« Reinventing Television | Main | The Inmates Have Taken Over the Asylum »
How You Can Help
By now, I imagine many of you know of the Bush Administration's cuts to the levee project in New Orleans. If not, here's Will Bunch's take on it.
Frankly, I don't have the heart to talk about this in terms of politics, and I don't imagine many of you do either. Right now, we have our own refugee crisis on our hands. There will be plenty of time for the anger that is due those who would chose to feather their own political nests, rather than spend money to avert what was clearly a predicted crisis sans date.
For now, help is needed and alot of it. This link over at DKos provides an excellent list of organizations which are ramped up, on site and providing assistance.
Speaking for myself, I don't know what I expected prior to the storm hitting, but I am absolutely in shock over what is easily the worst natural disaster of our time. New Orlean is under 20 feet of water and residents are encourged to stay away for a month. Biloxi is 90% destroyed. Not damaged, destroyed. There are bodies of those too poor or too old to escape the hurricane floating in the river. I don't think the damage can be overstated. I don't think the damage can even yet be understood. This quote from survivor Tonya Rose of Biloxi, Mississippi provides outsiders with a small measure of perspective:
At the Gulf Shores Apartments, Chas Ainsworth and Tonya Rose wiped away tears as they recounted how, at the height of the storm, they had each called their families for what they thought was the last time. "He said to get on the phone and call your mother and tell her goodbye," Ms. Rose said of Mr. Ainsworth, "and then get his daughter on the phone so he could tell her."
The couple had used pieces of a metal bed frame to bar the door to their building, in hopes of keeping the water out. It had not worked. "Thank God - what is today? Tuesday? - thank God it's Tuesday," Ms. Rose said, "and my whole family is alive."
As the days pass and the death toll rises, others will learn they have not been as lucky as Ms. Rose. For them, we can only offer our prayers. But for the millions of other hurricane survivors who need more than our prayers, we can help right now with contributions to relief agencies.
They need us, and we will be there.
Thanks for the "cuts to the levee" mention, as my email box was full of people p o'd about this! & also some mass mailings with links to Red Cross, as I see on the main page of this site.
Couple of other things before I leave for work -
- I'm getting mailing thick and fast from a group of local young people who are organizing a city-wide walkout against military recruitment in the schools & it'll be on the anniversary of W's 2nd bloodless coup. They have alot of energy & are really trying to mobilize & it is supposed to be country-wide.
- Last night I was trying to eat but did answer the phone & it was a surveyer. It had to do with a local upcoming ballot initiative so I went ahead and participated. The guy wanted to know if I'd vote for a cap on lawsuits against physicians. From the way he phrased things and the way he reacted to my answers, I could tell he was a raging liberal. I found out he was in Las Vegas & we had a good chat, ending with his statement that we need to get these deluded psychos out of government.
It's suddenly a dark, depressing time of year when my alarm rings way too early. Good day to all.
How many times in the last weeks I have wished I could put life aside and go contribute - in Crawford and now in Katrina's wake.
I'm fortunate to have a family and a job, and I cannot leave. I will contribute to the Red Cross, and urge others who can not go to do the same.
I will also try to organize something at my church (as I'm sure others will) for the creation of care packages, to be sent to churches in the south for distribution. I'm not ashamed to say that I would like the folks in the south to know that those care packages are coming from a blue state. Is that why I'm doing it? No.
But if our "president" had not created such a huge rift in our country, I wouldn't feel the need to stick up for us. We're Americans and they are Americans, but if I know Bush/Rove, they'll turn this into a divide somehow. We need to get credit for being Americans.
And that, my friends, is the sad, sorry state in which we live.
Just another note, since I'm letting it all out this morning:
At the risk of being un-pc, I'm having a hard time with the media's comparing the events in the south to the Tsunami.
It is a horrible situation down there, and we don't know what the death toll will be, but I think calling it "our Tsunami", which actually started with one of the governors, I think, is not going to get us any sympathy (donations) from around the world. I just don't think it is wise, or accurate.
It is quite easy to contribute money to the Red Cross. For those of us who have other responsibilities and can't go to the Gulf Coast to lend a hand, this simple but unfortunately barely satisfying, means of lending a hand will have to suffice. I encourage everybody to make a contribution (no matter how large or small) to the Red Cross. Help your fellow Americans. Politics will come later.
from Bert:
Bush was photographed yesterday strumming a guitar with a presidential seal on it. He met some cowboy singer, and fiddled as New Orleans drowned.
re red/blue states & all of that -
Chances are those most in need are the poor who were unable to fly out & if so, chances are they voted blue. Most urban areas did and especially those with high minority populations. It doesn't matter now anyway, but just sayin'.. I also just read some articles on rigged elections & who wins isn't necessarily based on how people vote anyway, in a region, since there is a long history of voter suppression.
Posted by: oncall at August 31, 2005 09:31 AM
oncall's right. The Red Cross site is slow in responding, but worth the wait. Hopefully that means that lots of donations are coming in.
