NationStates Jolt Archive

Sunday September 4, 2005

British families trapped in New Orleans last night claimed that US authorities had refused to evacuate them as Hurricane Katrina approached the city.

Although assistance was offered to US residents, British nationals were told they would have to fend for themselves. According to those who remain stranded in the stricken city, police had visited hotels and guest houses on the eve of the hurricane offering to evacuate Americans, but not Britons.

The order meant UK holidaymakers without cars were left helpless in the face of the hurricane. Some have been trapped in hotels and guest houses since the hurricane struck at 7am local time last Monday.

One family from Liverpool, trapped in a flooded section of the city, told relatives yesterday of their bewilderment when they realised US citizens would be offered preferential treatment.

Gerrard Scott, 35, spoke to his brother Peter from the Ramada Hotel in New Orleans where he has been stranded without assistance with wife, Sandra, 38, and seven-year-old son Ronan for the past six days. 'Those that didn't fit their criteria were told to help themselves. The police said they were evacuating Americans, and took away the majority.

'The British who were left all thought the police would come back, but nobody has. They have just been left,' said Peter Scott last night. Among the 30 or so people still inside the Ramada Hotel is a woman recovering from breast cancer who had been confined to a hotel room by herself because of fears over her immune system.

Last night Peter Scott described how the family survived by locking themselves inside a tiny windowless bathroom on the fifth floor of the Ramada. 'They were lucky that it was a substantial hotel and that they were quite high up,' said Scott.

Other Britons are, apparently, stranded in the hotel. However, contact with the outside world remains haphazard.

There is a payphone in the hotel lobby, but US operators have been refusing to accept collect calls from stranded Britons.

'Some of them are just hanging up even after they have explained they are trapped in New Orleans. It's like - what emergency?' said Scott. He added that conditions in the lobby were described as atrocious, with sewage up to knee level last night.

Most of those inside have not dared to venture downstairs for fear looters will spot them and ransack the hotel.

Last night victims trapped inside the Ramada were making plans to escape after food and water supplies neared exhaustion. Scott explained how they earlier ransacked the hotel kitchens for food, while water was found in its storage tank.

And the BBC says...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4214122.stm

And the BBC says...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4214122.stm

[QUOTE=Colodia's BBC article]

He said Foreign Office staff were not being allowed into the affected areas.

"We required the agreement of the Louisiana governor to get into the city, and we haven't been given that agreement," he said.

"From the first hour we provided financial support for hotels for clothing, for medical aid ... we've made arrangements with airlines for people to fly back and assisted with medical requirements," he said. /quote

Welcome to the Jungle...

"We required the agreement of the Louisiana governor to get into the city, and we haven't been given that agreement"

I heard the exact same thing being said as an excuse for delays in federal government aid. The Lousiana governor sounds pretty horrible, but that's no excuse. The US government, Foreign Office, and legitimate aid groups should all have said they don't care if permission is needed and just went in anyway. People are dieing, and everyone is too worried about red tape to do anything.

Vancouver, Canada was contacted asking for the aid of its Urban Rescue Team, specially trained for this sort of disaster (Vancouver being in an earthquake zone and all). Our DART team was set to go last Wednesday to deliver food and water, medical supplies, etc.. The Department of Homeland Security refused to allow supplies or personnel to enter the affected areas.

Over here in Manitoba the guys and gals at Manitoba Hydro are more skilled in dealing with dams, floods, and restoring power to flooded areas (they did a hell of a job in '97 flood) and they are possibly being sent down...if the damn govenor lets them also we've been wanting to get down there for sometime. You think that when one of your closest allies offers help you'll accept it red tape or not.

Since nearly 100,000 residents of the city couldn't get out either, mostly because of poverty, disability or lack of transportation, what exactly are you expecting to have happened?

Its tragic that a number of foreign and also American tourists where unable to get out of the city. However, most of them were in multi story hotels and did eventually get out. They were in a better situation even in the event of a direct hit then most of the residents whou couldn't get out.

I have been through hurricanes, and I suspect many of the rest of you haven't. If you are in a well constructed building a reasonable distance from the beach, your chances of survival are excellent, while if you are in a typical single family home or apartment building they are no where near as good.

So I don't have a lot of sympathy. Some, but most of mine is reserved for others who had it far worse.

Vancouver, Canada was contacted asking for the aid of its Urban Rescue Team, specially trained for this sort of disaster (Vancouver being in an earthquake zone and all). Our DART team was set to go last Wednesday to deliver food and water, medical supplies, etc.. The Department of Homeland Security refused to allow supplies or personnel to enter the affected areas.

That has since been resended! Search and Rescue teams from Canada are now down in New Orleans.

Sunday September 4, 2005

British families trapped in New Orleans last night claimed that US authorities had refused to evacuate them as Hurricane Katrina approached the city.

...
Did you write this yourself?

What I don't get is, what possible motive could they have for not allowing aid into the area? It makes no sense... :confused:

What I don't get is, what possible motive could they have for not allowing aid into the area? It makes no sense... :confused:

Your right. It doesn't make sense.

Your right. It doesn't make sense.

When has red tape ever made sense?

When has red tape ever made sense?

It never has as far as I'm concerned. To bad we can't eliminate the LA Governor. That'll solve problems.

