Guardsman: New Orleans duty worse than Iraq

[The Straight Story]

< snip >

“The humanitarian stuff — those are the reasons I joined the Guard,” said Hanson, who signed up in 1998 and spent more than a year in southern Iraq, returning in March. “I saw every emotion, from one end of scale to the other. Some were shocked and asked, ‘What do we do now?’ All I could do was give them food and water, and say they were going to be OK.”

But even as they helped, they encountered the racism prevalent in the South. Locals freely used “the n-word” and addressed the African Americans in Hanson’s platoon as “Boy.”

And while they were working near St. Rita’s Nursing Home, where 35 people died during the hurricane, three badly decomposed bodies were found.

“The mission affected me more, emotionally, than my whole trip to Iraq — as a parent, as a citizen of the United States, as a taxpayer, and as a soldier and a guardsman,” he said. “I’ll never go back to New Orleans, or Louisiana. Not unless I have to.”

http://www.carmelpinecone.com/051209-1.html

[cantstandbush]

1. And Shays had the nerve to say the Katrina witnesses were lying.

I am ashamed that DUers don't make as much about this blatant racism and humanitarian scandal as they do about what is going on in Iraq.

[acmejack]

2. So you have learned enough about the sentiments of 80,000 people

in less then 60 days to offer such a blanket condemnation? I suggest that is a little, shall we say, presumptuous.

[KamaAina]

4. Why'd he do that? That's one less repuke I have a shred of respect for.

I believe I can now count them on the fingers of one hand. :puke:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Ditto on that racism, unfrigging real... just amazing. nt.

[BJW]

5. kicked

:kick:

[FreedomAngel82]

6. That's so horrible

And people say racism isn't in this country anymore!!! :cry:

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Oh it is damn real

and we have to fight it... when my hubby retired from the military I said NO to the south because of it

[Swamp Rat]

8. Good bye crazy person

:hi:

New Orleans is the greatest city in my known universe! :)

[patdem]

9. Swamp Rat, I declare you must have gotten a HUGH!!1! discount

on green paint! You are the 'green painter' in my mind!

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Gee I wonder if Shays will call this guy a liar?

[EFerrari]

11. We can't let this go by.

:kick: