Buses from Indiana held up four hours for "security clearance"

[thinkingwoman]

Here's yet another story about help for hurricane victims being delayed. This one is in the Indianapolis Star:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050905/NEWS01/509050417

Indiana to house hundreds in need
Survivors set to arrive today at fairgrounds

Indianapolis will become home to more than 300 victims of Hurricane Katrina expected to arrive today, and the local chapter of the American Red Cross is prepared to care for as many as 500 people.

The survivors, who are being bused from New Orleans by an Indianapolis church, will be housed at the State Fairgrounds Centennial Hall. The Red Cross volunteers have turned the facility into a large dormitory.

<snip>



Seven buses from Calvary Temple of Indianapolis left Saturday to pick up the 300 survivors, said Kim Thomas, a volunteer. The buses were stopped in Alexandria, La., about four hours northwest of New Orleans, for security clearance.



<snip>



"There sure are a lot of complications," she said. "The powers that be need to do more to make it open. We're here -- let us in."



<end of excerpt>


Every story I read talks about difficulty getting private help to these victims and I cannot remember that EVER being reported in previous disasters. This is so maddening!!!!

[thinkingwoman]

1. 2nd story says it was Homeland Security that stopped the buses

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050905/NEWS01/509050380

"Volunteers from Calvary Temple of Indianapolis got approval from the American Red Cross to send seven buses to New Orleans to pick up survivors. But the group was stopped Sunday afternoon four hours northwest of New Orleans, waiting for clearance from the Department of Homeland Security."

THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[inchhigh]

2. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And unfortunately, all part of the plan. In the end this will allow *co to claim that private individuals and faith based organizations could have responded in time if not for nasty bad evil government getting in the way. The problem is not the lack of government response but too much of one. The solution, more cuts! Lower taxes! Death to evil government and long live the King!

[thinkingwoman]

5. OMG I think you may be right

I've been racking my brain trying to imagine what possible motive anyone could have for refusing/delaying/thwarting help.

Ethnic cleansing comes to mind. But your theory makes sense too.

[ima_sinnic]

3. I am really REALLY tired of their paranoia about "security"

sometimes ya just gotta take a chance, ya know?
if someone is determined to bomb or sabotage a place they are going to do it anyway no matter how elaborate your "security" precautions are.

[thinkingwoman]

4. bomb paranoia about someplace laid waste

by a cat 4 hurricane is a tremendous waste of resources at best, and criminal negligence at worst.

It makes my brain hurt.

[OneBlueSky]

6. it is NOT paranoia . . . it is a very deliberate attempt to impede . . .

the recovery effort . . . at every opportunity, FEMA and Homeland Security (read: BushCo) have done everything in their power to slow the influx of life-saving resources into the disaster area . . . it is all being documented in several places, and they WILL have to answer for it . . .

[Eric J in MN]

7. It says "four hours northwest" not for four hours (nt)

nt