To upset to sleep.

[whyrlygig]

I haven't slept since Saturday either. I just can't tear myself away from the news coverage. The images never leave my mind........

 

As far as the looters go, do they not realize that they (likely) are stealing from the dead? If they are going thru houses, I guess they do. If it were just emergency water, food, or medical supplies that they were after, I could understand. But, a cart full of tennis shoes? That is one thing St. Peter won't be forgetting.

[syndyj]

You know you can understand people looting for a loaf bread or bottled water, starvation and thirst must be horrid...but Nike sneakers, TV, etc. PLEASE! I could hardly believe my eyes as I watched Dateline last night and they showed how the guards at a Walmart could no longer hold back the looters, then showed the security guards joining in on the looting had grocery carts and where filling them up. Shameful!

 

I get your point, but shouldn't looting on a whole be condemed? How can there be any halfway acceptance in this issue? Suppose the people looting for sneakers and tvs etc. are trading it for food and water?There was an attempted coup in my country several years ago and many people were stranded at home without food, those who looted were trading food for looted items.

 

 

When I saw the photos on yahoo I wanted to know what was the difference between the white people who "found" water and food at a grocery store

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050830/photos_ts_afp/050830071810_shxwaoma_photo1

 

and the black man who looted food and water from a grocery store

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050830/480/ladm10208301530

 

the only explanation I can come up with is that the media is being blatantly racist on the reporting of the looting in those photos.

 

Anyway,I really didn't want to get on a soap box here, look at the photos and see if you can find anything different from my observations.

[brn2crz]

Good Morning all...Went to sleep around 2 and up at 6...But ya still kinda feel sad,as you had a nice warm bed to sleep in,and a big cup of coffee in the AM.

Chris,I felt the same..I was eating a big ole crispy chicken salad yesterday,and watching the coverage...Of people treading through waste deep water,and lifting their children onto helicopters,and folks still in their homes that you know have not eaten in days...I had to put it down.

 

On the other topic.There are reports on our local news,as the first school buses started pullin in to the dome...Completly taking the officals here by surprise.It seems that these buses were "commondered" from somewhere,stuffed with people standing etc...And being driven by NO residents.They said the police said they could "have" the bus :cool:

And that the bus evacuation was haulted until daylight,as shots were being fired at helicopters taking refuges to buses..

Desperate times bring out the worst in some,but the best in many..I guess the mob scene mentalilty takes over in some case.

[KKeeganS]

My thoughts and prayers have also been going to the folks in LA, MS and FL. I'm not an optimist, but in the aftermath of September 11 and in the aftermath of Katrina, when there people doing things that just make me sick with anger (looting, robbing, scamming victims, etc), I have to take a deep breath and also focus on the outpouring of donations and volunteers from around the country. Those who are able in LA and MS are volunteering time, boats, supplies to help rescue efforts and give the people who have lost everything at least the basic necessities. I am heartsick at those who lost their lives in NO because they thought the worst had passed and then the levies broke, flooding their homes, but some do rise to the occassion in situations like this and give selflessly to help all they can. That makes my heart a tiny bit lighter at a time like this.

[flagger]

It's Lord of the Flies allright. Read a blog from downtown CBD in NO.

 

Read bottom to top and then click next day or next 20.

 

http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/2005/08/28/

[tinkerme1]

How about all of you taking the time to write a check, make a donation, and ask the Red Cross what else you can do to help. There is so much money needed right now to just help with the essentials of life. Open your hearts and your pocketbooks.....some day it may be you needing assistance. I'm sure CC's from all over the world have the biggest hearts ever!

 

Our ex-son-in-law is now stranded here in So. California. No job to go back to, flights suspended indefinitely, so he's playing it one day at a time.

[brn2crz]

Scuse me!!???

Trust me.We have already done that.More than we could (or would have thought we could) afford.We have brought food and clothing to the shelter in Galveston, company I work with has adopted a family displaced and is feeding them daily,and giving provisions too.

Donating money or anything else,does nothing to ease the pain I feel for these people.It will take a long time for anything to funnel down to those that need it.

I could give everything I have,and it would not be enough.

[Nliedel]

How about all of you taking the time to write a check, make a donation, and ask the Red Cross what else you can do to help. There is so much money needed right now to just help with the essentials of life. Open your hearts and your pocketbooks.....some day it may be you needing assistance. I'm sure CC's from all over the world have the biggest hearts ever!

 

Our ex-son-in-law is now stranded here in So. California. No job to go back to, flights suspended indefinitely, so he's playing it one day at a time.

 

Please remember that many, many posters here and on the triathlete group I belong to as well as many, many internet groups are generous people and are donating money. Sometimes the admonishments to "open our wallets" come across as pushing people into giving more than they can afford. While I am certain you mean this with only the comfort and safety of the vicitms of Katrina in mind please remember that many people give what they can and thank them for it.