It never has as far as I'm concerned. To bad we can't eliminate the LA Governor. That'll solve problems.

On the contrary, it will create more problems. All you will do is gum up the works even more, resulting in even more red tape. And how will eliminating the LA governor solve anything?

On the contrary, it will create more problems. All you will do is gum up the works even more, resulting in even more red tape. And how will eliminating the LA governor solve anything?

Because everything is running through the Governor's office and the governor is holding up alot of things apparently if I read the BBC article right.

Frankly, as long as the aide is now flowing I'll forgive the governor but only to a point.

What I want to know is how come all of these reporters managed to get in without any trouble, but it took aid agencies/the government so long to do anything (when they had the resources to be able to make food and water drops, even if they couldn't rescue people)?

What I want to know is how come all of these reporters managed to get in without any trouble, but it took aid agencies/the government so long to do anything (when they had the resources to be able to make food and water drops, even if they couldn't rescue people)?

Reporters are more cunning and most of them were already there to cover the land fall. Since they were already there......they have access to just about everything. Just show your press pass and your in!

Not right I know but that is how it works.

Regarding the commetns about red tape, I would agree that disaster repsonse needs to be streamlined but we should never allow total free lancing which would turn the rescue effort into a total clusterf**k.

This is the type article that creates all these problems and cost lives. I still have family missing from an area 60 miles north of New Orleans.. We know there was help suppose to be sent into that area as several military units had orders to deploy to it.. They were diverted to New Orleans because of this type bull that is doing nothing but interfering with an already bad system.

During the time Bush went through the streets of New Orleans all rescue craft were grounded so how many lives were lost then.... Also vehicles and such into certain areas were stopped for secutity reasons. That's why those who don't belong in the area need to stay the heck out.

My family is prepared to go in and search for those we still don't know where they are... but we lack the equipent and resources to do so... gas is a key element as even here the supply is limited and we are in GA, TN, KY, FL, and AL. So driving to LA or MS takes gas. Then we have already learned that several of those we might have been looking for got out and ended up in KY or TN or TX. Thus we wait and pray for word so we can then go get our family out and not become another victum to this mess.

I heard the race card played early and am hearing politicians cry foul it's the other sides fault. Bull Crap.. When you point one finger there are three pointing at the real problem.

We have helped 16 family members out of this and can only pray to get the other six out.. So please stop all the dang finger pointing dumb assumptions and do what has to be done to save lives and restore peace here.. We can I hope after debate and blame.

Sorry if I sound pissed, I'm pissed... tired and mad.. at all the crap hearing...

If a dang reporter got in to these people to get this story then why didn't they take these people out.. They got in then they knew the way out and could get those people out... So I blame the dang news as they got in the way...

Troops to be deployed to areas in more need didn't get them and were forgotten because there were no dang news cameras to play to in those areas they were all in New Orleans.

I saw CNN cut people off who were trying to bring this to the attention of the reporter.. Reporter was clean neat all pretty for the camera so I know he was getting in and out. The two guys looked like they had been to hell and back but he cut them short and moved on to New Orleans.

Whether or not this is true I can not comment on. However I do believe that the US Government could have sorted out evacuations more efficiently and quicker, getting many more people out of the city, regardless of race, nationality and how much money they have.

Reporters are more cunning and most of them were already there to cover the land fall. Since they were already there......they have access to just about everything. Just show your press pass and your in!

Not right I know but that is how it works.

I was actually thinking of the UK reporters who flew out Sunday/Monday and are reporting from within New Orleans with camera operators, sound people, lights, satellites and all that kit. If they could get into the city with all of that gear, then bottled water could have been dropped by the closest military unit.

I was actually thinking of the UK reporters who flew out Sunday/Monday and are reporting from within New Orleans with camera operators, sound people, lights, satellites and all that kit. If they could get into the city with all of that gear, then bottled water could have been dropped by the closest military unit.

The military had to wait for the winds to die down before they could do anything.

Just to mention that at least one UK TV broadcaster has confirmed that they gave all of their water away to the more needy. On originally hearing this I was appalled that they might be seen as trying to score points by doing so, so maybe other reporters have also been helping where they can, they just haven't been blabbing about if for fear of a backlash.

Just to mention that at least one UK TV broadcaster has confirmed that they gave all of their water away to the more needy. On originally hearing this I was appalled that they might be seen as trying to score points by doing so, so maybe other reporters have also been helping where they can, they just haven't been blabbing about if for fear of a backlash.

Fox News was helping in the directing rescue operations to individual people inside the city. I've seen some of those rescues on TV as well.

Everyone is doing all they can to assist. The main problems at first was the winds then you have the problem with flooded streets as well as blocked streets.

The military had to wait for the winds to die down before they could do anything.
Trucks then, TV broadcasting equipment doesn' t fit in a rucksack, especially international broadcasting. What was stopping the military trucks from getting in for so long - they should have been ready to roll as soon as the immediate dangers passed. To me it looks like they only started thinking about moving once the immediate dangers passed.

Our citizens would have been helped if bush wasnt so incompetent.

Trucks then, TV broadcasting equipment doesn' t fit in a rucksack, especially international broadcasting. What was stopping the military trucks from getting in for so long - they should have been ready to roll as soon as the immediate dangers passed. To me it looks like they only started thinking about moving once the immediate dangers passed.

