Tsunami vs. Katrina

[Neal]

Both were devastating events with many lives lost and much damage and I don't mean to trivialize either disaster. I just wonder how the world will react to the plight of the Americans. Will there be rock concerts to raise money for those left homeless? What ever one may think about the United States, there are real people suffering. It is only because of the advanced warning that more lives weren't lost and things could have been much worse. It will be interesting to see what support they get.

[Yogi]

Interesting question and observation Neal.

There could very well be a concert similar to the 'Farm Aid" thing of a few years ago. Hard to say though.

Maybe Bill and Melinda Gates could part with a few million $$$ from their foundation to help out??

[Deb]

Interesting question Neal, I think most countries consider the US pretty much self-sufficient and therefore, aren't so eager to help out...

[Mischief007]

The world won't pull together for the US. They'll claim the US can take care of it's own. During the 4 back-to-back hurricanes that hit Florida, who funded everything. Sometimes I wonder if we all are one race.

[Yogi]

I think Americans stars might organize something for their fellow Americans though...much like Ronnie Hawkins and Gordon Lightfoot and others did after the flood in Peterborough.

[Neal]

True that the Americans are thought to be a modern country able to look after themselves and they give that impression to the rest of the world especially in their role as World Police as they try to spread their version of democracy. It's just that I saw regular everyday people much like myself and they were standing on their roofs waiting to be rescued. Poor and quite possibly homeless people looting the stores as they had no means to escape the on coming storm and were gathering what supplies they could. Even the people who had cars to escape with will have very little to come home to. It's just that it is popular (IMO) for people to dump on the U.S. and in spite of the opinion that they might be part of the problem out there in the world, it is also true that they are very often one of the first countries to come to another's aid. Time will tell if they get the same sympathy the tsunami victims deserved and got. While I am not a huge fan of the US I think I do care about all people and can separate the politics form the human need. I only wish I could remember the words to that Gordon Sinclair song/poem/speech that he made a few years back thanking Americans. It might fit here.

[Neal]

Thanks to "Google"


"LET'S BE PERSONAL"
Broadcast June 5, 1973
CFRB, Toronto, Ontario
Topic: "The Americans"


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The United States dollar took another pounding on German, French and British exchanges this morning, hitting the lowest point ever known in West Germany. It has declined there by 41% since 1971 and this Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least-appreciated people in all the earth.

As long as sixty years ago, when I first started to read newspapers, I read of floods on the Yellow River and the Yangtse. Who rushed in with men and money to help? The Americans did.

They have helped control floods on the Nile, the Amazon, the Ganges and the Niger. Today, the rich bottom land of the Misssissippi is under water and no foreign land has sent a dollar to help. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy, were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of those countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When distant cities are hit by earthquakes, it is the United States that hurries into help... Managua Nicaragua is one of the most recent examples. So far this spring, 59 American communities have been flattened by tornadoes. Nobody has helped.

The Marshall Plan .. the Truman Policy .. all pumped billions upon billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now, newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent war-mongering Americans.

I'd like to see one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplanes.

Come on... let's hear it! Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar or the Douglas 107? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all international lines except Russia fly American planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or women on the moon?

You talk about Japanese technocracy and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy and you find men on the moon, not once, but several times ... and safely home again. You talk about scandals and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everyone to look at. Even the draft dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, most of them ... unless they are breaking Canadian laws .. are getting American dollars from Ma and Pa at home to spend here.

When the Americans get out of this bind ... as they will... who could blame them if they said 'the hell with the rest of the world'. Let someone else buy the Israel bonds, Let someone else build or repair foreign dams or design foreign buildings that won't shake apart in earthquakes.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name to you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble.

Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbours have faced it alone and I am one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles.

I hope Canada is not one of these. But there are many smug, self-righteous Canadians. And finally, the American Red Cross was told at its 48th Annual meeting in New Orleans this morning that it was broke.

