Hurricane Katrina

[Logos]

A post about Hurricane Katrina (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT2+shtml/232359.shtml) ..

my thoughts are with any members and especially New Orleaners who may be affected by this hurricane :( I hope it is not as bad as it could be.

[mono]

How strange that I intended to begin a thread on this subject also this morning. :nod:
I send my greatest condolences and best wishes to friends in the Louisiana region. Luckily, meteorologists caught this hurricane relatively early enough to evacuate most people, but home can never quite have a good enough replacement.
Stay safe, and take care.

[amuse]

definitely hope that you and your loved ones are safe.

[Scheherazade]

Seems like even though the region is not hit as bad as they expected by Katrina, the aftermath is proving to be worse. Wishing a quick recovery and minimal loss.

On a selfish note: Hope everyone we know from the region is safe and haven't suffered due to the hurricane and/or floods.

[Logos]

There are some satellite images (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/new-orleans-imagery.htm) of the devastation at this site.

[Koa]

I just cant imagine losing all I have in a moment due to a catastrophe like this... so I really can't imagine how all those people feel... Hope it will get better for them soon...

[dejosc]

worse tragedies happen in other countries all the tmeand take up no-where near as much of the publics interest, it is just because it is 'the all powerful' america that such a big deal is being made.

not meaning to sound rude my condolences go out to the people concerned, its just that i am worried about the state of the worlds affairs that a thousand dying in America is more important than the millions dying in Africa.

[Scheherazade]

Dejosc,

It is not about countries; it is about human suffering and misery on the face of such devastation. The fact that it is in the US makes it only a little easier to record and broadcast it, which is why, I believe, it is shown so widely on TV. Also, the unexpectedness of it caught us all unprepared.

We can still feel sorry for people, the loss nomatter where they are. We cannot be choosy with our sympathy. Do you think Donald Trump deserves less sympathy than your next door neighbour simply because he is rich if they both get fatally ill? I would feel sorry for both of them.

[Aurora Ariel]

I've never been to North America but had heard about New Orleans before this tragedy.I had seen pictures and footage of it on a travel show once and casually thought I might visit that state one day if I ever went to the U.S.
There has been alot about this disaster in the Australian Media-in all of the newpapers,radio,television news ect.I was terribly upset by the news of so many unfortunate deaths and the poor citizens starving,dying,looting with no place to go-they showed shocking footage on the news earlier and it was all very sad.So I send my reflective thoughts and best wishes to our American cousins from the land down under(Australia!).

PS:They reported that the Australian government(Prime Minister John Howard announced just before) has donated 10 million in aid, so far, to help the victims of the disaster, and there will probably be some Australian-born charity helping out in the new future.There was many with the tsunami, so I think there will be many to contribute help to this disaster as well.

[Rosevn]

Perhaps, such a catastrophe has never been thought would happen in US. I just watched reports on Vietnam TV and couldn't help feeling heart-breaking as seeing people and things in chaos; losses and damages...accidents, disasters, starvation etc., are reported every minute in all over the world...there are always people dying of such the cases every where. Im not saying about the end of the world, I am saying about our world at present...my words are exaggerative, aren't them?

[subterranean]

Deep sympathy for the victims and their families. Sound so easy for me to say that things will get better soon, but I really hope they do.

[amuse]

I am amazed at the generosity of the Australian government - was with the tsunami, and am again now. What an example to the rest of the world.

[subterranean]

Speaking of Australians' aids, there was this case where an Australian named Corby, who is suspected as drug trafficker, trialed by Indonesia court, then sentenced to lifetime prison. Regardless of the controversies on the trial, there are many Australians, who sympathize with Corby, stated that they regret giving donations to Tsunami's victims in Indonesia cause of the Corby case.

[mono]

I just read in a local newspaper of my city (Portland, Oregon), that our governor intends on inviting roughly 1,000 victims of the tragedy in Louisiana and Mississippi here for temporary food and shelter, until some of them can find jobs, having to almost re-start their lives after the traumatic event.
If I have not started back in school, perhaps I will contribute some volunteer service, but I happened to wander past the shelter where the very welcomed guests shall stay.
Apparently several major cities have prepared similar plans to evacuate people from the area, as the whole region will probably not rise above water again soon, it measured at below sea level.

[America141]

My city is also taking people in. Having family from LA I truly thank anyone and anyplace that is aiding and helping. At times like these though I have faith in America (and the world) even though we disagree a lot a tragedy like this makes us come together as people concerned for other people

[Aurora Ariel]

Subterranean,
Shapell Corby didn't get a life sentence-she actually received a twenty year sentence.She was accused of smuggling drugs into Indonesia in her surf board, but vehemently denied it.Well, it may be true that many Australians believe that the sentence is too harsh, when compared with Australian sentence standards, I personally, would not withdraw my own donation to help the victims of the Indonesian disaster.I think millions of Australians still belive that this disaster, like the current one in America was an extremely unfortunate thing and many still hope that their own contribution help(even in some small way)the poor victims of this tragic natural event.

