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[DarienA]

Actually I do. The whole idea of getting sworn in is to "Serve and Protect" and all that. The city of NO pay thier salaries .. and when they needed them the most, they got let down. It's kind of sad. I can not remember a time where police officers have FLED during a time of crisis. They sure didn't during the LA riots or 9/11.

Fair enough... there's blame to hand out all up and down the food chain on this one.... but these police officers were abandoned by their higher ups... no support was given to them no outside reinforcements, no communications, nothing... any wonder they started to fend for themselves? It doesn't surprise me at all.

Footage of Bush right now on FOX with his arms draped around and trying to comfort two (rather attractive) black women in Biloxi....hmm trying to score some political points maybe?

Duh.. what do you think?

 

[blahness]

Maybe you're confused about the levees. They're things which must be maintained, not things that can be definitively finished. They sink over time, they erode over time. No matter how fortified they could be made in previous years, they needed constant funding in order to stay strong. That funding was cut by the gov't, not by the city or the state.

for the last time... FUNDING FOR THE LEVEES WAS NOT CUT BY THE GOVERNMENT!!

 

[ToxicAdam]

Maybe you're confused about the levees. They're things which must be maintained, not things that can be definitively finished. They sink over time, they erode over time. No matter how fortified they could be made in previous years, they needed constant funding in order to stay strong. That funding was cut by the gov't, not by the city or the state.

Negative. The levees were made to withstand a category 3 hurricane. They were not made to withstand winds of 140 mph. This weakened the structure and caused breaches. Poor maintenence may have had a bit to do with it also ... but I doubt one or two years of neglect made that much of a difference.

 

[Lardbutt]

You and others that are trying to sidestep how serious a disaster this is, and the complete "we'll get to it later" attitude of our leaders disgust me.

Frankly the way people are using this disaster as a "lets see how much Bush bashing we can get out of this" game is a lot more digusting.

Complaining about the slow response of rescue is one thing, but how does whining about Condi Rice buying shoes help anyone at this point?

 

[Red Scarlet]

The city of NO pay thier salaries

The city of NO doesn't really even exist right now.

Frankly the way people are using this disaster as a "lets see how much Bush bashing we can get out of this" game is a lot more digusting.

Look at what he's done so far. Just yesterday, 4 days after the fact, is he actually doing something. That doesn't deserve bashing? I wish I could feel the same that he can do no wrong, but this event is just another example of how he truly feels about some of the American people. I hardly ever talk about political stuff, but this is extremely upsetting to me, as an American, how this has been handled. The supply trucks going to the convention center should have been sent out on day 1. Not 5.

Complaining about the slow response of rescue is one thing, but how does whining about Condi Rice buying shoes help anyone at this point?

How does Condi Rice buying shoes help anyone at this point, either?

 

[Cloudy]

They are REFUGEES! WTF else can they be?

I dunno (victims?) but it seems to be causing a bit of a stink cos two members of congress made a point to speak on that when I was watching earlier today...

Darien is right though, this is the worst domestic natural disaster I've seen in my lifetime...

 

[argon]

Hmm so no blame should be placed on FEMA or higher ups in the fed gov't even though FEMA warned the gov't back in '01 that something like this could happen?


http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/editorial/outlook/3335758

No, I agree that FEMA and the federal government shares the blame for being disastrously sluggish to respond. But they are a federal agency. Can you think of a non-military federal agency that isn't bloated, bureaucratic, and slow to act? They need to be put under military control, or greatly overhauled.. Although I am cynical of the prospect of reform. Didn't they do this after 9/11?

However, FEMA's troubles have been compounded by faulty and disorganized communication from local authorities (i.e. the convention center, which they weren't even aware of until yesterday. Who was responsible for moving those people, and negligent in notifying FEMA immediately?)

When FEMA comes in to an area, it relies on information and coordination from police, state and local agencies to assess the situation properly. It seems to me at this point that the major breakdown was in local coordination, which hamstrung the federal response. But an investigation is in order to find out the true cause.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Fair enough... there's blame to hand out all up and down the food chain on this one.... but these police officers were abandoned by their higher ups... no support was given to them no outside reinforcements, no communications, nothing... any wonder they started to fend for themselves? It doesn't surprise me at all.

