Calls coming in from trapped residents

[mtnester]

"I'm not doing too good right now," Chris Robinson said via cellphone from his home east of the city's downtown. "The water's rising pretty fast. I got a hammer and an ax and a crowbar, but I'm holding off on breaking through the roof until the last minute. Tell someone to come get me please. I want to live."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HURRICANE_KATRINA?SITE=MALOW&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&SECTION=HOME

[cbear70]

1. just heard

My heart is breaking for him and knowing that I will get slammed because the board seems to be a little tense today. I will keep him in my prayers. How many more are stuck inside? So sad.

[fooj]

2. You won't get slammed. I've got your back!

:hi:

peace.

[dogday]

7. I second the prayers

that is about all we can do for them is prayers and good thoughts. No slamming on this, more important things going on right now...

[Bluerthanblue]

8. why should you be slammed???

for caring???

we should all be slammed straight to hell if that's the case. If caring is something bad- screw this world- cause we're dead already.

Cbear70, you are part of the solution- and i'm aching with you- compassion and empathy are the only paths that lead to real and lasting peace and equality-

hugs, tears, and shared concern and prayers-
we are all a part of each other-
the world over-

blu

[Terran]

41. Some people seem to be really on edge today

A thread about the SuperDome roof damage contained a 30-post sub thread of people insulting each other over the fact that the OP had a typo in the headline about how much damage had occurred. It was pretty pathetic, but also understandable, I guess.

[Bluerthanblue]

44. thanks for

explaining- folks who get all twisted about typos, are wound pretty tight imo- and will miss alot of the most profound messages, because they are packaged 'wrong'-
But my life is a 'typo' error.

Anger is a sign that you still have a heart- gotta remind myself of that more.
"Temper is the weapon we hold by the blade".
Jas.Barrie-

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[geomon666]

4. A week ago it was in the Atlantic

and no one knew where it was going.

[MadHound]

6. Ever consider that this man couldn't leave?

Disabled, without a car, without money, who knows, there are many reasons that this man had to stay involuntarily.

Don't be so quick to condemn somebody before you know the full story, it tends to make you look "stupid" later on.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. If he's about to break through his roof...

that's not an easy thing to do. I think we could cross "disabled" off that list.

Without a car or money? He could've gotten to the Superdome.

Sorry, but I'm with SoCal. He should've chosen his life over his property.

[MadHound]

17. Disabled is just but one reason

And that is the entire point here, there could be any number of reasons for this guy to stay. It is premature to be calling this man "stupid" when we don't know the full story.

[SoCalDem]

23. I am surprised at the slamming I got....I know people who

'think' they are rugged individualists, UNTIL they get into a jam..

I wish the guy had left, and I still maintain that since he obviously has a phone, he could have certainly called SOMEONE prior to the storm hitting.. If his neighbors left, surely someone could have taken him with..

Some people are afraid to leave their stuff and prefer to ride it out, because it's worked before..

I would have a hard time leaving too, but it would be becaue of the logistics of bugging out with my kitties.. I WOULD find a way for a storm that looked as bad as this one did.. and it looked bad for at least 3 days.. It did NOT spring up overnight

[AuntPatsy]

30. Well for me, it's hard to question one's path unless I myself could

understand exactly what he was thinking which of course is impossible considering we are mostly wired differently..

I hope he remains safe..No slamming here, my family is like that, they don't have patience for what they view as ignorance..You have your opinion others have theirs, no biggie.

I think differently, we all face dangers in different degrees of uncertaininty in how we decide to face them...

I've never left during hurricane threats nor would I, I think alot of us have seriously become leery of all the doom and gloom forcasts the media seems to favor and virtually end up ignoring them for crying wolf one too many times, and I guess it does have more to do with feeling safer in my own surroundings regardless of the dangers that such could very well become my tomb.

Again, I hope he remains safe.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

31. I'm pretty sure we both hope he remains safe too.

Stupidity should not be a death sentence.

