Where is OUR support?

[ffman]

Agreed!

Lol. It's nice to have an 'agreement' regarding this hurricane situation. Across the forums, most discussions going on are arguments of some kind.

 

[Law of Loud]

• Don't flood the mailbox of your elected officials, telling them to start raising a storm in the beauracracies they influence. Not only would this fill up a mailbox that their aides (not they themselves) read, but it might result in your representatives feeling they have a mandate from their local population to make a full-fledged effort at disaster relief in New Orleans.
• Don't blame anyone. As we all know, a Category 5 Hurricane is a disaster of epic magnitude. Now, of course, President Bush cut funding for flood control to pay for the War in Iraq, but that's irrelevant. Clinton obviously did the same thing, even though he had no comparable war, and didn't cut the funding for flood control. But, it's irrelevent. Once a hurricane comes around, all guarantees are off. Nobody's to blame for things breaking in a natural disaster. After all, structural retrofitting is more like a guideline.
• Cheer for the relief efforts no matter what, but ignore their pleading for manpower. A lot of agencies such as FEMA were on the ground quickly to rescue survivors. And regardless of the fact that these organizations are woefully inadequate for a disaster of this magnitude, we should be glad that they were quick to react (even though that's they're job, they prepare for this sort of event constantly). Even if we don't have half of what we need in place, we got a few people there real quick, and the rest'll come about a week later maybe.
• Ignore inadequacies in the rescue effort. Sure, we've been slow getting materials into place for the rescue effort. Sure, it took the national guard five days to arrive. But we elected our President, and he's a Christian, and he's doing the best he can, surveying the damage in that high-flying jet of his. Anyways, you know how hard it is to get the government, and especially the military to go anywhere and rescue anyone. Support the troops! Vote Republican.
• Keep telling the survivors that you're in touch with that "Help is on the way", even when it took five days to arrive in real force. Just keep repeating it, so that they know that they'll be rescued, or at least retrieved, sometime a while from now.
• Be appalled at the rioting. These people have no food, they're Democrats, and they live in poverty. Under what other conditions could we expect looting and rioting. Furthermore, say that the response so far has been adequate for this matter, ignoring the fact that police officers report that they are outnumbered, outgunned, and are forced into hiding during the night.
• Be optimistic. Ignore the fact that survivors trapped in a flooded attic for five days to a week are probably going to die from any number of causes, disease, drowning, and exhaustion being among them.
• If all else fails, blame the Europeans for not sending aid, Michael Moore (can't stand the guy) for politicizing this and blame, and Clinton for something else: we don't know what yet.

 

[Fa'Head]

Interesting. I'm sure that the likelihood that the majority of the people who could not evacuate the hurricane will be democrat will come into play at some point. I'm also sure that the discussion of what the relief efforts would have been like if it had been some Republican enclave that had been hit would be like will surface as well. It's sad to think that a natural disaster of this caliber will be politicized.....but we all know it will.

Just know the problem with New Orleans has been known to both parties for some time and that neither has taken action to correct it. The current situation cannot be blamed on one party. Having said that, the relief efforts and their shortcomings probably can be.

 

[Verv]

Flood relief was cut because the idea of spending millions of dollars each year at programs that are not being put into effect would have been useless; a large amount of money would be lost annually preparing for things that do not happen 19 years out of 20. I am not saying that this is always the right thin to do, but I am saying that this is the thing that is a necessary decision to make.

You do not want the government collectively wasting millions each day for that one day, 80 years from now, when a Tsunami hits Alaska for the second time in known history; yes, that one year we will be thoroughly prepared to deal with the disaster, but until that year we are spending millions on essentially nothing.

Secondly, the pleading for manpower cannot always be delivered; if it is so hard to get people out, what makes you think that it is easy to get people in?

Flood relief is essential to the situation but we are not helping the situation by pretending that Pres. Bush should have been preparing a comprehensive flood relief program.

If Pres. Bush would have increased vulcanic relief funding by 900% this year, we would all laugh and wonder what was going on -- same if he had increased flood relief in 2004 by 900%; it is a very questionable situation and the funding can easily be cut if there is no pressing reason to have it.

I am not trying to totally shoot you down here, but just to point out that it is extreme to pretend that somehow we have been bungling it all this time; we would have been bungling it if we were wasting funds on it year after year.

It is never as black and white as you think.

 

[Cliche Guevara]

I gave to the New Zealand Red Cross today to help with their appeal for help for victims of hurricane Katrina. After having read some of the comments in this thread, though, I am almost of a mind to cancel that donation.


