The US ignored a disaster in the South, will we ignore CA

[cally]

We all watched horrified as politicians ignored the suffering after Katrina. It still goes on. I think most of us know the likely disasters in the US. Terroism in NY and DC, hurricanes in the South, and earthquakes on the (left)west coast. I watched the so called media diminish us during the fires and energy shut outs. We all expect a major earthquake. Will the beltway boys blame us?

[jobycom]

1. If the Feds had simply ignored Mississippi and New Orleans, they might have been better off.

The Feds actively delayed evacuation and rescue operations, and further made dozens of promises to Blanco and Nagin that they never followed through on.

"FEMA officials turned away three Wal-Mart trailer trucks loaded with water, prevented the Coast Guard from delivering 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, and on Saturday they cut the Orleans Parish emergency communications line, leading the sheriff to restore it and post armed guards to protect it from FEMA. The Wal-Mart delivery had actually been turned away a week earlier, on Sunday, August 28, before the hurricane struck. A caravan of 13 Wal-Mart tractor trailers was reported in New Orleans by September 1. Additionaly, more than 50 civilian aircraft responding to separate requests for evacuations from hospitals and other agencies swarmed to the area a day after Katrina hit, but FEMA blocked their efforts. Aircraft operators complained that FEMA waved off a number of evacuation attempts, saying the rescuers were not authorized. "Many planes and helicopters simply sat idle," said Thomas Judge, president of the Assn. of Air Medical Services.

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), was particularly critical of FEMA's efforts in a statement: "he U.S. Forest Service had water-tanker aircraft available to help douse the fires raging on our riverfront, but FEMA has yet to accept the aid. When Amtrak offered trains to evacuate significant numbers of victims -- far more efficiently than buses -- FEMA again dragged its feet. Offers of medicine, communications equipment and other desperately needed items continue to flow in, only to be ignored by the agency. But perhaps the greatest disappointment stands at the breached 17th Street levee. Touring this critical site yesterday with the President, I saw what I believed to be a real and significant effort to get a handle on a major cause of this catastrophe. Flying over this critical spot again this morning, less than 24 hours later, it became apparent that yesterday we witnessed a hastily prepared stage set for a Presidential photo opportunity; and the desperately needed resources we saw were this morning reduced to a single, lonely piece of equipment. The good and decent people of southeast Louisiana and the Gulf Coast -- black and white, rich and poor, young and old -- deserve far better from their national government.""

More:

"Governor Blanco has said FEMA had asked for school buses not to be used as they were not air-conditioned, and a potential risk of causing heat stroke, and that FEMA had informed them of more suitable buses that they would be providing. Concerned over the slow reaction, Blanco sent in the state's fleet of 500 buses to aid in the evacuation process. It was not until late on August 31 that Blanco learned the FEMA buses were being sent from outside the state, and could not arrive in time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_government_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina

Pray that any disasters wait until Bush leaves office, and that we elect someone with enough experience to handle the office.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

16. You know, if I were to give my opinion right now of this whole thing...

I'd get flamed really bad around here.
Duckie

[jobycom]

19. What does this mean? Why post saying you aren't going to post?

:shrug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

22. Doesn't it kind of tell you that my opinion is unpopular, so I'm going to keep it to myself?

I work with the victims of hurricane Katrina every day, and I've seen what kind of people most of them have become. And if I share my opinion, I'll just get flamed. :shrug:
Duckie

[Bluestar]

2. Ever since Katrina

this is one Californian who has assumed that our state is on its own if an earthquake occurs during the rest of the Bush administration. Thank God we are a big state and we could somehow manage because we certainly won't get any help from the Chimp. He would probably laugh himself silly (or sillier) if this happened.

[scorpiogirl]

5. This is another Californian who agrees with you completely.

Exactly what I thought after Katrina, we will be on our own. I stocked-up extra on food, water and other supplies just for that very reason.

