Hey Louisiana! Hey Mississippi!

Discussion in 'ten-forward' started by hubbahubba, Aug 28, 2005.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Starrob

    Starrob Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2004
    Posts:
    493
    I just saw on CBS earlier where they interviewed someone who lived through Hurrican Camille. they basically stated that "Hurricane Camille was like a thunderstorm when compared with this thing"
     
  2. Starrob

    Starrob Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2004
    Posts:
    493
  3. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2004
    Posts:
    1,588
    Location:
    Below sea-level. Safe and sound behind our dikes:
    Couldn't agree more, Ron.

    Although I was planning on making a political statement (people who know me, should have a clue in what direction...) I think it's now a time of "get off your asses and start acting" (to freely quote the mayor of Louisiana)
    The Dutch have already offered expert help; in case you didn't know: we have 'some' experience with this matter (...) :rolleyes:
    As a matter of fact it's our survival/ only reason we still exist, so:
    Better use it. As my signature already spells out: There's no compromise with the sea...:doubt:

    So, don't be stubborn, and accept all the help,aid, expertise and knowledge from around the globe, 'USA'!!!!
    You're faced with a disaster, and in times like this it really comes to show that we all NEED each other throughout the whole world; as human beings - no matter what you're background or political differences might be, or have been before.

    When do we ever learn?
    Why does the calve always have to drown first...?

    Together in stead of apart, people of the world UNITE!
    Get working!

    My thoughts are with the victims and all involved; restore hope, hang in there, people.

    regards,
    slam
     
  4. ~*Nat*~

    ~*Nat*~ Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2004
    Posts:
    8,129
    Location:
    Germany/Ohio-USA ~ between two worlds
    "There's no compromise with the sea"

    Indeed a 'touching' reality.

    I'm not alone to think the USA should accept all the help there is.

    After all. Isn't it them that also are there for others to help & rescue
    anywhere & whenever there's a Need ?



    Wonderfully said, slam.

     
  5. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Posts:
    8,723
    Location:
    The Big Smoke
    I just saw another baffling scene on CNN reported from last night.

    There were patients waiting to be evacuated, on stretchers being manually ventilated by weary medical staff on the roof of Charity hospital(oldest public hospital in New Orleans), watching helplessly as non essential medical staff from Tulane University Hospital(private hospital) right next door, were picked up by helicopters and flown out. o_O

    The stunned look on the faces of the Charity Hospital staffers said it all.....


    snowbound
     
  6. Starrob

    Starrob Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2004
    Posts:
    493


    I watched a documentary on how the Dutch manage water in their country on Discovery Channel. My profession is a engineer. I can only say the Dutch are the undisputed masters of water management. I hope when the City of New Orleans is rebuilt that the political leaders will be smart and bring in the expertise of the Dutch in these matters. I am sure they could lend a very big hand in the clean-up as well as the rebuilding. Some of the things that the Dutch do to keep out the North sea is a modern engineering marvel for those who don't know.



    Starrob
     
  7. Starrob

    Starrob Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2004
    Posts:
    493

    There has been a lot of mismanagement. Lots of blame to go around from FEMA, to the Governor of Louisiana, to local officials....plenty of blame to go around. I think things are just now getting better.....

    This should be a lesson for emergency response all across America. I think a lot of things will change in disaster response in America. I also think that in about 5 years Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will have state of the art disaster response equipment and plans.

    Those three states are among the poorest in the USA but within a few years they might possibly have the most advanced infrastructure in the USA. This might be a turning point for the standard of living in that area of the country.



    Starrob
     
  8. Starrob

    Starrob Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2004
    Posts:
    493
    The Calvary has arrived at the Convention Center in New Orleans!!!!! Geraldo Rivera estimates that they are taking out people at a rate of about 100 people a minute.

    The people there finally have a sense of relief. Geraldo's reporting is not as critical now. There is quite a airlift going on now.



    Starrob
     
  9. RobZee

    RobZee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2004
    Posts:
    290
    Location:
    Texas
    I have never seen such a response without limit to deal with Katrina's victims. Below are just a few showing the spirit of the effort in this area. One individual is housing 50+ evacuees in his home. People are doing anything they can to help. My daughters, who are nurses, have spent all of the past two days volunteering at the Astrodome.
    I know all are responding similarly. I have never been so proud of Houston - without hesitation, before anything was organized, everyone immediately opened their hearts and city . The school-aged children are being enrolled into Houston schools NOW, red tape to be dealt with later - thousands+ right now.

    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3337506
    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3337597
    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistor...katrina/3337947
    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistor...katrina/3337672

    Houston Texans owner Bob McNair said Wednesday that he will match donations up to $1 million given during the team's preseason game against Tampa Bay on Thursday night. All donations will go to the American Red Cross.

