It's hitting the fan down here...

[tx oms]

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I'm in northern Louisiana. Rumors are rampant around the hospital about the situation in our state, both medically and socially. New Orleans is going to fall apart, that's for sure. Those people living on highway overpasses are going to riot when it rains or they start dying from dehydration. I'll bet there will be a whole new round of deaths just from the rioting.

Rumors I've heard:
1. There is a make shift morgue in the Super Dome that is being kept hush-hush. Current body count > 1000.

2. Charity Hospital in New Orleans is hand ventilating patients and nurses are starting IV's on themselves for hydration as there is not drinkable water.

3. About 50% of patients that were to be transferred north have died in route. Our hospital was suppose to get 10 last night and five made it.

There are other rumors that don't affect anyone not working here so I won't rattle them off.

 

[toofache32]

2. Charity Hospital in New Orleans is hand ventilating patients and nurses are starting IV's on themselves for hydration as there is not drinkable water.

3. About 50% of patients that were to be transferred north have died in route. Our hospital was suppose to get 10 last night and five made it.

I did heard on NPR (radio) that of 24 unit patients, 4 were evacuated and the others on vents were being bagged by hand.

Children's Hospital here in Dallas is supposedly getting some transfers. The director of the Surgery med student program here said she got a call from LSU-NO to see if we could take their med students....I guess so they could still get credit and graduate on time.

 

[DrJeff]

I can only imagine what it must be like. I saw first hand soon after Hurricane Charley ravaged Florida just over a year ago as one of my parent's houses is in Port Charlotte, FL and the eye of Charley went right over their house. That one had similar winds, but was way more compact and since it "blew up" so quickly over a short distance it didn;t have the chance to build up the storm surge like Katrina did. I also saw first hand just a few weeks ago how much damage from Charley still exists 1 year later, and it is still alot.

When Pres. Bush today said that it will take YEARS to rebuild/get back to normal he wasn't joking. And with respect to Pres Bush, while not exactly similar in nature he had a similar unbelievable tragedy to lead the country through (9/11) at almost this exact stage of his 1st term, and now Katrina will likely prove/may have to be a bigger challenge/success or the general economy may see some serious problems over the next few years. Very quickly I'd bet you'll see some serious federal effort to get the power back up to the refineries, not because of Bush's connections to big oil, but to stabilize the fuel costs and generalized consumer panic that it's causing right now. I know that this AM on my way to work, I filled up my gas tank at my local Mobil Station and gas was $2.75/$2.85/$2.95 for low/mid and super. This aftrenoon when I drove back by the same station on my way home just 10 hours later, they were charging $2.99/$3.09/$3.19

It could be very interesting economically over the immediate future with the high gas/oil prices leading to some questions about consumer confidence and with the housing market extremely overvalued in many areas of the country and people using alot of the "paper value"f their houses as collateral for extensive loans. I'd be real cautious right now of the banking sector of the stock market, and it wouldn't suprise me if in a few years when many of you all are out of school and making some good $$ if the hosuing market is alot more affordable(especially the 2nd home market). If Pres Bush plays his cards right and gets some massive and effective results with this national tragedy he'll go down in history as one of the great American leaders of all time.

Last comment/rant as I heard a caller ranting about today on one of my local morning talk radio shows. He was drawing similarities between the Christmas time Tsunami in Indonesia and Katrina. His comment was essentiallly how the world (the U.N. included) rushed to the aid of the area/victims, and yet now when a tragedy like this happens all is quiet from the rest of the world?

 

[Bickle]

Last comment/rant as I heard a caller ranting about today on one of my local morning talk radio shows. He was drawing similarities between the Christmas time Tsunami in Indonesia and Katrina. His comment was essentiallly how the world (the U.N. included) rushed to the aid of the area/victims, and yet now when a tragedy like this happens all is quiet from the rest of the world?

All is not quiet from the rest of the world. Canada has made numerous attempts to send substantial aid/relief in any way they can, and still the US has not even responded to their offer. Its not the rest of the world not offering help, its the arrogance of the US government to fix the disaster "in house". Its pretty sad, considering how many people are suffering.

http://www.canada.com/national/globalnational/story.html?id=06c713e1-c88f-48a8-8ddf-da7368f7bc4b

 

[Yah-E]

Some of our clinic faculties today were talking about making suggestions to our Dean to take some LSU NO senior dental students to come here at Nova so they can graduate. In regard to Charity, is the hospital is in function? No electricity and I can't imagine enough generators to keep that old building running?