[Aurora Ariel]

Subterranean,
Shapell Corby didn't get a life sentence-she actually received a twenty year sentence.She was accused of smuggling drugs into Indonesia in her surf board, but vehemently denied it.The Bali nine(a collection of males and females arrested after Corby)are the ones who might have got a life sentence, though it looks like death right now.The newest Australian to be arrested, for having two ecstasy tablets at a party there, is actually a 24 year old model called Michelle Leslie-she was featured everywhere-in all of the media-news,papers,radio etc, but it seems she will only get a short setence compared with the rest.

Well, it may be true that many Australians believe that the sentence is too harsh, when compared with Australian sentence standards, but, I personally, would not withdraw my own donation to help the victims of the Indonesian Tsunami disaster.I think it would not do much to help the case as only the poor, vulnerable victims living in a wretched situation would further suffer.
I also think that millions of Australians still believe that this disaster, like the current one in America, was an extremely unfortunate thing and many still hope that their own contribution helps(even in some small way)the poor victims of this tragic natural event.

[Aurora Ariel]

....The first post was actually when I hadn't finished!I think the first previous post was sent before I had finished typing..that explains why half was posted before...sorry everyone-lol!;)

[amuse]

a few people arrived here in philly yesterday. i wish my uni would waive tuition - we students are donating to offset the students' cost who've relocated. they have more volunteers :) at the moment (at the temp. shelter) than they need, isn't that wonderful. have close friends from new orleans...mostly their family's safe, but some members are unaccounted for. i can only hope the best for them...

[subterranean]

Yes Ariel, final decision is 20 years. Thank you for correction. And indeed despite of the dispointments of Corby's case, I also think that there are still many Australians who are open minded enough to not withdrawn (or not even think to) their donations.

Welcome to the forum by the way.


Subterranean,
Shapell Corby didn't get a life sentence-she actually received a twenty year sentence.She was accused of smuggling drugs into Indonesia in her surf board, but vehemently denied it.The Bali nine(a collection of males and females arrested after Corby)are the ones who might have got a life sentence, though it looks like death right now.The newest Australian to be arrested, for having two ecstasy tablets at a party there, is actually a 24 year old model called Michelle Leslie-she was featured everywhere-in all of the media-news,papers,radio etc, but it seems she will only get a short setence compared with the rest.

Well, it may be true that many Australians believe that the sentence is too harsh, when compared with Australian sentence standards, but, I personally, would not withdraw my own donation to help the victims of the Indonesian Tsunami disaster.I think it would not do much to help the case as only the poor, vulnerable victims living in a wretched situation would further suffer.
I also think that millions of Australians still believe that this disaster, like the current one in America, was an extremely unfortunate thing and many still hope that their own contribution helps(even in some small way)the poor victims of this tragic natural event.

[Logos]

Speaking of Australians' aids, there was this case where an Australian named Corby, who is suspected as drug trafficker, trialed by Indonesia court, then sentenced to lifetime prison. Regardless of the controversies on the trial, there are many Australians, who sympathize with Corby, stated that they regret giving donations to Tsunami's victims in Indonesia cause of the Corby case.

Well I think that's silly. Travel 101, become acquainted with your destinations' local laws etc. ;) especially drug trafficking.

I mean she avoided the death sentence, no? I don't think that should have anything to do with giving aid for tsunami victims.

[PistisSophia]

It seems like we here is jinxed in the USA for reasons of our own demise; 9/11, Iraq and now Katrina's devastation.

Where will it end? It won't.........for if Rome can be destroyed, nothing can be safe, right, St. Jerome?

[shortysweetp]

Here is Oklahoma several church camps and places have been set up to receive victims and the uni that i attend has waived tution and fees and lowered admission standards so that any student displaced by the hurricane can come here and attend. Also there is a big concert at the football stadium every year and they will be setting up donation buckets (or something like that) and sponsor for it will be donating to he hurrican relief this year.

[Natalie]

I cannot believe this tragedy - and of course I could touch on the debate about how the government has handled this. But on the positive side there have been some amazing outreach and support offered by the citizens of this country (and others). I am from NC and I know several universities and colleges who waived tuitition, room and board to help students from the affected areas. I've also been to so many fundraisers held by folks who really don't have the means to throw one. And organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - they've apparently really stepped up to the plate - I read an article about how there are thousands of missing children and adults and they've set up a hotline to help in the recovery process - I just looked it up so I could include it just in case y'all know of anyone who this might help: 1-888-544-5475

I hope that the people affected by Katrina - and the cities - heal one day and find each other etc.

I also hope that all the pets get taken care of. That part is so incredibly sad too. Some of my friends are talking about adopting dogs and cats from the New Orleans area.