[SoCalDem]

35. I don't want him to perish either..

I hope if he makes it, he rethinks his plans next time.. He did make the choice to stay, and he'll suffer the consequences:(

he should use his time wisely though.. calling radio stations still on the air might not be the best use of his time.. No one will come for him until afterwards..:scared:

[ultraist]

50. Have you ever evacuated for a hurricane? It's not so easy.

Did they have a service set up whereby people could call for a free ride to the dome? I didn't hear anything about such a service. Maybe this guy didn't have anyone else he could call.

We don't know the facts and shouldn't be so quick to judge him and call him stupid.

[SoCalDem]

54. yes I have evacuated. and yes we should wait to hear more from him

for all we really know, he could be a "Bababooey" caller to a radio station. (ducks for more pummeling)

[ultraist]

67. We should wait before we condemn him to hell

'He made his bed and now has to lay in it,' is a very harsh attitude to take towards someone who is a flooding house, in the middle of a major hurricane.

[Lorien]

69. Having lived through one I agree with you

I found a way to "bug out" with my three cats for the last two (and I sure as heck am not a person with extra cash on hand). I drove 1,200 miles to stay with family because I couldn't afford more than two night's in a hotel. Charley taught me a lesson; NOTHING can be done to save one's property once the storm hits, and first responders can only do so much. Resources are limited; food spoils fast, water runs out, heat becomes unbearable-why stain an overtaxed system when one can get out and others simply can't? When the next major hurricane heads my way, I'll tape my windows, bag my stuff, offer a ride to someone who needs it and go.IMO it's the responsible thing to do if one has a way to do it. Of course, this means nothing right now for those who are trapped in this horrific situation. One can only pray that they find a way to survive. It's a terribly helpless feeling. :-(

[malta blue]

42. He could have had a pet or something else

The SPCA will be charging people with Cruelty to Animals if they abandon their pets. Shelters don't allow pets. Maybe he has a disabled parent he is tending to. Let's try to be kind to people who may have had no choice.

On edit: spelling.

[SoCalDem]

48. I hope he calls back when it's over so we can get all the details

If his neighbors said "screw you" when he asked for a ride with them when they evacuated, or the police hung up on him when he called and asked for help evacuating, or if he has 81 cats he couldn't leave, or (insert extenuating circumstance here)..

I will

a. send myself to my room without dinner
b. clean my office as penance
c. ask the pope for absolution
d. go directly to the lounge and hide in the corner

.

[SoCalDem]

12. I've looked stupid before

wouldn't be the first time.. BUT, there was time for him to call someone and say.. "Hey I wnat to leave but can't..could someone help me get outta here"? I don;t see anyone saying "NO"..

[Bluerthanblue]

39. hey, SoCal

i don't think you 'look' stupid, nor do i think you are 'uncaring' - (from all the posts of yours i've read) but maybe, you've never been in a situation where you honestly didn't have anyone to 'call'- or, felt like- "hey, where could i go?- or, i can't bear to leave my dog, or my kitties" or ANY reason.
That wouldn't mean i shouldn't care about you- and i think you DO care, and that hurts, and anger is easier to feel than frustration, compassion, fear and the maddening reality that a fellow human is in danger, and there is NOTHING 'you' can do to help.

I HAVE been in a place where there didn't seem to be anyone i could 'call'- or that would really 'care' or that 'i' mattered. It changes your perception of the world-

I don't hold it against you- just encourage you to think outside what you would/have/think you would/ do- and forget the reason and address the need-????

peace-
blu

[SoCalDem]

45. Thanks, blu.. The only thing is.. There's nothing immediately that anyone

CAN do for him.. I hope he makes it and learns from it..

I have been in :

hurricane (2)
flood (1)
lost in the jungle at night (there were two of us... 10 yrs old)
earthquakes (at least 10)
tornadoes (too many to count) (lost part of a roof..at 2AM)interesting wake up call
on a near ditching-at-sea flight (we had the life-raft inflated in the aisle, and life jackets on)..
stranded in the desert with a broken down car..


probably forgot some..

but I HAVE been in desperate situations, and I usedstand the helpless feeling..