Kinda hard to get around New Olreans without a road network at the moment. Alot of streets are underwater and other roads were washed out.

As for the military trucks not getting in for so long, one reason is the road network! Its gone.

Sunday September 4, 2005

British families trapped in New Orleans last night claimed that US authorities had refused to evacuate them as Hurricane Katrina approached the city.

Although assistance was offered to US residents, British nationals were told they would have to fend for themselves. According to those who remain stranded in the stricken city, police had visited hotels and guest houses on the eve of the hurricane offering to evacuate Americans, but not Britons.

The order meant UK holidaymakers without cars were left helpless in the face of the hurricane. Some have been trapped in hotels and guest houses since the hurricane struck at 7am local time last Monday.

One family from Liverpool, trapped in a flooded section of the city, told relatives yesterday of their bewilderment when they realised US citizens would be offered preferential treatment.

Gerrard Scott, 35, spoke to his brother Peter from the Ramada Hotel in New Orleans where he has been stranded without assistance with wife, Sandra, 38, and seven-year-old son Ronan for the past six days. 'Those that didn't fit their criteria were told to help themselves. The police said they were evacuating Americans, and took away the majority.

'The British who were left all thought the police would come back, but nobody has. They have just been left,' said Peter Scott last night. Among the 30 or so people still inside the Ramada Hotel is a woman recovering from breast cancer who had been confined to a hotel room by herself because of fears over her immune system.

Last night Peter Scott described how the family survived by locking themselves inside a tiny windowless bathroom on the fifth floor of the Ramada. 'They were lucky that it was a substantial hotel and that they were quite high up,' said Scott.

Other Britons are, apparently, stranded in the hotel. However, contact with the outside world remains haphazard.

There is a payphone in the hotel lobby, but US operators have been refusing to accept collect calls from stranded Britons.

'Some of them are just hanging up even after they have explained they are trapped in New Orleans. It's like - what emergency?' said Scott. He added that conditions in the lobby were described as atrocious, with sewage up to knee level last night.

Most of those inside have not dared to venture downstairs for fear looters will spot them and ransack the hotel.

Last night victims trapped inside the Ramada were making plans to escape after food and water supplies neared exhaustion. Scott explained how they earlier ransacked the hotel kitchens for food, while water was found in its storage tank.


Uhm--Source please? I find this rather hard to believe. There is no way they are that discompassionate. They may have had to prioritize the weakest and the sickest first but not nationalities. This person if this actually exists may be stressed out and angry and exaggerated the situation. Im trying not to criticize them because that is not needed in this situation but they are not going let Britons suffer on purpose. This is ridiculous.

Kinda hard to get around New Olreans without a road network at the moment. Alot of streets are underwater and other roads were washed out.

As for the military trucks not getting in for so long, one reason is the road network! Its gone.
Then how did the news crews get in?

Uhm--Source please? I find this rather hard to believe. There is no way they are that discompassionate. They may have had to prioritize the weakest and the sickest first but not nationalities. This person if this actually exists may be stressed out and angry and exaggerated the situation. Im trying not to criticize them because that is not needed in this situation but they are not going let Britons suffer on purpose. This is ridiculous.

A quick google took me to The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/katrina/story/0,16441,1562524,00.html)

Then how did the news crews get in?

Because they were already there to cover the landfall of Hurricane Katrina.

Because they were already there to cover the landfall of Hurricane Katrina.
Not all of them were. How do I know? Because I had seen the reporters now in New Orleans reporting from the safety of their UK studios on the Sunday and Monday.

Not all of them were. How do I know? Because I had seen the reporters now in New Orleans reporting from the safety of their UK studios on the Sunday and Monday.

Your guess is as good as mine. As I said, press have more power than aide networks.

Well if that did happen, I have a feeling the criteria were sick, weak and elderly first and if they havent come back then those officers should be fired. The national guard will pick them up. There has got to be more to this..this is unbelieveable. This is not a true representation of our country. I have a feeling some information was left out to deliberately start an outrage. Media has been known to do that.

I don't see how it could have happened. I think its just an attempt to provoke some sort of fury in Britain.

This is the type article that creates all these problems and cost lives. riiiigth
"People speaking up against the War...costs lives."

"Journalists exposing the fucked-Up ways of FEMA...cost lives."

so maybe I we don't talk about the Problems...the Problems will solve themselves...Stop talking about incompetence...and be positive...drink cocacola...

Its all nice and dandy in Bushland...Trust me... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

That has since been resended! Search and Rescue teams from Canada are now down in New Orleans.

(Rescinded.) Indeed they are. My point was the US government was blocking the efforts, not assisting them. The communication between agencies and arms of government was a shambles, that will be the big news story after the dust settles. The same sort of restructuring that happened in US intelligence agencies will have to be undertaken in disaster response, armed forces, etc. if the system is to be effective in future.

That has since been resended! Search and Rescue teams from Canada are now down in New Orleans.

It should never have happened in the first place. Saying oops! and fixing it doesn't absolve them.

riiiigth
"People speaking up against the War...costs lives."

"Journalists exposing the fucked-Up ways of FEMA...cost lives."

so maybe I we don't talk about the Problems...the Problems will solve themselves...Stop talking about incompetence...and be positive...drink cocacola...

