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To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (39987)	9/1/2005 4:59:36 PM
From: patron_anejo_por_favor	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 306849

>>Instead they act like help is on the way<< I'm sure you're aware of the Speaker of the House's concept of "help on the way": nola.com House Speaker: Rebuilding N.O. doesn't make sense Thursday, 2:55 p.m. By Bill Walsh Washington bureau WASHINGTON - House Speaker Dennis Hastert dropped a bombshell on flood-ravaged New Orleans on Thursday by suggesting that it isn’t sensible to rebuild the city. "It doesn't make sense to me," Hastert told the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago in editions published today. "And it's a question that certainly we should ask." Hastert's comments came as Congress cut short its summer recess and raced back to Washington to take up an emergency aid package expected to be $10 billion or more. Details of the legislation are still emerging, but it is expected to target critical items such as buses to evacuate the city, reinforcing existing flood protection and providing food and shelter for a growing population of refugees. The Illinois Republican’s comments drew an immediate rebuke from Louisiana officials. “That’s like saying we should shut down Los Angeles because it’s built in an earthquake zone,” former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., said. “Or like saying that after the Great Chicago fire of 1871, the U.S. government should have just abandoned the city.” Hastert said that he supports an emergency bailout, but raised questions about a long-term rebuilding effort. As the most powerful voice in the Republican-controlled House, Hastert is in a position to block any legislation that he opposes. "We help replace, we help relieve disaster," Hastert said. "But I think federal insurance and everything that goes along with it... we ought to take a second look at that." The speaker’s comments were in stark contrast to those delivered by President Bush during an appearance this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I want the people of New Orleans to know that after rescuing them and stabilizing the situation, there will be plans in place to help this great city get back on its feet,” Bush said. “There is no doubt in my mind that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city.” Insurance industry executives estimated that claims from the storm could range up to $19 billion. Rebuilding the city, which is more than 80 percent submerged, could cost tens of billions of dollars more, experts projected. Hastert questioned the wisdom of rebuilding a city below sea level that will continue to be in the path of powerful hurricanes. "You know we build Los Angeles and San Francisco on top of earthquake issures and they rebuild, too. Stubbornness," he said. Hastert wasn't the only one questioning the rebuilding of New Orleans. The Waterbury, Conn., Republican-American newspaper wrote an editorial Wednesday entitled, "Is New Orleans worth reclaiming?" "Americans' hearts go out to the people in Katrina's path," it said. "But if the people of New Orleans and other low-lying areas insist on living in harm's way, they ought to accept responsibility for what happens to them and their property."

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (39987)	9/1/2005 5:01:18 PM
From: Jay	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 306849

Didn't anyone have the sense to fill up the 400 buses going in with supplies? The buses are right here. The FEMA guy needs to be booted out right away, IMHO

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (39987)	9/1/2005 5:05:54 PM
From: Amy J	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 306849

RE: "Instead they act like help is on the way, but whatever help it is it will not be enough because we have nothing left here. Sheesh." Agreed. The most important thing to provide in an emergency, is an accurate assessment of when help truly will be on its way. Rather than providing a bad forecast. It's unbelievable the govt didn't tap available military planes to drop food supplies. That's a no brainer. Even American Airlines was able to fly supplies into the airport which is actually harder than dropping food from an airplane that's in flight (because landing supply planes get limited airport usage.) They certainly have extra planes they could have used to drop supplies throughout the entire city. It's truly unbelievable they just let these people starve to death for four days AFTER they told them to go to the convention center and they still have no help nor airborn supplies dropped to them. This is the worst disaster recovery effort I've ever heard of. It's unbelievable they didn't drop-off airborn supplies. That's a no brainer. Edit: Read this article here - they wait FOUR days before declaring an emergency. Meanwhile, they now try to send trucks with food into an area where the roads are already clogged with traffic. Where are the PLANES to drop water/food supplies from the sky? And military helicopters to pick up patients? cnn.com Here's a list of their relief efforts - it doesn't even mention they have any plans for planes to drop off airborn-supplies: news.yahoo.com On a different note, have you gone to a Bay Area gas station? Someone at work said he paid $3.50 (or $3.75 or $3.25?) for gas.