This year's disasters .. with the year less than half-over… has taken it all and nobody...but nobody... has helped.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL SCRIPT
COURTESY STANDARD BROADCASTING CORPORATION LTD.
(c) 1973 BY GORDON SINCLAIR
PUBLISHED BY STAR QUALITY MUSIC (SOCAN)
A DIVISION OF UNIDISC MUSIC INC.
578 HYMUS BOULEVARD
POINTE-CLAIRE, QUEBEC,
CANADA, H9R 4T2

[Yogi]

Good points Neal, but I think people need to seperate the US Government from the American people. People always tend to lump the two together and thinks that each and every American subscribes to the Bush doctrine.

[Neal]

Good points Neal, but I think people need to seperate the US Government from the American people. People always tend to lump the two together and thinks that each and every American subscribes to the Bush doctrine.

That's my point exactly! It' not about politics, it's about people.

[gollychuck]

When 9/11 happened the whole world was behind the Americans 100 %,

Britian and Canada Repaid there war dept to America, Only Russia refused,After Roseavelt said it was lend lease and Congress said No,

Dubya has Squandered all Its good will and Canada has payed heavy But we will always be there by there side In times like this, but Its in Bushe's interest to write his Interpritation of History as he see 's it,

[AMD]

The US has the resources to provide disaster relief within it's own boarders - after taking so much from the rest of the world, why should other countries provide assistance when it's not necessary?

[Deb]

The US has the resources to provide disaster relief within it's own boarders - after taking so much from the rest of the world, why should other countries provide assistance when it's not necessary?
Have you seen the devastation? In viewing any of the media coverage, we're only seeing bits of it. Damage from this storm will be in the billions. There are people, lots of them with no homes, no families, no nothing. God forbid the situation were reversed and some part of Canada took a storm like that...I'd bet the US would kick in for us without hesitation...Politics need not play into this...

[Skyguy]

Both were devastating events with many lives lost and much damage and I don't mean to trivialize either disaster. I just wonder how the world will react to the plight of the Americans. Will there be rock concerts to raise money for those left homeless? What ever one may think about the United States, there are real people suffering. It is only because of the advanced warning that more lives weren't lost and things could have been much worse. It will be interesting to see what support they get.I imagine the U.S. will get the the customary, "Our condolences on the deaths & damage your country has suffered... Let us know if you want some tools or personnel and we'll send 'em..." by 98% of the countries. The remaining 2 percent will say nothing and mumble underneath their breath, "Good! God has chosen to make you suffer for your evil acts!"

[AMD]

I'm not implying that this has anything to do with politics, but it's hard to have sympathy when the government in power has the resources to provide relief, yet decides to spend the money on developing weapons and bombing third world countries. There are billions of people living in poverty all over the world; most of them children. Why is it that we look the other way until a major disaster hits, and that we place a greater value on human life in developed nations?

I'm all for international fund raising and support, provided that it's necessary. The big picture is what counts, not a single natural disaster.

[Neal]

"There are billions of people living in poverty all over the world; most of them children."

A lot of them live in the United States. Recently released statistics show poverty in the US on the increase. I don't disagree that the Americans have spread death and destruction around the world in the name of democracy, freedom and Christianity mainly for the benefit of world corporate interests but still there are people suffering through no fault of their own, and these are the people that need our help.

[Frogy]

"There are billions of people living in poverty all over the world; most of them children."

A lot of them live in the United States. Recently released statistics show poverty in the US on the increase. I don't disagree that the Americans have spread death and destruction around the world in the name of democracy, freedom and Christianity mainly for the benefit of world corporate interests but still there are people suffering through no fault of their own, and these are the people that need our help.

That is the point isn't it, and they are no less deserving than those of other disasters.

Thanks for posting Gordon's song of '73, it's as applicable today as it was then.

[Bogie]

Politics run countries. Regardless of what country - people are people. They are our brothers and sisters. The averge person is the same in any country of the world - from poverty stricken Africa to the richest areas of the US and other "have" countries. As I heard one eminent doctor say one time "We all look the same in a hospital bed with tubes and needles sticking in us." Politics has no place here - humanity does.

[Exmortis]

but it's hard to have sympathy when the government in power has the resources to provide relief, yet decides to spend the money on developing weapons and bombing third world countries.

