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burnt-toast
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Disaster Response - A Disaster
« on: Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am » |
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How ridiculous can it get?
I realize there are brave souls attempting to rescue victims of the hurricane. I pray for these caring people and the victims that need to be rescued. However I am ashmed of or governments ill preperatons for something like this.
Government as a whole - Despite several days notice of the impending landfall of a hurricane of unprecedented strength. Plus accurate predictions of its effects, no agency - State, Federal or local mobilized resources in advance of landfall so that they could immediately respond when the storm had past. Was there nothing deployed to states surrounding these heavily hit Gulf States in preperation for rescue and relief efforts?
The Mayor of New Orleans is stating "we had a plan that no one is following." That "there are too many frickin' cooks in the kitchen", and he was pleased that there was an effort affot to consolidate into a single command center. Is bureaucracy more important than a coordinated rescue and relief effort.
The Heavy Equipment and materials needed to deal with damanged levies is nowhere in sight - They're attempting to address a massive inflow of water with light equipment and large sand bags. These levies were the primary concern with this storm - Why wasn't there any government agency with the foresight to prepare for this?
Louisiana’s Governor has done a lot of moaning about the damage and how looting is the result of desperate people. Will she ever take control and begin to discuss how the state is enacting its disaster plan and coordinated rescue efforts? People are trapped and dying while little more than talk is being done Was there ever a real plan or just another government talking point that never got funding?
Keep hearing how it's unsafe to go into these areas due to increasing violence and rising waters? Marshall Law was enacted but no one has been deployed to enforce it. Boats for the national guard seem to be non-existent - I realize this is an unprecedented disaster but - why wasn't there any advanced preperation or planing for a disaster of this magnitude when it was only a matter of time before it occurrred?
FEMA - "We should have ice trucked into the area in 10 days." WTF is this - how can they justify needing 10 days just to get ice into the area? I've dealt with FEMA now on two occasions following disasters and know first hand that presense/paperwork-NOT ASSISTANCE is what they're all about.
National Guard - Driving trucks past people stuck and now dying on highway ramps. Signaling to these people that their hands are tied and they can't pick them up.
Red Cross - Again blasting the airways looking for donations while showing minimal presense in the area. I wonder what their directors and executives salaries are up to these days and what their bonus' will be for the money collected and not distributed for this disaster.
People - Instead of banding together and rescueing stranded survivors they choose to loot stores, houses and cars - not for food or water but for jewelry, clothes, cash,electronics, etc. - Proving once again that we are just animals like all the other critters.
I'm disgusted with a government that no longer has the best interest of it's people in mind or the ability to be prepared for disasters like this. They sure take a lot of our money and give nothing back.
I'm ashamed of our govenment's uncoordinated response to this disaster even with the new "Homeland Security" agency added to the list of agencies the response just for rescue efforts and damage control is pathetic.
I am ashamed of some of the people affected by this disaster who can think of nothing but themselves when people are still trapped - haven't their neighbors lost enough without having their property ransacked?
God help us all - we've become a nation without disipline.
Tom
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floridian
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #2 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 12:27pm » |
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I understand your frustration, agree with some of your points, have a different perspective on others.
Quote:| The Heavy Equipment and materials needed to deal with damanged levies is nowhere in sight - They're attempting to address a massive inflow of water with light equipment and large sand bags. These levies were the primary concern with this storm - Why wasn't there any government agency with the foresight to prepare for this? |
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Serious screw up. Very serious.
Quote:| National Guard - Driving trucks past people stuck and now dying on highway ramps. Signaling to these people that their hands are tied and they can't pick them up. |
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Not all are on snatch and grab to get people out of a jam. Some of them are on specific missions, which presumably are necessary. Not pleasant to fly over (or drive by) someone in trouble, but might be necessary for some.
Quote: FEMA - "We should have ice trucked into the area in 10 days." WTF is this - how can they justify needing 10 days just to get ice into the area? I've dealt with FEMA now on two occasions following disasters and know first hand that presense/paperwork-NOT ASSISTANCE is what they're all about.
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How would you truck in ice when roads are flooded and bridges are out? I think ten days is optomistic.
