Your prayers are badly needed!!!!
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Canadians send first team in to help
B.C. rescue team describes chaos in Louisiana
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian search and rescue team in Louisiana says conditions on the ground are so dangerous, it has to wait for order to restore before they can get to work in the devastated hurricane region.
British Columbia's Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) left for Lafayette, La. Wednesday night after being asked by state officials for assistance.
On Thursday, the team was in Kenner, La. -- a small city of about 75,000 on the Mississippi River's East Bank -- where police described the violence and looting as "out of control."
USAR is working with Louisiana State Troopers, as well as the National Guard.
"It's far too dangerous for even the state troopers and police to wander out," said USAR member Brian Inglis in a statement Thursday on his team website, vancouver.ca/usar.
"It's absolutely crazy, the devastation is unreal -- the gunfire, the shooting, the looting is like something you see in a movie. "
Acadian Ambulance Service says it was greeted by an armed and angry crowd as it tried to airlift supplies into Kenner Memorial Hospital late Wednesday.
Richard Zuschlag, president of the ambulance service, said his medics were "crying, screaming for help," and that his pilots "refused to land."
Inglis said the team won't be performing any search and rescue operations for at least the next eight to 12 hours until authorities bring the situation under control.
"Unfortunately, from time we were given orders to move from Lafayette at 4:30 a.m. this morning up here, the lid has blown off this place."
Kenner has about 190 officers patrolling the city, according to Kenner police spokesman Steve Caraway.
The USAR team includes 32 search-and-rescue experts, and is equipped to provide emergency room doctors, building engineers and swift water rescue personnel.
Although the team is equipped with satellite phones, Inglis says even they aren't working.
"There is virtually no communications here. We're using the MCI truck that's been set up, and using their satellite communications network."
Ray Holdgate, chief of USAR Vancouver, admitted the team was anxious before boarding the plane Wednesday night.
"It's one thing to train; another thing to arrive in a situation like they are seeing now."
Holdgate told CTV News from Vancouver that the team is self-sufficient for a length of about 10 days, but that its deployment will be decided on a day-to-day-basis.
"I said to Brian, you need to be safe, number one," said Holdgate. "And secondly, as long as you are doing some good, you need to stay there."
Inglis said he and the team are prepared to "hunker down" in the Bayou State.
Despite the 35° C heat and 98 per cent humidity, he said they're equipped with water, and some "good ol' Louisiana cooking the locals have cooked up for the police officers and ourselves."
B.C. rescue team describes chaos in Louisiana
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian search and rescue team in Louisiana says conditions on the ground are so dangerous, it has to wait for order to restore before they can get to work in the devastated hurricane region.
British Columbia's Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) left for Lafayette, La. Wednesday night after being asked by state officials for assistance.
On Thursday, the team was in Kenner, La. -- a small city of about 75,000 on the Mississippi River's East Bank -- where police described the violence and looting as "out of control."
USAR is working with Louisiana State Troopers, as well as the National Guard.
"It's far too dangerous for even the state troopers and police to wander out," said USAR member Brian Inglis in a statement Thursday on his team website, vancouver.ca/usar.
"It's absolutely crazy, the devastation is unreal -- the gunfire, the shooting, the looting is like something you see in a movie. "
Acadian Ambulance Service says it was greeted by an armed and angry crowd as it tried to airlift supplies into Kenner Memorial Hospital late Wednesday.
Richard Zuschlag, president of the ambulance service, said his medics were "crying, screaming for help," and that his pilots "refused to land."
Inglis said the team won't be performing any search and rescue operations for at least the next eight to 12 hours until authorities bring the situation under control.
"Unfortunately, from time we were given orders to move from Lafayette at 4:30 a.m. this morning up here, the lid has blown off this place."
Kenner has about 190 officers patrolling the city, according to Kenner police spokesman Steve Caraway.
The USAR team includes 32 search-and-rescue experts, and is equipped to provide emergency room doctors, building engineers and swift water rescue personnel.
Although the team is equipped with satellite phones, Inglis says even they aren't working.
"There is virtually no communications here. We're using the MCI truck that's been set up, and using their satellite communications network."
Ray Holdgate, chief of USAR Vancouver, admitted the team was anxious before boarding the plane Wednesday night.
"It's one thing to train; another thing to arrive in a situation like they are seeing now."
Holdgate told CTV News from Vancouver that the team is self-sufficient for a length of about 10 days, but that its deployment will be decided on a day-to-day-basis.
"I said to Brian, you need to be safe, number one," said Holdgate. "And secondly, as long as you are doing some good, you need to stay there."
Inglis said he and the team are prepared to "hunker down" in the Bayou State.
