Mayor orders mandatory evacuation of New Orleans - Page 13 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bertuzzied · 09-01-2005, 04:19 PM

Haven't been by a tv for a while now, but have they been reporting rapes and murders right now? Every blog i've read mentions that. They need to fly everyone that is in Iraq into NOLA now! Those poor tourists!

From The Interdictor:

On bodies: "Dead bodies everywhere: convention center, down camp street, all over."

On the rule of law:

Crime is absolutely rampant: rapes, murders, rape-murder combinations. ... In case anyone in national security is reading this, get the word to President Bush that we need the military in here NOW. The Active Duty Armed Forces. Mr. President, we are losing this city. I don't care what you're hearing on the news. The city is being lost. It is the law of the jungle down here. The command and control structure here is barely functioning. I'm not sure it's anyone's fault -- I'm not sure it could be any other way at this point. We need the kind of logistical support and infrastructure only the Active Duty military can provide. The hospitals are in dire straights. The police barely have any capabilities at this point. The National Guard is doing their best, but the situation is not being contained. I'm here to help in anyway I can, but my capabilities are limited and dropping. Please get the military here to maintain order before this city is lost.

The update from a police officer taking refuge in this guy's office building from yesterday is particularly disturbing: police officers are quitting outright, participating in the looting, command and control for NOPD is nearly non-existent.

Two French Quarter hotels report that they arranged bus transportation for their guests, but the ten buses were commandeered and the hotels told to move their guests to the Convention Center where they could wait with everyone else for transportation out of the city. Guests were unhappy and scared about the security ramifications of walking from the French Quarter to the Convention Center.

wittynickname · 09-01-2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by photon@Aug 31 2005, 03:27 PM
http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/

Blog of a guy that works in a hosting company in downtown NO. Interesting reading.

This gives you an entirely different aspect of things than what the mass media is providing. I can't imagine being there right now. Its disgusting that people turn into animals in a situation like this. Rather than banding together, they're turning into a city full of criminals.

Mccree · 09-01-2005, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Sep 1 2005, 04:05 PM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9161198/

Nations from all over the world are offering aid.

That is great news. At least countries are stepping up.

but reading the article it looks like they do not want it

[I]Still, Bush told ABC-TV: “I’m not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn’t asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country’s going to rise up and take care of it.”

“You know,” he said, “we would love help, but we’re going to take care of our own business as well, and there’s no doubt in my mind we’ll succeed. And there’s no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city.”[I]

Devils'Advocate · 09-01-2005, 05:10 PM

They ran a list of things that Canada has offered today on the news. Medical supplies, DART, search and rescue teams, etc, etc.. The one I found funny was "softwood lumber".

wittynickname · 09-01-2005, 05:17 PM

If Bush doesn't accept aid from other countries, I will be thoroughly convinced that he is the most untelligent, arrogant, and damnable bas**rd on this planet.

Resolute 14 · 09-01-2005, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wittynickname@Sep 1 2005, 04:17 PM
If Bush doesn't accept aid from other countries, I will be thoroughly convinced that he is the most untelligent, arrogant, and damnable bas**rd on this planet.

It really doesnt have much to do with Bush, IMO. The US has almost always been rather xenophobic and isolationist. If they believe they can handle the situation themselves, they will try to handle it themselves. That said, they will accept aid, especially of things like medical supplies, blood, money, etc. Just as they did following 9/11.

Incidentally, I have to say I really like Anderson Cooper on CNN. He was interviewing one of the Governors - Louisiana's I think - and she starts of thanking GW Bush for his kind words and for his dedication, etc. Cooper cut her off, stating that he had just spent the last several days watching bodies float down the streets, and said that the people down there did not want to hear politicians congratulating eachother. He asked if she understood how angry the people are at the apparent lack of action. She responded trying to state that she "felt" and "shared" their anger, then tried to go right back into politician mode. Pretty funny watching her squirm as a PR interview went the wrong way.

Hack&Lube · 09-01-2005, 06:01 PM

Reading some of the worst of the new stories, the situation in New Orleans seems worse than the urban chaos of Iraq.

There's absolutely no help, no troops, no food, no supplies, nothing is happening but anarchy and violence.

I can't believe this is the United States of America. How can they expect to bring peace and order to Iraq when they can't even save their own people on their own home soil?

New Orleans is looking more and more like a war-torn country and the Superdome a refugee camp.

RougeUnderoos · 09-01-2005, 06:21 PM

The director of FEMA was just on CNN and when he got a little grilling he got pretty defensive and then said, and I'm not making this up, that "he didn't know about the people in the convention center until today".

What a lying fataing scumbag. I knew about the people in the convention center yesterday, but he didn't? That dumb sonofabitch shouldn't just be fired over this, someone should break out the tar/feathers combo and give him a bit of a ride.

Devils'Advocate · 09-01-2005, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Sep 1 2005, 04:45 PM
It really doesnt have much to do with Bush, IMO. The US has almost always been rather xenophobic and isolationist. If they believe they can handle the situation themselves, they will try to handle it themselves.

It goes back to appearing weak. They would prefer to let their own people suffer than appear weak. Even if they can't handle it themselves, and apparently from what I'm seeing on CNN, they can't... they will not accept help.

Patek23 · 09-01-2005, 06:34 PM

This could be a good guage on the amount of propoganda. If you trust the bloggers than it is obvious than CNN is showing it from a side that makes the US look better than it truly is being about the situation.

RougeUnderoos · 09-01-2005, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flaming Homer@Sep 1 2005, 06:34 PM
This could be a good guage on the amount of propoganda. If you trust the bloggers than it is obvious than CNN is showing it from a side that makes the US look better than it truly is being about the situation.