[glen tev]

We have a cruise coming up next Friday on Voyager and i can't help but feel guilty that we'll have unlimited food and someone waiting on us when these people don't even have a glass of water.We live in upstate NY and i will never bitch about a snow storm again.The national guard has to take the gloves off in the case of looters,Food,water,babyfood is one thing-plasma tv's time to lock and load.someone was actually shooting at the national guard at the superdome.By next week the only thing left in NO will be the criminal element and the national guard should go in full force.

[shmthaus]

Having had my home destroyed in a tornado in 1979, I understand the loss of homes, but I cannot comprehend the total destruction of everything. Loss of jobs, loss of ability to have a job, loss of a community and town.

 

As someone has already posted, we can give money, clothing and food, help with shelter, but it still won't resolve the feeling of helplessness......

[booze brothers]

Please, please, when you say a little prayer for these poor people don't forget to include the animals. These pictures also break my heart.

[KKeeganS]

Please, please, when you say a little prayer for these poor people don't forget to include the animals. These pictures also break my heart.

 

Absolutely. I intend to donate to the rescue, care and feeding of both the human AND animal victims of Katrina. My pets are at the top of the list of "possession" that make my house my home, and are they are the two things I would most want to save if I had to give up everything else I have.

[Iamthesea]

I have been out of the house all day...appointments. All I have thought about is getting back to the computer and TV. The news just keeps getting worse. :(

 

I am so depressed over this disaster. I want to jump in my car and go help...but can't. My DH doesn't understand why I feel the way I do. I tell him that just watching the TV should give him an idea why I am depressed. He tells me not to watch, but I can't keep away. DH comes home and watches a bit, then turns the channel. I think he just can't handle it all. My son came home yesterday and said that one of his classmates said the world is coming to an end and I believe that a little piece of the USA on the Gulf has come to an end. So sad!

 

We have written our check to the Red Cross and my DH company is matching funds. Please, please give all you can. It's :cool: to give to those in need.

[chipster]

 

I am so depressed over this disaster. I want to jump in my car and go help...but can't. My DH doesn't understand why I feel the way I do. I tell him that just watching the TV should give him an idea why I am depressed. He tells me not to watch, but I can't keep away.

 

Boy, I read this and can't believe someone is feeling like I am and know there are many more. I am sleeping at night but the daytime is the worst .. I can't stay away from the coverage but FINALLY had to turn it off. The looting is despicable. The crime and shootings are making a bad situation worse. But these people have had nothing to eat or drink in four days!!!! Think about it. I can't watch the moms with their infants - that is the worst. No formula, no diapers, horrific. I can't even go without a drink of water for an hour, much less four days. Desperation makes people crazy. I'm afraid the only way this will resolve itself is when a full force of military comes in with guns drawn and marches into the crowd firing shots, and that makes me sick.

 

I am an avid traveler and leave for Australia in just under two months. Before this happened, I was thrilled with my travel plans and looking forward to leaving. We also cruise on the Jewel in January and it was a game going back and forth planning the two. Now, it's almost as if I feel guilty doing anything about it but know that the human spirit is strong and will persevere.

 

I know everyone gives where they can - what we need to see more of is the huge corporations pouring out their profits into the effort - how about the oil companies too?

[jerzygrl]

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone effected by Katrina. As I listen to friends and coworkers complain about the gas prices, I remind them that they

have a car to put gas in, a job to go to everyday, and a comfortable home to live in. I am upset about these gas prices as well, but I can't help but thankful that I still have everything. I watch CNN every now and then, but the stories are just to heartbreaking and I am such an emotional person I cry all the time.

 

As for the looters, I just don't understand. I don't condone it but I can see why people are looting food and diapers and some clothes. But what is with the tv's, cd's and all that none necessary items. The marjority of these people are homeless, what do they need with a tv. Don't worry about that crap, just try and get your family out of harms way and to safety.

 

And I just feel terrible for the people that have to take up residence at the Astrodome. I am happy that they have a place to go, but just think of how

unconfortable that will be for months. I pray that most can get to family or friends that can help them in their time of need.

 

Thoughts and prayers go out to all !!!

[CruiseFever]

From a Dr on the scene:

 

Thanks to all of you who have sent your notes of concern and your prayers.

I am writing this note on Tuesday at 2 p.m. I wanted to update all of you as

to the situation here. I don't know how much information you are getting,

but I am certain it is more than we are getting. Be advised that almost

everything I am telling you is from direct observation or rumor from

reasonable sources. They are allowing limited internet access, so I hope

to send this dispatch today.

 

Personally, my family and I are fine. My family is safe in Jackson, Miss.,

and I am now a temporary resident of the Ritz Carleton Hotel in New Orleans.