Wondering how to mobilize resources locally with more than just money. Would like to do something not affliated with religious organization. Ideas welcomed...
Folks,
Bush's days of reckoning will come. And I will gladly be leading the charge against him. This and the other human tragedies will not be forgotten. He will be remembered as the most selfish, worst President ever. But for now we have to focus on the disaster.
Posted by: madame defarge at August 31, 2005 09:38 AM
Madame,
Call your local Red Cross chapter. They might be able to provide some information.
Madame,
Public Library, Schools, Youth programs/ community centers are all good places to mobilize resources.
It would be helpful if you could have a contact with a similar group or organization down there, so people know who/where their contributions are going.
Just as example, last year, our 6th graders raised almost $2000 to send to a specific school in Banda Ache (sp?) where someone had a friend. I don't think it would have been that much if there wasn't a particular school it was going to.
Hundreds of thousands without homes, jobs, banking resources, electricity, water, food, transportation. This is a monumental modern disaster. People are wandering aimlessly with nothing. Our government will have to step up and provide massive public works projects. Public works projects are enanthema to our current leaders. We will have to be the voice of reason (as usual) so that those who have suffered so mightily from this tragedy are not abandoned by our government.
You might be asking yourself how could nature do something like this? Read this:
Katrina's real name
By Ross Gelbspan | August 30, 2005
THE HURRICANE that struck Louisiana yesterday was nicknamed Katrina by the National Weather Service. Its real name is global warming.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/08/30/katrinas_real_name/
I had no idea that the Bush Administration and its Congressional allies had cut those levee repair funds.
May God have mercy on their collective souls - because the American people shouldn't show any.
Indy what the h*** are you thinking when you post personalized nasty attacks on fellow bloggers.
"Damn I wish you were on America's side for once IRA instead of politicising everything into party"
Seems like these kinds of comments are the EXACT same attacks that Bush makes against you. Either you with us or against us,you are for America or with Michael Moore. Should I go on.
For goodness sakes Indy I was attacking my friend oncall and others b/c we in Houston are seeing first hand the refugees from the hurricane and I felt others might be politizing this human disaster which is not called for and if anything would marginilize us. This has zero, zero to do with politics or Bush and I thought that I was treading on thin ice when I suggested yesterday that Bush's fly over Miss and Louis should NOT be critized. I also said yesterday that everything pales by comparison and takes a back seat to this tragedy. I also said yesterday that these are all Americans not red or blue Americans not Dems or Republicans but human beings that no matter what your politics or religion, deserve a helping hand. I don't know how much clearer I can be , but I felt your animous since last summer and still don't understand your motivation other than perhaps stepping on your message. So as as you say chill out.There are many good people at this site whatever you think.
What I did say and what I will stand by is that I am proud to be a progressive and it is exactly at these times that I am.
Being a progressive means caring about your fellow man. Believing that Habitat for Humanity and efforts by Jimmy Carter to help poor nations represents the best in Chrisitianity. Realizing that govt is not always the answer but there are times that we desperately need govt, like today. The images I saw last night were of Govt Coast Guard helicopter and boats rescuing people(not private Haliburton helicopters). What I saw was an underfunded Louisiana Army Corp of Engineers struggling to keep the levees from flooding Louisiana. My wife went to graduate school at Tulane and tells me how ridiculously low N.O. taxes are and how poor their school system is that no one wants to send their public schools and how underfunded their infrastructure is. And then listen to Hailey Barbour who has spent a lifetime as Chairman of the RNC trashing the federal govt and fighting what he called govt hand outs and smuggly telling us how impt it is is to cut taxes. Its your money he would say.
This is not a time to gloat and say Progresseives were right about taxes it is a time to lend a hand out. But we should also quietly remind our conservative friends (I think you called them Rep scum) that govt is not our enemy. That taxes are not evil or destructive and that there are some things that govt can do best like build roads, and hospitals and bridges and schools and infrastructure and that conservatives can keep bleeding local, state and federal govts of taxes and revenue, but that progresseives believe otherwise. I am not ashamed of that Indy nor should you.I also urged yesterday a temporary federal tax surcharge to help these folks. That is not political, That is not Dem or Republican, red or blue, Indy, that is AMERICAN.
Rebuilding 2 states will cost more than the monies from reinsurer. Where will it come from if Bush keeps cutting taxes and we become passive and afraid to confront the issue of money and taxes and the desperate need for govt services at a time when others are busy cutting, cutting everything from infrastructure to Medicaid. That is not spoken as a political statement, but is intended as a humanitarian argument that goes beyond politics.
I feel so sick reading about the hurricane(s) and wondering how our country is going to help take care of these people.
I'm sorry to say, but I firmly believe that N.O. is going to have to "relocate" due to global warming, the fact that their land is sinking and this will sink it more, and worrying about the fact that war costs in Iraq will prevent our own fellow Americans from being helped immediately.