Despite the 35° C heat and 98 per cent humidity, he said they're equipped with water, and some "good ol' Louisiana cooking the locals have cooked up for the police officers and ourselves."
ORANGATUANG
Wildfire
I heard that Fats Domino is missing i just love his songs espically Blueberry Hill..I hope they find him safe and well but if worst has happened i still hope they find him...he is legendary....not to mention one of an kind..
kickingbird
candle lighter
It is a sad situation indeed ... too little too late. Let's not forget that besides the actual city of New Orleans, there are millions of other people all along the Gulf coast who have lost their homes, and perhaps thousands dead. So much of the news is focusing on New Orleans, but there are countless others who are suffering too.
The Marines need to be called in to control the snipers. It wouldn't take long to locate them - just think of them as insurgents and take them out, period. I believe the latest orders for LEO are "shoot to kill" if necessary.
Someone asked about the city - yes, most of New Orleans IS below sea level, 8-10 feet to be exact. It is surrounded by water - the Gulf, the Mississippi, and Lake Ponchatrain; some of the levees failed and the water from the Lake is what poured into the city. There is no "bathtub drain". There is no power to the huge pumps used to keep the city dry under normal conditions. These aren't normal conditions.
Meanwhile, those of us who are able can send donations to the Red Cross, and most of all, pray.
Peace
The Marines need to be called in to control the snipers. It wouldn't take long to locate them - just think of them as insurgents and take them out, period. I believe the latest orders for LEO are "shoot to kill" if necessary.
Someone asked about the city - yes, most of New Orleans IS below sea level, 8-10 feet to be exact. It is surrounded by water - the Gulf, the Mississippi, and Lake Ponchatrain; some of the levees failed and the water from the Lake is what poured into the city. There is no "bathtub drain". There is no power to the huge pumps used to keep the city dry under normal conditions. These aren't normal conditions.
Meanwhile, those of us who are able can send donations to the Red Cross, and most of all, pray.
Peace
ORANGATUANG
Wildfire
Thanks Mama san...hope the gentleman is as wellas can be expected..that confirms what an freind of mine told me tonight that he has been found..thank god.
What about his family, though? He had a lot of people in his house when the storm hit, apparently. I hope they are safe as well.
At the BB King concert on Wednesday that I went to, BB King mentioned that he hadn't heard from his relatives in Mississippi, either.
I cannot believe the lawlessness that is happening right now in New Orleans. Out of all your lost possessions, the one thing you save is your gun? And threatening and attacking elderly and sick people, and people who are coming to rescue you? There hasn't been one story come out of the devastation yet that shows any humanity or compassion for others from those who are there. One article I read this morning stated that one police officer, when asked for help by a tourist, told her to bugger off - it was every man for himself. And that other police officers were turning in their badges - since they lost everything themselves, why should they risk their lives trying to control looters?
Shameful. Shocking.
At the BB King concert on Wednesday that I went to, BB King mentioned that he hadn't heard from his relatives in Mississippi, either.
I cannot believe the lawlessness that is happening right now in New Orleans. Out of all your lost possessions, the one thing you save is your gun? And threatening and attacking elderly and sick people, and people who are coming to rescue you? There hasn't been one story come out of the devastation yet that shows any humanity or compassion for others from those who are there. One article I read this morning stated that one police officer, when asked for help by a tourist, told her to bugger off - it was every man for himself. And that other police officers were turning in their badges - since they lost everything themselves, why should they risk their lives trying to control looters?
Shameful. Shocking.
ORANGATUANG
Wildfire
Of course i hope all his family are well and safe too..I meant that anyway...its just going from bad to worse wish that the ones whom are "surposed" to be doing things would pull there finger out and do it faster..I found out that about 50 -100 aussies in this situation too ...I mean if no one knew better it looks like an third world country not the GOOD OLD U.S.A....
kickingbird
candle lighter
In the big picture, I personally feel 9/11, the space shuttle disaster, the bombings in Spain and London and elsewhere, the wars all over the globe, the tsunami, and now this hurricane katrina - all are "wake up calls" for humanity. It is a time to re-examine our lives, our priorities, our actions, and our qualities as Human Beings. These things of man, of nature, are wake-up calls. If we fail to look at ourselves and how our thoughts and actions affect others, more destruction may come. THIS IS the destruction talked about in the old prophecies. It is happening now, and could and may get worse. We need to realize we're One Family, that we are Human Beings, with the potential to become either the Highest or lowest Creations of God. The choice is ours. Let's heed the warnings.
In Oneness and Peace
In Oneness and Peace
katw_03
New Member
Since noon time, I have been going through our
clothes closet. I have quite a bundle of clothes
to take to one of the many drop off places
for relief for the hurricane victims.