Quote:| Red Cross - Again blasting the airways looking for donations while showing minimal presense in the area. I wonder what their directors and executives salaries are up to these days and what their bonus' will be for the money collected and not distributed for this disaster. |
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Actually, they long ago decided not to put shelters in New Orleans because it is below sea level. The plan was to evacuate people to shelters farther inland, which they did.
Quote:| People - Instead of banding together and rescueing stranded survivors they choose to loot stores, houses and cars - not for food or water but for jewelry, clothes, cash,electronics, etc. |
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Well, lots of people are rescuing their neighbors or just sitting tight. But that doesn't make for good TV - looting is more exciting (and watching the looters shot by the Guard would be even more exciting).
Quote: They sure take a lot of our money and give nothing back. I'm ashamed of our govenment's uncoordinated response to this disaster even with the new "Homeland Security" agency added to the list of agencies the response just for rescue efforts and damage control is pathetic.
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You got a point. Homeland security gets about $1 for every $5 of what is going to Iraq, and most of that goes to customs, port inspection, etc. There is no civil defense agency, except for the one guy that tells us to buy duct tape, and the other one that announces what color of alert we are on.
My additions to the list:
1) piss poor mass transit in a city where almost 1/3 of the people lived under the poverty limit.
2) NFIP, the national flood insurance program. Private companies won't provide this, cause they know they will lose money. So they fob it off on Uncle Sam. Then most people don't bother to sign up for it. Then a disaster happens, and people get emotional, and the Feds hand out money so people can rebuild in the same fool place.
3) Overmodification of the Mississippi - no more flooding of the wetlands around New Orleans, meaning less soil and water to replenish the land - the eroded and sunken wetlands are less able to protect against storm surge.
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kcopelin
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #3 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 1:39pm » |
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First of all, this is Linda Howell and not Kathy. I'm just using her computer, so don't blame her for my post here.
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Red Cross - Again blasting the airways looking for donations while showing minimal presense in the area. I wonder what their directors and executives salaries are up to these days and what their bonus' will be for the money collected and not distributed for this disaster.
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Is this YOUR opinion? or are you quoting from something/someone else?
Because this is very wrong.
Every chapter of the American Red Cross is endeavoring to send 2 to 3 volunteers every single day over to the disaster sites where they will work 12 hour days with only THIS kind of attitude to consol them for the work they are doing.
The Red Cross does NOT get any Federal funding for the work they do...They rely on donations...DUH!!!!!!!
No Executive gets a bonus for donations.
You are suffering from Optical rectomitis.
Linda
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seasonalboomer
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #4 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 2:24pm » |
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By all accounts the response is not what most of us would perceive of our country's ability to respond to a disaster. While it is important that notes be taken, the focus should be on how help can begin getting to where it needs to go and people can be extricated from this mess.
I understand the urge to want to criticize everyone involved as we all watch this.
And some may be well placed, that'll come up out later.
But, have you donated to any organization providing aid yet? If you have, great. If you haven't, find one you think will do a good job. I personally believe in the Red Cross and believe that the resources that are required by the Red Cross to react to a disaster of this size should have everyone calling in (or logging in) a donation. The same way we did when the Tsunami hit, the same way we did to the 9/11 fundraiser telethon/concert.
There may be more we can do later that means more to each of us as individuals, but a donation to the Red Cross can funnel resources fairly efficiently. Perfectly, no. As good as we can get right now, maybe.
The media is not helping by placing the focus on re-running ignorant looters, over and over again, this is a small minority of the millions affected by this storm. Look past it. Don't forget it, but look past it for the many families that truly do require help that are waiting.
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TomM
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #5 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 3:23pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:| Government as a whole - Despite several days notice of the impending landfall of a hurricane of unprecedented strength. Plus accurate predictions of its effects, no agency - State, Federal or local mobilized resources in advance of landfall so that they could immediately respond when the storm had past. Was there nothing deployed to states surrounding these heavily hit Gulf States in preperation for rescue and relief efforts? |
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You are kidding, right? Let's put the rescuees in harms way BEFORE the storm???? Let's drench the equipment so it is completely worthless.
You ever been in a hurricane? Ever seen the destruction first hand? Ever felt the wind like that?
