New Orleans... very sad

[RunUp]

Hard for me to get too bent out of shape about "looters" taking food, clothing, etc. from damaged stores.

I also can understand taking food and water. After all, people have to survive. But to load up a cart full of DVDs or to help yourself to a new refrigerator....that's a different story.

 

[Vector4fun]

Mudkow,

God Bless and stay safe. You folks are doing amazing work.

 

[JCJ]

I also can understand taking food and water. After all, people have to survive. But to load up a cart full of DVDs or to help yourself to a new refrigerator....that's a different story.

agreed...

apparently there have been electronics, guns, etc looted. FOX is reporting that gangs armed with rifles and assault weapons are roving the city (guns & ammo have been looted as well). Apparently several news agencies have removed their people for their personal safety.

My wife and I had our first out of town date in New Orleans. Aside from the sheer humanity of the situation, I hate to see this for the city. I wonder if it will be anywhere near the same ever.

 

[Vector4fun]

I also can understand taking food and water. After all, people have to survive. But to load up a cart full of DVDs or to help yourself to a new refrigerator....that's a different story.

I wonder, after sitting in knee deep water for a week with no food, electricity, or A/C, how "valuable" the stolen DVDs and TVs will seem. I personally wouldn't waste the effort to carry one away if I found one in the street.

BTW, where are all the gators? I figured CNN or somebody would have shown some swiimming downtown by now. I thought I read once where gators actually outnumbered people in southern LA?

 

[mudkow60]

Thanks all.

Here is a link of my pics. If you look at the first two, I have posted what I saw the other day. Sorry I could not link directly to the pics. This was a few hours before a main pump failed, and supposidly the water rose even higher. What broke my heart was all the victims flashing us with flashlights for help when we were departing (we have no night vision devices and could only work until the last drop of daylight).:


http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/imagesearch.html?handle=mudkow60&handlebox=1&submit=go








Almost had my HAC papers pulled today because of what we did (for non military, that would be like revoking my ability to fly as Captain).

The crews of both aircraft said they would do it again in a heartbeat and so would I.

I still cannot watch the news without feeling sick and ill.

 

[Geronimo4497]

Does this mean that the military is no longer picking people off of roofs? If so, why?

 

[Flying Illini]

Clothing, mostly OK, liquor, not OK, guns, ammo, electronics, shopping carts of anything on the shelves, not OK.

 

[Flying Illini]

Wasn't SHeppard Smith holed up in the French Quarter during the storm?

 

[JimNtexas]

If this blog is correct, nobody has asked Erickson Aircrane to help repair the New Orleans levees.

It's crazy that they are not in the disaster area.

 

[FN FAL]

FOX is reporting that gangs armed with rifles and assault weapons are roving the city

Rifles AND assault weapons?

Hillary Clinton, is that you?

 

[Flying Illini]

Rifles AND assault weapons?

Hillary Clinton, is that you?

You know, assault weapons...like bats and golf clubs!

 

[Publishers]

The power of God's nature is humbling beyond all comprehesion to us all. While it is easy to blame those that stayed behind, I stayed behind during Andrew. First it was not predictable, secondly I had never experienced one or seen the damage that it could do.

We can blame people all we want. Do you think that Christ would walk the streets blaming the people for their ignorance in not leaving. What about the children and infirmed, the seniors without mobility.

There was a pilot here yesterday from Baton Rouge who said he had no sympathy for any of them, they knew this could happen. His lack of compassion made me sick for those who had no jet to leave on. What about all those who did leave. They are suffering and have nothing to go back to. No jobs, no homes, no many things.

We all make decisions every day, some good ones and some bad ones. Often times these decisions effect others. We should walk the road of compassion without judging what category one falls into.

 

[FN FAL]

You know, assault weapons...like bats and golf clubs!

Umbrellas...

 

[atlcrashpad]

Katrina

Mudkow,

Thanks for doing what you are doing. I could only imagine what a disaster the Gulf coast is right now. I've read as many of the postings as I could and agree with many of you. I personally cannot understand why store owners, knowing Katrina was coming, did not move the guns and ammo out of the area. Forget the TV's DVD's, VCR's etc... Why leave guns and ammo? Did they not think they would get looted? I could go on forever about irresponsibility, but will leave it as is.

A lot can be done and or given. Money, clothes, food, water, and let's not forget the gift of life itself, Blood. Please give if you can. America needs you. Americans need you.

God bless all involved.

 

[Flying Illini]

Leaving guns/ammo in your stores isn't the bad decision. Building your home below sea level on the coast is a bad decision. It was never, EVER a question of IF N.O. would get flooded, it was always a question of when. That when is now. Let's learn from the mistake, let's not rebuild here.

 

[bigD]

I'm just finishing up an overnight in LFT, and it's amazing how many people are here. The UL arena (the Cajundome) is filled with refugees, and in many places the parking lots are full of people and families living in their cars with nowhere to go.

I just donated some blood, and it was quick and easy. Like atlcrashpad said, I recommend that if you have the time, go find a place to donate. If not blood, find some way to help.

 

[jarhead]

Leaving guns/ammo in your stores isn't the bad decision. Building your home below sea level on the coast is a bad decision. It was never, EVER a question of IF N.O. would get flooded, it was always a question of when. That when is now. Let's learn from the mistake, let's not rebuild here.