If the hospital is 50% or less active due to lack of electricity, what happens to the residents and their training? Transfer to other hospitals? Man, New Orleans will never be the same. How in the world are they going to drain and suck all that water out of there and even then, all the buildings have been soaked for weeks if not months if they dry up the place! People without food and shelter....man....

On an academic note, I start to wonder if LSU NO OMFS will even conduct interviews this year? Interview dates are set for November 14 & 15th and December 5 & 6th, I strongly doubt that city will return to normal by that time. Maybe my application file is sitting in water as we speak! 😱

I attempted to call 5 LSU NO OMFS residents recently, all of which have unreachable phone numbers due to communication lines malfunction (no dialtones)! I truly hope all of them and their families have evacuated and are safe. I did call the OMFS Charity callroom, that phone works (it was ringing)!?

Where is River13 when you need him?

 

[gryffindor]

Maybe my application file is sitting in water as we speak! 😱

Mine is either lost in the mail or underwater, seeing as I mailed it on Saturday (before I realized there was a hurricane). Our applications, considering the state of things, don't matter anymore. The more important thing is to get the city up & functioning and restore the lives of its residents.

Reading about the disaster is sending chills down my spine.

I read that the mayor ordered a pre-evacuation, and most people got out, but like 50K - 100K didn't. Is that how it works in these areas of the country? What do you do, throw your stuff in a suitcase, get in your car/get on a plane/train/bus and head anywhere north you can get to? As dentists, are we considered "emergency personnel" and part of the 50K that don't leave?

My thoughts are with you all there now.

 

[tx oms]

As dentists, are we considered "emergency personnel" and part of the 50K that don't leave?

My thoughts are with you all there now.

The people left behind are mostly poor folk who "didn't have the means to leave" and few tourists, docs, and emergency workers. I treat many of the people "without means" in my Louisiana clinic. Most of these people are so dependent on government it is unbelievable. They cannot do anything for themselves. You don't have a car? Start hitching, get on a Greyhound, hire a taxi, walk, or ride a bike out of town! At least go to the Super Dome. They didn't evacuate b/c no one from congress knocked on their door with a bouquet of flowers and an invitation for a free ride out.

No, I don't like seeing them die but the attitude down here gets old. I have to deal with people everyday that are upset about the free services I provide.

 

[UTDental]

Right on.

 

[shivalrous]

I'm in northern Louisiana.

Come to back to TX ASAP.

 

[tx oms]

The New Orleans medical school is being moved to the Shreveport medical school. I'm not sure what is going to happen to the dental school. There's looting in Baton Rouge and everyone here is worried that if many more refugees make it to Shreverport looting will begin here. So far there are still minimal patient transfers to Shreveport but that may change quickly as the National Guard has arrived to protect ambulances in New Orleans.

 

[HuyetKiem]

All is not quiet from the rest of the world. Canada has made numerous attempts to send substantial aid/relief in any way they can, and still the US has not even responded to their offer. Its not the rest of the world not offering help, its the arrogance of the US government to fix the disaster "in house". Its pretty sad, considering how many people are suffering.

http://www.canada.com/national/globalnational/story.html?id=06c713e1-c88f-48a8-8ddf-da7368f7bc4b

😡 😡 😡 😡
Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050901/ap_on_go_pr_wh/katrina_world_offers_2

 

[OMFSCardsFan]

No, I don't like seeing them die but the attitude down here gets old. I have to deal with people everyday that are upset about the free services I provide.

It really is sad. It wears on you to treat these people day after day. I can't believe how many people I run into that have not even the least bit of concern for anyone but themselves, people who believe that they are entitled to be first in line for everything, people who blame everyone else but themselves for their situation in life. These are the same people who are down in New Orleans right now taking advantage of a lot of people in a bad situation. I hit that point of no return today, while watching CNN. I hope they start shooting the f*cking looters and anyone walking around with a gun. Time to take the only things that they care about--themselves.

