Topic Worst fears coming true from the Off-topic chat forum.
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| Author | Topic: Worst fears coming true |
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jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 8/31/2005 at 2:54:18 PM ET
Mayor Nagin of New Orleans on the number of people believed dead in the New Orleans area:
"Minimum, hundreds. Most likely, thousands."
There are thousands of thousands of survivors who will need medical care and assistance. Please consider donating to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. They will especially need to replenish their blood supplies.
Red Cross
Salvation Army
The hospitals are evacuating their patients. Fuel for emergency generators is out, and patients on ventilators have about one day to live. Doctors are operating the ventilators by hand.
Jenn
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 8/31/2005 at 4:53:17 PM ET
Help is not coming fast enough. The National Guard, FEMA, food, water, etc is not coming fast enough. Helicopters to help repair the levee did not show up yesterday. Many of our Louisiana National Guard troops are in Iraq.
It is a third world country situation in New Orleans. This is not an exaggeration. There's not much else I can do, but I am transcribing this here and in private journals to give witness.
The feeling of sorrow and helplessness is giving way to anger. City officials are *begging* for food and water. The stores have been looted and supplies have run out. Senator Trent Lott-whose house was destroyed as well as his fellow neighbors in Mississippi-publicly begged Bush to go to D.C. and put together a task force or something to HELP.
These are my people. These are fellow Americans. This is my city. And it is destroyed.
I want to scream and curse, and I have had violent thoughts that I have never had before. This is incredible.
Jenn
|  Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 8/31/2005 at 4:57:27 PM ET
Jenn - I know New Orleans will be back - its spirit is too strong. 10,000 more national guard troops have just been called up to go help. People are mobilizing donations and help. Be patient...trust God and the good people.
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 8/31/2005 at 4:59:19 PM ET
Sister Rose, thank you for your kind words, but I do not see how this city is going to rebuild. Where are they going to house a million or so people? They have no homes and no jobs. Children won't be back to school until December 1st at least. They're going to go to school in Houston or other cities. Institutions such as the Aquarium are destroyed. Bodies are floating in the street and disease is going to spread. This city will never be the same again. It will take years before we will be able to resume some sense of normalcy. I'm getting local news coverage, courtesy of KHOU in Houston, and it is unbelievable. There is no city I love more than New Orleans, and no people I love more than New Orleanians, with our unique characters and culture. This is devastating. My cousins in St. Bernard Parish have nothing. That parish is gone.
I still haven't heard from some friends in Biloxi. I am in despair and I really am not optimistic. Sorry about my attitude.
I heard someone here in Houston gripe about how the hurricane is going to drive up gas prices. I'm so damn sorry you'll have to pay more to keep your SUV running. At least you still have a car.
Thank you, Sister Rose, for your thoughts. I so appreciate them.
Jenn
|  leebee
Registered User
Registered:
1/19/2004
Fav. BP Song: Being Alive
Fav. BP Show: Sunday In The Park With George
| posted: 8/31/2005 at 5:23:30 PM ET
New Orleans has been such a great city. The music history and culture alone make it one of the greatest cities in the world. It really makes my heart heavy to think of all the history that may be lost now - places where Louis Armstrong lived and performed, studios where incredible music was created, places almost holy in American music.
I know that alot of Fandettes are great supporters of animal welfare, so I want to remind folks that they can also make contributions to the Humane Society, who are mounting a huge effort to find and rescue domesticated animals that are stranded out there. We gave twice yesterday, probably will again!
|  Mandy
Registered User
Registered:
8/14/2003 | posted: 8/31/2005 at 5:31:08 PM ET
That entire area has been in my thoughts and prayers since Sunday afternoon. I am absolutely astonished at the devestation this has left and am sure we are only seeing 1/100 of what is really going on. I will continue to keep everyone in that area in my thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine how on earth the region will be able to rebuild anytime soon.
"Let's admit one thing right upfront: With the possible exception of Bernadette Peters, not everyone stays young and cute forever." (NYPost 2/2/05)
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 8/31/2005 at 5:34:24 PM ET
The lawlessness there is unreal. Looters tried to break into Children's Hospital last night. There are 100 sick children there right now. They called repeatedly for police and National Guard, but no one came. Thank God they didn't break in. Someone reported that looters broke into Kindred Hospital.
jenn
| Mandy
Registered User
Registered:
8/14/2003 | posted: 8/31/2005 at 5:42:24 PM ET
As for the looting issue...I have no problem with the people who are looting in order to get diapers and food for their familes....they HAVE to provide for them somehow. I am absolutely appalled at the people, all over the newscasts, who are stealing DVD players, NBS jerseys, flat screen TV's etc. They even said some of the police are looting.
