Jackson Free Press

"We are facing a storm that most of us have long feared," Mayor Ray Nagin said in ordering the mandatory evacuation for his city of 485,000 people, surrounded by suburbs of a million more. "The storm surge will most likely topple our levee system." Conceding that as many as 100,000 inner-city residents didn't have the means to leave and an untold number of tourists were stranded by the closing of the airport, the city arranged buses to take people to 10 last-resort shelters, including the Superdome.

Nagin also dispatched police and firefighters to rouse people out with sirens and bullhorns, and even gave them the authority to commandeer vehicles to aid in the evacuation. "This is very serious, of the highest nature," the mayor said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event."

For years, forecasters have warned of the nightmare scenario a big storm could bring to New Orleans, a bowl of a city that's up to 10 feet below sea level in spots and dependent on a network of levees, canals and pumps to keep dry. It's built between the half-mile-wide Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, half the size of the state of Rhode Island.

Estimates have been made of tens of thousands of deaths from flooding that could overrun the levees and turn New Orleans into a 30-foot-deep toxic lake filled with chemicals and petroleum from refineries, and waste from ruined septic systems.

Previous Comments

ID

133967

Comment

Incredibly scary scenario; the French Quarter under 20 feet of water. 60 to 80 percent of housing destroyed, and over 1 million homeless. I am in shock. Another article from the AP: "All indications are that this is absolutely worst-case scenario," Ivor van Heerden, deputy director of the Louisiana State University Hurricane Center, said Sunday afternoon. The center's latest computer simulations indicate that by Tuesday, vast swaths of New Orleans could be under water up to 30 feet deep. In the French Quarter, the water could reach 20 feet, easily submerging the district's iconic cast-iron balconies and bars. Estimates predict that 60 percent to 80 percent of the city's houses will be destroyed by wind. With the flood damage, most of the people who live in and around New Orleans could be homeless. "We're talking about in essence having ó in the continental United States ó having a refugee camp of a million people," van Heerden said.

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-28T18:36:57-06:00

ID

133968

Comment

I know. It's terrifying. Everybody please say one big collective prayer. And then pray some more. I will say one thing: I don't get the headline and the lead on the AP story at the top of the Ledge's site right now: Experts expect Katrina to turn New Orleans into Atlantis, leaving up to 1 million homeless When Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans on Monday, it could turn one of Americaís most charming cities into a vast cesspool tainted with toxic chemicals, human waste and even coffins released by floodwaters from the cityís legendary cemeteries. Atlantis? Vast cesspool? Do terrified New Orleanians, fearing for their lives and their hopes, really need this kind of sensational prediction on a national story? This kind of thing embarasses me for my profession and the sensationalist buttwipes it turns some journalists and editors into. Argh. Deep breath and more prayers.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-28T19:01:20-06:00

ID

133969

Comment

Donna, the headline in question has appeared on more than one site, so I suspect it might have come from the AP. But it's certainly not helpful to anybody--to folks in New Orleans, or to those of us sitting outside of New Orleans with friends in the city dreading what happens next. Peace, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-28T19:47:00-06:00

ID

133970

Comment

(The one defense I can see the AP offering up is that it'll increase the odds of stubborn New Orleanites fleeing the city, so I guess there's that. But it still sounds creepy to me, as does the wall-to-wall TV coverage. Like vultures descending. Peace, TH)

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-28T19:48:49-06:00

ID

133971

Comment

Tom, that could be an argument, I suppose -- the helping-them-flee thing. But it's a weak one. If you can't figure out how to express how bad this storm may be without sounding like the cover of the National Enquirer, you ought to get out of the business, no matter what news outlet you work for. Now, all, pray ó and please don't feed the vultures.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-28T20:31:07-06:00

ID

133972

Comment

It's looking ugly. Saw many friends tonight with more friends from the Gulf... If anyone of my friends are reading this and need a bed, couch, or floor, call... I'll be calling you without doubt.

