Jackson Free Press

An interesting dynamic is taking shape in this city, not altogether positive: after days of rampant lawlessness (making for what I think most would agree was an impossible job for the New Orleans Police Department during those first few crucial days of rising water, pitch-black nights and looting of stores) the city has now reached a near-saturation level of military and law enforcement. In the areas we visited, the red berets of the 82nd Airborne are visible on just about every block. National Guard soldiers are ubiquitous. At one fire scene, I counted law enforcement personnel (who I presume were on hand to guarantee the safety of the firefighters) from four separate jurisdictions, as far away as Connecticut and Illinois. And tempers are getting hot.

While we were attempting to take pictures of the National Guard (a unit from Oklahoma) taking up positions outside a Brooks Brothers on the edge of the Quarter, the sergeant ordered us to the other side of the boulevard. The short version is: there won't be any pictures of this particular group of guard soldiers on our newscast tonight. Rules (or I suspect in this case an order on a whim) like those do not HELP the palpable feeling that this area is somehow separate from the United States.

At that same fire scene, a police officer from out of town raised the muzzle of her weapon and aimed it at members of the media... obvious members of the media... armed only with notepads. Her actions (apparently because she thought reporters were encroaching on the scene) were over the top and she was told. There are automatic weapons and shotguns everywhere you look. It's a stance that perhaps would have been appropriate during the open lawlessness that has long since ended on most of these streets. Someone else points out on television as I post this: the fact that the National Guard now bars entry (by journalists) to the very places where people last week were barred from LEAVING (The Convention Center and Superdome) is a kind of perverse and perfectly backward postscript to this awful chapter in American history.

Have I mentioned that I'm even liking Brian Williams more through all this?

Previous Comments

ID

134349

Comment

Well, now Sister Ladd. I'm touched. But I think you know what the real deal is. I've listened to your postings, and comments; and in a local east central louisiana newsweekly, the law enforcers that went to get the prisoners out of Orleans parish prison, were called "Storm Troopers". You know, like gestapo. The purveyor of funk, George Clinton of parliament-fundadelic fame; a protege of James Brown, said in the 60's AMERICA EATS ITS YOUNG in the then infamous song. James Brown in the 80's remixed the 70's hit PAYBACK. JAMES TRIED TO SPICE IT OVER WITH "living in america'. My thing is, WILL THE REAL AMERICA PLEASE STAND UP. Ain't nothing happening but the real america has stood up. Haliburton and all. Te he he! chuckle, chuckle, chuckle. finally, bye bye; Mr. Vice President. Up pops Condoleeza, .. .. . . . again. Haliburton is lined up for the clean-up. THE JOINT READINESS TRAINING CENTER HAS TRAINED ALL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ON HOW TO CONDUCT URBAN WARFARE. Remember George Orwell or was it Aldous Huxley. Either Way RARE EARTHS BIG BROTHER IS HERE NOW. And they got special prisons in Ohio and Kentucky, that will put Gitmo to shame. Life beyond the Dome is gonna be different. Those last 200 to 1000 hold outs in the nooks and crannies of the "living, breathing, sub-terestrial entity called New Orleans," has been refurbished, with a new "deliciously, dilectably darkened spirit world supervisionary master." One more Time, please. When the mardi gras indian chieftain, BIG CHIEF MONTANA, DIED IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS THIS YEAR!, a curse was placed on the Crescent City. You see those "indians" go way, way back. And there is a lot to do with them as it concern New Orleans. Those ritual, they do during the period leading up to fat tuesday mean something. So, now; once again. The spirit of Toussaint L'Ouverture has been "loosed" on New Orleans proper. "The City" the blacks of N. O., call it. So now. I really wish it wasn't so, but here it is; but if something exceedingly miraculous doesn't happen, quickly; There will be an Alamoish Stand in N. O. Why? Them Guys think PAYDAY!. All them babies and mommas and grandmas, red, yellow, white & black plus the creoles. Parish President Aaron Broussard Crying on National TV, about his co-workers Mama dying in that nursing home, cause they was told, "help is comeing". The thing is, every indigenous New Orleanians knows one thing, "everybody's kin", and there ain't but one ruling CLASS. Long of it short. R E M E M B E R W A C O! They don't want know one to see it! Okay! call in the troops, these troops though, Amnesty International, The Carter Center for Human Rights, The have already violated the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. So let's pray. While another three storms are brewing off the Atlantic. You got 6 year old children taking care of, holding "families" together. Imagine this 6yoa, watching over, 3yoa, 1yoa and 5month old. They one place. The mama another. Evacuees. AMERICA EATS ITS YOUNG! Prophet

