Florida Starts Massive Hurricane Cleanup

[seafan]

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. Aug. 15, 2004 — Residents left homeless by Hurricane Charley's 145 mph winds dug through their ravaged homes on Sunday, sweeping up shattered glass and rescuing what they could as President Bush promised rapid delivery of disaster aid.
With temperatures in the 90s and humidity that made it feel hotter, people waited with carts in long lines to buy ice. Supermarkets gave away water in five cities as more than 1 million people remained without power and 2,400 stayed in emergency shelters.


"It's as close to hell as I can think of," said Khoum Khampapha, a resident of Easy Street in Port Charlotte, as he looked around his neighborhood of gutted homes. "It's just breathtaking."

<snip>

The Federal Emergency Management Agency was sending teams of medical, urban rescue and communication workers; at least 60 semitrailers containing cots, blankets, meals, portable toilets, wash kits and other necessities; and truckloads of water and ice to be deployed in the affected areas. FEMA said the state has requested catastrophic housing for 10,000 people.

More than 4,000 National Guard troops have been activated.

In five cities, supermarkets gave away water and portable automated teller machines were being set up to distribute cash. Residents stood in long lines to buy water and ice.

"It's going to be awesome shock and awe that's our goal," said Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's younger brother.

<snip>

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040815_1099.html

[LittleApple81]

1. "It's going to be awesome shock and awe that's our goal," said Gov.

Jeb Bush, the president's younger brother.

WHAT IS THIS JERK SAYING????? These people are totally soulless and weird.

I guess he wants to sound optimistic, but it just creeps me out.

[Joanne98]

6. He said hurricanes didn't think linear, the other day.

I guess saying stupid things runs in the family.

[TrustingDog]

2. "It's going to be awesome shock and awe....

...that's our goal," said Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's younger brother.

==
huh?

[Sporadicus]

3. 'Shock and Awe?' WTF??

Why would Jeb even say something like that? It appears to be a total non sequitir in that context, and doesn't look like it even belongs in the edited version of the story. Why would he use a phrase like 'shock and awe' unless it's intended to provoke fear on a subliminal level?

[MuseRider]

4. Well, as if we did not already know,

they are both jackasses. Shock and awe? Gimme a bucket. :puke:

[susu369]

5. From the mouths of bu$hies

all of them can say the most twisted things — out of nowhere!

[seafan]

7. That comment from Jeb left me cold.

This whole bunch is just totally, frighteningly creepy.

[KayLaw]

8. What about George?

When he was asked about the political undertones of his speedy visit, he said, If I didn't come, they would have said I should have been here more rapidly, or almost that.

What a thing to say! He reduces everything to a big political game.

http://www.news-press.com/news/weather/hurricane/stories/040815hurr-bushvisit.html

[MuseRider]

9. They have played our country

like a giant team. Buying and selling the players, moving everything around so that nothing is solid and we are never certain about anything. They also throw curve balls (or hit drop shots) so much you can't keep up. They are most disgusting.

[deminflorida]

10. Your right Jeb...as the death toll rises Floridians will be in shock

and awe at how inadequate our disaster preparedness is in this state.