Author

kaust

Date

2005-08-28T21:32:19-06:00

ID

133973

Comment

One piece of good news: It sounds as if the city is emptier than earlier reports indicated. I'd heard 100,000 early on, but the figure I keep seeing crop up now is 25,000. I have a hunch that the Superdome will do its job. Of course there will be casualties, but it's beginning to sound to me like it might be fewer than 500, maybe even (dare we hope) fewer than 100--much better than the tens of thousands that the earlier news report suggested. Peace, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-28T22:08:09-06:00

ID

133974

Comment

This headline is APPALING!!!!!!! Look, AP, Ledge, New Orleans is NOT Atlantis! New Orleans is a REAL place for 1.4 million people or so! REAL people, not characters in a B-grade fantasy disaster movie. New Orleans is NOT a fantasyland that is a convenient canvas to paint the plot for a cheesy thriller! New Orleanians are REAL PEOPLE! New Orleans is a REAL place. Imagine people in cars 8 and 9 hours who see that headline, after frazzled nerves and only God and the Evacuees can truly know what else! I agree with Donna and Tom. This headline and story IS a VERY VERY BAD presentation of the facts. So Brad, if you think she is paranoid, you are entitled to your opinion. But as a Louisiana native, I assure you I am offended that you choose this board to post it on!! Save your complaints to Donna FOR ANOTHER BOARD!!!

Author

Philip

Date

2005-08-28T22:25:40-06:00

ID

133975

Comment

Agreed, Philip. I am simply appalled at the bad taste it took to write this, print this, run this. Atlantis? Do people understand the reference? Some writer was sitting there coming up with something juicy to get ahead of the story in case it's really awful, I guess. Where was the editor? And, frankly, who at The damn Clarion-Ledger decided this was a good idea to run this on a Web site in a city packed with terrified people who may lose their homes and loved ones in a few hours. This is about people, not cesspools. This is simply sensationalism at its worst.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-28T22:39:51-06:00

ID

133976

Comment

Looks like New Orleans gets to stay above water. I'd be happy for some rain here, as it would break up the monotony of warm, dry sunny days here just west of Jackson.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2005-08-29T07:53:19-06:00

ID

133977

Comment

Sure why not. How about some airborne trees as well?

Author

Brad

Date

2005-08-29T08:05:10-06:00

ID

133978

Comment

"The important thing is not to stop questioning." Albert Einstein On topic, I hear NOLA's levees are failing according to WDSU/WAPT. A report from Jefferson Hospital stated over 7ft of water in the first floor. (*Unconfirmed)

Author

kaust

Date

2005-08-29T08:19:14-06:00

ID

133979

Comment

Be safe everyone - it's gettting ugly in Jackson now!

Author

pikersam

Date

2005-08-29T09:51:10-06:00

ID

133980

Comment

New Orleans hell, the Mema guy in Biloxi said water was on the 2nd floor of the Beau Rivage now, with boats on hwy 90. I have a friend here today whose place is 100 feet from Hwy 90.

Author

herman

Date

2005-08-29T10:30:55-06:00

ID

133981

Comment

Nobody should wish NO to become Atlantis and the comparison is sad and in bad taste. But, the headlines do change. In fact, maybe the Clarion Ledger can replace their "Cat. 5" headline with the correct one. It's good to cache the stories once in awhile. Even if they don't have something to do with the mayor. ;-) I hope everyone here is safe and with family or friends!

Author

pikersam

Date

2005-08-29T10:40:25-06:00

ID

133982

Comment

Given all the media coverage, I checked in here because I KNEW there would be something alternative to read, and I am SO GLAD (yes I'm shouting) to see criticism of that Atlantis thing, National Enquirer indeed. Almost as if it feeds people's need for thrills, entertainment at the expense of actual people. I myself have been glued to the satellite images, but as I told someone here, and she didn't believe me (because I was just wishing) , New Orleans is a blessed city and sure enough, the storm tracked to the east . Not that that's good either. And the roof of the Superdome has ripped, and some levees have been breached perhaps. And it still could be bad. And as everyone knows, one reason NO is vulnerable, after being just fine for a few centuries now, is that their swamplands are eroded, due to to .. someone help here, I don't know the ecology.. There's actually a book about it. The Army Corps of E's did not help any. Maybe now people will start to pay more attention.

