EF,
Great to hear about Wyndham giving your wife full-pay for two months. I don't think they have a hotel in Little Rock under that brand (it's pretty upscale), but can she transfer to another hotel?

I hope your large savings for the new house isn't getting drain too much.

I have a prediction that FEMA will be re-organized under the Dept of Defense.

I sure hope so. At the very least taken out of the bloated Department of Homeland Securty.

Caught this right before ingoring you.

Its not about drawing comparisons, its about you giving credence to a theologically cracked theory that for some how and some way these people brought this death and destruction upon themselves..

You're sick.Do me a favor and leave the board please. I sure as hell don't need to see more fanatical crap of this level here. I've seen my fill.

Not sure if this was posted yet - the back story to the renegade busses that arrived at the Astrodome yesterday.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory...story2/3334317

Quote:

School bus comandeered by renegade refugees first to arrive at Astrodome

Pumpy, that is truly great news. It makes me feel a bit guilty about posting my own good news which pales in comparision of importance.

First, our plans to go to Olive Garden or a buffet changed as no one wanted either tonight. So, we went to a place called the "best barbeque in North Little Rock" by our hotel's clerk. It was quite good. The waitress recognized our Hibernia card as she used to live in New Orleans. She got the owner to make our 70 plus dollar meal half price! That was good news bit #1.

I just arrived back at the room and finally LSU has posted. I'm now offically on special leave with full pay!!!! That status is effective until September 30th. It will be re-evaluated at the end of the month. I can be re-assigned to wherever they need me, but they will make "all attempts" to place me where the storm forced me to re-locate. Therefore, it looks like there is a chance they'll provide me with work in Shreveport. Regardless, I will be paid and that just lessened the financial hit of this whole situation considerably.

Again, I sort of feel bad even worrying about that, when I read about situations such as Pumpy's friend went through. I'm glad he is well Pumpy.

I'm sure JoninMiddleGA still wants the kid arrested.

Thanks Farrah. That is the first time I read this. I am wondering if this is one of those buses people were speculating was stolen. Well I guess that is not important, but I am proud of what Houston was able to do for these people in a short amount of time. To fill the Astrodome in that short amount of time is amazing to me.

Been a good night for you EF! Congrats.

They must of thought for a long time about the name of that restaurant? :) Great to hear about the discount (what is a Hibernia card?) as well as the full-pay with leave.

I don't know if it was one of the busses people thought were stolen. Honestly I don't care. To me this is not the same thing as looting a dvd player.

I'm trying to find more stories like this. I think the cable news media is doing a terrible job of covering the good news stories like these. I'll post all that I find here.

Please do....this thread has gotten really political and negative at times.

Galaxy,

Hibernia is a bank that I think is strictly in Louisiana. The waitress used to live in New Orleans and bank with Hibernia and asked if we were from there. I used my Hibernia bank/mastercard to pay for dinner which was quite fortitutous.

The actual name of the restaurant was "Walkers Bar-B-Que Company." It is sort of a combo bar/restaurant but the Barbeque was delicious and we greatly appreciated their generosity.

Airlines are starting to fly evacuees out of N.O.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...ines02-ON.html

At times? If SkyDog doesn't dish out several suspensions because of the way some people have acted in this thread, I'll be very disappointed (and just go to show that maybe Marmel and others are right about him). I'd say this is pretty much the most disgraceful display of callousness and political bashing opportunism (on both sides) I've seen on this board.

.

Wait...the Gov. is blasting the companies? Shouldn't SHE have been informed of the status of the networks and perhaps ensured that they upgraded them to prepare for emergencies such as this? I really tire of all the pathetic finger pointing.

Its a natural disaster, its not any one person or groups fault. Gah.

Anyone see the interview with the cop in The New Orleans Police Sub Station? Powerful stuff, the cop interviewed bashed the cops that deserted, calling them cowards and such. I commend him for doing that. They swore to uphold the law and some ran in the face of danger. Nice to know there's still some semblance of law in that little corneer of New Orleans.