I think that is the major flaw in this whole debacle.

How can America not have authorities that have access to sattelite phones? Why are the people that are suposed to help and protect us, dependent on the same frail communication systems that we have to deal with? Surely, they must realize in the cases of hurricanes and even a dirty bomb .. the first thing to go is going to be cellular phones (heck, even in ideal conditions .. when a tragedy goes down .. the cell phones become inoperable). That's where FEMA/HS have failed on an epic scale. The lack of communication.

Once alot of these people begin to tell thier stories .. you are going to see a common thread .. and that is the absolute need for better communication services during a crisis time.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

Actually I do. The whole idea of getting sworn in is to "Serve and Protect" and all that. The city of NO pay thier salaries .. and when they needed them the most, they got let down. It's kind of sad. I can not remember a time where police officers have FLED during a time of crisis. They sure didn't during the LA riots or 9/11.

That's bullshit to compare that and you fucking know it. The LA riot were fucking localized and the police had acess to resources to replinish the stockpile of gas, food, and ammo they had communications. Their families were not in danger, they hadn't had to deal with the loss of their homes loss of communites. There is nothing that can compare to the personal struggle that these officers have to deal with as well as keeping order with no food or water these officers are in the same situation as the people they are there to serve and if they get shot or beaten, who is going to take them to the hospital and what services can the hospital provide? Protect and serve only works when you have food and water an oath is as only as good as the resources that support it.

It is so disingenous of you to suggest that those two are in the same league you should be ashamed of yourself. You should just be ashamed of yourself to compare those in order to push a point.

 

[ToxicAdam]

The city of NO doesn't really even exist right now.

What are you talking about? Of course it does.

 

[Y2Kev]

That's bullshit to compare that and you fucking know it. The LA riot were fucking localized and the police had acess to resources to replinish the stockpile of gas, food, and ammo they had communications. Their families were not in danger, they hadn't had to deal with the loss of their homes loss of communites. There is nothing that can compare to the personal struggle that these officers have to deal with as well as keeping order with no food or water these officers are in the same situation as the people they are there to serve and if they get shot or beaten, who is going to take them to the hospital and what services can the hospital provide? Protect and serve only works when you have food and water an oath is as only as good as the resources that support it.

It is so disingenous of you to suggest that those two are in the same league you should be ashamed of yourself. You should just be ashamed of yourself to compare those in order to push a point.

QFT.

New Orleans as a city has been let down and left for dead. Seeing 30,000 people outside the superdome who haven't eaten in five days FINALLY get some food is not a fault of the police department.

 

[DarienA]

Police outnumbered and outgunned

Overnight, police snipers were stationed on the roof of their precinct, trying to protect it from gunmen roaming through the city, CNN's Chris Lawrence reported.

One New Orleans police sergeant compared the situation to Somalia and said officers were outnumbered and outgunned by gangs in trucks.

"It's a war zone, and they're not treating it like one," he said, referring to the federal government.

The officer hitched a ride to Baton Rouge Friday morning, after working 60 hours straight in the flooded city. He has not decided whether he will return.

He broke down in tears when he described the deaths of his fellow officers, saying many had drowned doing their jobs. Other officers have turned in their badges as the situation continues to deteriorate.

In one incident, the sergeant said gunmen fired rifles and AK-47s at the helicopters flying overhead.

He said he saw bodies riddled with bullet holes, and the top of one man's head completely shot off.

Lt. Gen Steven Blum of the National Guard said that as many as 2,600 National Guard troops were expected to arrive in Louisiana Friday to join the nearly 2,000 who went in Thursday.

Yup I should be pissed at these cops... for not doing their jobs... right Toxic?

Frankly the way people are using this disaster as a "lets see how much Bush bashing we can get out of this" game is a lot more digusting.

Complaining about the slow response of rescue is one thing, but how does whining about Condi Rice buying shoes help anyone at this point?

Well... humor me... what's the Secretary of State's job? How does her job apply to what she should be doing in a disaster situation like this?

 

[Red Scarlet]

What are you talking about? Of course it does.

