posted on September 5, 2005 10:08:58 AM new
Thanks Helenjw and Kiara. We are definitely on the same page. I wonder how an ordinary citizen is expected to prepare for this type of disaster when our "disaster experts" such as Fema, local, state and federal government who have millions of dollars available, were basically paralyzed for most of the week?
posted on September 5, 2005 10:10:43 AM newTHEY MUST BE PREPARED TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES UNTIL HELP CAN GET TO THEM.
How do you prepare yourself for having to spend a week on your roof without food or water? Scambling to the roof, you expect them to drag gallons of water with them? Have you ever been in a catastrophic flood? The water comes in so fast you don't have time to worry about drinking water, flashlights, blankets, food and the like. You worry about saving your family, yourself, your pets, your neighbors. It's not like it trickles in. Have you ever been in a panic state? If you have been, you'd know that your life and the lives of those around you are the only thing you are thinking about at the time.
Quite a number of years ago, I was in a severe boating accident. My uncle, inexperienced at the time, was driving my grandfather's boat. A sudden storm came up and he didn't know how to handle the boat. He crashed it into the break wall. Because it is so shallow, Lake Erie becomes quite violent during sudden storms. Fortunately, because I was so young, I had on a life jacket. But, those that didn't did not go around looking for life jackets or the life raft. The boat was sinking and they jumped overboard. Their first thoughts were to get themselves off a sinking ship even though had they not panicked, they had time to find the life jackets. No one was seriously hurt, thankfully, but this is just to show that when people fear for their lives, they don't think rationally and they don't take the time to grab water, food or anything else.
BTW, I don't go out in boats on Lake Erie anymore nor do I swim in it. The only time I have it was a BIG dinner ship and we were never far from shore.
posted on September 5, 2005 10:18:27 AM new
Gee, Linda. I wonder why some people chose to stay in their homes rather that go to the nice, comfy, safe Convention Center or Superdome, where they can hear themselves referred to as refugees and watch their fellow citizens drop from heatstroke, dehydration and starvation! Or--maybe they are just too fussy to swim through water filled with dead bodies and feces--not to mention snakes.
[ edited by coincoach on Sep 5, 2005 10:46 AM ]
posted on September 5, 2005 11:38:36 AM new
The infrastructure of our cities, is due to each city and county. They are who create the zones allowing construction of commercial and residential areas in places that were meant to be environmental buffer zones and never inhabited by houses, offices, hotels and malls. The main reason of this practice is for the increased tax base and revenue generation.
It happens all over the US. California permits building of multi-million dollar homes on hill sides that slide during a hard rain. Costal areas permit commercial and residential building right up to the coast line. Consider all the building along the banks of major rivers and waterways that flood with spring snow thaws and rains. Subdivisions built on contaminated land fills. Farms and houses built right up to the base of an active volcano. I bet you a dollar to a doughnut there is an example of this in every single state within the United States.
I firmly believe that it is my personal responsibility to be as prepared as I humanly can be for any type of disaster. I know help and assistance will come as soon as it is safe to enter the area. Rescue workers and first responders are not going to be allowed into an area that is unsafe and unstable.
We have an emergency kit in our home with the items I expressed in the other thread as well as a folder containing copies of current long term medication prescriptions, insurance documents, birth certificates, etc. We also have a smaller version of the emergency items and documents in our car. We rotate fresh water, batteries and food supplies into these emergency kits every 6 months.
I require the security of knowing that I have done everything I humanly can to ensure my family's safety during an emergency. THAT'S JUST ME. I also realize this won't be sufficient for every natural or man caused disaster that may strike.
On another thought... If during this time of the hurricane, the people effected in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi had seen the constant "worst of the worst" news coverage, I believe there would have been mass suicide, severe depression and all loss of hope and humanity. Luckily, they are not seeing all the finger pointing and cribbing about who should have done what, what hasn't been done yet, why haven't they done this, faster, more more more, etc. These people are pulling together, pooling resources and becoming stronger to face a devistating situation. Hope and determination to overcome has not been lost. We know we have not been forgotten.
posted on September 5, 2005 12:19:13 PM new Rescue workers and first responders are not going to be allowed into an area that is unsafe and unstable.
Get real, police and firemen and rescue workers go into unsafe areas and buildings daily. It’s their job to do so. The truth behind this whole issue is that bureaucracy tied the helping hands of many. Citizens who didn’t have to cut through red tape have done tons more work saving others than the government has.
