tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post112559807373813450..comments2024-03-29T01:53:24.231-04:00Comments on Howard-Empowered People: An online community of Dean-inspired activists: Hastert: Rebuilding New Orleans "Doesn't Make Sense"Renee in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01741974339127525003noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125609122160237492005-09-01T17:12:00.000-04:002005-09-01T17:12:00.000-04:00Oscar ~~ And Haliburton would get the contract, r...Oscar ~~ And Haliburton would get the contract, right? Think the pReznit's friends would be absolutely delighted. <BR/><BR/>Worries: <BR/>1. Columbia, MD is a planned city. It's pretty dreadful. When we were house hunting there, in the 60's, and it wasn't even finished, we'd go every weekend. After four of those, we decided not. The eye got tired of looking for the imperfect: something normal. Like a telephone pole, or a garbage can, or a piece of paper blowing down the street. It promptly had the biggest drug problem in Montgomery County. <BR/><BR/>2. Government planning. I assume you've seen some variety of "the projects" <BR/><BR/>#3. LOL! Two kinds of people in the world. The buy a new house, it's got no problems. OR Rehab an old house, it's got charm. <BR/><BR/>For the people of N'Orleans I assume belong in large blocks to the second group. <BR/><BR/>The one group I don't know about is the very poorest of the poor: they may well prefer new, clean, concrete boxes to where they've been. Let *them* vote.puddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14472602120015210301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125609049948911152005-09-01T17:10:00.000-04:002005-09-01T17:10:00.000-04:00Well, we can raise the taxes on the rich, make cor...Well, we can raise the taxes on the rich, make corporations start paying their share again, and get out of Iraq. We would have a trillion in less than 5 years if we did that.<BR/><BR/>BTW California also has cities below sea level. It will be rebuilt either by private corporations that will exploit it for profit or by Bush & Co that will do the same.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125608743888040282005-09-01T17:05:00.000-04:002005-09-01T17:05:00.000-04:00The only Texas town in that kind of danger would b...The only Texas town in that kind of danger would be Galveston (maybe Houston, but I doubt it) and - while I obviously can't speak for BushCo - I would be weighing the same options in that case too, although Galveston is much smaller than New Orleans. But it would be interesting to see what the reaction would be if it were Houston or Miami. One thing that is unique to this situation is that New Orleans is a costal town that is situated below sea level. That poses some very unique problems regarding a few billion gallons of water and gravity, but the bottom line in either case is getting the money. How do we raise the money to rebuild or restart from scratch?<BR/><BR/>BTW, new thread.Athanasiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293384468879080134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125608574780848112005-09-01T17:02:00.000-04:002005-09-01T17:02:00.000-04:00Why don't they give the private sector the kind of...Why don't they give the private sector the kind of tax cuts on their donations that they give corporations? Always leave it to the good people to clean up the messes of the evil ones.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125608424458758842005-09-01T17:00:00.000-04:002005-09-01T17:00:00.000-04:00What he is REALLY saying is "Cheney, I and all my ...What he is REALLY saying is "Cheney, I and all my friends are going to get rich while you taxpayers will pay and the people of NO and MS will suffer. Suckers!"<BR/><BR/>Interesting how he had to tell us what a pipeline does. <BR/><BR/>Americans are the dumbest people in the world. No one with a brain would vote for this idiot.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125608169610187112005-09-01T16:56:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:56:00.000-04:00From the GOP website: Thursday, September 01, 2005...From the GOP website:<BR/> Thursday, September 01, 2005<BR/>Remarks By The President After Meeting With President George H.W. Bush And President Bill Clinton<BR/><BR/>THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. Thanks for coming. I'm honored to be with former Presidents Bush and Clinton. Thank you all for being here. We just spent some time talking about the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. I brought them up to date on what I know about the latest developments there on the ground. We're united in our sympathy; we're united in our determination to help the good people that have been affected by this hurricane.<BR/><BR/>I'm in close contact with Secretary Chertoff. He was in the Oval Office earlier today. He's in close contact with FEMA Director Brown.