This post from DU's expatriate about N.O , deserves a thread on it's own.

[trumad]

from expatriate:
"There have been a number of people here who have pooh-poohed the worst case scenarios that were discussed on the news. They have referred to people who were upset about the situation in New Orleans as "Chicken Littles" and insinuated that they were getting voyeuristic jollies from this disaster. One thread was dedicated to how the computer models of what could happen to New Orleans in the case of a Category Five hurricane directly hitting the city were wrong and overly dramatic.

Now the Lake Ponchartrain levee has been breached at the 17th Street Canal. I know New Orleans and its suburbs well, and I know what this means. Lake Ponchartrain is emptying into the city, and though engineers are trying to mend the breach, they can't get the heavy equipment moved in to do an effective repair. The lake is actually higher than most of the city, so a lot of water is going into New Orleans. It will undermine the buildings that haven't been destroyed, and the water is rising above the levels that drove people up into their attics.

Nothing has been said about the levees on the Mississippi River, but the river will rise as flood waters drain from places further north that are affected by Katrina. Normally, if the river rises high enough, engineers open the floodgates on the levee that allow some of the water in the Mississippi River to flow through Lake Ponchartrain, but that kind of relief on the levee system is impossible now that the Lake Ponchartrain levees have been breached.

Normally, water in the streets is pumped into Lake Ponchartrain - now that is impossible, until the breach in the levee is fixed - if it can be fixed.

So yes, the Chicken Littles were right - it just didn't happen all at once like a disaster movie (and few disasters do, it's the undermining of infrastructure that leads to the most damage and deaths, and takes several days in the case of hurricanes and other major storms). This is going to be horribly catastrophic. It could lead to the end of New Orleans as we know it, particularly if that levee breach cannot be mended.

I personally found such remarks horribly offensive. My son is in New Orleans. He might be in the Superdome - he might not. There are issues I don't want to go into, but he is a person who is not usually in his right mind, and he is an insulin dependent diabetic. I cannot make any sort of contact with anyone who might know where he is, or if he is even alive.

To read the smartass "so much for those computer models" and "Chicken Little" posts is really galling to me right now. But then, I knew what could happen in New Orleans, as I know it well, and I know how the pumping system has always been inadequate and how the pumps burn out easily, and that any levee breach could mean the end of the city as we know it. Obviously, those making the smug and superior posts about Chicken Littles and people getting off on the drama of it all did not.

People are dying. My son could be dying. The water is rising - and I consider it in horrific taste for anyone to make remarks to the effect that things are not so bad or that everything was blown out of proportion by the media. It only shows their ignorance of the deadly potential of this tragic situation".
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=printer_friendly&forum=104&topic_id=4505364&mesg_id=4505502

[Solly Mack]

1. Nominated

Needs to be read.

[bananas]

25. Here is the thread for those that missed it

"So much for the big high-tech computer simulation that predicted
the code 5 hurricane coming into to destroy NO. Seems as though the whole gigantic scare was due in large part because of a "model", never mind that a hurricane of that intensity hitting land in the gulf coast probably hasn't happened in recorded history."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4498776&mesg_id=4498776


There were also posts like this scattered around other threads:

"8. They did not say that
Are you so desperate for a disaster that you're making up lies, or do you so desire destruction that you're hearing things?
Either way, Chicken Little, get a hold of yourself."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4493924&mesg_id=4493951

[alcibiades_mystery]

51. You should not take that post out of context

If you are being fair. It was in response to a post stating that half the roof of the Superdome had blown off, which was false at the time, and could have been dangerously panic-inducing, precisely for people with loved-ones there. You pluck that post as if I was speaking in general. I was not. I was responding specifically to the original poster who posted false information, which he soon corrected and claimed to be a typo.

If you're gonna get all indignant, get all indignant in the right direction.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

53. Those posts stand on their own merit, as does your post defending them.

[alcibiades_mystery]

57. No, nothing stands on its own

Context is always important, unless you're Fox News.