Sorry, but if the people who CHOSE to stay, despite the MANDATORY evacuation order, were'nt there, we would not have the looting [and related issues] and NEED to rescue them.
The only thing that has stopped me from really busting your balls is you did not say anything negative about the U.S. Coast Guard.
TomM [USCG, Ret.]
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Charlie
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #6 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 3:26pm » |
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Lots of good points. One person emailed that "aren't you glad that Homeland Security is a big part of the mix, and don't you feel better now?"
Well it is new and I still think H. S. is redundant and ill-conceived, a cosmetic response, political, aimed at us rather than terrorists, and run by careless idiots........but other than that a humdinger...but gee whiz! 
I like the Red Cross. You have to trust something and despite some stupid stuff from them in the past, it's a good bet. For me though, nothing beats the Salvation Army. One way or another, someone, somewhere gets some decent food, a jacket, soap, or some basic first aid. No nonsense. I love them.
The thing about this kind of disaster is that we expect to see a crawl at the bottom of the screen reading "Borneo or Andaman Islands" or other faraway place. It doesn't happen here...... Like 9/11 in that way.
I agree: Forget the looters except for violent types. Getting Insulin and other life-saving equipment is more important. Actually, I like the Mayor. He has been very straight-forward about this.
Soon more Navy and more military will get there. They know how to do this. This is tough stuff and that we see it instantly reinforces impatience. This is real.
I'm 58 and in all those years I've never seen such a horrible mess here caused by nature. CNN is addicting. My favorite commentor is Jack Cafferty on CNN. He reads lots emails from listeners. Love his suggestions. No bullshit from him.
I can't help but think that there are more hurricanes to come this season..... 
Can't wait for Pat Roberston's take on this one..... 
Charlie
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TomM
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #7 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:01pm » |
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Oh, and while I have the soap box under my feet:
Why do people insist on being negative???? 
Tom, my friend, what have YOU done? I'v done my part and will again; I always have and always will but I do not feel the need to brag about it nor point fingers and bring up the negative.
Ever saved anyones' life? I have. Many times more than most people have farted. OK--that is an overstatement but the point is I have done my part and continue to do so now and will in the future. Get off YOUR a$$ and be part of the solution instead of complaining about the problems.
That is all.
TomM
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rickyshot
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #8 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:33pm » |
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I hear you Tomm. No one could ever prepare for a natural disaster of this magnitude. BTW I have mailed my donation to the REd Cross and when my bank saw that I was putting the Red Cross on my money order they waived the fee. And I live in Canada. I thought that small gesture was so wonderful. We don't hear this on the news. There is plenty of noble behavior going on as we speak and let us focus on this because we will need all we can muster up in our faith and spirits to overcome this.
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Jonny
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #9 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:36pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 4:01pm, TomM wrote:| Ever saved anyones' life? |
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Yep, eight year old kid....lucky for him that I was trying out new scuba equipment in the lake the day he decided to drown. Also, lucky for him that someone knew CPR when I brought him up, cause I didnt.
But I dont like to brag....LOL 
Edit to add: Thank you for your service, Tom.....I was just in the right place at the right time.....You, put your life on the line to save folks and that ROCKS!!!!!
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| « Last Edit: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:43pm by Jonny » |
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TomM
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #10 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:40pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 4:33pm, rickyshot wrote:| BTW I have mailed my donation to the REd Cross and when my bank saw that I was putting the Red Cross on my money order they waived the fee. And I live in Canada. |
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That's what I like to read! Thank you, Ricky.
Oh, here is the link:
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp
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| « Last Edit: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:46pm by TomM » |
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burnt-toast
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #11 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:47pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 1:39pm, kcopelin wrote:
First of all, this is Linda Howell and not Kathy. I'm just using her computer, so don't blame her for my post here.
Is this YOUR opinion? or are you quoting from something/someone else?
Because this is very wrong.
Every chapter of the American Red Cross is endeavoring to send 2 to 3 volunteers every single day over to the disaster sites where they will work 12 hour days with only THIS kind of attitude to consol them for the work they are doing.
The Red Cross does NOT get any Federal funding for the work they do...They rely on donations...DUH!!!!!!!
No Executive gets a bonus for donations.
You are suffering from Optical rectomitis.