I figured if it was my time to go, I wanted to go in a place with a good

wine list. In addition, this hotel is in a very old building on Canal Street

that could and did sustain little damage. Many of the other hotels sustained

significant loss of windows, and we expect that many of the guests may be

evacuated here.

 

Things were obviously bad yesterday, but they are much worse today.

Overnight the water arrived. Now Canal Street (true to its origins) is

indeed a canal. The first floor of all downtown buildings is underwater.

I have heard that Charity Hospital and Tulane are limited in their ability

to care for patients because of water. Ochsner is the only hospital that

remains fully functional. However, I spoke with them today and they

too are on generator and losing food and water fast.

 

The city now has no clean water, no sewerage system, no electricity, and

no real communications. Bodies are still being recovered floating in the

floods. We are worried about a cholera epidemic. Even the police are without

effective communications. We have a group of armed police here with us

at the hotel that is admirably trying to exert some local law enforcement.

This is tough because looting is now rampant. Most of it is not malicious

looting. These are poor and desperate people with no housing and no medical

care and no food or water trying to take care of themselves and their

families. Unfortunately, the people are armed and dangerous. We hear

gunshots frequently. Most of Canal street is occupied by armed looters who

have a low threshold for discharging their weapons. We hear gunshots

frequently. The looters are using makeshift boats made of pieces of

styrofoam to access. We are still waiting for a significant national guard

presence.

 

The health care situation here has dramatically worsened overnight. Many

people in the hotel are elderly and small children. Many other guests have

unusual diseases. ... There are (Infectious Disease) physicians in at this

hotel attending an HIV convention. We have commandeered the world famous

French Quarter Bar to turn into an makeshift clinic. There is a team of

about seven doctors and PAs and pharmacists. We anticipate that this

will be the major medical facility in the central business district and

French Quarter.

 

Our biggest adventure today was raiding the Walgreens on Canal under police

escort. The pharmacy was dark and full of water. We basically scooped the

entire drug sets into garbage bags and removed them. All under police

excort. The looters had to be held back at gunpoint. After a dose of

prophylactic Cipro I hope to be fine.

 

In all we are faring well. We have set up a hospital in the French Quarter

bar in the hotel, and will start admitting patients today. Many will be

from the hotel, but many will not. We are anticipating dealing with

multiple medical problems, medications and and acute injuries. Infection

and perhaps even cholera are anticipated major problems. Food and water

shortages are imminent.

 

The biggest question to all of us is where is the National Guard? We hear

jet fighters and helicopters, but no real armed presence, and hence the

rampant looting. There is no Red Cross and no Salvation Army.

 

In a sort of cliché way, this is an edifying experience. One is rapidly

focused away from the transient and material to the bare necessities of

life. It has been challenging to me to learn how to be a primary care

physician. We are under martial law so return to our homes is impossible.

I don't know how long it will be and this is my greatest fear. Despite it

all,

this is a soul-edifying experience. The greatest pain is to think about the

loss. And how long the rebuild will take. And the horror of so many dead

people.

 

PLEASE SEND THIS DISPATCH TO ALL YOU THING MAY BE INTERESTED IN

A DISPATCH from the front. I will send more according to your interest.

Hopefully their collective prayers will be answered. By the way, suture

packs, sterile gloves and stethoscopes will be needed as the Ritz turns

into a MASH.

[cathyoo]

I am heartsick for the people so torn apart by this tragedy. When I close my eyes I see the woman sitting on the park bench with her husband's body tucked under the bench. It will haunt me forever. I don't think I have ever been as frustrated about a national tragedy. 9-11 was horrific but somehow we managed to get the situation under control quickly. I know they are two entirely different heartaches. But to see people begging for help and no help after days and days make this all so more heartwrenching.

 

As far as the looters go. I don't call taking necessary supplies to survive "looting" but trading TVs and jewelry for FOOD? Who are they trading with? Is there a black market on food? Have you seen the pictures of wanton destruction? Smashing and breaking items too large to carry. Kicking and punching to get a PLASMA tv you can't even carry. Raping and shooting.. how shameful for all of us.

 

We need to be better prepared for all disasters. We also need to making profiteering and looting during these disasters a MAJOR crime with punishment severe enough to be a detterent.

 

I also think we should not be attacking each other because we perceive someone else is being insensitive to Katrina victims. We all handle things differently and if we chose to visit a bulletin board about cruising we should expect cruising to be a topic. There are threads (such as this) devoted to Katrina and there are there are threads on cruising issues. If someone is not ready to discuss cruising issues they should stay off those threads.

[shmthaus]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the crime isn't just in the devastation ravaged cities, it is starting up in the evacuee cities.

 

Last night a person was arrested for carjacking in Dallas, can you guess where he came from????

 

We have set up a large arena for evacuees and our convetion center also. We are expecting 25,000 evacuees to arrive within the next few days...