Its all nice and dandy in Bushland...Trust me... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Did you read what he wrote? I think you should before you shift into Rhetoric Mode.


y point was the US government was blocking the efforts, not assisting them.

Louisiana state government. The Feds can only move in when rqusted by the governor.

Sunday September 4, 2005

British families trapped in New Orleans last night claimed that US authorities had refused to evacuate them as Hurricane Katrina approached the city.

Although assistance was offered to US residents, British nationals were told they would have to fend for themselves. According to those who remain stranded in the stricken city, police had visited hotels and guest houses on the eve of the hurricane offering to evacuate Americans, but not Britons.

The order meant UK holidaymakers without cars were left helpless in the face of the hurricane. Some have been trapped in hotels and guest houses since the hurricane struck at 7am local time last Monday.

One family from Liverpool, trapped in a flooded section of the city, told relatives yesterday of their bewilderment when they realised US citizens would be offered preferential treatment.

Gerrard Scott, 35, spoke to his brother Peter from the Ramada Hotel in New Orleans where he has been stranded without assistance with wife, Sandra, 38, and seven-year-old son Ronan for the past six days. 'Those that didn't fit their criteria were told to help themselves. The police said they were evacuating Americans, and took away the majority.

'The British who were left all thought the police would come back, but nobody has. They have just been left,' said Peter Scott last night. Among the 30 or so people still inside the Ramada Hotel is a woman recovering from breast cancer who had been confined to a hotel room by herself because of fears over her immune system.

Last night Peter Scott described how the family survived by locking themselves inside a tiny windowless bathroom on the fifth floor of the Ramada. 'They were lucky that it was a substantial hotel and that they were quite high up,' said Scott.

Other Britons are, apparently, stranded in the hotel. However, contact with the outside world remains haphazard.

There is a payphone in the hotel lobby, but US operators have been refusing to accept collect calls from stranded Britons.

'Some of them are just hanging up even after they have explained they are trapped in New Orleans. It's like - what emergency?' said Scott. He added that conditions in the lobby were described as atrocious, with sewage up to knee level last night.

Most of those inside have not dared to venture downstairs for fear looters will spot them and ransack the hotel.

Last night victims trapped inside the Ramada were making plans to escape after food and water supplies neared exhaustion. Scott explained how they earlier ransacked the hotel kitchens for food, while water was found in its storage tank.


Do you have a link to the article?

I can't imagine the police leaving anyone behind just because of nationality. If this is true, it would add to the recriminations already coming to the NO police.

And the BBC says...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4214122.stm
""We required the agreement of the Louisiana governor to get into the city, and we haven't been given that agreement," he said."

Bullshit. They need the permission of the US federal government. The governor of Louisiana has no power to bar foreign dignitaries from Louisiana or any city in Louisiana. Louisiana is not a seperate nation. It's US territory. If the state department gives the Brits permission to go to NO, the governor has no power to tell them they can't.

"We required the agreement of the Louisiana governor to get into the city, and we haven't been given that agreement"

I heard the exact same thing being said as an excuse for delays in federal government aid. The Lousiana governor sounds pretty horrible, but that's no excuse. The US government, Foreign Office, and legitimate aid groups should all have said they don't care if permission is needed and just went in anyway. People are dieing, and everyone is too worried about red tape to do anything.
What needs to happen is that Bush needs to put the governor in her proper place. A governor cannot overrule the President of the United States.

Uh, yes, in fact she can until she voluntarily gives over command to the feds. Its the whole seperation powers concept.

Uh, yes, in fact she can until she voluntarily gives over command to the feds. Its the whole seperation powers concept.

And that has been causing alot of problems right now!

It never has as far as I'm concerned. To bad we can't eliminate the LA Governor. That'll solve problems.
If there are enough complaints she can be swept aside.

Uh, yes, in fact she can until she voluntarily gives over command to the feds. Its the whole seperation powers concept.
We have a federal form of govenment not a confederacy. The US Constitution states that if Congress passes a law or the President issues an executive order, then all of the states are bound by the law or executive order. All Bush has to do is issue an executive order to expedite the process. He can even issue one to push the governor aside so the humanitarian operations could be done better.
And there is nothing the governor can do about it except watch.
You are making sound like this is the Confederacy of America instead of the United States of America.

And that has been causing alot of problems right now!
Hence the reason why Bush should issue an executive order allowing aid agencies to go around her back. This just goes toward being a prime example of why most American women aren't fit to hold political office. I would not be surprised if she was attending some gala instead helping with the rescue efforts.
Hell, this governor has proven herself unfit to hold political office.

Since nearly 100,000 residents of the city couldn't get out either, mostly because of poverty, disability or lack of transportation, what exactly are you expecting to have happened?


Read the first post. The point he is making is that Americans who have been unable to leave have been helped, but Britions and other forignen nationals havent just because they are forigen.


Although assistance was offered to US residents, British nationals were told they would have to fend for themselves

Do you have a link to the article?

I can't imagine the police leaving anyone behind just because of nationality. If this is true, it would add to the recriminations already coming to the NO police.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1562517,00.html

Kinda hard to get around New Olreans without a road network at the moment. Alot of streets are underwater and other roads were washed out.

