Good to see that George W. Bush has learned the lessons of Katrina.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency came under fire Sunday as emergency workers were left undernourished and dozens of trucks of water and food had yet to be set up at distribution centers around Houston and surrounding communities.
But somehow that "personal responsibility" thing never seems to apply to Republicans.
Earlier in the day, a FEMA spokesman said delays in setting up staging points to hand out needed provisions had been caused by blocked roads.
By the evening, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said it was the fault of state officials who handed his department the "unexpected challenge" of having to prepare distribution points in addition to delivering supplies.
The important thing to remember with BushCo is — it’s always someone else’s fault.
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BT how bad is it out there the recovery efforts that is? What about the areas hit will they swing our way?
Reporters in Houston at KHOU are furious that Ike is not being covered properly…The entire region is completely devastated. The death toll, if they ever actually report true numbers, could be large…they just can’t find people who have been swept away. There are major health threats with mosquitoes too…one man was taken to the hospital with over 1,000 bites..It is reported that Houston will require 1,000,000 MREs “per day” to sustain the people.
People are getting MREs, water, ice…in about 11 PODs…and they are reporting that it is running a bit smoother…They also expect 75% of electricity restored in the city of Houston to be restored by Friday. As for the coastal region…forget about it…total demolition.
The thing is…the country has NO IDEA how incredibly devastated everything is. This is the 4th largest city in the United States. People are in shock.
If you want to know what is happening…there is continuous coverage at:
http://www.khou.com
When does Fema expect to let people go home? People who left should know and report the missing people who stayed behind which would give us better numbers of the dead.
Did we ever get a firm number on Katrina deaths? I seriously doubt they’ll give us a death count so close to the election.
Think about this…40% (24,000) did not evacuate from Galveston alone…nevermind Bolivar peninsula…the numbers could be staggering. The missing people reports will happen over time, but the government is trying to stop the information flow. There are ”no fly” zones issued from someone in D.C. The reporters are being kept in the dark and the information is not getting out. This is a FEMA/Chertoff/Bushco coverup in progress. As far as when people can go home…there is no home to go home to in many, many cases. The areas that one is not allowed to return to are completely destroyed…e.g., Crystal Beach…very little left standing…thousands and thousands, and thousands of homes…gone.
We the filthy rich and McCANE do hereby declare that democracy sucks…we the people has a socialist ring to it.
Has anyone mentioned how grossly incompetent and inhumanly callous this administration is lately?
So we’ve had two massive hurricanes decimate entire regions of America in the last few years. During this same time, our National Guard has made up a large percentage of the Occupying forces in Iraq.
I don’t see this mentioned much…If we had the full force of our National Guard assisting in these recovery efforts, wouldn’t things be much, much better, and likely many lives saved?!?
Hello?!?!
Check out this video of Bolivar peninsula:
http://www.khou.com/video/news…..vid=282706
Imagine who might head FEMA in a McCain Administration, given that McCain thinks that Palin is qualified to be President.
“It’ll all work out very well for them, I’m sure.”
–Barbara Bush
Todd Palin?
It will once they each get their copy of Neil Bush’s software.
have been trying to find some follow up on the story of the Galveston Sheriff refusing to evacuate 1000 prisoners – anyone hear anything ?
ps – Houston Food Not Bombs one of the first on the scene to provide help – food, clean water, basic first aid
Photos: The short – but eventful – life of Ike
“What is FEMA hiding about Ike?”
Scroll down for the screenshot of the FAA No Fly Zone order
Good point. Hmmmm…maybe that’s part of why they want the press to get out.
”The sheriff’s office didn’t evacuate county prisoners, and Yarbrough said they were unharmed as Saturday’s storm surge failed to reach the county jail or Justice Center on 57th Street.
“The good Lord took care of those 1,050 inmates,” Yarbrough said. “There was no rising water, but some wind-driven rain did make it into the law building.”
http://galvestondailynews.com/…..510905e85a
Well if they were in S Texas there wouldn’t be any food to feed them or water for them
Maybe it was Reverend Ike that took care of them.
Chambers County….completely devastated..needing food, water, ice…not getting anything per Judge Jimmy Silvia…saying that it is supposed to come from the “state”, but that they are waiting for FEMA.
Thanks for that, I’m so relieved to hear the prisoners were spared.
Wow.
thanks LS! and thanks for the KHOU link
been reading some of the forums – and it is beyond heartbreaking
ps – anyone have the stomach to listen to Limpballs today ? just wondering if he’s changed his tune about all those “idiots” remaining behind after it has become clear they are mostly poor whites
Question. Why are there 1,000 “prisoners” on the island of Galveston? Who are they, and why were they not evacuated due to a “security risk”…Is it some kind of baby Gitmo? WTF?
OT – (sorry BT) There was speculation here at the Lake last night about Phil Gramm serving in a possible McCrazy administration. Was that speculation that Gramm would serve as Secretary of Treasury, or a different position?