 

[ElDienteLoco]

😡 😡 😡 😡
Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050901/ap_on_go_pr_wh/katrina_world_offers_2

Do you write for the NY Times in your part time? Maybe it would be helpful if you guys shared the next paragraph in your quoted article. Or maybe you are in cahoots with Cindy Sheehan and her statements that President Bush "caused" this Hurricane Katrina disaster?

The next paragraph from the AP article quoted is:

"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."

As well - as in also, as in we're going to accept help and then get on with busines. Just because the president tries to rally AMERICANS to help AMERICANS, you guys claim that he is either sending those checks back to their respective countries (or maybe he's just siphoning it off to Haliburton...)

Get a life.

 

[captaintripps]

Do you write for the NY Times in your part time? Maybe it would be helpful if you guys shared the next paragraph in your quoted article. Or maybe you are in cahoots with Cindy Sheehan and her statements that President Bush "caused" this Hurricane Katrina disaster?

The next paragraph from the AP article quoted is:

"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."

As well - as in also, as in we're going to accept help and then get on with busines. Just because the president tries to rally AMERICANS to help AMERICANS, you guys claim that he is either sending those checks back to their respective countries (or maybe he's just siphoning it off to Haliburton...)

Get a life.

No, G. Bush didn't cause this disaster he just refused to let it interfere with his 10 week vacation.

 

[beannaithe]

Do you write for the NY Times in your part time? Maybe it would be helpful if you guys shared the next paragraph in your quoted article. Or maybe you are in cahoots with Cindy Sheehan and her statements that President Bush "caused" this Hurricane Katrina disaster?

The next paragraph from the AP article quoted is:

"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."

As well - as in also, as in we're going to accept help and then get on with busines. Just because the president tries to rally AMERICANS to help AMERICANS, you guys claim that he is either sending those checks back to their respective countries (or maybe he's just siphoning it off to Haliburton...)

Get a life.

No one said that. If he can spend billions of OUR money in aid to other countries (Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Poland, etc.), he can ask other countries for some money to help OUR people.

We raised so much money for the tsunami victims, why can't we call on other countries to help our people?

 

[aphistis]

Stay cool, folks. This is a valuable thread, and I want it to stay open. Take the political wrangling elsewhere.

 

[OMFSCardsFan]

Stay cool, folks. This is a valuable thread, and I want it to stay open. Take the political wrangling elsewhere.

Agreed. Good call, Bill.

 

[toofache32]

We raised so much money for the tsunami victims, why can't we call on other countries to help our people?

I think we have always given money because we have more money than those countries such as the Phillipines. It doesn't make sense to ask a 3rd-world country to send food/money to the richest nation in the world.

 

[nothen2do]

I think we have always given money because we have more money than those countries such as the Phillipines. It doesn't make sense to ask a 3rd-world country to send food/money to the richest nation in the world.

No no no, I disagree. Money is Money. No matter if its green, blue, gold, food, little coins, baseball cards. Stingy 3rd world countries, they make me sick. (I'm joking for those who can't hear the sarcasm in text)

 

[simpledoc]

any LSU NO dental students out there?

 

[ItsGavinC]

any LSU NO dental students out there?

Yeah, check the other thread about the LSU dental school...

 

[DrJeff]

The scope of this tragedy has been absolutely unbelievable to see play out in the media. The part that really, really gets to me (and I'll admit that over the years I've been fairly immune to the emotional connection of the vast number of tragic veents that have occurred) is seeing all the parents trying to care for ther young children in the wake of everything Katrina associated. (any parent of a young child out there can easily relate to how tough it must be for the parents affected by Katrina, and if you don't have any children yet, the second your child is born you'll know what I'm talking about).

