Do you think the government had the warnings and just ignored them?And what about Hurricane Katrina, do you think alot more lives could have been saved if the government(state and federal) would have heeded to the warnings and done their job?
216589
I don't think it was preventable at all.\n\nIf you piss off a large proportion of the world for long enough then someone is going to do something crazy.\n\nEven with the somewhat police state methods now being used we're still due for more terrorism. \n\nHurricane Katrina couldn't have been prevented as it was caused by weather, but the reaction in terms of getting people out could have been better. So could actually rebuilding the levies properly before the hurricane. bit of a pity most of the national guard  and army engineers who were supposed to be working on it were out of the state relieving other national guards sent to iraq or sent there themselves....
503793
I think it's good to help people no matter where they are, but it's true that a lot more focus needs to be done here.  How can Bush say he is concerned with the welfare and safety of the Iraqi people when he can leave his own people stranded in New orleans for all of those horrible days? He was on vacation when he knew a huge storm was coming. Did he send troops there to protect his own people? I see your point.
505449
Dear Sir:\n\nYes, you have all the facts correct in your mind...\n\nWhat I see that you haven't got a good grip on is the \nsize of the problem.\n\nThe glaciers that the scientists are talking about extend for hundreds and hundreds of miles, and they are solid ice. They are presently sitting on solid ground and moving towards the water in a slow march, maybe 5 feet per day. These huge masses of ice are hundreds of feet high. So, the water they contain is just a massive amount of liquid when it melts. The terms gallons or liters is not applied to liquid in that huge of a mass. Terms like cubic miles is probably more appropriate. So when you talk about adding 2,000,000 cubic miles of water to the seas, some real changes in water level will probably result.\n\nIn the USA, a lot of homes and businesses are located at places where the elevation above the current sea level marks are only 1 to 3 feet.  High winds or storm surges could endanger places even higher up than that. In the area around New Orleans, La., the city is actually below sea level and is dry only because of a huge system of dikes that actually failed in a recent hurricane. As a result the city of New Orleans and much of the surrounding towns went under water.  Rebuilding, Clean-up, and repopulation could only begin after the waters receeded to their normal levels and the dikes were repaired, pumps placed back into service to clear out water behind the dikes, etc. \n\nWhat the scientists are suggesting is that in the future these flood waters might not receed...they will just stay there, and the flooded areas will stay flooded from now on...WOW.  That is a doozie to think about.
238836
I don't believe the local authorities ever requested a Federal State of Emergency be declared.  FEMA does not respond unless a State of Emergency is declared.  That's why you'll often see a State of Emergency declared BEFORE a hurricane hits. Well, in Florida you will.  \n\nYou conservatives are supposed to be against "big Federal government."  This is an example of letting the states run their own show. And it looks like in this case, the states did not do it right. But you can't preach "no big government" and want FEMA involved in every natural disaster at the same time.
669590
I think it very convincing. I remember wondering why there was no exterior plane wreckage the day it happened. If it was a missile or a military plane the government would want to hush it up as it would be difficult to pin that on Islamic nationalists unless they had help. It is a bit like the anthrax attacks. One of the 9-11skyjackers was treated for an anthrax skin lesion, an extremely rare condition before 9-11. There was also a very direct link between one of the skyjackers and the first anthrax victim. His former landlord worked in the same building. Yet the government avoided investigating any links and tried to find a scapegoat.
252391
I think maybe it was some kind of "you don't change horses in the middle of the stream" mentality...kind of like why we kept re-electing FDR during WWII. It's too bad Katrina didn't hit in 2004 so everyone could see what a bunch of incompetent ninnies his administration was made up of BEFORE the election.
108961
I heard about that tape on President Bush being briefed on the storm before it happened. I was not shocked by the tape as everybody knew that the storm was coming. He must have known. Since they knew it was coming then the response should have been quicker. I am not sure what to say about this. Everybody is to blame. Nobody was making enough noise about it.