    I have my opinions also about the response of some of our international friends, but the only thing we control directly is our own actions just start to do what needs be done right away in full measure and leave the rest to the bureaucrats. The initial response, or lack of it, by our national government and agencies was reprehensible and there will be an accounting for it some day!
    I haven't heard of any offers of aid which have been rejected. And for every negative example posted, I can respond with ten real, positive examples of personal sacrifice and care for others. I know some physicians who have been working non-stop since Thursday.
    Not to breech any TOS, but at this time why not deal with the postive and take positive actions?

    Rob
     
  10. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Posts:
    8,723
    Location:
    The Big Smoke
    The good, the bad and the ugly need all be reported imho...

    Houston certainly has gone beyond anything that could be expected in these very difficult times. :)


    snowbound
     
  11. RobZee

    RobZee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2004
    Posts:
    290
    Location:
    Texas
    What was refused? In reading and living with the Katrina on a local basis for the past week, I guess I overlooked reading or hearing about these rejections. And the USA definitely knows how to give freely of aid to all. For sure a country's politics has not made a difference! For us, it's the people themselves that count.

    Perhaps it's better the the calve? not drown in the first place, whatever that means.
    And at dinner with friends last night, I had made the suggestion that we avail ourselves of your country's expertise in that area. A couple of them are engineers and involved in construction and there was no disagreements there.
     
  12. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Posts:
    8,723
    Location:
    The Big Smoke
    The american people are always very excepting of any help that is offered. It is this adminstration's nonchalant "whatever" attitude when help is offered, which is not appreciated.(at least here in Canada)

    It is always baffling to us but it doesn't matter anyway in times like this. Americans are our neighbors and we will do everything we can to help.


    snowbound
     
  13. RobZee

    RobZee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2004
    Posts:
    290
    Location:
    Texas
    I regret anything I posted that crossed the boundaries. While I have not seen the devestaion first-hand, I am witnessing the efforts of aid being given here - both large and small, from millionaires and from the ordinary man, from professional athletes (especially those with family in the disaster area) to the small shop owner. It's been this that has made it possible to even begin to deal with the tragdies of Katrina.
    Again, sorry for any impulsive comments I made in haste...

    Rob
     
  14. Starrob

    Starrob Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2004
    Posts:
    493
    Big thumbs up to the first responders that were making the biggest difference in the first few days....the US Coast Guard. it was the US Coast Guard that was performing the rooftop rescues that were seen on TV.

    The US Coast Guard is underfunded and under appreciated by most people but even though one of their largest headquarterrs in the USA (New Orleans) was battered they managed to find the resources to be one of the few Federal agencies on scene and doing something, although they were overwhelmed.

    BIG THUMDS UP to the US Coast Guard!!!



    Starrob
     
  15. Under0ath

    Under0ath Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2004
    Posts:
    284
    Location:
    Slippin' into the Twilight Zone
    the USCG always responds well when emerigencies arise. I greatly admire their responces to situations that require their assistance.

    Especially in Cold Fear, for any of you who have played that game :D
     
  16. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2004
    Posts:
    1,588
    Location:
    Below sea-level. Safe and sound behind our dikes:
    Wow, I think it's about time I step in and explain; for I believe we have a little misunderstanding here.

    Dear Robzee,
    *First: in my posting I never speak of rejections. Imho that conclusion is mistakenly made by you through my use of the words 'stubborn' in combination with 'accept'.(see my first reply)
    I was more or less ventilating my fear -not the actual fact already happening.

    *Secondly: I feel an urge to apologise for the unfortunate use of this phrase with the calve drowning.... it's the language-barrier (and some stupid:doubt: o_O wrong translation and use of these particular words)
    Let me please explain.
    In Holland we have a proverb that goes something like this:

    "Only áfter the calf has drown, people fill up the pit."

    Meaning: sadly, people only start acting after the tragedy already took place, hardly ever before (= work on prevention)

    In (speed-) writing/translating my posting, I have overseen these errors and didn't even realize that proverbs are often very regional.