[cathyoo]

Isn't a an additional crime that some criminal is going to make it hard on the devastated evacuees? The cities and neighbrhoods that are trying to help or going to have additional problems. These are problems I never remember hearing about in other disasters.

[flagger]

I know that giving blood has been brought up. Remember that this is Labor Day weekend and is typically a high demand time for blood. I am not at all meaning to be callous but realise that there are many for whom life is going on as normal and this weekend will be no exception.

 

Secondly, if possible make a donation directly where it can immediately be put to use. I sent some to the Houston Food Bank.

 

http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/donations/index.htm

 

or

 

http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=1044

 

Also for those in Houston, I found this on their website about material things needed:

Specific items that can be donated for disaster relief are:

 

*

 

Paper Goods - plates, cups, baby wipes, diapers, toilet paper

*

 

Water - Bottled drinking water (No glass containers)

*

 

Single-serving snacks - Pop-Tarts, cereal bars, breakfast cereal

*

 

Peanut butter, bread, mayonnaise, easy-open meats, vegetables

*

 

Heat and eat foods - chili, stew, canned pasta with sauce, canned vegetables, etc.

*

 

Single-serving foods that do not require refrigeration, pop-off top preferred

*

 

MRE's (Meals ready to eat)

*

 

Baby formula, baby food, baby juices

*

 

Personal hygiene products, toothpaste

*

 

Can Openers - manual not electric

[kenandlaura06]

How about all of you taking the time to write a check, make a donation, and ask the Red Cross what else you can do to help. There is so much money needed right now to just help with the essentials of life. Open your hearts and your pocketbooks.....some day it may be you needing assistance. I'm sure CC's from all over the world have the biggest hearts ever!

 

Our ex-son-in-law is now stranded here in So. California. No job to go back to, flights suspended indefinitely, so he's playing it one day at a time.

 

Yes, if you have the $$$ to cruise, you have the $$$ to help, even if it is just a little bit.

[kenandlaura06]

. These are problems I never remember hearing about in other disasters.

 

I don't think we can even compare it to other disasters, because the scope of this disaster is like nothing we have seen in the U.S. in our life time, or perhaps ever.

[mybratty3]

I know everyone gives where they can - what we need to see more of is the huge corporations pouring out their profits into the effort - how about the oil companies too?

 

I totally agree with you. I've heard Wal-Mart has donated 15 million dollars to the relief efforts. Just so everyone here knows...... I work for Procter and Gamble and we have 4 plants in the NO area. We have over 500 employees and their families that were struck by this. Being the family company that we are, we have truckloads upon truckloads of toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodrant, diapers, personal hygiene items, baby wipes, shampoo etc loaded, and waiting, along with the truck drivers, for the Red Cross to tell us when and where they need them the most. Now, you are probably asking yourself....Hey do you not know where they need it? We learned after 9/11 that a lot of the things that we and other companies donated were shoved into warehouses and nobody benefited from them because nobody knew where the stuff was. The Red Cross are the ones who have asked to hold until they are ready and have a system of dispense the items so EVERYONE will benefit but you better believe when that phone call comes there will be no stopping us

[tinkerme1]

Scuse me!!???

Trust me.We have already done that.More than we could (or would have thought we could) afford.We have brought food and clothing to the shelter in Galveston, company I work with has adopted a family displaced and is feeding them daily,and giving provisions too.

Donating money or anything else,does nothing to ease the pain I feel for these people.It will take a long time for anything to funnel down to those that need it.

I could give everything I have,and it would not be enough.

 

I sure hope you understand what I was saying.... I didn't mean that this tragedy will go away simply because you give "something" to help. It certainly won't stop the pain of seeing those news casts on TV either. Believe me, I'm in serious pain over this situation....I have friends in NOLA! We obviously can't all go to NOLA and help personally, but we sure can contribute, and that amount should be determined by each individual. No amount is too small. Maybe I didn't say it so well, but my heart is in the right place.

[cindiedee]

Believe it or not, it is a relief to know I am not the only one who can't sleep or turn the tv off - DH just doesn't understand it - he just gets so mad at all those who are screaming this is about race, the looting, the shooting, etc - so he doesnt' watch. Somehow this is personal for me - probably because I feel so helpless - gave $$$ but somehow that doesn't seem like enough to do. I am just haunted by the older man whose house split in two and he could no longer hold his wife's hand - she told him to let her go and take care of the kids and grandkids - I wish I could find that man and his remaining family and take them in - that could be any one of us. My DH is young (56) but has had to have 2 heart surgeries already - I look at those people who have to leave their dead loved ones by the side of the road and I know I could not do it-God be with each and every one of those poor souls. Those living and those already gone to be with God........................... I have 2 young grandchildren and I think of what if this was my daughter walking around that hellhole trying to find water and food for her children..........this could happen to any one of us - there is no where to live that doesn't have some kind of natural disasters - prayers to all of you out there.