So you won't have sympathy for the people because of the government?

[Swordfish]

If you wish to make donations

Donations to the Canadian Red Cross can be made by calling 1-800-418-1111 or visiting www.redcross.ca.

Mennonite Disaster Service is currently accepting monetary donations only. Donations can be made online at www.mds.mennonite.net, by mail at Mennonite Disaster Service, 306-2265 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, Man., R3T 5J3, or by calling toll-free 1-866-261-1274.

Thankyou every little bit helps :)

[Just Doug1]

Good post Swordy.

As to the meat puppets who don't seem to care about the U.S. people and can't leave the politics behind at a time like this, go fornicate yourselves.

[Tim]

When I was out of town a few days ago, I was talking to two Americans up visiting who were out to see us. She asked me, 'do you think Americans are ***holes?'
The question surprised me, but I guess now that I think of it, it doesn't. I said I have many many Americans friends who aren't, and there are plenty of those right here in this country to worry about (or not). Yes you can't blame the people because of the government if you dislike it, let's remember just about half the country didn't vote for Bush. And many who did I've spoken to wish they hadn't. But regardless they are neighbors and good ones generally so I find it a bit sickening to hear some not express some support for the suffering.

[Walter]

If you wish to make donations

Donations to the Canadian Red Cross can be made by calling 1-800-418-1111 or visiting www.redcross.ca.

Mennonite Disaster Service is currently accepting monetary donations only. Donations can be made online at www.mds.mennonite.net, by mail at Mennonite Disaster Service, 306-2265 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, Man., R3T 5J3, or by calling toll-free 1-866-261-1274.

Thankyou every little bit helps :)

As usual Swordy you are the voice of reason during tumultuous times.....whether it is Peterborough or Winnipeg or New Orleans there are people in trouble and you have offered a simple solution. Not a lot of glory or media attention but like you say every little bit helps.

[Walter]

Getting back to my usual cantankerous self I wonder why during the flooding in Peterboro, Winnipeg, etc. or for that matter the ice storms and the blackouts why didn't we hear reports about looting......do our retail outlets need to upgrade their merchandise.

[Quintin]

If anything is said about that Walter it might open the flood gates for others to scream the usual "your racial" comments


Getting back to my usual cantankerous self I wonder why during the flooding in Peterboro, Winnipeg, etc. or for that matter the ice storms and the blackouts why didn't we hear reports about looting......do our retail outlets need to upgrade their merchandise.

[Law]

too bad they blew all that money invading iraq. could have come in handy now.

I for one will be donating money though (even with a low paying job, high gas prices and my last semester of college to pay for)

As for the stories of looting and shooting people to get away with some free clothes , its just rediculous.

I could have justified taking some food and diapers but then you have those images of people taking alcohol, clothes, guns and firing at security , police and helicopters? how low can people get? instead of helping their own people they are shooting them after all that happened.

[Tim]

If anything is said about that Walter it might open the flood gates for others to scream the usual "your racial" comments

jesus do you people ever go out your front doors???

[Law]

jesus do you people ever go out your front doors???

Front what?

[Tim]

thats what I thought...

[I LIKE EGGS]

I'm not implying that this has anything to do with politics, but it's hard to have sympathy when the government in power has the resources to provide relief, yet decides to spend the money on developing weapons and bombing third world countries. There are billions of people living in poverty all over the world; most of them children. Why is it that we look the other way until a major disaster hits, and that we place a greater value on human life in developed nations?

I'm all for international fund raising and support, provided that it's necessary. The big picture is what counts, not a single natural disaster.

Well said.....I think we need to redefine "major disaster". Should not just mean catastrophic natural disaster.

[BillD]

Some interesting comments on CNN this morning. The question was raised as to why when they had a week to prepare, were they not better prepared to deal with this disaster. The commentators felt the relief efforts after the Tsunami were better organized even though they had no warning. This disaster has been predicted for years.

[Exmortis]

The commentators felt the relief efforts after the Tsunami were better organized even though they had no warning. This disaster has been predicted for years.

If you really wanna know...