Then to hear about looting, and Bush deciding to "manage" the disaster from DC and view the wreckage as if their pain is a political photo op...well...It just makes me wonder when the day of reckoning for him and his followers will come. Because he cut funding to pay for tax cuts for the rich. He cut funding to pay for the war in Iraq. His abuse of all decency just sickens me!
AND yesterday, he was play acting at playing a guitar, while people died in Iraq, Cindy and peaceful supporters asked for 5 minutes of his time, and the people in N.O. were drowning, suffering, and homeless.
What a shmuck!!
Oncall - excellent op-ed on Katrina/Global Warming. thanks for posting!
Ira,
Amen to that.
Superdome refugees to be moved to Houston's Astrodome. Boy that makes me proud.
Posted by: Ira at August 31, 2005 10:16 AM
Posted by: Carol at August 31, 2005 10:22 AM
And ALL I have said all along has been this:
Why not be proud to be Americans?
It is the one title...the one bond we all cherish and the one thing we all have in common.
What am I thinking?
Probably the same thing you are thinking when you post personalized nasty attacks against other bloggers Ira...
We are all only human after all...and you pissed me off.
Get over it.
This has been a terrible week for both Iraqis and Americans. This morning, an estimated 800 Iraqis were killed in a panic on a Tigris bridge.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/31/international/middleeast/31cnd-iraq.html
I'm just getting my head out of home improving (those old Paris flats you find so "romantic" are hell to renovate, nothing even!) to tell you how sad I feel about what took place in the South.
This has been breaking news for us as well for days, and the last reports were terrible. New Orleans, la Nouvelle Orléans, and Louisinia, la Louisiane, still mean a lot to French people, and we are really devastated. To me, it means even more because I specialized in the Old South, when at university...
I've been sadly watching the news. I cannot do a thing but I share the grief.
I just hope that one day we will hear again "Laissez le bon temps rouler"!
Love you Americans.
I don't know if this is true.
Being kept from these American people also by their Military Rulers have been the uncounted offers of assistance from Nations all around the world, including: Venezuela has offered their Medical Airlift Command for the evacuation of peoples trapped in these devastated regions; Holland has offered the resources of their Public Works Ministry (and who are the acknowledged World Experts for below sea level water evacuation procedures); Russia has offered over 100,000 temporary living structures, along with Military Personal to assist their American counterparts; Iran has offered 1 Billion US Dollars in immediate assistance and guaranteed 5,000,000 barrels of oil at $35.00 US Dollars; China has offered their Military Rescue Forces (Who are acknowledged as one of the best in the world for rescuing peoples in flood ravaged areas.)
All of these offers, and more, the Military Leaders of the United States have declined, and for the their previously stated reason: “The United States Government and its People Respectfully Decline your offer of assistance and refer you to our previous State Department Bulletin (NCO:13788) in which we had stated that this remains an internal action.”
This morning remains one of the most critical times in the history of these once great people in America. Only through such unprecedented cataclysms such as they are currently experiencing are they able to break through the lies and distortions of their Military Leaders and Propaganda Media Organs to see, even glimpse, the wholesale lies they are told in order to keep them in a pacified state.
But sadly, and as the events of September 11, 2001 clearly show, the mass of these Americans are willing to believe any and all lies they are told, no matter how absurd, as long as they can be left with the illusion that their lives today will continue into their tomorrows. How sad it is for them to see their world in these terms, but it remains a fact that this is indeed the only way they can cope with a world disintegrating around them.
http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/index813.htm
I just hope that one day we will hear again "Laissez le bon temps rouler"!
Love you Americans.
Posted by: Andrée - France at August 31, 2005 11:13 AM
Thanks for the cyber-hug, it's sorely needed.
xo
"KATRINA" is significant of how slooooooow responders are to a disaster of this impact and should make us not only aware,but frightened as to how,what to do and where to go.It's one thing for the Red Cross and other agencies to "respond",it's another to NOT have a "PLAN" in such a place as the gulf states. Should make anyone wonder HOW we will handle a terror attack of this magnitude! Good point about Haley Barber and his rant. It's really disgusting to me to think these "citizens" of the big easy are now being called "refugees",and shuttled like cattle to Houston. Our Wa. state banks state wide are sponsoring a mass donation effort today to get relief $$ FAST to the victims..it's "pay day"!!
The MSM is already saying:"the president doesn't want to leave the same "impression" to the victims that his father did with ANDREW,and is cutting his vacation short"..he already has!!Let's not be fooled,and discuss how we should handle these disaters as NO one is immune...or safe for that matter!!
Posted by: oncall at August 31, 2005 09:47 AM
Posted by: Carol at August 31, 2005 09:53 AM
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm trying to work something out with our local school to see what we can do. Red Cross only wants money. So we could have the kids do something to raise money to donate. But also looking for organization that wants tangible things; haven't gotten through to Salvation Army locally, but will keep trying.
patti those were my words not the media, but I think fitting.
"It's really disgusting to me to think these "citizens" of the big easy are now being called "refugees",and shuttled like cattle to Houston."