I don't know, I view it more of an over-reliance on expensive technology that has too many single points of failure. It's the old adage about hi-tech: when it works, it's a miracle; when it fails, life is ruined. I work in IT and there are some technologies that we are forsaking the new and going back to the old - due to stability and most importantly, lower cost.

Do not forget the good people of rural south Louisiana. They are the salt of the earth. they are not the thugs running wild in New Orleans and preying on their own community. This was posted on an LSU sports internet forum that has been engaged almost totally in hurricane related business this week. I've just omitted the name.

The real story

Posted by xxxxxxxx on September 2, 2005 at 8:54 p.m.

I just mailed this to EVERY news organization in the US:

It is in complete disbelief that I write to you. Where is the real story with hurricane Katrina, and the aftermath? How can you air what you air, and sleep at night? How can you fuel the fire of racial hatred, and believe that that is newsworthy?

I am from Mamou, Louisiana. We are a small community of 3500 people. What we have done amazes me. Our community has come together like never before, in providing food, shelter, and clothing to over 450 evacuees. Of those served, only 3 have been white. We serve out of a sense of love. We serve out of a sense of humanity.

The Red Cross has not helped us, despite repeated requests. We have not heard from FEMA. Thankfully, the Salvation Army has helped us with some food items and water. We are housing these poor individuals by the good works of our community. We are a poor community, yet there is plenty for all. The physical, mental, material and spiritual needs of every evacuee have been attended to.

There are many here who have given all they had. There are children here who have given their only pair of tennis shoes. One young man came in today, and gave $7.00. It was all he had.

There are miracles that have occurred here. Over 100 families have been reunited. Sons with mothers, daughters and fathers, brothers with sisters. Our local dentists and physicians have treated for free.

Tonight, we wait for the placement of 50 evacuees from Tulane Medical Center. We will have the opportunity to serve those who chose to serve in a very difficult time.

There are tears, thanks, hugs, kisses, and stories.

Come to Mamou, Louisiana. See what love can do. See what a community giving out it’s heart to total strangers looks like. Report what is really happening in Louisiana. There are countless numbers of small communities who have opened their doors because of their compassion and good heartedness.

Promoting those who would have you believe that there is a racial or political agenda in the rescue efforts is not only counterproductive-it is blatantly false. The nation deserves to see the real Louisiana, and its’ people. Perhaps it is not as exciting to see a community empty itself to those in need. Perhaps it is not newsworthy. But it is real…and being lived everyday in communities across our great state.

Our state has received much bad publicity because of a few bad apples, and rightfully so. But, the Louisiana you portray is not the real Louisiana.

Thanks you.

name
address
Mamou, Louisiana 70554
phone number

Alot of cities are bidding to host these teams. Orlando's mayor wants to get the Saints.

I can see that, i just feel that its the responsibility of those in positions like Govorner, mayor, hell PRESIDENT, to be so completely knowledgable that you are able to forsee needs and plan accordingly.

Perhaps my expectations are simply too high. I haven't seen anyone like this other than Rudi Guliani(sp?) And I'm not even republican.

Absoloutely Correct! I applaud your knowledge of the Bible.

I hope you realise that I never stated I agreed with the articles sentiments, merely that people have been making suggestions like this on a pretty regular basis, and, like I said before, these people always come out of the woodwork when something like this happens. People around here in Northern California have been comparing Las Vegas and San Francisco to Sodom and Gomorrah for years.

lemme guess. You're a Michael Savage fan, aren't you?

Gah. What a horrible horrible post.

Thank You for chiming in Cam, I don't generally agree with you on things either, but at least we do on this one.

Its a nice move on cornetts part, but OKC just wouldnt do that great with the hornets. The last pro baskeball team just didnt pull in the numbers. I know this would be a temporary move most likely, but I dont think we are the right city. Im sure there are places that would bring in much larger crowds then here in okc.