Linda
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Is this the same Red Cross that bills victims of disasters for the second hand stuff the provide?
Is this the same Red Cross that got caught after hurricane Andrew faking a disaster relief dinner for the press? Thankfully the press asked questions and found out the the Red Cross was not available prior to the press conference.
Is this the same Red Cross that charges service men for sending them home for family crisis'?
Is this the same Red Cross that took the money and ran after the 911 disaster? Saying we collected the money for 911 but will spend it on other things?
Is this the same Red Cross who's Regional Director in Pittsburgh claims she is worth every penny of the $375,000 annual salary she collects?
I'll live by the ole' fool me once, shame of you. Fool me twice, shame on me, motto.
By the way the Salvation Army is and has been on site since day one ready to feed vicitms but can't get into the areas in need. The Sally is where my money goes - all volunteers and requirement to repay them for their charitable services.
Tom
The Red Cross didn't begin setting up relief centers until
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deltadarlin
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #12 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:53pm » |
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Tom,
You really should submit your well-written, well-thought our post as a letter to the newspaper. I'm sure Gannett would make sure that it got in all their Louisiana papers.
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:Despite several days notice of the impending landfall of a hurricane of unprecedented strength. Plus accurate predictions of its effects, no agency - State, Federal or local mobilized resources in advance of landfall so that they could immediately respond when the storm had past. Was there nothing deployed to states surrounding these heavily hit Gulf States in preperation for rescue and relief efforts?
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BEFORE the storm, the priority was to get these people out of there. New Orleans alone has over half a million people (and we're not even touching the rest of the population in the surrounding parishes and the MS Gulf Coast). Tell me, with a cat 4 bearing down on you, what's your first thought? "Oh, we need to get our equipment in place" or "oh, we need to get those people out".
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:
The Mayor of New Orleans is stating "we had a plan that no one is following." That "there are too many frickin' cooks in the kitchen", and he was pleased that there was an effort affot to consolidate into a single command center. Is bureaucracy more important than a coordinated rescue and relief effort.
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Ask anybody, central command=more efficient operations, less confusion.
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:
The Heavy Equipment and materials needed to deal with damanged levies is nowhere in sight - They're attempting to address a massive inflow of water with light equipment and large sand bags. These levies were the primary concern with this storm - Why wasn't there any government agency with the foresight to prepare for this? |
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And just how do you suppose to get this equipment in there? Airlift it in? Or perhaps it should have been stored in one of the surrounding areas (hopefully it would be amphibious equipment, since it would be under water now).
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:| People are trapped and dying while little more than talk is being done |
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One word, bullsh*t.
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:| Louisiana’s Governor has done a lot of moaning about the damage and how looting is the result of desperate people. Will she ever take control and begin to discuss how the state is enacting its disaster plan and coordinated rescue efforts? |
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There is a plan and it has been implemented. I suppose that you have a solution to this disaster, one of such magnitude that we can't even begin to imagine the toll it will eventually take?
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:
Keep hearing how it's unsafe to go into these areas due to increasing violence and rising waters? Marshall Law was enacted but no one has been deployed to enforce it. |
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I'm assuming you mean *martial* law? Are you sure that no one has been deployed? I think you need to tell that to the 70 deputies that left about 2 hours ago or the people that are already there. The main concern at this point in time is to get people out. Then they will deal with the looters.
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:| National Guard - Driving trucks past people stuck and now dying on highway ramps. Signaling to these people that their hands are tied and they can't pick them up. |
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Proof of people dying on overpasses? If they are on an overpass, then most likely they at least safe. The guardsmen are following orders, now is not the time for insubordination.
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:
I'm ashamed of our govenment's uncoordinated response to this disaster even with the new "Homeland Security" agency added to the list of agencies the response just for rescue efforts and damage control is pathetic. |
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Btw, I'm redneck's wife and he works for the govt./agency you just had a swipe at. I'll be sure to let him know that you have all kinds of solutions to our current disaster as soon as he gets home (make that *when* he gets home, since he's not been home much since Katrina hit). Oh, and I did talk to him earlier on the phone and I told him what a lovely, constructive post you'd written. He asked me to invite you to come work with him. He said that he's sure he can find you something to do.
on Aug 31st, 2005, 10:36am, burnt-toast wrote:
God help us all - we've become a nation without disipline. |
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God help us all, we've become a nation without spellers.
