DAMN THEM ALL

I know that most of you are very aware of what is going on, or not really going on, in New Orleans and the gulf states. I won't recite the details. A few verbal pictures will suffice.

An Arkansas man, an airboat operator, brought his rig down to New Orleans, to volunteer to ferry people out of the city with his swamp boat, capable of operating in very shallow water. FEMA said they would let the man do it but that he would have to purchase his own gas. Airboats, propelled by an airplane engine, can burn a hundred dollars an hour, or more, in aviation fuel. So the man had to pull his boat back to Arkansas.

Seriously ill medical evacuees stranded on the roof of a hospital, one with a helicopter pad. Stranded for a day, so far. No helicopters to lift them off the roof. The two local airports are flooded but one has to wonder, where are the National Guard helicopters? Where are their many high water vehicles and the people to operate them? That has always been the job of the National Guard, to respond in force, to just such a disaster.

Like the money that wasn't used, on urgently needed repairs and upgrades to the flood control system in New Orleans, half of the Louisiana Guards men, and virtually all of their equipment, is being squandered in Iraq.

The director of FEMA, learned that thousands of people were stranded at the city convention center. He learned it while being interviewed at a television station. He was totally surprised to learn of it, yet it was one of the places people were told to go to, were supposed to go to, in case of such an emergency.

But, of course, the head of FEMA is a Bush political appointee with no experience in disaster management. Just lots of experience with playing political favors.

Every American, watching the fatal magnitude of the detachment of Bush and his administration and their bumbling incompetent response to this terrible, predictable, event, should understand that this is what America has become. Do not believe that the government is going to be more responsive to your needs, your survival, when disaster, natural or otherwise, visits your neighbourhood.

Please do not hesitate to write and or call your representatives and senators, let them know this will not be forgiven or forgotten. Let them know that this gigantic betrayal of public trust is just that, a betrayal of the highest magnitude.

A point of information for those wishing to donate funds to help with the relief efforts. Any money sent to FEMA or any government agency, is being sent to a list of ten organizations. Number one on the list, as you might expect, is the American Red Cross, number two on that list, number two, is a Christian organization owned, operated, and presided over, by none other than Pat Robertson. Pat 'It's valuable to have a friend at the White House' Robertson.

Update, Operation Blessing, is the name of Robertson's organization, it has been moved to number three on the list. It is one of the organizations that is wanting money only, no volunteers. Fits, eh?

I think it would be a much better idea to send money directly to the organization you most trust rather than any fund that is going to be doling out money to organizations operated by slimy evangelists and politically favored con men. New Orleans doesn't need bibles.

Mean while, the government is refusing to allow international aid and rescue organizations into the US to help. Hell, the UN would have figured out how to air drop supplies from Europe by now. But America the mighty, is without leadership and it's bumbling, overstuffed bureaucracy, headed by know nothing political appointees is paralyzed .

I am full of anger and sorrow. My imagination blurred with the images of all those people, in all that chaos, many dying by the hour.

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told the media that those poor, sick, old people, black babies, and mothers and children, anyone who could not get out of the city, have themselves to blame.

We, as a country, must not forgive, and dare not forget what this little cabal of political freaks and rich thieves have done to America . With their lies, their greed, and their genuine distain for ordinary Americans.

Truly, George Bush is a very little man and a very little president. I weep for America.

Link to a journal with first person reports from New Orleans, including a cell phone conversation with a man stranded, with thousands of others, in the city's convention center.
LINK HERE

The Mayor of New Orleans pleading with the president and federal government to save the people of his city. This is heart breaking but you should listen.
Be patient, it takes a minute or so to load, worth the wait if you want a first hand feel for just how bad it is.

You can also hear this interview at Air America, under the Mayor's picture on the left side of the page. Click Here