From Iraq, troops see parallels in Katrina

[deadparrot]

BALAD, Iraq, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- From 8,000 miles away, U.S. troops in Iraq are watching footage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with awe, concern and a little shame.

"If anything I'm kind of embarrassed," said an officer. "We're supposed to be telling the Iraqis how to act and this is what's happening at home?"

A senior officer allowed that if he was forced to choose between New Orleans and Baghdad he'd prefer to take his chances in Baghdad.

On Friday, 1,000 National Guard troops and police executed a "clear and hold" mission on the New Orleans convention center. Once host to the 1988 Republican National Convention, the convention center was now unofficial host to thousands of refugees - squatters all - who were mixed in with criminals and thugs. There was no official government presence there.

http://kevxml2a.infospace.com/_1_2K29UU8049J1MCY__cp.us/kevxml?kcfg=upi-article&sin=2005090612000603889&otmpl=apnws/story.htm&qcat=news&ran=27831&passqi=0&passdate=09%2F06%2F2005+%26nbsp%3B+12%3A00%3A06+EST&feed=upi&more=1§ion=

[defiant1]

1. That quote says it all....

A senior officer allowed that if he was forced to choose between New Orleans and Baghdad he'd prefer to take his chances in Baghdad.

Yikes.

[krkaufman]

2. "Once host to the 1988 Republican National Convention..."

Both parties, after conferring w/ experts on the feasibility, should declare their intention to hold their 2008 national conventions in New Orleans.

It would certainly be the type of thing to kick-up the American can-do spirit, by setting an aggressive timeline for a minimal recovery and getting the core of the city operating again.

[glugglug]

5. Repug Convention in NOLA = bad idea

They will be no more welcome there than they were in NYC in 2004. The cost to the city in police overtime was astronomical, and the atmosphere is way too Orwellian when Shrub is in town.

[gratuitous]

6. Hmmm, maybe that's why God smote New Orleans

I'd say, "Look out, Houston. You could be next."

[Moderator]

3. kick

[Barrett808]

4. From Iraq, troops see parallels in Katrina ("embarrassed")

From Iraq, troops see parallels in Katrina
By Pamela Hess

BALAD, Iraq (UPI) -- From 8,000 miles away, U.S. troops in Iraq are watching footage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with awe, concern and a little shame.

'If anything I`m kind of embarrassed,' said an officer. 'We`re supposed to be telling the Iraqis how to act and this is what`s happening at home?'

A senior officer allowed that if he was forced to choose between New Orleans and Baghdad he`d prefer to take his chances in Baghdad.

On Friday, 1,000 National Guard troops and police executed a 'clear and hold' mission on the New Orleans convention center. Once host to the 1988 Republican National Convention, the convention center was now unofficial host to thousands of refugees - squatters all - who were mixed in with criminals and thugs. There was no official government presence there.

(more)

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1046308.php/From_Iraq_troops_see_parallels_in_Katrina