If a rich country such as the US has the time and resources to send officials out to make speeches in front of staged props during this time (just so they can make excuses and promote their own public image), WHY couldn't they send in a truck immediately to quickly remove the obvious dead bodies seen on the streets? I’m certain ordinary citizens on the street would have helped load the bodies so the officials wouldn’t have to soil their hands. The pictures were reported worldwide and it's a disgrace to see a superpower ignore so many aspects of this whole tragedy.
posted on September 5, 2005 12:57:53 PM new
Amen, Kiara. No only did all levels of government fail to respond in a timely manner to this disaster, they hindered some rescue efforts. The day after Katrina hit, Walmart sent 3 tractor trailers,loaded with water, to New Orleans. Incredibly, they were sent away by members of FEMA, who told them they were not needed.
posted on September 5, 2005 02:37:47 PM new
Well, aren't you just the big ol' ray of sunshine Helen? Always just a big b-word when someone says something you don't like!
Your sarcasm to chimpchamp was uncalled for. These are things everyone is told to do to prepare for just such an emergency.
posted on September 5, 2005 02:58:44 PM new
Twig...Sorry that you feel that way about my comments. Actually, around good people I am a ray of sunshine.
posted on September 5, 2005 03:02:23 PM new
I just now read that. Helen, I think chimpchamp came on here to let us know that he went through this. I believe in the other thread he said 3 days with water, and 6 days without electricity.
And you tell him
'
Well, aren't you a good little boy scout, chimpchamp! Always prepared!!!'
Your opinion of what is uncalled for is very different than mine. I think that suggesting that the poor people in New Orleans are there without food, water or shelter because they didn't have sense enough to be prepared or they are dead because they didn't have sense enough to leave is ""uncalled for"". And, when someone posts to this thread, "In a Disaster" to inform us that the worst national disaster in U.S. history is really not all that bad, I call that "uncalled for". It's called a difference of opinion, NTS.
posted on September 5, 2005 03:28:19 PM new "Oh and Helen, when I say opportunities I am not talking about shortening the welfare line so it is easier for those collecting."
posted on September 5, 2005 03:39:49 PM new
It is obvious that the "state(s)" could never handle this alone--one of the worst disasters in our history. Nor should they be expected to. Since its inception, FEMA--that's the FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY--has been dispatched post haste to disasters all over the country--all much less devastating that this hurricane. Why would it be the state's responsibility all of a sudden? Before FEMA was integrated into Homeland Security and before good ol' "Brownie", a man with absolutely no emergency management experience, was put in charge, FEMA was an agency to be proud of. Now thousands of people may have died because of the incompetence of this agency. Imagine, an emergency management agency actually hindering rescue efforts! Appalling!
posted on September 5, 2005 04:29:21 PM newYour opinion of what is uncalled for is very different than mine. I think that suggesting that the poor people in New Orleans are there without food, water or shelter because they didn't have sense enough to be prepared or they are dead because they didn't have sense enough to leave is ""uncalled for"". And, when someone posts to this thread, "In a Disaster" to inform us that the worst national disaster in U.S. history is really not all that bad, I call that "uncalled for". It's called a difference of opinion, NTS.
Helen, today is a 'pain day' and I don't want to go back and forth
but the above bolded quote from you, did I say that the poor didn't have sense? no, did I say that this disaster is not all that bad? no
So, I don't know what the hell your ragging about.
but I do get reamed, by mingo and peepa.... I'm a horses butt, and heartless and goin to hell
God, you just have to love these boards
Helen, we don't agree (on most things) but I won't be bitched at trying to get me to think like you.
posted on September 5, 2005 04:43:12 PM new"Helen, we don't agree (on most things) but I won't be bitched at trying to get me to think like you."
NTS
My comment was an illustration of what I consider "uncalled for" as opposed to what you consider uncalled for. It was posted in response to your message that my comment was uncalled for.
It is not a description of your opinions but of the opinions that I have read on this board about this topic for the last few days.
I understand that you and I do not agree on most topics and I haven't bitched about that...you did...by telling me that my comment to another poster was uncalled for.
posted on September 5, 2005 05:02:13 PM newEvery hour of every day it gets better.
If it weren't for all the wonderful people who have put their own lives on the line to help rescue those still stuck .....the thousands and thousands of people that HAVE been rescued, wouldn't have happened. We CAN NOT only rely on any government agency to 'save' us. We need to stand on our own two feet and help others who are in need. And as American's, WE DO JUST THAT.
But the 'bigger government' worshipers will only chose to focus on the negative....not that 'every hour of every day it IS getting better'.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on September 5, 2005 07:52:55 PM new
What on earth are you talking about? Since when are we not supposed to rely on our government during natural disasters that occur periodically in this country. Did Florida take care of themselves, without Federal help after all those hurricanes last year? What about tornado victims? What about earthquake victims? There were many heroic "civilians" who helped all they could, when there was extremely slow response from the Feds--unless they were prevented from doing so by FEMA. But lacking the resources that only the Federal Government can provide, their help was limited. Can a relatively few civilians provide food, water, medical care, evacuation, temporary housing, low interest loans, etc? When I read your post, Linda, my jaw dropped. This was not an " oh dear, the creek overflowed" type of situation. This was the worst natural disaster our country has ever seen. Assistance from your government, to whom you pay taxes, is not expecting too much.
