This is not a 'doomsday' message, but I think it is important that we comprehend the fact that the governing authorities do not understand the magnitude of the catastrophe on the Gulf Coast. We are witnessing the actual death of a city and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, jobs and way of life. Study this because it is what will be repeated in other areas of the country. The ramifications of this will be felt all across the country for the next several years and it is much, much deeper than the 'news story of the week'. I hope that the brilliant minds here at Destee will utilize our abilities to analyze the situation and suggest ways that may be of use to some of the thousands who are being displaced, as I'm sure some are family, relatives, friends and associates of us here.
I trust also that people here will not rush to get on the 'law and order' bandwagon, condeming the so-called looters out of hand. This is an example of a total breakdown of order and we are just beginning to see the chaos. What would you do if you found yourself in a situation where the community has collapsed and you are trapped. I am not supporting stupid stuff but I cannot condemn the desparate.

Why is this different from the tsunami and why is our emotional and assistive reaction different?

I completely understand people "looting" at grocery stores for food and other essentials.
The people I condem are the ones who have broken into a Wal-Mart and stolen all the guns, people breaking into jewelry stores and clothing stores. Those are the people who are taking advantage of the situation and being a hinderance instead of a help to the many people who need it. There have even been reports of looters shooting each other.

With no electricity and water still poring into the city all the people need to get out instead of trying to profit from this disaster. The city is a bowl and the water has no place to go if the pumps and levees keep failing.

I completely understand people "looting" at grocery stores for food and other essentials.
The people I condem are the ones who have broken into a Wal-Mart and stolen all the guns, people breaking into jewelry stores and clothing stores. Those are the people who are taking advantage of the situation and being a hinderance instead of a help to the many people who need it. There have even been reports of looters shooting each other.

With no electricity and water still poring into the city all the people need to get out instead of trying to profit from this disaster. The city is a bowl and the water has no place to go if the pumps and levees keep failing.


I have cousins in New Orleans, my mom owns a home there as well. It's easy for people to say they should just leave. Leave and go where? If they were able to leave they would have done so

I completely understand people "looting" at grocery stores for food and other essentials. The people I condem are the ones who have broken into a Wal-Mart and stolen all the guns, people breaking into jewelry stores and clothing stores. Those are the people who are taking advantage of the situation and being a hinderance instead of a help to the many people who need it. There have even been reports of looters shooting each other.


For some people guns are essentials!

I have cousins in New Orleans, my mom owns a home there as well. It's easy for people to say they should just leave. Leave and go where? If they were able to leave they would have done so


I know having no where to go is going to be a huge problem for people. They're trying to find places for the thousands of people stuck at the superdome. But with no drinking water, no electricity and the water growing higher in most parts of the city I don't think staying is going to be an option for much longer. It's just not going to be safe to stay.

I hope your family made it through with no losses, this is a terrible disaster. I don't have family there but since I used to live in the city I have friends there.

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html

this websight is being updated with new information all the time for those interrested.

:uhh: because these are OUR PEOPLE, our friends, OUR relatives, OUR assoiciates!




Why is this different from the tsunami and why is our emotional and assistive reaction different?

..................

I completely understand people "looting" at grocery stores for food and other essentials.
The people I condem are the ones who have broken into a Wal-Mart and stolen all the guns, people breaking into jewelry stores and clothing stores. Those are the people who are taking advantage of the situation and being a hinderance instead of a help to the many people who need it. There have even been reports of looters shooting each other.

With no electricity and water still poring into the city all the people need to get out instead of trying to profit from this disaster. The city is a bowl and the water has no place to go if the pumps and levees keep failing.

I agree. Those in search of the "basic" staples of life should be given a break. However, those who take advantage of this extremely tragic situation should be dealt with very harshly. Louisiana may be different, but Mississippi's anti-looting law alone carries a penalty of 15 years for looting under these types of circumstances. How can anyone in their "right" mind have compassion and/or forgiveness for those who contribute to the further destruction of the very infrastructure that will be neccessary for them to rebuild their lives?