As it stands, I'm happy to admit that the second one is mine, and I will maintain that it was completely appropriate at the time. I posted it not for the reason adduced here: I did not take issue with people tackling the scope of the disaster, nor did I disbelieve that even worse disaster was a real possibility. Rather, the post was a direct response to somebody who posted that half the Superdome roof had been torn off, which was not true. I don't like false statements during a catastrophe which make things seem even worse than they really are. Sue me. If you don't see how such a post would be wrong in the heady situation of yesterday morning, I'm not sure what to tell you. In any case, my response was harsh precisely to defend people like expatriate from false reports. The original poster soon changed the thread title to indicate that the initial post had been a typo.

That's the context, and I'm happy to defend it. Was my response harsh? Sure. But it was harsh in the interest of truth, and that's a position I'll take everytime, your snark notwithstanding.

[LiberalMandrake]

49. This was the end of New Orleans.

"It could lead to the end of New Orleans as we know it, particularly if that levee breach cannot be mended."

It really doesn't matter if it can be mended.
This was the end of New Orleans. I don't think it will be ever rebuilt because it seems clear that we are now in year 2 of the new age of global superstorms.

It's not possible to rebuild a city on a site sinking always deeper below sea level, and with a probability of 50 pct of being hit by a cat3+ hurricane.

[DistressedAmerican]

2. Nominated. Glad You Reposted. I Was Pissed Off As Well

And no one deserves to say it like expat.

I ws wondering how much of that crap was being posted by freeps. Most of just aren't assholes like that.

[etherealtruth]

3. This certainly does deserve it's own thread ...

... and a nomination to the greatest page.

I too have been more than little shocked at some of the callousness expressed here ... in general DU'ers have been concerned and compassionate, unfortunately a SMALL percentage of DU'ers lack compassion and are unable to be gracious ... even more unfortunate is the fact that these insensitive comments are the ones that grab "our" attention.

[Minstrel Boy]

4. Glad to see you do this n/t

[soup]

11. Yes. and recommended. This is reality. n/t

[LeftHander]

5. It is so sad...

I can't really describe the wave of sadness that swept over me reading this.

A great historic city is sinking under the sea.

[Eloriel]

36. I woke up with a very heavy heart, and one of those black clouds

over my head. Now I understand better why.

Expatriate, I am so sorry for your situation, but thank you for your contribution to our understanding of this catastrophe. Will hold you and your family in my heart and prayers.

[demnan]

6. Expatriate:

I hope for the best for your son, that he might remain safe and be obtaining the proper medical care. I'm going to donate to the relief effort today (as soon as I figure out which is the best organization to donate to) and I urge anyone with the means to do so to do the same.

[katinmn]

7. It is a terrible diaster for NO but also the Biloxi area

where many lives have been lost and the emergency continues.

No one should try to downplay the effects of Katrina.

Expatriate: I hope you hear from your son soon and learn that he is ok. :hug:

[shadowknows69]

10. I sadly agree

the full cost of this disaster in human lives and the blessed bottom line of the dollar won't be known for quite some time. I hate to say it but I think we've lost our first city to mother nature's wrath. I know the instinct is to rebuild and go on but they need to think seriously about writing NO off if its as bad as Trumad predicts it could be. :-(

[hootinholler]

14. There are at least 3 towns west of Biloxi

The we still have not heard from. Bay St. Louis, Waveland and Pearlington.

We've not heard from most of Hancock county.

This ain't even close to being over, folks.

-Hoot

[dogday]

8. They are going to be finding the dead

for a while and if you have never seen the devastation that these large ones can cause, they just have no idea. I saw Camile in the fall of 69, it was bad, really bad and this is worse... I just let those who like to poo-poo on things do it, they just prove themselves wrong publicly anyway....

[malta blue]

9. nominated

Thank you. Your words ring so true in the hearts of many here at DU, and I was appalled at the callous statements made by some regarding this horrible tragedy.