What's amazing is that some of you are defending your own President's incompetence in the aftermath, but are quick to leap on what you perceive to be slow global responses.

 

[clirus]

NEW ORLEANS BLAME GAME

The Bush hating liberal news media is now blaming President Bush for the New Orleans disaster. However the real reason for the Bush hating liberal news media actions is that they want to get democrats back in control of the government so the liberal positions on pornography, abortion and homosexuality can be restored.

The Atheistic liberal news media greatly influences both domestic and foreign policy by constantly reporting only bad news about Christians, conservatives and Republicans and only good news about atheists, liberals and democrats.

As usual the situation is much more complex than the Bush hating liberal news media wants to admit. I blame the government of New Orleans. When 9/11 occurred, the New York City government maintained control. The police and fire departments lost many people, but they were helping and maintaining control. They worked with the federal government to restore order.

The government of New Orleans allowed the situation to get out of control. The police and fire departments did not maintain control. The mayor of New Orleans did nothing but curse President Bush instead of working with federal officials. It is bad when federal troops have to be sent in to restore law and order. What happened to the New Orleans disaster plan? Was it a bad plan or was it not followed?

Many people of New Orleans have not presented themselves as model citizens. A disaster usually brings out the best or the worst of people. Blaming someone else may make you fell better, but it does not get the job done.

Is it the responsibility of the federal government to do everything? Does America want the federal government in control of everything? If the federal government is responsible for everything, there is no need for state and city governments.

The New Orleans disaster also is an indictment against environmentalists. There are many things that President Bush has had to face that were long standing problems produced by the lack of an Energy Policy. The War in Iraq and the Middle East problem are the result of a bad environmental policy. The price jump in gasoline is the result of bad energy policy. One of the most telling stories is that more gasoline will soon be available because European gasoline can now be imported to America because President Bush lifted the environmental restrictions. The environmentalist, through their control of the democratic party, have had way too much control of American politics.

It would be far better for the liberal news media to become a part of the solution in New Orleans instead of part of the problem. There is a job to be done in New Orleans. It is time to stop the politics and get the job done.

If the NAACP wants to do something beneficial they should find black families to take in the black people that do not have a home.

Christians need to pray for President Bush. I do not understand God's intent with this disaster, but I can believe President Bush is beginning to feel like Job with all the minority groups the liberal news media is using to torment him with and the constant criticism. However, this may not be a test of President Bush, but rather of America.

 

[butterfoot]

NEW ORLEANS BLAME GAME

The Bush hating liberal news media is now blaming President Bush for the New Orleans disaster. However the real reason for the Bush hating liberal news media actions is that they want to get democrats back in control of the government so the liberal positions on pornography, abortion and homosexuality can be restored.

True the Liberal Democrats want back in power. I don't think it is all about porn, abortion, and Homosexuality but that seems to be what they use along with race to portray Conservative Republicans as against the American people.

The Atheistic liberal news media greatly influences both domestic and foreign policy by constantly reporting only bad news about Christians, conservatives and Republicans and only good news about atheists, liberals and democrats.

I wouldn't really call them Atheistic, Liberal in most cases definately and sometimes misguided, but not Atheistic.

As usual the situation is much more complex than the Bush hating liberal news media wants to admit. I blame the government of New Orleans. When 9/11 occurred, the New York City government maintained control. The police and fire departments lost many people, but they were helping and maintaining control. They worked with the federal government to restore order.

Alot of people are to blame not just any one government organization. I don't really think the City, State or Federal government thought that this would be as bad as it was. Therefore things were not in place to handle this situation. Once the destruction was realized the city government should have done a better job with its police force to stop the continued destruction of the city by looters. I just think they got taken by surprise.

The government of New Orleans allowed the situation to get out of control. The police and fire departments did not maintain control. The mayor of New Orleans did nothing but curse President Bush instead of working with federal officials. It is bad when federal troops have to be sent in to restore law and order. What happened to the New Orleans disaster plan? Was it a bad plan or was it not followed?

Agreed to a certain extent. Again I don't think they realized the extent this disaster would come to.

Many people of New Orleans have not presented themselves as model citizens. A disaster usually brings out the best or the worst of people. Blaming someone else may make you fell better, but it does not get the job done.

Is it the responsibility of the federal government to do everything? Does America want the federal government in control of everything? If the federal government is responsible for everything, there is no need for state and city governments.

I completely agree. While the Federal Government needs to help, the New Orleans government should have done a lot more than they did. Blaming the Bush administration isn't they way to go.