What we have to wrap our minds around is the realization that the place we know of as New Orleans is drowning. What we are seeing has NEVER happened in the u.s. before. A city has collapsed, and if the order hasn't been issued yet, mark my words, it will be before the day is out: EVERYONE will be ordered out of the city. Understand, even if they could pump all the water out in a month or two, (which they cant), what would they do with the residents in the meantime? While it may be true that many of the people have no where to go, they cannot stay there. 'There' does not exist anymore. Anyone who believes the government is going to pump the water out and rebuild the city for the same residents (especially for the Black ones) is suffering under an illusion. I could very well be incorrect, but as each hour unfolds, it becomes clearer that bush-n-them aren't putting together the type of resources necessary to 'save' the city nor to 'save' the people, (such as creating 'temporary cities' by bringing in the military to put up giant tents in nearby areas and evacuating the people by the thousands out of harm's way and then trying to stop the levees from collapsing, etc). These people are basically refugees and the sooner thats recognized, the sooner the long term problems can be addressed. Sending a few tons of can goods and trucks of clothes and medical supplies will not be nearly enough.
Again, I ask you: what would you do if your city collapsed and they tell you there wont be electricity, water or any other services for WEEKS.
BTW: they are NOT looters, they are people who are realizing there is no system to service them. There is no infrastructure and the semblance of order is rapidly disappearing. Again, tell me what you would do?

I know having no where to go is going to be a huge problem for people. They're trying to find places for the thousands of people stuck at the superdome. But with no drinking water, no electricity and the water growing higher in most parts of the city I don't think staying is going to be an option for much longer. It's just not going to be safe to stay.

I hope your family made it through with no losses, this is a terrible disaster. I don't have family there but since I used to live in the city I have friends there.

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html

this websight is being updated with new information all the time for those interrested.


Thanks for your concern sistah. Well at this point, it's a moot issue. New Orleanians are being ordered to evacuate the city.

yes, i have been noticing the lack of any response from the feds.

peace,

Was Hurracane Katrina PURPOSELY designed and the damage already calculated.....................

b4 you answer take a look at how the oil prices have already gone up (at least here in NY) by a $1 and the damage has not even been TOTALLY asessed yet???

- can anyone say Tsunami!!!!!!!

As I said before on another thread, the spirit is definately moving around in h'yaa.

It crossed my mind that this Huricane was manufactured. It started out as a small tropical depression, and in not time it became a category 4. All of this happening at the same time of the Cindy Sheehan fiasco.

My 3rd eye tells me this is just another case of a WMD. Weapon of Mass Distraction.

I also agree that this is an excuse to drive the oil prices up further than they already are.

Hopefully the people of New Orleans will be ok. It's sad to see all those people holding on to whatever is near in order to keep themselves and their children afloat. It's really disturbing. As far as the looting, I wonder how many people would do the same if they had no food, money, clothing etc. I didn't see anyone stealing televisions. I didn't see anyone stealing anything except essentials. Either way it's a terrible tragedy and hopefully they'll pull through and find shelter somewhere safe.

This is not a 'doomsday' message, but I think it is important that we comprehend the fact that the governing authorities do not understand the magnitude of the catastrophe on the Gulf Coast. We are witnessing the actual death of a city and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, jobs and way of life. Study this because it is what will be repeated in other areas of the country. The ramifications of this will be felt all across the country for the next several years and it is much, much deeper than the 'news story of the week'. I hope that the brilliant minds here at Destee will utilize our abilities to analyze the situation and suggest ways that may be of use to some of the thousands who are being displaced, as I'm sure some are family, relatives, friends and associates of us here.
I trust also that people here will not rush to get on the 'law and order' bandwagon, condeming the so-called looters out of hand. This is an example of a total breakdown of order and we are just beginning to see the chaos. What would you do if you found yourself in a situation where the community has collapsed and you are trapped. I am not supporting stupid stuff but I cannot condemn the desparate.


Peace,

..........I agree with you my wise brother, I would even go so far as too say like the Tsunami this too was a calculated event and not some "freak of nature" as the media would have us "believe".............

I will start a thread to see what our people think on the flip (consipracy) side of the coin!!

Peace brother Oldsoul

You know what, I wouldn't doubt that it is manufactured. I have heard different experts say that the governments have the capacity to manipulate and manufacture weather. I'm not sure how true this is or to what extent, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit. After all, they always look for reasons to tax us even further, as long as they have a reason that's so-called "out of their control". If they could manufacture and actually cause natural disasters, that would be the answer to their prayers, because they could just blame it on nature. I don't really know though. I want to read up more on the specifics of the storm and maybe something will jump out.

i guess the national guard is all tied up in Iraq and cannot help?

i heard an oil man on TV say the price will go up until people stop buying gasoline.
these people put Bush in office and now they are looting the country.

i guess the national guard is all tied up in Iraq and cannot help?