I know the Pentagon stated today that there are many forms of aid headed that way now. I know the USNS Comfort (which I believe stays docked in MD) is its way down. I am hoping that this is only the start to the aid as things I think are only going to get worse for these people as food and water runs out (or already has.)
"Let's admit one thing right upfront: With the possible exception of Bernadette Peters, not everyone stays young and cute forever." (NYPost 2/2/05)
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 8/31/2005 at 5:48:48 PM ET
Mandy, I agree about the food and necessities. It's a Jean Valjean situation.
I *know* help is on the way, but I am not convinced that the fact that so many of our National Guard is in Iraq does not affect the situation. I know this will probably eventuall turn political-since it is well known throughout the state that hurricane protection funds were severely cut because of Iraq.
As Governor Blanco said, "We have heroes *every minute.*" and said that "we will do *whatever* it takes to return law and order" and she is furious that lawlessness is going on. I have never seen her this furious.
There are many people offering their homes to strangers, and many acts of kindness and selflessness are happening. And as the governor said, there really is no way the Red Cross can even set up staging areas!
My feelings are a bit out of control, so forgive my babbling.
Jenn
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 8/31/2005 at 6:18:32 PM ET
The news said that the SPCA might charge people who abandoned their animals! Shelters won't take them and many hotels won't either. There were many people who stayed behind because they couldn't take their pets-I have seen many people standing on rooftops or stepping off a rescue boat and clinging to a cat or dog. Now people have to worry that if they evacuate, they may come back to face cruelty charges? What does the SPCA want people to do? Has the SPCA done this in the past?
If this is true, then I have lost a LOT of respect for the SPCA. Noah's Wish told people that if they need to leave their pets to find a way to let them escape and get to higher ground. What does the SPCA propose people do?
My parents were fortunate-they were able to bring their dog. But if you can't evacuate to a pet-friendly hotel and you are under MANDATORY evacuation, and NO shelter allows you to take a pet, then what? If my parents had to leave behind their dog, they would be out of their minds. Do they want people to ride out the storm with the animals? That's what many people do anyway. Is this something they want them to do? I can't believe that.
Really-has the SPCA done this before? Please tell me this is a rumor. Don't punish people who probably agonized other their decision. Work on getting more pet-friendly hotels and shelters.
Jenn
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 8/31/2005 at 11:42:50 PM ET
Here's a page which provides links to many of the major charities working to provide relief services for this massive tragedy. All are extremely reputable and all can use as much money as everyone can afford to give. Even if you think you can't afford to donate right now, keep these in mind for later; the need will be ongoing for a very long time.
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
| leebee
Registered User
Registered:
1/19/2004
Fav. BP Song: Being Alive
Fav. BP Show: Sunday In The Park With George
| posted: 9/1/2005 at 12:59:06 PM ET
I seriously doubt that the SPCA is looking to "charge" everyone that left a pet behind. For one thing, the SPCA is not a law enforcement agency - they are a charitable organization that works in conjunction with law enforcement to prevent animal abuse. Also the SPCA does not have near the number of resources it would take to go throught the entire city and hand out cititions for every suspected incident. Likely the SPCA will be on the look out for the worst example of neglect, but what you are hearing is likely just a very nasty rumor.
The Humane Society has sent several teams of animal rescue experts there. They certainly need out support.
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 9/5/2005 at 2:48:46 PM ET
Mayor Nagin has said that it is not "unreasonable" for the death toll to be 10,000.
New Orleans alone will probably not be operational for nine months. As for St. Bernard and lower Plaquemines Parish-who knows. They were devastated as well.
The emotional impact on the city will be immeasurable. Thousands of people dead. Thousands homeless and unemployed. Many are saying they are not coming back. Companies with locations in other cities have already hired our citizens. Children and college students have enrolled in other schools (some schools in Plaquemines have cancelled school for the entire year. Tulane and Loyola universities have cancelled their fall semesters. St. Bernard and Orleans Parish are still evacuating people and are counting the dead.). Roots will be put down in other places, and people might be reluctant to return. I have relatives who will probably not return.
As for financial-it will be devastating. June is in nine months (can it be?). That means nine months of nothing coming into the ports, I'm assuming. That means our biggest festivals-the Jazz & Heritage Festival, the French Quarter Festival, and Mardi Gras will not happen. These are big revenues for the city.
That's just New Orleans.
So...southeastern Louisiana and the rest of the Gulf Coast will never be the same.
Jenn
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