The Death Toll

[Dogmudgeon]

What will it be -- 5,000? 10,000? 25,000? 36,291?

David Vitter, Republican Senator from Louisiana, thinks there will be more than ten thousand deaths. Mississippi estimates that there are 1,000 dead in Biloxi alone.

In all of the studies done on the possibility of this scenario taking place, the estimated death tolls ranged from 10,000 to 100,000 -- National Geographic, Scientific American, and at least two local Louisiana publications presented the findings to their readers. In one case, less than a year ago.

For the second time in five years -- again in a September -- a horrifying mass disaster has struck the people of the United States. And for the second time, George W. Bush has failed miserably in his response to the crisis.

In fact, for the second time, we have had a disaster that Bush had been warned about several times, but chose to ignore.

Some of us may be a little peeved that Bush is looking like the conquering king again, having made a triumphant entry into the disaster area (complete with a phony disaster team), but that shine won't last long.

In the coming days, weeks, months, the stories will be told. Thousands of people trapped in dark, steaming attics, not knowing if or when help would arrive -- and hundreds, perhaps, who died there. Stories of unspeakable suffering, of babies dying in the arms of their mothers, of injured people dealing with horrifying pain for nearly a week, of hundreds of people dying of heatstroke and dehydration on the roofs of their houses in the unforgiving Gulf Coast summer sun.

And the hunger. The thirst. The sickening smells. The gas-bloated bodies floating at random among the houses and trees that still projected above the fetid water.

And the numbers will start coming in, right around the time people start asking why Bush scuttled the South East Louisiana flood plain project, the levee improvement plans, why he he gutted FEMA and installed an incompetent lackey as its head.

And they'll ask again why he waited so long to do anything.

When thousands of people die, and perhaps more than a million lose their homes, they ask questions. And they don't shut up when they're told to.

Why is my home gone?

Why did my Grandma die?

Why did my husband die?

Why did Mommy die?

Why did our baby die?

Fifty thousand or more Cindy Sheehans.

That first preliminary death toll will come in like tearing a bandage off a raw wound. And Bush will have to answer.

--p!

[Poiuyt]

1. How many will die in the coming months from all the disease?

The real death toll won't be known for some time.

[DELUSIONAL]

3. Or exposure to the toxic mix in the water??

[autorank]

2. This is a crime against the people of America...

no two ways about it. He and every involved need to be indicted and tried for the highest item on the Federal food chain in order to resolve the nearly irresolvable crisis of our democracy. People are being tortured, are suffering, and are being murdered due to gross negligence. This is not to mention the loss of income, property, and viability for an entire state.

IMPEACHMENT NOW!!!