Hurricane!

Renorei · Post by **Renorei** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:26 pm

Reilune wrote:Nice ta meetcha.

Likewise.

It's amazing how awful people can be sometimes....I can't believe people are looting and sniping. For what? I can understand looting an abandoned house for food or water if you're starving, but bigscreen TVs? Why the hell would you take that? Where you gonna put it? How ya gonna watch it? Looting bastards. And why start shooting everything for no reason? "Hey, the world is falling down around my ears, I think I'll make it worse!" Idiots. I wish that all looters and snipers would die. That is, at the moment, the only thing that I am worried about when it comes to my parents. There's a ghetto in relatively close proximity to them, I hope those people don't get any ideas.

Me and my brother have decided that we might go down there next weekend and bring them food, water, and gas for the generator. They'll probably be needing it sometime around then. I just hope we'll be able to afford the gas to make the trip.

To those of you that don't live anywhere near the disaster and want to do something really easy that could still help the victims, conserve your gas. I'm not saying don't drive. Just limit your uneccessary driving, if you wouldn't mind. Most of South LA is out of gas, and those people need it for their generators to keep their food from spoiling. Hopefully they'll be able to get some more in there pretty soon.

As to the comments about Bush not recalling the Iraqi troops to help...I'd have to say I agree with you. I think what we are doing in Iraq is a good thing...but we need more help here now. I hope he comes to his senses. I voted for him, and so far he hasn't disappointed me...until now.

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:27 pm

Do we have a wolfie for bonking herself on the head?

Okay, I admit, I came across heavy up there. The stress is getting to me, methinks...I'm just glad this is the last time I'm gonna have to suffer through PMS...

The Senate has okayed $10.5 billion in hurricane relief and the LA National Guard has landed with their M-16s locked and loaded and ready to cowboy up. Didn't we mention "sacrifice of the few for the needs of the many" elsewhere on this board? Personally I think the sunnamabitchkis got it comin' for shooting at a hospital in the midst of the worst natural disaster in the last hundred years. The LA governor has positively NO problem with the snipers getting a very special can of military instant karma opened up on them and hey, who am I to argue?

[Note to self: Breathing is goooooood...]

Renorei · Post by **Renorei** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:25 am

vrikasatma wrote: The Senate has okayed $10.5 billion in hurricane relief and the LA National Guard has landed with their M-16s locked and loaded and ready to cowboy up. Didn't we mention "sacrifice of the few for the needs of the many" elsewhere on this board? Personally I think the sunnamabitchkis got it comin' for shooting at a hospital in the midst of the worst natural disaster in the last hundred years. The LA governor has positively NO problem with the snipers getting a very special can of military instant karma opened up on them and hey, who am I to argue?

Yeah, we did most definitely mention that. And I agree with the governor, and with you. Anyone who's gonna behave like an a** in a situation like this deserves whatever it's necessary to give them, to make them stop endangering the lives of others.

Figarou · Post by **Figarou** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:05 am

vrikasatma wrote:Do we have a wolfie for bonking herself on the head?

I've been thinking of ways to do that. I've seen smilies hitting thier head on the wall. I can't do that with these wolfies. --->

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:00 pm

Here is a copy of a post from my livejournal:

People are dying in New Orleans. I saw heartbreaking news on television this morning, about the thousands of people who are slowly dying at the convention center, led only by a brave, self-appointed civilian leader. Why can't our government get water, food and medicine to people faster? Why wasn't there at least one official aid worker at the convention center? Why are New Orleans residents telling reporter after reporter that they have been seeing more news persons than rescuers in the city? Babies are dying, diabetics are dying, old people are dying. Many babies have been given only water for several days, because there is no formula for them. The injured are bandaging their own wounds, wounds that have often been in contact with sewage-contaminated gasoline-laden floodwater. People in wheelchairs have been s*** where they sit because nobody has been helping them go to the bathroom, and often bathrooms are unavailable. People are promised buses out of the city, then left under highway overpasses, with more of them dying from heat exhaustion, dehydration and medical problems every day.
Why do I keep seeing the government admit that large groups of stranded refugees did not get food and water because nobody realized that these people existed? Aren't we the most powerful nation in the world? Shouldn't our rescue forces be able to realize it when thousands of people are gathered in one building, at least before people die of thirst? Why are so many people saying that they are getting no directions from authority figures about where to go and what to do, or that they are getting contradictory directions or wrong information? Why are people saying that the helicopters and rescue trucks have not been shouting out directions through loudspeakers, like they should? Why are so many exhausted, sick, dehydrated people walking out of the city because there are no buses for them?
There is no official body count yet. It is said that bodies are being tied to stop signs so that they can be found and counted later.
Why, why why?
I cry for these people. But most of us can't do anything except send our money. You aren't allowed into the city unless you are an authorized aid worker, governmental worker, or reporter. And, we can't make our government forces get there any faster. We can prod them by expressing our disapproval, but that is all we can do. So much is in the hands of other people, and every hour is critical. I'm sure that help will eventually arrive. I'm sure that America will eventually open her heart and donate so much money that we can rebuild New Orleans better than ever. But, now, people are dying. It is already too late for many of them. We will rebuild New Orleans on the bones of those who were too poor or too unlucky to get out. But, if we had been faster, I'm sure that half of those could have been saved.
Speculation is running wild about why we were so slow and disorganized. People cannot help but notice that most of those left behind were black as well as poor, so racism has entered the discussion about Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. It is hard to prove that this is true, but I can't help but think that help would have arrived sooner and been more organized if those stranded had been a bunch of rich white people. Now, some people are saying that the original reports of anarchy were exaggerated, simply because we as a culture still characterize poverty-stricken urban blacks as violent. These reports of anarchy were used as an excuse to not send in more aid workers when they were really needed. Thus, people died as a result of these reports, regardless of whether they were exaggerated or the unvarnished truth. We need to find out the truth.
What can we do? We can complain to the government and we can donate money. Here are some of the charity organizations that are helping or planning to help:
American Red Cross
FEMA
Salvation Army
Second Harvest
Humane Society (to help animals)