Its a good thing they are being moved, the dome is vacant clean,cool and we will welcome them with open arms.N.O just doesn't have the infrasture to deal with this and I believe that Houston is the closest large empty facility. And they will be welcome to our city as we are already planning to do whatever is necessary to make these citizens comfortable. That is the warmth Texas side we rarely hear about anymore.
Posted by: Ira at August 31, 2005 12:01 PM
You are truly a good soul. Let us know what we can do from a distance to help you. Please.
madame I live down the street from the astrodome so if there is anything we want to deliver to them let me know. Water, food, etc will be provided locally maybe something unique like candy, letters from children saying they care I'm just not sure what might be appropriate but I am willing to do anything we think these people might cherish.maybe we could organize getting used cell phones and sprint or vorizon giving out free minutes to them. just some idea of what they might want others than their lives back.
All personal and personality conflicts aside...
I managed to get through to my Uncle Frank in Houma Louisiana (about 85 miles south of New Orleans) He has been in touch with his nephew, a doctor in NOLA who said it is anarchy. All of the mansions on St. Charles Avenue have been broken into by looters.
My Uncle is a Naval Architect who owns a ship yard in Houma and has a solution for plugging the holes in the levees...he has done it before. Use bardges to span the holes and sink them. He has tried to offer his services but the beurocracy is in chaos down there...he said "They won't let me out of the harbor!!!"
Any familiar with the Lakefront in New Orleans will be heartbroken to hear the Coast Guard station light house has been destroyed and the Southern Yacht Club burned to the ground.
WHERE THE HELL IS THE NATIONAL GUARD!!!
Oh, yeah...they are in Iraq...
My Uncle voiced the same sentiments about the $1 Billion that should have been spent to reinforce the levee system around New Orleans and the Port...but of course, as in the invasion of Iraq...the first thing government officials checked was the integrity of the Superport oil pipeline that runs out into the Gulf of Mexico.
The priceless lives of people, Historic and Cultural Architecture and Art come second...not to mention New Orleans has been and is one of the largest ports in the world supplying the needs of America. The Mississippi River being the backbone of that supply route.
PROTECT THE OIL AT ALL COSTS!!!
Screw this Adminstration.
If we can't impeach them...we'll have to do something more drastic.
This is surreal beyond imagining.
Posted by: Patti Ferschke at August 31, 2005 11:53 AM
EXACTLY.
Same type of response as 9/11, sitting there supposedly monitoring the situation... it's been 2 days!!!! He is JUST leaving Crawford now to coordinate the efforts???
Do we even WANT him coordinating this?
We could lose a major American city. Another slash mark in the long loss column for the Bush presidency.
ALL resources now either in Iraq or the gulf coast... kinda exposes the rest of the country, don't it?
p.s. Way to be decisive on releasing those oil reserves too, Pokey.
Ira,
Can you send us, via email, your address so we can send items to you? Are you willing to take this on?
And to direct us as to what is needed?
Just FYI,
I've posted on Christy's site asking Rossi to let us know if she hears from Christy...
If anyone else does, please let us know here.
Posted by: Ira at August 31, 2005 10:16 AM
You have an EXCELLENT point that needs to be repeated over and over, Ira.
Yesterday, I was thinking of the soaring gas prices. This was the nightmare that was supposed to happen with that 50-cent gas tax that Kerry supposedly wanted. Well, at least with Kerry, the increase would've been only 50 cents, and it would've gone to the highways, mass transit, and other infrastructure improvements. Now that we've re-installed Bush instead, the increase is closer to a dollar, and it's all going to his oilmen buddies.
Back to this hurricane, I am disgusted at the way the Republicans have shortchanged the poor and the public at large for the benefit of the few. Private enterprise cannot, and WILL NOT, prepare for an unlikely disaster, because it's just not profitable. Private enterprise cannot plan roads and infrastructure either; they must work with government planners. A good government is not only small, but is able to show leadership when it must, and that's something the Repubs don't recognize.
This is surreal beyond imagining.
Posted by: Indy at August 31, 2005 12:17 PM
The goosebumps won't go away.
Posted by: Ira at August 31, 2005 12:11 PM
That is awesome. My brother just left for Louisiana as part of a FEMA related convoy for a major tent city being erected in the Baton Rouge area. He will be interacting with those in serious need. I will ask him as well to guage what else would be helpful (besides their lives as you so aptly put it).
Some sort of entertainment for the children would be huge, as parents who are struggling to get their bearings need some sort of break as well, to focus on what to do next.
Games, toys, movies, even a makeshift playground... something/somewhere to release some energy.
... and lot's of smiles and hugs.
Attitude is everything.
While I hesitate to point this out, I will anyway. Does anyone else here see a pattern with Bush. It's the three day crisis pattern. Anytime there is a disaster or crisis in America, it takes him three days to realize what it would take any normal person with an ounce of humanity to do. It's like every disaster happens to "the little people". I am just disgusted. It's My Pet Goat over and over again. And I say this not to be peevish, but because it is a real crisis of leadership and in leadership.
