I just need to say re: Katrina

[johnnie]

This rescue effort is massive right now and getting bigger. It has been referred to as the largest disaster rescue effort in American history. There are reports of over a dozen countries offering their help and more are sure to come. Neighbors are helping to rescue neighbors, strangers risking their lives to save people that they never met, people sharing supplies with others and many more acts of human kindness and compassion going on in that hellhole.

I have seen and read so many stories of people helping people and some are just so amazing that I get choked up just at the thought of how many people really care about each other.

There have been word coming from all over the United States of help that is being sent and help that is already there. I have yet to talk to one person face to face who hasn't been saddened and shocked by what that hurricane has done. I can see the look of helplessness in their eyes as they talk to me about the devastation and loss of life that happened a few days ago.

Watching the footage of miles and miles of complete destruction, lives shattered and the thought that this country will never be the same is heartbreaking and confusing. To hear some of the people who have lost everything they owned saying they feel blessed to just be alive today makes me feel so guilty that I am worried about the price of gas going up a few cents.

Could this whole thing have been prevented? Did decisions made in the past worsen the situation as it is? Could we have been more prepared? Is enough being done in the two days that this happened? There are so many questions, but right now it is too frivolous to spend time trying to answer them all.

I know many of you will write this off, flame me or whatever, but watching this all unfold hour after after, I am seeing more people who are showing their compassion and heartfelt concern than I do people who are cold and uncaring.

I believe more is being done than what is expressed on here thread after thread. The devastation is probably the worst there has been in this country in our history. To watch the films and to see buildings down, bridges collapsed into the water, house covered or destroyed, people walking in waist deep water past their homes that don't exist any longer, seeing the faces of people explaining that they lost family members and can't find them, children with looks of total confusion on their little faces and other true life dramatics being played out in my life is so hard to take. I feel helpless and heartbroken. I just don't know what else to say.

My point of this is that I have been coming here for well over two years now and have always felt like I have found a place that I feel like I belong. These last few days have been an eye-opening for me in many ways, but one is the amount of negativity that has been floating around. Sure there are things that can be done differently, but finger pointing and name calling isn't going to change a thing. There is too much sadness and reality in the gulf to be coming here and hearing more negativity.

I know I don't make sense, but I wanted to say this. Basically, I think that the people of this earth has shown that there are a lot of good people on this planet and a hell of a lot of them are pulling together to try to do what they can for the millions of people who's lives were wiped out by that hurricane.

That's all


On edit: spaces added by request

[no name no slogan]

1. Recommended

Times like this really can bring out the best in people. And I think we're finally starting to see that happen.

I REFUSE to give up hope in humanity. Because when you do, there's nothing left. We WILL get through this. We WILL recover. Things will get back to some semblence of "normal", eventually.

NEVER give up hope. It's all we have left.

[peekaloo]

2. .

:hug:

[rbnyc]

3. First, could you put spaces between your paragraphs?

Second, I think it's extremely important for people to know things such as:

* There were 5 helicopters initially available for rescue efforts because the national guard is in Iraq.

* New Orleans begged for money to raise the levees, explaining that New Orleans was virtually unprotected in the face of a large storm, and money was denied because of tax cuts and the war in Iraq.

* The temperature of the gulf, due to global warming, contributed heavily to the intensity of the storm

It's important for people to have this context and realize now, while we feel something, while we're connected, while the brad-and-angelina-o-meter is off, that these are the consequences of our actions and our inactions. These are the consequences of our values.

We need this message to sink in, and heartily if we are going to charge our behaviors enough to reverse global warming and overthrow the moneyed interests who have decimated our civil protections.

There's a place for the stories of people coming together, and the like. But if you're disappointed in us for making ourselves and our leadership accountable, frankly, you're full of it.

[johnnie]

5. Okay, got it..spaces

I understand that things are needed to be said to "sink in". So posting thread after thread of global warming, the guard in Iraq and georgie's budget cuts to the city of New Orleans to other progressives on this site is going to do what exactly?

<space>

Ever hear the expression "preaching to the choir"?

[rbnyc]

6. Well, I've inspired at least one person to look at...

...how they might cut back on driving. That's something. Also, why do you think I know the levees were underfunded, where do you think I got the figure "5" helicopters? From people talking about it. And why am I fired up enough to bring the conversation to my family, my office, my neighbors? Because "the choir" is fired up.

