DU Katrina Resources and Research Forum - Help make it happen!

[mom cat]

Mission: The mission of the Katrina Resources and Research Forum is to develop an easily accessible DU repository for information about Hurricane Katrina. The Forum would have two main functions:
1.To provide links to organization who are getting help to those most severly affected by the storm, those who are the most disenfranchised.
2.To provide a place with quick, easy access to articles about the storm: before, during and after.

We need this because information is flying through DU very quickly.
Having a central repository for this information is crucial for DU researchers, writers of LTTE's and those who want their money to go to those who need it the most.

Please vote to form this forum below. You can vote to start this forum if you have contributed to DU in the past year and have a "star" after your name.
Thanks to Ripley who got the ball rolling on this in his post yesterday in his thread An honest question to the Admins. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4650688

We can make this happen but we need your vote. THANKS! :hug:

[Lenore]

1. I'm in

n/t

(striving to keep this short, in spirit with the "omg! n/t" threads everyone was bitch'n about, in the link. LOL)

[John Doe II]

3. I'm in too

unfortunately I'm not a donor.
But for the research count on me.

[mom cat]

11. That will be a great donation!

This is going to take a lot of work to set up. Thanks :hug:

[mom cat]

12. You can also help by kicking this from time to time to keep it from

sinking.

[mom cat]

28. What kind of help could you be for the research part of this?

I tried to find you in the user profiles to send you a PM. I could not find you there. Let me know if there is another wat to get in touch! Thanks.

[John Doe II]

34. You have a pm n/t

[mom cat]

35. Got it. Thanks ..You now have one too!

[mom cat]

8. Thanks so much!...

n/t
(In keeping with the same spirit!):hug:

[HEAVYHEART]

2. I don't know

I'm afraid if we have separate forums on Katrina, not everyone will find the new forums. I like the threads being posted on GD for now.

[John Doe II]

4. In the first time

we would need to direct the people to the forum and follow up closely on LBN and GD. But it certainly will help to concentrate the work.

[mom cat]

15. This forum could grab things from LBN and GD for safe keeping.

The idea is not to replace thr fast flow of onfo we nor have but to provide a resource area so people can find the articles they need. As I review Earl G's sticker, I think that it will cover the resources part. Perhaps this Forum should just focus on research.

[mom cat]

22. We can post the location in ouw sig lines (when that function is on)

and we can post about it from time to time like the election 2004 group does.

[Ripley]

5. Thanks for taking the initiative mom cat.

I'll sign on and I hope this will help with the congestion in GD.

I don't know how hard it would be for Elad to create a Temporary "Katrina" forum on par with LBN, GD, etc. (as opposed to a "buried" forum that would get little traffic) that would have strict rules similar to LBN's "combine threads" which would eliminate a lot of the dupes.

I fear we may need to have temporary "Emergency" forums with strict rules in the future, because the disasters are only piling up under Shithead Cake Eater.

[frictionlessO]

6. I'm in on this, also so that GD and GD:P can get down to business

on USSC nominations, Plame, ACLU lawsuit for Abu Ghraib pics, Ohio election stuff, and of course the war.

[mom cat]

16. Thanks for the support. The activism forum has a great thread for

the issues you mentioned. If your issue is not there, you can put it there.

[mom cat]

31. Great.. thanks for the support

[babylonsister]

7. Excellent idea! Nom! And thanks, mom cat! nt

[mom cat]

36. Thanks for the support. Just waiting on the admins for a decision.

[meganmonkey]

9. For the record, it would be a 'DU Group', not a forum

I'm in - I'll go post over there

[snot]

10. YES! But why not a forum? nt

[mom cat]

26. I agree. I just asked Skinner to decide on this one.

[Sydnie]

13. I'm in!

I would like to see it be a forum all on it's own too, not just a group. Too much info needs to be right up front to hide it in a group!

[mom cat]

25. What exactly is the difference? I do not want this to be buried!

[intheflow]

14. I saw this yesterday, and I agree it needs to be done.

It's not as though we won't be dealing with Katrina's aftermath for at least a year, and probably much, much longer. It is as appropriate as a 9-11 forum, imo.

Thanks mom cat and ripley for getting this going! :hug:

[mom cat]

18. Just one more needed! Thanks so much!

Now We will need volunteers like John Doe II to get it rolling. Take a look at the Activism Forum th see their main thread and how it is organized. I had something like that in mind with specific topics:
Before K: Info about the likely consequences Scientific articles
Befork K: Info about likely consequences madia articles
Before K: What the Government knew
Just before K: Weather and news alerts
Just before K: Govt action..city, state, fed
etc.

[mom cat]

27. Please suggest categories of information here. I am also coming

up with suggestions.Please use the
Pre K
Just before K
Post K
format for categories, for example:
post K: FEMA hampering rescue and recovery
Post K: FEMA "Statements"
Pre K: FEMA Statements
Post K: "Photo op"
Post K: How the truth was spun
Post K: Conditions in the Dome and convention center

Post K Evacuation: Delays and impediments
Post K Evacuation: Racism evident
Pre K Evacuation: Who got out, who could not

Post K: Hyping of looter stories
Post K: The human toll
Post K: Heroic rescue efforts
Post K Dem statements

Please suggest others here.