Author

sunshine

Date

2005-08-29T10:44:49-06:00

ID

133983

Comment

sunshine: "New Orleans is a blessed city and sure enough, the storm tracked to the east " Blessed and full of sin, sin, sin and all kinds of funky folks! Wake up MS politians MS wants to join the new millennium! Keep safe!

Author

pikersam

Date

2005-08-29T10:51:40-06:00

ID

133984

Comment

p.s. and one more comment, isn't it ironic. If burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming (a given perhaps) which some say contributes to the warming of ocean and gulf waters (also?) which increases the number and intensity of hurricanes, which then do some temporary harm to oil extraction .. hmm. No, no connection. Life is never that logical. But there is the concept of karma. Wow, the wind is sure picking up here in Vicksburg, just a gust there. I suppose the phones will go out any momemt and I will be offline. Bye y'all.

Author

sunshine

Date

2005-08-29T10:55:15-06:00

ID

133985

Comment

I hear you, sunshine. I'm expecting to be cut off any moment now. The office went down just before noon: Internet, then power. So I'm home with the mobile office. So far, so good, other than falling limbs outside and ornery cats inside.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-29T12:57:35-06:00

ID

133986

Comment

Has anyone heard anything from Waveland or Bay St. Louis? Pass Christian?

Author

ATLExile

Date

2005-08-29T15:21:19-06:00

ID

133987

Comment

ATL, nothing yet. I know it's hard on Biloxi right now--water ten feet high in places. But I'm so thrilled about New Orleans not being wiped off the map that I'm hardly noticing the tree limbs lying around my front yard, the sound of wind blowing against the house, etc. TheProf, here's a link. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-29T16:05:08-06:00

ID

133988

Comment

ATL, I just heard there are 22-foot storm surges in Bay St. Louis. Too soon for relief. I'll keep my fingers crossed for these folks. Peace, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-29T16:14:08-06:00

ID

133989

Comment

Clarion-Ledger: 3 confirmed dead (all in central MS), +/-500,000 without power Biloxi Sun-Herald: Extensive damage, but no deaths reported in Mississippi as of 2:55pm WAPT: Storm is now Category 1; worst seems to be behind us, but very extensive damage on the coast Peace, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-29T16:34:17-06:00

ID

133990

Comment

Ya know, it's VERY disconcerting to me that there's virtually NO amount of concern for the Mississippi Gulf Coast compared to concern for New Orleans in this thread. I can't imagine people from another state in the union rejoicing that a city in a NEIGHBORING state was spared most of the absolute chaos that cities in their own state got instead. I could understand a Louisiana native feeling this way. And, I have no idea if any of the people in this thread are MS natives, etc. But, the relative lack of concern is VERY disturbing to me.

Author

millhouse

Date

2005-08-29T16:50:31-06:00

ID

133991

Comment

Nice Onion article- was that Haley Barbour featured in the article? I haven't read the Onion in quite awhile, but loved their recent "intelligent falling" theory article: http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4133&n=2

Author

grinder

Date

2005-08-29T17:17:39-06:00

ID

133992

Comment

The center of Katrina looks to be over Philadelphia now, Max Sust Winds 65 MPH http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT2+shtml/292338.shtml > AT 7 PM CDT...0000Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM KATRINA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 32.9 NORTH...LONGITUDE 88.9 WEST OR ABOUT 30 MILES NORTHWEST OF MERIDIAN MISSISSIPPI. Philip: That's about Philadelphia's location, isn't it? Regardless, best NOT to drive tonight.