Some situations have no warning..some do.. that's all I meant:hi:

[Bluerthanblue]

55. i realized that-

AFTER i got angry at you for feeling angry- :crazy:
THEN, i asked myself why you might 'feel' as you do- and thats when i realized what might be the reasons-
And saw how you could feel what you do-

GEEZ- it sure does hurt to be alive doesn't it?

Also, as a mom, i've had to watch my kids make some not so great decisions despite all the 'good advice' and 'reasoning' in the world- I can't stop loving them- or pretend to be 'better' than them-

We all do what we do, for our own reasons, which may 'seem' right, even when they end up being anything but-

PEACE- we care- we're alive, and aware- and connected- and so lucky to be able to care, even when that 'blessing' sucks-

blu:grouphug:

[SoCalDem]

59. and I don't want any harm to come to him.. I hope no one thinks

I want the guy to die.. Just that he made a stupid choice.. for whatever reason,. :hi:

[Roland99]

15. He has a house, a cell phone, etc. he's not that poor

And, if he has an ax and a crowbar and was willing to bust through his roof, I don't think he's disabled.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

19. Yeah, the number of "possibilities" are slim.

And yes, there are a lot of stupid people in this world. Not everything is explained logically.

[MadHound]

22. House, cell phone and tools don't mean that he's rich either

Or that he could afford a vehicle, or an airline ticket, or what have you.

And who knows, perhaps he was forced to stay behind until it was too late to get out, city employee, etc. etc. Hell, there's many many tourists that went back to their hotels in the French Quarter because they couldn't make it to the airport for the last flight out, no cars were available for rent, and they had no place else to go.

Blanketly condemning people before we know their story and situation is heartless, compassionless and well, rather stupid.

[Roland99]

25. Oh...sweet irony...

:eyes:

[Bluerthanblue]

13. just hope you always

have the means, ability, and luck to make what turns out to be the 'right' decision in YOUR life.

But know, there will always be those of us, who know that as humans we make poor choices sometimes or HAVE no choice, and there will be those who care, not matter what-

And i'd risk my life for another, even someone i believed made a bad decision.... even someone who could care less about others....

hell, it turned out i risked my life for a tiny painted turtle the other day- (people drive WAY too fast on back roads) but i'm a bleeding heart liberal, and thankful to feel just fine about that, even when it hurts to feel the pain of others.

[johnaries]

24. You sound like George F****ing Will. It doesn't matter HOW or WHY

he's stuck there, He's STUCK THERE. Shrugging it off and saying it's his own fault is cold-hearted and REPUBLICAN!

Sending positive energy.

[Eloriel]

29. Very sad to see such a heartless, uncompassionate attitude from

you. Very sad. Further, you don't actually know what this guy's circumstances are/were. It may not have been "stupidity" at all. (And thank God, my own episodes of stupidity during my life weren't met with such heartless "fuck you" cruelty by others.)

[Obamarama]

32. So, with so many deadly earthquakes in CA, why are you still there?

I guess by your brand of reasoning, when and if California ever slides into the Pacific, you won't mind if I say "That stupid SoCalDem CHOSE to live in the midst of a fault zone. Looks like SoCalDem chose stupid on the wheel of fortune."

[SoCalDem]

38. Earthquakes are not viewed on CNN for a week before they happen

and I would LOVE to leave CA.. Wanna buy my house:)and hire my husband:)??

:hi:

[Obamarama]

47. No, but their aftermath are....how many wake up calls do YOU need?

All the predictors point to a massive, catastrophic EQ event in California's future. You're living in the path of death and destruction and know it. Sorry...by your own rationale you're still landing on "STUPID" on the wheel of life.

Of course, I don't hope this actually HAPPENS to you. Just trying to point out what a ridiculous statement yours was.

[SoCalDem]

49. Okay.. whatever

I give :hi:

[ultraist]

57. Not a week but decades of predictions!

If you were to suffer or perish in an earthquake, because you made the judgment call to stay in that area that is well known to be a high risk area for major quakes, I don't think many here would call you stupid or say, "oh, well, she made her choice and should suffer the consequences."

