I just want to say "Thank You" to Spike Lee - your Katrina Doc was amazing

[LynneSin]

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/whentheleveesbroke/?ntrack_para1=leftnav_category6_show0

If you didn't get a chance to watch this 2-part documentary, I highly HIGHLY recommend it. I think Spike Lee put together an amazing project where he let the people of New Orleans have a voice about the tragedy that is still happening in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast region.

The first part had me in tears and I watched the people in desparation to find someone to help them out of this dire situation when our government on all levels chose to do very little. They had shots from within the Superdome during the storm when the sealing was starting to crack that was just amazing; I could only wonder about the fear of those inside who the Superdome was their only safety from the storm.

But last night was a night of anger, watching the frustration of those who lost everything from the storm (and don't call them refugees - I never considered just how insultive that word is to people who are US citizens just like most of us) and no one would help them: No checks from FEMA, no help from the Insurance company (Their policies had protection from hurricanes so the insurance companies said it was flooding, NOT the hurricane, that caused the damage and justified them into not giving anyone any insurance money) and knowing that their family was scattered somewhere across this country.

Spike Lee did an amazing job and should be proud of his accomplishment. This documentary shouldn't have just been on HBO - hell it should be on Network TV and shown at High School assembly periods across the country.

[NewWaveChick1981]

1. I second that.

I applaud the doctor who told Dick Cheney to go fuck himself, too. He was just trying to get back to what was left of his house on the Mississippi coast, and he was 150 feet away when the Secret Service made him take a four-mile detour because Mr. Vice President was in his town for a photo op. He said, "If the Vice President can tell someone in Congress to go fuck himself, I can tell him to." The doctor and his friend made their way to the photo op. And he said it---twice! Dickster didn't hear him the first time and he had to repeat it. :rofl:

All of the stories were very sad and rekindled the anger for how the Feds and state officials handled (or didn't handle) the whole situation. Rules, regulations, and budgets be damned----the Gulf Coast residents NEEDED HELP. IMMEDIATELY. The only help they got was from fellow citizens and other countries, local agencies, and private agencies.

The story that made me cry the most was the college student who didn't know what happened to his mom and came back to his home as soon as possible. Supposedly the house had been checked by rescuers and was marked clear. However, with the help of the police, they found his mom's body under the refrigerator. AND they made him wait two more months (until January) to bury her because they had to perform an autopsy and were backed up. :grr:

[taterguy]

2. I agree

Even though I haven't gotten around to watching Part II yet.

[book lady]

3. I agree with you

It is a powerful documentary and should be shown everywhere. When Bush spoke, I wanted to slap that smarmy grin right off his face, and I am not a violent person.

[kwassa]

4. I didn't watch it all because ....

(I saw long parts of both episodes)

Spike had no new information, that I could see. Every story he had in there had already been covered in the extensive media coverage at the time of the event. The best part were the longest interviews with some of the people directly affected, that was interesting, but much was a re-hash.

I would rather see a documentary on what the situation is today.

[Dora]

5. I hope it comes out on DVD.

I have no other way of seeing it.