[LynzM]

12. Thanks for the repost

Expat, I hope for you that your son is safe and ok, and remembered to bring enough insulin and food with him :hug:

[mahatmakanejeeves]

13. I cannot make any sort of contact

As always, amateur radio has performed flawlessly during the emergency. Locally, communications on citizens band radio were unaffected as well. Some people never gave them up.

Amateur Radio Nets Active as Katrina Comes Ashore

Citizens Band (CB)

[crowcalling]

15. Am upset

Was in tears this morning seeing the video of the man who had lost his wife. Each person lost .. what a tragedy. To hell with everything else, storm models, etc, these people are out there fighting for their lives right now!

Each and every one of them must feel so alone and lost.

[SaveAmerica]

16. I don't know how helpful this will be for you, expatriate, but on one

of these news channels or web pages I've been keeping up with, they interviewed the person in charge of those who need medical attention in the Superdome. He said that anyone who had any medical needs that they couldn't handle were driven to hospitals to be cared for there and I'm pretty sure that diabetics were included. I'll look around to see what I can find about that.

[Stephanie]

18. a dr at the hospital yesterday say they had 63 patients from Superdome

they were bringing them over to the hospital if they need it - and another emergency coordinator who said they had a triage team at the Superdome - I'm sure it's not adequate care but there is emergency care available for them

thanks for your post, trumad - the water is rising and it's terryifying

[markus]

17. Thank you

You are precisely right about the threat from the 17th St. Canal. I used to right about hurricane and flooding and coastal erosion issues for the Guide newspaper group before the Picayune bought it out.

If the levee is severely compromised, large parts of the lakefront will continue to flood until it reaches the L&N embankment, until it also reaches cemetaries.

Every report of the Ninth Ward, Holy Cross/Bywater/Treme and St. Bernard show this is a much more catastrophic than Betsy.

Yes it was not the doomsdays storm. Thank all diety for that. But it is a disaster of catastrophic proportions. And the Gulf Coast may have loss of life and property comparable to Camille.

Thank you for calling these assholes out.

Mark

[SoCalDem]

19. The computer models were actually quite accurate, in my opinion

Storms are capricious, and this one was within 30 miles of being exactly what they predicted. 30 miles in a storm that big, is pretty accurate.

People forget that the "old time" storms from the 60's were tracked with equipment that's nowhere near what it is today, and back then there was much less asphalt & concrete, and a whole lot more marsh, estuary, and barrier island density to help absorb the brunt of the storm..There were far fewer people too.

The people who ride it out unscathed are like the people who eat all the wrong foods, smoke, drink and still manage to reach 90...everyone wants to "know their secret".. Their "life-model" is a unique and lucky experience, and would not work for 99% of the other folks..

CNN and the others who continually interview and marvel at the tales of the "ones who stayed" only reinforce the rugged individualist stereotype that they love to push, and may lead to others 'trying it" next time :(..

They should not be glamorizing the stories of those who "rode it out"..

[Eloriel]

37. I agree re the computer modeling

IIRC, as much as 24 hours before Nagin declared mandatory evacuation (if not longer), the weather people were all saying that ALL the various computer models agreed: NO was it. And it was, up until just a few short hours before, and then not that far off. 30 miles for a storm which is itself over 400 miles wide is damn fine forecasting, IMO.

The guy who had the nerve to moan about that was just a troll, I think. I don't remember if I posted in that thread, but I do know I didn't go back to it and probably eventually hid it.

[geomon666]

38. Certainly better than what people had in the 30's

All you had to go by was the barometer on your wall. If the pressure dropped for more than a day or got below 940, you were in trouble.

[MadHound]

20. The ongoing flooding could indeed be a huge problem.

I was listening to a civil engineer on Saturday saying that if the worst case happened and New Orleans was flooded out by both the hurrican and the Lake, then they would have to blow all of the levee system simply in order to allow the water to drain out.