Anyway, I mentioned the spaces because you're very long, wordy, rambling post was extremely difficult to read, not only because of your writing style, but because all your paragraphs were crammed together.

I was able to determine that you were interested in being understood, so I thought I'd give you that tip.

However, I don't blame you for your backhanded "<space>" as I set that tone when I declared you were full of it. (Sorry about that, it's really your post that's full of it.)

[johnnie]

7. Thanks

[jdlh8894]

8. "First, could you put spaces between your paragraphs?"

That takes a HELL of a lot of gall!!!

[rbnyc]

10. Did you see it before?

It was VERY hard to read. I think it takes gall to expect us to do that much work. Yet, I read it.

[johnnie]

12. That much work?

Yikes..lol.
I didn't expect anything.

[Kurovski]

24. It also muddies the meaning of a piece.

It was a reasonable request.

And it shows respect for your reader.

[Historic NY]

4. I have an immense feeling of urgency for the people.....

find them and get them out now.....the USCG rescued 2600 from roofs & attics today and there are hundreds more. I did what I could to help I sent in a donation to the Red Cross. Tonight the Greater NY area R.C. was having a celebrity phone banks and within an hour the raised over 7 million. Its going to take the help of a lot of people to even try to get these people back to a somewhat normal life. Physically & mentally this hurricane has taken a heavy toll.

I've been thinking about a dozen 2nd cousins in the Baton Rouge & Hattiesburg areas, along with a Prof. friend from University of La.he was here to visit a few weeks back.

[HEyHEY]

9. I'm ticked Canada hasn't done anything yet

Ashamed

[johnnie]

11. The problem is

There weren't many ways to get in there. Maybe a helicopter or two here and there. I think the whole area had to be surveyed. It wouldn't have been a good idea to send thousands of people in without know the situation.

[HEyHEY]

13. It's the helicopter situation that makes me mad

Canada has a large helicopter rescue program and shitloads of whirlybirds... why haven't we sent them down there?

Thankfully North Shore Search and rescue are probably going down there, they're the best in the biz

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. There are 2 C 130's and 2 Chinooks sitting on the tarmac (doing

nothing but practice flights) at Selfridge right now...today...they're still there. Michigan also has a buttload of Coast Guard heli's sitting there. :(

[johnnie]

19. 21,000 National guard are being deployed today

I know it seems like they should have been sent in earlier, but they had to have a plan. This wasn't like 9/11 where the damage was basically centralized it is widespread and very erratic. I think they just needed to know where they were going to send everyone.

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. They are still sitting there.

And the F-16's are playing fly boy games.

[johnnie]

21. Where should they all land?

They are being deployed from all over the country and by the thousands. Is the airport cleared for all them to land?

[ScreamingMeemie]

30. Land them anywhere...just land them.

This is an emergency...do what has to be done...and Chinooks don't need to be landed. :hi: C-130's are also the planes to use for humanitarian drops. I learned all of this by helping out with my daughter's Civil Air Patrol Squadron. Her Commander is at a loss for words at how badly this is being handled. And before anyone poo poo's her as a civilian, she's a major in the Air Force and has worked on Refueling missions and humanitarian efforts. She's a Bush backer as well...not so much anymore.

[babylonsister]

27. HeyHey, don't be. From what I've heard, Canada

has offered support and has been rebuffed by the infinite wisdom of these idiotic people. Don't blame Canada...

[LiberalUprising]

35. U.S. blocking Canadian response team (Aid for Katrina)

On tonight's news, CTV (Canadian TV) said that support was offered from Canada. Planes are ready to load with food and medical supplies and a system called "DART" which can provide fresh water and medical supplies is standing by. Department of Homeland Security as well as other U.S. agencies were contacted by the Canadian government requesting permission to provide help. Despite this contact, Canada has not been allowed to fly supplies and personnel to the areas hit by Katrina. So, everything here is grounded. Prime Minister Paul Martin is reportedly trying to speak to President Bush tonight or tomorrow to ask him why the U.S. federal government will not allow aid from Canada into Louisiana and Mississippi. That said, the Canadian Red Cross is reportedly allowed into the area.

