Report from Louisiana

[wellstone_democrat]

My best friend and her husband and eldest son are missing. They stayed to get her father in law out of the hospital to evacuate and by that time it was advised by the police that the highways were so clogged that they should go home. Their neighborhood is completely submerged, they have not shown up anywhere but we still hope.

A former colleague is in N.O. area with his church group helping in search and rescue and relief (he's a former Army medic so he's useful). He gave us a call a while ago to report on conditions and to get folks here to put pressure on the government and on agencies to get aid in---his view is that what he's seeing vs. what he heard underestimates *everything.* This is a seasoned combat vet so he's not squeamish---he said there are bodies *everywhere* and they have no time to "deal with them" People are trapped and screaming and they expect many have died waiting for rescue. Most of all: "No one is in charge here." The local and state people are trying and Homeland Security is playing politics and turf battles. He said the "looting" he saw was (and I quote): "90% food, diapers, clothing and that people waded in, took stuff and passed it out" This is "Mr. Law and Order" so I trust his view more than rumor mongering. His final word on that? "If my family was trapped in this I'd do whatever I needed to do" That tells me how bad it is---this is MR. Conservative-Religious-Law and Order and it all changed with 12 hours in what he called "hell" He believes that thousands if not tens of thousands are dead just from what he sees in his area and what he's heard about in Mississippi and to the south in LA.

The man wept as he finished telling that---the frustration was so clear. BTW, he didn't know about the overpass situation but he promised to go now, find out and get some others to get a boat and go out there themselves and...."damn whoever doesn't like it."

Please, in your prayers and thoughts for all those in trouble in the region tonight, keep these good people who are literally battling the government to help. And please keep Kim, Jerry, and Matt in your thoughts. We hope they are alive somewhere.

Goodnight all.

[Spazito]

1. Oh God, I am beyond words

This is so awful.

[roguevalley]

34. I hoped I would never live to see days like this. God bless them

and all who suffer. There will be entire towns with no one in them when this is over. I am speechless.

[kstewart33]

2. Thank you for your report

I am forwarding it to friends so they too will understand just how horrific the situation is.

I truly believe that the Bush administration knows very well how to win elections. They know absolutely nothing about how to govern a country thereafter.

[kiraboo]

3. Thanks very much for that report. The words of people we trust

have much more of an impact than even pictures on a television screen. I will say a prayer for Kim, Jerry and Matt. I sincerely hope you hear good news about them very soon.

[Erika]

4. Our thoughts are with them

FEMA blew this.

[democrank]

5. It`s all so sad.

I hope your friends are found. Take care.

[ClusterFreak]

6. Hoping and praying for the best for your friend and her family.

...and for everyone in the affected areas.
:hug:

[Sydnie]

7. I will keep them all in my thoughts. Give your friend a hug from us

He sounds like he could use it ... and thank him for helping when his government has turned a blind eye to the needy.

Goodnight to you too. :hug:

[crispini]

8. Oooooh GOD.

:cry:

[wellstone_democrat]

9. Addendum

I *do* believe this man---we are wildly different but the best of respectful colleages and friends. He tends to understatement not overstatement. That he wept over what he saw surprises me less than the fact that he swore several times. THAT made me understand his anger and his despair. And, for *him* to criticize his beloved federal government ruled by his beloved Republicans? Well, Hell might have frozen over an hour or so ago, I'll have to check.

Thanks for the kind thoughts on my friends, so many here have family and friends in that horrible place that its hard at this point to know where to start in our hopes and prayers isn't it? At least my "folks" are two AF vets and their 17 year old son---resourceful, skilled and smart. His 80 year old father? I don't know...but if anyone could have survived and made it out, they could. Like everyone else, we wait and we hope.

[Pobeka]

10. Good vibes to Kim, Jerry and Matt -- ( ( ((*)) ) )

And to everyone who is suffering right now.

[ewagner]

11. The feeling of helplessness

is overwhelming.....

every time I read a post like this, I curse myself for not packing up the car and heading for N.O....

the best I can do is pray.... and :cry:

to you Wellstone Dem :hug:

[Corgigal]

12. I hate to write this BUT

take pictures. Just make the people unidentifiable. Release it on the internet. Watch America go crazy.

I hate how FEMA didn't do one damn thing right.

[uppityperson]

13. I am so sorry, do what you need to do to survive.

I don't know what to say except so sorry, and take care of yourself.

[Mikimouse]

14. I hope that they are safe and sound, just out of touch...

I will keep thinking good thoughts for your friends and you.:grouphug:

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. I am beyond words.

