refugees locked in Superdome/Convention Center

[maynard]

I just saw Geraldo give a plea to let the people just walk out and leave these places. Is there any truth to the fact that people are not allowed to leave those buildings?

[gp]

1. yea I heard that too at the Blanco press conference just a few mins ago...

they're in lockdown mode...and will continue evacuating in the morning...or so she says...

[wli]

2. Someone call Kofi Annan NOW!!!

This MUST be dealt with immediately.

[AuntiBush]

3. Martial Law, I Suppose.

After 9/11 I felt so much pain, shock and bewilderment.

Today, I'm shamed by a country which I can not bring myself to say at this moment is the one I was born in, grew-up loving as I do not recognize her anymore.

[me b zola]

28. No. Not martal law.

Army General Stresses Military Law Enforcement Aiding Civil Power After Katrina:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1745880

What they are doing can not be even close to legal. :grr:

[doublethink]

4. Did they just replay that of Geraldo from earlier?

or was it live?

[maynard]

5. replay

Geraldo actually started crying. I have been off work due to surgery and I have been watching non-stop. Geraldo is actually believable on this one.

[WI Independent]

6. As cruel as it sounds...

I don't know what choice they have at this point in time (if we could turn back the clock it could be a different story).

These are EXTREMELY desperate people... turning them loose to wander the streets would most likely turn into an even bigger disaster.

BUT... What's the hold up with the buses??????

[EFerrari]

10. "Turning them loose"?!

:eyes:

[WI Independent]

23. Poor choice of words...

But do you really think opening the doors to let thousands (how many are left now anyway?) of desperate people with nowhere to go wander around aimlessly is a good idea?

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. They are being left to die on purpose

Infectious deceases will be taking their toll soon. These people are too weak and tired to cause 'trouble'. The M$M wants us to believe that the problem is looting so that we don't have to feel guilty when all these people are dead by next week.

[CountAllVotes]

20. you are right of course

I said the exact same thing already. The disease is spreading now and has yet to manifest. Within another few days, people will begin to get violently ill. It will truly be a hell.

The worst thing about this is that it is UNFORGIVEABLE and they are doing this to our fellow citizens in our name. That right there makes me so angry and upset I can barley see straight!

:kick:

[me b zola]

12. There are almost 100 buses waiting at the convention center!!!

I saw them all lined up when the food convoy arrived @ mid-day. The journalist even mentioned them.

[Carni]

14. Bullshit--if they want to leave they should be free agents

Why should wrongly going to a shelter *of last resort* because you trusted these assholes, become a death sentence?

These places are like freaking death camps IMO

Flame away but that is what I am seeing.

Where is the human dignity?

[WI Independent]

27. At this point...

I think they are more likely to die as "free agents", they have nowhere to go.

I agree it was an inexcusable set of decisions (and non-decisions) that got them into this deplorable situation. I just think "freeing" them from it at this point will just make matters worse.

Get the buses rolling, NOW... around the clock, and get them out of there.

[Eloriel]

7. I think these two threads are related

CNN BREAKING: concerns of rioting breaking out at convention cente
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4592955&mesg_id=4592955

I strongly believe that the issues of lawlessness and looting have been exaggerated SOME. The reporters I've seen on the ground today have, without exception, gone out of their way to point out how docile the groups were despite all that's gone on. This isn't to say that there's been NO lawlessness and NO looting, just that IMO it's been something that's been emphasized so that they could crack down on people. IMO there's also no reasont here are still people AT these two facilities, which are inhumane by this time in terms of sanitation, DEAD BODIES, etc.

Fox Reports: NG not allowing people to leave Convention Center
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4594621

Oh, let's also not forget this gem:

Iraq-tested soldiers in New Orleans with shoot to kill orders
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1745375&mesg_id=1745375
Link: http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=050902015113.5lgwn2uc.php

and might as well add this one:
planes did NOT report being shot athttp://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4582951&mesg_id=4582951
Link: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1087205

and some other perspectives on the looting:

The looting stories are a lie, PLEASE don't fall for it
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4566015

Looters are distributing food to hungry at Superdome
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4568012
Link: http://www.kget.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=D4B8AFA3-3564-4FF8-B91D-74F18D488C69

[EFerrari]

8. Okay, let me get this straight.

People are still trapped all over town. HLS won't let the Red Cross in to NO. People fom NOLA can't apply for aid unless they are IN the Astrodome or in NO. And, they've locked down two facilities that have no facilities.

Is that right?

[me b zola]

13. yep. plus.....

There are almost 100 buses lined up outside of the convention center that have been there since at the latest mid-day.

Why won't they get those people out??

[nonconformist]

9. Is that LEGAL?

Has Martial Law been officially declared? I know Nagin called for it days ago, but I was under the impression it was never officially declared.

How can they hold people like that? Patriot Act I suppose.

[maynard]

16. Mayor is full of hot air

I have been homebound for the last month. I have been switching channels. The mayor has a hard time with his rhetoric. He is so quick to blame other. Why were his police officers on camera, looting the local Wal-Mart? The camera caught two cops filling their Wal-Mart cart with shoes. When she saw the camera, she slowly walked away and made excuses. Her partner kept filling the cart with shoes.. What has this Mayor been doing on his local level. Why does he think that he is blameless? He was caught on camera telling the president and the governor that they had better get their act together. What success has he had on his level? Can you say REPUBLICAN?

[nonconformist]

18. Who CARES if people are stealing shoes?!?

There are people dying on the sidewalk of dehydration and a small dangerous criminal element. Those are the issues.

You honestly can't believe that a MAYOR can control this situation do you?

[maynard]

22. Police were looting shoes

Instead of patrolling the streets and attempting to do their job, they were looting along side people stealing T.V.s

Where was the leadership on the local level? If blame is to go around, it should start at the local level. There were supposed to be 1500 policeman in the city. The ones who were trying to do their job, could not do it adequately due lack of leadership on the local level. The Mayor should not be blaming others if he himself lacked leadership on the city level. He didn't have his own plan on a city level. He is the boss of New orleans.

[nonconformist]

25. The leadership on the local level was demolished when the water rose

Think for a minute. Jesus. It became chaos quickly.

What do you think would happen if Chicago was suddenly submerged in water with hundreds of thousands of residents? Local police and mayor can regain control and order? He's been BEGGING FOR TROOPS SINCE TUESDAY, at least.

[nonconformist]

26. I'd also like to point out that police are people too, and they are

abandoned there too. Hungry and tired and in need of supplies.

[Tess49]

15. So, if they are locked in, what happens if there is a fire in there?

Recall that there were some trash fires at the Superdome.

[daleo]

17. Triangle Shirt Factory, that's what happens. n/t

[Rose Siding]

19. I just DON'T understand this!

What can they be thinking? How is this JUSTIFIED? If I'm feeling frantic about it, HOW must those people feel???

[Spazito]

21. I guess now that bush had his little photo-op with the split screen

showing all this help, now they can go back to doing NOTHING for these poor people, it is now way beyond dispicable. Am I right in understanding they are now locked down INSIDE the center, they can't even be outside where they were before 'help' came?

[maynard]

24. Easy way to blame the governor

Sure, lock them down. It is a good way to blame the governor. She is a Democrat. Bush & Co. need to place the blame somewhere. Letting people out so they can walk out of NO would only make sense.
Keeping them there only makes the problem and the blame more pronounced. I heard the ultimate blame today. CLINTON!!!!!