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katrina

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Thoughts: A destructive disaster. My prayers go to all the folks affected by it.

Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side

Emperor Jar-Jar
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition

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Seconded. Terrible stuff, man. This is THE worst disaster in the US since 9-11.

And it is bringing out the worst in some people, too. I've heard there were gangs actually fighting WITHIN the SUPERDOME, and that there were looters shooting at rescue choppers... Things like that make me angry!

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I'M PROUD THAT MY STATE OF TEXAS IS BUSSING IN REFUGEES FROM NEW ORLEANS. HOWEVER, PRESIDENT BUSH HAS REALLY DROPPED THE BALL IN GETTING ALL OF THE PEOPLE HELP. IF THE PEOPLE CAN'T GET TO THE SUPER DOME THEN THEY ARE SCREWED, BECAUSE NOBODY IS GOING TO HELP THEM.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
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When we say "military being deployed to The Gulf" it conjures up images of heading to Iraq. But my wife's cousin, a Naval chopper pilot just received that he's being deployed to The Gulf -- Of Mexico. We're about to see our own miltary (not National Guard, Military) being deployed on our own soil. That's how bad the situation is, and with the growing crime and violence in New Orleans, I expect things will get worse before they start to get better. Reports are coming in that before the bussing started, refugees were already abandoning the "safety" of the Superdome because of rapes and violence occuring there inside the dome.

Tragedy can bring out the best in good people, but it also brings out the worst in bad people. Unfortunately, New Orleans has more than its share of bad people and the evidence is showing.

My thoughts and prayers are especially with the innocent people caught up in what's rapidly becoming a war zone. The loss of life from a hurricane is bad enough. The loss of life (or innocence) at the hand of somebody taking advantage of mass desperation is abhorrent.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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Just writing to express my sympathy and best wishes to the American people at this difficult time......
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Its horrible. I just can't believe it has gotten as bad as its gotten. *sigh* My thoughts and prayers go out the people of New Orleans. hang in there my friends.
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Anyone forget about the Tsunami? it pisses me off that people care way more about the hurricane than the tsunami. Way more chairitys way more talk about it the news these people will get recover alot of the Tsunami people won't!
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Originally posted by: sean wookie
Anyone forget about the Tsunami? it pisses me off that people care way more about the hurricane than the tsunami. Way more chairitys way more talk about it the news these people will get recover alot of the Tsunami people won't!


dude the amount of aid sent to south east asia was insane, this is just getting alot of coverage but trust me when i say that the tsunami was well taken care of. so far the US has jsut sent massive massive amounts of aid cause its there own country, other countries like canada and england are send jsut as much aid as they did to the tsunami. dont worry man no one forgot about that.
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When you consider the relative difficulty of reporting on it due to the remoteness and lack of infrastructure for travel and communication, the Boxing Day tsunami got tremendous news coverage, as befitting a disaster of that magnitude. Katrina is generating heavier coverage simply because a) it's relatively local for us and b) American media outlets can easily send crews to the scene. Most of the media were already in place, as teams are routinely dispatched to areas in hurricane paths in case it turns out to be a "newsworthy" event like this one. When the devastation occurred, and then intensified, the newsgatherers were already on the job and the coverage was immediate.

In comparison, nobody expected a natural disaster in the Indian Ocean. If there were any newsies there, they were travelers on Christmas vacation. For the first couple of days, most of the video from the tsunami was shot by civilians on hotel balconies and rooftops.
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Anarchy spreading through the city, dead and dying abandoned in the streets, scum taking advantage of the situation by raping women and looting, gangs prowling the streets, shooting at rescue helicopters, outbreaks of shootings, carjackings and thefts….A testament to human nature.

War does not make one great.

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The science fiction junkie me wishes that we could just beam the good people out and then drop a photon torpedo on the place.

But alas, we don't have such things. It really makes me sick, though, that not only are people taking advantage of this to grab STUFF, but some are even RAPING women!? How sick!

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I've not been fully able to see the news, but HOW did New Orleans get into a state of complete bezerked anarchy? I mean, I've read that the Wall-Mart section of GUNS was looted, God knows what will happen to those... How did it reach like it with a mere flood? I mean, there has been other floods caused by hurricanes before, and nothing like it has happened...

Also, Texas has increased the number of people they are willing to recieve from Louisiana to 75 thousand. WHY limit the number of people?! These are people for Christ sake, how come the states are so segregated that they have to impose limits to that? All those state boundaries should be removed at times like this...
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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The fact of the matter is that New Orleans has always been a haven for bad people; gangs, hookers and other sexual deviants, voodo witch doctors, ect ect... And now that there is basically no law because of the flood, these people seem to think they can do whatever they want.