Didn't capsicum just get a warning for her previous postings?

I would put my money (pun intended) on Vegas.

Not exactly a positive story, but somewhat uplifting that this family was able to get out and make it to Tucson due to the kindness of truckers.

Link

If i was the owner, I would probably look for a state closer to LA. I am sure that the players probably don't want to relocate halfway across the country for a year. But I could be dead wrong about that...

Cam, I really AM NOT a Michael Savage fan, and I must say I truly wish I had taken more time with the original post, to clarify that I didnt mean to imply that I agreed with the articles sentiments. In my defense I was holding a squirming 5 month old, and I was trying to keep the post short as she makes typing difficult. Big mistake, as quite a few people here seem to be determined to take all my posts in the worst possible light. Please read over some of my other posts before forming a picture of my character.

Sincerly Sharon

Wether warned or not, there is enough here to warrent at least a boxing I would think. I mean I've got a thicker skin than most and she nearly got me to report her....I've never reported anyone and if you've ever seen threads I've gone off in, thats saying something ;)

I don't even have a problem with the item she quoted/compared...its the last couple lines where its HER statement, and hers alone, suggesting something like this could, for some reason of the population, be visited on another city, its just fucking sick.


I can understand someone new coming in, not having a flipping clue how what they type is read and PERCIEVED by the other members making a few mistakes in how they post and what they post, correcting it and becoming a generally accepted member of a community.

This wannabe is little more than trolling to get reactions and making really unnacceptable posts even for doing that.

I'm hard headed, but even I learned HOW to say things so that I don't come off as a complete moron. Granted, that took awhile ;)

But she's been on here what? a week? and she's pissed off Many.

Really? I might as well continue my new trend of dumping on my fellow conservatives* because I think it's a pretty shitty move. I haven't heard anything about the city offering up the Ford Center to refugees.

There is NO reason to pimp out your arena for New Orleans' NBA team until you have offered that arena to refugees, and had your offer turned down.

I haven't heard anything to suggest Oklahoma City had opened up the arena to anything other than 12 very well paid refugees.


*that would be Mayor Cornett, not you Airhog :D

Granted, it was a poorly worded and widely misunderstood post, but she has tried to clarify this. You guys are spewing a lot more hate and filth than you're even accusing her of. I would expect you to be a little more gentlemanly.

You have some huge brass ones if you want to complain that we're not being POLITE. I know she's your wife and all, but even you ought to be saying something about HOW she's posting things.

Even if it were simply her intention to put the quote someone else made out there along those lines. What possible purpose does it serve OTHER than to enflame those in both the gulf coast and northern california?

Perhaps I'm being too sensitive.....hrm let me think. Someone puts forth a statement that the death and destruction is deserved for whatever reason. Even ifs its not HER words, by posting it she is giving it credence. There really isn't an excuse for that.

As for spewing hate, dude you haven't seen hate. If she's pulls the dumbass out of her head and starts making meaningful posts, I might even LIKE her. Hell i like you and we disagree damned near all the time. Don't talk to me about spewing hate until you actually see it.

Oh and I did go back and read her recent post even after ignorning her, and having a squirmer of my own I can empathize, but THINK, if you can't post what you want to say the WAY you WANT to say it, don't post.

You can always come back adn do it when your not encumbered with the child.

I will retract some of what I posted as I did so in haste and as a knee jerk reaction. I don't necessarily think I was wrong from reading what she's posted in the past, but I will try to be more civil.

Good stuff. I don't think I can speak my mind on the rest of this thread without getting banned, but I think this is extremely valuable. I generally refuse to watch news on television, I get almost all my news from the internet(where I can quickly find multiple spins on a story and form my own opinion) and from NPR radio.