Scott Gardener · Post by **Scott Gardener** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 1:33 pm

Here is a blog that has gained a lot of attention lately.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/

It's run by a web host troubleshooter who has military experience, who has been entrenched in the area. It's a pretty chilling account, but at times also very heart-warming, and a true testament to the human spirit, even as the surrounding events show a startling glimpse of our dark side.

Living in Houston and working in a community hospital ER next to the Louisiana border, I'm seeing a lot of people displaced by the storm and caught up in the fallout. Local communities are being very supportive; our hospital and other medical services, such as the pharmacies in the area, are offering free services and supplies such as medicine refills to people.

Unfortunately, the support is not universal, and the overall response in many venues have been disappointing. I'm saddened to see a lot of price gouging going on (gas prices higher along Interstate 10 than near my home, for instance.) I'm also disappointed at the problems and delays in getting aid to the people in New Orleans who did what they were advised to do, waiting at the Superdome. To the government's and rescue services' credit, however, they've had people shooting at them.

That's the real dissapointment I have with the human reaction. Between the mob mentality and the highly aggressive individuals forming gangs, burning buildings, and killing innocent victims as well as their own rescuers, my faith in humanity under pressure is a bit hurt.

I am grateful to the international community, and to the nations who have offered help. I'm glad to be eating my own words on this; I genuinely expected us to be on our own in this, but I was wrong. Thank you France, Canada, Israel, Germany, Mexico, Japan, UK, Russia, UAE, and so many places I didn't expect--Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic. We know that you can scarcely afford it, which makes the gesture all the more meaningful.

Lupin · Post by **Lupin** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:20 pm

Scott Gardener wrote:Here is a blog that has gained a lot of attention lately.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/

It's run by a web host troubleshooter who has military experience, who has been entrenched in the area. It's a pretty chilling account, but at times also very heart-warming, and a true testament to the human spirit, even as the surrounding events show a startling glimpse of our dark side.

Yep, if I ever have to change colocation these people (Zipa/DirectNIC) might be getting my busness.

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:20 pm

Not to mention Venezuela, especially after Pat Robertson's comments about Chavez. I saw that on the news and cried.

Jamaica is throwing into the hat, too.

Renorei · Post by **Renorei** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:24 pm

Even though our college has been in session for about two weeks now, we're letting people who went to Tulane, UNO, and other New Orleans schools enroll late, so that they don't lose an entire semester of school. We've told them to ignore the paperwork and money for now, we'll take care of all that later. Also, we let all the refugees come to our football game the other night for free. ULM is definitely doing its best to accomodate our new guests.

Do you guys think that people will go back to New Orleans? Of course some of them will, but I think a large portion of them will not. Especially not when they see how great other communities can be, and especially not if they have nothing to go back too. Monroe, for example, is definitely welcoming hurricane victims with open arms. If I had been a New Orleans resident who had to start all over somewhere else, I'd stay there.

EDIT: I wanted to update you all on my situation. As it turns out, all of our dogs survived! Also, some friends of our family recently took 165 gallons of gas down to my family, and also some food and stuff. My aunt (who originally had two houses) now only has one. But overall, everything turned out pretty good. All the dogs are alive, my parents have food, and they have enough gas to last them until the power goes back on.

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:49 pm

outwarddoodles · Post by **outwarddoodles** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 7:19 pm

My Step Dad is going to be down there soon and helping out. I think my Mom is thinking about adopting a baby, for alot of parents have deid or just can't care for them now, I'm all into helping the victims but I don't want another sibiling!