Author

Philip

Date

2005-08-29T19:13:35-06:00

ID

133993

Comment

millhouse, I'm very concerned about the folks on the coast. But you have to understand: If this hit New Orleans, there would be NO MORE NEW ORLEANS. The city would be gone. A million people homeless. 30 feet of toxic water. Several times more casualties than 9/11. Obviously folks on the coast are in my thoughts and prayers, but it's not going to wipe Biloxi or Pass Christian off the face of the earth like it could have done with Nawlins. Peace, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-29T19:34:24-06:00

ID

133994

Comment

Also, millhouse, consider this entry from the BBC's message board from a Jackson resident FROM http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4193244.stm Accessed 8:30 pm, August 29,2005 Things here in Jackso, MS are deteriorating steadily. The governor was just on the radio stating that his worst fear was that there were 'a lot of people dead down there'. As yet, no-one can get to the coast, and only scattered reports are coming through as to the extent of the damage. Lots of small limbs have flown off trees here and I saw a number of pine trees already fallen on my last trip outside until this thing blows over. (Emphasis Mine) James Bishop, Jackson, MS, USA - Formally Norwich, England. Out here in Texas, I heard only scattered hints about what the Miss GC was going through, and even then, half of what i deduced was from the weather map as the eye made landfall. From what I learened on the WLOX-TV (Ch 13 in Biloxi) site, the studio got invaded by water. That's another POTENTIAL reason it was difficult to get info. As I don't really know about the WLOX situation, I can't really say. Note: This is not to be taken as questioning the competence of WLOX TV- 13 staff in any capacity. Hurricane damage is pretty quirky in its habits on a micro-level despite that overall damage patterns are reasonably easy to predict on a macro-level.

Author

Philip

Date

2005-08-29T19:47:38-06:00

ID

133995

Comment

CNN is now reporting (on its Breaking News banner) 50 dead in Harrison County. Lord. Peace, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-29T21:53:26-06:00

ID

133996

Comment

The C-L reports 54 confirmed dead and more likely to come. Tomorrow's forecast for Jackson? Sunny, 88 degrees. Jeez, these things move so quickly. The woman who died in Jackson was a friend of a friend. Tree apparently fell in through the roof while she was sitting down minding her own business. Scary how random, sudden, and indifferent the weather is. But I'm still relieved about New Orleans. Sounds as if 20,000 to 25,000 people stayed in the city. If it had been a direct hit, most of those people would probably be dead--the Superdome is in pretty bad shape as is. A city just plain swept off the planet, like dust off a table. 54 casualties is pretty bad. But 15,000... Peace, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-08-29T23:08:29-06:00

ID

133997

Comment

"A city just plain swept off the planet".... and I immediately think of Bay Saint Louis. I love that little town and have friends there. I don't think we have seen anything yet - when the sun comes out in a few hours, I cannot imagine what we will find. They are calling it ground zero. The only news I can find is from CNN tonight - they say it is "wiped out." extremely worried....

Author

bryanms

Date

2005-08-29T23:20:38-06:00

ID

133998

Comment

Millhouse, yes it is quite irritating that these news oulets are broadcasting from Gulf Shores and Mobile and Baton Rouge but virtually no word about Gulfport or Biloxi or Waveland or Bay St. Louis. It's like being in a room of injured and being ignored when you are the one with the "cut" on the head. I imagine the damage is so bad in the hardest hit areas that news crews can't get in there. Little coverage about the Mississippi Gulf coast here in Atlanta. Except amoung us Mississippians living over here.

Author

ATLExile

Date

2005-08-30T07:37:12-06:00

ID

133999

Comment

And one other thing, our President, chooses to be in San Diego touting his dead Social Security "Kill off" program while 80% of New Orleans is swamped and dozens dead on the ruined Mississippi gulf coast. There's something wrong here. Real wrong. That administration is out of touch, out of touch with reality and always has been. This is another clear example of that. His father pulled the same stunt in Miami after Andrew.