Having said that, remember if you are donating to an organization and you work for a large company, your company may match those donations dollar for dollar. My husband's company does that and I phoned around to my family this morning and asked who was giving and had them send my husband a check and we will write one large on which will get matched. Maybe your company matches funds, too.
"Does anyone else here see a pattern with Bush"?,asks our own Spinnaker.
Rove is already conniving to make him shine, seem kinder and gentler,and allow that compassionate person to come forward...and LEAD! Just wait for the bull horn.! Wonder what book he's reading now.
For those looking for a hands-on project...
Courtesy of Rev Cheesehead at DU
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4509720#4510009
FLOOD BUCKETS: a way you can begin to help now.
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits/floodbucket.stm
The United Methodist Church sends these buckets to places that suffer loss, and will no doubt be sending them to LA, MS and other places in need. It's a simple project that you can do, or a group can do, to help make a difference.
What you need:
* a 5-gal bucket with resealable lid.
In the bucket, add these items (please match specific items & sizes)
* bleach (2 1-qt or 1 82 oz bottle)
* 5 scouring pads
* 7 sponges
* 1 scrub brush
* 18 cleaning towels (reuseable wipes, ie., Handiwipes)
* Liquid laundry detergent (2 25-oz or on 50-oz bottle)
* 1 household cleaner, 12-16 oz bottle
* disinfectant dish soap, 16-28 oz bottle
* 50 clothes pins
* Clothes line (2 50-ft or 1 100-ft)
* 5 dust masks
* 2 pair latex gloves
* 1 pair work gloves
* 24-bag roll of heavy duty trash bags, 33-45 gal. (remove from box)
* 1 insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz can, w/protective cap
* 1 air freshener, 8 or 9 oz can, with protective cap
* please include $1.50/bucket for processing & shipping.
Take your completed bucket to the nearest local United Methodist Church - they can send them on to the agency.
If you don't want to work through a local UMC, check the website for info on how to send buckets directly to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief).
Value (as of last November): $45. You can get a donation receipt from the church for tax purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: If you add anything, the buckets are rendered useless. Lousy, I know, but they've got to maintain the same standard. If anything is added, or missing, they pull the bucket aside and re-do it. Their goal is to get them out to people ASAP.
Additional Notes from Rev Cheesehead:
Buy in bulk and put items (like sponges) in Ziplock bags.
Trashbags can be purchased in bulk and counted out, too. Make sure the garbage bags are at least 33-gallon size, and are heavy duty. (Contractors bags would work, too, but they're pricy.)
Try to stay to the recommended sizes, otherwise they won't all fit in the buckets.
5-gallon buckets can be found at local restaurants (they get their pickles and other stuff in these pails with lids). I'm also going to contact Menard's and Home Depot to see if they'd be willing to donate, or at least offer a discount, as a goodwill gesture.
The smaller items like Laundry detergent (50 oz) and Household cleaner (Lysol in brown bottle) can be found at grocery stores.
NOTICE TO ANYONE WITH FAMILY DOWN SOUTH LOUISIANA
We are opening up ALL seven complexes by this owner for displaced people from the disaster area that needs housing.
These are section 8 apt and we are putting those from the disaster area before anyone on the waiting lists..we can also do short term leases or long term for these people.
If you know any families from the diaster area that need housing PLEASE PLEASE tell them to email me at simpson1962@bellsouth.net
And we will get the paperwork started.
as of right now we have three one bedrooms and one two bedrooms on this site alone. The plan is developing but we are ready to start taking refugees now.
As always women and children and elderly first
Posted by: Christy at August 31, 2005 01:07 PM
CHRISTY!!! SO happy to hear from you! We've all been praying you & yours were safe!!!
Posted by: Christy at August 31, 2005 01:07 PM
MUCH LOVE, CHRISTY
In case you missed this one...
VETERANS at CAMP CASEY I, near Crawford, have issued an appeal for donations of generators and other goods to be taken to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The group plans to leave Camp II at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to deliver donations and supplies left over at Camps I and II to those in need in areas impacted by the hurricane. Any persons having first-hand information on conditions in New Orleans and the area north of Covington, La. (Washington Parish) are urged to contact this newspaper. Some individuals at Camp Casey have relatives in that area and are anxious for news.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/2435
Even if you PERSONALLY do not know someone in the disater area PLEASE PLEASE keep my last post anyway and pass it on if you come across families that need a place to go..
Even if we do not have enough apartments for now the churchs in my area are also taking in refugees..
And just to clarify we are in the northwestern cornor of La. in Minden
Posted by: dwahzon at August 31, 2005 01:06 PM
Thank you, dw...that's valuable info indeed. Great project for schools, Scouts, youth groups, etc.
How Fox News would be covering the hurricane if Bush were a Democrat:
__________________________________
Hannity: This is ridiculous! Where is the National Guard you ask? In Iraq when they should be here helping Americans in New Orleans! Bush, that left wing nut should be ashamed of himself. I demand Congressional hearings immediately.
Colmes: Well Sean, we have to fight the evil doers over in Iraq so we don't have to face them here.