:cry: I hope your friends are alive and safe somewhere. :hug:

[xultar]

16. Oh I'm broken hearted and aching to hear this. If anyone you know needs

anything I'm in the ATL area. PM me and I can set up an extra room keep pets or something.

[Carni]

17. I suspected as much

I am sorry about your not being able to contact your friends.

I hope it turns out ok :(

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. I am so sorry *hugs and prayers*

[all.of.me]

19. oh my god. this is awful. nominate this thread!

i am writing to my reps and senators right now. thanks for the post. my thoughts are with you, your friends and everyone there.

[Horse with no Name]

20. I'm so sorry.

:grouphug:

[bbgrunt]

21. sending my prayers.......too sad for words

[Kurovski]

22. I wept as I finished reading it. Nominated for greatest.

Best wishes to all.

[katinmn]

23. I'm so sorry.

Praying for all of you.

[Usrename]

24. Feeling helpless. Thank you for sharing. n/t

[Matariki]

25. this is worth reading. kick n/t

[nashville_brook]

26. "damn who doesn't like it"

i want to know about this. is shit not happening b/c of homeland security? i'm getting the foil out.

[Eloriel]

27. NOMINATED.

This really is our tsunami.

Thanks for the report. My heart is breaking. I know people are dying needlessly, I can feel it. God bless him for being there, and you for bringing us news.

Edited: prayers for your loved ones. I hope you hear good news very soon.

[Lindsay]

28. Holding good thoughts for you all.

I cannot even listen to the federal govt. people speaking...it's so clear that all they're doing is spinning. They neither know nor care what's really going on. It's all CYA.

Thank you for posting the reality on the ground. It's what we need to know.

[lonestarnot]

29. Kim Jerry and Matt......

[faithnotgreed]

30. prayers for every single one

thank you for giving us this information and so many thanks to your friend who is helping

and all those who are doing whatever they can and all those who are suffering in any way

on edit: i hope your loved ones are ok

[NYC]

31. Thank you for providing us with this information.

The truth needs to get out.

Your former colleague is a wonderful person. I wish him well. Please keep us updated whenever he calls you.

I'm afraid that this is what I suspected: ...He believes that thousands if not tens of thousands are dead just from what he sees in his area..

It seems impossible that it would be otherwise. It will be quite a while before help arrives for many of the people, some of whom will die in the interim.

Your former colleague is a true hero.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. Oh no

This is just beyond tragic.

[Tsiyu]

33. Kicking this one

Thank you for posting

:kick:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

35. I hadn't seen you post in ages

Saw a post of yours in the lounge, searched your name and found this thread. Hearing what it is like there is just as I suspected. NBC finally got around to covering just HOW BAD IT REALLY IS tonight.

I do hope your loved ones are located.

[yankeeinlouisiana]

36. Go to

www.nola.com

They have a blog on that site where you can post and ask if anyone has seen them. It is separated into Parishes. There are a lot of posts but there is also a lot of good info too.

Good luck!

[Beam Me Up]

37. NOMINATED! Thank you for this important report.

[spuddonna]

38. If you talk to your friend the former Army medic again...

tell him he's not the only one who feels exactly like he does. I've been talking to neighbors and my family, and we're as frustrated and outraged as he is.

We are also praying for your best friend and her family... I hope you hear something soon. Please keep us updated...

[earth mom]

39. Thanks for posting this.

It is heart wrenching to read and my thoughts and prayers are with you, your friends and their family.

Take care.

[VOX]

40. All good thoughts and prayers to those hurting, in need, and in fear. n/t

[Sugarbleus]

41. WD, thank you so much for this real time report...I just knew

things were worse than the officials and media would divulge. I've been glued to the Tube for days. I'm extremely grieved for everyone in the Gulf States but especially for Louisiana/N.O.

I found myself writing scathing emails to the media when they suggested SHOOTING looters...!! Arresting "criminals/thugs" is one thing but talking about shooting people who are trying to get things to survive on is a whole other situation.

I am so sorry for your friends and for all those suffering down south. I'm hating and disgusted with whomever is suppose to be in charge of disaster plans from that locale..:grr:

If I were nearby, I'd load up my van, find a way into the neediest areas and offload water, ice and whatever... I don't trust the Red Cross; perhaps there are other agencies that I can donate to.

Sending prayers for your friends and for all the people in the dark, in "Hell", in the devastation tonight.

(((Arms around all)) SB