[SeanQ]

21. My deepest sympathies

My wife is from New Orleans, and we still have family and friends who still live their. My 86 year old aunts home is (well, was now I suppose) about 8 blocks downhill from the breach. That is where my brother-in-law, who just got married, was planning on moving some day and starting his family. My wifes parents live in Metairie and I have other friends and family throughout LA. Thank god everyone I knew got out ahead of the storm, with only one exception. And the father and son that did stay are in good health and have military training - although I'm sure this is a hardship for them, I expect (pray) they are well and volunteering.

There are now 100's of thousands of people who have no home, no job and maybe no place to go. The lucky ones will be able to go home in maybe a week and assess the damage. But it may takes many weeks to get the water out of the city and power returned to even the least damaged neighborhoods. We are just starting to sort where all our friends and family will be staying. Please keep your hearts open - many will need a lot of help getting through this, and not just financially.

peace,

[Jacobin]

22. This is a catastrophe

Its just that it hasn't completely destroyed the CBD and the Quarter....yet.

Water is rising from further breaches in levees.

Most of New Orleans (except for the tourist spots and the places the TV weather idiots play with their cameras) is under a lot...a LOT of water.

People are dead. People are dying. People are trapped in attics and rooftops. The emergency personnel don't even know where to begin looking.

I have lived through mild to severe hurricanes for over 45 years in Louisiana and this is the first time I've heard them call for volunteers with small boats to help rescue people stranded in trees and roofs.

Tens of thousands will be homeless for months.

I'm in Western Louisiana and we didn't get hit at all. I'm trying to decide today what I can do to help.

BTW, the National Guard in years past was always first to the scene of a major hurricane with amphibious vehicles, helicopters and security details. They are conspicuously absent, or in woefully insufficient numbers because of their reckless deployment by this administration.

This disaster is only beginning to unfold.

[Maru Kitteh]

23. expatriate, I don't know if you pray - but I do, and your family has mine

Please keep us updated, and know that all of us wish we could do more.

[Jacobin]

24. .

This post says it well and deserves not to sink into oblivion

[expatriate]

26. Trumad, I thank you.

I don't know quite what to say. So few people know the unique system of largely antiquated technology that holds water back from New Orleans. I know that some of the remarks made here about people being chicken littles are borne of ignorance of what such a storm can do to a town like New Orleans, but I just had to write out the truth. I'm glad that someone has read it and appreciated it.

I thank all of those who have expressed good wishes and who are thinking about and praying for my son. As has been painfully obvious, communication from New Orleans is practically nil. The news reports are far from comprehensive. The few eyewitness reports that have gotten out are horrifying.

Old time Louisiana residents have always known that a bad storm could literally spell the end for New Orleans as we know it. Even if the levees can be repaired and the water pumped out of the city, most of the city's buildings, including historical ones, will be fit only for a bulldozer.

As I write, the Times-Picayune, New Orleans' biggest newspaper, is only in electronic edition with no hard copy, because their building is flooding. WWL is also evacuating to Baton Rouge, because their studios in the French Quarter are flooding. The French Quarter is on some of the highest ground in New Orleans. When the French Quarter fills up with water, the rest of New Orleans is already inundated - not with just a little water, with feet of water.

Should I find out anything about my son, I shall update - however, his situation is tragic in and of itself. In a time of catastrophe, even though he is a grown man, he would be his own worst enemy. I can only hope that eventually I will be able to find out how and where he is.

Again, thank you all.

edited to add - thanks to all who reminded us of the other towns that have been devastated. From what I can find out, Slidell is completely under water. Biloxi and Gulfport took the full force of the storm surge, and Mobile has massive flooding. These towns too are never going to be the same. I remember many hurricanes, starting with Hilda and then Betsy, Camille, and dozens and dozens of smaller storms. Hurricane Katrina, I fear, will outstrip them all in damage and devastation.