At last count 65% of the LA and MISS national guard are in the US and being untilized at this time. Ther are 11,000 troops in the city of New Orleans at this time. They are currently being used to "save" the people who were stranded by the flooding. They have so far saved in excess of 2000 people.

Once everyone is safe than they can concentrate on the flooding and making everyone comfortable. They are feeding more than 30,000 people 2 meals a day at the super dome. Also these same people are being moved by the federal gov't to huston and other surrounding area for their safety at no expense. I cant believe you have the gall to say nothing is being done. It has only been 3 days, give them a chance to get organized before you start complaining that they're not going fast enough. Remember there was a MANDATORY evacuation ordered before the hurricane even hit, some people chose not to.

Do you know how to fill a 200 ft wide gap in a levee that is also up to 100 feet deep with water rageing through it? I am sure the army corps of engineers would love to hear how to do that quickly so more people can be saved

Also the Red Cross is begging for people to donate blood to help the hospitals in the area since there blood supplies are running out. This is something that anyone can do to help out. Anyone who lives in Miss. can help out as volunteers also at the sports dome which is going to become home to the people being evacuated.

I cant believe you have the gall to say nothing is being done.
all i know is what i see on TV.
when i have watched i didn't see any federal presence.
if they are on the job, bless them.

At last count 65% of the LA and MISS national guard are in the US and being untilized at this time. Ther are 11,000 troops in the city of New Orleans at this time. They are currently being used to "save" the people who were stranded by the flooding. They have so far saved in excess of 2000 people.

Once everyone is safe than they can concentrate on the flooding and making everyone comfortable. They are feeding more than 30,000 people 2 meals a day at the super dome. Also these same people are being moved by the federal gov't to huston and other surrounding area for their safety at no expense. I cant believe you have the gall to say nothing is being done. It has only been 3 days, give them a chance to get organized before you start complaining that they're not going fast enough. Remember there was a MANDATORY evacuation ordered before the hurricane even hit, some people chose not to.

Do you know how to fill a 200 ft wide gap in a levee that is also up to 100 feet deep with water rageing through it? I am sure the army corps of engineers would love to hear how to do that quickly so more people can be saved

Also the Red Cross is begging for people to donate blood to help the hospitals in the area since there blood supplies are running out. This is something that anyone can do to help out. Anyone who lives in Miss. can help out as volunteers also at the sports dome which is going to become home to the people being evacuated.

Jamesfrmphilly makes a valid point. The more soldiers that are HERE on hand to handle our own problems, the better they will be able to handle the situation in Louisiana.

People shouldn't have to be looting for food and essentials because there should be National guardsmen from ALL OVER the U.S. to help them out. Utilizing just Louisian guardsmen may not be enough for a situation as immense as this.

Indeed, Iraq is a pointless war that is destroying the lives of thousands of innocent Iraqis and hundreds of U.S. soldiers. Thousands of troups are being tied up over there so we don't have enough to deal with problems that arise at home.

How can you control the weather?

i heard an oil man on TV say the price will go up until people stop buying gasoline.
these people put Bush in office and now they are looting the country.

I can assure you most Blacks did not put him in office.

all i know is what i see on TV.
when i have watched i didn't see any federal presence.
if they are on the job, bless them.

I appologize if I came across as a little testy. I have a lot of friends who are living through this. The National Guard is in the area and is doing all it can, I am not even inlcuding the Coast Guard and Navy. If we get too many people down there than they are falling over each other than we also have to feed and house all of them as well. They really need more people donating blood and other supplies. I think everyone on here can say we wont be getting any help from any of the countries that we constantly help.


I would also like to add that the federal gov't has contracted with Carnival Cruise Lines to house as many people as they can on their cruise ships. :wave:

Hopefully the people of New Orleans will be ok. It's sad to see all those people holding on to whatever is near in order to keep themselves and their children afloat. It's really disturbing. As far as the looting, I wonder how many people would do the same if they had no food, money, clothing etc. I didn't see anyone stealing televisions. I didn't see anyone stealing anything except essentials. Either way it's a terrible tragedy and hopefully they'll pull through and find shelter somewhere safe.

I agree kente417mojo. We've never been faced with that disaster, so we don't know how we would react as far as looting.

Jamesfrmphilly makes a valid point. The more soldiers that are HERE on hand to handle our own problems, the better they will be able to handle the situation in Louisiana.