As for the military trucks not getting in for so long, one reason is the road network! Its gone.

The military should be able to get in. Warzones don't always have nicely paved roads to travel on, yet the military is still able to move around.

The military should be able to get in. Warzones don't always have nicely paved roads to travel on, yet the military is still able to move around.
The military still uses available roads. The maximum speed when traveling off road is greatly reduced.

We have a federal form of govenment not a confederacy.

We have a balance between state and federal levels of government.

The US Constitution states that if Congress passes a law or the President issues an executive order, then all of the states are bound by the law or executive order.

The Constitution does not state that the feds have power in a natural disaster or in relief situations. Anything not specifically named to the feds, the states are supposed to have.

All Bush has to do is issue an executive order to expedite the process. He can even issue one to push the governor aside so the humanitarian operations could be done better.

Technically, yes. But think about the ramifications of that. Despite causing even more beaurocratic bullshit, it cuts the head off of whatever is passing for leadership down there.

Not to mention the precedent it sets.


And there is nothing the governor can do about it except watch.

Or hold up the rescue missions so she can tie this up in court and sue for her job.

You are making sound like this is the Confederacy of America instead of the United States of America.


Did you see the word I emphasized?


Don't get me wrong. she's one of many people who have done an outright shitty job handling this, but you really don't know what you're calling for here.

The military still uses available roads. The maximum speed when traveling off road is greatly reduced.maybe the US military should buy some descent 4x4s ...and some boats would be nice too...

and where are all our Helicopters Mr Bush?

i heard that there were almost ten thousand troops and only a handfukk of doctors....this seems like the way bush may have decided to send help

We have a balance between state and federal levels of government.



The Constitution does not state that the feds have power in a natural disaster or in relief situations. Anything not specifically named to the feds, the states are supposed to have.



Technically, yes. But think about the ramifications of that. Despite causing even more beaurocratic bullshit, it cuts the head off of whatever is passing for leadership down there.

Not to mention the precedent it sets.




Or hold up the rescue missions so she can tie this up in court and sue for her job.




Did you see the word I emphasized?


Don't get me wrong. she's one of many people who have done an outright shitty job handling this, but you really don't know what you're calling for here.

The constitution contains an emergency powers clause. Its the same one that allows the President to suspend habeas corpus in times of insurrection or other national emergency. Its a power the Constitution gives the President. The 11th amendment does not apply in this case.

The Courts won't block the rescue missions just so the governor can sue to save her political ass. They know what's more important and it isn't someone's political career. They'd side with Bush on the matter and throw it out.

I know exactly what it is I'm calling for. It's setting a bad precedent but the fact that a governor is looking out only for her own political career and is more concerned with protecting her political turf while half a million people in her state are suffering is making it a necessary move to make.

i heard that there were almost ten thousand troops and only a handfukk of doctors....this seems like the way bush may have decided to send help
Yeah. He's handling it like a war President would.

Louisiana state government. The Feds can only move in when rqusted by the governor.
The Department of Homeland Security is run by the Louisiana State Government?

This is the type article that creates all these problems and cost lives. I still have family missing from an area 60 miles north of New Orleans.. We know there was help suppose to be sent into that area as several military units had orders to deploy to it.. They were diverted to New Orleans because of this type bull that is doing nothing but interfering with an already bad system.

During the time Bush went through the streets of New Orleans all rescue craft were grounded so how many lives were lost then.... Also vehicles and such into certain areas were stopped for secutity reasons. That's why those who don't belong in the area need to stay the heck out.

My family is prepared to go in and search for those we still don't know where they are... but we lack the equipent and resources to do so... gas is a key element as even here the supply is limited and we are in GA, TN, KY, FL, and AL. So driving to LA or MS takes gas. Then we have already learned that several of those we might have been looking for got out and ended up in KY or TN or TX. Thus we wait and pray for word so we can then go get our family out and not become another victum to this mess.

I heard the race card played early and am hearing politicians cry foul it's the other sides fault. Bull Crap.. When you point one finger there are three pointing at the real problem.

We have helped 16 family members out of this and can only pray to get the other six out.. So please stop all the dang finger pointing dumb assumptions and do what has to be done to save lives and restore peace here.. We can I hope after debate and blame.

Sorry if I sound pissed, I'm pissed... tired and mad.. at all the crap hearing...

If a dang reporter got in to these people to get this story then why didn't they take these people out.. They got in then they knew the way out and could get those people out... So I blame the dang news as they got in the way...

Troops to be deployed to areas in more need didn't get them and were forgotten because there were no dang news cameras to play to in those areas they were all in New Orleans.

I saw CNN cut people off who were trying to bring this to the attention of the reporter.. Reporter was clean neat all pretty for the camera so I know he was getting in and out. The two guys looked like they had been to hell and back but he cut them short and moved on to New Orleans.


BBC and ITN reporters have been ferrying people out of the city however not all of them want to leave. I don't know if any of the other reporters have been doing it.

As for your family, all I can say is that I hope you find them both alive and well after this; and I wish you all the luck in the world.

BBC and ITN reporters have been ferrying people out of the city however not all of them want to leave. I don't know if any of the other reporters have been doing it.

As for your family, all I can say is that I hope you find them both alive and well after this; and I wish you all the luck in the world.
FOX has, don't know about any others.

and where are all our Helicopters Mr Bush?