I had something happen today that totally floored me and made me realize how good an office staff that I'm fortunate enough to have. Our "newest" office staff member (and hence lowest paid) asked me and my partner if it would be okay if we could donate her entire weeks pay to the Redcross for relief efforts, and literally within 15 minutes of her announcing this, everyone in my office had done the exact same thing (today was pay day). This afternoon, me and my partner let this employee present our local chapter of the redcross a check for over $12,000 🙂

On a personal note, if it wasn't for my own parental duties that I have, coming into this labor day weekend where I have Friday through Monday off and then am out of the office on Wednesday for a continuing education lecture, I think that I'd be renting a uhaul, going to my local BJ's Wholesaale club and filling the thing with Dipaers/Baby Forumla and Water and driving down to personally deilver the supplies. Since I do have to care for my child, I can't make the trip, but instead my wife and I did make an additonal substantial contribution to the redcross above and beyond my donated paycheck.

While I realize that as students/residnts your financial situation is very tight, when your out in private practice, I'll urge/challenge you to donate a decent amount of $$ a year to charitable causes of your choice. Remebr, if your making what an "average" dentist makes, you'll be in the top 1% of all americans each year. Just don't forget the other 99%.

 

[Smilemaker100]

The scope of this tragedy has been absolutely unbelievable to see play out in the media. The part that really, really gets to me (and I'll admit that over the years I've been fairly immune to the emotional connection of the vast number of tragic veents that have occurred) is seeing all the parents trying to care for ther young children in the wake of everything Katrina associated. (any parent of a young child out there can easily relate to how tough it must be for the parents affected by Katrina, and if you don't have any children yet, the second your child is born you'll know what I'm talking about).

I had something happen today that totally floored me and made me realize how good an office staff that I'm fortunate enough to have. Our "newest" office staff member (and hence lowest paid) asked me and my partner if it would be okay if we could donate her entire weeks pay to the Redcross for relief efforts, and literally within 15 minutes of her announcing this, everyone in my office had done the exact same thing (today was pay day). This afternoon, me and my partner let this employee present our local chapter of the redcross a check for over $12,000 🙂

On a personal note, if it wasn't for my own parental duties that I have, coming into this labor day weekend where I have Friday through Monday off and then am out of the office on Wednesday for a continuing education lecture, I think that I'd be renting a uhaul, going to my local BJ's Wholesaale club and filling the thing with Dipaers/Baby Forumla and Water and driving down to personally deilver the supplies. Since I do have to care for my child, I can't make the trip, but instead my wife and I did make an additonal substantial contribution to the redcross above and beyond my donated paycheck.

While I realize that as students/residnts your financial situation is very tight, when your out in private practice, I'll urge/challenge you to donate a decent amount of $$ a year to charitable causes of your choice. Remebr, if your making what an "average" dentist makes, you'll be in the top 1% of all americans each year. Just don't forget the other 99%.

That is so sweet of you, Dr Jeff. I wish there were more philanthropic dentists like you.

 

[Dental Mom]

All is not quiet from the rest of the world. Canada has made numerous attempts to send substantial aid/relief in any way they can, and still the US has not even responded to their offer. Its not the rest of the world not offering help, its the arrogance of the US government to fix the disaster "in house". Its pretty sad, considering how many people are suffering.

http://www.canada.com/national/globalnational/story.html?id=06c713e1-c88f-48a8-8ddf-da7368f7bc4b

At the end of that article: "Officials in McLellan's office said as of Wednesday afternoon the Americans hadn't made any requests for help"

Is this Africa or USA?

 

[Dental Mom]

The scope of this tragedy has been absolutely unbelievable to see play out in the media. The part that really, really gets to me (and I'll admit that over the years I've been fairly immune to the emotional connection of the vast number of tragic veents that have occurred) is seeing all the parents trying to care for ther young children in the wake of everything Katrina associated. (any parent of a young child out there can easily relate to how tough it must be for the parents affected by Katrina, and if you don't have any children yet, the second your child is born you'll know what I'm talking about).

I had something happen today that totally floored me and made me realize how good an office staff that I'm fortunate enough to have. Our "newest" office staff member (and hence lowest paid) asked me and my partner if it would be okay if we could donate her entire weeks pay to the Redcross for relief efforts, and literally within 15 minutes of her announcing this, everyone in my office had done the exact same thing (today was pay day). This afternoon, me and my partner let this employee present our local chapter of the redcross a check for over $12,000 🙂

On a personal note, if it wasn't for my own parental duties that I have, coming into this labor day weekend where I have Friday through Monday off and then am out of the office on Wednesday for a continuing education lecture, I think that I'd be renting a uhaul, going to my local BJ's Wholesaale club and filling the thing with Dipaers/Baby Forumla and Water and driving down to personally deilver the supplies. Since I do have to care for my child, I can't make the trip, but instead my wife and I did make an additonal substantial contribution to the redcross above and beyond my donated paycheck.

