The truth about the SuperDome

[Lucy]

Hi all,

I just had to tell you that what you've been reading in some of your newspapers and seeing on tv, particularly from some very public figures are blatant lies about what was happening in the SuperDome, and about Houston. I barely know where to begin, and I'm sure I'll not cover everything, but rather, just give you a taste of what is going on.
I'm amazed that people have absolutely NO shame in what they're doing.

For one thing, the NYT's printed an article by someone by the name of Romero which stated that the city of Houston was doing all this wonderful humanitarian work for economic benefit. Now one would have to have an IQ lower than a cockroach to think taking in a quarter of a million homeless people would benefit us economically.

It went even further in stating that it was done to "prop up a sagging economy after Enron." WHAT sagging economy?!!!! Our city is already bursting at the seams with people wanting to move here. Apparently this lie was just the tip of the iceberg in this article.

To make matters worse, the local news has reported that there were apparently two versions of this story, but I missed the details on that one. Will let you know when/if I get more information on that aspect.

I was so looking forward to Oprah's program this afternoon as it was advertised heavily on our local CBS affiliate. She did tour the Astrodome, but the whole show was so negatively slanted it was pathetic, with the exception of a few segments. Oprah has once again proven to be a wonderful ACTress, along side her Hollywood dog and pony show! I always thought that she did alot of good, but now I no longer have the respect for her that I once had. She did get a few photo ops down among the cots and the people, but the local news showed her way up in the stands speaking down to the people on the floor. It reminded me of the Pope speaking to the multitudes from his apartment window or maybe the Queen of England. Figure if no one mobbed two former presidents, senators, congressmen, and other dignitaries, they wouldn't mob her either. Go figure!

I just heard the irrREVelevant Al Sharpton on the Kimmel show state that he was going to organize the churches to take in people. Excuuuse me, but the churches took people in immediately long before his unholiness arrived! He blatantly stated that the people in the SuperDome were without food and water, and there's no way he could not know that wasn't the case if he actually visited with any of the escapees.

My former roomie told my sister today that she talked to someone who'd been in the Superdome down at Brown Convention Center today where she was working with the victims, and this person said the same thing that some who first were interviewed on tv while leaving the place said -- "It was the criminals who made it awful!"

She further stated that they were NEVER without food and water, but that the very last day, they'd been told they could only have ONE meal.

FYI, the folks in Brown Center were evacuated much later than the ones in the Astrodome, so this person had to have been one of the latest persons to leave that place, so she would've arrived here later when the Brown was opened up.

Any one of the evacuees you talk to says that people in Houston couldn't have been more kind or more generous, so what do you think is the motivation of these high profile personalities/news outlets, as if we didn't know?

You may already know this, but if not, the area that this diaster covers is the size of the United Kingdom. How long do you think it would take to evacuate the entire UK if it were underwater or houses all looked like matchsticks?

I hope that if any of you see the version of the NYT's with the false information in it, that you will seriously consider what action to take with that entity. They must get a strong response from their readership or they will keep up this deception.

This is NOT a rumor as the mayor was interviewed about it, and although he didn't have too much to say about it, he knew about it.

Furthermore, if anyone is in irRev. Al's district or knows someone who is, you can otherwise confront him and others like him with these lies. They need to be publicly embarrassed and shown for the deceitful creeps they are.

There are others like him trying to make political hay of the pitiful plight of these people, and self promote, but this is totally unacceptable. If they aren't here to provide direct help to the people, they have NO business here.

Barbara, can you call up these people and take care of them New Yawk style? Ha!

OK, I feel a little better venting my spleen, but I was raised to spend a dime's worth of shoe leather to return a nickle too much in change, so just don't understand dishonesty.

Hate to disillusion you, but think it only right to tell you that you're being taken for suckers if you believe these sources. They've been caught red handed.

Yours, Luce

[moremuscle]

Wow, Lucy

I can see that you are very close to the center of action in the Katrina disaster and you are much more directly involved than we are here, than I am. Of course taking in 1/4 million homeless people is no small job - it is an amazing undertaking and one I am very happy to witness and we in South Carolina are very proud of the Texans and the citizens of Houston; I hear nothing but positive press about the help and the giving that the state of Texas has provided. It seems the Texans have shown true selflessness and caring in a way that is beyond what most of us are able to provide and show. It is wonderful and unfortunately also necessary.

I cannot fathom the scope of this catastrophy - it grips your heart and throat to watch the images on TV. Many here in South Carolina remember the hurricane HUGO that destroyed large parts of Charleston and other parts of the state in 1989 - there are people who have a deeper understanding than I do.

I can feel your anger and upset in your post - I think most people think Al Sharpton is not to be taken seriously. As for Oprah, I didn't watch her pictures from the Superdome or Astrodome, but I am sure many celebrities are taking advantage of the situation to get a little extra press. For a super star like Oprah it is hard not to go there - she doesn't want to seem uncaring or uninterested - on the other hand she risks being critized for the way she goes there if she decides to go there; which she apparently did. I believe she grew up dirt poor in Missisippi, right? So she probably had a few more agendas than you and I in going there. It is always hard to figure out what is right and wrong when the press releases information to you - they are so hooked on getting more viewers, readers.

