Katrina aftermath - what the fuck???

[CaptainJSparrow]

Lemmy, there's an old saying "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and has an orange bill..."

You keep calling them victims. If someone brings something upon himself or herself, can you still call them a victim? You also throw blame around like a blanket...but you're missing a large part of the target. That is the actual "victims" themselves.

Let me tell you, it is not the President's fault that these folks are in this predicament. It's not the fault of our governor. It's not the fault of the state police, or any of the local authorities. It is their fault. They were warned to get out. They were given a means to get to safety (yes shelters were provided ... no one was turned away) and they refused.

Now you, in Conneticut I believe, are gonna sit there and say that it is someone else's fault for their predicament? C'mon.

Hell, the man that I saw yesterday is still in harms way. Should we send a police unit over there to put him in cuffs and take him to Baton Rouge and set him free? Those police units are kinda busy guarding downed power lines that are sparking so that no one get's themselves electrecuted. Those police units are busy trying to stop those "victims" from killing their rescuers and from stealing electrical appliances (and putting themselves in harms way while they're doing it). Hell, when do we stop protecting these victims from themselves and use our resources to get on with the process of getting this city inhabitable so that all of those displaced folks can get back home. Right now, today, the police are gonna be real busy letting in the citizens so that they can go assess the damage to their homes, and get what they can salvage out. The authorities are needed to keep the order for that. Why should they have to divide their resources to go protect these victims from themselves.

Nuff said.

[Lemmy]

Originally Posted by CaptainJSparrow

You also throw blame around like a blanket...

Captain, I don't think I mentioned blame at all. It was simply what I perceived to be your lack of compassion that prompted my post. But now that you mention it...

At the end of the day, the buck does stop with the President. I'm not saying that he personally should be held responsible for every little fuckup in FEMA, the military or the National Guard, but when it became apparent early on that things were going FUBAR he didn't show any kind of leadership. Commander in Chief isn't an honorary title. He has the power to take control. He didn't.

On a side note, for the Katrina fuckup and too many other reasons to list here, I personally think GWB should be put in front of a firing squad. I believe they're still allowed to execute retards in Texas.

Originally Posted by CaptainJSparrow

Now you, in Conneticut I believe, are gonna sit there and say that it is someone else's fault for their predicament?

I really don't see what my state of residence has to do with anything.

[Bill]

Now I think I feel kinda dumb for having donated money.

Next time I'll know better.

[RawAlex]

Originally Posted by Bill

Now I think I feel kinda dumb for having donated money.

Next time I'll know better.

I am starting to get the same feeling... which is sad.

[docholly]

Originally Posted by Bill

Now I think I feel kinda dumb for having donated money.

Next time I'll know better.

If you gave it with an honest heart, no need to feel bad at all. We are each responsible for our own actions as well as those who are unable, for whatever the reason, help themselves.

[Bill]

Well, I was exaggerating momentary feelings of queasiness. I don't really feel that way.

I think I was trying to say something about how this situation is so extreme, and the political spinning and illusion-making on all sides is so extreme, that it's impossible to know how to feel about it.

Can't trust the media.

Can't trust the government.

FEMA wants me to give money to Operation Blessing and Second Harvest.

The reports of gunfire at helicopters are shown to be lies. The reports that Gov. Blanco didn't "file the proper paperwork", which filled the media, are shown to be lies. Someone created and coldly used those lies.

And the implications of what CaptainJ appears to be saying are depressing.

It's a crazy, ugly, sad situation. In situations like this, who knows if it's right to give money, and if the money you give will be used properly?

[docholly]

Originally Posted by Bill

Well, I was exaggerating momentary feelings of queasiness. I don't really feel that way.

well actually when i first read that response i was like surely he is being sarcastic.. then when RA weighed in, i was like hmmm i must be having a "old-timers" moment and just not getting it..

Originally Posted by Bill

Can't trust the media.

Can't trust the government.

FEMA wants me to give money to Operation Blessing and Second Harvest.

The reports of gunfire at helicopters are shown to be lies. The reports that Gov. Blanco didn't "file the proper paperwork", which filled the media, are shown to be lies. Someone created and coldly used those lies.

And the implications of what CaptainJ appears to be saying are depressing.

I would consider the source of the information as well. Even eye witness accounts can differ depending on whose eyes are doing the viewing.