While I realize that as students/residnts your financial situation is very tight, when your out in private practice, I'll urge/challenge you to donate a decent amount of $$ a year to charitable causes of your choice. Remebr, if your making what an "average" dentist makes, you'll be in the top 1% of all americans each year. Just don't forget the other 99%.

Thank you and God bless you all in your office for all your sacrifice. I too wish I could go and give supplies. If I was a Dr, a nurse or single I'd be there right now. If it was up to us the citizens, no child-no one would be without food or water these many days. I lost it when a mom by the Convention center said on TV "please take my children they are going to die here" and that was yesterday! What a terrible tragedy in the richiest country. Before I die, I want to see a female president!

 

[OMFSCardsFan]

Before I die, I want to see a female president!

Please tell me that Clinton isn't your first choice...I'll move to Cuba if she ever gets elected...

 

[adamlc18]

Please tell me that Clinton isn't your first choice...I'll move to Cuba if she ever gets elected...

I agree.

 

[tx oms]

Hey folks, I took my USMLE step II exam yesterday so I didn't post any updates. That test is long. Very long. I'm a good test taker--no anxiety or that crap, but this test was the longest test I've ever taken. I started to doze off at one point and I slept well the night before.

Anyway, here's what's going on around here:
1. FEMA has asked local Shreveport dentists to help out at the two refugee camps. One is in the gym at the LSU-Shreveport campus, one is in an arena at the state fairgrounds. I think we've got 2-3,000 right now, expecting another 1,000 or so today.

I'm pretty sure FEMA is FOS. You see, the refugees are like my everyday patients. They don't need general dental help. They need extractions, probably full mouth extractions. I doubt they have many real "emergencies" (aka life-threatening infections), but probably a lot of bombed-out teeth and toothaches with the occasional parulace. I think they really need oral surgeons and dentists not afraid to pull badly decayed molars. I asked our secretary to speak with the attendings about volunteering our services. Haven't heard back.

2. Some of the refugees broke into a home behind the LSU-S campus two nights ago. Great.

3. There is a major hospital near the arena on the state fair grounds. The hospital was locked-down yesterday b/c a refugee went in there, held a gun to a secretary's head, and demanded medical supplies and food. I don't know any more than that or what ended up happening. A friend of mine was operating in the OR at that hospital during the incident. He said the OR doors were locked from the outside and police had to come and let him out of the OR.

I don't mean to sound like an ass, but many of the people in the refugee camps are the most destitute in the New Orleans area. Many have been in prison, etc. Those better off are living with family and friends.

America is finding out what many in the south already know. There is a group within our population that does nothing but take. They demand everything and give nothing. There are areas in New Orleans that normally look like something you would see in Sierra Leone on CNN. Seriously. No, the people should not die. Yes, it is their fault for not leaving the city. Still, it is wrong to turn our backs on them b/c they are still people. I just get exhausted dealing with them and need to vent. Up north you don't see it as much b/c these people would die. The houses they normally live in would be death traps in northern climates.

4. Finally, just another random thought. I'm hearing about requests for baby formula to be donated. I saw a story on CNN about a woman with a week old baby who didn't have any formula. Last time I checked women had hooters for a reason. If your damn baby is dying, pull that thing out and let the kid go to work. In my experience on ob/gyn and peds, many of the poorest patients would not breast feed. They just didn't want to. I think it's b/c WIC provides free formula. Even after we explain the benefits of breast feeding the women would not breast feed. What's that all about?

 

[DrJeff]

Just watch out now, I saw Jesse Jackson ranting on TV this AM, how far behind can Al Sharpton be? 😱

The things that many, many people don't get about the response efforts and how lang it's taking.

#1) You have very little if NO driveable infastructure with which to reach many of these people. You have NO power, No Sewers, No Phones!