[Cleita]

15. Yes, you are right.

Fortunately as the sixth largest economy in the world, I believe we will be able to take care of ourselves in spite of the useless Chimpolini. If it happens, I hope our representatives will have the guts to pass a law keeping our federal tax money in the state to manage the disaster. I don't think we should have to pay federal taxes if the feds aren't doing their job in times of disaster.

[GumboYaYa]

3. No, too many electoral votes and a Republican govenor ensures that

California will not suffer the same fate as New Orleans.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Wasn't it the South...

that elected the guy who ignored the disaster in the South?

[fed-up]

8. just a reminder-THE SELECTION/ELECTION was STOLEN nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. Yes, that's true.

But where did they steal it?

:D

[Lurking Dem]

10. Or was it the western mountain states?

Or the midwest? Or.........?

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

17. That too,

but the South game him the electoral votes needed to "win" those elections.

[jobycom]

20. New Orleans is overwhelmingly Democratic. nt

[hiaasenrocks]

23. Not that that's relevant.

If I hand you a knife and you stab me, you're still guilty and I'm still stabbed.

[Initech]

6. That's something that I'm scared shitless about.

If the big one ever happens (say between a 10.0 - 11.0 magnitude quake), I bet FEMA will give California the same treatment that it did New Orleans. And as a Californian, I am scared that will be a reality.

[blues90]

7. I got an email from Boxer months ago since I'm on her list

This was a few months back and she contacted FEMA several times and finally got an answer with FEMA telling her they have no plans in place in case of a quake in Calif .

Last one I recall was the 1994 jan quake which did alot of damage and the repairs were done rather quick now we are on our own and you know a quake is coming sooner than later . Hell if it's the big one then I will be washed into the ocean which may be better than the hell we would face without any help .

[mondo obscurius]

9. If the emerging pattern is any indication...

it does look like us left-Coasters would be on our own in the event of a large earthquake. After Katrina we organized a response committee in our apartment complex and have been collecting medical and food rations to last about two weeks in case there's a temporary interrupt in emergency services for our area. Seems like clean water is a priority, so we've been debating back and forth about that quite a bit. I have (now expired) EMT certification and military medic training, and my wife is trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's not much, but we've let everyone know we're here just in case.

Anyone here doing anything like this in your immediate community?

m

[slackmaster]

12. I'm well prepared for earthquake, and don't expect any help from any level of .gov

I have food, water, etc. to last for up to three weeks.

[mondo obscurius]

13. Water storage question

How long do you keep stored water before you need to refresh it?

m

[slackmaster]

14. About six months, it can go longer if it's good to start with and stored properly

High-quality plastic carboys, with minimal air space left.

[jobycom]

18. Better hope it's an earthquake, then.

Food, water, and most other supplies aren't worth much when they are under water, especially when your entire house and everything else you know is under water with it.

[slackmaster]

25. My house is about 240 feet above mean low tide

On a hillside, with superb drainage. A tsunami big enough to reach me would probably kill 100 million people on and near the West coast of the USA.

If I was at all concerned about being inundated in a local or regional flood, I'd add an inflatable boat to my survival kit.

;-)

[RB TexLa]

21. America cares more about California than they do Louisiana

[camero]

24. I think the same game is still going on

Mississippi got more help (the little they had) than NO. Cali got ignored during the Gray admin. Now Gov Arnie wil prolly get loads of help from the feds in the next Earthshake.

[frustrated_lefty]

26. Well...

a big healthy FU to Bornaginhooligan who sounds like he's saying those damned stupid Southerners deserved Katrina. New Orleans was overwhelmingly democratic, you <expletive>.

California is never going to suffer the fate of New Orleans. Too much industry and technology resides there. Even if the worst of worst happens, you'll see helicopters from Miramar within hours, not days.

Invest in a few battery powered fans if you're worried. The heat sinks into the bones, and even a slight breeze is a major relief.