[SoCalDem]

60. Life is ALL choices.. and I will and DO live with my choices

we just patch up the cracks and go on.. If "the big one" hits, I will have lots of company.. just like I did when we lived in "Tornado-Land" and "Dangerous Jungle-ville" and "Hurricane Heights", and everywhere else..

No human is free from geological/meteorological/topographic etc dangers..

Everyplace has hazards. Life is dangerous and no one gets off the planet alive..
:)

[etherealtruth]

33. NOT everyone has the resources to leave ...

We have NO idea what the particular circumstances are that led this person to be in this position ...

Even if it comes down to stupidity or bravado (but, we DON'T know) they have my compassion and sincerest wishes to be OK.

[Egalitariat]

68. Everybody has the resources to get to the Superdome

The hole in the roof notwithstanding, those people will all be fine.

[TahitiNut]

36. I don't believe in captial punishment.

While I'm rarely hesitent to make dark jokes about 'Chlorine in the Gene Pool' and the 'Darwin Awards,' I don't believe in capital punishment ... particularly for errors in judgement. It's far too easy to blame the victim ... piling insult on top of injury. I'm a liberal precisely because I'd risk my health and safety to save another's life. I'm a liberal because I don't believe in throwing stones at victims of AIDS, cancer, and nature's fury. I'm a liberal because I know of no person who's not made some stupid choices ... myself included.

[Terran]

43. Wow, is your evil twin posting today?

That doesn't sound like the usual SoCalDem. Seriously. Very disappointing.

[SoCalDem]

46. my sarcastic side got the best of me , I guess

:hi:

[TahitiNut]

56. D'ya think?

:rofl:

[SoCalDem]

62. Hey it's a FIRST for me... Now I know what others feel like

when they limp into the lounge all bruised and mangled :P

[Stand and Fight]

5. Sweet Jesus...

I'm sending up a lot of prayers today, and now I'm sending up one for this gentleman. Pray God that these people are kept safe... This is horrible.

[buddysmellgood]

9. Why the hell didn't we load everyone that wanted to go on planes, trains

and school buses, and take them to a military base in Tennessee? Lord knows our barracks are empty. What would we have done if we know an overwhelming invading army was coming to wipe out the city?

[Bluerthanblue]

16. Why the hell don't we have

all those helicopters that carry lots of people, that are being used to bring in troops to other countries with guns and bombs- here at home, where they could come in, land, and carry EVERYONE to high ground till it is safe..??
Those that did the carrying would know they were doing 'good' and those that were being helped, would know that America really DOES care.

because we have to fight 'them' there, so we can die here of natural disasters.

living life is facing terror in all sorts of ways- we'll never 'end' it- we can't 'fight' it, but we should 'be there' for each other when it comes.

[Jacobin]

26. Because its up to each person to decide whether to leave

This guy decided to try to ride it out.

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. How horrible and scary.

:cry:

[whatever4]

14. How many elderly have died in this evacuation??

Some people risk their lives in just the evacuation. No, it isn't always possible to evacuate. Some people cannot leave with out help, and in this thing, there was only so much help to go around.

If they knew they were risking their lives, they had a reason for it, and that has to be on a case-by-case basis, not a blanket condemnation. If they didn't, that's all the more reason to feel sorry for them.

[mtnester]

20. I heard a report this morning that 3 elderly died during nursing home

evacuation.

[Roland99]

21. Three nursing home residents died when they were being evacuated.

[GumboYaYa]

28. Everyone I know over 60 stayed.

It is very difficult for elderly people to evacuate on short notice. I am worried sick about how the aftermath will affect so many old and sick people who were essentially forced to stay.

[demnan]

18. The problem here is the risk of life in saving a life

Someone has to make that judgement call now. I guess that's why evacuation was mandatory, so when people beg for help now, they know not to expect it.

[roguevalley]

27. no one deserves to die like that. no one. a lot of animals are dying

right now and a few people. I feel for all of them. It would disappoint me if someone around me couldn't feel his fear and worry for him, decision or no. God bless all in harms way. No one deserves this.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

34. I guess some people don't understand "mandatory"

[DoYouEverWonder]

52. Mandatory doesn't do you much good

when you have no way to get anywhere. A lot of people in NO don't own cars. All the people that were sent to the Superdome should have been bused out of town yesterday! Homeland Security should have provided free transportation to those in need.