[burythehatchet]

27. Prayers to you and your son

and please don't take this board personally. We get lulled into a sense of community here because many people share our emotions. That is a very comforting experience. However, for each compassionate person here there are 10 bastards who completely lack empathy or understanding of other people's situations, cultures and traditions. Click on the wrong thread and its no different than a Yahoo message board.

[BQueen]

30. Thanks for speaking up and here's hoping

you hear good news about your son soon. It must be terrifying to watch from afar.

It's so hard for *me* to watch, I really feel for you, and for lovely old New Orleans... :cry:

[Misunderestimator]

41. I hope you contact your son soon. Please do update us.

:hug:


And from what I see NOW on CNN... with them reporting now that 80% of NO is underwater... it appears that you are unfortunately, right. :(

[Eloriel]

42. Very important detail missing from all MSM coverage I've seen

The French Quarter is on some of the highest ground in New Orleans. When the French Quarter fills up with water, the rest of New Orleans is already inundated - not with just a little water, with feet of water.

I'm watching a report from the Fr Qtr right now (taped), and the guy is in water to his knees.

[Pithy Cherub]

28. Please all donate blood or money if at all possible today.

As this disaster unfolds if you give blood today it will help and it will help regionally no matter where you are. That is truly one of the fears of a first responder that they work so very hard to save lives just to have their efforts be in vain because of a lack of life saving blood. There will be injuries from heroic efforts and the region has no capacity right now to store blood. I am begging...

Expatriate and all others personally affected prayers and :loveya:

[cbear70]

29. my heart to you

I too was sickened by the posts yesterday knowing that the worse was yet to come.

I am so sorry and I pray you can speak to your son soon. I cannot do much but what I can, I will.. I hope and pray for the best for everyone affected by this hurricane. I am so very sorry.

[bribri16]

31. Trumad, I feel your pain and sympathize with you and many others.

My family managed to get out two days ago and for that I am eternally grateful. I just learned that one cousin with an infant did not leave. We are all worried about that. There is little that anyone can say at a time like this. Best and most hopeful thoughts go out to you and your family. May you find your son safe.

[momisold]

32. As smart as we human beings

think we are, Mother Nature proves she is beyond our comprehension and this sort of thing cannot be pinpointed. If severe warnings had not been made and people hadn't taken the storm seriously, there would be much more loss of life.

There is no way to totally, accurately predict what will happen with a storm of this magnitude, so it is always best to err on the side of caution, even if it causes inconvenience and hardships. Think what a blessing it was that so many people knew in advance and had time to make arrangements. In the old days there wasn't much hope of such a warning; the death toll was high and the devastation tremendous.

I hope you have heard something by now and know that your son is safe.

[Peace Patriot]

33. Thanks for your post! It's so easy to armchair a disaster from faraway--

it's like people who think that 2,000 U.S. soldier deaths in Iraq (if it's even true--and not greatly under-reported) is a "low" casualty rate. It's not a low casualty rate for Casey Sheehan and his family! And they obviously don't realize how easily that can turn into 55,000 (and they don't count Iraqis, just like they never counted Vietnamese--one million!--or the countryside there that was laid waste!).

That's what it reminds me of--"somebody else's" disaster--so people feel free to shoot their mouths off, probably not realizing how much they are hurting people who are hurting.

Trumad, I'm so sorry you're out of contact with your son, and are suffering this anxiety. I hope he is all right! And I'm sorry for any pain caused to you by people here at DU who don't know what they are talking about.

One good thing that may come of this disaster is that it might wake a few people up--with Louisiana's National Guard and its equipment gone off to Iraq. I remember when half of California's National Guard was sent to Iraq, and they therefore had to pull the guards off the Golden Gate Bridge. That's got me worried. My son uses it regularly. It's just so totally insane that we can't see to our needs, and our own infrastructure, while Halliburton & brethren shovel in the billions for pretending to repair the things in Iraq that we needlessly destroyed! That Louisiana doesn't have its National Guard right now is insanity!