#2) All the Blackhawk, Chinnook, etc helicopters can only hold so much interms of supplies and rescuees.

#3) You're trying to rescue/tend for literally hundreds of 1,000's of people in New Orleans and the surrounding area.

#4) I won't even get into the gang factor stealing food/formula/supplies from rescuers

People starting to rant and whine that this efforts timing is a race related thing. That is the biggest crock of propaganda grabbing BS that I've heard. What this really is a catstrophic event on a scale that no one could have prepared for. This BS that "oh the federal gov't didn't fix the levees" is a weak response. To make those levees Class 5 ready would have cost an estimated 5 BILLION dollars to safeguard New Orleans for as I heard a hydrologist on CNN put it, "a once in 200 to 300 years direct strom hit"

Maybe if all the folks put a little more effort into planning and coordinating the efforts to rescue/evacuate/ and then what to do to begin to put things back together instead of trying to find Geraldo Rivera and a camera and rant and whine about how "it's all Bush's fault" things might take a few steps in a good direction.

 

[dentalmom]

there is no excuse whatsoever for not airlifting food/water in to these "dangerous" areas while planning strategies for evacuation. simple common sense which was woefully lacking. bush's fault...you bet he's the commander in chief...if he's not in a position to get things moving who is? our president took off one day early from his vacation and "flew over" the devistation because he was advised that it would be too dangerous. that's what i call a great leader!

 

[runfast520]

And if he would have been a woman he would have been prepared? Just because all woman are more prepared? Where is the logic of that

 

[drhobie7]

there is no excuse whatsoever for not airlifting food/water in to these "dangerous" areas while planning strategies for evacuation.

What about the snipers? Did you read the accounts of helicopter rescue crews, firefighters, and hospital staff being shot at repeatedly?

A lot of people, especially from the international community have been comparing Katrina with the Tsunami, which doesn't seem fair. They were totally different disasters with completely different circumstances.

 

[AUG2UAG]

A lot of people, especially from the international community have been comparing Katrina with the Tsunami, which doesn't seem fair. They were totally different disasters with completely different circumstances.

True. The UN offered to help the victims of NO and they didn't to the victims of the tsunami.

 

[RaiderNation]

Maybe the Democrats should call up Bin Laden on his personal line and ask him to send some his money and aid to help New Orleans. BTW, has anyone read the book called Unholy Alliance about the link between the Democrats view of the US and the Muslim extremist view of the US? Intriguing.

http://www.nrbookservice.com/products/bookpage.asp?prod_cd=c6544

 

[DrJeff]

there is no excuse whatsoever for not airlifting food/water in to these "dangerous" areas while planning strategies for evacuation. simple common sense which was woefully lacking.

Okay, let's just fly in all the supplies on the C-130's or C-5a transport planes since the cargo capacity of the helicopters isn't all that great, plus they're being used for SAR (search and rescue). But wait, both airports in New Orleans can't land a plane there due to all the flood waters, the airports in Coastal Mississippi and Alabama - closed - decimated, plus the infastructure (i.e. the bridges on Interstate 10) - gone, whiped out.

What you're going to see happening over the next few days, and until they're able to a) remove all the debris from the destruction (gotta check for bodies first before you do that - and oh yes you have to get the water out of the way too in many places) and b) install some temporary roads/bridges is planty of supplies arriving in the region, but not nearly enough ways to get it to those that need it due to a) and b).

The problem with the view of the relief effort that many people have is that many people think that if you just throw some $$ at it, it will go away on it's own. Ultimately it is $$ that will "fix" things, but the problem as I heard one of the Army commanders put it on CNN today "this is like trying to deal with the devestation of last years Tsunami, except that almost all the water is still there"

One other thing to put into perspective the scope of things, yesterday (friday) the Coast Guard helicopters rescued 965 people. In all of 2004, coast guard helicopters nationwide rescued just over 500 people 😱

 

[toofache32]

Before I die, I want to see a female president!

I'm not sure what this had to do with the rest of your post. Maybe it's just me, but I'll never vote for a woman president. Nobody with that many hormones and emotions should have that much power. She'll be in office for 1 month, then one day she'll run over and push the nuke button.