Author

ATLExile

Date

2005-08-30T07:46:23-06:00

ID

134000

Comment

Phillip and ATLExile, I understand that the media was having a hard time getting to the MS coast since it was hit the hardest. My beef was that this very thread contained next to no lament for Mississippi's coast compared to New Orleans. While I do sympathize with NO, I'm a million times more concerned with the devastation that happened in my own state. Tom: "...but it's not going to wipe Biloxi or Pass Christian off the face of the earth like it could have done with Nawlins." I haven't seen the damage first hand. But, as I understand from reports I've read, the Mississippi Gulf Coast as I've know it for the last 29 years is NO MORE. Catastrophic destruction along the entire coastline. In essence, YES, the MS Gulf Coast HAS been wiped off the face of the earth.

Author

millhouse

Date

2005-08-30T07:50:36-06:00

ID

134001

Comment

I could care less what Bush is doing outside of his job, he's been doing things outside his job since his first term...nothing new. the real issue I have a problem with is why in the hell WLBT, WJTV or even Haley Barbour himself or SOMEBODY WITH A HELICOPTER AND A CAMERA haven't flown over the the Gulf Coast and shown us common folk the damage to our coastline yet?!?>!?...I have family in Biloxi and New Orleans and it pisses me off to see that New Orleans is ON TOP of their news coverage and Mississippi is dragging their usual lazy corn covered feet on trying to find out what the hell is going on.!!??? Does the JFP have access to a Helicopter? If so, get that bird up in the air and show us how bad we've been hit so we can know how to help??! JEEEEEESUS IN A CHRYSSSSSSSLER!!!

Author

Jocelyn

Date

2005-08-30T08:03:59-06:00

ID

134002

Comment

Also, with respect to the people without homes and the people killed and not wanting to trivialize as I know the needs of the living are foremost in our efforts. Has anyone heard about damage to historic structures on hywy 90? Old Frenchmans House (Mary Mahoneys), Beauvior? Anything else?

Author

ATLExile

Date

2005-08-30T08:55:59-06:00

ID

134003

Comment

ATLexile, not sure about our old momentums of slavery but the information I've gathered so far are... 1. hwy 90 is partially underwater. 2. Part of I-10 near Slidell going west has collaped 3. Biloxi took a direct hit. 4. the Lake Ponchatrain bridge on the south end going into New Orleans is totally underwater...the only access to the city from that direction is by boat. 5. the Beau Rivage Casino hotel is severely damaged. 6. I-49 south going into Gulfport is partially underwater. 7. Bay St.Louis took a lot of the intial brunt of the storm too. 8. Mobile, New Orleans and Biloxi have extensive flood damage and are without power as we speak. more news later....

Author

Jocelyn

Date

2005-08-30T09:09:41-06:00

ID

134004

Comment

the real issue I have a problem with is why in the hell WLBT, WJTV or even Haley Barbour himself or SOMEBODY WITH A HELICOPTER AND A CAMERA haven't flown over the the Gulf Coast and shown us common folk the damage to our coastline yet? There is currently a federal Temporary Flight Restriction over the entire southern portion of Mississippi, from just south of Hattiesburg on down. The only aircraft allowed below 5000 feet in that area are relief aircraft cleared through the Air/Marine Ops Center. It will be a while before news flights will be allowed down there. If the gov goes down there, I doubt he will have a camera crew with him.

Author

Count No Account

Date

2005-08-30T09:49:25-06:00

ID

134005

Comment

Apparently Beauvior was indeed destroyed. The coast was truly wiped off the face of the earth. So, it will soon be time to rebuild. God bless us all.