It's hardly a functioning city right now. It's a disaster area. As Darien or Tommie said, those cops were left on their own with no aid, just like the other residents. This is nothing like the L.A. riots.

 

[Diablos]

Nagin knows what he's talking about. It's people like Nagin that are literally dealing with this "first hand."

And uh, did Bush's little semi-scripted 5 minute television movie piss anyone else off? That was SO planned. Like Nagin said, people are dying all of the time, and they need to STOP DICKING AROUND ON TELEVISION, GET DOWN THERE, AND DO SOME WORK. SEE IT FIRST HAND, NOT FROM A FUCKING AIRPLANE. The PRESIDENT flies over it from 5,000 feet initially, and it takes him this long to finally get on the ground. And what's the first thing he does? Look all nice and pretty in front of the camera. To boost his approval ratings. We've heard enough on the news to know what has happened; we don't need to see Bush getting filled in (which is pathetic, he should already know this shit) on TV. Get out there, Bush, and make things happen. Don't try to glorify your image on television to boost your approval rating which will be FOREVER low. He'll be lucky if he gains 2% from this when it's all said and done.

Bush had the nerve to say he's looking forward to have some rich politican's deck fixed? What about everyone else's deck? House? Lives? FUCK YOU BUSH! I can't believe he's giving his rich friends a pat on the back already! FUCK HIS DECK! HE UNLIKE SO MANY OTHERS CAN PAY FOR IT HIMSELF! SOME PEOPLE DON'T EVEN HAVE A HOUSE! THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHER! THEIR CHILDREN!

Everything about this, everything just makes me sick. This is a really low point that exposes the worst in human beings, specifically human beings that run this country and swear to keep it safe and in order. You combine the fucking spin that the news media, Governors and President throw in, and the fact that FEMA people walked out two years ago because no one would listen to them about the levee problem... well, it's just an overwhelming feeling of something depressing that's hard to describe. In many ways this is worse than 9/11 because it will rival or exceed the amount of deaths, already exceeds the destruction, AND the leadership of this country is not responding properly.

Like Nagin said, we put billions into Iraq -- no one ASKED them to "liberate" the country but they are. Yet, when Nagin asks for a state of martial law in his city, in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, they say "well, you have to talk about the right people." BULLSHIT. He's the MAYOR of the CITY. He's seen EVERYTHING. Talked to EVERYONE. It's really sad that he can't get what he wants in his own country, because they have to talk to the "right people," but somehow they can take over Iraq and put BILLIONS into it. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. This is a really low point for America.

I'm fucking IRATE.

I hope Nagin doesn't lose his job for going off on the news, the Governors and Bush. I applaud him for having the strength to step up, and realize that in times of natural disaster you do NOT FUCK AROUND. I can't believe the speeches, asskissing, and various other retarded rhetoric I've seen. It's unacceptable. Nagin's determination and leadership makes Guliani look like a turd.

 

[Rorschach]

Just read the RN transcripts. Good Lord...

I mean just look at the "Donate to Hurricane Katrina" thread on this forum...only 50 replies...this thread which is mostly "OMFG" and whining...1000+ replies....

Some of us give to charity without having to announce it to the world.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Buy a Bungie t-shirt and donate the Red Cross all at once.

http://www.bungiestore.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=7&idproduct=322

Product Details


The disaster of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi is an unprecedented tragedy. And it’s going to get worse before it gets better. That’s why everything you can do to help will make a big difference. Conditions are actually worsening by the hour - people are dying, disease is spreading and these folks dearly, dearly need our help. The problem is not simply going to go away.

We’ve made a T-Shirt.

Sounds sort of weak when we just say it like that, but it’s something we were able to do, and do quickly. Just so that we’re clear, of the $19.95 the shirt costs, about $15 in cleared funds will go straight to the Red Cross and directly to the disaster relief. Nobody, not Bungie, the Bungie store, or the distributor will clear a penny profit. That’s important. We basically want to get as much cash, as quickly as possible to those in dire need.