<BR/><BR/>I want to make sure I fully understand the relief efforts and the extent of the relief efforts and the progress of the relief efforts. After all, we're dealing with one of the largest relief efforts in our nation's history, and the federal government has got an important role to play. Our first priority, of course, is to save lives. There are over 80 FEMA teams that have been deployed to the Gulf Coast to conduct search and rescue missions. I want to thank those who are working long hours for their dedication to saving lives. We've got Coast Guard folks and Navy and Army and Air Force and National Guardsmen from many different states that are delivering needed supplies and providing the rescue missions, trying to reach those in danger.<BR/><BR/>We're working hard to repair the breaches in the levees. Federal, state, and local agencies are also cooperating to sustain life. That means getting food and water to those who are stranded. Medical personnel and local officials are helping hospital patients and people gathered in the Superdome to evacuate. Again, I want to thank the folks in Texas for welcoming those people. Bus caravans are shuttling back and forth between Houston and New Orleans to get those folks to Houston. Law enforcement and National Guardsmen and local leaders are working to restore public order.<BR/><BR/>Earlier today, General Blum, along with Mike Chertoff, gave me a briefing about the number of Guards-folks trained in police work that will be moving into New Orleans, as well as other law enforcement officials from around the area. As we speak, people are moving into the New Orleans area to maintain law and order. I thank them for their good work. Government agencies are working with faith-based and community groups to find shelters for thousands of displaced persons.<BR/><BR/>And finally, we're moving forward with a comprehensive recovery strategy. We're working hard to restore electric power, repair transportation infrastructure, restart energy production, and of course, strategize as to how to provide housing for these folks. I met with Chairman Greenspan at lunch, as well as the economic team, to evaluate the impact of Hurricane Katrina. We particularly spent a lot of time talking about the damage done to our energy infrastructure and its effect on the availability and price of gasoline.<BR/><BR/>In our judgment, we view this storm as a temporary disruption that is being addressed by the government and by the private sector. We've taken immediate steps to address the issue. The Secretary of Energy is approving loans of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The EPA has provided a temporary nationwide waiver for fuel requirements so supplies of gasoline can move more easily within our country and so that we can attract more gasoline from overseas.<BR/><BR/>We're also working with energy companies to repair and reactivate major refineries and pipelines. The good folks must understand that major refineries have been shut down, which means it's going to be hard to get gasoline to some markets. We're working to help these pipelines get up and running. Pipelines carry refined product.<BR/><BR/>And so we're working with the majors -- major oil companies to get the -- with Colonial Pipeline so they can carry the products of the major oil companies, the refined products. Right now, the Colonial Pipeline, which is a major pipeline serving the East Coast, is back in operation, but only at 50 percent capacity. We anticipate that as the days go by, more and more of that capacity will be restored. Other major pipelines are coming back online. But as I said, we're going to have a temporary disruption of gasoline product.<BR/><BR/>Another challenge we face is that the downed pipelines are causing the need to transport gasoline to needed markets by ship. Under current law, shipping between American ports can only take place on American ships, and there are currently not enough American ships to move the oil and gasoline to where it's needed. So today I've instructed Secretary of Homeland Security Chairman Chertoff to temporarily waive this requirement, so foreign ships can also help distribute oil and gasoline to where it's needed. Today's action will further help us move gasoline to accommodate the demands of the American citizens.<BR/><BR/>Steps we're taking will help address the problem of availability, but it's not going to solve it. Americans should be prudent in their use of energy during the course of the next few weeks. Don't buy gas if you don't need it.<BR/><BR/>This recovery is going to be a long process. It's going to take a lot of hard work and patience and resolve. It's also going to require a lot of money. And the federal government will do its part. But the private sector needs to do its part, as well. And that's why I've asked Presidents Bush and Clinton to lead a nationwide fundraising effort to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.