Author

ATLExile

Date

2005-08-30T14:46:46-06:00

ID

134006

Comment

Just seeing this thread for the first time since early yesterday. Millhouse, I think one problem is that many Mississippians, and Jacksonians, have not been able to access this thread since yesterday, such as the folks around here and about everyone else I know, except for those showing up here already. And being that the national media seemed mostly focused on New Orleans, it was hard to know what was going on on the Gulf Coast. I think, today, Mississippians are just devastated about what has happened to our own state. But many still aren't online; many I know are cleaning up debris and sitting in their yards trying to stay cool because they don't have water or AC. They are not blogging. The JFP offices is part of the 3 percent of Jackson that has power, it seems. And we suspect that has something to do with our proximity to hospitals. All that said, now that I have TV here again, I agree that the national coverage has been too focused on New Orleans and not enough on Mississippi (not to diss N.O.; I love it, too). And the news about parts of the Coast has been very shoddy. I don't know who or what to blame for that at this point, if anyone. Truth is, everyone doing this stuff is human and, once you're in the middle of a hurricane like this, well ... Finally, can we all take our hats off to Gene Edwards at MPB? His voice has soothed me, personally, throughout the last day and a half when I had no other way to get news. Love and prayers to you all ...

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-30T15:22:29-06:00

ID

134007

Comment

Also, all, editors of other alternative papers around the countryóSan Francisco, Houston, Colorado Springs, Eugene, Ore., Washington, D.C., Santa Fe, Monterey, Denver have been calling and e-mailing to offer their best wishes and offer free stories and assistance to help us get the paper out if we need it. Thought y'all would want to know that good will is coming from out there, too. And for any of those editors reading this, thanks to you all. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-30T16:10:08-06:00

ID

134008

Comment

Jocelyn, no, we don't have a helicopter, but I must say your post about it made me smile. One thing everyone can do: The Red Cross folks at the Coliseum told MPB today that they need donations of very basic items such as clean socks and t-shirts, diapers, depends and other such basic (I suspect some new packages of BVDs and Hanes Her Ways wouldn't go unappreciated). Casey's out trying to get a full list of their needs, but that might be a quick-and-easy way to get started. Now, what's the update on what is open, retail-wise? Who knows? Earlier I was in Walgreen's at Fortification; they didn't have power, but were selling necessities cash-only. That was nice to see. Other thoughts?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-30T17:22:04-06:00

ID

134009

Comment

This is a sweet column by Eric Stringfellow today in The Ledgeóabout a hurricane baby: Bianca Doucett was set on a name for her daughter but now she isn't sure. Maybe Katrina, she said, would be appropriate. Doucett, a New Orleans resident who was 81/2 months pregnant, had been fleeing the hurricane for about seven hours when she was confronted with what could have been another disaster: labor on I-59. "There was no way that this was happening," Doucett told the Hattiesburg American. "I mean, I was in my auntie's car in the middle of all of this traffic and we were evacuating from a hurricane. Besides, my due date wasn't until the beginning of September." Apparently someone forget to tell the baby.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-30T17:29:24-06:00

ID

134010

Comment

A touching excerpt from The New York Times editorial today: All the focus now must be on rescuing the survivors. Beyond that lies a long and painful recovery, which must begin with a national vow to help all the storm victims and to save and repair New Orleans. People who think of that graceful city and the rest of the Mississippi Delta as tourist destinations must have been reminded, watching the rescue operations, that the real residents of this area are in the main poor and black. The only resources most of them will have to fall back on will need to come from the federal government. Those of us in New York watch the dire pictures from Louisiana with keen memories of the time after Sept. 11, when the rest of the nation made it clear that our city was their city, and that everyone was part of the battle to restore it. New Orleans, too, is one of the places that belongs to every American's heart - even for people who have never been there. Right now it looks as if rescuing New Orleans will be a task much more daunting than any city has faced since the San Francisco fire of 1906. It must be a mission for all of us.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T15:46:11-06:00

ID

134011

Comment

... except that they're talking about New Orleans and not the Coast. See the desperate Sun-Herald editorial I just posted at the top of the site.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T15:54:08-06:00

ID

134012

Comment

"it's not going to wipe Biloxi or Pass Christian off the face of the earth like it could have done with Nawlins." looks it did all the way around, actually. Very sad.

