I live outside Mobile Alabama, close to the Mississippi border.

[moobu2]

Mobile was a sort of staging ground for a lot of the search and rescue and relief because of it’s close proximity and the fact that it pretty much had functioning infrastructure (airport was open, interstates were open for the most part etc..).

Last Tuesday evening, my partner and I saw several 18 wheelers loaded with large industrial generators. The generators were stacked up on pallets several rows high and the trucks ware parked off interstate 10 in a shopping center parking lot near the Mississippi state line. We both commented that they were bound for Mississippi or New Orleans most likely, and it made me feel better at the time because I knew it was help for those desperate people. I know what it’s like to be without power, nothing works, no communications, no gas for you car, no lights or air, nothing. A lot of those rural people are on water wells that need electricity to pump it.

Anyway, I was surprised when I saw the trucks still parked there the next morning and they were still there the next and the next. Those trucks were parked there loaded with generators for a week. Then I saw this on Daily Kos

FEMA turns away generators (See entry from 3:32 P.M. by Ben Morris, Slidell mayor)

3:32 P.M. Ben Morris, Slidell mayor: We are still hampered by some of the most stupid, idiotic regulations by FEMA. They have turned away generators, we've heard that they've gone around seizing equipment from our contractors. If they do so, they'd better be armed because I'll be damned if I'm going to let them deprive our citizens. I'm pissed off, and tired of this horse$#@@."

I can not believe the total incompetence of these idiots at FEMA. What if some catastrophe happens in your town America?

[SammyWinstonJack]

1. Simple. We're on our own!

Hear that FReepers? Do you feel safer now? Well do ya PUNKS! Nevermind terrorists attacks, natural disasters kicks our butts! The FEDeral gov. can't get us out of harm's way in the event of a natural disaster, refuses to rescue us in the aftermath, AND does everything it can to leave thousands stranded, without the means to even help ourselves. :grr:

[demobabe]

2. That's not incompetence

...that's criminal negligence.

Someone had to give the orders to stand down and reject everything coming into that city. They turned away 500 boats, too. And other offers for help.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. *crying* This just makes me sick

------------------------------------------------------
Save the Gulf:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[incapsulated]

4. New Rule:

Anywhere something is working or things are getting done, FEMA sweeps in to stop it.

I'm starting to understand the tinfoil hatters at this point.