In 2001, FEMA warned that a hurricane striking New Orleans was one of the three most likely disasters in the U.S. But the Bush administration cut New Orleans flood control funding by 44 percent to pay for the Iraq war.

http://www.spiegel.de/international...,372455,00.html (http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,372455,00.html)

And check out this 2004 article from the New Orleans Times-Picayune:


Quote:
Copyright 2004
The Times-Picayune Publishing Company
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

June 8, 2004 Tuesday

SECTION: NATIONAL; Pg. 1

LENGTH: 1073 words

HEADLINE: Shifting federal budget erodes protection from levees;
Because of cuts, hurricane risk grows

BYLINE: By Sheila Grissett, East Jefferson bureau

BODY:

For the first time in 37 years, federal budget cuts have all but stopped
major work on the New Orleans area's east bank hurricane levees, a complex
network of concrete walls, metal gates and giant earthen berms that won't be
finished for at least another decade.

"I guess people look around and think there's a complete system in place,
that we're just out here trying to put icing on the cake," said Mervin
Morehiser, who manages the "Lake Pontchartrain and vicinity" levee project for the
Army Corps of Engineers. "And we aren't saying that the sky is falling, but
people should know that this is a work in progress, and there's more important
work yet to do before there is a complete system in place."

In reality, levee building is a long-term undertaking. Section by section,
earth is piled into walls as high as 20 feet to protect land on the east bank
of the Mississippi River from water that a slow-moving Category 3 hurricane
could shove out of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne. But the levees
gradually settle into southeast Louisiana's mucky subsoil, and every few years, the
corps comes back, section by section, to pile on more dirt in what insiders
call a "lift."

"It has always been part of our long-range plan to raise each section of the
levee four or even five times," said Al Naomi, the corps' senior project
manager. "After that, we think the levee might have stabilized and not need
further raisings."

Time for next lift

It's time now for the next lifts in a number of places that have sunk 2 to 4
feet from their design elevations. These include in Kenner west of the
Pontchartrain Center, Metairie between Causeway Boulevard and Clearview Parkway,
Norco and St. Rose in St. Charles Parish, the Bayou Sauvage area of eastern
New Orleans, and remote marshland areas of eastern St. Bernard Parish.

The subsidence is expected.

What's new, said Morehiser and Naomi, is that the agency has run out of
money for the next round of lifts. Naomi said this is the first time a lack of
money has stopped major corps work on the levees since the project began in
1967.

"I can't tell you exactly what that could mean this hurricane season if we
get a major storm," Naomi said. "It would depend on the path and speed of the
storm, the angle that it hits us.

"But I can tell you that we would be better off if the levees were raised, .
. . and I think it's important and only fair that those people who live
behind the levee know the status of these projects."

Levees on the east bank of New Orleans, as well as some in eastern St.
Bernard Parish, are among the area's oldest and have had several lifts. Corps
engineers said the next lift might be the last they need.

But the levees on the east bank of St. Charles and Jefferson parishes are
much younger, and most stretches have had only one or two lifts.

"This project isn't expected to end for another 13 to 15 years," Morehiser
said. "They aren't really finished levees at this point. We don't even turn
them over to their local sponsors until we consider them stable, which is years
from now."

The levees are designed to handle a storm surge of 11 feet, and every
additional foot of levee above that is intended to contain waves that otherwise
would top the levee. The height of individual levee segments vary.

"When levees are below grade, as ours are in many spots right now, they're
more vulnerable to waves pouring over them and degrading them," Naomi said.
"We're not below storm-surge elevation yet, but we will be if we stop raising
our levees as they subside."

Bush budget falls short

The Bush administration's proposed fiscal 2005 budget includes only $3.9
million for the east bank hurricane project. Congress likely will increase that
amount, although last year it bumped up the administration's $3 million
proposal only to $5.5 million.

"I needed $11 million this year, and I got $5.5 million," Naomi said. "I
need $22.5 million next year to do everything that needs doing, and the first
$4.5 million of that will go to pay four contractors who couldn't get paid this
year."