Theres been alot of ranting, from the tv and my family (especiialy Dale, whos being all stupid and wanting to shoot the president, God Dale, you become f-ing stupid all of the sudden you F-hole!). Quite frankly I really hope they do get food and the necessarys to those people!

Renorei · Post by **Renorei** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:34 pm

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:12 pm

It is an awesome idea...which is probably why it won't be implemented

Makes too much sense...

Architecture...yes, it would be sad to lose the original Spanish architecture, but cities die. Babylon, Het-Ka-Ptah (Memphis), Akrotiri, the Bimini Roads, the Sachapuyan Cloud Forest Cities in Peru, Grand Zimbabwe...Old New Orleans would be in good company. And the power and beauty of human art and craft is that there's an infinite wellspring of it. Cities die but architecture never does.

Shiva sweeps away so that new growth and life can spring and flourish.

Renorei · Post by **Renorei** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:08 am

True, cities do die. But most dying cities were in the past, when society could do nothing about it. But now, if we decided to let New Orleans stay underwater, EVERYONE would know about it and an assload of people would raise a huge stink about it. That's the problem you run into when your society is advanced enough to fix a city...everyone automatically assumes that you should. pfffffttt.....

Nonetheless, it is a very good idea and one that would help cities like New Orleans be a lot safer in times of disaster.

Figarou · Post by **Figarou** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:27 am

vrikasatma wrote:
Hey, Fig, how about a jester wolf with his hat in Mardi Gras colours? (purple, green and gold)

sure. I'll get right on it. Next time...post in the wolf smilie thread. I almost missed your post.

Figarou · Post by **Figarou** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:25 am

ok...this one has the colors you asked for.

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:28 pm

Thank you!

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:09 pm

After the historic Galveston hurricane killed 8,000 people, businesses and individuals were leery about rebuilding. That led to an inland migration, and the economic booms of Dallas and Houston. Something like that will probably happen with New Orleans. I've already seen stuff on TV about businesses that don't want to go back, and a large population needs someone to employ them. They will likely follow the businesses inland.
Of course, New Orleans is so famous and historic that they will clean, renovate and/or rebuild the best parts of it, ready for Mardi Gras. But I wouldn't be surprised if half the people never return.

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 11:55 pm

Veterans for Peace have established a base in Covington, LA, across the lake from New Orleans. They're gathering aid — supplies, etc.— and taking it over there.

Good group on the scene, helping fill in the gaps where the big aid groups aren't going.

They have a discussion board. Here's the link:

http://www.vfproadtrips.org/katrina/

Set · Post by **Set** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 2:05 pm

I saw on the news yesterday that they've been bringing people from New Orleans over to Augusta. It's not all that far from where I live. I can't remember what place they said they were at though.

Akugarou · Post by **Akugarou** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:22 pm

A chance to do some good:

Renorei · Post by **Renorei** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:34 pm

Many of the evacuees from New Orleans are spitting on the hands that are feeding them. A large group of them were allowed to stay in my friend's church, and they pooped and pissed on the carpet, and generally trashed the place. TRASHED A CHURCH. That's taking it a bit too far, IMO. Also, that church had just been renovated. They did around a million dollars worth of damage. I hate to say it, but sometimes I hate people.

vrikasatma · Post by **vrikasatma** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:05 pm

Excelsia wrote:TRASHED A CHURCH. That's taking it a bit too far, IMO.

To say the least!

I mean, I feel sorry for them, but that's straight-up inexcuseable. That's like that knuckle-dragger in Crawford, TX who ran over the memorial crosses at Camp Sheehan with his truck a month ago.

NarnianWolfen · Post by **NarnianWolfen** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:40 pm

It's like how they trashed the Superdome. This reminds me of something my mom is fond of saying: "I've BEEN poor. I've lived in one little house with only two or three rooms. But there is no excuse for dirty. You can be poor, but that does not mean you have to be filthy." That just...angers me so much. It angers me when I enter public bathrooms and see the toilets stuffed with paper, when GIRLS have [spoiler]pissed[/spoiler] all over the seats, left their feces for the next individual to see...for God's sake, if you sprinkle when you tinkle PLEASE be neat and wipe the seat. There is NONONONO fscking excuse for being a disgusting person except utter disrespect for others and for yourSELF.

Akela · Post by **Akela** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:54 pm

That's just disgusting, reminds me of the time I went to an amusement park and someone had [spoiler]s*** their pants and tried to flush it down a toilet[/spoiler]...... not a pretty sight.

Scott Gardener wrote:That's the real dissapointment I have with the human reaction. Between the mob mentality and the highly aggressive individuals forming gangs, burning buildings, and killing innocent victims as well as their own rescuers, my faith in humanity under pressure is a bit hurt.

You're not alone but I was rather suprised when I heard of the Countries that help. I would never have expected China or the Dominican Republic, I've been to the republic and the average person only makes like $230 a year

[/spoiler]