 

[toofache32]

there is no excuse whatsoever for not airlifting food/water in to these "dangerous" areas while planning strategies for evacuation. simple common sense which was woefully lacking. bush's fault...you bet he's the commander in chief...if he's not in a position to get things moving who is? our president took off one day early from his vacation and "flew over" the devistation because he was advised that it would be too dangerous. that's what i call a great leader!

These comments are just an attempt to take a cheap shot at a leader you don't like, when what you described would have been the same regardless of who was in the White House. You think Clinton would have actually stopped to offer his plane?

If your son was flying the helicopter to deliver food while these gun-toting SOBs shot him down, then you could just as easily blame the "commander-in-chief" because he gave the orders to deliver food.

The President makes a great scapegoat for just about anything because he is ultimately "responisible" for what goes on, but in the end this is just political mud-slinging because he is no more responsible than you or I.

I heard Bush actually caused the storm because New Orleans as a whole didn't vote for him.

 

[RaiderNation]

I heard Bush actually caused the storm because New Orleans as a whole didn't vote for him.

I think I heard that too. Also, according to my reliable source Kanye West, Bush also hates black people.

 

[ItsGavinC]

True. The UN offered to help the victims of NO and they didn't to the victims of the tsunami.

Of course not. All UN aid comes from the US.

 

[ItsGavinC]

bush's fault...you bet he's the commander in chief...if he's not in a position to get things moving who is?

Amen. He should have commanded the waters to part. Or better yet, he should just walk on the water and deliver supplies.

 

[superchris147]

there is no excuse whatsoever for not airlifting food/water in to these "dangerous" areas while planning strategies for evacuation. simple common sense which was woefully lacking. bush's fault...you bet he's the commander in chief...if he's not in a position to get things moving who is? our president took off one day early from his vacation and "flew over" the devistation because he was advised that it would be too dangerous. that's what i call a great leader!

heh, it always sounds so simple when you're complaining. as if all george bush had to do was turn to page 90 of his book that read "what to do when 90,000 miles of new orleans is under water" and 'get things going'. these people have made it worse upon themselves, they didn't leave when they were supposed to and if you're too poor to leave then stop shooting at the people that are trying to help you.

the sad thing isn't that people don't care or that things arn't being done to help because that is a lie, the sad thing is that people are turning on each other/calling it racism/stronger victims preying on the weak victims

 

[tx oms]

there is no excuse whatsoever for not airlifting food/water in to these "dangerous" areas while planning strategies for evacuation. simple common sense which was woefully lacking. bush's fault...you bet he's the commander in chief...if he's not in a position to get things moving who is? our president took off one day early from his vacation and "flew over" the devistation because he was advised that it would be too dangerous. that's what i call a great leader!

Clearly you have never read the constitution of the United States and slept through your high school government classes. The president is forbiden to intervene with the military within the borders of the US. By law, the president can declare a disaster area which allows the governor/local government to request aid. The president, by law, cannot intervene without a formal request. Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin did not make those requests prior to the hurricane. Sorry.

You know what would be a great leader? Someone who walks blindly into a disaster and gets injured or killed. Then, they could lead the country from six feet under ground. Good point, though.

Finally, the vacation thing gets old. You can check your email from anywhere in the world. Do you think the president has to be in the White House to receive telegrams?

I'm not sure what this had to do with the rest of your post. Maybe it's just me, but I'll never vote for a woman president. Nobody with that many hormones and emotions should have that much power. She'll be in office for 1 month, then one day she'll run over and push the nuke button.

Amen, brother.

 

[tx oms]

Amen. He should have commanded the waters to part. Or better yet, he should just walk on the water and deliver supplies.

Genius. Utter genius.

 

[tx oms]

heh, it always sounds so simple when you're complaining. as if all george bush had to do was turn to page 90 of his book that read "what to do when 90,000 miles of new orleans is under water" and 'get things going'. these people have made it worse upon themselves, they didn't leave when they were supposed to and if you're too poor to leave then stop shooting at the people that are trying to help you.

the sad thing isn't that people don't care or that things arn't being done to help because that is a lie, the sad thing is that people are turning on each other/calling it racism/stronger victims preying on the weak victims

That's a good post. I'm softening my views little by little. I alwasy felt sorry for the victims and never wanted them to die, but I'm starting to blame them less and less. Yeah, they messed up by staying. Yeah, maybe the mayor could have moved people out of the city or to the Superdome more effectively. That doesn't change the way things are now. At least things seem to be improving.