Hannity: Alan, that is the biggest bunch of malarkey I have ever heard. I can't believe you actually said that with a straight face!
O'Reilly: This is what happens when you have a President who is handcuffed by special interests. Bush is not looking out for the folks. Instead he aligns himself with his left wing bomb throwers who have no strategy in Iraq. Instead, our brave men and women are being demoralized by this President. He is hurting the troops. Our National Guard should be here taking care of the devastation in New Orleans, not on the other side of the world. I invited the President to come on and explain his side of the story but he's hiding behind Karl Rove's Desk.
Brit Hume: As Carl Cameron just reported, the poll numbers showing support for Bush fails to address the margin of error. In addition, the poll didn't ask the right questions either. We'll have more after the break......
Thank you guys sooo much. i love yall too.
It has been quite a week eh..?
Check this out.. The number to this complexes office is 313-371-2795
The woman answering that phone is my mom, Mrs. Kathy...
Also yall know Reb Nation is on top of it with stories pics and updates coming from New Orleans will be posting much more today so check with us at www.rebellenation.blogspot.com
AND for those looking for on the ground updates go here they are pretty much providing a blow by blow account from the streets of New Orleans
http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html
sure Karen, I believe you can click my name and send me an email.
My wife's company is collecting soap, shampoo, general toiletries and perhaps toys are a good idea.
I don't want to post my address for privacy reasons but you are welcome to email me and mail these kinds of items if you want me to deliver them here locally.i will email you a response.
Sorry that number SHOULD be
318-371-2795
11:40 - (AP) Roving bands of looters are breaking into stores in Carrollton area to get food and supplies. They've also stolen guns and armed themselves.
11:33 A.M. - Director Walter Maestri: We have no food or water for the evacuees. Says emergency workers have seized the food and water and drinks from Sam's Club, Wal-Mart and other groceries for evacuees, but he said that is all gone. Says water supply is gone. More water expected, but its not there right now. Says evacuees are getting upset and harried.
Katrina is Cajun for Waterloo
This aint Florida..fo sho
Here is Bush's answer to the current energy crisis:
New Rules Could Allow Power Plants to Pollute More
By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 31, 2005; Page A01
The Bush administration has drafted regulations that would ease pollution controls on older, dirtier power plants and could allow those that modernize to emit more pollution, rather than less.
The language could undercut dozens of pending state and federal lawsuits aimed at forcing coal-fired plants to cut back emissions of harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, said lawyers who worked on the cases.
Power plants such as Mount Storm in West Virginia could produce more emissions under the proposed rules."
Good for a chuckle or if you need a new picture for your dartboard... someone at DU did a little photoshop work
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4520008&mesg_id=4520376
Hey all -
Stuffed animals are also great for those kiddies who need comfort right now. Something soft and cuddly to hug and call their own can do wonders.
Madame,
I was just using money as the example, but really what my point was, was that because we had a contact that someone knew in the Tsunami area, it made it more personal for people. They could know that their contributions were definitely being used by a specific target.
So for example, if Ira is our contact, or Christy, they can tell us exactly what they need, and where it's going to go, and we can build our community efforts around that.
By the way - Christy - so glad you are well!
I am at work today. Every person (patients included) is sincerely distraught about the disaster. I take the opportunity to remind them of Bush's decision to cut funds for Hurricane Disaster Projects. Most just shake their heads with an emotion suggesting utter disgust with Bush and say something negative about Bush. Then they ask if that is true. Few words are needed as the point is clear and irrefutable-the necessary manpower and resources have been diverted to Iraq. You should know that my practice is in an upper middle class suburb of Chicago (Bush country). We have made it a point to let people know they can contact the Red Cross to make donations. Most have already made some type of donation. I have also asked the pharmaceutical representatives if their company has matching funds for donations-they do.
We desperately need our National Guard
New Orleans has not just been washed away but the surviviors will fall into TOTAL chaos as soon as the bodies start piling up and the hunger sets in...
Other than that... we simply need EVERYTHING
People are angry about the looting but i say screw it let them take what they can and PRAY it can be contained to the ruins of New Orleans.
It is EXACTLY like Iraq..if you can not provide security then the worst will happen.
They are not e3ven bothering to count or collect the dead yet. When they do true horror is going to overcome this entire state.
God help us all.
Madame and Indy...
Take a look at this site. Having been there, what is your opinion?
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=17266_How_Phony_Can_They_Get&only
carol, Great idea.
Christy, I'm glad to hear from you.
Thanks yall, not only for the greetings and thoughts but for doing what yall can.
Honestly, from the bottom of my heart..
THANK YOU
Bush to address nation at 5pm from the Rose Garden.
Official Kickoff to Compassionpalooza Tour
bush to address the nation at 5pm est today
**** YOU GEORGIE
NEW ORLEANS SURVIVED SHE SURVIVED KATRINA!!!!!!