<BR/><BR/>In the days ahead, the former Presidents will ask Americans to open their hearts and their wallets to help those in need. And they're going to talk to large corporations and small businesses and individual citizens across the nation. The contributions will benefit the relief organizations that are doing vital work on the ground. We're going to take a look and make sure that the money raised is money needed. Right now if our fellow citizens want to help, they ought to give a cash donation to the Red Cross, which they can find at phone number 1-800-HELP-NOW.<BR/><BR/>I was so proud of the efforts that President Clinton and President Bush did to help the victims of the tsunami relief. Our country marveled at their capacity to rally our citizens and to work together. And, once again, I've asked them to work to help the needs of those who hurt. And, once again, I'm confident that the American people will respond.<BR/><BR/>I know this is an agonizing time, or we all know this is an agonizing time for the people of the Gulf Coast. I ask their continued patience as recovery operations unfold. I can assure them that the thoughts and prayers of the entire nation are with them and their loved ones. I'm also confident that when it's all said and done, the efforts to rebuild the great city of New Orleans and to rebuild those communities in Mississippi and to help the folks in Alabama will make this nation a stronger place.<BR/><BR/>May God bless you all.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125608124387261282005-09-01T16:55:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:55:00.000-04:00Oscar, do you think if it was Texas anyone would e...Oscar, do you think if it was Texas anyone would even have a discussion on Rebuilding? Or Florida which has many areas that are just as hurricane prone?<BR/><BR/>I say rebuild and have all the supplies donated by the insurance companies, contractors, etc who have been ripping off the American people for decades.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125607343926149882005-09-01T16:42:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:42:00.000-04:00If I were a terrorist I would be so happy now. See...If I were a terrorist I would be so happy now. Seeing how the US government is completely incompetant in dealing with their own local disasters, how easy it will be to start attacking their power plants and other key areas.<BR/><BR/>US -4<BR/>Terrorists +4Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125607280570866392005-09-01T16:41:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:41:00.000-04:00Beat me to it.Beat me to it.Athanasiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293384468879080134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125607247837989962005-09-01T16:40:00.001-04:002005-09-01T16:40:00.001-04:00Phil*from*Iowa. wrote on September 1, 2005 04:15 P...Phil*from*Iowa. wrote on September 1, 2005 04:15 PM:<BR/><BR/>OK I think I've set up a volunteer chain to get this on the choppers bringing people out to Baton Rogue.<BR/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR/>Water for Nurses<BR/>Care of P.O. Box 20065<BR/>L.S.U.<BR/>Baton Rouge,LA 70803Athanasiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293384468879080134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125607222586428672005-09-01T16:40:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:40:00.000-04:00oops, that was from cCool-reposting Phil'sexcellen...oops, that was from cCool-reposting Phil's<BR/>excellent work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125607187128749842005-09-01T16:39:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:39:00.000-04:00Renee, per your request:Phil*from*Iowa. wrote on S...Renee, per your request:<BR/><BR/>Phil*from*Iowa. wrote on September 1, 2005 04:15 PM:<BR/><BR/>OK I think I've set up a volunteer chain to get this on the choppers bringing people out to Baton Rogue.<BR/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR/>Water for Nurses<BR/>Care of P.O. Box 20065<BR/>L.S.U.<BR/>Baton Rouge,LA 70803<BR/><BR/>single cases of bottles sent priority mail first class no packaging except the plastic wrap from the stores wrapped in priority mail tape so the item in the package is clearly visible<BR/><BR/>have the store give you a case CLEAR WRAPPED<BR/><BR/>it will be used by refugees if not the nurses<BR/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR/><BR/>please cross post they will be able to use several hundred and THE MAIL MUST GO THROUGHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125606935222759432005-09-01T16:35:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:35:00.000-04:00That actually gave me an idea - way, way, way out ...That actually gave me an idea - way, way, way out there, but let's think outside of the box for a second - what if they built a completely new city somewhere else? Designed from the ground up to be the most efficient city on the planet. It would be a job bonanza, private enterprise could make a mint and it would be funded and overseen by the government. It sounds nice, and I know there's a couple really big devils in the details (funding anyone? Bueler? Bueler?) but it might be something to kick around, especially if the cost would be comporable to fixing the old city. Man, saying that like it's in the