This is my brother-in-law’s neighborhood in Clear Lake…the house in the middle might be his house, but there are so many houses missing…it is near NASA and it is where Kemah is:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/…..dv08dH2ocA
Carly Fiorina screeding on the screen again. “Obama needs to remember….”
“Democratic controlled congress….’ rinse, lather, repeat…..
Maybe he could head up FEMA
“The good Lord took care of those 1,050 inmates,”
wouldn’t that be the same “good Lord” who brought the storm ?!?!?!
Maybe Joe Lieberman will head up FEMA, after he’s done such a stellar job holding them to account…NOT.
Since there are no flights allowed we may never know if there any oil spills or leaks. I heard but haven’t seen anything that there were two oil platforms adrift.
surely SEC, or Chairman of the Fed,
Isn’t the Dept. Of Homeland Security headed by Lieberman?
HMMM, let’s see,what about this little nugget?
Link to article.
Heckofajob, Short Ride.
I’m sure a Republican investigation will show that the storm was caused by millions of libruls praying to Satan.
Isn’t it nice how we can count on Holy Joe to piss us off when the chips are down?
Stockmarket down 500 points today.
Way to go Phil Gramm.
original reports had some deputy spouting crap about logistics, but it was pretty clear it was all about them holding on to State and Fed Emergency cash
reading gritsforbreakfast – southeast tex is dotted with all kinds of lockups both public and private
only question remains on a tent city in Raymondville, but I believe they evacuated
Lurking mod hit f5 and wound up at May 1 how do you do that
That is interesting info.
Chevron says Gulf platforms toppled
there was much more in this morning’s Houston Chron – large storage facility
shut down – rendered inoperable by storm
Walt Monegan says, look out below.
*sigh*
Here are two issues that can do in the Repubs:
AIG failure – Repubs not getting their insurance policies honored.
401K’s with no value – no retirement left, because of the 401K investments in failed financial entities…especially, the ones that get bailed out that they have to pay for and still will have no value.
This will affect the people. That will get their attention.
Think Progress is covering the lack of media coverage *SMH*
more here
Joe Sixpack will not be happy to watch the 1% of the country skate away all giddy, while they sit in their devastated homes for the next couple of years (at least)…with no insurance honored, no jobs, and no retirement. This won’t be pretty.
Republics are bound to start screaming loudly about nonsense issues now. What ever they make up will be covered by the MSM. AIG…401Ks..not so much.
So that was actually true? damn
thank you – I’m scrambling to do an add-on for a LTE, and have a deadline to meet here.
Appreciate it.
Well, who does, then–North Korea? Jesus, that man is an asshole.
I’m going to repeat this little interesting insurance nugget I learned from the Houston coverage yesterday that is pretty awful.
Most people in the region believe that if they have National Flood Insurance, that they will be covered..Not so.
You are only covered by “storm surge” flooding if you have a certain type of clause in your “homeowner’s policy”.
Many, many people bought flood insurance, because they thought that if their homes were flooded by water, they were/are covered. Nah. If you are flooded, because a river rises and floods your home, you are covered by the National Flood Insurance plan…
Ocean surge water…not.
A no fly zone controlled by no one…and it’s no where near Area 51.
W is the controller…he is king and decider of the universe dontcha know.
Their trying to cover their butts on what a freaking fiasco this once again is under the Bush administration. All idiots, miscreants, the list goes on and on
And there is no one with the authority to lift it
Nah, that’s just what they tell Dubya as a bedtime story so he’ll stop whimpering and go to sleep.
Where’s Brownie when you need him?
Most people who don’t monitor their 401(k)’s obsessively will get and open their quarterly statements in mid-October. As they survey the damage, and continue to pay almost five bucks for gas, I’m sure they’ll be likely to vote GOP.
This is good news for John McCain.
LOL
This may be a dumb question but what type of flooding is covered if not by storm surge? Only if flooding is a result of just rainfall?
That’s why John McCain is about to promise that he will keep us safe from gay marriage.
I’m looking to see where some funds would best help but considering this group of dingbats, I dunno. I think I’ll head over to the Salvation Army. Goodness kknows they were the few organizations that had their crap together during Katrina.
Well if the ground springs a leak that might be covered
*chuckle* the sad thing is your probably right
Be on the watch for Barbara Bush’s self serving, tax deductable donations for the sole purpose of purchasing Neil Bush’s software. Even she can’t believe that she gets to do that twice!
Fond memories of a night of all-you-can-eat crab and beer at a Bolivar restaurant, located on the GIWW. Wow, those are some images on the video!
Yeah, bet there were lotta fatalities there if people stayed.
Barrier Islands should really not have developments for just this reason.
Aid and help should be swarming these areas….
Maybe St. McCain and Lady Sarah will lead a convoy.
IANAL or insurance agent but my guess based on policies I’ve seen and places I’ve lived is that the only flooding that is covered is in areas where floods are not typical.