A lot of tourists got stuck their too, when they closed the airports and no one could get rental cars.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

70. The guy is CLEARLY not a tourist.

And if he's healthy enough to be busting through the roof of his house, I think he might be able to get to a bus, or even walk to the Superdome.

[Javaman]

37. Like the old joke...

A guy is at his home during a storm....

A police man comes by and says, "we are evacuating the area"

The man says, "that's okay, God will provide..."

The waters are rising now and a fire rescue comes by in a boat.

The fireman says, "hop in the boat, we'll help you out."

The man says, "that's okay, God will provide..."

The water has now risen to the point that the man's house is submerged except for the roof. He sits on the roof calmly.

A helicopter comes by. The pilot shouts down to the man, "I'll send down a rope, climb up!"

The man says, "that's okay, God will provide..."

Finally, the water rises so high, the man drowns.

Up in heaven the man compains to God, "why didn't you help me??"

God replies, "I sent a police man, a boat and a helicopter, what more do you want????"

[SoCalDem]

40. So,, You're joining my club?

Bring your helmet:) :hi:

[Javaman]

51. Like the old saying, "do I need to write you a letter?"

I feel bad for the guy and perhaps there are circumstances and details of the story I'm not privy to, but if he was able to leave and chose not to, then it's his row to hoe.

I'm sure we have all seen various videos of people stranded in trees during a flood or on their roof, blah blah blah, after repeated warnings or more than enough opportunities to leave but don't and then cost the county a bundle when the emergency people have to go out and pluck them from a tree in the middle of a raging storm.

So, if he was of sound mind, had the opportunity to leave and was just basically stubborn, then he's a boob.

[Bluerthanblue]

61. but

remember- boobs need love too-(they nourish life)
and are no less deserving.

From a 'distance' everything looks so smooth- no sharp edges, no trigger wires, no tricky details- up close and personal it's a whole nother trip.

Caring doesn't require 'worthiness'- it's part and parcel of who we are-
The only 'club' i want membership in is the "HumanKIND" one.

lots of potential members-

[huskerlaw]

58. I'll join your club too

While we don't know the circumstances of this guy in particular, I think it's fairly safe to say that some people who were capable of getting out made the choice to stay.

I have a darn hard time feeling sorry for those individuals. It is different than people who are in an earthquake, tornado, or general hurricane zone. They KNEW this thing was going to hit them, they KNEW it was a Cat. 5, they had more than enough time to get out, there were mandatory evacuations...if they still made the choice to stay, I have a damn hard time feeling sorry for them. And I certainly hope that nobody risks their life to try to save them.

This comment does NOT include people who did not have the ability (for whatever reason) to evacuate. If I read your comments correctly, SoCalDem, you weren't including those poor souls either.

[ultraist]

63. Sounds like fundie crap to me

First, we don't know the circumstances under which this guy made the decision to stay. Perhaps he couldn't get out.

Regardless, it's cruel and very Repuke like to be so callous and punitive towards people in danger.

[SoCalDem]

65. Well, I'm gonna go see what Anderson's up to.

:)

[DoYouEverWonder]

66. Maybe God sent a police man, a boat and a helicopter

but no one sent them to New Orleans because Bush is in charge of Homeland Security now and he couldn't be bothered.

[mtnester]

53. It is SICK when I have to alert on my own damn post

I posted out of concern. Never DREAMED some of the stuff I would see posted.

Shit on toast folks, what is WRONG with some of you?

[AllieB]

64. I've been close to tears all morning

My heart goes out to those trapped there. New Orleans is a poor city, and many people don't have cars, and if they do, the gas prices are probably keeping them from escaping. The lack of potable water after the storm may lead to a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions.

I have such wonderful memories of Nawlins. The people were so friendly, the architecture so beautiful, and the history so interesting. My prayers go out to them.

[Moderator]

71. Locking

This thread has gone downhill fast. Let's hope everyone survives this storm.