80295
BAD TIDINGS LIBERAL PUKES: Fox just released a VIDEO OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR BLANCO TELLING FEMA/OFFICIALS THAT THE LEVEES HAD *NOT* - REPEAT *NOT* - BEEN BREACHED.\n\nNow you can go ahead and IGNORE this post or just pull it off the board quickly - but DON'T YOU ALL REALLY JUST FEEL STUPID AS HELL???\n\nBTW... I think BUSH is a TOTAL MORON - but he's still SMARTER than YOU BUNCH of "INTELLIGENCIA."\n\n********************\nstellry: By all means let me answer your question. I honestly DO believe that Bush is an IDIOT who has surrounded himself by IDIOTS. HOWEVER, I'm 56 years old, former 101st Airborne, 100% disabled Vietnam vet and a newspaper writer that spends probably three hours minimum easily EVERY day going through different sites and news services trying to compare sources and ferret out the TRUTH behind stories.\n\nNow look at the vast majority of respondents here. They TOTALLY IGNORE FACTS (Like the Blanco tape) and CHANT LIBERAL ZOMBIE-LIKE MANTRAS INSTEAD. The *TRUTH* means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to THEM. There's no sense of balance. There's no QUESTIONING the PARTY LINE. There's only LEMMING-LIKE CONFORMITY and the commonality that virtually NONE of THEM have PAID THEIR DUES in EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH NOR COMMON SENSE. \n\nIn short, they have been spoon fed PROPAGANDA by public schools and colleges to the point where they are as rabidly endoctrinated as the Hitler Youth. They are OBLIVIOUS to REALITY. When confronted with TRUTH and REALITY, they simply IGNORE IT.\n\nNow, are YOU AWARE that FEMA and the FEDS *CANNOT* ENTER A STATE UNTIL THE GOVERNOR *REQUESTS* THEM TO DO SO?\n\nIf so, WHAT does it MEAN when Governor Blanco was NOT REQUESTING FEMA ASSISTANCE and TELLING EVERYONE (ON CAMERA) that THE LEVEES were INTACT after the hurricane came ashore?\n\nI've answered YOUR question - now can you answer mine?\n*************\n\n3-4\nYou appear open minded and I'm appreciative. Honesty is the only way we come together to identify and solve problems.\n\nWhat I have asked of you is WHERE is your INDICTMENT of Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin? However guilty/incompetent/complicit Bush and his adminstration may be - both Blanco and Nagin were *EVEN MORESO*. So how can you bypass the *CAUSE* while only blaming the *EFFECT*?\n\nDon't misunderstand me. I think that FEMA and the Feds are criminally incompetent - but they COULD NOT ACT without BLANCO's REQUEST which she herself delayed because she believed the levees had held. Blanco is EVERY BIT as INCOMPETENT, DISHONEST and WORTHLESS as FEMA - and probably MORESO. So why wouldn't/shouldn't your question be:\n\n"GOVERNOR BLANCO knew what Katrina would be like and yet did nothing to help people and waited too late to request FEMA help. She even lied she didn't know about it." (?)\n\nFair enough?\n\n**************************\nBRAVO!!! THAT is *EXACTLY* what I was HOPING you would say!\n\nWhen TRUTH WINS, we ALL WIN.\n\nThank you for restoring some semblance of my faith in humanity.
265519
no. the problem is that all this "enforcement" costs money and time and we seem to want these things but then we get pissed when the govt tries to enforce them. Big govt is not good. We need to keep our selves safe. keep ourselves reponsible, and dammit, keep ourselves from dying from hurricanes ALL BY OURSELVES!
68
I don't have an article, but I was listening to NPR last night, and the commentator was saying the evacuation was really bungled due to an organization and communication problem. No one took charge and said, hey I'm running the show, get 2000 buses and send them down, because no one felt they were in charge. FEMA, State & local police, National Guard, all were not sure what the other guys were doing and so waited for overall direction, which never really came.
566149
I think the weather is off because, I don't think that the news is the greatest thing for the weather. One time they said it was going to rain, I was excited, but dissappointed. I wonder when did they decide to be the foretellers of the world. Maybe everysince they've started showing the news; now their inaccuracies are on the internet. Too bad for the people. But I say good job on the forecast on the Katrina and the hurricanes that they've warned people about in advanced, you have to give them that.