Now it IS a minority of people. Most are just trying to get to saftey, but the situation is bad, which is why we're sending in the military police (Yeah. It's THAT bad.)

As for why Texas is putting a limit on the number of refugees: Well, is it not obvious. There is only so much room for them. They will fill up hotels, crowd ins, and consume goods because they need anything the lost in the flood. A sudden influx of *Everyone* displaced by the flood into one state would throw the economy off big time. Besides, 75000 is a good chunk of the displaced, and there are 48 more states in the union anyway.

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I heard some vague mumblings about the entire city being abandoned, permanently. Surely a misunderstanding?

War does not make one great.

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Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
The fact of the matter is that New Orleans has always been a haven for bad people; gangs, hookers and other sexual deviants, voodo witch doctors, ect ect... And now that there is basically no law because of the flood, these people seem to think they can do whatever they want.

Now it IS a minority of people. Most are just trying to get to saftey, but the situation is bad, which is why we're sending in the military police (Yeah. It's THAT bad.)

As for why Texas is putting a limit on the number of refugees: Well, is it not obvious. There is only so much room for them. They will fill up hotels, crowd ins, and consume goods because they need anything the lost in the flood. A sudden influx of *Everyone* displaced by the flood into one state would throw the economy off big time. Besides, 75000 is a good chunk of the displaced, and there are 48 more states in the union anyway.


Oh come on Chaltab, do you really have this stereotyped and racist view on New Orleans?

And oh sure, send them all to Washington State or Hawaii. At times like this, the sole state economy comes in second. But hey that's me, I don't know what are their priorities.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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ric, its not just an economy thing.

whats the point of cramming 100,000 people into an area that can safely and comfortably fit/support (food, shelter, water, etc) 25,000 or even 50,000. Obviously im making up numbers but you get the point (at least i hope you do).
Why Anakin really turned to the dark side:
"Anakin, You're father I am" - Yoda
"No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!" - Anakin

0100111001101001011011100110101001100001

*touchy people disclaimer*
some or all of the above comments are partially exaggerated to convey a point, none of the comments are meant as personal attacks on anyone mentioned or reference in the above post
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Originally posted by: Darth Simon
ric, its not just an economy thing.

whats the point of cramming 100,000 people into an area that can safely and comfortably fit/support (food, shelter, water, etc) 25,000 or even 50,000. Obviously im making up numbers but you get the point (at least i hope you do).


Texas can only hold 50,000 people?

I agree that some other States should take some of the people too though.

War does not make one great.

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Here's the question everybody is starting to ask: FEMA has had billions of dollars pumped into it to prepare us for exactly this scenario. And FEMA has screwed the pooch on the whole operation. Mike Brown is going to be run out of Washington on a rail. But it goes beyond that. For the second time in this president's tenure, he hung out on an extended August vacation at The Ranch, ignoring growing disgust with the Iraqi stituation and not listening to the citizens about a looming Oil crisis. For the second time, his vacation has ended with a massive crisis (this time forcing him to leave The Ranch a couple days early, poor thing) in our nation that caught our government unawares and unprepared.

But this time, there is nobody to bomb. This time the fault lays squarely on Washington.

In the years before this hurricane The Army Corps of Engineers has been asking this President for $208M to reinforce the levees, because they were decaying and were in dire need of repair. The President authorized only $10M. Now we're having to pay $20 Billion (with a "B") for starters just to straighten out the mess that could have been avoided had the proper resources been allocated in the first place when the Corps requested it.

As for the here-and-now, I'm pissed on two fronts:
1) Where are all the relief workers? If the news networks can get their people, fuel, and security into the area, why can't the Federal Government?

2) Since the news media CAN seem to get into the area, why can't they put down their high-and-mighty objective coverage and actually get involved with the relief effort? If you're getting into the area to cover it, bring some damn food and water to share while you're at it. Don't just take pictures of people dying, do something to help them. These are your fellow citizens who granted you that first amendment. Journalistic ethics my ass -- what's ethical about a policy of non-involvement when fellow citizens are dying in front of your very eyes?

