(no subject)

[ekaterinn]

As you probably know by now, the Red Cross isn't being allowed to go into New Orleans itself to provide aid, assistance and food, because they are being turned back by the National Guard for various reasons, including "it's not safe."
- twistedchick

This is more than terrible, it's ridiculous and tragic. The Red Cross is not being allowed to its job, and people are dying. It's become obvious that the evacuation is not going quickly, nor well. Why can't the National Guard accompany the Red Cross if it is so unsafe? I can't believe this is happening in my state. I can't believe this is happening in America.

ETA: On CNN, troops are now handing out food and helping people. I'm glad and grateful that some more aid is getting though as the evacuation continues. Things are happening, I just wish they were happening faster.

Comments

[lazzchan.livejournal.com]

o_O

Good grief... what the hell is wrong with the National Guard, where they are reacting in this way? How is the Red Cross supposed to help if they can't get to the people they want to help? Need to help?

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ekaterinn.livejournal.com]

To be fair to the Guard, they're presumably acting under orders. I just think that there should be ways both to protect the aid workers and allow them to give aid to the people still trapped in New Orleans. (And do read the linked post, if you haven't already, twistedchick has good thoughts and questions about this news).

[bejiin.livejournal.com]

Wow... yeah that also makes me mad. Earlier on LJ a lot of people on my friends list were posting blaming the governor of LA and the mayor of NO for the problems that have happened. I've wanted to smack them six ways to next Tuesday for the idiotic intolerant things that they have said. This does not lessen my desire to see the Department of Homeland Security (who has also been causing great levels of trouble at the CDC) knocked down like ten pegs and then reorganized and fixed to be an agency which is less like big brother and more like a public servant. And I think there might be a special place in hell reserved for Mr. Brown of the FEMA.

[ekaterinn.livejournal.com]

*nods* I understand that city isn't safe, but surely there's ways to protect the aid workers so they can do their job? Maybe I'm just too optimistic...

And I think there might be a special place in hell reserved for Mr. Brown of the FEMA.

Amen to that.

[alimaaneal.livejournal.com]

People are being shot and shot at. Rescue workers and police and fema alike. People who went out to rescue people with boats were given guns because people were stealing boats at gun point and leaving the rescuers stranded. Believe me, there are losts of stories that have not made the news. They are not giving the full situation because they don't want people more upset, but you cannot assume that CNN and other sensationalist coverage is presenting the whole story. The situaton within New Orleans must be stabalized before people are let in. Rescue workers are entitled to safety as well and to say the Red Cross can go in and deliver immediate aid is optimistic, but not necessarily true. We have had a constant stream of helicopters overhead because we are on an evacuation route and the only time they've stopped is when the helicopters were being shot at, so to say nothing is being done is misleading. It's a slow, painful process complicated by the fact that some people are using this as an excuse to behave badly.
Oh, and the Governor is in charge of the National Guard. Even if the president calls them up he has to call them through the Governor's office. At least according to a veteran who was also a guardsman.

[ekaterinn.livejournal.com]

You make good points as well - I just reacted to this on instinct. However, the Red Cross *does* operate in a lot of war zones, so...*shrugs* Read the linked post,if you haven't already; has thoughts and question about this news in a calmer manner than me. Also, I'm aware that the evacuation is going more quickly now, but it's been *five days*.

[alimaaneal.livejournal.com]

Should have had the guard ready to go before hand - this is what the guard is supposed to do - protect at home, but once the guard stabilized things, things began moving. First priority now, though, has to be evacuation, and one thing the military can do is move people. Get the people out now and have the Red Cross waiting to receive them on the other end. The Guard is bringing food and water. If the Red Cross went in, they would have to do so under the protection of the guard, meaning the guard wouldn't be 'escorting them' and that the Red Cross would have to listen to them because their safety would depend on it.
Joan worked for the Red Cross in Geneva and with as much relief work as they do, they could have amazingly poor organization (for various reasons of course, but really.) They do work in war zones, but not always very well.