Naomi said the corps already owes four contractors more than $2 million for
hurricane protection work they've done this year without pay, and he expects
the figure to climb to about $4.5 million by Sept. 30, the end of the federal
fiscal year.

The challenge now, said emergency management chiefs Walter Maestri in
Jefferson Parish and Terry Tullier in New Orleans, is for southeast Louisiana
somehow to persuade those who control federal spending that protection from major
storms and flooding are matters of homeland security.

"It appears that the money has been moved in the president's budget to
handle homeland security and the war in Iraq, and I suppose that's the price we
pay," Maestri said. "Nobody locally is happy that the levees can't be finished,
and we are doing everything we can to make the case that this is a security
issue for us."

[Quintin]

:ish:
jesus do you people ever go out your front doors???

[Neal]

Exmortis, I was reading the same story about cuts in funding for levees today in a different article. As from tonights newscast parts of New Orleans are beginning to resemble scenes from "The Lord Of The Flies", I wonder if the Americans will think it was a worth while cut in public spending for the sake of their latest war effort.

[Tim]

:ish:
captain obvious strikes again I see.
;)

[Exmortis]

And this just in... RepentAmerica is blaming homosexuals for Katrina.

http://www.repentamerica.com/pr_hurricanekatrina.html

Unbelievable...

[Tim]

whoa. I guess New York is about to slide into the ocean then...
;)

[Exmortis]

After legalising same-sex mariage, about to decriminalise marijuana, having the Toronto gay pride parade, producing Celine Dion... I think we're majorly screwed ourself. :)

[Neal]

Celine Dion :eri:

The End Is Surely Near!

[Quintin]

whoa. I guess New York is about to slide into the ocean then...
;)
San Fran first

[Yogi]

San Fran first
Toronto right after? ;)

[Walter]

Exmortis, I was reading the same story about cuts in funding for levees today in a different article. As from tonights newscast parts of New Orleans are beginning to resemble scenes from "The Lord Of The Flies", I wonder if the Americans will think it was a worth while cut in public spending for the sake of their latest war effort.

It makes you wonder why people put themselves in harm's way when they can freely choose to move......is it stupidity, is it laziness?

[Tim]

perhaps a lot of people weren't aware their government placed them in such serious risk.

[Bogie]

As the saying goes "Walk a mile in my shoes".

Even Fats Domino decided to stay and "ride it out". We've had one hurricane (Hazel - cat 1) and few are old enough to even remember. These southerners have rode out many a hurricane and then simply cleaned up afterwards.

Despite warnings, they felt that this was just another storm to sit tight, protect their only possessions, and wipe up afterwards.

Hindsight is 20/20.

The gov't fell down on this one, big time, in regards to being ready to handle what has happened. To say "we told you to get out" is no excuse. They knew that many wouldn't, and that massive, unprecendented, help would be required.

Stopping evac units because of a few gunshots is no excuse at all. What about Iraq? If that was the case, the US troops wouldn't even be there. They are under fire every day and are braving massive gunfire to rescue their own.

Treat it like a war zone. Send in crack troops and take out the snippers. Go in under fire and evac.

Drop supplies by air like they do everywhere else in the world.

This whole thing is turning into an organized side-show where people are dying due to lack of immediate drastic action. Damn the red tape - just do it!

[Frogy]

An update....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4210646.stm

[Taz]

I think Americans stars might organize something for their fellow Americans though...much like Ronnie Hawkins and Gordon Lightfoot and others did after the flood in Peterborough.

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Toby Kieth are planning a benefit

[Walter]

If you really wanna know...


IMO this speaks volumes about the failure of the city and state....they must of known that the cutbacks put them in greater danger and the logical thing to have done would be to have stepped up their evacuation of the city. Other than the media please to evacuate what did the city and state do to evacuate the people from the low lieing areas?