Author

Prophet

Date

2005-09-08T03:19:08-06:00

ID

134350

Comment

Somebody, Help us Please. That's what the woman in Waterproof, Louisiana was saying. The tragedy of the "New Orleans People" continues. That's why them guys gon' do the do, in the N. O. I know nobody can understand this crazy scenario. But that's what it boils down to. They still crying. Haunted by the past, both distant and the newly blasted past of august 2005! What A World! Prophet

Author

Prophet

Date

2005-09-08T03:23:07-06:00

ID

134351

Comment

Salon covered this too in the War Room and included this exchange between McClellan and an unnamed reporter. Meanwhile, the blog Operation Flashlight has this report: "We are in Jefferson Parish, just outside of New Orleans. At the National Guard checkpoint, they are under orders to turn away all media. All of the reporters are turning their TV trucks around." Meanwhile, back at the White House, Scott McClellan is doing his part to shut down any questions about the government's response to Katrina. For the second day in a row, he trotted out his "blame game" and "finger-pointing" talking points Wednesday. It was reminiscent, at times, of McClellan's performance on the days after it became clear that Karl Rove was involved in the outing of Valerie Plame. Here's one bit of Wednesday's back-and-forth: Reporter: Scott, does the president retain confidence in his FEMA director and secretary of Homeland Security? McClellan: And again, David, see, this is where some people want to look at the blame game issue, and finger-point. We're focused on solving problems, and we're doing everything we can -- Reporter: What about the question? McClellan: We're doing everything we can in support -- Reporter: We know all that. McClellan: -- of the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. Reporter: Does he retain complete confidence -- McClellan: We're going to continue. We appreciate the great effort that all of those at FEMA, including the head of FEMA, are doing to help the people in the region. And I'm just not going to engage in the blame game or finger-pointing that you're trying to get me to engage. Reporter: OK, but that's not at all what I was asking. McClellan: Sure it is. It's exactly what you're trying to play. Reporter: You have your same point you want to make about the blame game, which you've said enough now. I'm asking you a direct question, which you're dodging. McClellan: No -- Reporter: Does the president retain complete confidence in his director of FEMA and secretary of Homeland Security, yes or no? McClellan: I just answered the question. Reporter: Is the answer "yes" on both? McClellan: And what you're doing is trying to engage in a game of finger-pointing -- Reporter: There's a lot of criticism. I'm just wondering if he still has confidence. McClellan: -- and blame-gaming. What we're trying to do is solve problems, David. And that's where we're going to keep our focus. Reporter: So you're not -- you won't answer that question directly? McClellan: I did. I just did. Reporter: No, you didn't. Yes or no? Does he have complete confidence or doesn't he? McClellan: No, if you want to continue to engage in finger-pointing and blame-gaming, that's fine -- Reporter: Scott, that's ridiculous. I'm not engaging in any of that. McClellan: It's not ridiculous. Reporter: Don't try to accuse me of that. I'm asking you a direct question and you should answer it. Does he retain complete confidence in his FEMA director and secretary of Homeland Security, yes or no? McClellan: Like I said, that's exactly what you're engaging in. Reporter: I'm not engaging in anything. I'm asking you a question about what the president's views are -- McClellan: Absolutely -- absolutely -- Reporter: -- under pretty substantial criticism of members of his administration. OK? And you know that, and everybody watching knows that as well. McClellan: No, everybody watching this knows, David, that you're trying to engage in a blame game. Reporter: I'm trying to engage? McClellan: Yes. Reporter: I am trying to engage? McClellan: That's correct.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2005-09-08T09:59:15-06:00

ID

134352

Comment

Unbelievable. Now they're going to try to cover up the reality of what happened?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-08T11:50:21-06:00

ID

134353

Comment

Does the JFP have any updates on the Red Cross having food available for the SuperDome and the Convention Center and not being able to deliver it because LEMA wouldn't give them authority? The story out today is that LEMA refused to give them authority because they felt like the news that food and water was available at these two sites would act as a magnet and draw in an overwhelming number of displaced citizens. That might have been the correct decision, taking a path that meant the death of a hundred instead of creating an uncontrollable mob situation that might lead to the death of a thousand. Since lack of food at these two sites dominated ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, etal for two days, I'm surprised that there has been no reporting to confirm or refute this story. Any one here heard anything about this?