I have found myself listening to the conservative radio hosts in the mornings just to hear additional coverage, and watching a lot of both Fox and CNN. I think I got fed up with it tonight and am back to my old ways. I don't think I can stomach the shit I'm being fed there anymore, much like this thread, I'm done with it. But I do thank those that are still trying to have an intelligent discussion over the voices of the nutjobs, I respect a lot of you guys, even(and espicially) those like Cam who I generally am a polar opposite of politically.

I think we should all be pretty ashamed when we read Pumpy Tudors posts. Keep giving us info man(but do it in the hopefuly non-political thread), we all care and are genuinely concerned for you and your family and friends.

Well, I just got off the phone with my friend who works at a TV station in Hattiesburg. Good news, they are getting their power back across much of the city. Sounds like the utility companies are doing a good job in that area.

Now for the bad news...he heard, off the record from a VERY high-level source, that they are anticipating the need for about 180,000 body bags across the region when all is said and done :( Hopefully, to say the least, that number is a wildly overestimated, "better safe than sorry" figure.

Doh... wrong thread. :(

Edited.

I'm betting they multiplied the real number a bit so they can collect the dead wildlife and bag them as well. its a health hazard they have the means to remove simply by using the same bags.

God forbid the death toll go anywhere near that high.

I hope you're right. I would also assume they would order more than they would think they need. However, I also think that sadly, the death toll will end up being much higher than most estimates.

The key point here is that she didn't post the original story. Jesse_Ewiak did. She was commenting on it, and meant to point out that people say this kind of crap all the time about places like San Francisco. So, are you really barking up the right tree here? Why did Jesse feel the need to post that story here? Obviously to get a rise out of people - well, mission accomplished.

And, yeah... they're huge. Solid brass. :D

You know, I hadn't even thought about it in that light. Your pretty dead on in that statement, of course with all okc has been through you would think that he would have done that first...

I posted it because it was a rerun of 9/11 and Falwell blaming the liberals, ACLU, etc. Also, because news is news, both the good with the bad and it shows that not just those heathen Godless Democrats are the one trying to politicize this.

As for your wives comments, she says they aren't nutjobs. Um, OK
Second, calling the newsstory a theory is an insult to theories.
Third, she says San Francisco could be next? Um, OK.

If ya' want an apology, too bad. I call bullshit when I see it, regardless of gender.

I have never read anything on this board that has made me so angry as her post. Perhaps I overreacted as a result of all the stress I have been under because of the storm.

Maybe I misunderstood her original post, but if so, I certainly wasn't the only one. If I misunderstood, than I am sorry.

I'm tired of SkyDog bashing over this issue. He does a good job. He makes some people unhappy sometimes. It always seems like the same small subset complaining.

If he was the person the complainers make him out to be, there'd be 50 times the banning going on and we really would have a big mess on our hands.


This is a tough issue. I've had to stop reading New Orleans news, because it makes me so angry. I'm angry that our government is being bashed for providing a remarkable amount of help.

Remember that this help comes from each and every one of us, and we're getting kicked in the face over it.

I'm angry that the public is accepting the spin of Louisiana politicians, who dropped the ball and care more about pointing fingers than solving problems.

I'm angry that the media, still with its political axe to grind over the reelection of Bush, is welcoming this spin with open arms and closed eyes.

I'm angry that anyone excuses the actions of those of have taken up arms and are raping and pillaging their way through New Orleans.

I'm angry that people continue to deny that this is taking place. I've heard too many accounts not to believe it. Obviously, there are false rumors and urban legends out there. But there are also many true and horrifying stories.

On the other hand, I have all the respect in the world for people like Pumpy's friend, who did what he had to do to survive, and still feels a little bad about it. Good people make tough decisions, and aren't overly proud of themselves.

Indeed she didn't post the original article, but read what she wrote man. Even if written in haste and in bad form for what she was really trying to say, its a terrible and very offensive statement, even to suggest that these people suffering brought this on themselves is just unmitigated ignorance.