Author

Scott Albert Johnson

Date

2005-08-31T17:21:31-06:00

ID

134013

Comment

Indeed, Scott. It's as heartbreaking as anything I've ever witnessed.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T17:48:41-06:00

ID

134014

Comment

They've had a lot of coverage on the MS coast by now. Casino's dropped across 90 by floodwaters... Especally the disaster that is new orleans. Just can't watch the news anymore.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2005-09-01T11:39:02-06:00

ID

134015

Comment

Where, oh where is the leadership from our Mayor right now? No press conference, no personal briefing of the city council, no assurances that things are under control... just some off-the-cuff remarks to reporters that the power will be out for weeks, and a heavy-handed policy on gas... which may actually be the right policy, but Melton owes it to the people of this city to come forward, take charge, and explain why the hell he is doing it and what else the city government is going to do to bring things back to normal. As I said on Alan Lange's blog, this is not a partisan comment... I have not bashed Melton up to now. I also think Haley Barbour has, so far, been outstanding... something I never thought I would say about the man. This is simply reality. Melton's leadership has been nonexistent.

Author

Scott Albert Johnson

Date

2005-09-01T11:54:34-06:00

ID

134016

Comment

My Check Book is out.........if I could I would leave Atlanta and go over there and start hauling water and ice and food, I would. But it looks as if it's starting to Gel now as relates to help. Gold and Silver have I some "and such that I have I will give them". A little paraphrase but I think it works. I was relieved to go on Drudge and see those columns of amphibous vehicles loaded with armed National Guards people moving into New Orleans. Cholera and Typhoid can't be far up the road if they don't get those bodies human and animal out of there. Incidentially Gas hit 6.00 dollars a gallon briefly in the big "A" last night at 5:00pm. Hovering now around $3.09 regular if you can find it. Semi Trucks are being parked on lots and the drivers are taking what buses are running back to there homes in Tennessee and where ever. They are losing money. Diesel, Gas it don't matter.

Author

ATLExile

Date

2005-09-01T12:53:39-06:00

ID

134017

Comment

I agree about the city. Where is a clearinghouse of information about how to help the people flooding in here? Where is the leadership standing up and talking to us constantly about what's going on, what to expect, consoling us, leading up? Think Giuliani after 9-11. This is the moment when real leadership shows up. No one knows anything, it seems. Just a bunch of rumors floating everywhere. We'll keep posting everything we can, though. I left the office at 6 this morning -- the paper will be out about 6 p.m. today, it seems. I have to pause and give credit to some people here; y'all bear with me. Adam Lynch. Brian Johnson. Casey Parks. Jakob Clark. Knol Aust. Charles A. Smith. Pat Butler. And our guest photographer David Rae Morris, who is an evacuee from New Orleans with his family, and who ran around taking pictures for us the last two days as he knows nothing about his home there. His photo is on the cover that is about to go up on the site. These people have balanced personal problems to be here and sleep on the floor to get our isssue out today and try to help get information out to and about the people affected. They are my personal heroes right now. Then Todd Stauffer and Stephen Barnette -- both were out of town when it struck, and both got back in yesterday and went to work immediately to get the paper out to the wee hours. And Todd manned this site from Baltimore when we had no power. I love these people, and thanks, all, for allowing me to sing their praises for a minute. Allow shout-outs to WAPT, Gene Edwards and the Sun-Herald. Those have been my best personal news sources. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-01T13:37:41-06:00

ID

134018

Comment

FYI, this is where I'm giving my donations and I'm posting it here if any of you are interested. "Mississippi author John Grisham and his wife, Renee, have established the Rebuild the Coast Fund to assist in the relief efforts on the Mississippi Gulf Coast." The Grishams have started out with a $5 million donation to this fund. I plan on giving as much as I can to this fund, since it's sole purpose is aiding the Gulf Coast of my home state. http://www.rebuildthecoastfund.org/

Author

millhouse

Date

2005-09-03T11:01:12-06:00

ID

134019

Comment

Yeah, I just say that, too. Thanks for posting it, Millhouse. Sounds like a great suggestion.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-03T11:35:00-06:00