310013
I live in Florida so I know a little about hurricanes. 1) they are an act of nature and there is no defense against them 2) When one threatens my locale I go to a place where I will be safe and wait it out 3) Although governmental help is needed in the infrastructure each individual should be prepared to help themselves. I am aware that many people are not able to recover by themselves and need assistance, there is usually help to be had within a day or two. While I personally don't like president Bush I do ot hold him personally responsible for my well being. The agencies that are in place to provide relief have been in place far longer than he has been president. People who own their home should insure it, people who rent their homes can move, I know that this isn't a popular view but it is perhaps time that people began to take responsibility for their actions.
562724
The government seems to think that they have to protect everyone from themselves. Personally, I disagree with that philosophy. But nevertheless it is a fact. There are times when I do not wear my seat belt, especially when I am looking for birds. And if the government does not like it then they can try to catch me. \n\nBut think about this.  If the government were really concerned about people's safety, they would ban semis from the nation's hiways.  They account for a much larger proportion of deaths and injuries than their numbers.  They also account for 90% of the destruction of the hiways but pay for only 10% of the cost of the hiways. \n\nNice to have a powerful lobby.  We have the best government money can buy.
294839
I just heard on the news this morning that hurricane season is once again upon us. They did say that it shouldn't be as bad as last year though.\n\nI don't know how the people that live in these areas do it...they really have to love where they're at to continue to live in the hurricane zones and rebuild or evacuate or whatever comes along. \n\nPersonally I am not that flexible with my life. I like stability and security.  Even if the insurance does cover the loss of the actual building and contents..you can never replace or put a value on your possessions or your life. \n\nI think the predictions hold some merit. They are just that...predictions,but I would definitely think twice before building in that area. Not the life for me.
86662
I agree.  I don't think that the Sept. 11 families should have recieved anything from the government.  I know thats harsh, but, if they recieve payments for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, then why shouldn't everyone?  If I go outside my office and get hit by a car, why shouldn't my family get money from the government?  I was in the wrong place at the wrong time also.\nThe military is a job.  Those families of soldiers who die should recieve more that a 1.50 and well wishes.  Almost every job you have comes with the ability to obtain some sort of life insurance.  So, am I expected to believe that NONE of the people in the World Trade Center had any sort of life insurance?
42393
There are alot of questions here so I'll try to answer them all.\n\n"When New Orleans was hit with the hurricane and wiped off the map, in my heart I felt I should give money to help the people. That was just common nature for a U. S. citizen to naturally do for our country or other country's around the world no mater what type of government they have in place." \n\nI feel two ways about this matter.  One is this Country gives to much monney to other Countrys and not enoth to this one.  But at the same time the people in Orleans where asked to leve and did not they had two weeks to pack up and leve but they did not.  What could we have done when so many people picked not to leve?\n\n"What I am concerned with is if the money I gave, got to a PERSON from that specific state or other country I sent the money to?"\n\nQuestion?  Who did you give you're money to?\nJust waching MSNBC and they said that there was alot of "fraud and abuse" that people where doing over there.  (check out url for more info.)  Makes you feel just a tad less sorry for these people.\n\n"Why is it that our government can't take responsibility and pay up, for there mistake in the first place. From what I have read, it was known that those levies could not hold a category 4 or 5 hurricane years or decades ago, but failed to strengthen them back when it was first discovered? \n\nI don't think any mistakes where made.  The truth is that  New Orleans is sinking as it stands now New Orleans is lower then sea level.  The reasons that thoes levies have not been fixed are one the cost is to grate for a city that is sinking and two they don't even know if it's posablem to fix them.  Even if they are fixed and we get another "Katrina" it's posable for this to happen again and again.  "IF" we do fix these levies we are putting peoples lives at risk.\n\n"Do you think it was rude of the two presidents to ask us to give more money when it is our nature to give, even until it hurts?"\n\nDo I think it's rude?  No, I don't.  \n\n"Did you help when 911 happened ?"\nYes, but I feel as if it was not enoth\n\n"or Live Aid?\nor Live8?"\n\nLive Aid, No.  Or Live8 don't know what that is.
347501
I agree! It seems as though things in our government have gotten out of hand. I don't know if it would take a good president or the united states keeping our noses to ourselves. Its like we are trying to fix the world and we can't even fix ourselves. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks our America is in need of dire help. Good job for speaking out.