I have wondered if the "turning away' of supplies was merely that they were redirected, and the rejection of workers or equipments was more of a "not right now, it will clog up the supply line to have to handle everything" but when FEMA cuts phone lines, then there's no benefit of the doubt to be given.

I don't know - if it was an isolated incident, sure, but I've heard too many similar reports. They can't all have misunderstood.

There was a long list at Daily Kos of all the relief efforts that FEMA turned away, or failed to utilize. It's very damning.

Including my favorite: FEMA Urges First Responders Not To Respond.

Did Oprah already have her fall "Let's Give the Audience Everything!" show? If not, I'd like to see her donate the items (taxes paid, unlike with the car giveaway) to Katrina survivors.

Can you donate with taxes paid? Doesn't that mean more gift?

The cars were a gift, not a donation, so yeah, some cash along with would have helped.

Oh dear, shirtless Harry Connick Jr. evacuating an elderly neighbor should NOT be making me tingly. I'm evil. Evil. But Godalmignty is he pumped.

And where can this be seen?

joining Trudy in evilness

It was the evening news on NBC. He was checking out his Dad's place (which was in pretty good shape) and saw an elderly neighbor lying on his porch (the neighbor's porch). HC scooped the guy up and carried him bodily over to the boat. The poor man was so frail and it looked like he might only be wearing a shirt.

Cut to the guy set up in the boat and Harry saying, with this very sort of humble and respectful tone, how they'd come across this tough old guy and were able to give him a hand.

So, strong, kind, generous and ::gah:: high-grade shirtless.

(When I get to hell I'll be sure to give Bar a good hard smack upside the head)

Did Oprah already have her fall "Let's Give the Audience Everything!" show? If not, I'd like to see her donate the items (taxes paid, unlike with the car giveaway) to Katrina survivors.

No, but she did a show today from New Orleans where she's showing a lot of dead bodies in the street and calling the response "a travesty."

Try and spin Oprah, Mr. Rove. See what ya get.

Dad was justy here to pick up his cell phone.

I thiought that maybe MAYBE this situaiton would pull him out of his Bush is doing a Fantastic job as president thing.

But no.

It's New Orleans fault. The Mayors the Gov. of Lousiana's fault. Their fault for not organizing ways to get the poor out, their fault for not asking for help soon enough.

Dad says "THe president declared an emergency" well yes, but that's not enough. You have to do something. There's supposed to be some kidn of leadership

I don't know why, but I thought Dad wouldn't be one of those people rationalizing Bush's actions.

Thanks for the hug and suggestions, Trudy!

Theodosia, your advice is wise

What part of town do you live in, quester?

aurelia, Hi! and I live 2 blocks due North of the Art Institute

Video link to Keith Olberman's absolutely scathing editorial comment on Katrina and politicians

David, I saw him deliver this. He's my secret boyfriend, you know.

Why does everybody come out to play after I go to bed?

It occured to me as I was on my way home tonight that the Bush administration has managed to turn the US into a psuedo-3rd world country. We can't settle our elections without major suspicion and turmoil and we can't take care of ourselves without help from other countries and the gap between the very rich and everybody else is widening every day.

Ditto with my dad, Askye. Before he retired at age 54 he was much more moderate and in touch with the non-retirees of the world. Now, not so much, which leads to lots of fun family arguments.