It's a major seaport. Grain, ore, and other things go down the Mississippi river on barges to be off loaded onto ocean going vessels for export of our goods to cash customers around the world. Also, imports from all over the world come into that seaport to be offloaded and trucked out or put on barges to go up the river. It is also where oil platforms deliver crude oil to, and where it is refined and pumped out in pipelines across the country.

It would be nice if a seaport could be located in Nebraska, but it usually needs to be someplace at sea level.

 

[VampyreGTX]

Plus, people raise the insurance costs, and rebuilding house, businesses, etc. How will this NOT be a cost if we don't rebuild it? Insurance will still need to be paid out, housing will still need to be built to accomodate the refugees, no matter where they go. Business will need assistance restarting wherever they relocate to. Either way, the costs will be high. New Orleans should be rebuilt, but this time, listen to the people that say the levees couldn't handle a cat 3 storm or higher. If the levees were built right to withstand a storm surge of 25+ feet, instead of 10-15' there'd be no flooding in the city like you see now. There be some flooding, wind damage, but how will that mean it's not to be rebuilt? Why did we rebuild southern florida after andrew, san francisco after the fire of 1906, the gulf coast after camille?

 

[Flying Illini]

Yes it makes sense to rebuild, I guess. I'm all for rebuilding at sea level, but below sea level is a problem waiting to happen. And if you think for one minute that we can build something that can defeat mother nature, well, you're very wrong. And when another disaster like this happens, again we will all feel the economical pinch.

The levee's will stop a wall of water...to an extent. But a tsunami will go right over them and we're back to square one. How about torrential rains that won't go away, filling up the city from above, how do you prevent that. And don't say it won't happen, because for all you know, it's coming next year...or never.

Rebuilding N.O. is a gamble, no matter how much money and resources you dump into the levee and pump system.

 

[jarhead]

A tsunami would over run stuff above sea level at a port as well. An earthquake at 9.2 on the scale would also cause havoc. Mankind cannot make itself immune from every possible natural disaster. Tornado, volcano eruptions, blizzards......they can all do bad things. We do the best our engineering know how and financial resources will allow. After all, that's why people and business have insurance policies.

 

[Flying Illini]

Very true Jarhead. I guess I'm not conveying what I'm thinking.

The only reason I am saying that it may be a bad idea to rebuild N.O. is because it is BELOW sea level. The flood waters have receeded from every place that is sea level or above. The recovery effort is underway there. There is no sewage floating around. Houses can still be salvaged, even though they had water in them. Everything in N.O. is going to be nearly a total loss due to the saturation with raw sewage and disease filled waters.

Let's at least give ourselves a fighting chance, build at sea level or above. Below sea level on the coast is an unnecessary risk.

 

[atlcrashpad]

Rebuild Rebuild

Regardless if New Orleans is below sea level the city needs to be rebuilt. Charleston, SC was devastated by hurricane Hugo in 1989. It was rebuilt and is one of the most beautiful cities in America. If it were your home you’d want help rebuilding and besides where will Mardi Gras be held. What will become of all of those beads? The “Big Easy” needs to be rebuilt.

 

[PHX767]

What happened?

Almost had my HAC papers pulled today because of what we did (for non military, that would be like revoking my ability to fly as Captain).

The crews of both aircraft said they would do it again in a heartbeat and so would I.

Mudkow,
What happened that (almost) caused you to lose your HAC papers?

Thanks for doing what you do, man.

I salute you.

PHX767

 

[Fly_Chick]

Mudkow, you are in my prayers. No one should have to see the sights you have witnessed, or feel the pain you must feel. Thank you for standing by your beliefs ("doing it again in a heartbeat"). You are so very much appreciated.

 

[mudkow60]

I can not believe that my command will not support the rescue effort. I am at my wits end.

 

[Fly_Chick]

I can not believe that my command will not support the rescue effort. I am at my wits end.

Is there anything we can do to help you?

 

[Flying Illini]

Hey Mudkow, explain to us what is really going on. Why won't your command support the rescue effort? Is it because of the danger in the area from armed looters? I know that is keeping many boats away. If you can, give us some details.

 

[FN FAL]

Hey Mudkow, explain to us what is really going on. Why won't your command support the rescue effort? Is it because of the danger in the area from armed looters? I know that is keeping many boats away. If you can, give us some details.

http://www.bradycampaign.org/press/release.php?release=143

Yea, it's to give time for god to get even with them.

 

[T1bubba]

I can not believe that my command will not support the rescue effort. I am at my wits end.

What's their justification? Don't tell me they're waiting for some official request paperwork to go through...

Sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do, and just deal with the consequences later.

Thanks for helping those that are in need.

 

[jetflyer]

It's almost like they're letting people die on purpose.

When there are catastrophies in other countries the U.S. military is there immediately with aid, food, and water.

Many of the people of N.O. are saying that even after 4 days they haven't seen ANY MILITARY or AID groups.

People are starving to death.

I almost think the LOOTING EXCUSE is being played up, to make up for their LOSS OF CONTROL. If troops would have been in there immediately with food and water, there would not be as much looting.

This is getting RIDICULOUS!

I just got finished watching Scarborough Country on MSNBC and REPUBLICAN Joe Scarborough was disgusted at the Bush administration for the lack of aid. He was pissed and blaming Bush. Can you believe that? He was sickened by the people starving to death for no reason.

Jet