It was the ****ING LEVEES LEVEES GEORGIE LEVEES you sob
address the nation from DC, go on... I DARE YOU, I DARE YOU TO COME HERE when everyone KNOWS you cut our levee funding
Posted by: Christy at August 31, 2005 02:33 PM
Christy, don'tcha just love the 1st Amendment?
I have a photo of my statesmen up to their chests in water after looting a store...
they looted coca cola and a loaf of bread.
looting bread.
I can not quit staring at that photo.
I have wept for days and the only time i quit is when the fury comes...
Damn gw bush to hell
even if they KILLED ME for saying it
Damn that man. he is not a man. he is NOT human
hi folks... working on getting a webpage up with links but in the meantime, here's a page in the forum with links to aid agencies and a place where we can coordinate sending items / help to Christy, Ira and those DCPers who can directly deliver aid on our behalf.
http://www.democracycellproject.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=857
Have at it...
I promised Rossi I would write about my memories of New Orleans..
I was talking to her and started telling her about my time there..she said you have to write this down so other people can see and they will remember New Orleans that way..they will CARE.
but i swear to God I can not write it. I do not know what to say..
Over and over I keep thinking the same thing 1 million homeless right outside my doorstep. 1 MILLION homeless..1 million
I can not even get my mind around that. I can not get a grasp of that although i know it is VITAL i do.
Thats is why I went to my mom last night to get these apartments open..i have a grand total of three today but i keep thinking 3...3?..but i keep having to tell myself 1 at a time one by one...till we reach a million
I would rather just slap georgie around like the chimpy punk a** he is.
Our crown city is lost ..and he won't even come embrace these people
Sorry yall i am just venting but i have been doing NOTHING but going through the pics and updates since right before it hit...and now to keep up with iraq i have to go through the pics from last nights stampede that killed 1000 mostly women and children...
I think i come here when i need to not be alone. Not even my lover sees the extent of where my little path takes me and im not sure he wants to know or even would understand why i am soo... determined. I am so grateful yall are here and you know where I am all the time. Wherever I am you will always be welcome.
wierdly enough since cnn and foe news are covering the hurricane 24 /7 that also makes me feel somewhat better too.
they cant cover a war but they got this hurricane shit down. go figure
Where is Ira located???
if he is further south than I he is better positioned to directly help..
However..
A good friend and neighbor of mine is part of a joint church organazationing in this are already we have refugees here in church shelters being feed by church members..any supplies that come here can be distributed from thier organization via the Red Cross..convoys KEEP going past headed south so distribution wont be a prob
AS ALWAYS this SCALE of a disater urge any money to go to RED CROSS
Or if you want to donate to the churches housing refugees i can get their info in the next few hours
Christy, I'm presuming people will show up for these apartments with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Please tell us how best to help you in preparing for their arrival.
I've set up a forum so that your list of items won't get lost when the thread changes. Either post there or post your needs here and tell one of us to move it there for you.
here's the link...
http://www.democracycellproject.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=857
Christy,
The police is looting as well. I switched news and saw the same images. Police women... looting in a department store.while some do their job properly.
What strikes us overseas is that there was no REAL plan, but for oil plants. Looting? We had terrible floods in similar conditions 2 years ago, there was none of it. The population of a whole "département" (state) had been removed and police patroled day and night.
One sentence by a journalist sums it up : " We are insured, America is the country of insurances"...
But the general feeling is terrible sorrow in front of such a disaster...
Bush's administration really messed it up!
Oh Christy,
I too was just thinking about New Orleans and our lovely visit last year (supported in large part by all the loving friends here).
I just tried to call my friend Janet and could not get thru. I am heading home to put my Help Box together to send to Ira.
The city is so special--our favorite place. I feel so bereft.
Christy,
Ira is in Houston and not far from the Superdome where they'll be transferring people to from New Orleans.
A political hurricane is gathering force
A war and a deluge stretch resources -- and nerves -- thin
By Howard Fineman
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 10:51 a.m. ET Aug. 31, 2005
We have journalist Malcolm Gladwell to thank for the idea that every social phenomenon has a dramatic “tipping point.†It doesn’t always work that way. And yet Hurricane Katrina is just such a moment. We are a big, strong country  and New Orleans will, somehow, survive  but you do get the sense, as President Bush finally arrived here after a month-long vacation, that a political hurricane is gathering force, and it’s going to hit the capital any day.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9143849/
yes yes SEND supplies to Ira
The Astro Dome just became Hurricane City, they will have upwards of 40 thousand if not more.
The apartments are all provided with stoves refridg. so they are ready to be cooked in and running water as soon as they move in..If they have nothing they pay nothing.
Furniture may be a prob BUT if we focus on the churches that ALREADY have refugees the Churches SHOULD keep a program going to help them with basic supplies as soon as they move in..but those churchs will need money and i am not sure under bush fubar rules they qualify for disaster spendings..
I myself am not a church lady but I do totally believe in the power of the church to do the right thing in times like this.
ESPECIALLY these VERY religious southerners.
