The answer to Slave's question
 

Uh....no?

The answer to Slave's question
 

Ok. I was just getting my Spanky Of The Day in.

NOLA
 

Good luck to your family and friends there. I know a number of people from Louisiana and so far they all seem to be okay, other than the loss of property. Luckily, it seems a lot of people did evacuate (those who could do so, that is). It is devastating to see this happening to the people there and it is hard to feel so helpless. Is there even a timeline yet to get the levees blocked enough to get the floodwaters out?

It does remind me of 9/11 and of last year's tsunamis. And while I disagree that it is worth even characterizing which tragedy has a bigger impact as measured at some point in the future, it is alarming to know that this could happen to a large population center in the United States and that we could apparently lack the resources or the organizational capacity to deal with this effectively for this period of time. Incredible and sad.

NOLA
 

2. It seems like they should be able to be able to get enough buses there to take more than 2,000 people at a time, or whatever rate they were going at. And that they should be able to drop water and food and stuff more effectively.

And, even more so, that they should be communicating better with the people there -- a big complaint, and source of panic/despair, seems to be that no one is telling all the people trapped around/in the Superdome and Convention Center what is going on.

I'm about 3 - 4 hours behind on the news on this, though.

NOLA
 

Well, the whole people-shooting-at-them thing is really slowing them down.

NOLA
 

The were warned of the possibility of an insurgency before the storm, but they chose to ignore the possibility, instead arguing that the rescuers would be greeting with songs and flowers. They should have prepared for this.

NOLA
 

I keep thinking, "what the hell are they doing shooting at the helicopters?" but then I realise that if it was my child at risk, I can't say I'd be beyond pulling a gun and commandeering a chopper.

That said, I totally understand the folks who are looting for food and water and basic necessities, but get physically ill at the photographs of folks carrying TVs and blue jeans down the street. And I cannot even begin to imagine how anyone decides that raping someone is the best way to deal with the situation.

It's amazing that even with as much warning as we have these days from the National Hurricane Center, so many folks stayed put. Imagine what the death toll from a storm like this would have been like 20 or 30 years ago.

And I apologize for calling Katrina a pussy when she blew through my backyard last Thursday night. She turned into a full scale bitch.

NOLA
 

I wonder if this will be a wake-up call to Americans about the effects of having a poor, uneducated underclass without options, opportunities, etc. They're harder to ignore now, aren't they?

Probably not - the predominant response seems to be "Oh, screw them, they are poor and lazy and can't afford anything better. Just like in Haiti or Southeast Asia"

I guess that raping, looting (real looting, not taking neccessities), shooting, etc. are ways that people ravaged by conditions can take out their grief and despair. Sort of a "I have suffered - now I will make others suffer more." People will act like animals if they are given the chance and the motivation. That's sad.

How to help
 

http://www.click2houston.com/news/4915332/detail.html

I have a trunk full of clothes, diapers, and baby formula to take to the nearest shelter tomorrow morning.

NOLA
 

Do you really think anyone gives a crap about the "poor, uneducated underclass"? Do you really think I do?

Here's the thing that pisses me off about that mentality. There's a way out of being the "poor, uneducated underclass" in this country. Anyone can join the armed forces and bootstrap their way to a better life. And yes, I say this as the soon-to-be ex-wife of a US Army officer.

I think that a lot of the "poor, uneducated underclass" thinks they are entitled to a hell of a lot. And that sense of entitlement bewilders me.

On a lighter note
 

There is a receiver who plays for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs whose momma named him Craphonso Thorpe.

My resume isn't online.
 

What the heck kind of scam is this?

My name is Roger Smith and I am the manager of France
Creations Service Inc.. I recently found your resume online and wanted to get in touch with you. We are expanding our sales force by hiring applicants from a variety of different backgrounds and we believe you have the potential to be an excellent match.

We are hiring goal-oriented individuals like you right now. First year earnings, advances and bonuses can range from $60,000 to $80,000 for new representatives. No experience is necessary. We provide full training to help maximize your earning potential. If you wish to excel within a company that has a proven record of success, then I would like to speak with you.

France Creations Service Inc. has upheld a well-known industry reputation for financial stability and quality service for over 12 years.

If you are interested in working with us, or if you want more information, you can contact me directly at my personal email address. I'll need your full name and mailing address so I can send you the contract and other paperwork necessary to get started.

On a lighter note
 

When do you think the Saints will end up moving to LA and how badly do you think that the franchise will be fucked up before they get the fuck out of Los Angeles and head to greener pastures? The Texarkana Saints?

It is my understanding that the plan at the moment is for their home opener in a couple of weeks (against my Giants) to be played in Baton Rouge. Any bets on whether or not they'll ever play in the Superdome again? My guess is it is headed for demolition.

On a lighter note
 

It probably should be. Roof torn to shit, holes in the roof, rendered unsanitary by 10,000 people stuck there with no electricity or sewage, and the site of several deaths, apparently. They should raze it and start over.

On a lighter note
 

Agreed. It probably should have been on the list for demolition before the hurricane hit. Now it seems a no-brainer.

But a new stadium would take years even if every other building in the city didn't need to be rebuilt or repaired at once, no? To rephrase my question, where do you think the Saints will end up playing this year?