Topic : 08/29 Hurricane Katrina: One Year Later, Part 2

Dear mother of two precious daughters,

 

I pray that the God of all will give you the desires of your heart and that your needs be met.  We thank God for His Mercy and with the Mercy that your heart gives may God give you that same Mercy a hundred times over.  Amen.

Hurricane Katrina was a sad and tragic event, everyone made mistakes, from the citizens all the way up to the Federal government.  

 

I agree that the Government should distribute the temporary housing trailers immediately, aid in clearing the debris, and expedite restoration of power, gas and water.  BUT - the evacuees need to get off their backsides and invest a little sweat equity into restoring their homes and putting their lives back together.   They need to let go of the attitude of  "ENTITLEMENT"  and develop a sense of  personal responsibility at this point.   

 

 It was hideous that they stewed in filth and squalor with no food or water for so many days, but now that they are rescued, have been given housing, food, furniture and free utilities for a YEAR,  instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to restructure their lives and move ahead, they "squatted" and waited for the free ride to continue.   Currently, in Houston, the power company is cutting off the free electricity to the evacuees who are living in free housing because the funding has run out.  They are outraged because they can't afford to pay a deposit and electric bills because they haven't bothered to obtain jobs to pay their own way.    Houston has sponsored several job fairs, offered child care and transportation to the job fair site for evacuees, less than 10% of the evacuees attended.  They are all waiting for the Federal government to build them a new home, buy them a car and put them back on their welfare.

 

My biggest question in this whole scenario is, WHERE DID ALL THE MONEY GO???   FEMA money,  Red Cross money, United Way money, Bush/Clinton Donation Fund, and all of the countless fund raising concerts money?   For the first six months following the hurricane, you couldn't swing a cat without hitting some type of fund raising event to benefit Hurricane Katrina survivors.   There should have been enough money collected to rebuild the entire state of Louisiana.   WHERE DID IT ALL GO?????

 

 

Your interview with ex-Superintendent, Mr. Compass was the first interview with such honesty, compassionate and empathy.  I have read blogs regarding the treatment forced on Mr. Compass by Mayor Nagin.  But it was good to actually see and hear the comments of ex-Superintendent Compass live.

 

Ex-Superintendent Compass went through hell "WITH" the people from DAY 1.  He did not even go home to his family, he CHOSE to stay with the people of his city.  NOT from a hotel room high above the flooding, but down in the water where the people were.  His emotion was raw while he was reporting, things were happening fast and he was speaking with the reporters from his heart as things were happening.  Politicians learn how to say nothing while saying something.  If you are not trained in that way of speaking, then you will speak from the heart without tempering your words.

 

It was disappointing to actually hear Mayor Nagin say once again that Mr. Compass "resigned".  Ofcourse he resigned when given the choice to resign or be fired.  After 25 years of service, Mr. Compass did not want to loose his retirement benefits by being fired.  He should have been offered a month off with pay and a paid therapist.  Mr. Compass was traumatized and overwhelmed with the responsibility which no one in our nation accepted but HIM. 

 

I thank God for Mr. Compass and pray that God will restore all that was taken from him and bless him as God blessed Job.  Mayor Nagin will  get his justice because what seeds you plant will bring about a harvest.

 

Thank you again Dr. Phil for your report.  I can't wait to see this program again.

That's a horrible story! Do you have a link or something to that story, about the cars?

I also think it's unfair to purely blame the federal government.  The mayor of N.O. is a boob...sorry, but he is. Every time he opens his mouth he embarrasses himself and his city.

I am so sick of hearing about poor New Orleans and Hurrican Katrina.  New Orleans was not the only area affected by the hurrican, what about Alabama and Mississippi.  I understand that New Orleans had a lot of damages, but not from the storm.  The levee broke.  It could have happen with a heavy winter rain. 

 

I feel like the people of New Orleans are just looking for a hand out.  I am sure there was more the government could have done to help the evacuation go better but you have to put forth  a little effort for yourself.  I was not affected by Hurrican Katrina, but by hurrican Rita.  But you probably have forgotten about that storm, since it didn't get the new coverage that Katrina got.  I am still not in my home.  I am paying rent and mortgage.  My husband and I am doing everything we can.  Maybe I should just sit back and wait for the government to pay for everything.  Thats not going to happen. 

 

Holly Beach, Cameron, Lake Charles, and many many other cities were effected by Hurrican Rita and yet these people are able to help themselves. I don't understand why all that I have heard about for a year now is POOR POOR New Orleans.  Well the way I see it is,  if you can't help your self well shame on you. 

 

Final comment for those of you from New Orleans,  how about getting a job or two or whatever it takes to get your life back in order and stop waiting on a hand out. 