I noticed as I was going into Wal-Mart this evening
a note said that the pharmacy was accepting
Louisiana Medicaid. Many more people here than
was expected. Before I go to my step-son's
tommorrow I think I will go to the Dollar Store and
add that to my package. Still, to me it's not enough.
Our community is pitching in, of that I am very proud.
I cannot stress how even a case of water can help!
Please help if you can.
clothes closet. I have quite a bundle of clothes
to take to one of the many drop off places
for relief for the hurricane victims.
I noticed as I was going into Wal-Mart this evening
a note said that the pharmacy was accepting
Louisiana Medicaid. Many more people here than
was expected. Before I go to my step-son's
tommorrow I think I will go to the Dollar Store and
add that to my package. Still, to me it's not enough.
Our community is pitching in, of that I am very proud.
I cannot stress how even a case of water can help!
Please help if you can.
Well, Canadians are coming to help - a group of 37 Red Cross workers are headed south,and, as well, four Canadian ships are being sent down with supplies, and will be leaving on Tuesday, and should get there by Sunday. Other than that, yes, I believe there's a big 'KEEP OUT' sign for any one else.
It's not like the US is a poor country, though, like Thailand which got hit by the tsunami. It is a rich country of over 200 million people, and it should have sufficient of its own resources to take care of a situation of this magnitude. That it doesn't speaks volumes about the kinds of priorities governments at all levels have set.
While I don't wish to start another disagreement about whose fault it is, the truth is, money that was supposed to go towards shoring up the levies in and around New Orleans was diverted to fund the war in Iraq. That is an irrefutable fact. And now the people of New Orleans are paying for this with their lives, their livelihoods, their homes and the loss of their families.
George Bush kissing a couple of black refugees makes a nice photo op, but where was he when his government could have prevented such a tragedy? Clearly, the war in Iraq was far more important than protecting one city in his own country. And the slow response to send aid - the telephone is a two way instrument. What was preventing him from calling the governor of Louisiana, and saying, "hey down there, need some help?" on Monday night, instead of waiting until Wednesday when he got the call from the governor?
And about aid from other countries - our government here has been under fire for not immediately sending aid south, but when our officials called the US and said, "can we help?" the initial response was - "bugger off". After a day or two, though, US officials realised they were overwhelmed and eventually came round to saying "yes", but initially they made it quite clear - no outside help needed, thank you very much.
It's not like the US is a poor country, though, like Thailand which got hit by the tsunami. It is a rich country of over 200 million people, and it should have sufficient of its own resources to take care of a situation of this magnitude. That it doesn't speaks volumes about the kinds of priorities governments at all levels have set.
While I don't wish to start another disagreement about whose fault it is, the truth is, money that was supposed to go towards shoring up the levies in and around New Orleans was diverted to fund the war in Iraq. That is an irrefutable fact. And now the people of New Orleans are paying for this with their lives, their livelihoods, their homes and the loss of their families.
George Bush kissing a couple of black refugees makes a nice photo op, but where was he when his government could have prevented such a tragedy? Clearly, the war in Iraq was far more important than protecting one city in his own country. And the slow response to send aid - the telephone is a two way instrument. What was preventing him from calling the governor of Louisiana, and saying, "hey down there, need some help?" on Monday night, instead of waiting until Wednesday when he got the call from the governor?
And about aid from other countries - our government here has been under fire for not immediately sending aid south, but when our officials called the US and said, "can we help?" the initial response was - "bugger off". After a day or two, though, US officials realised they were overwhelmed and eventually came round to saying "yes", but initially they made it quite clear - no outside help needed, thank you very much.
Mama San
Administrator
suziwong said:I read from the newspapers gouvernment refused helping coming from the outside..
Is it true ??
No, Suzi, my little friend, It is NOT true!!!!
We are most thankful for all of the extremely
generous offers that are coming in.
I do not understand where these stupid stories
come from.
We are so very greatfull for any and all donations.
Food and water were the first needs. Then came
medical help and then housing.
It too bad that I have to say this but they also
need protection from the freaks and looters!
But our Army and National Guard seem to be doing
fairly well.
Only a fool would refuse help at a time like this!!!
Love ya' much,
God bless,
Mama san
Well, that's my point, Mama san; it's been in all the news here. Our own government came under fire from critics about the fact that we hadn't responded with aid quickly enough, but the truth is US government told us when we offered they didn't need our help, didn't want our help, and to get lost, in more or less those terms.
Then, they changed their minds.
Then, they changed their minds.
GlimmerMan
Huge Member
Good luck to the poor people of New Orleans. It's funny how America hides the poor black underclass of such a world famous city and then abandons them, or shoots them for trying to find food and water in abandoned shops