Escape from Hurricane Katrina + Live Blog from N.O. Hell

[Old One]

I am becoming obsessed with what's going on down there...

I have hooked into a couple of other blogs/message boards (and we all know how those things can be). There are (unconfirmed) reports coming in of snipers firing on Charity Hospital, the pilot of a ferry bringing NG troops in being shot and of looting in Baton Rouge. There are also calls going out for private citizens to arm and defend their neighborhoods...

It's turning into friggin' Mogadishu in N.O....unbelievable.

~ OO

 

[Kanegrundar]

This just confirms rule #1 when faced with apocalyptic situations: get the heck away from any cities.

The worst part is, if those morons shooting at the people that have come to HELP are making a tragic situation even worse.

Kane

 

[Eridanis]

It sounds petty to say it in such horrendous circumstances, but please keep the political overtones out of discussions about this on ENworld, as usual. Normal rules still apply.

 

[Joshua Randall]

I agree with OO -- armed looters should be given one warning to stand down, and if they do not, they should be shot and killed like the animals whose behavior they are imitating.

Now that my anger is gone -- I feel terrible about the victims of this disaster, and frustrated that other than donating my money and/or time, there is nothing I can do to help. Like when someone is dying and you know you can't save them.

 

[Old One]

Now that my anger is gone -- I feel terrible about the victims of this disaster, and frustrated that other than donating my money and/or time, there is nothing I can do to help. Like when someone is dying and you know you can't save them.

Right there with you. We made a contribution to the Red Cross...but there really isn't anything else we can do from 1,000 miles away. Very frustrating, although it is a shadow of what the folks in the area are going through.

~ OO

 

[resistor]

The stories of the looters shocks me, but probably the most shocking thing to me and my girlfriend (who is from New Orleans, and whose family barely made it out) was this:

Congressman Hastert (IL, Rep) proposes not rebuilding New Orleans

I mean, could he have said anything more demoralizing for the people of the city?

 

[Old One]

This is a local N.O. news station website update:

WWLTV

Check out the 4:15 PM update...people being raped and beaten at the SuperDome...great .


EDIT: Apparently, some genius public official decided to open a route to the West Bank of N.O. Frantic calls for help are now coming from Gretna, Terrytown/Harvey and surrounding areas. The Oakwood Mall is burning down and unconfirmed reports say at least one hospital (Meadowcrest) is under siege.

Apparently, some of these areas still had power and the MOB has invaded with a vengence.

~ OO

 

[mac1504]

I don't have a huge problem with people trying to get food, water and basic necessities, but the rampant looting going on right now should be crushed with an iron fist. Under martial law, armed looters should taken down immediately, with shoot to kill orders if necessary. If not, it will continue to spread and grow, with absolute chaos as a result.

Off the soapbox,

~ OO

When the first reports were coming in about police standing by while people looted pharmacies, grocery stores and the like, I thought they were excercising prudence by letting people secure necessities in a time of crisis. But I immediately thought to myself, "I hope they are going to at least secure gun shops and pawn stores against the looters."

I guess I was wrong.

 

[BOZ]

Congressman Hastert (IL, Rep) proposes not rebuilding New Orleans

I mean, could he have said anything more demoralizing for the people of the city?

i wouldn't beleive stuff like that. Chicago was rebuilt after the 1871 fire, and the tragedy gave way to opportunities that wound up improving the design and economy of the city. i have to think that N.O. will work out in a similar (but not identical) fashion.

 

[Del]

*refrains from political type comments*

The sniper fire has been reported by CNN. FYI street gangs in LA have been known to use snipers I think (aka Bloods and Crips). When the riots happened there in the 90's the gangs rolled right over when armed troops arrived. I hope this will happen again here.