The T-Shirt will do three things:

It will get cash, aid and assistance quickly to the people and organizations that need it.
It will show your solidarity and outreach to those people so horribly affected.
It will serve as a reminder that though terrible things try us, but that we can overcome them with friendship and kindness.
Additionally, Bungie Studios is going to donate all of the royalties we earn on any other Bungie Store products for the month of September to the Red Cross. So if you feel inclined to grab something else while you're here, know that a portion of that will also go to those in need.

So do it. Buy a shirt RIGHT NOW. If you’re a kid, and you don’t have a credit card, get your parent to read this, and get them to buy you a T-Shirt. They’ll be gaining a lot more than a dumb shirt.

 

[DarienA]

Just read the RN transcripts. Good Lord...

Some of us give to charity without having to announce it to the world.

Bingo....

oh and Bush actually said something about fixing another politico's deck? You're kidding....

 

[Matrix]

Nagin's determination and leadership makes Guliani look like a turd.

Were you in NYC like some of us were during 9/11 douche? No you watched it from your tv,wtf taking slams at Guliani when he held this city together,he's not Bush.

 

[ToxicAdam]

That's bullshit to compare that and you fucking know it. The LA riot were fucking localized and the police had acess to resources to replinish the stockpile of gas, food, and ammo they had communications. Their families were not in danger, they hadn't had to deal with the loss of their homes loss of communites. There is nothing that can compare to the personal struggle that these officers have to deal with as well as keeping order with no food or water these officers are in the same situation as the people they are there to serve and if they get shot or beaten, who is going to take them to the hospital and what services can the hospital provide? Protect and serve only works when you have food and water an oath is as only as good as the resources that support it.

It is so disingenous of you to suggest that those two are in the same league you should be ashamed of yourself. You should just be ashamed of yourself to compare those in order to push a point.

That's bullshit.

So, the police have no type of emergency plans? No backup resources? They just take everything day to day? If they were not prepared ... then shouldn't they be held AS accountable as some people are trying to hold the Federal government?

Who is being disingenous now?


Police have extensive plans in cases of natural disasters. I am sure NO had one that had to deal with flooding, since they go through it so often. Obviously, this is on a large scale .. but the fundamentals remain the same.

 

[Y2Kev]

That's bullshit.

So, the police have no type of emergency plans? No backup resources? They just take everything day to day? If they were not prepared ... then shouldn't they be held AS accountable as some people are trying to hold the Federal government?

Who is being disingenous now?


Police have extensive plans in cases of natural disasters. I am sure NO had one that had to deal with flooding, since they go through it so often. Obviously, this is on a large scale .. but the fundamentals remain the same.

Are you serious? Backup plans? This is beyond the scale and scope of anything ever imagined. Cops were SIPHONING GAS OUT OF CARS two days ago. Any backup plans have gone to shit.

80% of New Orleans is underwater, there is no power, levee reconstruction could take weeks. Do you seriously think the police have a suitable backup plan?

 

[DarienA]

That's bullshit.

So, the police have no type of emergency plans? No backup resources? They just take everything day to day? If they were not prepared ... then shouldn't they be held AS accountable as some people are trying to hold the Federal government?

Who is being disingenous now?

Police have extensive plans in cases of natural disasters. I am sure NO had one that had to deal with flooding, since they go through it so often. Obviously, this is on a large scale .. but the fundamentals remain the same.

This storm knocked out so much power all through NO that I'm sure any plans they had in place were f*cked... no power, no gas resources... backup plans? bye bye.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Yup I should be pissed at these cops... for not doing their jobs... right Toxic?

A cop that left on Friday morning != a cop that left before Sunday or Monday. No one knows for sure how many police officers fall into the latter.

Why wasn't martial law imposed earlier?



Lack of power and resources is no excuse to not maintain the law. It's funny how i get scolded earler in this thread for saying its a difficult situation (in response to why the federal response is so slow) ... then when I ask why the police have failed ... I get .. "well, its a difficult situation".


Nice.

 

[Days like these...]

Alot of the refugees are being housed @ the Astrodome in Houston I work at the Target 2 blocks away. There are homeless people all up and down South Main literally begging for a place to stay those who drove into the city with hopes of getting into the Astrodome and were turned away. It's the saddest thing I've ever seen in my life...

On slightly bright note I think they've started giving out FEMA checks or vouchers cause there were alot of people in the store buying essentials like undershirts, underwear, water, lunch meat.