Author

FrankEzelle

Date

2005-09-08T12:23:36-06:00

ID

134354

Comment

Hey, Frank, I hadn't heard that. Could you provide a link to the story/report? It's hard to tell whether there is a story to actually confirm/refute from your posting. I haven't seen all the news, though; am catching up from being out yesterday.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-08T12:33:11-06:00

ID

134355

Comment

Donna, as you would expect, the link I have has Fox News and Republican connections. In this day and age I've learned that one source is not enough to prove any story, therefore my question to see if anyone can confirm this. The part about the SuperDome is about half way down: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1479824/posts

Author

FrankEzelle

Date

2005-09-08T12:45:49-06:00

ID

134356

Comment

Ah, I see, Frank. I have to tell you that I don't trust anything I see on the Freepers site; I've seen enough lies posted about me personally there to know that those people will stop at nothing to spin sh!t. So you'll pardon me if I'll pass on looking into that one; time better spent posting disaster resources. Meantime, let me know if you see anything credible on that for us to follow up on. Until then, I'll asume this is the Rove machine in action. No one has time to chase down every attempt by those people at smearing people they don't like.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-08T12:50:00-06:00

ID

134357

Comment

As I said, I was asking for confirmation because of this source. The Red Cross seems to back up the story on their web site by saying that LEMA asked them to stay out of New Orleans and they couldn't go in without permission: http://www.redcross.org/faq/0,1096,0_682_4524,00.html

Author

FrankEzelle

Date

2005-09-08T13:15:19-06:00

ID

134358

Comment

Busy with the benefit right now, but I'll throw this in Truthwatch so folks can poke around and vet it against real sources. I'll be interested in seeing credible sources on it no matter where the chips fall. I have a feeling that there are plenty of places chips can fall, but none of that takes away from the federal government's abdication of responsibility. That much is already very, very clear. Excuses don't change that.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-08T15:56:00-06:00

ID

134359

Comment

I think we'll find that everyone from the individuals to the federal government were overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation and all of the decisions that had to be made immediately, often without proper communication and often without proper authority. Anyone who would expect perfection in this situation or anyone who would claim perfection in their actions in this situation isn't being realistic. Heroic things were done by all, errors were made by all--and any and all can be made to look heroic or villianous depending on what a person wants to focus on.

Author

FrankEzelle

Date

2005-09-09T06:06:39-06:00

ID

134360

Comment

Read this from BoingBoing.net (one of my favorite sites on the web): Chat transcript with Jacob follows. Times shown in Pacific. Image: a snapshot from Jacob's mobile phone. 10:23: Joel just got removed. Almost arrested. Fox News is down on the floor. I'm in dome, hiding in seats. They're allowing some media on the floor, not others. 10:31 Just met members of the Polish press, they are being stopped from entering floor. Says this is like the former USSR. There's also been "reports" of rapes and murders in the Astrodome. Seems press is limited so those reports may never see the light of day until the evacuees (refugees now?) see the light of day.

Author

kaust

Date

2005-09-09T09:10:08-06:00

ID

134361

Comment

I hope they get the low power radio station online. I can't believe FEMA is trying to block it. It seems like it would be a great way to disseminate information. I saw the comments on BoingBoing about some residents believing the levee was bombed to save the wealthier parts of town. This seems a little farfetched to me. Water flows to the low spots, regardless of where the levee break occurred. Also, water will make an exploding sound, especially when it is changing course and pouring through a gap like a levee breach. We call it "water hammer" in the engineering biz. And water hammer comes down with a might force, as we all saw.

Author

Steph

Date

2005-09-09T09:37:29-06:00

ID

134362

Comment

i'm actually surprised the media hasn't been asked to leave new orleans.. with it being an absolute mandatory evacuation of all citizens. seems the media would have just as much of a health risk being there as the people of new orleans.

