From everything I can gather, what is going on in New Orleans is a disaster of notable scale. I don't want to be one of those people that somehow sympathizes with others as if I knew what it was like. And the only thing sort of generous I can think to do besides giving some paltry sum, is to donate blood, which I know several of us can't do for several weeks. Anyway, the ramifications of the whole thing seem pretty significant. Who knows if the city will ever be the same, if the water will recede to prior levels, if the geography of the area has been permanently changed. Gas prices will likely rise. I have heard that this may even be the end of the Saints tenure in New Orleans (not like that matters to much). Maybe things like this have happened before, but I can't say that I remember. I guess the death toll for 9/11 is about 3,000. I hope the city returns to it's previous form, as it is a place I'd very much like to visit. And I wish the best for everyone down there.
Posted by John at August 31, 2005 06:04 PMThat's some of the worst footage I've ever seen. I can't imagine what these people are going through right now. I heard audio of that man whose wife let go of him and told him to take care of the kids, and it's probably the saddest thing I've ever heard.
The looting doesn't speak to well of the human condition. These people's neighbor are fucked and they decide it's ok to go into their homes and take shit? WTF? I wouldn't have a problem if people were going into grocery stores and taking food, formula, bread, whatever...but come the fuck on...where are you gonna plug in that TV?
I don't want to get started on the gas thing, that could take up 5 pages of TT.
Posted by: Nate at September 1, 2005 06:07 AMYou are used to natural disasters happening, and then they are done and people rebuild. This one just keeps getting worse.
Posted by: Pat at September 1, 2005 08:36 AMI am the real victim here. Good thing my honeymoon was to New Orleans in a couple weeks.
Fuck you God.
Posted by: Chad at September 1, 2005 08:56 AMEchoing Pat's comments, it is weird to see the situation deteriorate so much after the storm. I was keeping up with the news on Tuesday, and assumed that things would be calmer yesterday. But with the streets still flooded it appears that most of the city is not only still dangerous, but is also cut off from aid workers and police that would normally be there to keep the damange under relative control.
Posted by: Rick at September 1, 2005 09:58 AMThis is very sad. Worse, people knew what to expect (and another one), that the levees were only good for a Category 3 hurrican at best, but it seems like it always takes a disaster to motivate people into action.
Posted by: Fatboy at September 1, 2005 01:03 PMIt seems likely, that if you were poor and living in New Orleans, you may have been SOL as far as evacuating was concerned.
Posted by: John at September 1, 2005 03:12 PMi have no idea if any of you guys can afford to take time off...i was considering spending some of my vacation time down in new orleans or alabama/mississippi helping people out. i dunno...just a thought. i think thomas jefferson is sending some people down for medical help...i thought the most brilliant idea i've heard thus far is sending large cruise ships down to the area to take people to other areas of the country until things get better.
do not talk about gas prices. these people lost everything...the least we can do is pay a little extra at the pump. and i drive an suv.
At least most of the cultural touchstones remain intact...I've eaten at the Cafe duMonde, and though I was probably about 10 years old I remember it pretty vividly. It doesn't make the death and destruction any more palatable, but it's nice to think the spirit of Nawlins may survive.
Posted by: Chris at September 3, 2005 09:49 PM