 

[Red Scarlet]

Kinda sad that Bush is in MS and says "we have a job against the war on terror AND to help the people of the gulf coast". This should be his priority right now.

 

[DarienA]

A cop that left on Friday morning != a cop that left before Sunday or Monday. No one knows for sure how many police officers fall into the latter.

Why wasn't martial law imposed earlier?

Martial Law was declared 8/30... how much sooner could it have been done?

 

[Diablos]

That's bullshit.

So, the police have no type of emergency plans? No backup resources? They just take everything day to day? If they were not prepared ... then shouldn't they be held AS accountable as some people are trying to hold the Federal government?

Who is being disingenous now?


Police have extensive plans in cases of natural disasters. I am sure NO had one that had to deal with flooding, since they go through it so often. Obviously, this is on a large scale .. but the fundamentals remain the same.

Get out of denial. We know they are prepared for natural disasters, but NOT to this extent even though they were WARNED how many times of this doomsday scenario that came true. The government put money into Homeland Security and a war we don't even NEED, scaring the people with yellow, orange and red days, and not addressing other problems that exist. Terrorism is not the only threat this country faces. But Bush ran with that through the second half of his first term, and the election, and he got away with it.

This anger is fueled by the fact that we are the most powerful nation in the world, yet helping the Iraqi people seemed to be a lot more organized than it is helping our own. Even in emergency, unexpected situations there SHOULD HAVE BEEN plans in place to address a problem of such a large magnitiude. They were warned of it, but they cut funding and ignored it while they went to Iraq and made another problem of their own.

 

[DarienA]

Lack of power and resources is no excuse to not maintain the law. It's funny how i get scolded earler in this thread for saying its a difficult situation (in response to why the federal response is so slow) ... then when I ask why the police have failed ... I get .. "well, its a difficult situation".


Nice.

Right because at the federal level that don't have access to many more resources, manpower, vehicles, etc.. than one cities police force.

The comparison is a laughable at best.

 

[argon]

A cop that left on Friday morning != a cop that left before Sunday or Monday. No one knows for sure how many police officers fall into the latter.

Why wasn't martial law imposed earlier?

There's no such thing as "martial law" in Louisiana. There is a "state of emergency" which is similar to martial law, and this was imposed well before the hurricane hit.

True martial law is a federal decree and requires congressional authorization, I believe.

 

[Diablos]

...and if we can get that authorization for Iraq, we should be able to get it for a section of our country that needs it more than anyone else right now, in a heartbeat. The Mayor is begging for it.

 

[quin]

NO and the state of LA knew something like this could happen since the 1960's.



Ray Nagin sounds like a man in over his head. He must be embarrassed that half his police force deserted. That was supposed to be the first line of defense in "Homeland Security."

honestly, what is he supposed to do? have you looked at his city?! isn't the federal government suppose to back up an local or state governments when they are in need?

 

[Diablos]

As soon as they heard that there were drug addicts in the city, armed with guns and looting, troops should have been on the ground. There is no excuse.

 

[ToxicAdam]

Yea, massive amounts of troops pushing around poor, black citizens. That would have been received well.

 

[AB 101]

Katrina has given renewed meaning to the phrase "Monday morning quarterback".

 

[blahness]

They were warned of it, but they cut funding and ignored it while they went to Iraq and made another problem of their own.

please show me the part of the federal budget where they cut funding to the maintenence of the levees, pumps, and damns in NO. please someone do so, so i can say "ok i was wrong about posting here that: FUNDING FOR THE LEVEES WAS NOT CUT BY THE GOVERNMENT!!"

 

[AB 101]

Hmm so no blame should be placed on FEMA or higher ups in the fed gov't even though FEMA warned the gov't back in '01 that something like this could happen?


http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/editorial/outlook/3335758

I take it this would not have happened pre 2001?

 

[dskillzhtown]

Houston is opening even more buildings for housing: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/weather/090205_katrina_grb.html

I think that the convention center is probably better suited as there is easier access to bathrooms and such. But I would wonder what they will do about showers. So hopefully the people who couldn't fit in the Astrodome will make it into the George R Brown. Houston officials are really stepping up. This city is going to have a strain put on it the next few weeks and months.

