It seems to me the National Weather Service and every weather forecaster I've listened to since Katrina was first a tropical depression forcasted it would hit South Florida (11 dead) go across the tip of the state into the Gulf of Mexico and turn, gather strength and hit New Orleans head on.......what did everyone not understand?
I realize the mayor needed federal help prior to the storm hitting land, which he did not get (maybe because he didn't ask for it ???), but the man gave out a list of shelters that would take care of the sick, elderly and poor and then he said no they would not be open, everyone should go to the arena and the convention center and oh yeh! take enough food, water and personal supplies for at least three days......'cause we won't supply them. Then he leaves town for Baton Rouge. So all of these people show up, there's really no one in charge at either place and nothing is done after the lights go out, the roof comes off and people are hungry and dying.
Then the Mayor comes back to town......sets up his command post in the Hyatt, which up to that point had been housing a lot of stranded foreign tourists (which by the way, he had picked up by buses and taken to Houston and instead of waiting in line like all of the other evacuees that had been in the arena for 4 days, requested that these tourists be put at the front of the line.......what's wrong with this picture?????
New Orleans did a disaster evaluation last year and the local and state politicians knew they had major problems..... so maybe they should have concentrated on an emergancy plan that would have saved lives and the mental as well as physical health of some of their less fortunate citizens. Maybe as these poor evacuees check into their shelter homes for the next month, they should be given voters registration cards....????
Don't get me wrong, I don't like George W.....don't agree with the war (but whole heartedly support our troops) and am furious with the gas prices, but...having lived through 3 hurricanes in 6 weeks last year, I realize it takes FEMA and the other Federal Agencies 4 to 7 days to get set up....that's why our County and City leaders set up shelters and make evacuation plans ahead of time, 'cause Mr. Bush is busy fighting a war to get back at that nasty old man that threatened his Daddy.
I made the offer before and I'll make it again....anyone of the frineds on the JWD Forum or their relatives are more than welcome to come stay with my daughter and I here in Florida....bring your kids, pets, relatives and come on down....we're 2 blocks from the Elementary and Jr. High Schools and we have a new High School about 2 miles from us.....there's hot and cold water, a/c, beds and clean sheets and the refrigerator is always full, stay as long as you need or want to, all I ask is that you don't preach to me and don't drink the last can of Coke in refrigerator.