In 2001, FEMA warned that a hurricane striking New Orleans was one of the three most likely disasters in the U.S. But the Bush administration cut New Orleans flood control funding by 44 percent to pay for the Iraq war.

http://www.spiegel.de/international...,372455,00.html (http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,372455,00.html)

And check out this 2004 article from the New Orleans Times-Picayune:


Quote:
Copyright 2004
The Times-Picayune Publishing Company
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

June 8, 2004 Tuesday

SECTION: NATIONAL; Pg. 1

LENGTH: 1073 words

HEADLINE: Shifting federal budget erodes protection from levees;
Because of cuts, hurricane risk grows

BYLINE: By Sheila Grissett, East Jefferson bureau

BODY:

For the first time in 37 years, federal budget cuts have all but stopped
major work on the New Orleans area's east bank hurricane levees, a complex
network of concrete walls, metal gates and giant earthen berms that won't be
finished for at least another decade.

"I guess people look around and think there's a complete system in place,
that we're just out here trying to put icing on the cake," said Mervin
Morehiser, who manages the "Lake Pontchartrain and vicinity" levee project for the
Army Corps of Engineers. "And we aren't saying that the sky is falling, but
people should know that this is a work in progress, and there's more important
work yet to do before there is a complete system in place."

In reality, levee building is a long-term undertaking. Section by section,
earth is piled into walls as high as 20 feet to protect land on the east bank
of the Mississippi River from water that a slow-moving Category 3 hurricane
could shove out of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne. But the levees
gradually settle into southeast Louisiana's mucky subsoil, and every few years, the
corps comes back, section by section, to pile on more dirt in what insiders
call a "lift."

"It has always been part of our long-range plan to raise each section of the
levee four or even five times," said Al Naomi, the corps' senior project
manager. "After that, we think the levee might have stabilized and not need
further raisings."

Time for next lift

It's time now for the next lifts in a number of places that have sunk 2 to 4
feet from their design elevations. These include in Kenner west of the
Pontchartrain Center, Metairie between Causeway Boulevard and Clearview Parkway,
Norco and St. Rose in St. Charles Parish, the Bayou Sauvage area of eastern
New Orleans, and remote marshland areas of eastern St. Bernard Parish.

The subsidence is expected.

What's new, said Morehiser and Naomi, is that the agency has run out of
money for the next round of lifts. Naomi said this is the first time a lack of
money has stopped major corps work on the levees since the project began in
1967.

"I can't tell you exactly what that could mean this hurricane season if we
get a major storm," Naomi said. "It would depend on the path and speed of the
storm, the angle that it hits us.

"But I can tell you that we would be better off if the levees were raised, .
. . and I think it's important and only fair that those people who live
behind the levee know the status of these projects."

Levees on the east bank of New Orleans, as well as some in eastern St.
Bernard Parish, are among the area's oldest and have had several lifts. Corps
engineers said the next lift might be the last they need.

But the levees on the east bank of St. Charles and Jefferson parishes are
much younger, and most stretches have had only one or two lifts.

"This project isn't expected to end for another 13 to 15 years," Morehiser
said. "They aren't really finished levees at this point. We don't even turn
them over to their local sponsors until we consider them stable, which is years
from now."

The levees are designed to handle a storm surge of 11 feet, and every
additional foot of levee above that is intended to contain waves that otherwise
would top the levee. The height of individual levee segments vary.

"When levees are below grade, as ours are in many spots right now, they're
more vulnerable to waves pouring over them and degrading them," Naomi said.
"We're not below storm-surge elevation yet, but we will be if we stop raising
our levees as they subside."

Bush budget falls short

The Bush administration's proposed fiscal 2005 budget includes only $3.9
million for the east bank hurricane project. Congress likely will increase that
amount, although last year it bumped up the administration's $3 million
proposal only to $5.5 million.

"I needed $11 million this year, and I got $5.5 million," Naomi said. "I
need $22.5 million next year to do everything that needs doing, and the first
$4.5 million of that will go to pay four contractors who couldn't get paid this
year."

Naomi said the corps already owes four contractors more than $2 million for
hurricane protection work they've done this year without pay, and he expects
the figure to climb to about $4.5 million by Sept. 30, the end of the federal
fiscal year.

The challenge now, said emergency management chiefs Walter Maestri in
Jefferson Parish and Terry Tullier in New Orleans, is for southeast Louisiana
somehow to persuade those who control federal spending that protection from major
storms and flooding are matters of homeland security.