I guess my real point is that there was nothing in her post aimed at doing anything beyond upsetting people, even beyond the original article. Fanning the flames is just as bad a trolling from the get go. If she keeps up shit like that I will support boxings/bannings. We don't need the tripe.

And even moreso, read some of the other posts. She and a few others have done nothing but trade political insults in a thread that started out simply reporting on the tragedy. WTF for? Is she so far removed from this disaster that her own personal agenda's are so important she feels they must overshadow the real tragedy?

She might be your wife, but if she were mine I'd be having some serious discussions about this. Its the continuous intentional stabs in her posts that lead me to believe she has nothing of any real value to say.

Oh for the love of....I was not bashing SkyDog.

Where the "bashing" term came from.

This is very well said. I wanted to articulate something similar to Pumpy, both for his friend and himself, but didn't have the words.

Jim, well said.

Okay hopefully this is my last qualification type apology by way of explanation of my poorly worded post.

Masked,

The Bay Area happens to be one of my favorite places to visit in all of Northern California. Im very sorry if it in anyway, came across as a wish on my part to see any kind of similar destruction happen there. As my husband can attest , I drag him up there nearly every chance I get. I would never wish for anything like that.

For JIMGA (if he's still reading the thread) and all the other animal lovers...

Linky

I grew up in New Orleans, and my parents still live there. They are safe but our home is severely flooded. I have spent many restless nights worrying about their safety and worrying about what they will do now. I thought you were suggesting that the people of N.O. diserved what happened. I apologize for lashing out at you - I grossly misinterpreted your post.

Sharon,

I'm all about second chances, god knows I've been given my share. I went through and read some of your posts. The problem I see is that the WAY you present your posts, valid argument or trolling crap aside, it comes across as self serving tripe. Its not even a matter of worst possible light, in the majority of your posts there is no other way to take them.

Take a step back before you post and ask yourself:

Is this going to piss off the person I'm responding to?

If so, is it deserved, or am I beating my own drum and trying to be a smartass?

If so, why post? Perhaps its time to stop being the class clown and just discuss things instead of emflaming the situation further.

In so many of your comments you take a very biting and insultery attitude. This is, I'm hoping anyway, more a preoblem that you don't understand the way posts are percieved on the other end of the connection, and not that you really are that assinine.(if she IS that assinine, blink twice Frank!) :D

Anyway. Thus far what I've seen of your comments doesn't give me a lot of hope for seeing anything worthwhile from you. I hope I'm right that its just a learning curve on how to post without pissing off the population. Time will tell.

Wait, I'm agreeing with Bucc TOO? damn strange day....


Nice post Jim!

I agree.

Masked

Completely my fault.

MY last vacation that I was able to take with my dad before he passed was to New Orleans we stayed for more then two weeks. We were able to tour nearly all of the historical Antebellum Mansions between N.O and Mobile Alabama. Those homes were irreplaceable. And IM extremely grateful that I had the chance to see them before Kitrina.

Much much worse then the losing of those beautiful historical landmarks is the loss of life and human suffering that abounds there now. Its unimaginable, I pray that your family continues to stay safe, as I pray for all the victims, volunteers, national guardsmen, and powers that be desperately trying to help the folks down there.

I can say the same about all of your recent posts myself.

Considering the fact that we're never going to agree with each other on anything (unless you're a closet Vikings fan), I would suggest that you not get your hopes up - you're not going to find much of what I say to be worthwhile, and I'm not going to find much of what you say to be worthwhile.

I'd like to get along with you, but I'm not trying to impress you or anyone else. I'm going to speak my mind, and just because you don't like my opinion doesn't mean it's any less valuable than your own.

Just a random FYI - Best Buy was soliciting relief donations at all checkouts tonight while we were there. I assume they're sending everything to the Red Cross, since they had their (the RC) phone number & slogan & stuff on all the little credit card/debit card machine screens.

I can't remember who, but earlier in this thread someone mentioned that people weren't acting like a community after the hurricane. People in N.O. weren't coming together, neighbor helping neighbor.