It would be far better for the liberal news media to become a part of the solution in New Orleans instead of part of the problem. There is a job to be done in New Orleans. It is time to stop the politics and get the job done.

If the NAACP wants to do something beneficial they should find black families to take in the black people that do not have a home.

Why is that black families have to help other black people. We as a society should help people regardless of their color. Color of someone doesn't matter anymore and the sooner we as Americans realize this the better America will be.


-cw

 

[USincognito]

Are any of you on your way to help?

Nope. I'm sitting here in my airconditioned apartment, drinking beer and watching TV. A piece of me has been griping (but in CF rule violating terms) about how much of my tax money is going to rebuild the expensive houses of people who "have" to live in paradise depite the persistant hurricane threat. I have even more CF violating thoughts about 20-50 year old adults who don't comply with an evacuation plan.

Then this morning I went to WalMart. My company is collecting goods for the evacuees/refugees here in Dallas and I decided to get some bottled water. Then I walked past the baby section. I purchased some ready to eat formula, picked up a few packages of baby wipes and then turned to the clothing section and saw the tiny little socks for birth-6 mo. olds and 6-18 mo. olds.

I almost broke down in the aisle.

I might sneer at able bodied adult humans who face tragic situations (and that's not a lack of compassion, but the feeling they can take care of themselves), but my heart really goes out to the children, elderly and pets who are hurting.

My cheap little socks might last a year, but at least a some tiny little toes will be warm through winter..

 

[starchild]

Nope. I'm sitting here in my airconditioned apartment, drinking beer and watching TV. A piece of me has been griping (but in CF rule violating terms) about how much of my tax money is going to rebuild the expensive houses of people who "have" to live in paradise depite the persistant hurricane threat. I have even more CF violating thoughts about 20-50 year old adults who don't comply with an evacuation plan.

Then this morning I went to WalMart. My company is collecting goods for the evacuees/refugees here in Dallas and I decided to get some bottled water. Then I walked past the baby section. I purchased some ready to eat formula, picked up a few packages of baby wipes and then turned to the clothing section and saw the tiny little socks for birth-6 mo. olds and 6-18 mo. olds.

I almost broke down in the aisle.

I might sneer at able bodied adult humans who face tragic situations (and that's not a lack of compassion, but the feeling they can take care of themselves), but my heart really goes out to the children, elderly and pets who are hurting.

My cheap little socks might last a year, but at least a some tiny little toes will be warm through winter..

It was a baby that made Geraldo Rivera break down, too... servers are maxed now, but it's at: http://movies.crooksandliars.com/Hannity-Colmes-Smith-Rivera-freak-in-NO.wmv

 

[reverend B]

As I said before, I have a great deal of sympathy for those who were unable to leave for a variety of reasons. Everything possible should be done to help them. However, I have no sympathy for those who decided to ride out a category 5 hurricane and who are now demanding that the government rescue them and provide them with food, water and shelter. These people were ordered to leave and refused. Now they are requiring that others put their lives at risk to resque them from their own foolishness.

how do you propose to identify those who couldn't leave and those who wouldn't?
i live on the outer banks of n.c. which is hurricane alley. i have been through three of them since 1999. i can assure you, the people who stay by choice are a TINY minority of the population. the thousands of people who are stranded in n.o. are victims, not perpetrators.
did Jesus ask the woman at the well if she was without sin before he was compassionate to her? or the adulterous woman who was saved by Him saying "he who is without sin, throw the first stone"? did he think she was without sin? of course not, but that was not relevant to helping her.
asking these people to have to excuse themselves for their poverty or their poor choices is truly anathema to the spirit of Christ.

 

[reverend B]

NEW ORLEANS BLAME GAME

The Bush hating liberal news media is now blaming President Bush for the New Orleans disaster. However the real reason for the Bush hating liberal news media actions is that they want to get democrats back in control of the government so the liberal positions on pornography, abortion and homosexuality can be restored.

The Atheistic liberal news media greatly influences both domestic and foreign policy by constantly reporting only bad news about Christians, conservatives and Republicans and only good news about atheists, liberals and democrats.

As usual the situation is much more complex than the Bush hating liberal news media wants to admit. I blame the government of New Orleans. When 9/11 occurred, the New York City government maintained control. The police and fire departments lost many people, but they were helping and maintaining control. They worked with the federal government to restore order.

The government of New Orleans allowed the situation to get out of control. The police and fire departments did not maintain control. The mayor of New Orleans did nothing but curse President Bush instead of working with federal officials. It is bad when federal troops have to be sent in to restore law and order. What happened to the New Orleans disaster plan? Was it a bad plan or was it not followed?