I will get some church info and post it on my site and here later this evening. My friend John GOT INTO IT with the Mayor this morning about him not opening our civic center for refugees . John is the one who is actually spooning up plates to this first wave.
It's fun watching Godly people LOSE IT.
It was soo righteous, and GOOD for me.
Bush’s approval rating falls to new low
53 percent say they disapprove of president in new Post-ABC survey
The survey also provided bad news for Democratic leaders, who are judged as offering Bush only tepid opposition. Slightly more than half of those surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with congressional Democrats for not opposing Bush more aggressively.
Self-identified Democrats were particularly impatient. More than three in four said congressional Democrats have not gone far enough to oppose Bush on Iraq or on administration policies in general.
"Somebody needs to speak up," said Michelle Burgess, 41, a home health aide in St. Louis. "Enough is enough. I don't understand why we're over there in Iraq or what he's doing on other issues. There are too many lives being lost."
Independents were similarly dissatisfied with Democratic leaders for not challenging the president over the war and other issues, with six in 10 saying Democrats have been too meek.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9137364/
To go off topic..you will not believe the pic I just came across it is from Iraq. Yesterday
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050831/photos_wl/2005_08_31t114028_450x291_us_iraq;_ylt=AkwNQnn9IHmb3rAeXNxFCY2B5sEF;_ylu=X3oDMTBia2Jza2VjBHNlYwNnYWxsZXJ5
Ok..that is.. i dont even have words for that either
Day-After Pill Decision Prompts a Resignation
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: August 31, 2005
WASHINGTON -- A high-ranking Food and Drug Administration official resigned Wednesday in protest over the agency's refusal to allow over-the-counter sales of emergency contraception.
Susan Wood, director of FDA's Office of Women's Health, announced her resignation in an e-mail to colleagues at the agency. The e-mail was released by contraception advocates.
The FDA last Friday postponed indefinitely its decision on whether to allow the morning-after pill, called Plan B, to be sold without a prescription. The agency said it was safe for adults to use without a doctor's guidance but was unable to decide how to keep it out of the hands of young teenagers without a prescription -- a decision contrary to the advice of its own scientific advisers.
"I can no longer serve as staff when scientific and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by the professional staff here, has been overruled," wrote Wood, who also was assistant commissioner for women's health. "The recent decision announced by the Commissioner about emergency contraception, which continues to limit women's access to a product that would reduce unintended pregnancies and reduce abortions, is contrary to my core commitment to improving and advancing women's health."
Plan B's maker has been trying for two years to begin nonprescription sales, and the FDA's latest postponement of its fate was a surprise: Commissioner Lester Crawford won Senate confirmation to take his job only after promising members of Congress to make a final decision by Sept. 1.
Posted by: Karen at August 31, 2005 03:01 PM
Karen,
I am sorry to say, if your friend lives in Lake View, they would be very lucky indeed not to have lost their home.
Peace.
Posted by: suz at August 31, 2005 02:19 PM
Two word answer: Absolute crap
Posted by: dwahzon at August 31, 2005 02:48 PM
dw, thank you, thank you, thank you. Just had a meeting with our local Parent-Teacher school district president and we're going to see what we can do to get community project going across different age groups and public organizations.
Your information is invaluable.
And Carol, your idea of stuffed animals is remarkable. Toys & teddy bears for the children so that they can be children...
Ira, let me know what the needs are in Houston Astrodome. I'd love to coordinate sending some stuff directly to you or wherever you think best to help the refugees there.
I am waiting to hear back from the local United Methodist Church that is co-ordinating with the Red Cross here locally efforts at the Astrodome and I will try and keep you posted as to what they want and what is going on as soon as I find out more. I am sure they will be inundated with contributions.
New thread...
Hurricane Katrina Relief for Astrodome evacuees need to be sent to:
All monetary donations coming to St. Luke's will first go to help refugees from Katrina here in the Houston area. After initial emergency services are provided, further donations will be forwarded to UMCOR. Send donations to St. Luke's marked Disaster Response
Payable: St. Lukes United Methodist Church
PO Box 22013
Houston, Texas 77227-0103
memo line :Hurricane Relief
713-622-5710
Hey guys from Down Under, Dwah I have been trying to get onto the dcp chat, no go dont know whether it is my nortons security locking me out, will try again later, Christy is okay, but really really down I got a message from her this morning she was passing a church about 30 people standing around and heard them saying New Orleans was Sin City that is why this happened, well you know the rest, the Tiger told them there is only Evil in the White House, so there was definitely a few words passed between them, I would imagine Christy coming out on top if I know Christy, dang that girl is dangerous for herself God Love her, but it needed to be said good for her, anyway miss you guys but am really full on at Rebelle Nation come visit some time we would love to catch you there, and it is definitely time consuming.
Indy Indy Luv, are all your family safe, I have been wondering if you brother and his restraunt are okay and all of the family, Christy and I have been thinking of you and doing a little praying
Whoops Christy is already here, Well that is me post then read, dang Rossi read first and then post
Whoops Christy is already here, Well that is me post then read, dang Rossi read first and then post