past tense is kinda depressing, but it is what it is, I guess. What do you think?Athanasiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293384468879080134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125606242841494262005-09-01T16:24:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:24:00.000-04:00Oscar ~~ food, clothing, shelter for the refugees ...Oscar ~~ food, clothing, shelter for the refugees would be more if you *don't* rebuild. . . People can live in houses being rehabbed. Otherwise, they have to wait *somewhere* while something new is being built.puddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14472602120015210301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125605674758546092005-09-01T16:14:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:14:00.000-04:00Thursday, September 01, 2005Riding on the City of ...Thursday, September 01, 2005<BR/>Riding on the City of New Orleans<BR/><BR/>Yes. Lest you think I live in ZuluLand: I do know about New Orleans. I've scarcely slept since last week. Right now, 'bout running on empty, haven't slept for more than twenty four hours, and that's following two forty-eight-hour periods without sleep.<BR/><BR/>I kind of think it's a kind of PTSD, I was in the Russian River flooding of '95, and though that was not nearly as bad as this, New Orleans brings up feelings, images, anger that I thought had long gone away.<BR/>You see, I know the drill. (I had a foot of water in my living room. Guerneville had 12 feet in the street. Multiply by wind damage squared by water depth equals New Orleans) <BR/><BR/>more: clickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125605635376549662005-09-01T16:13:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:13:00.000-04:00Oscar In Louisville said...If the top 1% gave 10% ...Oscar In Louisville said...<BR/>If the top 1% gave 10% of their personal earnnings this year (which they will get back in tax cuts anyway since they get an extra 8-10% through Bush) the money issue would be solved.<BR/><BR/>But why would they? They are the ones that caused the poverty in this country to begin with. <BR/><BR/>Looking to the thieves for compassion is like praying to the devil to go to heaven.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125605471749939382005-09-01T16:11:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:11:00.000-04:00franster said...That's a good point. Donating is o...franster said...<BR/>That's a good point. Donating is one thing but if the supplies aren't getting to the people quickly enough. Are there any operations that will get on the group ASAP if we support them? I read yesterday Sean Penn wanted to get a boat and go there himself but was told just to donate. I want to hear exactly what the Redcross is doing there to help. It just does not sound good in any of the reports and I feel helpless where I am.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125605228535142242005-09-01T16:07:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:07:00.000-04:00We just got an unexpected flash flood here. I got ...We just got an unexpected flash flood here. I got my home windows closed in time but not my vehicle ones.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125604987693467022005-09-01T16:03:00.000-04:002005-09-01T16:03:00.000-04:00Let me be the kinder, gentler fly in the ointment ...Let me be the kinder, gentler fly in the ointment on this matter. Obviously, nobody wants to see or even think of N'Orleans abandoned, but from a very practical standpoint that may be the only viable option. Key word being "viable." I was actually discussing this yesterday with a friend of mine and it is conceivable that pumping the water out of New Orleans, restoring the levees, and rebuilding the rest of the destroyed infrastructure - not to mention food, clothing, & shelter for the refugees - could run into the trillions when you factor in the government's reinsurance of insurance companies for catastrophic losses. It may be more cost effective to simply relocate the residents and condemn the entire city. Naturally, every resident of New Orleans will reject that out of hand, but unless the nation can find an extra trillion or two to rebuild - and BushCo has already <A HREF="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050901/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_katrina" REL="nofollow">ruled out diverting Iraq-bound resources</A> - then it may already be fait accompli.<BR/><BR/>If New Orleans is not to be condemned, how do we come up with the money to rebuild it? Bonds? If the top 1% of the country were to each donate $1 million then that would just about cover it. But what are the chances of that happening?Athanasiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293384468879080134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125604029725608632005-09-01T15:47:00.000-04:002005-09-01T15:47:00.000-04:00Regarding New Orleans. It is easy to get caught u...Regarding New Orleans. It is easy to get caught up in the emotion of it. (Raging headache myself). The situation has exposed so many of the darker, buried, problems in our society. Big problems which will call for big answers.