I found a story about a community in MS that is. It's good to see.

Linky (subscription required)

I never claimed to be a web-angel. Far from it, I tend to fly off the handle on occasion, as any number of folks will attest (bastards :D ) but please take my point to heart, you're entitled to whatever opinion you want to have, you're not entitled however, to put your point out there on the end of a lance and intentionally be an asshole(this would be the definition of TROLLING). Its not necessary and ends up creating the opposite effect from what you'd hope.

I'm just suggesting that not being an asshole MIGHT cut back on the growing list of those who think you're nothing but an ignorant troll. Then again, if you ARE an ignorant troll, so be it =) enjoy your time, as it will be fairly short lived.

As for your comments being valuable? I doubt anything said in a barbed stab is ever truly valuable. Don't try to impress anyone, just stop being a raging ass and everything should actually settle itself out =)

Actually I always have hope, I disagree with your husband pretty regulrly, but every now and then a small gleam of agreement pops in. So hope is not lost, at least on my end.

I hope you are joking with that 'Democrat stood up and jumped party lines' thing, because if you are serious you are so completely ignorant of politics that it would be completely worthless to have a discussion with you.

As is Hastings Books, Music, and Videos. Althought they said flat out it was for the Red Cross.

Hey SkyDog -

I know you're reading this thread. Can we make the forum like a real-life Werewolf game? I volunteer to be put in the box if I can name 4 people to go with me. I already have 'em picked out and everything.

You don't scare me. I've been to the box before.

I know that Texas is also taking in animals that have been saved. Mainly the Houston Animal Control, with donations of supllies from Dallas to help them out.

What's this talk of Giulliani taking over? I think he was surrounder by a good group of advisors. He's an average mayor at best.

Because for a day or two FOXNews had to ask every official in the hurricane area why there is no one like Giulliani on 9/11. Of course they would not listen to the answers of this, mainly that this is nothing like 9/11 in way too many ways. :rolleyes:

So yeah, people have been pimping Giulliani a bunch the last couple days from what I have heard.

What Bucc said.



Oh and as for the Capsicum drama. I first read Jesse Ewok's post, and thought to myself "What a moron" Point to one loon popping off, and attribute it, albeit indirectly, to conservatives. Too much. I nearly responded to it, then I read on and found Capsicum's. I said well "just another loon", and I wrote it off. I got over, just like I got over my impression that Jesse somehow gets a free pass for the inflamatory troll job that Cap responded to.

I agree with Cap's critics to a degree. Her posts are pretty rough, and that says nothing about the venom within some of them. She is honestly the first poster I've even considered ignoring.

That said, those of you who are wanting her banned/boxed, are stretching it. People have asked her to stop posting here. What the hell? Grow some thicker skin for goodness sakes. Move on.

While you probably can't believe it, I'm posting a video from Fox News of Shepard Smith reporting from New Orleans tonight. Ignore Geraldo Rivera's histrionics (though not the babies he holds) and watch Smith apparantly turn his back on Sean Hannity's spin. Interesting stuff.

Shepard Smith Reporting from New Orleans

And on a (dark humor) lighter note, here's Kanye West on tonight's telethon telling America that George Bush doesn't care about black people. Bonus points for Mike Myers' reaction.

Kanye West on Bush

Not exactly sure why you consider this to be on a 'lighter' note.

Yeah, this thing got waayyyy outta control. With the edits and deletions, it is a little difficult to tell who was trolling, and who simply called the tune and paid the piper, so I'm sure some of you are getting lucky that I'm not handing out any suspensions for this thread. I am, however, closing it. There's another to talk non-politically about the impact on people at FOFC. If anyone jumps in that thread with their petty little agenda, I assure you that punishment will come quickly and harshly. My suggestion is this: if you want to talk about a specific issue related to the hurricane and/or relief effort, start a new thread about that specific issue.