[John Doe II]

37. Another topic

Your list seems to me a very good starting point.
I'd like to add:

Post K: Strategy of evacuation. (That means eg refusing to give water to people who want to stay, where are people transported, statements if when and how they can return).

Post K: Contracts for rebuilding. Of course Halliburton is back on track.

Post K: Oil. Who profits from the complete destruction of New Orleans. Is it true that Texas oil industry will gain?

General: Other blogs, sources etc etc

[mom cat]

38. Great additions to the list. I have a good feel for this! I just saw a l

post on the Greatest Page with 28 FEMA F ups. Lots more. Just waiting for the OK!

[anarchy1999]

17. I'm in! I'm in completely and wholeheartedly!!

n/t

[mom cat]

19. Looks like we have our ten! Thanks to you and everyone!

[smartvoter]

20. I'm in. nt

[mom cat]

21. I have just sent the request off to Skinner!

[LSK]

23. i have a lot of links in this post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22597&mesg_id=22597

[mom cat]

24. This was great. I sent it to my senators and reps yesterday!

When we get the site up and running, I would like you to repost it there. You will need to refresh the links so they are clickable..Thanks!

[Shadder]

29. katrinatimeline.org

Yesterday I registered the domain name katrinatimeline.org and the site is now up and running. The objective of the site is to create a record of the events leading up to Katrina, what happened during it, and it's aftermath. I'm interested in everything, who said what, why they said it, what effect it had, who did what and why, etc. I've currently got pages running up to and including August 31st and have so many people sending me more information to add that I'm not sure how long it will take to get current. But I am trying. Please fel free to send any information that I do not have.

[mom cat]

32. This is a great resource. I hope that we.can dovetail your efforts,

not duplicate them. I am hoping that we cas develop this by content categories, while it looks like you are focusing on a date time line. I think that both are needed.. Good luck with your endeavor. It looks great! Maybe, when the dust settles, we will be able to fill in each other's gaps.:applause:

[KoKo]

30. Good idea....I've been trying to bookmark information but it's hard to

keep up with it all. I'm in.

[mom cat]

33. That is exactly why I wanted to get this started, so we can all have

a single shared repository of info instead of having a thousand separate computers with no way of sharing. When we get up and running, please start filling in the categories. edit for sp.

[John Doe II]

39. and

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[nonconformist]

40. You have my vote! nt

[mom cat]

41. Thanks, I am just waiting for the ok from our admins to get going!

[mom cat]

42. Self- delete

[mom cat]

44. Self delete

[understandinglife]

43. Fully support.

Peace.

[mom cat]

45. Thanks so much! I hope we can get this rolling soon!

[Peace Patriot]

46. I voted for this forum by Recommending this post. Is that the way to

vote for it? Not sure.

I've already lost a thread someone had started on incidents of FEMA turning back and obstructing aid. Anybody know the thread? (Something's wrong with my Bookmarks, can't get to it.) It has 6 or 7 incidents, with links.

Now there are many more. I've just found three. Incredible stories. A whole USS battleship off shore, ready to help, with med facilities, doctors, water, food, rescue helicopters, everything, and they recieved no orders for days and days!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1758182

This is incredible! But it doesn't stop. More and more incidents. So I see the need for a forum to coordinate and categorize all this info.

-------

It's more and more looking DELIBERATE--hardly deniable at this point. I suspect at the least that Bush was strongarming Blanco to get control of the real estate, loot new FEMA money, get the boondoggle going for Bushites, and was trying to force her to sign over authority and declare martial law (to clear out the dregs--kill them off or dump them on other states--and confiscate property for high security rich enclave near oil resources), and was using the victims as an extortion item. Blanco resisted. I think he stopped aid to blackmail her into agreement. They're just gangsters, you know. And if you look at them as having the first motive of thievery, lots of things fall into place.

(I have a theory about what's going on behind the scenes, re: Plame indictments, White House in disarray, divided staff, maybe Cheney/Bush divide, and what all--but won't blather here, except to say that Cheney was AWOL until first contract went to Halliburton, then canceled trip to Canada "due to Katrina." Maybe they offered him all of New Orleans--via martial law--so he wouldn't rat on Bush. Something like that. Something goin' on.)

[Peace Patriot]

47. P.S. I have three or four new incidents to give to the thread on FEMA

blocking aid, but can't find the thread. It was starting to list and link incidents. Anybody have that post bookmarked?

[mom cat]

48. Try this FEMA thread...I think that there is another one floating around

also.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4660874

PS Your vote always counts..No Diebold allowed ot this site!

