouse]

12. I'm glad you and your family are safe.

[Angry Girl]

24. Barbour's Mississippi Recovery Fund

Please donate to Mississippi Recovery at
https://mississippirecovery.com/

I think this was Barbour's attempt to be independent of the feds, just like Blanco did with her Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation at

http://www.katrina.louisiana.gov/donate.htm

So if you donate, PLEASE DONATE THERE so that these states can keep funds independent of the feds!

Nightweed's Hurricane Katrina Aid Organizations

[peacebaby3]

31. Actually, my husband is with the NG right now in MS.

There have been a lot of problems dealing with FEMA there as well. There are several places in MS that as of a day or so ago had not even seen anyone from FEMA. My husband and all of the NG he is working with (about 600 or so from his battalion) have been there since the Thursday night after the storm. They were ready to go the Tuesday after but had to sit and wait to get the official word from our Governor because there had been no preparation from AL for NG before the hurricane. A bunch of our guard was still hours away at summer camp until Sunday night. They didn't even bother to call them in until after the hurricane had hit.

MS is having problems as well, you just don't hear about them as much because the situation with NOLA is really horrible with the extra flooding and Haley Barbour wouldn't dare say anything negative about * and his administration.

Also PRIVATE groups were allowed and able to get into MS much easier and quicker than in NOLA and I have heard it was because they couldn't get clearance from FEMA(saw a special report about this on Dateline last night). They are the ones (along with the NG from AL & MS and maybe other states as well) that have done the bulk of the work.

The federal response has been pitiful in all areas. I've seen A LOT of reports out of MS that have been very negative about what was going on. There was a woman living in the K-Mart parking lot in Waveland under a piece of canvas with her 3 yr. old and baby along with a bunch of other residents. They had never seen a single person with any kind of aid. She said they had taken stuff from the K-Mart, but it was really bad because there were some dead bodies in there.

I live on the Gulf Coast myself, but we were very fortunate. Not much damage, but a few towns not far from me were basically leveled. Last I saw on the local news, they also were mainly getting support from local groups. No help from FEMA as far as I know.

I'm sure Barbour had an easier time dealing with the * admin. He was RNC chairman. He fits right in. There are some very questionable practices about him dealing with and making favors with foreign donors while he was over the RNC and he referred to Sen. JC Watts as a "good black" back when Watts was still serving. He's typical repuke scum in my opinion.

Of course, so is my Gov. but I think Barbour is even worse if that's possible.

MS has had to rely on its own people and neighboring states to take care of the victims of the hurricane.

One thing I don't understand is that Gov. Blanco called in the state NG (at least 4000) before the storm (many were still in Iraq along with vital equipment)and based on all the documentation I have seen was asking for assistance from wherever she could find it. Usually the States share and offer their guards and I heard the Gov. Richardson of NM had offered a large group of NG before the hurricane even hit, but they were held up by paperwork from the federal level. Does anybody know what this is all about? True? Link to a legit story? Just curious.

Edit: typo

[supernova]

39. Thank you, peacebaby!

This is the kind of information I've been looking for.

One thing I don't understand is that Gov. Blanco called in the state NG (at least 4000) before the storm (many were still in Iraq along with vital equipment)and based on all the documentation I have seen was asking for assistance from wherever she could find it. Usually the States share and offer their guards and I heard the Gov. Richardson of NM had offered a large group of NG before the hurricane even hit, but they were held up by paperwork from the federal level. Does anybody know what this is all about? True? Link to a legit story? Just curious.

This is what I'm understanding too. Gov Blanco was asking for things to be set in motion before the storm hit, but basically her requests went nowhere.

[peacebaby3]

49. Yep, I've been reading and hearing that also. I'm very interested in what

happened and when it happened regarding the New Mexico guard.

[alarimer]

41. Yes, Barbour is a Republican who won't criticize Bush

But I have seen on NOW last night that people basically are having to fend for themselves. In Gulfport, the interviewed a few people who said that the feds basically just passed by their neighborhoods without stopping. No food, water avaialble, etc. But I am sure Trent Lott is making out all right.

The right wing talking point is to blame the Democratic officials, local or state, whenever possible, so I discount automatically anyone who repeats them.

[supernova]

44. Yes, and I'm not so sure that's working

for the repubs this time.

[peacebaby3]

48. Agreed. I know my husband and his NG are carrying in some supplies but

they have been mainly forced to focus on bringing in big equipment, etc. and "keeping the peace" type duties. I think the relief is suppose to come from agencies like FEMA and Red Cross, etc.

I know the other day he told me that he had come back to his headquarters to pick up Fed checks so the local people could buy supplies because they had to pay when the supplies arrived and the drivers couldn't take a credit card. I remembered thinking that sounded a little crazy. Why would the local people be ordering supplies and paying for them on the spot. Sounds like a FEMA duty to me as well.

[supernova]

52. Ok, I'll bite,

Why are local hurricane survivors being made to "pay" for relief supplies? That's ridiculous.

[peacebaby3]

54. It's Fed money from what I understand. I just don't understand

why it's being handled that way. It seems really stupid. Why wouldn't the supplies be bought at the Fed level and payed for and then just delivered to the local areas. Isn't that taking up vital time and manpower from rescue and clean up efforts for "paperwork" type issues that could be handled by anyone at a desk in DC??? Even if they say it is because the local levels know what they need so they should order that sounds like a failure to me because why are there not FEMA reps. on the ground that know exactly what is going on and what is needed? There may be a legitimate reason for this but I don't know what it is. I just think it sounds like more incompetence from FEMA/the Feds.

[mrdmk]

51. Trent Lott does not like the situation at all

<snip>
Republican Sen. Trent Lott, who lost his coastal Mississippi home in the storm, said it was clear that FEMA was "overwhelmed, undermanned and not capable of doing its job" under Brown.

"Michael Brown has been acting like a private instead of a general," said Lott in a statement.
<end of snip>

link
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/hurricane/bal-te.fema10sep10,1,605001.story?coll=bal-home-headlines


Of course the LMSM is smelling blood on Michael Brown at this moment. The LMSM cannot get pass reporting Mr. Brown being sent back to Washington D.C. It saves a lot money going after the cheap story.