Is this post supposed to be some slam against me because I am conservative/voted for Bush? Let me tell you something, krosfyah, and this thread is as good as any to get this out of my system: I am angered, frustrated, and exasperated to say the least with the situation in NOLA. Believe it or not, I agree 100% that our government has screwed up by not getting troops and help to the people down there faster than what they are attempting to do. Seeing the half-assed effort that is going on makes me think I am living in some country that is ruled by communism or doesn't exist anymore. One thing is that it sure doesn't seem like the United States that I have lived in my whole life. But what angers me more than the embarrassment and humiliation of this situation is that it was PREDICTED!!! Common sense to me would be that once it was apparent that Katrina would be at least a Category 4 (hell really a Cat 3) and that there was ANY chance that it would hit NOLA that there would be help on its way. It is unfathomable to me that if you know that there is a strong chance something bad is going to happen that you wait not when it is over but like THREE f*cking days when it is over or however long it has been. I know the question has been asked a million times but I'll ask it again for the millionth and one time - Why was our government caught with their pants down on this?? This type of unpreparedness and disorganization does not happen in this country. Period. It is almost like the US government thought Katrina was like the little boy who cried wolf - laughing to themselves - "Yea, right this Katrina is going to do minimal damage - nothing to worry about." And I don't even want to go there about how it has been known for years that the levee system in NOLA was hanging by a string and how we have had so many other presidents just ignore it. It is like a damn toothache - keep avoiding the dentist and before you know it, you are going to lose that damn tooth. It is just sad that we had to lose a city before someone finally realized there was a huge problem down there.
Manny. Very nice post. What frustrates me is the unwavering support of this president despite warning after warning that should at least be raising a few red flags. If we could just have a few more honest coversations about the state of affairs in this country where we admit our faults and try to find solutions, then I would be pleased. Manny, that is why I appreciate your post. Thank you.
Our government made egregious errors that could have been avoided by simply providing extra National Guard troops, medical personnel, and supplies and buses for evacuating poor and sick citizens. As a result it looks like many thousands will die and suffer unnecessarily. I can understand this happening in a 3rd world country, but not in the United States. Someone needs to be held accountable when a tragedy like this happens.
Great Post, Manny. That was well done. Actually Bigtexxx's initial post was also an appropriate response for this particular thread, and moved the discussion along in the direction it started as well.
My name is SwoLy-D, I am Mexican, and I approve this post. If I persuade Saint Louis to eat a Big Ass Gordita, can you move it back to the Hangout? I can't vote but I would have voted for Dubya. Mr. ONE-POST thread-starter dude didn't ever come back, huh? This D&D stuff is FUN!
Not that it's the proper time to be blaming anyone, but to me you have to look at the mayor, the governor and FEMA. I think Bush is kicking them in the a$$ as much as he can, but even that was a little late. I know that ultimately Bush is responsible for everything, but the man isn't GOD. He can't be everywhere at once and does anyone think that things would be that much different/better if Kerry was running the show? I don't understand FEMA at all - they were turning down offers of help... idiots. I would rather it be overflowing with relief workers than letting the people rot like they are now... link
"jisangNY1, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul..."
His comment along the lines of "no one could have seen this happening" was pretty moronic. Chalk that up to another Bushism though, I guess. And he's refusing foreign aid. Seriously, how many times have we helped other countries out in times of need? What's so wrong with accepting their help now? Not accepting foreign help is putting us behind.
I know that we asked the EU and others to open up energy reserves... link We are accepting aid... link same article - I can understand pride, but this is a little much....
Man, I'm glad we are accepting help. Everything I'd seen said we weren't. Thanks for proving me wrong Sonny.
That wasn't exactly my point - I was searching for more info - that's just what I have found. That second article actually shows Bush saying "Thanks but no thanks" to most of the offers. Not sure if he thinks that they can't help or we are to proud to beg or what. Glad to see all of the states stepping up - especially Texas. link
Can't seem to find it now, but in one of the many threads here, someone posted that Chicago's mayor is pissed because they have all sorts of supplies, equipment, vehicles, etc and were turned down - the government asked them for one truck.