Used to evacuate people from the Convention Center, I-10, and the Superdome (or did they use busses for that?)

The military should be able to get in. Warzones don't always have nicely paved roads to travel on, yet the military is still able to move around.

Uhhh I guess you don't understand the words washed out and underwater. Kinda hard to use a road when infact, its under 6feet plus of water.

"We required the agreement of the Louisiana governor to get into the city, and we haven't been given that agreement"

I heard the exact same thing being said as an excuse for delays in federal government aid. The Lousiana governor sounds pretty horrible, but that's no excuse. The US government, Foreign Office, and legitimate aid groups should all have said they don't care if permission is needed and just went in anyway. People are dieing, and everyone is too worried about red tape to do anything.

There's such thing as the Constitution. The US government simply can not go into any city (except Washington, of course) without state's permission.

BBC and ITN reporters have been ferrying people out of the city however not all of them want to leave. I don't know if any of the other reporters have been doing it.

As for your family, all I can say is that I hope you find them both alive and well after this; and I wish you all the luck in the world.

Fox News was getting people rescued too and doing rescue ops on their own as well.

Used to evacuate people from the Convention Center, I-10, and the Superdome (or did they use busses for that?)I saw a few helicopters...I am sure we have much more...

I saw a few helicopters...I am sure we have much more...

Dude, there was an Air armada taking people from I-10 and the Convention Center. One after the other after the other. It was the biggest airlift of its kind in history.

Well at least in the US it is.

Dude, there was an Air armada taking people from I-10 and the Convention Center. One after the other after the other. It was the biggest airlift of its kind in history.

Well at least in the US it is.How many choppers?

How many choppers?

Do you honestly think that I have the chopper numbers? I don't know how many choppers where used.

I don't know how many choppers where used.so you are telling me that you swear there was an "Armada" of Choppers...just from what you saw at the TV???

so you are telling me that you swear there was an "Armada" of Choppers...just from what you saw at the TV???

It was one chopper after the other OceanDrive. Anyone that had a television set and was watching the same coverage I was would see that it would've taken an armada of choppers to do what they were in the process of doing. That was evacuating the Convention Center.

Not to mention I-10 was evaced by Chopper too I believe. Not sure on this one and I'm not sure if the same was done at the Super dome.

Hence the reason why Bush should issue an executive order allowing aid agencies to go around her back. This just goes toward being a prime example of why most American women aren't fit to hold political office. I would not be surprised if she was attending some gala instead helping with the rescue efforts.
Hell, this governor has proven herself unfit to hold political office.


What an idiotic thing to say! I can hear the oinking all the way over here. She is an idiot but that doesnt mean all women are ineffective and dont know what to do! As long as we are thinking like this...hell Bush had all chopper operations cease while he toured the area-this is a prime reason why American men arent fit to hold political office....Egocentric needs and showboating!!! I agree that this woman is a weak whining bitch though.

What an idiotic thing to say! I can hear the oinking all the way over here. She is an idiot but that doesnt mean all women are ineffective and dont know what to do! As long as we are thinking like this...hell Bush had all chopper operations cease while he toured the area-this is a prime reason why American men arent fit to hold political office....Egocentric needs and showboating!!! I agree that this woman is a weak whining bitch though.
I'll drink to that. ;)

...hell Bush had all chopper operations cease while he toured.hell indeed. Likely some died because of Bush men asking all the search-&-rescue flights to be put on hold...

It also stopped all rescue flights a couple days ago...when AirForce1 was doing circles on top of NO.

If Bush had any leadership values..he would have signed a presidential order to exempt the rescue flights...

Sunday September 4, 2005

British families trapped in New Orleans last night claimed that US authorities had refused to evacuate them as Hurricane Katrina approached the city.

Although assistance was offered to US residents, British nationals were told they would have to fend for themselves. According to those who remain stranded in the stricken city, police had visited hotels and guest houses on the eve of the hurricane offering to evacuate Americans, but not Britons.

The order meant UK holidaymakers without cars were left helpless in the face of the hurricane. Some have been trapped in hotels and guest houses since the hurricane struck at 7am local time last Monday.

One family from Liverpool, trapped in a flooded section of the city, told relatives yesterday of their bewilderment when they realised US citizens would be offered preferential treatment.

Gerrard Scott, 35, spoke to his brother Peter from the Ramada Hotel in New Orleans where he has been stranded without assistance with wife, Sandra, 38, and seven-year-old son Ronan for the past six days. 'Those that didn't fit their criteria were told to help themselves. The police said they were evacuating Americans, and took away the majority.

'The British who were left all thought the police would come back, but nobody has. They have just been left,' said Peter Scott last night. Among the 30 or so people still inside the Ramada Hotel is a woman recovering from breast cancer who had been confined to a hotel room by herself because of fears over her immune system.

Last night Peter Scott described how the family survived by locking themselves inside a tiny windowless bathroom on the fifth floor of the Ramada. 'They were lucky that it was a substantial hotel and that they were quite high up,' said Scott.

Other Britons are, apparently, stranded in the hotel. However, contact with the outside world remains haphazard.

There is a payphone in the hotel lobby, but US operators have been refusing to accept collect calls from stranded Britons.