"It appears that the money has been moved in the president's budget to
handle homeland security and the war in Iraq, and I suppose that's the price we
pay," Maestri said. "Nobody locally is happy that the levees can't be finished,
and we are doing everything we can to make the case that this is a security
issue for us."..

[Tim]

Yea. I bet New Orleans had a city budget similar to ours, totally unlimited in the sense they could have evacuated more than they tried to do. Because evacuating that many poor people who have no where to go really doesn't cost *that* much. Give me a break. Bush totally was in the right for making sure his countries budget fulfilled other priorities and, taking 3 days to have a think about how to help these poor people.

[Neal]

Do you think Bush really gives a ....? The people that would most likely vote for him had cars and got out in time. This disaster will mean even more money for Bectel and Haliburton.

[Exmortis]

Yea. I bet New Orleans had a city budget similar to ours, totally unlimited in the sense they could have evacuated more than they tried to do. Because evacuating that many poor people who have no where to go really doesn't cost *that* much. Give me a break. Bush totally was in the right for making sure his countries budget fulfilled other priorities and, taking 3 days to have a think about how to help these poor people.


Sarcasm is like cheap perfume. Use too much and it stinks like hell.

[Yogi]

Sarcasm is like cheap perfume. Use too much and it stinks like hell.
lol. I like that :d

[Tim]

Sarcasm is like cheap perfume. Use too much and it stinks like hell.
sometimes the idiocy demands it. If it stinks too much then scram.
At least that's what I do when it stinks...

[Exmortis]

I guess I should've put a smiley with that reply... :)

[Tim]

that would mean that I would have to put one on all of mine. Unfortunately there is no 'spaz' smiley.

[Exmortis]

Right... Well, sorry I tried to be friendly... Won't happen again.

[Tim]

did I make a bad?
Making fun of self not good?
hmmm.

[Walter]

Yea. I bet New Orleans had a city budget similar to ours, totally unlimited in the sense they could have evacuated more than they tried to do. Because evacuating that many poor people who have no where to go really doesn't cost *that* much. Give me a break. Bush totally was in the right for making sure his countries budget fulfilled other priorities and, taking 3 days to have a think about how to help these poor people.

Sarcasm aside I have to ask exactly how the 56% of the budget, that wasn't cut, for levee construction was spent? How much of it was spent on upgrading the levees in the low lying areas?

How much would it have cost to divert buses, from public transit and schools, to move the people from the low lying areas?

How much would it have cost to stock pile adequate water and food rations at the sports facility which was one of the original housing sites?

How much money would have cost to predict that with the possibility of a hurricane of this magnitude hitting New Orleans that electricity might have been lost and ensured that port-a-potties were available?

How much would it have cost to keep the local airport open so Air Force One could have landed on Monday?

How much would have cost to have Dr. Phil flown in last Sunday and on a public broadcast explain to the people of New Orleans how they were going to become frustrated and angry and explain how to channel this frustration and anger in a way that didn't lead to looting, rape and routine violence?

Just asking for some answers?

And it could on and on and on........

[Tim]

how much would it cost to supply Wally his meds so he can better understand the problem?

[Neal]

Most of his questions have been answered, he just doesn't care to read the answers or he doesn't understand them.

[Yogi]

Most of his questions have been answered, he just doesn't care to read the answers or he doesn't understand them.
It's too bad Walter didn't watch 60 minutes last night. The mayor of New Orleans (Ray Nagin) was featured and gave, what I think, was the clearest and most cogent account of what's happened, and what is happening now.

I like the guy. He pulls no punches and tells it like it is. He gave a Bush a good blasting which seems to have gotten his attention.

[frostyone]

"And it could on and on and on...."

Spin,spin , spin..

The neo-cons are spinning faster than Katrina.

[Tim]

Walter as usual, is just stirring up crap. Useless BS as usual.

As you said Frosty, the neo-cons will be spinning this as fast as they can. Absolutely *anything*, to blur the fact, that Bush waited 3 days.