The US Federal Government's Lack of Action, New Orleans & The South USA Options

[Guest_Jox_*]

Lori suggested porting this here - so I have done so...

What I don't understand from this side of the Pond is the US Federal Government's (lack of) reaction. I saw GW Bush on tv asking people to give donations to Sally Army and Red Cross. Why? Shouldn't the Government get on and rescue people. I'm completely bewildered that the richest nation on Earth should just abandon people for four or five days whilst society breaks down. Of course, going in is not easy but no attempts at much were made for so long. Many people are saying that the rich powerful men in Washington (at best) don't have a clue about the urban poor of the south - let along the racial issue which is being discussed by the hour on tv over here.

However, that was me being gentle over in that tile. Here I would like to know why the US Government should not be charged with negligent homicide and crimes against humanity. It has presided over many deaths which were preventable. Most people are poor and many black. How much does that tell us about the powerful white Republican establishment in DC?

If the people in this disaster had been New England white liberals, would help have come quicker? There is much discussion on UK tv that this represents a major racial schist in the USA and that the black poor don’t matter to the white republicans. I’m not actually sure I agree with that - as far as I can see this simply looks like massive incompetence. I marvel at the fact that Clinton was impeached for having an affair with his associate simply to attack his liberal regime - using Star as the battering ram - but GWB will probably serve-out his time in office after precising over what seems tantamount to mass murder.

The weather situation was known. But why were the urban poor (mainly black) populations not evacuated? Because they couldn’t afford it? Because they had no cars? Because no one cared?

OK to be logical for a moment we have split responsibilities here. It is hard for a Brit to appreciate that States and local governments do not appreciate having their jurisdictions infringed by the US Federal Government. The US is a federation: to a large degree individual states are politically independent. So the initial failure may be fairly charged at the New Orleans and Louisiana authorities; they must have cases to answer. Of course, they may have asked for Federal assistance then - I don’t know yet.

But from the moment the weather system hit the US State had a responsibility. Instead it has allowed people to thirst to death, to die from lack of medical care, from violence in a society which has partially dived into anarchy. TV showed the New Orleans Police giving up I believe. One can’t blame them - the disaster was overwhelming.

Overwhelming is that a defence? Nope. Because the US could deploy people far faster; break-out reserves of water, food, medicine far faster. The European Union (including the UK) have asked the US if they would like humanitarian assistance. None (to my knowledge) has been taken up. Why? Because the US can cope? Well it should be able to and may be it can but it has not hitherto. Is there a political fear that such aid would be politically damaging to this dreadful President? Important to save the No1 skin, of course.

Troops had to be diverted from humanitarian relief to tackle looters, violent criminals, murderers. Why has that city broken down so quickly? Might existing poverty and deprivation have been factors? Hour upon hour here in the UK we’re seeing women plea that gangs are raping people, others hold babies aloft to the camera, pleading for their lives to be spared from disease and thirst. These are scenes fit for Dante’s Inferno, played out in the Southern swamplands of Louisiana.

Those of us who regard the US as one of our very top international friends are horrified at the state of affairs. Globally, everyone will be appalled at the humanitarian catastrophe that has suddenly happened. As a friend we should be ready to give any human assistance at all which is needed - and we are.  But we should also make sure the utter disgust and contempt, which we feel towards the appalling way in which this crisis has been allowed to fester, over the rotting corpses of New Orleans especially, is voiced. (There are many other places too but their situation - terrible as it is - is not quite as awful). The US Federal Government is only responsible to the US people - I do hope they let no one in the Administration off the hook. But, also, there is a wider responsibility in terms of human care - we are all concerned about that. So we can all, in our own ways, try to help hold the US Federal Government to account.,, if only to maintain pressure to help those that still desperately need it.
J.

[Blank_Canvas]

Hey, sorry so long to find my way here. Didn't know this discussion was in full swing. And a more appropriate place instead of in the forums, I suppose. I stated my views elsewhere before knowing this was here.  
  This disaster was, and is, a devastating event in the lives of so many. Recovery is going to take a long tome because most all these people who are going to have to rebuild are not wealthy. Just a hard working simple class of people. Without jobs it will be a struggle to survive and rebuild. I know this because I have family in 3 separate areas of Louisiana and know about their lives. They were fortunate to have all made it through safely by the grace of God. Some wind and flooding damages to a few of their homes, but at least they have homes and communities which are still standing. One of my families homes is standing , but it is so contaminated by flood waters with smells of sewer and other disgusting things, that they are uncertain if it will habitable again. Certainly, no time soon. They will be displaced for quite some time.
    I know the response of the relief efforts from the federal government seemed slow in coming. It always is slow to respond due to what we term as red tape. They have to evaluate the scope of the disaster and it's destruction, co-ordinate agencies and supplies, get the funding, and then make decisions as to who and where the aid is most critically needed, and finally find ways and means to get it there. This is a process that takes a little time. I don't think anyone could have totally foreseen the magnitude of devastation coming.....too many variables. The problems were immediate because there were virtually no local usable resources left. No home emergency kit or supplies gonna help you now, either. Law officials in the area had damaged communications, lack of coordination, loss of available resources and too big a job to do.....plus many of them were in shock themselves. And who could have foreseen the lawlessness and corrupt behavior  by their fellow residents? When did we become so de-sensitized that we loot, burn, murder, rape and terrorize our fellow
residents when they are already traumatized and in shock? Whispers of Satan.
     I, however do not hold the federal government to blame. They are trying to help. They cannot and should not have to do it alone. They need our united support. That is why I am glad to see private citizens have become involved with co-ordinating their own relief efforts, donating money and supplies, and volunteering time and resources. Even opening up their own homes to suffering families. This is what we should be doing. We then become God's instruments in combating the evil whispers of Satan. Also happy to see many of our allied nations offering us a helping hand. How our enemies are loving this disaster and the fact that we are blaming the government. They are celebrating our dissention and taking note of our weakness and chaos. I worry that they may plan another major attack whike we are in chaos and fighting amongst ourselves. The media just keeps adding fuel to the flame. Anti- Bushers are having a field day attacking his administration. Get real , folks.....no government is perfect and no president is infallible....we all just struggle to do the best we can. Remember the " He who is without sin, cast the first stone " verse. The bible even tells us to to respect and help our leaders.
I was proud of the Louisiana man who had lost everything and was wandering the streets trying to help other victims. When interviewed he stood up and defended God and country. Love that spirit !
      Now we have scam artists trying to pass themselves off as legitimate relief organizations to fool the public into giving money to filter into their own pockets. Will the evil never end? Be careful what organizations you donate to. Make sure they are legitimate.
     Now, I've had my say. My opinion probably differs from a lot of you, and that's o.k. ~smile~ God did give us our own free will, did he not? I applaud our differences and respect your views. Hope you can do the same for me. May we all have love and peace in our future. God bless this nation , and may we continue to pray for her citizens.
                                             Marcia