Natural disasters CAN wake people up. They can have a profound impact on people--not just as to the losses and disruptions--but also as to a realization of the fragility and preciousness of life, and the need to pull together, and practice kindness and generosity--and the silliness of all the petty things we concern ourselves with, most times. It can give people perspective. It can cause them to re-evaluate their lives and priorities. I hope that happens in Louisiana, and I think it already is happening--as to people pulling together, helping each other out, and feeling communality--all those people in the Superdome, fleeing the hurricane--it must have been an amazing feeling of common purpose.

Bush and his Cartel have denied us that feeling--of common purpose and equality. They've been so divisive and ugly, pitting rich against poor, and using war and fear and foul-mouthed rightwing front men to stir the lowest instincts of hatred and selfishness.

We long for a positive vision. We long to pull together and repair our country. We long to be generous and helpful and to feel that we are doing good in the world. Perhaps the disaster in New Orleans will help people glimpse what could be possible with positive leadership--or even, what we can accomplish by ourselves, as a creative, "can do," democratic people, in the absence of positive leadership.

(...and then maybe Louisianans will get busy and repair their election system as well--as we must do in California and all over the country. With transparent, verifiable elections, we might even be able to count on our taxpayer funded National Guard in time of need!)

[seabeyond]

34. people are literally saving lives as fast as they can......

as disaster continues to grow. and you are really challenging a battle at this time, who..... has more compassion for fellowman. i think this was the point of a couple days ago. dont have time for this shit. trying to figure out solutions, as problems develop. this..... is not productive. i think this is what people were saying a couple days ago. unkown. there are so many unknown that has to be addressed

this is like the hugest of storms, in the very worst of ways. not going to be fun for anyone. it is about survival, hence, fuck looting. bigger fish to fry

dont even think,.... please.... that there is a competition of some sort, at who loves whom more. who wants life saved more. so not productive

and it really is offensive to sugggest i dont care about everyone of these souls. whether you think i am one of those or not, i dont know. it is possible. but to question my compassion, or my horror for what these people are going thru, is wrong.

we are now in martial law (well, not me, no. but known, we have to watch this closely to see how they use it). they are saying get out people. and seems like they are working hard to get people out. shit is happening.

so, i am not into dealing with past, or created stories of outrage and anger. that isnt going to save these people.

unfortunately i dont believe i am going to be able to work with this board for a little while. i cant hear how bad i am, from anyone. anymore

enough with the people telling me who i am. that i dont care about these people. the right telll me about that, with the soldiers in iraq. i dont buy it.

i respect people here, i think i talk to people that way.

i just dont think this thread is necessary. i am sorry you think of me? that way.

[Eloriel]

44. Uh, I don't think you were one of the people involved in the

insensitivity expressed about this tragedy.

Were you?

[expatriate]

55. Seabeyond, the original post was mine from another thread.

It was reposted by Trumad.

I was not addressing you. I do not remember you posting on the threads I was speaking about.

It isn't all about you. Is that a disappointment? There are people here, including me, who have relatives stranded in New Orleans, and the situation there is worsening by the second, and it really galls when people adopt a "see, it's all panic mongering" attitude.

I spoke up to try to educate people a bit to the reality.

I had a very hard time understanding your post as written. However, I made no personal attack on you, or your beliefs. I came here to try to get news, because I live in another country, and we aren't hearing much about the aftereffects of the hurricane at all. My son is mentally incompetent and has insulin dependent diabetes, and I'm desperate for information.

So go off and eat worms if you like. Just wanted you to know that in no way, in no form, was I ever addressing you directly. You never even so much as crossed my mind when I tried to make a post about the reality that is going on. Sorry if that hurts your feelings.

And if that gets me banned, the hell with it.

edited because my temper is running high.