Love,
Karen

[starfire]

Well, Luce, you certainly didn't *disillusion* me. I don't trust the media AT ALL. I've heard them twist words, situations, etc., ignore "good news" and accentuate the bad (and the badder the better it seems) too much in my lifetime to believe any of them. They are NOT seekers of Truth at all in my opinion. Same goes for people like Oprah, and *Al.

I don't blame you for being upset.

Yes, what happened to those people was horrible. It could have been much easier if local and state governments had actually done their job. Also, if the Fed. government had responded sooner. I believe the reason it has been so bad with this disaster is because of the number of people involved.

The quote "It was the criminals who made it awful!" supports something I read a couple or 3 days ago. It said that instead of moving the people who were incarcerated, they just let them go. Add that mix to the "criminals" who weren't incarcerated (there are always some) and you have major trouble in times of chaos.

I'm sorry if I have offended anyone by my statements, but I just couldn't seem to stop.

Shirley

[barbaranoela]

Needless to say, each morning I am ranting and raving here,in my kitchen

I am sick and tired of all the *finger-pointing* and some of the BS thats thrown around--

I was going to write our editorial section of the newspaper and sound off BUT Mr. Louie --waved--just waved- his finger # me and said *oh no U arent*
He understands my frustrations but once before I wote into the paper and the issues I wrote about called me and THREATENED me---that scared the hell outer me YET, Luce I understand every word U have said---

Those that arrive for the publicity of it and talk thru half the side of their mouth---

The TRUE news that we arent hearing~~~~~~~~~~~~


Thanks for the updated facts U keep giving us~~~~

luve Barbara

[Sally]

I have not heard these stories and I don't believe half of what I see and none of what I read.

So I have gone along in blissful ignorance thinking that the people of Texas must have hearts as big as all outdoors. Every one who has pitched in to help deserves a heartfelt thank you and the rest of the people can go suck on lemons. Or something equally sour.

Luce, if the people of Houston could handle one more individual, that is where I would like to come on my next vacation! Just to say thank you in person.

Lots of love,

Sally

[Umber]

I watched a little bit of Oprah today to see what was going on. I have to admit I was touched by what I saw. Julia Roberts sat and talked to people, hugged them, held their babies and listened to their stories. I felt it was genuine and was brought to tears a few times. Also, Matthew something or other (cute southern blonde guy) helped rescue pets that were being taken care of by a doctor in a hospital. He was working and hard. He helped get those pets back to their owners. Being a dog lover I would have been very greatful to him and the others who helped.

I don't believe all that the media says either. They are after a good, juicy story and will drag this out as long as they can. You take what you want from it and trash the rest. I think the way this was handled is awful and the people in charge should be ashamed. Those who exploit this situation for personal gain will have to answer for it. What goes around comes around.

Out of tragedy always comes good. Yeah, there is alot of crap but, there is also an awful lot of good going on.

Hugs

Lori

[Lucy]

Yes, Lori, I have to admit that I tuned in to Oprah this afternoon. This show had more to do with providing actual comfort to the people. I really resent the politicians setting themselves up to use this in the next election with the help of their multibillionaire buds. It's disgraceful.

Some of you have been through hurricanes before, particularly if you've lived in Fla.
What EVERYONE does along the Gulf Coast is stock up on canned goods, batteries, flashlights, bottled water, etc., so that you can survive without safe water, electricity, phone service, etc., for days. It's only been recently that the utility companies from miles in all directions show up to help, and get the electricity running fairly quickly.
We were always weeks, and some people months without electricity, and I forget how long before we were allowed to drink the water. I've been watching a local station of New Orleans that's now being broadcast from Houston for the benefit of the evacuues here. The choppers are STILL evacuating a zillion folks who are able to walk unaided to board. I really don't think airlifting water to those inside their houses would've been the first thing to do in most cases. Can't remember whether it was the California Highway Patrol from Sacramento, which is helping patrol the streets or the guard or what, but anyway, on this N.O. broadcast from here, one of the guys trying to get folks to evacuate from their homes surrounded by water said they were WELL stocked to survive in their for a long time without supplies. Not a healthy environment at all.

May be lots safer as they just said that all the many utility companies have managed to get the lights back on much quicker than anticipated. This should help in keeping the streets much safer. That being said, the streets of N.O. weren't all that safe to begin with. If anyone saw the Charlie Rose interviews last night, remember the guy who'd just moved there a little while ago, and shortly thereafter, a body was found in or near his yard? I think the criminals have pretty much gone scott free in that town for a good while without much fear of any type of punishment. Probably why half the police force knew to get out while the gittin' was good -- they knew what they were up against.

Barbara, know what you're saying about fear of writing to editorial pages. I've always wondered how safe it would be to comment on some things there. We have the usual big city problems and corruption. I actually met a lady once who was trying to fight the porn industry here single handed and she was threatened with the potential of ending up in a block of cement at the bottom of the bayou. Guess the net has sort of made all that a moot point now, hasn't it.

Better post an update on another post.
Yours, Luce