You've got to read this

[whatever4]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/090805A.shtml

Hurricane Katrina - Our Experiences
By Parmedics Larry Bradsahw and Lorrie Beth Slonsky
EMSNetwork News

Tuesday 06 September 2005

quote
" This was a process we saw repeatedly in the aftermath of Katrina. When individuals had to fight to find food or water, it meant looking out for yourself only. You had to do whatever it took to find water for your kids or food for your parents. When these basic needs were met, people began to look out for each other, working together and constructing a community.

If the relief organizations had saturated the City with food and water in the first 2 or 3 days, the desperation, the frustration and the ugliness would not have set in.

Flush with the necessities, we offered food and water to passing families and individuals. Many decided to stay and join us. Our encampment grew to 80 or 90 people.

From a woman with a battery powered radio we learned that the media was talking about us. Up in full view on the freeway, every relief and news organizations saw us on their way into the City. Officials were being asked what they were going to do about all those families living up on the freeway? The officials responded they were going to take care of us. Some of us got a sinking feeling. "Taking care of us" had an ominous tone to it.

Unfortunately, our sinking feeling (along with the sinking City) was correct. Just as dusk set in, a Gretna Sheriff showed up, jumped out of his patrol vehicle, aimed his gun at our faces, screaming, "Get off the fucking freeway". A helicopter arrived and used the wind from its blades to blow away our flimsy structures. As we retreated, the sheriff loaded up his truck with our food and water.

Once again, at gunpoint, we were forced off the freeway. All the law enforcement agencies appeared threatened when we congregated or congealed into groups of 20 or more. In every congregation of "victims" they saw "mob" or "riot". We felt safety in numbers. Our "we must stay together" was impossible because the agencies would force us into small atomized groups. "



There but for the grace of god

[global1]

1. Again - My Hat Is Off To The People Of NO .......

given the circumstances they had to endure - they handled it admirably. No major unrest, rioting, etc. Looting only by a few knuckleheads you would have in any disaster.

I challenge any city with middle class and rich people to do as well.

[whatever4]

2. I agree with you on that nm

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Instead they intentionally kept the supplies short, and when they

provided them, they were only available if the evacuees signed off waivers. Despicable.

[unrepuke]

4. "Waivers"? details, please... Re: "Taking care of..." one chief I

worked for in the Navy used that term. It was very much fear inspiring when somebody screwed up and he'd get in their face and promise "I'll take care of you, Mate", or just when he wanted something done that was "above & beyond". Whenever there was something coming up that we knew we were going to be screwed over, like a holiday, which always meant No Holiday at all, we called it "Taking Care Of The Mates."

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. This is why we need to keep mass action alive in this country.

Thirty years ago if a couple dozen police tried to move 200 civilians like that the people would have taken the lesson of the movement and linked arms and sat down. They would not be moved.

Thirty years ago if 200 determined people were stopped from crossing a bridge by a police line they would have linked arms and kept walking.

No fault of those who were in this situation. They'd have to look a long way back for examples, and probably none of them had experienced such tactics themselves. For the past generation it's been every man for himself.

I admire them for their attempts, and their near success, in uniting dozens, even hundreds to cooperate in such chaos. They had the right instincts. They did the best they knew.

[K-W]

6. Yah, this is a must read Katrina article. EOM