 

 

The President is the head of the country.  The buck stops and starts with him.  Did you not hear what Mayor Nagin said when he cursed on national television and then broke down and began to cry.  Or have you chosen to forget that?

 

That is when things began to happen.  Do you remember how many days that was after the flooding?  Bush is the only one with the true authority to transend red tape.  He could have called an emergency session of Congress and had the necessary monies and National Guard there to attend to the emergency.  Is that not what took place in New York after 9/11?

 

You state, "everyone should pitch in and help those in need...".  The question I ask you is, What have you done to help those in need.  Giving money to the government...Red Cross included is sometimes not the answer.  Take that money and get a group of people from your church and travel to New Orleans and pick two houses and repair them (as your home is) so the people can live in them and help them find a job.  Then go back to your home and I can guarantee you, your heart will sing with joy a year from now.

 

You stop griping...get out there and be of help yourself!

Dr. Phil,

First of all, I would like to say that it is a good thing that you were "In the House", as so stated by Mayor Nagin, pompously, in my opinion.  I didn't feel the warm welcome for you, but you stood your ground, and I say to that ...You  Go Dr Phil !!   Eddie Compass was forced to quit his job and Mayor Nagin can't even stand up and take his responsibility in this...which might be an idication to some/part of why New Orleans is still in the shape it is in.  We can all voice our opinions , talk if you will, make promises, but ultimately our actions are what prevails.  Eddies commitment, compassion, willingness to stand for what he believes, and showing his true human emotions and spirit, to me, far outweighs anything that has taken place here......One last thought...Eddie, "Maybe you should run for Mayor!!" 

Very valid statement and I trust that these events will be a learning experience. There are many variables that exist regarding the next steps to take and there are no easy answers. There are very few people who can relate or comprehend any of the situations unless they have experienced such themselves. I for one can testify. I grew up on the Gulf Coast in Pascagoula, MS; then took residency in Biloxi, MS and I now reside in Atlanta for the past 3 years. I have experienced past storms and I have also witnessed the present damage. My brother-in-law works as a hurricane relief/demolitian contractor and we have worked in various hurricane affected areas post-Katrina and some you never hear about post-Rita.

 

Here is what I cannot understand?????

 

The majority if not almost the entire focus has been on New Orleans. Why hasnt there been even coverage depicting the true realm and the total wrath of Katrina as well as Rita. The entire Gulf Coast was affected and you rarely ever hear anything of these other areas. Moss Point, Pascagoula, Gautier, Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian, Waveland to Slydell. How many times have you heard of these cities? These areas were greatly affected and some almost completely destroyed. These people havent been given an equal chance and yet they still continue to press on, rebuild or relocate and make progress. These stories need to be told, heard and seen to believe. New Orleans is an important part of the Katrina story as any other but it is not the only story and honestly it seems to be the only focus. How do you think these people in Mississippi feel? I can tell you. I have been in the midst of these people/families and I know alot of these people personally. I can tell you they are hurt but they press on. I would really like to see an expose on the rest of the areas that are being ignored and not represented as they should regarding this storm.

 

For those interested I have plenty of images of the MS Gulf Coast that will scratch the surface but no true comprehension can be reached without being present where these images where taken.

 

 

 

I can't believe what I was watching on TV last year. It reminded me of Andrew. I have some mixed feelings.

I blame the local gov and then the nat gov. Nagan failed! Then Bush failed! The state of LA has been aware of the levies. The local and state gov lined their pockets instead of correcting what they never really thought would happen. Shame on you!

 

We are so willing to help all the countries but the gov DOES NOT take care of those on our own soil. Regardless of race, creed or color, the average Joe does not get the help it used to when my parents were my age.

 

Granted, we are always taught to prepare. Katrina was a 5 for god sakes! It's like people of NO just sat and waited. They should have started 4 days out.

 

The first 72 hrs is the most important. We actually prepared again yesterday and were are waiting for Ernesto. I'm in Florida. I guess here we have had more storms so it's almost 2nd nature. The problem now is that Floridians can't afford to own their houses anymore. I know people having to sell because their payment went up 200 percent. They are selling and leaving the state.

 

There was just such poor poor planning on everyone part with Katrina. Residents had no way to leave. Then the levies broke. The problems just kept stacking.

 

My hearts are still with all the residents who were affected.

 

PW

It is never too late to help.  I too do not agree to send money to the Red Cross or other governmental agencies.  I have my reasons.  If you or anyone plan on a vacation, go to New Orleans, find a family who need help and purchase things they can use, eg. clothing, food, make arrangements with someone to facililate their living situation.