'darlin
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| « Last Edit: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:57pm by deltadarlin » |
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TomM
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #13 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:54pm » |
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Tom--You know what? You are welcome to your opinion. You don't like the Red Cross? Fine. I can live with that. But please, find some organization and help.
If you want, I can direct you to the Coast Guard Mutual Assitance program. I've been giving money to them since 1986.
www.uscg.org
http://www.uscg.org/CoastGuard.aspx?tabid=148
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| « Last Edit: Aug 31st, 2005, 4:59pm by TomM » |
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burnt-toast
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #14 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 5:01pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 12:27pm, floridian wrote:I understand your frustration, agree with some of your points, have a different perspective on others.
Serious screw up. Very serious.
Not all are on snatch and grab to get people out of a jam. Some of them are on specific missions, which presumably are necessary. Not pleasant to fly over (or drive by) someone in trouble, but might be necessary for some.
How would you truck in ice when roads are flooded and bridges are out? I think ten days is optomistic.
Actually, they long ago decided not to put shelters in New Orleans because it is below sea level. The plan was to evacuate people to shelters farther inland, which they did.
Well, lots of people are rescuing their neighbors or just sitting tight. But that doesn't make for good TV - looting is more exciting (and watching the looters shot by the Guard would be even more exciting).
You got a point. Homeland security gets about $1 for every $5 of what is going to Iraq, and most of that goes to customs, port inspection, etc. There is no civil defense agency, except for the one guy that tells us to buy duct tape, and the other one that announces what color of alert we are on.
My additions to the list:
1) piss poor mass transit in a city where almost 1/3 of the people lived under the poverty limit.
2) NFIP, the national flood insurance program. Private companies won't provide this, cause they know they will lose money. So they fob it off on Uncle Sam. Then most people don't bother to sign up for it. Then a disaster happens, and people get emotional, and the Feds hand out money so people can rebuild in the same fool place.
3) Overmodification of the Mississippi - no more flooding of the wetlands around New Orleans, meaning less soil and water to replenish the land - the eroded and sunken wetlands are less able to protect against storm surge. |
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The Governor who must call in National Guard/Reserves just called in the 60% of the National Guard available to respond to her state. What took her so long?
The roads into the region are clearly not all flooded. FEMA is just projecting ice being available to the Region in 10 days not getting it into the city proper.
I've watched numerous Discovery Channel specials on this very disaster. It was never a matter of if, it was a matter of when. Yet the response is reactionary not proactive as if no one ever expected it to really happen or planned for the results. Good leaders lead by being prepared - doesn't say much for the leaders managing this problem.
Anyone who takes this as being "negative" is free to do so but it is the sad truth that must be faced. I find unprepairedness to be the poorest form of leadership.
Tom
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Jonny
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #15 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 5:01pm » |
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I dont give a fuck what anyone says about anyone....I just know that these dudes kick some serious ass when it comes to saving folks!!!!!
See for yourself, damn it!!
http://www.steakandcheese.com/content/detail.asp?ID=21755&type=1& ;page=1
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burnt-toast
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #16 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 5:08pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 4:01pm, TomM wrote:Oh, and while I have the soap box under my feet:
Why do people insist on being negative????
Tom, my friend, what have YOU done? I'v done my part and will again; I always have and always will but I do not feel the need to brag about it nor point fingers and bring up the negative.
Ever saved anyones' life? I have. Many times more than most people have farted. OK--that is an overstatement but the point is I have done my part and continue to do so now and will in the future. Get off YOUR a$$ and be part of the solution instead of complaining about the problems.
That is all.
TomM |
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The answer is yes - but only twice. I've also personally comforted another human being as he deficated and wet himself while dying. I have nothing to brag about.
Identifying and admitting that we have a problem is the first step in finding a solution. Reactionary responses to a known potential disaster doesn't cut it with me. Our government is so intent on doing everything it was never intended to do that is it overlooking its real responsibilities to "The People" and the country.