'Some of them are just hanging up even after they have explained they are trapped in New Orleans. It's like - what emergency?' said Scott. He added that conditions in the lobby were described as atrocious, with sewage up to knee level last night.

Most of those inside have not dared to venture downstairs for fear looters will spot them and ransack the hotel.

Last night victims trapped inside the Ramada were making plans to escape after food and water supplies neared exhaustion. Scott explained how they earlier ransacked the hotel kitchens for food, while water was found in its storage tank.

#1 Got Pimp for your title, dont trust much from what pre-pube dudes say

#2 Number 1 pretty much wrapped it up for me.

This is BS but typical round these parts with all the American haters.

This is BS but typical round these parts with all the American haters.

Its being reported with backed up examples by broadsheets. Broadsheets don't make this kind of news unless it has significent factual backing. The Observer is not a tabloid

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1562517,00.html

Am sure your right. Also saw on the trustworthy papers that a woman was raped by a rabbit and from it gave birth to a revived Elvis. Isnt that just jim dandy ?

Whether or not this is true I can not comment on. However I do believe that the US Government could have sorted out evacuations more efficiently and quicker, getting many more people out of the city, regardless of race, nationality and how much money they have.


This may have been brought up here already but New Orleans has a population of about 500000 and it's estimated that 1/5 peope chose to remain in New Orleans even after they were asked to evacuate. That means that 400000 moved out of New Orleans to safe shelters set up for them with supplies in place.. Also we have not included folks from hundreds of small towns in LA that were evacuated and ended up in these shelters. Some have put it at near 1000000 total evacuated in a two (LA/MS) state area east of New Orleans and the city itself... Thus when cameras started to roll in New Orleans the focus on that 1000000 was diverted to some 92000 that were left in New Orleans.. Shelters were set up and perpared for those evacuated from all areas deamed in the path of Katrina.

Local news is just now starting to show what is going on outside New Orleans into the many small towns that lost resources to save New Orleans because people there choose to stay.. Now military troops are facing crazy people in New Orleans to reclaim it from them. This was not a race poor issue it was a matter of moving resources to where they will do the most good for the most people... 400000 people moved out of New Orleans and joined others and the state provided them with shelter, water, food, and a safe place to stay...

Those who stayed in New Orleans chose to stay there... Many even now refuse to leave and are armed and crazy enough to shoot those who might try to move them. I see no reason for anyone else to risk their lives to help those who don't want it. They are now trying to help those who saw the light and now want help, but there are still crazy folks with guns all around so it going slow even now.

This race poor is American Politics and not getting anyone saved.. As already they blaming the other party here... Bush is not in the same party as the LA Governor so each blame the other... for the problems..

Bush needs to stay in DC and just do what he was elected to do.... Sign the checks to pay for it all...

Also it not Bush who sets security policy around him... That is an established policy even he has to follow... His Secret Service when they go in are in charge.. If they say no flights then that is how it is, if they say nobody comes in then all stay out. Military troops when they come in follow orders from them. They are in charge... Even if they escorting an EX President or EX VP same rules of security apply and the SS... is in charge, and believe me is you think Nazi then you understand, they are in charge.

Its being reported with backed up examples by broadsheets. Broadsheets don't make this kind of news unless it has significent factual backing. The Observer is not a tabloid

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1562517,00.html

Did anyone read the BBC link? If not, I suggest you read it. It shines what is going on and the fact that Britain is taking people out of the region.

Am sure your right. Also saw on the trustworthy papers that a woman was raped by a rabbit and from it gave birth to a revived Elvis. Isnt that just jim dandy ?US papers I guess

What I don't get is, what possible motive could they have for not allowing aid into the area? It makes no sense... :confused:

There is no denying this was mismanaged, but I would imagine much of it was because it was literally too dangerous to let more people in.

People love pointing fingers at FEMA and Bush. Let's look at local governmental screwups as well.

Why did 25-33% of the police force of New Orleans disappear before the hurricane hit?

Why did the mayor/governor not get buses evacuating people ahead of the storm?

Why didn't the governor request the National Guard before the storm hit, not 24 hrs after?

Why were people told to go to the Superdome and the Convention Center, and yet there were no officials there, no security, no food, and no water?

People who have seen me post here know that I am no fan of Bush, but I have a funny feeling that when all the blame and fingerpointing is over with, it will become apparent that the ineffectualness and corruption of the local government is as much or more to blame for what's happened than the federal government.

There is no denying this was mismanaged, but I would imagine much of it was because it was literally too dangerous to let more people in.

People love pointing fingers at FEMA and Bush. Let's look at local governmental screwups as well.

Why did 25-33% of the police force of New Orleans disappear before the hurricane hit?

Why did the mayor/governor not get buses evacuating people ahead of the storm?

Why didn't the governor request the National Guard before the storm hit, not 24 hrs after?

Why were people told to go to the Superdome and the Convention Center, and yet there were no officials there, no security, no food, and no water?