I don't know, CNN is doing quite a job of making things look extremely bleak.

But, they should be just roasting a lot of useless bureaucrats for sport but they are not.

Patek23 · 09-01-2005, 06:49 PM

Well I've never been a Bush supporter, his whole election issues and the way he handles himself screams sketchy. The guy, frankly is an ass who has his heart set on the oil in Iraq, that he is blinded by the death and suffering of the people on his own soil, it's a crime that he is allowed to do it. Where is President David Palmer when you need him!

Flame On · 09-01-2005, 08:28 PM

I saw that Snakeeye I was well pleased with Anderson Cooper for giving it back to her and he was totally right. Even worse is she totally didn't get it and kept up with the party line so to speak "now's not the time to blame" "we're doing all we can" etc. Pathetic. I even saw wee little Solidad Obrien get a bit testy giving it to someone!
I don't think the US will accept help from foreigners. If they accept ships or stuff like that people are going to ask, "why couldn't we do it on our own, is it cause of Iraq".
I don't think it's Bush himself but it is the Feds who are dropping the ball. I mean the cops are in a seige situation in a precinct in NO for fata sakes! Within the our couldn't they have a parachute regiment or something dropped in for reinforcements? You can frickin fly anywhere in the world in under 24 hours!!!

Cowperson · 09-01-2005, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flaming Homer@Sep 1 2005, 05:34 PM
This could be a good guage on the amount of propoganda. If you trust the bloggers than it is obvious than CNN is showing it from a side that makes the US look better than it truly is being about the situation.

From what I've seen, CNN has been the most critical and agressive of the networks in going after officials and presenting a fairly bleak and deteriorating picture.

So far, it looks like a rescue effort run by a bunch of Crackers which, considering the location, is distinctly possible.

Most communities have disaster plans . . . . . but there is no evidence New Orleans, Louisiana or even FEMA has any clear idea of where their priorities lie. It doesn't appear to be a lack of resources. It appears to be a lack of leadership on the ground in applying those resources.

You know you're in trouble when last night Anderson Cooper told the director of FEMA, "you know, you should be airdropping supplies at the very least," and the FEMA guy answers: "You know Anderson, you're absolutely right and we'll get right on that right now. You tell people that."

How bad does that look?

And NFoitu, you'll be interested to know a detachment of the Arkansas National Guard has entered New Orleans with shoot to kill orders for looters, something that should have happened a long time ago.

Cowperson

arsenal · 09-01-2005, 09:32 PM

I think Nagin should have complete control over priorities on what needs to get done. He had a plan set out. The red cross, FEMA, Army Corp of Engineers have all been giving their input and no action has been done because of it. With Nagin's plan, they would have had the levee's at least sandbagged, and started pumping the water out.
He has been extremely vocal about how disorganized everyone is. I am pretty sure he has tried to take control, but is being overturned somewhere higher up. Or somepeople are not listening to him. There is no way he wants to loose his City.

The troops are on the way, there is just a question on how to get them in.
Air drop? Ok, where do they drop? If its at the airport, they then have Metarie to get through. Last time I checked, Metarie was under 10 feet of water.
Drop them by the super dome? To be mobbed by 20,000 angry New Orleaneans, probably not a good idea either.

Right now, there is only 1 way into NOLA by vehicle if the west bridge isn't out. The airport has been closed. Probably only open for military aircraft at this moment. But it is still a matter of getting to city, and to the people that need the most help.

There is no organization or communication. Untill they are able to communicate, and are taking orders from 1 person, or a commitee that can agree 100%, nothing they do, will do any good.

Clarkey · 09-01-2005, 09:38 PM

What the hell kind of savage animals are some of these people? I can understand looting for food or beverages under these circumstances, but to see some of these scumbags ripping off televisions etc. just disgusts me.

notoepik · 09-02-2005, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wittynickname@Sep 1 2005, 05:17 PM
If Bush doesn't accept aid from other countries, I will be thoroughly convinced that he is the most untelligent, arrogant, and damnable bas**rd on this planet.

I will pretty much be in agreement with you. The President has been a very poor leader through the whole New Orleans ordeal.

Hack&Lube · 09-02-2005, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Clarkey@Sep 1 2005, 09:38 PM
What the hell kind of savage animals are some of these people?# I can understand looting for food or beverages under these circumstances, but to see some of these scumbags ripping off televisions etc. just disgusts me.

It's much worse than that. There are armed gangs roaming about looting for weapons (guns looted from Wal-Mart), attacking people, etc.

There are stories about the nursing home being attacked, the nursing home bus being hijacked by thugs with disabled people ejected. Even worse is that the hospital has to barricade itself and move to higher floors to protect patients. A nurse went outside for fresh air and was robbed at gunpoint.

A cop was even shot in the head.
Think about it, those who could afford to left. What's left is probably the most destitute and lowest denominator of society + the elderly poor and disabled. These are probably the kind of people with the same mindset as the Iraqi's following the American toppling of Saddam reverting to violent opportunism in times of choas and scarcity.

Apparently Black = Looting. White = Finding.

Patek23 · 09-02-2005, 01:31 AM

^^^

Having family in the states, according to them thats still the general mindset (In certain areas), some how that country and somewhat our country just can't shake off racism.

Hack&Lube · 09-02-2005, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flaming Homer@Sep 2 2005, 01:31 AM
^^^

Having family in the states, according to them thats still the general mindset (In certain areas), some how that country and somewhat our country just can't shake off racism.

It doesn't help that most if not all the negative images coming out of New Orleans seem to involve black people. It just further cements the mindset.

But it is true that they are amongst the poorest parts of that society.