Did they "overestimate" N.O. death toll to permit upbeat headline spin?...

[wakemewhenitsover]

"Katrina Death Toll May Not Hit 10,000"

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050910/ap_on_re_us/hurricane_katrina

"Death Toll in New Orleans May Be Lower Than First Feared"

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/10/national/nationalspecial/10storm.html?hp&ex=1126411200&en=e8d2ee7ce6717948&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[johnaries]

1. No, FEMA was not counting all the bodies because they

thought they could keep reporters out and hide the truth.

Watch what happens now that the court has ordered them to allow the reporters in.

[Ladyhawk]

2. I doubt they overestimated the death toll. Notice this news came

out after the crackdown on the media. I suspect the numbers won't be counted correctly. :tinfoilhat: I hope the media rebellion will ensure this doesn't happen.

I HOPE the number was overestimated. I'd much rather fewer people lost their lives, but something about this stinks.

[wakemewhenitsover]

4. In a way, numbers are irrelevant, because any loss is so sad.

[Melodybe]

16. More people died in Katrina than any other tragedy in the US

with the exception of wars.

No matter how they fudge the numbers, thousands of people are dead, and that is a big deal.

[wakemewhenitsover]

17. True, but public perception will be influenced by the spin, sadly.

[Hello_Kitty]

3. Either way, I certainly hope that it is much lower

But I don't trust them to do a legitimate count so I'm glad they have to let the media in.

[Sarojin]

5. Current is 118

But they have reported on well over 1000, and with all those flooded houses, it is going to be very bad.

Sounds like spin to me.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Was 312 this morning

for all of it

[RagingInMiami]

7. Yeah, real upbeat headline

"Only 5,000 people killed by Katrina"
"Officials call it a miracle"

[Erika]

8. MSNBC had 1,500 rescued kids listed without parents

I'm sure Bush will list 30 adults dead and declare it a miracle.

[Conservativesux]

9. Bush will count Blacks as 3/5th's of a person to lower the death toll.

[Erika]

11. Unfortunately, I think that is his mindset

I feel so sorry for those 1,500 kids.

[Conservativesux]

10. .

[flyarm]

12. calif paper said today governm ordered 50,000 body bags..todays paper!

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/11196519p-11948351c.html

Modesto company to deliver more body bags to New Orleans
The government's order for another 50,000 will be filled by about eight firms


By PATRICK GIBLIN
BEE STAFF WRITER


Last Updated: September 9, 2005, 04:24:14 AM PDT

snip:

The federal government is trying to purchase an additional 50,000 body bags for use in the Hurricane Katrina cleanup and in Iraq, according to an official for a Modesto manufacturer.
Previously, the Federal Emergency Management Administration purchased 25,000 body bags and shipped them to New Orleans.

"We recently delivered every bag we had in stock, which is about 400," said John Hassapakis, manager of Central Valley Professional Services in Modesto. "Those were sent directly to New Orleans."

This week the government put out a bid for 50,000 more bags, he said.

[oasis]

13. All day yesterday they were saying 25,000 body bags. The Rove spin begins.

[wakemewhenitsover]

15. Is this in order to spin it as miraculous when the bags are not needed?

[BikeWriter]

14. 10,000 or 100,000, corpses are all tragic!

[Just Me]

18. No. At this time, we have no idea what the toll will be.

Hopefully, the estimates were wrong and fewer people are dead.