[nashville_brook]

35. new orleans is one of those places where people "not of their wits"

go to live on the street. lots of runaways, homeless vets, drug addicts: essentially, our most vulnerable people. imo, this makes a horrific situation worse by a hundred fold.

as a former native floridian from a long line native floridians, i can tell you it's not just outsiders who hold the anti-chicken little view. natives often spit in the face of reasonable action when storms come. "hurricane parties" are a manifestation of this stupidity. after so many decades of easy storm seasons we have forgotten how murderous the wind and water can be. there's also the attitude that "outsiders" should mind their own bizness and not get into the mass-psych of handwringing. it's really too bad. humans are hard-wired to care. at least some of us are.

i hope you hear from your son. i know what it's like to have family not of their wits and in danger. my intuition is that folks without housing were probably the first to take advantage of shelter -- the other side of this is that i'm afraid many people might not have gone to the superdome or other shelters for fear of being thrown together with the "great unwashed masses." this was often what happened in florida in our evac situations.

[expatriot]

39. From expatriot to expatriate

I can not imagine how it must feel to have loved ones caught in the middle of this horrendous tragedy. I have hardly gotten any sleep since the scale of this disaster became very clear on Sunday and have been anxious and heartbroken beyond belief. If I were religious I would be doing nothng but praying right now non-stop but all I can offer you is my sincerest thoughts and my pledge to do all I can to help. I have left a message with my governor and state legislators (in Arizona) this morning imploring them to act immediately to do all our state can do to assist with the recovery efforts of this tragedy. Our federal government and even non-federal agencies, our corporate media, etc. have not handled this situation the best they could have so far to say the least and so I think the most I can do from here in Arizona (besides donate money and supplies) is to rattle the cages of government and the status quo to get things moving. I urge all other DUers to call their state governments to tell them they have your full support to commit your state's resources and attentions to aiding the afflicted areas.

[Eloriel]

45. Excellent idea. Thanks. n/t

[Misunderestimator]

40. Thanks for reposting, I would have missed it....

[fleabert]

43. I so hope your son is okay.

and everyone else affected by this tragedy. I agree with you, I told my dh last night, 'this is only going to get worse in the next few days, maybe next couple of weeks'

[anarchy1999]

46. A number of Vets are on the way to NO.

Please everyone, try to remain calm. I'm at my wit's end. My very best friend and mentor in all my life is in the midst of this.

He and his family left for Birmingham on Sunday. I've yet to be able to reach them, but the worst that could happen is happening. He was born and raised in NO. He lives now in Pass Christain and works in Gulf Port.

Please everyone, stay calm, help is on the way!

[trumad]

47. kick

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

48. kick again...

Expatriate, I don't know what words I even have right now, except that I hope that you hear from your son soon. I'm a parent, too, and can't even imagine what you're feeling, especially being so far away from him. You are in my thoughts. :hug:

[arcos]

50. Damn, so eloquent and so right...

Yesterday I proposed nominating the computer models thread for most ignorant but DU doesn't have a category for it. Now I'm obviously nominating this one.

I hope your son is ok, best wishes.

[bloom]

hugs to expatriate

:hug:


Sometimes it sucks to be right. It's devastating to see the catastrophe unfold.

[lildreamer316]

52. KICK for those that have no idea what poor/disabled is like.n/t

[Shakespeare]

54. THANK YOU. DU rules prevent me from naming names, but...

...I sure as hell could, and politeness wouldn't get in my way. "Oh, this was just a moderate storm." "Water washes over highway 90 any time they have a storm, this was no big deal." And on and on.

To those people, I say this:

1. Your smug pronouncements were breathtakingly and foolishly premature.

2. You clearly know NOTHING about this part of the country, and the tiny, impoverished towns that fill out the distance between New Orleans and Gulfport.

