One of the things that we expect in America when a disaster hits is that local law enforcement will bring things to some sort of order fairly quickly. What happened in New Orleans was extraordinary. They have a 1500 man force, but many lost their homes, many were afraid for their lives because they didn't have sufficient force and many evacuated their families. It is estimated that only about a third of that is left. Personally, I don't think anyone expected that to happen.
From a transcript of an interview with a General Blum giving a press briefing on the situation:
GEN. BLUM: ...The real issue, particularly in New Orleans, is that no one anticipated the disintegration or the erosion of the civilian police force in New Orleans. Once that assessment was made, that the normal 1500 man police force in New Orleans was substantially degraded, which contributed obviously to less police presence and less police capability, then the requirement became obvious and that's when we started flowing military police into the theater. Two days ago we flowed 1400 military policemen in. Yesterday, 1400 more. Today 1400 more. Today there are 7,000 citizen soldiers -- Army National Guard, badge-carrying military policemen and other soldiers trained in support to civil law enforcement -- that are on the streets, available to the mayor, provided by the governor to the mayor to assist the New Orleans police department.
There's more, alot more. Michelle malkin has the whole story.
VW
Well, Duh!!!!!!
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that that when faced with the choice of "maintaining civic order" or rescuing their families, most chose the latter. Would you allow your family to drown in preference to stopping some kid stealing a TV?
That's what the National Guard is for. To maintain civil order in times of crisis.
Where were large numbers of national guard and their equipment at the time when they were needed?
I think we know the answer to that question...
Posted by: wolf | Monday, September 05, 2005 at 02:08
It's obvious wolfy, you've never been in the military or served as a policeman or fireman.
What would happen if every policeman, fireman and soldier put self above those they serve? Short answer: New Orleans Katrina aftermath
You also might ask Governor Blanco why she has resisted the Federal Help.
Posted by: Violence Worker | Monday, September 05, 2005 at 02:17
So you are saying you WOULD allow your family to drown in preference to stopping some looting. Wow, that must make your wife and 8 kids feel really loved...
Posted by: wolf | Monday, September 05, 2005 at 03:08
First Off, nothing is wrong with taking a FEW hours to ensure your family gets out safely. Once they are gone, you report for duty. You don't stay gone. What part of Duty and Honor don't you understand?
People had plenty of time to evacuate. The Governor and the mayor did not use all the means at there disposal. The Govornor has hertofore resisted any outside help. It wasn't until a several days afterwards did she ask for help from a multi-state pact.
Last thing Wolfy. New Orleans wasn't alone. Other communities and other towns were all but destroyed by Katrina. How come those cities in Mississippi did not succumb to the lawlessness of New Orleans?
Posted by: Violence Worker | Monday, September 05, 2005 at 08:45
Wolf: I am VW's wife, Stephanie. I felt compelled to comment since you decided to drag me and our 8 kids into your comments. I do not find this tragedy difficult to comprehend, personally. 1. I don't know of a local, state, federal government agency, military personnel, national guard or individual citizen that will EVER be able to overpower the forces of nature. If you honestly think that having national guard in the soup bowl of N'Orleans would make a difference against the power of a hurricane, think again. What I find absolutely offensive and insipid about this entire situation is the blame game. Bottom line:
Communities in other states affected by Katrina were able to put their evacuation plans into place. Unfortunately DUE to the incredible force of a Category 4 hurricane lives will be lost. While I certainly understand your frustration at wanting to blame someone...namely anyone REPUBLICAN or military-oriented, the cruel fact remains that the Louisiana local authorities did not adequately move their own people; EVEN forcibly, if necessary. Also: I would like to know where it is written (The Constitution? The Bill of Rights?...yeah)that we are unable to prepare ourselves for evacuation ON OUR OWN. We live a couple thousand miles away from N'Orleans...Hell, even I could see trouble brewing when Katrina was over FLORIDA! It does not take a genius to see that trouble was forthcoming. Regarding the fleeing of police power...One sees their family to safety; one does their duty. "Yours is not to reason why; yours is but to do or die." I hate the fact that lives are lost. I hate the fact that children have lost parents; that parents have lost children; that pets, confused and not understanding were left behind. I, for one, am as tired of all the bickering in this country over making this a race issue, a political issue, when simply stated: We have lost the pioneer spirit that made this country great. Most people are very capable of making decisions in their best interests. In the tragedy of N'Orleans, lack of planning, lack of IMMEDIATE LOCAL AND STATE ASSISTANCE, and the desire of a segment of people (don't you dare cry, "the Black poor"...poverty is NOT an indicator of choosing to commit crime; lack of morals is the deciding factor. Research it if you doubt my comment.) How about this for a scenario: What the Monica Lewinsky scandal did for President Clinton during the Kosovo "issue", Katrina will do for President Bush in overcoming the Cindy Sheehan "problem". Yep, that's the American Way anymore, my dear Wolf, bitch, blame, complain, do all we can to rip apart our nation through divisiveness. Way to go, dude.
Posted by: Mrs. Violence Worker | Monday, September 05, 2005 at 09:11
Whoaa, Stephanie!!!! Such hostility...
You're reading a LOT into my comments. First thing I'll say is I'm not a bitching, complaining American (yeah, go ahead, tell me I know jack shit and my opinion doesn't matter a damn..). You accuse me of wanting to blame Republicans and the military, yet YOU and Mr VW seem to be placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of the local police.
Yes, it seems like the local police and authorities did initially botch things (both you and I don't know what the situation on the ground was really like though..), but there was very little federal support forthcoming for days afterward. How do you explain that? The federal mission of the national guard is to "Maintain properly trained and equipped units available for prompt mobilization available for war, NATIONAL EMERGENCY, or as otherwise needed". "The President reserves the right to mobilize the National Guard, putting them in federal duty status. While federalized, the units answer to the Combatant Commander of the theatre in which they are operating and, ultimately, to the President."
Why did it take so long for the cavalry to come? Incompetence or indifference?
I can say as an outsider that what happened last week doesn't affect my life in any conceivable way. I am somewhat disturbed though that a Superpower that is able to wage war on the other side of the planet with seemingly unlimited resources, is unable to provide immediate care/protection for its most vulnerable citizens in a time of crisis.
As for the looting, yes you can blame it on blacks with low morals, but really what is more important in a crisis like this - people or property??? Does a fireman retrieve a widescreen TV from a burning building in preference to grandma?
PS. Thanks for your very detailed reply, it is very revealing!
Wolf
Posted by: wolf | Monday, September 05, 2005 at 22:50