People shouldn't have to be looting for food and essentials because there should be National guardsmen from ALL OVER the U.S. to help them out. Utilizing just Louisian guardsmen may not be enough for a situation as immense as this.

Even though several people on this board are against AA's joining the Army and being sent over seas, joining the National and Coast Guard is an option.

Your right Karmashines these are OUR problems and OUR people and WE need to be involved in helping them.

People shouldn't have to be looting for food and essentials because there should be National guardsmen from ALL OVER the U.S. to help them out. Utilizing just Louisian guardsmen may not be enough for a situation as immense as this.
.


People should have evacuated too. I know some were unable, but who even cares about judging them. I bet we'd all be doing the same thing if we were in the situation. I saw 2 doctors who lost their homes and they said they didn't care. The only thing that mattered to them was helping all those people admitted to the only running hospital.

Jambo Family:

I warn you right now - BE CAREFUL WITH THE WAY HOW YOU WASTE YOUR GAS! I do not know if you have heard, but Gas Prices are becoming ridiculous!

What are your thoughts on the Gas Price strike?

Speak your mind.

CD

I hate it. Man, I go to work and home. Rarely anything in between. We will see 5$ per gallon by 2006. They will keep inventing reasons why it's being raised higher and higher.

Hotep

New Orleans is under water, the president said today that it is going to take years to try and rebuild, at the same time the Pentagon has declaired "Martial Law". All eyes should be on the sign of things to come. Life will never be the same as before 9-11 and now New Orleans after "Katrina". How are we prepaired when it is our turn? For all of those who think that every thing is already taken care of by some great spook, we will see, won't we...after the real reality comes. The best thing for us to do, be fore things get worse is to change our "Foolish" ways and come together and do something for our Afrikan self, such as pooling resorces and developing a "Think Tank" that can serve us in our times of need. As long as we have a roof over our head, bathrooms to use, kitchen to cook our meals, space to wash our vehicle and plenty of entertainment, we may not see what is comeing to a town near or on top of Us. Have you ever stoped to think that G-d, who is not a Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hebrew, Jahovahs witness, Hindew, Budaist ect will show us the real "Truth". The truth that can not be minipulated by our tongue and a twist of a clever mind and a slip of the pen. When we are one day for sure confrunted with loseing "Every Thing", then we will understand what it means to be with out "Unity", and we will have no one to blame but our selves. The Europian is not the "Saviour", and will run out of the will to serve the victoms and help the ills because there will be no motivating force called Money in it. We Afrikans will soon understand that we are truly on our own, for those who don't already know. The good part is, "We" will still be here no matter what. We should find ways to "Help" the victoms of the disater in the wake of Katrina, or we have learn "Nothing".

Ase`

http://infowars.com/articles/ps/katrina_no_martial_law_declared.htm

http://infowars.com/articles/us/katrina_louisiana_governor_evac_no.htm

FWIW

i went out to the store.
the guy was out messing with the sign on the gas station.
he raised the price by 40 cents. 3.32/gal

i had never seen the guy change price at 7PM at night before.

FWIW

i went out to the store.
the guy was out messing with the sign on the gas station.
he raised the price by 40 cents. 3.32/gal

i had never seen the guy change price at 7PM at night before.


That's going on everywhere now Bruh James. Price gougers! :playball:

Getting a telecommuting job or 1099 type of job helps greatly in reducing your transportation expenses.

It is also good to ride the train, take the bus, or walk instead of using a car if you can. I hate driving so much that I actually prefer these modes of transportation. It forces you to move more (because you have to walk), and it saves money. It also helps the environment because only the bus needs gas, and you can fit what --- maybe 40 people on the bus? This is in contrast to fitting 4 to 8 people in a car or minivan.

Getting a telecommuting job or 1099 type of job helps greatly in reducing your transportation expenses.

It is also good to ride the train, take the bus, or walk instead of using a car if you can. I hate driving so much that I actually prefer these modes of transportation. It forces you to move more (because you have to walk), and it saves money. It also helps the environment because only the bus needs gas, and you can fit what --- maybe 40 people on the bus? This is in contrast to fitting 4 to 8 people in a car or minivan.


I agree with you Karma.

we could stand to do more walking or riding a bike if possible, even carpooling is good.

Anything to cut down on using gas and making these greedy b#@tards richer.

donate to Red Cross and help our people in this time of devastation, loss and need.

peace.

Getting a telecommuting job or 1099 type of job helps greatly in reducing your transportation expenses.

