We're in communication with some Rainbow hippies from all over the country who have journeyed to Waveland with kitchens and have quite a food network going. They are preparing warm and nutritious meals for everyone, and the last report we heard was that the local police were even keeping the Feds from harassing them. (There has always been a longstanding riff between those two groups.) Basically, people from all over the country are donating cash and food and supplies through a network, and other volunteers are taking time to get there (with their own tents and stuff) and help out. Sounds like it's working well so far. I'm almost tempted to go help at some point, but I'll probably just send money.
Oh yes, there are! We have pix of one from when we were in Burbank at MeSue's---with Miz Sairey right there jez a'flirtin with that QP on his cycle in FULL UNIFORM and all! Jeanbaby and Ginger will tell you the same........ What a neat Policeman : )
I seriously doubt you could keep a firefighter from helping out. Everyone I know has that helping as a part of their DNA. Yeah right !! Handing out pamphlets... not a chance in ... well you know.
I was doing some research on the whole thing -- I didn't trust any of the news people to give us a balanced story. Anyway, as much as I DO NOT like that mayor, I will have to say that he frequently told the people of NOLA that the Super Dome was the "refuge of last resort" and that IS a quote. He also specifically told everyone that, if they did have to go to the Super Dome, they should bring 3 or 4 days of food and water for everyone in their group. He said that the city did NOT have the resources to provide food and water to everyone who might show up, just those people who were handicapped, ill, etc. and unable to provide for themselves. Apparently there were several other evac centers on the "official" list but they could not be used so the overflow of people were sent to the Convention Center. Because the Convention Center was not on the "approved" list of evac centers, FEMA didn't even know there were people there -- seems that no one in the mayor's office bothered to let FEMA know!!! What REALLY bothers me is that, in order to get Federal money for different projects, NOLA had to provide the Federales with their official evacuation plan. The mayor said, in the plan, that he would use 550 municipal busses, hundreds of additional school busses and Amtrak trains to evac the residents should a natural disaster happen. THAT plan went right out the door!! The manager of the Hilton, which is on Poydras & Decatur (I think) just a block or so from the French Quarter had no trouble ordering FIFTY busses to come get the paying guests and evac them AFTER the flooding started. The busses showed up on time, loaded up the tourists and got them out of town with minimal trouble!!! Need I say more?? ciaoMeow >^;;^<
Mary: FEMA should have turned to the most experienced people AT THE OUTSET!! Not retailers, IMO. Department of Defense has an outstanding FUNCTIONING Joint Military Transportation Headquarters (not sure of the official name, joint means including personnel from several military services) that does major transportation and logistics ALL the time. They always have emergency plans and personnel on duty. They do not do 8 hour days and 40 hours weeks as a retailer would do. The DOD personnel work around the clock until the job is done. The US Army post near here has experts in the Logistics field. Some are now in Atlanta doing their thing. FEMA should have sent them earlier. Furthermore IMO, the LA Gov and the NOLA Mayor should have requested Uncle Sam's help BEFORE the Hurricane hit. It was available! Now the Mayor is telling people it is okay to return to a certain district, even though the CG Admiral in charge now in NOLA (not sure of his title) is advising otherwise, because of lack of potable water. Well that is what I heard on radio, I am not expert, nor am I in LA. But I wish them all well!! PAT in VA/USA
I saw the show on C-span where the mayor of NO addressed that question. He said he requested the busses but that no one could find available drivers because they either refused or had already fled the city. Maybe this is one of the problems that arose that the city/state/government officials will learn from. So sad because so many could have been saved with all those buses - not mention that all those buses have been ruined by the flood waters now and their is now the cost of their replacement.
That IS the best way to go -- no lawsuits to worry about either. Of course, you'd have that lovely THREE day wait while the Federally required paperwork is being taken care of -- VBS! I know that Bush is pushing for some sort of "ruling" (for lack of a better word at the moment) that will allow the President to send in troops as needed in dire circumstances like this. Should be a LOT of fun seeing how all the different government people squawk and squirm because their little bit of control might be taken away from them! I honestly think it has to be either the military or private enterprise because FEMA *never* seems to be able to get to the actual location of ANY disaster for 3 or 4 days! We won't even talk about all the people -- QUALIFIED people, too -- who went down there and were turned away because FEMA *contracts* outside help for this stuff!! CiaoMeow >^;;^<
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