3. You are stunningly lacking in compassion and sensitivity.

4. You also know precious little about hurricanes in general. As someone who's ridden out a couple of moderate 'canes over the years, I'm calling you on how full of shit you are and how woefully stupid, too.

expatriate, your post was perfect. I hope that you find your son safe, sound and SOON. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

edited to add: I notice those same assholes who were shooting their mouths off yesterday are being very, VERY quiet today. Predictable.

[anarchy1999]

56. Thank you, my heart is breaking again and I can't find my friends.

I just have nothing to say. The intensity of the last month in Crawford and now this. I'm feeling just a little overwhelmed right now.

I love you all so much and I seriously do not no what direction to go in right now. I do know though that there are a bunch of Vets headed to New Orleans.

Peace you guys.

[IndyOp]

60. anarchy - have you posted this in its own thread?

I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling so very lost.

I read all of your posts about Crawford and I know that many, many DUers did also. Please post your story in another thread if you haven't already and let other DUers know.

Do you live in NO or in-state? What do you mean you can't find your friends? Are you thinking about going with the Vets to volunteer? If home is not in NO it sounds like you really need to go home and rest.

:hug:

[eleonora]

62. Same here. I can't find my friends either.

I'm with you...This has been terribly exhausting to me.
I created a blog to gather as much info as possible as it happens. It's helping me wait out the situation. NOLA is in grave trouble and I can't imagine the callousness of some.

http://neworleans.mindsay.com

[demo dutch]

58. There are several sickos posting on DU occasionally who

have absolutely no idea what it means to be in a major hurricane. They sound just as bad as the other side who post on the Free Republic, shame on them.

[Hissyspit]

59. The disaster is ON-GOING. So yes, in some ways N.O. IS now Atlantis.

I pointed this out several times yesterday. And I also believe the computer models were fairly accurate considering how many factors are involved in the chaos or the natural world.

This was and is a MAJOR disaster.

[AuntiBush]

61. Trumad: I'm Praying Your Son is Well.

I'm worried too and know how serious this is. The photos alone are devastating. At a loss for words, this is so tragic.

[expatriate]

63. Thanks again to all who have posted good wishes.

The ongoing situation is just so horrible for all who have loved ones and property in the entire Gulf Coast area that was struck. There are many here who cannot find out about family members in New Orleans, Biloxi, Gulfport and the many other communities that have been affected. Some are having a much harder time holding up than I - my situation has been such that I am accustomed to crises and anxiety over my son. This is the worst yet, of course, but I am more conditioned to the agony of not knowing than some who have expressed their pain and fear here on DU.

As of Wednesday morning in the US, I have been able to find out nothing. There are many other DUers in a similar situation. I know of Swamp Rat in particular, but there are certainly others. They all need support and friendship at this terrible time.

Please, all, reach out to those here who hurt so much.

[Swamp Rat]

64. Hugs ad infinitum...

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[laylah]

65. Swamp Rat

have you been in touch with your mom? My thoughts are with you and all affected by this tragedy. :hug:

Jenn

edited cuz :hug: are better than :huh:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

69. I am praying your son is found

thanks for your post

[ninkasi]

66. As impossible as it seems to me...

some people do not seem to comprehend the enormity of this hurricane. They do not understand the complete devastation of entire cities and towns. This is an enormous tragedy and we will be counting the deaths and costs for many weeks to come.

All we can do is to give to whichever effort we can...Red Cross, whatever...and pray for the survival of as many as can be saved. I can not stop crying, and that helps nobody, but I can't stop.

[DoYouEverWonder]

67. Thanks for posting this Trumad

expatriate has said so well what I was too angry to say myself. I could not believe how some people who spoke as if they were experts about Cat 4 & 5 hurricanes made claims such as this wasn't a catastrophe of biblical proportions so it really wasn't that big a deal. Yeah right, I can't wait till their coffee and gas runs out. Then let's talk biblical.

Thanks again,
Chicken Little

[BamaBecky]

68. My heart goes out to you....this is all so unbelievable.....

Praying for your family and your son's safety.
Bama