Like I said earlier, there is a definite criminal element in the refugee shelters. There are also people who are just not able to help themselves for some reason. B/c I treat so many helpless people in my clinic it is easy to get cold. Turning my back on those folks doesn't improve their situation. I have yet to come up with a good answer to permanently help our dependent class in this country. I know education and values are the answer, but how do you convince someone in the projects of New Orleans that school is important and that they have a chance to change their lives and the lives of their family? I guess things like Big Brother/Big Sister are the best answer.

Something else to consider for you yankees who think we're all a bunch of backwards redneck racists: how many completely destitute people do you see everyday? How many friends do you have from the ghetto? Don't get on your high horse until you face the realities of our situation. Things aren't as bad up north b/c poor people can't survive up north. The residents in our hospital from the north are generally more rude to our patients b/c they have never dealt with the absolute dependent class. They look down on the patients with contempt. I grew up with them. I do get cold at times, but the existance of this class of people is something I've had to deal with all my life.

 

[dentalmom]

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, 'Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me'" (Matthew 25:40).

 

[tx oms]

"A woman should learn in quietness and full submision. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." I Timothy 2:11-12

Got anymore to share?

 

[DrJeff]

Oh boy is this thread is going to get fun 😉

There was a letter to the editor in one of my local papers today, The Hartford Courrant writen by a local Baptist minister from Simsbury, CT (a rather affluent suburb of Hartford). To paraphrase his 4 paragraphs, basically Katrina's decimation for New Orleans was a direct result of God finnaly having had enough with all the the "debauchery" and corruption that goes on in New Orleans. It really amazes me that "spiritual leaders" like this individual say things like this. Plus throw in a little Pat Robertson et. al from last week and we can obviously see how organized religion can lead us down the high road!

On the flip side though, you've got to be incredibly appreciative where we live in a country where we have the right to say things like this, even if we don't always agree with them, or think that the person saying them needs some serious psych help!

One other interesting thing that appeared in the same letters to the editor today. It was written by a disaster relief coordinator where basically he said the governements response is well within reason since EVERYONE that remains in the area where evacuation prior to a hurricane is recommended/required should have basic supplies (food/water/medications) to last them ATLEAST FOR A PERIOD OF 24 TO 72 HOURS AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED . After that time frame, then you should expect to see government aid STARTING to reach the affected areas.

When people start to realize that this isn't a government thing, or a god thing, or a race thing, but just simply nature doing its thing, and that nature can be way more powerfull than any of us.

 

[RaiderNation]

"A woman should learn in quietness and full submision. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." I Timothy 2:11-12

Got anymore to share?

God has spoken.

 

[gryffindor]

Something else to consider for you yankees who think we're all a bunch of backwards redneck racists: how many completely destitute people do you see everyday? How many friends do you have from the ghetto? Don't get on your high horse until you face the realities of our situation. Things aren't as bad up north b/c poor people can't survive up north. The residents in our hospital from the north are generally more rude to our patients b/c they have never dealt with the absolute dependent class. They look down on the patients with contempt. I grew up with them. I do get cold at times, but the existance of this class of people is something I've had to deal with all my life.

Oh yeah? Come up north to NYC, I'll introduce you to plenty of destitute people from the "absolute dependent class." Guess what, they have to deal with the snow & ice just the same as the rest of us. And I help pay for their survival each time I get a paycheck just like you do in the south. I don't know whose taxes are worse, but I'm convinced that a big chunk of change from my paycheck goes straight to New York's Medicaid pot.

You make it sound like we all grew up in the suburbs with minivans and nannies.

 

[aphistis]

"A woman should learn in quietness and full submision. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." I Timothy 2:11-12

Got anymore to share?

This (deliberately, I expect) omits a lot of context. Anyone can find individual verses to support any position imaginable, but only within the boundaries of that false vacuum. I'm curious to know what kind of church you attend, that encourages using the Bible as a weapon against itself.