A very interesting read of the response timeline in the Gulf Coast with links to sources.

It's a list of things that HAVE been done (not what should have been done.)

The author seems to be doing a pretty good job of sticking with the facts based on reports by the Times-Picayune and a few other sources.

Reading most of the forums, comments from people, politicians, and many other "news" sources and editorials, you'd think that nobody in government (at least Federal and State) lifted a finger until a couple days ago.

My reaction- I didn't realize how much was and is actually being done. But I also am astounded and overwhelmed by the scope of this whole thing. It has been easy up to now to point fingers, but this thing is a lot bigger than anything I have ever heard of in my lifetime- in this country at least (i.e. tsunami, Cherynobl, ).

If they ever do have a commission study this, I think they will find that the $8.6 million spent to study and implement disaster preparedness in NOLA is still sitting in a kettle somewhere (or in some underserving peoples' bank accounts.) The Govt's of NOLA, LA and the USA have some serious splainin' to do.

On the other hand, there are also an awful lot of people not getting credit for the efforts they have been making even before the storm hit the Gulf Coast.

Side note- Another way to help- go through the closets and clean out the clothing that doesn't fit (you know you ain't never getting into 'those' jeans again) and find an organization that will get it into the evacuees' hands. Especially if you have growing kids. It's not all about money (although money definitely works too.) It's about what you can do.

I know this is rambling, but there were some kids on my block selling lemonade and popcorn this weekend with the proceeds going to the Red Cross. They were only charging 15 cents for each. As I stood an talked to them and their mom for a while about eight people came by and made a purchase. Not one paid less than a dollar for their small plastic cup of Countrytime. It was a bright spot worth sharing.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:

There were some kids on my block selling lemonade and popcorn this weekend with the proceeds going to the Red Cross. They were only charging 15 cents for each. As I stood an talked to them and their mom for a while about eight people came by and made a purchase. Not one paid less than a dollar for their small plastic cup of Countrytime. It was a bright spot worth sharing.

Thanks for sharing this, Marty. It is a bright spot.
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