1. Bush is the head honcho, if people he puts faith in fail this nation, he fails this nation.
2. New Orleans police get paid $13/hour (not quite worth losing your life over)
laissez le bon rouleau de temps--- let the good times roll (theme of N.O.) Being the most corrupt place in American politics, I'm sure there was a little resentment toward a city that was slowly weeding out the dirty cops and city employees.
3. Would the people have evacuated had they been provided? Some maybe, but most had no where to go. Better question, why did they shut down the airport on Sunday morning and why did the airlines fly away empty planes! Think about it next time you book your flight. And why did they not evacuate the tourists first? The residents are very familiar with the threat of hurricanes, were the tourists?
4. Great question. The president declared N.O. a disaster zone before the storm hit, which freed up the resources available to her. Why did they have to wait and make a plan, a plan should have already exisited.
5. Also a good question and maybe the citizenry of the new New Orleans will elect a mayor based on his capability to govern a populace and less on his ability to offer his electorate cheap cable TV programming.

This just goes toward being a prime example of why most American women aren't fit to hold political office.
Interesting statement. :rolleyes:

I would not be surprised if she was attending some gala instead helping with the rescue efforts.
Wow, just making stuff up, doesn't help with your own credibility.

Hell, this governor has proven herself unfit to hold political office.
How so? Please explain....facts only please.

People love pointing fingers at FEMA and Bush. Let's look at local governmental screwups as well.

Why did 25-33% of the police force of New Orleans disappear before the hurricane hit?

Why didn't the governor request the National Guard before the storm hit, not 24 hrs after?
Kat, you say "they disappeared BEFORE the hurricane hit" ???...

that is an outrageous accusation...You are accusing the Firemen and Policemen of extreme cowardice...in order to deflect some Blame from FEMA and Bush.

Do you even have a link for this?...(i dont think so)

I know a third(more or less) of them disappeared at the same time the Hurricane hit...They did not show up after the hit...

Which does not surprise me...Their homes and Family was hit and...and maybe themselves could have been killed...or injured.

This excuse cannot the used by the Feds(FEMA/DHS) or by the Army/NG.

This excuse cannot the used by the Feds(FEMA/DHS) or by the Army/NG.

Problem here. Why didn't the governor order the National Guard themoment the hurricane was over?

I'll give you credit on FEMA though. There was no excuse and hopefully they'll get taken out of the DHS! They should never have been allowed in there to begin with.

To Borrow Trent Lott: We voted them into the department.

I'm sure they are regretting that now.

1. Bush is the head honcho, if people he puts faith in fail this nation, he fails this nation.
2. New Orleans police get paid $13/hour (not quite worth losing your life over)
laissez le bon rouleau de temps--- let the good times roll (theme of N.O.) Being the most corrupt place in American politics, I'm sure there was a little resentment toward a city that was slowly weeding out the dirty cops and city employees.
3. Would the people have evacuated had they been provided? Some maybe, but most had no where to go. Better question, why did they shut down the airport on Sunday morning and why did the airlines fly away empty planes! Think about it next time you book your flight. And why did they not evacuate the tourists first? The residents are very familiar with the threat of hurricanes, were the tourists?
4. Great question. The president declared N.O. a disaster zone before the storm hit, which freed up the resources available to her. Why did they have to wait and make a plan, a plan should have already exisited.
5. Also a good question and maybe the citizenry of the new New Orleans will elect a mayor based on his capability to govern a populace and less on his ability to offer his electorate cheap cable TV programming.
1. It doesn't work that way. The US is not a corporation. Bush is not a dictator. The US is not a dictatorship. This morning's Poll found that only 13% of the American people believe the poor response to Hurricane Katrina was mostly to be blamed on Bush which is contrary to what the shameless political opportunists in the Democratic Party, such as Nancy Pelosi, were hoping for. The same poll showed that most Americans think the Dems should stop insisting on hearings and allow FEMA and other officials to do their jobs.

2. They weren't doing any such weeding. Even after the hurricane, as everyone can see, the place remains corrupt. That is THE main reason why the aid and rescue effort were held up. Not because of Bush, not because of red tape but because of local corruption. Cause even with red tape, without all the local corruption, all those people would have been gotten out of there all ready. But the fact that the locals are screaming "you can't do this on my turf unless you pay me" or "get my special permission every single little thing you do" speaks loudly.

3. The tourists had the same warning. In America, no one gets special treatment. The tourists don't get special VIP treatment. That's not how it works in America. Everyone should have been treated the same.

4. So you admit Bush was already doing something for NO.

5. The mayor and the governor are both two people who have proven themselves unfit to hold office.

Interesting statement. :rolleyes:


Wow, just making stuff up, doesn't help with your own credibility.


How so? Please explain....facts only please.
she blocked the rescue efforts for political self promotion. She didn't give damn about those people only herself.

Attending political galas is what women like her do. I've met plenty of female pols. Its what most of them do. You don't want to hear that. IT's politically incorrect to say but its true.

Problem here. Why didn't the governor order the National Guard themoment the hurricane was over?

I'll give you credit on FEMA though. There was no excuse and hopefully they'll get taken out of the DHS! They should never have been allowed in there to begin with.

To Borrow Trent Lott: We voted them into the department.

I'm sure they are regretting that now.
FEMA was placed in Homeland Security only because the Dems refused to support the Homeland Security Bill unless Bush put it in there.

I'm still wondering at the fact that Blanco didn't allow the Red cross near the Convention Center or the Superdome or I-10 for that matter. Come to think of it, the Red Cross still isn't there and I want to know why?

Why governor arent' you using the red cross to help these people?