A friend of mine who is rarely if ever affected by anything major that happens called me today after he got off work. The first few days did not hit him about how huge this was but today he got to sit and actually watch the news on the subject for hours. He called me and we talked and I have not heard him affected in this way since 9/11/01. I told him he could help me clean out my storage unit and take all the stuff (clothes, furniture, electronics)to many of the places around town that are receiving things for the victims. He agreed. I just saw on SportsCenter where Brett Favre spoke and talked about Steve McNair speaking to his mother when the storm actually hit. He said steve was talking to his mom and she said "the shingles are coming off the roof" and the the two were disconnected from each other. Brett said he hasn't heard from her since. Watching SportsCenter, a lot more athletes were affected personally than I originally figured from Marshall Faulk to Brett Favre to Chris Duhon and many others. News just seems to be getting worse as does the situation...
It looks like the West Bank, i.e. areas south of the Mississippi River (at least, I think that's what's referred to as the "West Bank", NOrlean-ese correct me if I'm wrong), was spared any major flooding. http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/national/2005_HURRICANEKATRINA_GRAPHIC/index_02.html
Outpost Crystal's Police Officer More from the Police Officer. I'm typing as fast as i can while he talks to us: He's only hearing bits and pieces. The people in the city are shooting at the police. They're upset that they're not getting help quickly enough. The fireman keep calling because they're under fire. He doesn't understand why the people are shooting at the rescuers. Here it is 5 days ago the Mayor said get out of town and nobody went and now they're pissed. The National Guard was at the Hilton, but now the Hilton is evacuated. When they said the CBD was gonna get 6 feet of water, it seems like everyone evacuated. He turned the corner onto Canal Street and it looked like a flea market. People breaking into every store, going to the neutral gound (median) and trading and selling everything. They broke into Winn Dixie Monday Night. Do they steal food? No. Cigarettes and liquor. Store was a mess. All the meats were going to waste so the districts went over there to salvage food for officers. Many cops have been eating MREs. The Iberville Housing Projects got pissed off because the police started to "shop" after they kicked out looters. Then they started shooting at cops. When the cops left, the looters looted everything. There's probably not a grocery left in this city. Over 30 officers have quit over the last 3 days. Out of 160 officers in his district maybe 55 or 60 are working. He hasn't seen several since Sunday. HQ is closed, evacuated. No phones to contact them. "HQ, be advised, we're going 10 7." "Ok, y'all coming back on???" "We don't know." http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/
I think that's the case for just about everyone I know, that it just really hit them today. Growing up, we're so used to hearing about 2-3 giant hurricanes a year, horrible damage hits, and (sadly) quickly forgotton by those who aren't in the eye of this thing. And even though we were prepared for the largesse and potential destruction of this thing, we couldn't help but be used to the idea that "it all goes away" after a week of news stories. Just our nature, especially for northerners like me. Now even after staying up all night watching the impending storm on Sunday night/Monday morning, and watching the waters hit their high point, it has seemed to hit a lot of us just now. That thousands are dead. That millions of lives won't be the same. That we've lived through a disaster that, even three days removed, is already the second-worst natural disaster in our countries history. And that a town that has been an integral part of our nation's history, from Napoelean to Jefferson to jazz and beyond, is gone. Yes, they'll rebuild and yes time will heal -- but that town is gone. A place I've wanted to visit more than any other city outside of New York, and I'll never have that chance. And that means next-to nothing. And there's nothing we can take out of this that helps anyone or anything. Whether or not you agree with the way our current administration does business, and I know most of you know my political bent, at the very least we could do something good after 9-11. We could bring democracy to Afghanistan. We could try to let the world know about the hatred that breads terrorism. We could do something. With this, we can't do a damn thing beyond trying to help those whose lives have been changed forever by this disaster, and that's what enervates most of us. The feeling of helplessness is palatable, even after you write a check. The President said today that the nation "would be a better place" because of this, and as usual, I don't believe him. We got hit, hard. Thank God for Houston. Today you're being looked at by the world as the Red Cross capital of the US. Outsiders like me know you're up for the task.
I just spoke to my buddy's wife. They are ok...and their house was spared. He is a doc so he cannot leave, plus he is spending his free time (what little he has) guarding his house...there is looting a few blocks away. Such a relief to hear he is ok.
Satellite image of New Orleans. Dark areas can be assumed to be flooded areas : http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/new-orleans_050830_image-oi04b.htm
FEMA suspends boat rescue operations in New Orleans because of dangers to rescuers, officials say. From CNN.com
http://www.nola.com/weblogs/nola/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_nolaview/archives/2005_09.html#075705 Murders in the Streets 9:48 am Story: I just talked to my neighbor who stayed behind at Camp and St. Mary. He walked along Jackson St and saw dead bodies everywhere from gun shoots. After coming upon two dead girls, probably around 12-15 yr old, he had to get out. Where is the national guard? We need help. Desparate security situation in Riverbend 9:30 am DESPERATE SECURITY SITUATION IN RIVERBEND Spoke to my uncle this morning (Thurs) in Riverbend near Carrolton and St Charles. He and several (elderly) residents are holed up there and the security situation is getting desperate. Heat is extreme and there are roving gangs of looters with guns. The looters have also commandeered a backhoe and are ramming homes. My uncle and the others have no info about the evacuation. While Leake Avenue and River Road are dry, they are afraid to leave as they fear they will be shot, carjacked etc. This is a desperate plea for help as this is so far from downtown. We are trying to call everyone we can but of course the phone doesn't work. If someone official sees this, please send help. 3-4 adults need help on Jefferson Ave. 9:08 am Subject: My Hurricane Story -- 3-4 adults need help! Story: I got a call from my sis-in-law, Vicki, just now. Her Nanny has been at their house in New Orleans the last couple of days. Due to running out of food, water and general flooding (water is now 10 feet deep at by brother's house), she moved to a neighbors house. There are 3-4 adults with her, one with severe asthma and no medications. They tried to get out by boat yesterday, but then got shot at by looters.
Why don't they get our armed forces in there, like, NOW? I don't understand why this is taking so long and they are letting the criminals run things while innocent people suffer and die. It seems like this would be an appropriate use of all the force, equipment and personnel we're supposed to have...
I think you can thank the gun laws for endangering and killing citizens like this. It’s just too dangerous for the National Guard and relief workers to rush right in. They are being shot at as they try to help people.
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=1973864&postcount=45 From the "Oppressed" Looters thread in the D & D
Here are the lowest points in the U.S. at this site: http://americasroof.com/lowest.shtml I have also heard that basically all of the Netherlands is below sea level.
Sounds like the situation continues to worsen. 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. http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/
Seriously, WTF are the Marines? Does the Posse Comitatus rule prevent them from being used for domestic law enforcement? Jesus. This is the ****ing United States of America - WTF IS GOING ON?!