I couldn’t even get coverage when I lived outside Tampa because of a hurricane twenty years earlier. I doubt if folks along most rivers can get flood coverage since rivers are supposed to flood.
Therefore the only people who can get flood coverage are those who most likely won’t need it.
Funny how that works.
that is some racket insurance companies have going, huh? i live out in so cal and forget about earthquake insurance
that is in response to dakine01 @ 68
Babs and Big George live in Houston – they may be under water.
I have just heard that the ’sludge’ deposited on Galveston Island by the ‘flooding’ might “present a health hazard” …
Not unlike many Insurance Companies in America, perhaps?
I am not behind the scenes. But I sometimes get an earlier date when I try to load the comments before the FDL has finished loading.
before the FDL page has finished loading (typo correction)
Flood insurance is only available from the Fed Gov.
After Katrina it took a while for the missing persons list to be developed. It first developed on Red Cross. They had a way to have you say if you were safe and also post people you were looking for or thought were missing. This took a while. People went to so many different locations and families were split up. Unfortunately if they have only rescued 2,000 or so people there may not be anyone left to report the 24000 people missing. Could be a long time, or you will never know who was killed. With no bodies people could just dissapear and you would never know.
Not surprised if they are covering it up though. Makes sense since I think it would be bad for the Administration.
Bolivar Peninsula looks like Mississippi Gulf Coast. Houses just sheared off the pilings with few structures if any surviving. It is possible to survive this but very difficult. The storm surge was high but if the structure went you could possibly swim to another structure, hold on to floating debris or hold on to a tree. Anyone not in tip top condition would likely perish.
We should publicize this. The country needs to know what four more years of Bush’s FEMA will do for their country.
This blackout makes perfect sense. Bush signed some law after Katrina that makes it possible for him to take over from the Local/State officials without their permission. He can declare some emergency and just do whatever he pleases. IE: Even Perry wouldn’t know.
There was a well publicized dust up between Gov Blanco and Bushco. He wanted her to turn over control of her National Guard and she said no. Then they blamed lots of the coordination problems on her. Maybe it was her fault, maybe they just blamed her so they could get her out of office and she was a Dem in a Red leaning state.
Anyway the thing he signed caught my eye because it seemed like a very unnecessary step in my opinion. Seemed like yet another power grab by the executive branch. Wish I could remember what it was…
I think you are mistaken.
The insurance companies were successful in sticking it to people after Katrina. Even though many structures were destroyed by wind prior to water inindation as attested to in eyewitness accounts, the govt allowed the insurance companies to pay out little or nothing on those wind policies and told the people they would have to claim damage on flood policies.
Well remember a couple of things. There is a limit of $250,000 on flood policies. So if your house was worth $300,000 and totally destroyed you are already in the hole $50,000 from the beginning. So the govt allowing the insurance companies to get away with not paying these wind claims saved them billions and contributed significantly to companies remaining profitable even after Katrina.
I live in Florida and From the time Gustov formed in the Atlantic following close behind was Hanna, Ike and Josphine I watched. I watched any and all News coverage on these storms very closely. I watched everyday and night with less then 4 hours sleep a night for weeks. I seen the Mayors, Governors, FEMA, Weather Experts, News Media and the President telling people to get out NOW. Gustov pasted and Ike on its way heading straight for Texas. People were warned for days leading up to this storm.
I told my daughter in the midst of Ike hitting Texas, “you watch, there will be those that say enough is not being done!” Low and behold I was right. Before the storm the news reporters showed a bar on that little island in Galvaston were a lot of people were sitting back having a grand old time drinking and ignoring the warnings. The next day that bar was gone completely. Did those people leave, I dunno. But never the less they were warned.
Now the same people that should be able to guard so that idiots don’t loot and people that should be able to do clean up, get electric up and running so that people can come home, can’t! And why not, because they are all busy trying to get into the devasted areas to rescue the idiots that refused to leave. Now everyone is complaining becuase the clean up is happening fast enough, because people that were told they would need at least a three day supply of food and water never took care of their own needs and are now crying for food and water that the Red Cross can’t get to because the roads are flooded and covered with all kinds of crap. Damn it, they should of left.
I live in Florida, we have a $300.00 Hurricane fund that is never touched. We have air mattress, water, food, important paperwork that is kept on hand in ready to go the second we need to go. Before you think any of this is easy. We are 3 adults and 3 small children that live on an income of 27,000.00 a year. Our shelter is 6 miles away. But when it comes to our safety and the safety of our family we do as the officials say. That is common sense. The Katrina victims were the fault of themselves, their Mayor and their Governor First and formost. Yet Bush got blamned for that. What ever happen to personal responsibility?
After Charley hit us head on were I live, we lived here for 3 weeks with NO running water, NO electricity. But we had cash on hand, and went back to basics of cooking with wood, bathing by spong bath and got Ice from 6 miles away were the red cross was able to set up. We were responsible for ourselves. LIKE IT SHOULD BE. Stop blaming goverment for crying out loud.