Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

Artashes

Administrator
Staff member
I am following the relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and I wonder why is it so hard to deliver enough food, water and medical supplies to the region... They can drop food off the planes in Africa - why can't they do the same here in regions that are hard to get to?

Best,
 
I heard a brief comment saying that they really don't want to drop supplies in New Orleans because they want people out of the city, not to stay in it.
 
Its just outreagous.. I am honestly speechless...
It honestly must be easier to deliver resources from one state or several states to another...

There are several Reliefs but it's going to take alot more to repair the damages.
 
It's pathetic that the United States continues to claim time and time again that we are ready for any type of terrorist attack and can respond immediately. But it takes 4 days to get food and water to desperate people who have resorted to crime to survive? It's outrageous! This is a major problem for the United States because it shows our true vulnerability to any type of disaster. Why does it take 4 days to get National Guard troops to provide the aid that should have been delivered immediately? I'm shocked, and it truly truly saddens me. You never know how fortunate you are until you see something like this.
 
Action needs to take place to prevent a long delay like this in the future... We can defeat man but not nature... and I don't know death rates for a terrorist attack like 9/11 and a hurricane like Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in the far east.... but it's got to be awfully close it just shows those idiots who terrorises the United States what there vulnerability is.

I think the United Kingdom has something up there sleeves to help Louisiana out. But I am not 100% sure… Tony Blair does look out for Mother Nature problems like this for the United States.
 
I'm listening to the interview with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. He has made two very good and valid points.

1. Congress gave Bush so much power to invade Iraq and spend away quickly, yet it's taking a "formal process" to try and get financial aid to New Orleans.

2. No more press conferences until the resources are in New Orleans.
 
Another point is that only the bare minimum of Congress show up to vote to release funds to FEMA to help out in this situation and they practically had to be begged to interrupt their holidays.

When the vote on Terri Schiavo was called they got the whole congress together in 12 hours flat.

They would prefer to vote to say the life of a brain dead woman over potentially saving hundreds or thousands of poor people in New Orleans.

This is a black eye for America in my opinion. The government failed when they were needed most. Yesterday they practically sprained their wrists patting each other on the back for how they are handling things. Meanwhile people are dying and getting shot by rogue criminals in the streets.

The city is still mostly inaccessible and it won't be long before fires ravage much of the remaining buildings.
 
It's upsetting that the federal government cannot develop a simple, central, easy to use, searchable database of names and safe or missing status. It shouldn't fall on other websites like Yahoo, CNN, and MSNBC.
 
It should also be upsetting that the federal government didn't seem to have any plan to put into effect, even though people have been warning about this event for years and even though they had 3 days warning when it was coming.

When Bush got back from his vacation he announced that he was assembling a top level task force to help the people in New Orleans.
If there was a plan in effect why would he have to assemble a task force 4 days after the fact?
If there is a plan in place why is FEMA not taking the lead on this. Why is Michael Chertoff in charge? This is not about homeland defence it is about disaster relief. Do they know what they are doing?
 
FEMA is now under the umbrella of Homeland Security. That's why Mr. Chertoff is out and about and getting face-time.

Screw "task forces" and press conferences. Get people in there to help. Get basic sanitation in place. For pity's sake, it's like a gigantic outdoor concert without any acts. Porta-potties, basic sanitation, basic food distribution...these are not rocket surgery. Put them in place.

Part of me can't help but wonder how fast Bush and Cheney's developer-cronies will move in to buy up the land that New Orleans and its outlying suburbs used to occupy, stating that many of the former occupants can't develop the land in such a way so as not to be a drain on the local economy. It's conveniently adacent to the former wetlands, which they purchased, converted, and then put strip malls atop.

But I'm cynical, pissy, and bitter. I could very well be wrong.
 
Last edited:
Lesli said:
FEMA is now under the umbrella of Homeland Security. That's why Mr. Chertoff is out and about and getting face-time.

Not to mention that Chertoff was appointed by Bush and Bush only likes to have his hand picked minions to get the face time on TV.
 
They are finally starting to bring in food and med's, I can understand it may have took a little time to get it in there, But not as long as it did... So many people died just lying around in the heat... its horrible to see this
 
Why does it take 4 days to get National Guard troops to provide the aid that should have been delivered immediately?

It might be because they sent over 75% of the US's National Guard, and Reservists to the Gulf, to help fight and rebuild another country.

Now we also have the gas companies taking severe advantage of the situation as well. Consider that I just saw a sign today that read "$3.19 per 1/2 gallon" at the gas station I regularly get gas.

It's as though gas companies see a situation, anywhere in the world, and think "How can we exploit this, to raise gas prices, and increase our revenue?"

It dawns on me that quite possibly, if we would stay out of our neighbor's backyard, trying to tell them how to take care of their lawn, and worry more about our own backyard, our yard may be nicer.
 
It's as though gas companies see a situation, anywhere in the world, and think "How can we exploit this, to raise gas prices, and increase our revenue?"
The gas station owners get the worst deal out of this all. They make very little profit on the gas they sell, plus are yelled at and harassed (some were even killed) for something they have no control over.
 
I agree. Many of them are simply trying to make a living, the same as everyone else. Ask any of them, and you'll find that they're just as ticked off.

What kicks the hell out of me though is when you consider that the gas that is already in that underground tank, is already delivered and paid for. That gas will cost no more to pump than it would have the day it was delivered.

I can see raising the price on the next delivery, but jesus, you can drive down main street and see gas for $2.39/gallon, then 5 mins later come back up main street, see the same gas station changing it to $3.19/half gallon, in that 5 mins. Like I said, it's just irritating to watch.
 
I can't even think of the words to say about the gas prices. I'm just so shocked. Even with the circumstances that limit some of the oil flow in the US from Katrina, oil companies can voluntarily cut their profit per gallon by as little as 10% for the sake of the country and the world. But no, lets just continue to count our money. It's mind blowing!

I'll be driving without the AC for a while.
 
Back
Top