| mmm3587 |
09-01-2005 06:57 PM |
NOLA
Jesus, it sounds like shit is deteriorating pretty rapidly down there. I actually can't believe that this is going on in the United States. It's scary. Massive looting, lots of violence, rape, etc. I'll admit that I've always felt that New Orleans was a small incident away from this kind of situation - it's a poor city with limited robust infrastructure.
This is the first news story I've ever felt personally involved enough in (lots of family and friends are or were there - all are ok) to keep up with all the blogs and constant news coverage.
A few relatives sticking it out until the very end - they're dry, with minimal damage, weapons, probably enough fuel, a generator, quite secure grounds (it's a classic, old Garden District mansion that someone's grandmother's cousin bought for $1000 or something in 1918 or something) and enough food and water to make it all the way through. That seems crazy to me, but I think that they think that their property will be overrun if they try to leave. It's a beautiful old house, but I don't know if it's worth it. They are the right kinds of guys to do it, but it still all seems very Mad Max to me.
From what they have told me, things are probably a lot worse than has gotten out in the media. They said that there are dead bodies all around, and that there have been lots of carjackings and other violent crime. They have taken a few people in because they didn't think that they would be treated very well by any roving mobs - one woman was almost raped and she told them she should would do "anything" if they let her in. These guys are gracious, good people, so they rejected her offer and let her in and have been letting her use their phone to contact her family and share their supplies. They said that there is no media on the ground, as far as they can tell (they've only been out of the grounds once); they don't think that the mostly dry Garden District is that accessible from the areas (mostly overpasses and bridges and other areas, from what I see) where the media are.
Don't even get me started on all the racism on Craigslist. Before I found some blogs, it was a pretty good source for info; now it's like a Klan rally on most of the boards.
Anyway, I'm not a religious person. I guess I believe in Karma, whatever that is. But I certainly hope that they get things under control pretty quickly. I think that this story will probably live on in American history as at least as significant an event as 9/11. Whatever you believe in, please send good thoughts and prayers and all that other stuff they way of everyone down there, especially the people who are in far worse condition than my relatives.
mmm
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