 

[themadcowtipper]

Watching Msnbc and the President was shaking people hands at the same time they had an interview with people right down the road who have yet to get supplies, they also said the death toll in Biloxi is likely to rise into the 1000s.. I would much rather the helicopter carry in supplies instead of the President...

 

[Dan]

I take it this would not have happened pre 2001?

No, but post-9/11 our national security was made the number one priority, and yet absolutely nothing was done on any front. He made it his presidential objective to secure this nation from all dangers, and various government and independent sources told him what should be done, and he failed on all accounts.

 

[DarienA]

Truly this man is an amazing President.

Photo op Ahoy!

 

[Diablos]

please show me the part of the federal budget where they cut funding to the maintenence of the levees, pumps, and damns in NO. please someone do so, so i can say "ok i was wrong about posting here that: FUNDING FOR THE LEVEES WAS NOT CUT BY THE GOVERNMENT!!"

If the Mayor and two former FEMA employees say that funding was cut, then I believe them.

 

[Dan]

Did anyone see the footage of Bush 'comforting' those two women? It was pathetic. He showed no real compassion. He just kept repeating bullshit about how it's be okay and that he'd get them aid. It was like a father distractedly comforting a son who'd lost his dog by merely saying that he'd get a new one.

 

[Red Scarlet]

Oil Spill in the Mississippi SE of NO. ~2,000,000 barrels worth leaking.

 

[Diablos]

Did anyone see the footage of Bush 'comforting' those two women? It was pathetic. He showed no real compassion. He just kept repeating bullshit about how it's be okay and that he'd get them aid. It was like a father distractedly comforting a son who'd lost his dog by merely saying that he'd get a new one.

Yeah, he's totally going for a rating boost. Totally. If he really cared as much as he's pretending to he would have been down there right after the storm, with the army.

 

[DarienA]

Oil Spill in the Mississippi SE of NO. ~2,000,000 barrels worth leaking.

Well not the full quantity, they don't know how much has leaked out yet.

NEW ORLEANS — A large oil spill was spotted near two storage tanks on the Mississippi River downstream from New Orleans, state officials said Friday.

The oil was seen in a flyover to the Venice area by the Department of Environmental Quality.

"Two tanks with the capacity of holding 2 million barrels appear to be leaking,'' the department said in a statement.

No further details were given.

That's just great...

 

[AB 101]

Truly this man is an amazing President.

Photo op Ahoy!

That is disgusting. I liked Clinton because he was never into photo ops.

 

[vitaflo]

please show me the part of the federal budget where they cut funding to the maintenence of the levees, pumps, and damns in NO. please someone do so, so i can say "ok i was wrong about posting here that: FUNDING FOR THE LEVEES WAS NOT CUT BY THE GOVERNMENT!!"

From (written Aug 18, 2004):
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/visitor/noven1.asp

FUNDING. For fiscal year 05, the President’s budget is $2.97 million, and our capability is $6.6 million. Funding constraints will continue to slow down work on the project and extend the project completion date.

 

[themadcowtipper]

Did anyone see the footage of Bush 'comforting' those two women? It was pathetic. He showed no real compassion. He just kept repeating bullshit about how it's be okay and that he'd get them aid. It was like a father distractedly comforting a son who'd lost his dog by merely saying that he'd get a new one.

My Post from a few up

Watching Msnbc and the President was shaking people hands at the same time they had an interview with people right down the road who have yet to get supplies, they also said the death toll in Biloxi is likely to rise into the 1000s.. I would much rather the helicopter carry in supplies instead of the President...

 

[Red Scarlet]

Well not the full quantity, they don't know how much has leaked out yet.



That's just great...