Many people of New Orleans have not presented themselves as model citizens. A disaster usually brings out the best or the worst of people. Blaming someone else may make you fell better, but it does not get the job done.

Is it the responsibility of the federal government to do everything? Does America want the federal government in control of everything? If the federal government is responsible for everything, there is no need for state and city governments.

The New Orleans disaster also is an indictment against environmentalists. There are many things that President Bush has had to face that were long standing problems produced by the lack of an Energy Policy. The War in Iraq and the Middle East problem are the result of a bad environmental policy. The price jump in gasoline is the result of bad energy policy. One of the most telling stories is that more gasoline will soon be available because European gasoline can now be imported to America because President Bush lifted the environmental restrictions. The environmentalist, through their control of the democratic party, have had way too much control of American politics.

It would be far better for the liberal news media to become a part of the solution in New Orleans instead of part of the problem. There is a job to be done in New Orleans. It is time to stop the politics and get the job done.

If the NAACP wants to do something beneficial they should find black families to take in the black people that do not have a home.

Christians need to pray for President Bush. I do not understand God's intent with this disaster, but I can believe President Bush is beginning to feel like Job with all the minority groups the liberal news media is using to torment him with and the constant criticism. However, this may not be a test of President Bush, but rather of America.

the extremity of the partisanship of this post is comical and sad simultaneously, but the unapologetic racism is over the top. if people should be censored for anything on this site, should this not qualify? there should be no disagreement over this from either side of the political debate. if people do not vocally reject this abomination it is a terrible indictment of us all, and we should not wonder why people like ghandi would love Christ, but not understand the behavior of Christians.
if this is a test of america, this poster has failed miserably.

 

[USincognito]

NEW ORLEANS BLAME GAME

The irony of this post headline is a riot.

Apparently, from it's content, this post about "misguided blame" is stating that atheists, poor blacks, poor whites, children, the elderly, the Catholic Church, Greyhound, American and Delta Airlines, NOAA, Smith and Wesson, Mossberg, Coca-Cola, WalMart, the Army Corps of Engineers, the NAACP, the Sierra Club and Planned Parenthood... oh, and that mythical "liberal media," are to blame for the tragedy in New Orleans, but the President of the United States bears no responsibility for the safety and security of this countries citizens?

You sir, win my James Dobson Irony award of the day.

...unelected and unaccountable and arrogent and imperious and determined to redesign the culture according to their own biases and values, and they're out of control.

 

[ClaireZ]

Nope. I'm sitting here in my airconditioned apartment, drinking beer and watching TV. A piece of me has been griping (but in CF rule violating terms) about how much of my tax money is going to rebuild the expensive houses of people who "have" to live in paradise depite the persistant hurricane threat. I have even more CF violating thoughts about 20-50 year old adults who don't comply with an evacuation plan.

Then this morning I went to WalMart. My company is collecting goods for the evacuees/refugees here in Dallas and I decided to get some bottled water. Then I walked past the baby section. I purchased some ready to eat formula, picked up a few packages of baby wipes and then turned to the clothing section and saw the tiny little socks for birth-6 mo. olds and 6-18 mo. olds.

I almost broke down in the aisle.

I might sneer at able bodied adult humans who face tragic situations (and that's not a lack of compassion, but the feeling they can take care of themselves), but my heart really goes out to the children, elderly and pets who are hurting.

My cheap little socks might last a year, but at least a some tiny little toes will be warm through winter..

Awesome post U.S-- you made me cry. Those poor, poor people.

I also feel that people should take some responsibility for themselves. Those who could have left, should have. There was plenty of warning for those who had transportation and a place to go.

Those who were ill, hospitalized, elderly, infirm, and those poor little children break my heart. I indeed hope there little toes will stay warm. I have tons of clothes boxed, and ready to send as soon as I can find where to send it. The surronding communties that are making room for these people, and finding places for them to stay and room in thier schools are to be greatly praised.

It is sad that in a country as great as America we have whole populations of those too poor to provide for themselves in the face of disaster.

 

[ClaireZ]

the extremity of the partisanship of this post is comical and sad simultaneously, but the unapologetic racism is over the top. if people should be censored for anything on this site, should this not qualify? there should be no disagreement over this from either side of the political debate. if people do not vocally reject this abomination it is a terrible indictment of us all, and we should not wonder why people like ghandi would love Christ, but not understand the behavior of Christians.
if this is a test of america, this poster has failed miserably.