Tom
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TomM
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #17 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 5:20pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 5:08pm, burnt-toast wrote:| Identifying and admitting that we have a problem is the first step in finding a solution. |
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OK. True statement.
But I also asked "What have you done?" Specifically, to help w/ the hurricane relief.
Let's not turn this into a dick wagging competition and determine who is the 'better' person b/c they did X, Y, or Z.
Be procative, help w/ some REAL solutions. That is all I ask.
Jonny--that video is awesome. But then again, I'm kinda biassed.
TomM
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| « Last Edit: Aug 31st, 2005, 5:21pm by TomM » |
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Sandy_C
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #18 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 5:20pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 4:36pm, Jonny wrote:
Yep, eight year old kid....lucky for him that I was trying out new scuba equipment in the lake the day he decided to drown. Also, lucky for him that someone knew CPR when I brought him up, cause I didnt.
But I dont like to brag....LOL
Edit to add: Thank you for your service, Tom.....I was just in the right place at the right time.....You, put your life on the line to save folks and that ROCKS!!!!!
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Jonny's right! Thanks Tom. You may never get the thanks that you deserve for what you do, but we appreciate all your efforts. And I'm not going to brag either, but I have saved one life, and sent my donation to the Red Cross for Katrina's devastation. It happened in my country! I also donated to the Red Cross for the Indian Ocean tsunami. I do this because, God forbid, my neighborhood suffers a disaster of this matgitude and I hope that others would donate to help us.
Just read that the governor of Louisiana says there could be thousands of dead, floating in the water, stuck in their attics, wedged under debris. I know there is looting going on. Watch what most are taking - food stuffs, cartons of Pepsi, clothing. Yes, there are always the a$$holes who take the TV's, CD players, phones, etc. But most people have no food, no water, no medicines, nothing, they are just trying to survive. Shoot the guy carrying the TV out of a store, but let the guy carrying baby formula take it.
Just MHO.
Sandy
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TomM
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #19 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 5:23pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 4:36pm, Jonny wrote:Edit to add: Thank you for your service, Tom.....I was just in the right place at the right time.....You, put your life on the line to save folks and that ROCKS!!!!!
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Thank you but stop. This is not about me. This is about helping those who are in need.
on Aug 31st, 2005, 5:20pm, Sandy_C wrote:| Jonny's right! Thanks Tom. You may never get the thanks that you deserve for what you do, but we appreciate all your efforts. |
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Thank you but stop. This is not about me. This is about helping those who are in need.
on Aug 31st, 2005, 5:20pm, Sandy_C wrote:| Shoot the guy carrying the TV out of a store, but let the guy carrying baby formula take it. |
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Ditto!
TomM
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| « Last Edit: Aug 31st, 2005, 5:27pm by TomM » |
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kcopelin
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #20 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 7:29pm » |
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Okay y'all, this really is Kathy-Linda already went home disgusted. Thank you to every single person who sacrificed their energy, time, money, helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I am a Hurricane Andrew survivor and know personally what it is like to see news coverage of my home flattened. I know how it feels to have neighbors too stubborn to evacuate and not make it. I know a measure of what those folks are going through and I guaran-damn-tee this bickering finger-pointing and the kinda crap I read about the Red Cross isn't helpin' at all. Stop. Pray. Give what you can to whatever organization you feel good about. Do not use the suffering of your fellow man as a platform for your agenda. It should be a launch pad for your compassion.
That's all I have to say right now-am still trying to call Edna-circuits are busy...will keep trying.
PFDAN to all,
Kathy
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burnt-toast
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #21 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 7:32pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 5:20pm, TomM wrote:
OK. True statement.
But I also asked "What have you done?" Specifically, to help w/ the hurricane relief.
Let's not turn this into a dick wagging competition and determine who is the 'better' person b/c they did X, Y, or Z.
Be procative, help w/ some REAL solutions. That is all I ask.
Jonny--that video is awesome. But then again, I'm kinda biassed.
TomM
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I already answered this - my money went to the Salvation Army.
BTW - I regularly contribute to two very proven and worthy agencies - The Salvation Army and St. Judes.
Not just during the holidays or when they have fund drives or when there is a disaster - regularly.