We said the same thing. :|

 

[vitaflo]

Also from (written May 13, 2005):
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/visitor/lkpon1.asp

FY 2005 BUDGET/EFFORT. The President’s budget for fiscal year 2005 was $3.9 million. Congress increased it to $5.5 million. This was insufficient to fund new construction contracts. Engineering design, and construction supervision and inspection efforts are also included. Seven contracts are being delayed due to lack funds. They include the floodgate at the Canadian National Railroad and the Gulf South Floodwall and Reach 2A and 2B levee enlargement, all in St. Charles Parish; Reach 1 and Reach 4 Levee Enlargements in Jefferson Parish; Pump Station No. 3 Fronting Protection, Robert E. Lee Bridge replacement and the New Orleans East Back Levee enlargement, all in Orleans Parish; and the Bienvenu to Dupre Levee Enlargement in St. Bernard Parish. The Pontchartrain Levee District is providing funds to construct the Gulf South Pipeline floodwall in St. Charles Parish. The East Jefferson Levee District is providing funds to construct the Reach 1 and Reach 4 levee enlargements in Jefferson Parish. Louis Armstrong International Airport is funding the Canadian National Railroad floodgate as part of the rehabilitation of the east-west runway.

FY 2006 BUDGET/EFFORT. The President’s budget for fiscal year 2005 is $3.0 million. This will be insufficient to fund new construction contracts. We could spend $20 million if the funds were provided. These funds are necessary to maintain the project schedule and to meet our contractual and local sponsor commitments.

IMPACTS OF BUDGET SHORTFALL. In Orleans Parish, two major pump stations are threatened by hurricane storm surges. Major contracts need to be awarded to provide fronting protection for them. Also, several levees have settled and need to be raised to provide the design protection. The current funding shortfalls in fiscal year 2005 and fiscal year 2006 will prevent the Corps from addressing these pressing needs.

 

[Krowley]

about the police deserting.

There are two kinds of people who want to become police officers. there are people who honestly want to serve justice and protect people and then there are people who are bullies who get their jollies from harassing people and enjoy the sense of power they receive from a badge. I can't count the number of assholes that i went to school with (the real dickhead types), who ended up becoming cops. i think the breakdown is about 50/50 between the two types of cops. It is because of the latter type of cops that the police in most places suck balls and a large portion of police officers are simply assholes. It should be no surprise that in a situation like this, a large portion of the cops would disappear. Many of them didn't sign up to do anything like this.. they only wanted to fuck with people. That being said, the lack of resources, the lack of power, the total isolation and the lack of support would have demoralized even the most virtuous cops.

as to the blame for this cluster fuck of an operation?

the local NO government messed up
the state government messed up
the federal gov messed up.

everybody shares the blame... the people at the top deserve more of the blame. The further you are up the ladder (Bush, the governor of Louisiana, the head of fema, the head of homeland security) the more of the blame you deserve. Their heads should roll for taking so long to get this relief into position.

As to the levee's breaking and funding problems.

Louisiana probably would have squandered the funding if the feds had approved it anyway. The government there has been notoriously corrupt in the past. also this isn't the first time that people in this country have failed to properly get prepared for something. if some of you haven't noticed, we in the united states aren't proactive about impending problems. It doesn't matter if you are talking about dems or republicans, there are many examples on both sides, and in most cases there is a tacit understanding that such things will be ignored in favor of more pressing concerns. we ignore things until they bite us in the ass. We ignored terrorism until 9/11. We've ignored the need for moving to alternative fuel sources, and we will continue to until it bites us in the ass.. We do it with every kind of problem and we will continue to do so. That’s just how we operate. It sucks but democracy's don't move until the people demand it, and the people are more concerned with their immediate problems. IMO it's the biggest negative about democracy, but the good of this kind of government far outweighs the bad.

also, i don't buy it that global warming had anything to do with this, and even if it does, i certainly don't buy it that any president in the last 20 or 30 years could have made the required changes to reverse global warming in time... global warming took years to develop and i imagine it will take decades to fix it once we decide to try. So there is no treaty bush (oir clinton or daddy bush or anybody going back to probably jimmy carter) could have signed that would have made that much of a difference

one last thought...

Anybody on the news saying "we couldn't have imagined this kind of devastation" are lying bastards.. we all sat and watched the hurricane approach, and heard the news people describing in detail what would happen if a large hurricane hit NO. What they described is essentially what happened. it had been theorized about for years. Anybody who was unable to imagine it was not paying attention. I sat in my living room and imagined it as i watched the storm approach. what i imagined was actually WORSE than what happened.