Author

patrick

Date

2005-09-09T09:44:56-06:00

ID

134363

Comment

An interesting link. It should be pointed out that later it mentions that CNN is also there reporting--didn't want anyone to get the impression that only Fox News was allowed to report. At least this link included the type of quote that is rarely seen in national news: "While much of the news sounds very dire -- and nobody will argue this is a bad situation for the evacuees, no matter how well it is run -- many of the people in the Astrodome complex were in very good spirits and were quick to offer praise of the people of Houston. There are plenty of issues that need to be discussed, but the evacuees are keeping the area very clean and equilaterally said they were happier to be in the Astrodome than stuck in the Superdome or elsewhere in New Orleans." It also includes reports that refute the stories of rapes and murders in the Astrodome. Who should a person believe? I guess the answer is the same since all of this started--believe the versions that support the beliefs that you already had prior to August 28th. Of course it also include people saying that they believe the levee (actually the canal) was blown up to protect the rich parts of the city. Can anyone explain to me how this theory works--weren't the rich parts of the city better protected if the water never came into New Orleans? How does flooding the city protect the rich sections more than keeping the city dry? Again, simply believe what you want to believe and don't let logic get in the way.

Author

FrankEzelle

Date

2005-09-09T09:46:17-06:00

ID

134364

Comment

Patrick, the same can be said for war zones. But journalists risk their lives all the time to bring the people the story. That's part of our responsibility as journalists. Clearly, Frank, if the media aren't allowed in, rumors and confusion will prevail. That may be FEMA's point at this stage. It's Karl Rove's M.O. -- confuse folks so they don't know what to believe. Also, your point above about "perfection" is kinda silly here and shows a lack of reading comprehension on this point. No one is naive enough to expect perfection in times like this, and not. a. single. person has said there should be, or could be. We can, though, expect leadership and a federal government that responds to crises immediately, act like it gives a damn and then takes responsibility for its mistakes, while not trying to hoist them back on the nation's poorest states. We'd be fools not to speak up when that happens and demand accountability.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-09T11:16:38-06:00

ID

134365

Comment

Not sure where to post this... If I manage to find a "credible" source (is there such a thing these days?), I will post as its own topic. Since this deals with media being blocked from entrance, I figured people being blocked from exit might fall under this topic easily. I've been digging around this evening and have been finding several quotes (none by a major news source) stating that the surrounding communities (the ones that you must enter to escape New Orleans) had locked the bridges down and effectively locked exit from New Orleans. Several people have reported that they were turned away while leaving New Orleans and entering Gretna. I did manage to find this reference at SFGate.com: [quote]So late Wednesday afternoon, the group set out for a bridge called the Crescent City Connection, where they would find the help they so desperately needed. But when they arrived atop the highway, the paramedics said, they were met by more police officers, this time from neighboring Gretna, La., who weren't letting anyone pass. "If I weren't there, and hadn't witnessed it for myself, I don't think I would have ever believed this," Bradshaw said. The officers fired warning shots into the air and then leveled their weapons at members of the crowd, Bradshaw said. He approached, hands in the air, displaying his paramedic's badge. "They told us that there would be no Superdomes in their city,'' the couple wrote. "These were code words that if you are poor and black, you are not crossing the Mississippi River -- and you weren't getting out of New Orleans.''[/quote] Not making up excuses but this could explain why there were no evacuation routes until the Feds came in... There's virtually NO WAY to exit New Orleans without using a bridge into another city (unless by water). If that city is not cooperative, well, you are SOL. Just trying to inform myself on why NO ONE seemed to evacuate for a long period of time and can't seem to find any rational reasoning. There were far more people in NOLA than those in the SDome and CC... Why were they not making it across the bridges and telling their own stories? There's also the quotes regarding being "locked" in the SDome and CC by authorities (though I have not been able to find who produced those orders or if that's true). Not trying to get all "X-files" just trying to figure out why the hell no one seems to have done what most of us would have: gotten the eff out of there on foot, bus, moped, horseback, streetcar, you name it. For someone like me, it defeats logic.

Author

kaust

Date

2005-09-09T19:09:04-06:00