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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Originally posted by: ADigitalMan
Here's the question everybody is starting to ask: FEMA has had billions of dollars pumped into it to prepare us for exactly this scenario. And FEMA has screwed the pooch on the whole operation. Mike Brown is going to be run out of Washington on a rail. But it goes beyond that. For the second time in this president's tenure, he hung out on an extended August vacation at The Ranch, ignoring growing disgust with the Iraqi stituation and not listening to the citizens about a looming Oil crisis. For the second time, his vacation has ended with a massive crisis (this time forcing him to leave The Ranch a couple days early, poor thing) in our nation that caught our government unawares and unprepared.

But this time, there is nobody to bomb. This time the fault lays squarely on Washington.

In the years before this hurricane The Army Corps of Engineers has been asking this President for $208M to reinforce the levees, because they were decaying and were in dire need of repair. The President authorized only $10M. Now we're having to pay $20 Billion (with a "B") for starters just to straighten out the mess that could have been avoided had the proper resources been allocated in the first place when the Corps requested it.

As for the here-and-now, I'm pissed on two fronts:
1) Where are all the relief workers? If the news networks can get their people, fuel, and security into the area, why can't the Federal Government?

2) Since the news media CAN seem to get into the area, why can't they put down their high-and-mighty objective coverage and actually get involved with the relief effort? If you're getting into the area to cover it, bring some damn food and water to share while you're at it. Don't just take pictures of people dying, do something to help them. These are your fellow citizens who granted you that first amendment. Journalistic ethics my ass -- what's ethical about a policy of non-involvement when fellow citizens are dying in front of your very eyes?

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.


Totally agree.

War does not make one great.

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Obviously im making up numbers but you get the point (at least i hope you do).

i never said texas could only hold 50,000 people. I was saying its not how many people you can physically cram into a givin space. while still maintaining some level of comfort and also have adequate supplies for them.

Just cause texas is a large state as far as area goes doesnt mean that it can instantly support a very large influx of people (no use of numbers because that seems to confuse people as to the point). why bother bringing the people to a different location if your just gonna cram them in a different building, in a different state, with not enough food/water. obviously the conditions would still be somewhat better as there would be electricity, but there is still a limit to how many people can fit in the Astrodome or other locations. further more, there is a limit to how much food/water is available there and how much/fast more can be brought in.

Im not saying that the number is 75K, im not saying its more or less. Im not even saying we shouldnt get everyone out of the disaster area as soon and quickly as possible. But just moving 100k people from point a to point b is a task in and of itself, not to mention all that has to be accounted for when you get them there. these people have lost everything so everything needs to be supplied to them, and no matter how much land area a state has it doesnt mean they have the infrastructure/supplies to handle a large influx of people. and this is all about saving people, and there are long term conditions, its not like they will be able to move back next week. cramming all the people from one dome to another isnt really gonna solve/help anything.

I think its unfair when people say, oh, just move everyone over to texas, its big and 'right next door' and dont realize that its just not that simple.

but i do agree with ADigitalMan's comments. I mean, its not like the hurricane just popped up out of now where. I personally think the press shouldnt be allowed there, clear them out and replace them with the releif workers that will actually improve the situation instead of just standing by and pointing out the dying people for ratings.

-Darth Simon
Why Anakin really turned to the dark side:
"Anakin, You're father I am" - Yoda
"No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!" - Anakin

0100111001101001011011100110101001100001

*touchy people disclaimer*
some or all of the above comments are partially exaggerated to convey a point, none of the comments are meant as personal attacks on anyone mentioned or reference in the above post
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Originally posted by: ricarleite
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Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
Oh come on Chaltab, do you really have this stereotyped and racist view on New Orleans?


Have you ever BEEN to New Orleans, Ric? I have. My mother has a photo of her shocked face reacting to some of the perverseness that goes on there.

As for racist? RACIST? How is what I said racist? I'm simply stating that there ARE bad people in New Orleans, obviously, and that it was a well known fact before the flood. My mom said she knew a guy who got his wallet taken from his pocket in broad daylight.

Never did I say EVERYONE or MOST of the people were like that, just simply stated fact: it exists. Is your view of the city so sanitized that you don't know about it?

You also rather missed my point, which Darth Simon illustrated well; there isn't enough room for everyone in one state. States can't support a huge influx of a million people. They have to find shelter, food, water, and there still be enough for the rest of the population. It's not being cruel to not help someone you can't afford to help!

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That motherf***** Bush is "taking time off from his vacation to visit Louisiana." Nice. I'm sure he's going to help a lot! I can see him now at his grand speech in the middle of a devastated town, "my fellow americans, many have died here in the last few days, but you know why, because... of freedom. They died to protect your freedoms, now join me and we can rule the earth together, well... wait, only I can do that!"