What is with that post? Blacks should take them in?

Give me a break, all Americans should be opening thier homes and thier hearts to these victims. Since when do we choose who we help based on race? I have to agree with this post, Clirus's post was clearly over the top.

 

[jgarden]

Economic aid - (per capita)
Totals Per $ GDP

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/eco_eco_aid_don_cap

Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.

1. Luxembourg - $313.71 per person
2. Norway - $304.80 per person
3. Denmark -$300.05 per person
4. Netherlands - $243.79 per person
5. Sweden - $188.85 per person
6. Switzerland -$146.87 per person
7. Belgium - $103.43 per person
8. France - $89.02 per person
9. Finland - $72.55 per person
10. Ireland - $70.47 per person
11. United Kingdom - $69.48 per person
12. Germany - $67.93 per person
13. Austria - $63.53 per person
14. Japan - $62.00 per person
15. Canada - $60.96 per person
16. Australia - $44.49 per person
17. Spain - $32.96 per person
18. Portugal - $25.64 per person
19. New Zealand - $24.70 per person
20. United States - $23.33 per person
21. Italy - 17.21 per person

Weighted Average - $50.71 per person

Source: CIA World Factbook, March 2005
_______________________________________________
Contrary to popular belief, America (the wealthiest country in the world) ranks only 20th in terms of international aid based on per capita of GDP. It gives less than half of the international weighted average of $50.71. Reports of America aid are somewhat misleading because they deal with $ amounts instead of ability to donate.

 

[Ginny]

I was watching FOX this morning and these helpers were on boats picking up stranded people... there are individuals still refusing to leave. This particular man was sitting on a roof. The guy even told them there is going to be disease after disease pop up due to the water and bodies, etc... he still refused...

I wonder how much aid will go to those individuals that have no concept of reality? This certainly has not been addressed yet. Surely no one has touched upon this subject.

 

[k]

So I was thinking that given all of the help the US has given for other natural disasters around the world that maybe the world would respond and help us out given the enormity of Katrina. So I Googled "hurricane relief" and I came up with.....1. The Canadian Red Cross is telling it's supporters to send money to the American Red Cross.

What about the rest of the world? Nada, zip, zilch the biog donut!!!

Here's my problem with the world...they are perfectly willing to criticize the US when we do something the disagree with; they are perfectly willing to tell us that we don't help enough when other countries have natural disasters but when it comes to them helping us? What a bunch of stinkin' hypocrits!

It may be helpful to do a bit more research. Fox News has reported that at least 50 nations have offered aid, even China. Bush has declined some help, and the State Dept. refuses to disclose the amount of money coming in from other countries. Guess they are allergic to accountability.

In any case, the US is arguably the richest country in the world and it is absurd to desire help from other nations. Kind of like me walking up to one of Bill Gates' houses and offering to give him a cup of sugar.

 

[Belteshazzar]

Update to Canada's response:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1125857169757_5/?hub=Canada

You are not alone. Many Canadians are praying and donating to relief agencies involved with rescue efforts on the Gulf Coast.

 

[breezynosacek]

Are any of you on your way to help?

A group of us are going but we are working out when we will be prepared to go and how many of us are going.

Hubby and I are both going to help clean up the mess. One of the businesses down there contacted a friend of ours and asked if he knew anybody that had construction experience. We have all worked construction at one time or another and decided to go.

I just hope some weird disease doesn't break out while we are down there. Some plague buried in those above ground mosoleums, or cholera, yellow fever or some old old horrid stuff.

We've got critters to take care of so we asked a neighbor if she would come over and feed them and she said yes. We'll be gone for a minimum of 10 days.

 

[breezynosacek]

How much money does it really take to sit down with the relevant people and make a plan? Sure it's difficult to evacuate people but how do you think Florida has done it year after year? No money in the budget? You get the corporate sponsors that you need to say ok, in times of dire need here is what we will donate to you so that you know those busses will be ready for their necessary convoy. This simply is not brain surgery here. Planning does not cost that much money. A piece of paper and a pencil will do along with phone lines to get the people to communicate.

Oh contrare! We lived in FL. They don't offer buses to evacuate. We went through one where we were told to evacuate. Couldn't afford it and prayed.

Same thing when Gaston hit VA. We prayed our butts off all night. It actually swerved and missed us by just a few miles of being hit by the worst of it. God looked out for us but we stayed awake and prayed until it totally passed by. Then and only then did the Lord say, Okay, take your rest the storm has passed.