Tom
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DonnaHar
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #22 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 7:50pm » |
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I have some very strong feelings about the lack of preparation, too. We've talked for many years about "THE BIG ONE" just around the corner", or "this might be the year we get hit with THE BIG ONE", or the weather man's favorite "we're way past due for "THE BIG ONE".
While I think both Tom's have made valid points, I fault our government from the Pres. on down for not getting people out of harms way. We watched this thing bare down on them for a couple days. We saw the roads clogged for at least 24 hours or more. We should have had an evacuation plan in effect years ago.
Another thing, the gas stations, who filled their tanks up days before the storm at a lesser price, sure took advantage by raising their prices before refilling their tanks.
I'm not trying to be argumentive and I am not the worlds best speller and I do not know all the facts, so please don't tear me apart. I think everyone has a right to post their thoughts. If they're wrong, we can discuss without trying to make fools out of each other.
And by the way, what does a shortage of natural gas have to do with oil? Why are we anticipating a shortage or price increase in that? This is a valid question, not a jab.
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don
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #23 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 7:52pm » |
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The logistics of the rescue effort are beyond comprehension.
No arm chair coaching here.
Today I donated to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
Godspeed to both organizations.
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burnt-toast
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Re: Disaster Response - A Disaster
« Reply #24 on: Aug 31st, 2005, 8:14pm » |
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on Aug 31st, 2005, 4:53pm, deltadarlin wrote:Tom,
You really should submit your well-written, well-thought our post as a letter to the newspaper. I'm sure Gannett would make sure that it got in all their Louisiana papers.
BEFORE the storm, the priority was to get these people out of there. New Orleans alone has over half a million people (and we're not even touching the rest of the population in the surrounding parishes and the MS Gulf Coast). Tell me, with a cat 4 bearing down on you, what's your first thought? "Oh, we need to get our equipment in place" or "oh, we need to get those people out".
Ask anybody, central command=more efficient operations, less confusion.
And just how do you suppose to get this equipment in there? Airlift it in? Or perhaps it should have been stored in one of the surrounding areas (hopefully it would be amphibious equipment, since it would be under water now).
One word, bullsh*t.
There is a plan and it has been implemented. I suppose that you have a solution to this disaster, one of such magnitude that we can't even begin to imagine the toll it will eventually take?
I'm assuming you mean *martial* law? Are you sure that no one has been deployed? I think you need to tell that to the 70 deputies that left about 2 hours ago or the people that are already there. The main concern at this point in time is to get people out. Then they will deal with the looters.
Proof of people dying on overpasses? If they are on an overpass, then most likely they at least safe. The guardsmen are following orders, now is not the time for insubordination.
Btw, I'm redneck's wife and he works for the govt./agency you just had a swipe at. I'll be sure to let him know that you have all kinds of solutions to our current disaster as soon as he gets home (make that *when* he gets home, since he's not been home much since Katrina hit). Oh, and I did talk to him earlier on the phone and I told him what a lovely, constructive post you'd written. He asked me to invite you to come work with him. He said that he's sure he can find you something to do.
God help us all, we've become a nation without spellers.
'darlin
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Tom Said Quote:| I realize there are brave souls attempting to rescue victims of the hurricane. I pray for these caring people and the victims that need to be rescued. However I am ashmed of or governments ill preperatons for something like this. |
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As I said, I realize there are folks/agencies doing what they can. I am certain your husband is one of them.
However,
Deployment of resources days after a storm that was known to be imminent and now past doesn't make sense.
Yes evacuation of the area is a priority but who was responsible for coordination/mobilization of rescue/recovery/relief services into the area as soon as it was safe? I surely hope the multiple agencies involved can plan and manage multiple concurrent tasks.
I'm not saying move equipment and supplies into harms way just prepare and stage it where it can be deployed in a more timely fashon.
My old boss always said it great to gather information, but information is useless if you wait for find something to use it on. Use information to be proactive and avoid the problems you can, understand the potential for other problems and be prepared with a plan when you can't avoid one.
Given the well documented/long understood results of a storm of this magnitude hitting the Gulf coast and the known fact that is was a matter of when - not if it would happen. Given the days agencies had to respond prior to landfall - The response is very reactive instead of proactive.
I apologize for my spelling - I need a hot-link to spellcheck.
Tom
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