<BR/><BR/>In order to get back a little serentity, perhaps we could brainstorm about things we could DO individually or as a group.<BR/><BR/>Any idears?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125603846866940152005-09-01T15:44:00.001-04:002005-09-01T15:44:00.001-04:00Hi Denise:I understand about your frustration. I'...Hi Denise:<BR/><BR/>I understand about your frustration. I'm always 20 mintues early and get really pissed if someone is 10 minutes lats. After all, I've been waiting a half hour! LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125603842513278572005-09-01T15:44:00.000-04:002005-09-01T15:44:00.000-04:00San Antonio taking 25,000 flood refugeesAUSTIN, Te...San Antonio taking 25,000 flood refugees<BR/><BR/>AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- San Antonio officials have agreed to take another 25,000 New Orleans refugees at the request of Louisiana, Texas Gov. Rick Perry's office announced Thursday.<BR/><BR/>Perry spokesman Robert Black told the Houston Chronicle the decision was made after consulting with San Antonio and Bexar County officials. He said the logistics were still being worked out on where to house the disaster refugees.<BR/><BR/>The 25,000 refugees in San Antonio would be in addition to the 25,000 that Texas already has agreed to house at the Astrodome in Houston.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125602346829208662005-09-01T15:19:00.000-04:002005-09-01T15:19:00.000-04:00All of this is giving me a sick feeling in the pit...All of this is giving me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I went to the kitchen and found something for lunch, 'cause I'll feel worse if I don't eat. Now just to get it down. Kids will be home soon.<BR/><BR/>Take a look at <A HREF="http://atrios.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Atrios</A> for more (if you can stand it) about the part poverty is playing in all of this.Renee in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01741974339127525003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125601564044490132005-09-01T15:06:00.000-04:002005-09-01T15:06:00.000-04:00This part really enrages me:"I raged in tears last...This part really enrages me:<BR/><B><I><BR/>"I raged in tears last night with the DAH, who is frankly in shock. He asked how it is that folks can be *raising prices* for gas, for food, for everything? He asked how it is that there can be EMPTY hotel rooms that are not teeming with refugees because folks can't pay for them? How is it that Houston can TURN away refugees who made it there through hook and by crook merely because they didn't happen to have previously taken up residence in that hell otherwise known as the New Orleans Superdome? Why aren't we seeing every single private hotel/motel business, every single grocery chain, every single provider of clothes, NATIONWIDE, not fighting in line to be the first to *give* free, without charge, without profit motive, what is needed to help those still fleeing? Why are we seeing images of private (white) citizens who are obviously -- unlike those teeming the flooded streets around them -- well fed and well drunk enough to now be able to stand guard over their property with their own guns, instead of the police hustling them out telling them that their sense of property ownership is fundamentally misplaced right now and it's not all about THEM and their material possessions? It's about the dead and dying at the Superdome, in the Convention Center, in the flooded cities. From the heat, from shock, from hunger, from disease. They are dying.<BR/><BR/>And yet FEMA is suspending the most efficient form of rescue operations."</I></B>Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15940389.post-1125601232920736522005-09-01T15:00:00.000-04:002005-09-01T15:00:00.000-04:00Renee,Thanks for the second post. That is why Keli...Renee,<BR/>Thanks for the second post. That is why Keli, Robert and the rest who agreed on BFA are so very wrong about the looting. The police and guard should be focused on getting people out and yes, disarming any psychos...but looting should be the last of their worries.<BR/><BR/>Of course, isn't it like the New America that property is more valuable than people.<BR/><BR/>With the exception of Dean, where the hell is Reid and Pelosi and the rest and why are they demanding more responsiveness and funding for the area immediately?<BR/><BR/>They have been taking money from the Social Security funds to pay for the war for 3 years now. They can certainly take from it to get help.<BR/><BR/>As far as the copters, they don't have bullet proof military ones? I just do not believe that it can be this difficult to get people out of there and restore some kind of order. Each day that goes by, I am willing to bet hundreds or thousands more will die. No food, no water, surrounded by toxic stuff.Protect Democracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02579708675428643692noreply@blogger.com