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RE: [RC] News from Louisiana - VERY OT - heidiI just had to respond to Heidi, who's posts I have read and respect a great deal, BUT - those people who are waiting for somebody to do something, well, most of them are there because they were following the instructions of the authorities. Those who did not have the means (vehicle, money for gas, etc.) to evacuate were TOLD to shelter at the Superdome and other locations. They did what they were told, however, those in authority were not prepared for how long this is going on and so there is not enough food, water, etc. I don't know if you've ever been to N.O., or been to the part where the "real" people live, but it is an extremely poor, mostly minority (which is an oxymoron, I realize) city. These are not the cultured, educated Southern sons and daughters of privilege of New Orleans mythology. These are grindingly poor, uneducated, mostly unmotivated, because "what-the-hell-is-there-to-work for?" people. Yes, the are lots of thugs and criminals, but the majority of those people are just desperate and bewildered because they were following instructions and now have been left in dire situations. They have been told not to leave the shelters, and if they leave, there are people shooting at them, so while it is all well and good to talk about the able-bodied people just "walking out," that is much easier said than done. Even if they can swim or float to I-10, many of the overpasses are out, so they are stranded on the highway. Also, one must remember that there are also many tourists stuck there with all the riff-raff. What the hell are they supposed to do? They don't even know the area. And what about what is happening with the hospitals? Those doctors, nurses and other staff have been working selflessly for five days, and I DO BELIEVE that there has got to be somebody in authority who should be doing something for those folks! Maybe leave the scummy shooters to wander the streets, but there has got to be somebody in the state, local or federal government who can help those people in the hospitals AND IT'S NOT HAPPENING! That is a major screw-up in disaster planning! So, while I am all for self-reliance and helping your neighbor, I do believe that there are times when it is absolutely essential for us to question where the hell our government is in times of disaster. That is why I pay my taxes without complaint. Nell, I do understand and appreciate all you are saying. And I tried in my post to underscore the fact that I have every sympathy for these people. But in any natural disaster of this magnitude, it is simply physically IMPOSSIBLE to get supplies to or to rescue everyone RIGHT NOW. NO government can do that. The planes are flying and the rescue efforts are in full force, but it still takes time to reach everyone. The point I was trying to make is how ANGRY these people are, which was in response to Maryanne's observation that in third world countries, people have a far more realistic understanding of disaster, and are far more polite about waiting for aid. The news shots I saw of stranded tourists were sad, tearful, homesick, etc.--but they did not have the ANGER that the poorer Americans did. As for a screwup in disaster planning--the news reports that over a third of the people who were asked to evacuate and who COULD have been evacuated just flat refused. And now they are ANGRY? Additionally, as I previously mentioned, even the poor could have stockpiled water before the storm. That is just simple common sense. The government is not the only party involved here. People CAN and MUST take a little bit of self-responsibility in any disaster. Like you, I don't begrudge a bit of my tax money that goes for disaster relief. There but for the grace of God go I. But as for problems with the disaster response, there are doctors and nurses with portable ERs set up, neonatal patients in hospitals were airlifted out (some of their parents didn't even know they had gone), water and food are being dropped in many locations, etc. But how do you "plan" when a third of the people of a city that large refused to budge when they had the opportunity? You do the best you can, but it does stretch the supply lines... Heidi PS: It also intrigues me to see more anger over an event that was predicted and known in advance than over things that have happened without warning... Human nature is sure odd. I get the impression from the anger of some of the people that the government should have been able to stop the hurricane somehow.... PPS: I was talking yesterday to a friend who works for the federal government in a different capacity, and he said that a major hurricane in the Gulf was listed as one of the top three worst possible natural disasters that could hit this country. I'm not surprised. I think we Americans have sat back and watched stuff like this happen in other countries, and have often not come to grips with the concept that we are not immune. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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