    Hope no-one feels offended after this explanation, or for that matter future errors. They're non intended.
    I'll definitely try to be more accurate in the future :oops:


    Regards,
    slam
     
  17. RobZee

    RobZee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2004
    Posts:
    290
    Location:
    Texas
    Slammer -
    Slammer -
    At the time I didn't follow what the proverb said. Thanks for the explanation and I agree wholeheartedly with the meaning of the proverb. Nothing wrong with your translation - I was responding emotionally, rather than rationally, and I do apologize again.
    Regards,

    Rob
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2005
  18. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Posts:
    8,723
    Location:
    The Big Smoke
    Reports this morning say the city of New Orleans has essentially been evacuated now. The grim task of locating the dead and removing them will start immediately....


    snowbound
     
  19. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2004
    Posts:
    1,588
    Location:
    Below sea-level. Safe and sound behind our dikes:
    Astonished: I've read they find quite a lot of bodies in cellars :eek: , where people tried to hide and take cover....
    No offense, but how stupid is that?! That's really the last place I'd try to hide when a flooding is to be expected...:doubt:
     
  20. Detox

    Detox Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    8,507
    Location:
    Texas, USA
    I think most of those people were expecting a hurricane at first but not the flooding that happened later. The cellar is where you are supposed to take cover from a hurricane or tornado, and it's not hard to imagine people then getting stuck in the cellar by debris or flooding happening before they realized what was happening. Someone taking shelter in a cellar from the hurricane wouldn't have access to the news channel like we do to know about the levee break etc.
     
  21. ~*Nat*~

    ~*Nat*~ Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2004
    Posts:
    8,129
    Location:
    Germany/Ohio-USA ~ between two worlds
    I have nothing important to add to this.
    Just how unimaginably tragic all this is. :'(
     
  22. RobZee

    RobZee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2004
    Posts:
    290
    Location:
    Texas
    Meanwhile, I thought you might be interested in this -
    "But the people cannot have wells, and so they take rain-water. Neither
    can they conveniently have cellars, or graves,
    are buried in graves--by permission, I take it, not requirement;
    but none else, except the destitute, who are buried at public expense.
    The graves are but three or four feet deep.]> the town being built upon
    'made' ground; so they do without both, and few of the living complain,
    and none of the others."
    This is from Life on the Mississippi (chap. 41) by Mark Twain

    "Neither can they conveniently have cellars or graves, the town being built upon ...from "The Control of Nature" John McPhee, 1989.

    As a native of the Gulf Coast, I can't imagine too many homes in that area havin cellars,,,,,
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2005
  23. RobZee

    RobZee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2004
    Posts:
    290
    Location:
    Texas
    I can't disagree with that. My point however, is that "accurate" should one of the criteria and "balanced" would probably help. Something about biased samples comes to mind. Unfortunately, there are many examples of the worst side of society and human behavior, but imho that is far from a reasonable portrayal of the truth. I do admit to being biased myself by my proximity to the situation both personally and geographically.
    The loss is tragic and the recent budget cuts for funding necessary work by the Corp of Engineers is almost criminal. Teh local media has protested the a number of times, but to no avail. THAT is the type of news which also needs exposure and follow-up. The political disregard for vital needs cannot be tolerated, even if it "justified" by expressed needs for Iraq!

    Rob
     
  24. RobZee

    RobZee Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2004
    Posts:
    290
    Location:
    Texas
    Imagine getting up one morning and having to leave with your family of all ages wearing only minimal clothing, living for 4-5 days in subhiman conditions, no food ot water, then being transported by bus 350 miles - 6 hours - to a city where you might have never been before and then left there.
    Then imagine what then must be done immediately in that city to
    provide shelter for 30,000+ new residents for undeterminable lenght of time
    provide cots and bedding for them
    feed them real food
    provide them with clothing from shoes on up
    set up an on-site medical facility that compares favorably with any established hospitals in the state
    staff it will 75-100 licensed physicians plus a large number of RN's and support to deal with the injured and dying, the infants and the elderly, the diseases they may have been exposed to, x-ray facilities, etc. - all at the rate of almost 1,000 per hour, send a number of them to one of the best medical centers in the country, etc.
    help at least 700 children who have been separated from parents,
    provide toys, toiletries and countless other items

    Then deal with the unprecented outpouring of all that from citizens cororate and individual, set up longer term donation arrangements
    Provide toll-free telephone lines, a large number of internet facilities and the like.
    Have an overwhelming response to the need for volunteers - 12,000+ in two days alone
    Logistically arrange for the processing and sorting of all the donations and food banks
    And the list goes on - all in a matter of hours.
    Jobs in the community are already being offered
    20,000 new students immediately enrolled in the local schools

    The efforts here by the city, county charitable groups all done in an organized, non-chaotic fashion to provide a modicum of normalacy to the evacuees will doubtlessly serve as a model for other cities in the future.

    The attitude here is that we can't do anything to rectify other errors that have been made, but we CAN do and WILL do what is needed now! That id the attitude of this city.

    I'll now step down from my soapbox and retire to the sidelines, but I had to express my personal thoughts and first-hand observations.

    Rob
     
  25. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Posts:
    8,723
    Location:
    The Big Smoke
    Well said Rob as as i have already stated here, Houston and the state of Texas have gone far beyond what anyone could expect in this difficult time.

    This monumental effort will be a benchmark for the future for sure. :)


    snowbound
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.