But in fact, government officials, scientists and journalists have warned of such a scenario for years.
Forget everything else that has happened over the last six days. For Chertoff to make this statement is either the height of ignorance, incompetence or simply bold-face lying.
For my friends not from New Orleans, position papers and studies on what would happen if the leeves broke are as old as the leeves themselves. I knew as a child, because my parents and relatives all told me, what would happen if the "big one" ever hit NOLA directly. We are not talking rocket science here. New Orleans is below sea level and surrounded by water. Only the leeve system kept the city dry.
Full article here--->Chertoff: Katrina scenario did not exist
Folks, the final death toll will probably be in five figures. What we are seeing is the greatest CYA operation in recent memory. Chertoff knows someone is going to have to answer for this massive loss of life and he is trying to shield himself from blame. Comments like the ones he made yesterday are salt in an open wound.
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"The first few days were a natural disaster, the last four days were a man-made disaster."Phillip Holt, 51
New Orleans evacuee
10 comments:
I'd be glad too and he can take his boss with him! ;)
Chertoff is the wrong man for the job. I'm listening to him being interview by Russert right now and it is clear the man just does not "get it."
If the hand of God moved, it move to remove power from New Orleans so that those fighting for their lives, waiting rescue at this very moment six days after the storm, would not have to hear this man speak. He is a national disgrace. He needs to be fired now.
Sunday, September 4th, 2005
11:32 am
Oprah and Other Latest Updates.
A confidential source reports that the Mayor of New Orleans and Oprah Winfrey will be sharing a helocopter flight over the city today. Also, he tells me that the NAACP is asking for permission to fly over the city to evaluate.
From Sig's morning recon: People are pretty much gone from the Dome, but there are around 100 who will not leave -- they are entenched and being referred to as Die Hard Saints Fans jokingly by the authorities. They would have to be forcibly removed. The stench from the Dome is sickening and all authorities in the area wear breath masks; the trash is piled up all over the place and human excrement is everywhere.
By the Casino, the various agencies have a very big presence with mini HQs in the area. Also the Dome and the Convention Center have large agency presences.
A lot of people still don't know where to evacuate. A lot of people were so scared of looting that they kept their presence hidden and are just now being discovered.
From an official source: New Orleans already had a big homeless population. A lot of the already homeless refused to leave without their shopping carts. So they won't go near the evac centers, even though we have heard reports that the helocopters will now allow people to bring their shopping carts with them.
And, to top it all off, as if to confirm my earlier post about government, the State and Federal governments are still at each other's throats. This crisis is going to require some leadership if things are gonna get better.
One way we can all help is to stay home and volunteer in your local communities. Many communities around the country will be receiving evacuees. The local officials will need volunteers to help register new arrivals, feed them, etc.
I checked today and Orlando will have a plan for using volunteers by Tuesday. Another good idea I heard was to call churchs. Even if your not a member, they may have more information about what they and others are doing in the local community.
Also-keep in mind that the regular local charities still need help. Some may lose there regular staffs to help with the newly setup centers for evacuees. Help is help regadless of who in need receives the aid.
:)
Great advice J.
I've not commented on any of this on my blog or anywhere. But I have to say it now. How can anywhere in the Western world allow this chaos to happen. And WHY is Bush in power?
I hear ya Leigh... at this point I'm just trying to follow whats going on and stay focused on what I can do to help. As much as possible I'm done with the blame game. There's plenty of others out there that can carry it on.
Its heartbreaking, frustrating and just plain unbelievable.
:)
Leigh I am with you 110%. The lack of organization post hurricane is ridiculous. They knew this was coming and they still cannot get their act together yet somehow when the events of 9/11 happened things were mobilized almost immediately. Granted I am sure "They" think NY is a much more important city and granted Juliani was a real leader and presence. I think it is so sad that this can and has happened.
I totally agree with Philip Holt's comment. It's a national disgrace!
I still have a hard tme believing it took this long to send help. Brown, Chertoff and Bush are all incompetent!
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