BBC article

[prof_irina]

Article from the BBC news website follows:

Questions grow over rescue chaosIn New Orleans, state officials have described the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as a national disgrace.And increasingly across the country, questions are being asked: "How could this happen?" "Why is help taking so long?" and "How can thousands of Americans be

Comments

[erinspider]

Irina

[ryuuhime2005]

Speaking as a member outside this box, erinspider... I don't even pretend to understand European politics (I'm Canadian). But I too don't see enough being done... I feel it was slow going... but this hurricane really stressed prof_irina and myself out, because we have a very good friend who lives/lived in New Orleans... and we only found out the other day that she did evacuate, and we still have this mental image of her being one of those poor people at the Convention Center. The last we'd heard was that she was planning to stay, becuase their car was broken down.

So yes, this situation is very personal for us, so if we seem rather more vehemant than is necissary, we have our reason.

Ryuuhime

[erinspider]

Totally understand. I used to live in Biloxi, MS and sister lived in Metarie, LA (suburb of NO) so it's personal to me too.

Believe me, we are on the same page about the speed of relief. An hour later, wasn't soon enough although not happening at all would have been better. Just understand, bashing the US isn't helping at all. I can show you a LJ of folks that are there and helping. Please don't think even for a second, that most Americans don't care. We DO!! You have no idea the amount of support being offered locally and I'm on another coast.

A lot is being done that we don't SEE and it's very frustrating to everyone. But blaming us all isn't helping.

*hugs to your friend* I hope she gets home safely.

[mrs_bombadil]

Well, I am in the U.S. and I bashed certain things in a locked post myself and I think these ladies have a right to be angry and criticize whether they are citizens of this country or not.

I think that various policies and economic decisions have directly caused things to be worse than they need to be and I hope we can learn something from that.

[erinspider]

Absolutely!! They have every right to be angry and vent it. Don't I? I think that's what being an American is all about, isn't it? Aww, Irinia and I have been debating since yesterday on my LJ. Debates can be good fun. :)

Yep, FEMA's showing is pretty poor isn't it? Bottom line? People need to SEE it to believe it. FEMA needs to be SEEN and quickly. I think a few Marine insignias will help too. I just didn't want them thinking that no one is trying to help. I'm sure there are TONS of drives where you are. I just hope they catch the rogue ones and either shoot their butt or arrest them. Jerks!!

[ryuuhime2005]

I'm not blaming the American populace for this, and I know that you all care about these people. I know that there is stuff we aren't seeing and the news prefers to show the horrid stuff and make people look bad.

You used to live in Biloxi, yeeouch! It's a good thing you don't anymore, or you'd be another that we would be worrying over.

Gods, this is just such a tragedy... and it's human nature to try and put blaime somewhere. Don't be mad at Irina... like me, we have a lot of American friends, so we know that you care. I think that we're just angry wtih the people in charge of things. I know that there were troops stationed at Baton Rouge, waiting to go in, and that it was hard to get in before now... but I guess that everyone just feels that four days is a long time to wait without food and water. *sigh*

*huggles*

Please don't be mad at Mika. It is jsut a case of one person's patriotism against another's. And it is in human nature to defend our territory.

Ry

[erinspider]

Newsies are crap. Been around enough of them to know. Very shallow people, although some are the exception. I wonder why they don't take out a few each time they go in? Idiots!!

Yep, my old apartment is toast. Totally gone. Nothing but concrete slab left. I was about a block away from the beach. Sister's old home is underwater. She is VERY thankful she moved. :)

Yes it is and it's natural to blame when you're mad. However, I think the ones leveled at Bush at the moment are unfair. I have NO doubt he will roll some heads. He's not the sit-back type, so it will be good to see him get the lowdown on everything. The FEMA director may take a walk on the plank and it wouldn't hurt my feelings any. I liked the old FEMA director, but I can't recall his name. Awesome guy. Too bad he's gone. Trust me, American frustration is high too.

I'm not mad at Irina. Hell, she should know me well enough to know I'm always up for a good verbal fight. *evil grin* Makes people think and that is ALWAYS a good thing.

[mrs_bombadil]

I really shouldn't get into a debate either but I think you are too lenient on Bush. He actually uttered the following sentence yesterday:

"I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees."

That's the kind of lowdown he most definitely should have had already. ;)

[ravpadfoot]

No! He didn't?! Really? Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!! Someone needs to duct tape his mouth shut.

[kimmie_74]

Rav & Mrs_Bombadill- I don't really want to get into this whole debate thing, but, well maybe Bush should've talked to Lisa Patton (our weather reporter for a Nashville Station). Even she was saying Monday before the storm hit that they were mainly concerned with the strength of the levees around the lake.

[prof_irina]

Morning folks (hope you're still all asleep at this hour though