[mom cat]

49. I just heard from a mod person that the request is in to the admins, but

they are swamped right now. Perhaps we can at least start the data collection in this thread now. We need to do the best that we can to save all the info that we can while we are awaiting a decision. In the mean time you can appoint yourselves to the Data Rescue Mission. Consider yourselves an Army of One until we can pull the troops together. Make sure that you put everything you can into your own favorites file. Perhaps we can each take a few categories to organize and assemble. How does that sound?

[John Doe II]

50. Threads to be saved

Here a quick list of threads that should be saved especially as they will go very soon down under in the archive. I urge everybody to check for important threads and to add the URL here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4671333

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4674353

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4665492


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4490806

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4657335

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4668733

[John Doe II]

51. And

CNN timeline here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4671904

[mom cat]

53. Thanks...grabbed them!

[John Doe II]

52. Organisation

I propose that the organization of the new from is done in this thread and I'll open a new one called "Katrina: Post all important sources and links here!" http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4675980

where all the important info shall be collected.

Mom cat: Thanks a lot for all your engagement!

[mom cat]

54. Great idea...Info is sinking fast!

[mom cat]

55. Aug 29: Expert: Katrina could unleash disaster...CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/28/katrina.doomsday/index.html» How Hurricanes Form | Deadliest Storms | Tips


Expert: Katrina could unleash disaster

Monday, August 29, 2005; Posted: 11:54 a.m. EDT (15:54 GMT)


Levees, such as this one along Bayou Lafourche, are vulnerable because they're made of earth, an expert says.

New Orleans (Louisiana)
Disasters (General)
Pollution
or Create Your Own
Manage Alerts | What Is This? (CNN) -- Flooding from Hurricane Katrina's Monday landfall could wreak catastrophe on New Orleans, overwhelming the city's water and sewage systems and leaving survivors in a bowl of toxic soup, a top hurricane expert said.

Much more on potential devistation

[mom cat]

69. I suggest that everyone put the date of the info and a brief title I am

going to have to leave soon..not back till after 4:pm Please keep adding info in this thread or in any new thread that John Doe II develops.

[mom cat]

56. Re-post of Eloriel 's thread..This is a treasure trove of info.

Save this one in your Favorites!http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4630068

[mom cat]

57. Aug 28 National weather service predicts disaster

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1733774#1733790

[mom cat]

58. Sept 2: National Guard not Allowing Aid into the City

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4578745

[mom cat]

59. Sept 2: Geraldo on Fox...Crooks and Liers

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/09/02.html#a4763

[mom cat]

60. Sept 2: Mayor to feds: 'Get off your asses'

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/nagin.transcript/index.html

[mom cat]

61. Sept 2:New Orleans Paper Slams Federal Response on Saturday

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001054570

[mom cat]

62. Sept 4: Bush tour a 'photo op': Louisiana senator

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bush-tour-a-photo-op-says-senator/2005/09/04/1125772395413.html#

[crispini]

63. Why not put this all in demopedia?

that's what it's for!

we might need the forum to discuss things but I think ultimately demopedia should be the "home" of such info as it's easily searchable, you can nicely reformat it, etc.

[mom cat]

67. Yesterday I typed Katrina into the Search in demopedia...Nada...

No results found!

[crispini]

70. So take the initiative and start the entry yourself!

That's what it's for! it's not hard to do. why wait for someone else to start it?

[mom cat]

71. Sorry, I do not know how and if no=one else has done it, then it is not

being used If you want to start something usable there, please please do. For now, I am going to do what I know how to do, where it will do some good.

[crispini]

72. It's really not hard to do.

Just play around with it a bit, you'll see.

Sorry I can't help, I'm working on a big Katrina project myself.

[mom cat]

76. Sorry, I really do not have time to play with learning anything new at

time. I am a real technoclutz. If anyone reading this wants to take it on..go for it , The problem with the demopedia is that you have to have been a DUer before a certain date to have access, That excludes a lot of our new tallent. I understand the reason for this rule, but at least for now we need a place that is accessible. If no one has started anything yet in the demopedia, maybe we need to re-evaluate it for the future.
Good luck with your other project! :hug:

[mom cat]

64. Sept 2: CNN.com:The big disconnect on New Orleans

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/katrina.response/

[Fleshdancer]

65. sorry for taking so long. Count me in! n/t

[mom cat]

68. Thanks! Just start putting info here until we get a forum.

[mom cat]

66. March 7, 2002: Corps of Engineers' Civilian Chief Ousted

Corps of Engineers' Civilian Chief Ousted
Parker Resigns After Openly Questioning Bush's Proposed Spending Cuts

By Michael Grunwald and Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, March 7, 2002; Page A01


http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A51566-2002Mar6¬Found=true

[Spazito]

73. I'm in! There have been some awesome threads collecting

evidence of the massive and lethal failure of the bush admin, FEMA and Homeland Security. It would be invaluable to have them all in one, separate forum, imo.

[Woody Box]

74. kick

[spuddonna]

75. Definitely... we need one place to send people, get info! kick n/t