Hurricane Katrina - New Orleans

I waited a while to get the full grasp of the situation before writing. I wanted to make sure I understood what transpired and what didn't. Here are my comments.

911 was not a tragedy. It was a terrorist attack and an act of war.
Katrina was a tragedy. It was no one's fault that it happened (the hurricane).

What transpired in the aftermath of the hurricane is a disgrace. Obviously, we were not prepared, however, we should have been. This horror these Americans went through was not one persons fault, it was a problem with the system. It was a problem with how it was dealt with. It was a problem caused by ALL involved, not just 1 or 2 people and certainly the blame should not fall squarely at the national level.

Here are some facts, these may differ from those printed in the news.

The Red Cross had trucks waiting at the superdome prior to the hurricane with food, water, supplies, etc... They were not allowed in after the hurricane because the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security (State level)

The Mayor of New Orleans had school buses ready to go to evacuate those that couldn't get out because they didn't have the means to. He refused those buses because they weren't grey hound coaches.

Many people refused to leave in spite of being told to. Whose fault is that? Yes, many had no means to leave. See comment above.

The federal government did not move fast enough. But neither did the state.

The storm's track kept changing. Originally, this level 1 storm was supposed to hit the pan handle of Florida after crossing Florida originally. However, it shifted, built up to a level 4, nearly a 5, and aimed for LA. Then it shifted slightly so New Orleans didn't get the center. Plans were made. Then the levy's broke. New plans were made, then the news of the massive destruction hit. Things took too long. There is no denying.

People made mistakes, it is a sad fact but true. However it was not because the people were black or poor or both. Why does Oprah, Jesse Jackson, and the rest of the Bush haters insist on making everything a race issue. Much to contrary belief, not everything bad that happens to African Americans is based on race. Help the people Oprah as you have attempted to do. Then let's find out what happened and why and fix it. Politicizing this issue is just plain wrong.

Bush did not cause the hurricane to hit New Orleans. The cause was not due to global warming and Bush couldn't have stopped this from happening if he only would have stopped global warming. Please someone stop this already!

In 2002, I forget who, I think a senator, wrote about a day when this EXACT thing would happen in New Orleans. He warned us all. No one listened. When I say exact, I mean exact. He wrote back then as if he were standing there today watching what was happening. I will try to get a copy of that.

Finally, what transpired in the superdome and surrounding area was pure evil. While I can almost see a reason to steal food, clothing, and other basic needs at a time like this when no one can get any, there is NEVER an excuse for raping children, stealing TV's, lighting fires, shooting people, etc. Never. Period.

America, learn your lessons. Let nothing like this EVER happen again, to anyone.