Canadian agencies are saying that foreign aid is probably not being permitted into Louisiana and Mississippi because of "mass confusion" at the U.S. federal level in the wake of the storm.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/8/31/235829/261


Aid offers pour in from around the globe (Bush rejects it)

Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9161198/

[enigmatic]

37. We've tried

The US hasn't gotten back to us. it's unbelieveable, but it's true.

[ForrestGump]

14. You speak the truth

I haven't seen much of the news -- I can't take the pathetic, superlative-laden 'reportage' and have been too busy to look further -- but what little footage I've seen is almost unbelievable. It does sound like we're seeing the best of human behavior, too, as is perhaps inevitable. Just as inevitable, though, is that we'll also see the worst: predators, looters, and profiteers (hey, not even counting the Bush cabal). These kinds of events seem to bring out both best and worst. It'd sure be nice if the National Guard were where they belong, at home, rather than deployed for too long in the cause of some unjustifiable conflict on the other side of the world.

[johnnie]

16. Shhhhhhhh

Don't say the "l" word around here. The one that rhymes with shooters.
:hide:


And thanks for replying. I was just trying to bring some positive thoughts on what is going on.

[Misunderestimator]

17. Talking about what should have been done is absolutely necessary.

And the time to start to talk about solutions is during the crisis, when it is fresh in everyone's mind.

I'm inspired by the outpouring of love and generosity but I'm also angry and confused about how this happened, and about the slowness of response this week. We have to deal with the situation as it is now... but it does not mean that we cannot learn from it. This shouldn't have happened.

[rbnyc]

18. That's pretty much what I was trying to say...

...except I was a lot angrier when I was trying to say it.

Thanks.

[babylonsister]

22. johnnie, you make perfect sense to me. Thank you. nt

[johnnie]

26. Thank you

I was ready to take a break for a while from here. Not that I can't take it, it's just been a little too "heavy" here.
I know I won't leave until I get booted though..LOL.
Take care. :)

[XNASA]

23. Well said.

I'm sure you'll be taking reactionary flak for your post, johnnie....

Over time, we'll learn the truth. I'm positive the Feds have dropped the ball, again. That's no secret to any of us.

I'm a little tired of the blame game myself.

[johnnie]

25. Thanks

I mean it. I have not been doing too well with my thoughts lately here..lol.

There is no doubt that the Feds have dropped the ball, that is a given. I just am trying ot put myself in the state of mind to look at the good in people out there and not worry about who is at fault, that will happen later. the main concern is the millions of people in need right now.

It feel like a bunch of people standing around an accident giving the police reports and blaming each other while there are people in the car dying. Get the people, then ask questions. What's that expression? Shoot first and ask questions later?
Thanks again.

[vickitulsa]

28. Johnnie, I think what you did was to say what was NOT being said.

I haven't been at DU very long at all, but for me, living here in the Heartland where I hear NO complaining or fingerpointing or namecalling about the Bush administration whatsoever from the locals, it has been a breath of very fresh and much-needed air to see that folks here at DU "get it." Seems to me that it has also been much of the "negativity" from the media -- even, by now, the mainstream media -- that has brought MORE HELP to those who need it so desperately right now.

I could be wrong about that part. Maybe it would have come anyway. PROBABLY (I must admit), it would have come anyway. But it sure did seem to be coming sloooowly -- more slowly than necessary. And that DELAY is causing more loss of life and tragedy. The louder people yell to finally get attention, I guess, might do some good to get the help onscene faster.

Truth is, IMO, so many here in "the choir" have been so angry and so frustrated for SO DAMN LONG already. Then THIS happens and who's to blame seems to be UNmentioned by the MSM from the git-go.

So folks here who have seen it coming for a long time and TRIED to raise the hue and cry beforehand are finally able to say, even if only to each other: "SEE!? We KNEW stuff THIS BAD could happen, and happen right here at home!"

I figure it's venting, a lot of it. Critiquing, in some depth and detail ... yes, that's going on too. But to me it's all understandable. I, too, have felt the rage and participated in the criticizing. It was so nice to have a place where this was accepted and read, even responded to -- something I didn't have before I found DU. I had a few like-minded friends, but not a whole LOT of them like I found here!

