Latest info out of N.O. at the WWLTV.com "Katrina Blog"

[mcscajun]

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html

Some critical entries from this morning:

08:12 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Tom Planchet

7:49 A.M. - Governor Blanco: Four Navy ships headed to New Orleans with food and water.

7:06 A.M. - Governor Blanco wants the Superdome evacuated within two days.

6:20 A.M. - Governor Blanco: Estimated 20,000 people in dome and they will be dispersed around the state to rescue centers being set up. Situation 'unteneable' in Superdome.

5:55 A.M. GOVERNOR BLANCO: Stopping the looting is important, but saving lives a higher priority right now. Not sure where looters think they are taking the stuff since city may soon be under water.

[fasttense]

1. I wonder what ships the Navy is sending. I always liked the

humanitarian missions we got to do in the Navy.

[ohio_liberal]

2. USNS Comfort, USS Bataan, USS Iwo Jima

Those are the three I remember

On edit:

USNS Comfort is still waiting orders to deploy, USS Bataan is close, very close, and should have helicopters in the air today

[riverwalker]

4. waiting for orders

WTF?

[ohio_liberal]

5. Yup

It's still in port in Norfolk.

[egadsbrain]

3. Tsunami relief

I remember some of the sailors being interviewd during the tsunami relief missions. You could see and hear how pleased they were to be helping. Too bad more of our servicemen and women aren't getting the same kind of experience in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[KharmaTrain]

6. This Will Get More Dire Throughout The Day

The rising water not only isolates the city and that downtown area, but makes it more difficult to evacuate overland...a "flotilla" is going to be needed and soon. These people need to be taken out of the region, if possible...so the city can be drained and damage is cleared...that will take weeks...then and only then can services like electricity, gas and water will even be attemtped.

Personally I'd love to see some of these people sent to a tent city at the former Camp Casey...maybe the land will be available, so that meester boosh has to see these victims of his regime on his doorstep until their city is rebuilt and their lives given some hope.