It is also good to ride the train, take the bus, or walk instead of using a car if you can. I hate driving so much that I actually prefer these modes of transportation. It forces you to move more (because you have to walk), and it saves money. It also helps the environment because only the bus needs gas, and you can fit what --- maybe 40 people on the bus? This is in contrast to fitting 4 to 8 people in a car or minivan.

I agree. It's amazing how these high prices are causing a big lifestyle change.

these prices has put an big impact on many people
the price has gone up to 3.56 and was said to rise again
to near 5 bucks .......Car pool to work and use the trains
buses and any other means to go and come from work

something need to be done about this out burst and price rage
didn't U.S of A steal enough oil ?

Something is going on people and I can't put my finger on it. What I don't understand is President select George Bush, an oil man, is in bed with the Saudi's (the second largest oil proudcer) yet regular unleaded is predicted to go over $3.00 per gallon by the end of the year. Outch!!! (The average pg in California is already at $2.85). Then, the U.S. illegally invades Iraq to privatize there oil (under the pretense of WMD's) and yet the price of gas goes up. This doesn't make any sense? I have come to the conclusion gas will continue to go up as long as people are willing to pay for it. This country has the demand for oil. Criminal oil executives will accommodate the supply...for a hefty price of course. Unfortunately I have the sick sense this is only the beginning. Is the fix in?

I have come to the conclusion gas will continue to go up as long as people are willing to pay for it.
an oil man has said on TV that the price will float up until people stop paying for it.
they will raise the price until demand stops.
welcome to the "free" market.
Bush is from texas.

i have never heard an explanation as to why the price goes up even though we occupy one of the world's largest oil fields.
big oil is looting the country.

Itz evident that Katrina will bring confusion all over the country!There will be an increase in all prices -i mean location,fuel,food and so on- because some guys will try to profit from it!!!I just wonder about how we will be...in several years.I'm a bit afraid of the future

Here in my town in Ohio, our community have got together and will boycott Sept 2 and Sept 5. The local gas and light company here, have took the lead on supporting our efforts of the boycott.

I have a truck where it took only 25.00 to fill up, now it will take 50.00 plus to fill up.

And the area I live in I am far from the bus route to even think of taking a bus anywhere let alone walk.

I would also like to add that the federal gov't has contracted with Carnival Cruise Lines to house as many people as they can on their cruise ships. :wave:


Yes, they are housing people on the ships, and also making away for them to contact family. My first cousin and his family lives/lived there. And have made contact with my Aunt here this morning.

I just wonder about how we will be...in several years.I'm a bit afraid of the future
welcome to the club!

I just wonder about how we will be...in several years.I'm a bit afraid of the future

I think we're all afraid of the future man. Especially black folks, because we don't really have a say in anything in this country, and most of us don't have any alternatives as far as moving outside of this country. America is going to hell and I don't want to be here when it burns. :car: Gas will be unaffordable in the near future for most people. Like james said, gas will rise until people just flat-out refuse to pay for it anymore. Gas will get so expensive that they will force people to discard their old cars and take on a new contracts on the Hybrid cars. People who can't afford it will have the either pay for expensive gas or walk to work or find other means. Maybe even quit their job. People will start getting killed over gas. More robberies will occur. It's going to get ugly before it ever gets better.

OldSoul and Moorfius I hear you, how right you both are in your assessment of future societal changes that may be in store for blacks in America.

Black folks as a whole just don’t get it, we never were freed, there is no civil rights or any rights in America for black folk. We’re the first to be ignored or sacrificed in every catastrophe that has hit this country. What’s happening now in New Orleans is a perfect catalyst for Bush to put his “patriotic act” manifesto into place to contain black folk even more in America.

The climate in America has been changing for quite a while for black folk but we are so busy complaining and hating on each other instead of acting to better our people.

I have volunteered with the Red-Cross to do whatever I can in the area where I live and am donating what money I can to the local black organizers that are gathering to help. I urge you all--we all need to get busy and do whatever we can to help. Enough of talking and complaining…we all need to do something to help no matter how small or large. The way I see it "if we continue to stand divided--together we will all fall" if we don't help ourselves.

Brother Oldsoul... your wisdom is right on point, and as I read your thread, I had to be honest with myself and say... I don't know what I would do... I just don't know.

the response of the federal and local government is inadequate.
they have billions of dollars in the budget and they have stolen and diverted so much of it that there are no resources left for emergency.

the Bush administration are the real, true looters.

remember all the money that was spent on homeland security?
where is it?