It seems that there is a definite underclass in American society and the double standards is breathtakingly blatant. America is probably a great place to be well-off ... but it sucks to be average or below.
It sure is.... fact is the cities minority mayor made most of the pre- storm decisions that created so many of the problems. He is an idiot...
Yep, Bush is an idiot too...everyone knows that.
Now for some facts...
FEMA and the other Federal agencies wont stage a storm relief effort to close to where the storm may hit... that's just good logistics...you hold folks and supplies a bit north. It's bound to take a few days to react.
Then after the storm hits you move stuff and people in...as you can prepare and secure areas...Thats a little hard when your area is flooded and the natives are shooting at you and each other.
If any of you has ever been in a tropical storm you KNOW that the media bombards you with all the information you need to survive a few days on your own, I was in Andrew and will tell you that the probable hit area...From Sebastion Inlet north to Key West South is chock full of minority folks and poor. Those who could moved out and those who wanted to stay ready to make do for a week.. WE only saw the NG as fast as we did because the flooding was not a problem. I worked another storm a few years later were flooding was a problem (Melbourn area) and progress was a lot slower with the standing water.
For the record, you wont move your aid people in until the area is secured... the storm isnt gonna double back..the Guard and police have control on the ground and most of all ...YOU HAVE A PLACE to HOUSE the help. NO and LA did not meet most of those condtions until Friday and Saturday. That's policy and has been for years..just part of a good storm plan.
After the NG and Army moved in things started happening... The civil engineering to reduce flooding is a dimension all on its own.
To blame Bush for holding back like he's sinister is ludicrous.
I am still looking for the Black Church, the Black Mayor and the Black Alderman elected by those stranded in NO to step forward and lead ...so far all I have heard from them is a lot of pissin' and moanin'.... not one Black man in that area has stepped up and led a sandbag crew yet..if they did the media would be all over it.
I have not seen Jesse Jackson telling his folks to show what they are made off...band together and co-operate..he has been amazingly quiet...Is he ashamed of his people and there inability to help theirselfs out of this mess for 4 DAYS? I would be.
If you feel the need to point any fingers there are a lot of valid directions to do so..mostly at the politicians of LA and the people of the state who are willing to tolerate poor leadership on a local level.
~Hill