Help needed with this post on a non-political board.

[MelissaB]

This was posted on a fan site, and people there usually try to stay away from politics because it divides people. I don't think I need to pass on this one because there is too much "stuff" here that can be debunked, but I need help. I'd to back this up with links to news articles.

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NNR I live in La...their own MAYOR, then BLANKO

are the ones who should be held accountable for the slaughter and suffering of these people.I have rode out,and evacuated many many hurricanes in 26 yrs...the lack of respect,care and concern for these people are why this catastrophic event is unfolding such as it is...the most important aspect of this entire situation is ...

...why did this happen to begin with??...

Why was there not enough food/water,emergency supplies stored at their so-called "shelters"...Governor, Mr. Mayor...why were there NOT enough supplies,even just for a few days to sustain your own people, your own constituents that you told to GET OUT, or to LEAVE, go to "shelters", yet don't tell them where to leave "to"??? Or give them a way to the "shelters"...

Mr. Mayor and Governor...you both are AWARE of the poverty, and the elderly,the young children and ill, and the handicap in all your PARISHES,they didn't just "appear"....

...this "is" hurricane season...you are a sitting duck living on the coast...did Andrew,Betsy and many others NOT teach you anything..,for Pete's sake...you both should have taken "reasonable" responsibility and prepared for your ill,elderly,the vulnerable people of poverty....

INSTEAD OF ASSISTING YOU WERE TO BUSY DEMANDING...on what they should "do",but not how or where or means to do!!!!!!!!

I saw an aerial view of about 200+ school buses parked the day of your "mandatory" evacs',just parked..in a gated/locked parking lot...it is without a doubt that many of these people could have been saved that were killed...80+ in a nursing home is 1 example..."ONE" bus could have evac'd those alone...the buses sat parked and no one helped get these people OUT..."BEFORE"...it was so unorganized there it is no longer a shock to most of here that what has happened...has happened...

I know here in our own Parish of Lafayette, the elderly,the ill,and those less fortunate are too often "secondary" in some cases...but at least we do have evac plans for them as well.. we don't PARK our buses and just forget about them...this "your on your own" mind set is barbaric...and has failed once again.

I know folks are to bring their own belongings,food,h20 etc,however the shelters are stocked for emergency supplies for at least 2 days....

Your own hurricane evac info says to have at least 3-5 days of water,food etc on hand during the hurricane, as it may take that long for help to get to you...why didn't you follow your OWN RULES of survival...of preparation....

and why were there not more shelters made available!!!! You can sure find enough places there to eat,play,get drunk,and be merry...but you don't have enough to shelter your own in emergencies...

It was clearly the responsibility of the Mayor and Governor to get these people to a safe place BEFORE the destruction. Then most of this suffering would not have happened...and Mr. Mayor and Governor Blanco,most areas hit were your very own constituents!!....

Some 20+ of us complained religiously for 14 hrs via emails and call....asking WHY are there NO BUSES removing the families from a MANDATORY EVACUATION as she gained strength and continued on her path !!!!!!!! Why are 1000's being told to go to the Superdome only as LAST resort...what did you offer them for 1st resort?...

On a mandatory evac, "ALL" buses, city,school,parish as well as many volunteers,i.e., commercial buses, vans etc are to make continuous pickups from STREET to STREET...hospital to hospital,nursing home to nursing home...That is standard procedure in a MANDATORY EVAC here anyway(We are 80 miles as the crow flies from N.O)!!!

The ones who were capable of driving out, had a horrendous time doing so...it was total unprepared CHAOS..."ALL" major roads, but one, should have led out ONE WAY... there should only be 1 allowing for folks to come in and pick up their loved ones to bring them out....but that was not the case...I watched for "HOURS"...HOURS" and HOURS"...the incoming roads were blocked and EMPTY!!!!!! Just empty...no traffic using them for exits...

...it took friends of ours 4 hrs to get ON an exit ramp!!! This was ridiculous ...your plan of "open both lanes out for certain hours" is not the way...it should be ONE way...OUT...until all can get out...

This is not to remove,or shadow the reasons of lack of follow up care,rescues etc...that is to be questioned for a very long time...however, it is still "H" season here in the gulf...and I hope that others will have or are given "life saving options"!




Bolding is mine.

[Gman]

1. Just say that

their response is strikingly similar to the talking points generated to defend Bush from any criticism about the fact that he has gutted FEMA and diverted any money that would have strenghtened the levees to a war based on a lie. That's not political. That's a fact. The fact is the failure of Bush to lead. There is nothing political in a crisis about pointing out failures of leadership. That is different from parroting talking points designed to protect Bush.

Furthermore, the talking points blaming the Democratic mayor and La Governor are only playing well with the right wing.

Another thing you can do is ask if this person thinks it is these poor people's own fault that they didn't have the means to evacuate when the mayor called for a mandatory evacuation well in advance of the storm. This person will not be able to not give a right wing ideology based answer.