I also figure that the goodness and kindheartedness and willingness to share and help that you described is being observed and noted by everyone else here, as well. We can't miss that; we see it in the news footage every day, many times a day.

I just believe that perhaps we have not been MENTIONING it very much because "it goes without saying."

Well, you fixed that, Johnnie! YOU SAID IT! :) You commented on it, spoke out about it, made a very good point.

Maybe those who read your post -- and it made it to the Greatest page, too, so it will be read -- will also think and write more about the acts of kindness and courage, the "best" that is being brought out in folks. That's sure not going to hurt, IMO, in the mix of responses!

One other thing I've been wanting to say for a couple of days but didn't know where to put it (so maybe here would be okay?). One of my best cyberpals lives in Opelousas, LA -- 300 miles from New Orleans and out of the range of Katrina's path of devastation. We have talked quite a bit the last few days via instant messaging, and she has told me COUNTLESS stories of locals in her town doing everything imagineable to help the survivors of the storm.

She said a very big group of locals had gathered together with their BOATS and headed out to see if they could help with rescues. (They were turned back when they got near there.) She said locals were letting refugees (who are apparently pouring through to her area) stay in spare rooms or on couches in their homes, even though they couldn't afford to feed them, so others, including Annie herself, were helping with that part.

Last time I talked to her, just a few minutes ago, she said she had just spent the afternoon cleaning out closets at her house. I knew before she told me WHY she was doing that. Annie and Billy are both disabled and not young, and they live like me, below the poverty line. But she found quite a few items of clothing, and towels, and soap and shampoo, that she could contribute when another local came around in a pickup to get the donated essentials for the refugees who were staying in town.

I'm very aware of the goodness in the hearts of people and the wonderful ways in which they quietly reach out to help their fellow human beings in need. But I'm not unhappy that you brought it up to talk about it!

And in your last paragraph, you summed up your message very well. I'll bet DU can handle your contribution to the conversation about Katrina and the aftermath just fine. :) :hug:

~VV

___________________________________________

[johnnie]

31. Wow, thank you vickitulsa

That was a great post. Not because you didn't flame me..lol, but because it was just very intuitive and refreshing.

There is no doubt in my mind that the people here at DU are bursting at the seams. I have been here for a bit and have read thousands of posts from the great people here and it is only natural that what has been said here for all this time is being played out all over as people are dying and the emperor is strutting around naked. I get uneasy with too much negativity and I wanted to say something about the people who ARE doing things. Your friend is a prime example of what is not being shown enough. I know the administration should be much more further along than they are, but I am seeing so much good in the "common" people in times like this that I wanted to say that.

Thank you for replying and a belated welcome to DU. :)

[WCGreen]

29. Johnnie...... Wonderfully writen..... From the heart.....

That's what makes something worth reading, when it comes from the heart....

But there needs to be a balance between the compassion and the realism. Peoples attention is focused, right Now, on the unfolding disaster. If we don't "harp" on the problems that were, at the very least, augmented by the ineptitude of the Bush administration, then we will continue to see this type of response to other disasters when they arise.....

[johnnie]

32. Thanks WC

I can completely understand the emotions that are flowing around here. We all have been aware of the ineptness of all those "in charge" for quite some time.
I was just thinking along these lines:


To everything
(Turn, turn, turn)
There is a season
(Turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose
Under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything
(Turn, turn, turn)
There is a season
(Turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose
Under Heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To everything
(Turn, turn, turn)
There is a season
(Turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose
Under Heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time to love, a time to hate
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To everything
(Turn, turn, turn)
There is a season
(Turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose
Under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sow
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late.

[doublethink]

33. That was brilliant my friend. ...

:) ..... and Nominated. Hugs and Peace.

[johnnie]

34. Brilliant?

Eh..lol. But thank you very much.

[enigmatic]

36. I understand what you are saying

I don't go into GD anymore; it's a lost cause right now. People are very emotional (as can be expected)here now at seeing this unbelieveable scene unfold; I'm pretty much in shock watching it up here. It's killing me.

All I would have to add is for people to dinate whatever you can in cash and supplies to the people of the Gulf; they have nothing. Please, we need to do this.

I've got your back:)