Dr. Masestri on WWL: Help is not here.

[barbaraann]

trying to transcribe from the interview:

He said he had his first meeting with FEMA today.

First water got there last night - it's gone now.

Other trucks in Baton Rouge. Doesn't know of any water resources.

We don't have any food for these people. (going to shelters)

people can't buy groceries and when they're hungry they will do what they have to

It's frustrating to have planned, talked, begged, pleaded that this could happen. ... It's hear now. ...

We are involved in a major flood fight Metarie along canal.

We hope and pray that the plan will stem the rising water and stop the breach.

Water continues to rise.

we never knew whether the water would stay in the lake or come into the bowl. It appears now the water is coming into the bowl.

We're trying to fill the gaps. We started about noon yesterday with various resources. We then started to build perimeters to fall back on.

Four fronts:
fill the gap
creating perimeters and fallbacks, building temporary levees
???

[barbaraann]

1. contd

The need resources and help with housing

People are told to get out and can't.

Anyone who has truck or airplane or resources to help call 504-349-5360

to people in parish - please stay in touch, you could be at risk
if you hear call to move follow the instructions and don't panic

Maestri is Dir. of Emergency Mgmt (Jefferson Parish ?)

Gov. apparently said NOT to bring boats down, that it hampers Natl Guard.

Maestri says to help with boats, etc.

[TayTay]

2. What is God's name is going on in DC

Where the fuck is the leadership of this country? How dare that blowhard bastard Bush go out and eat cake and prance around with a new guitar while portions of the United States of America drown in a disaster of biblical proportions.

There is simply no place hot enough in hell to put Bush and the Rethugs who have chosen this moment to abandon the people who elected them. They are out of tricks, out of time and soon will be out of office. As Lincoln said, "You can't fool all of the people all of the time." The Day of Reckoning for these horrible beings is coming.

[barbaraann]

4. Anchor just said THIS IS A WAR

n/t

[barbaraann]

3. Anchor after Maestri spoke: Looting is out of control.

Anchor repeats that MAESTRI IS STILL WAITING FOR FEMA TO RESPOND WITH FOOD AND WATER.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT HELPING. DR. MAESTRI WAS ON TELEVISION BEGGING FOR ANYONE WHO CAN HELP TO HELP. AND THE WATER CONTINUES TO RISE.

[notadmblnd]

5. I'm getting the impression that FEMA's job is not to provide relief

but to hinder it and maximize casualties. any one else getting the same impression?

[barbaraann]

7. or worse.

n/t

[spuddonna]

6. Where in the bloody hell is our Federal Govt?!

The National Guard from surrounding states should have been mobilized and on stand-by on SUNDAY... I watched WDSU's evacuation from their station yesterday, and the NG convoy trucks looked like they were just starting to come in... on TUESDAY!! I know there were about 150 NG in the Superdome for tens of thousands of people... But where are the amphib. vehicles to aid in rescue?

Where were the water and food supplies? People have been without water in some cases for almost three days! Where are the emergency shelters for the refugees?

People in Baton Rouge are being forced out of their hotel rooms because of FOOTBALL GAMES that aren't even going to happen!!!

Where did the Blackhawk helicopters go that were supposed to drop the sandbags in the break in the levee on 17th? Who the hell gave the order to divert them?

I'm sorry for the rant... But this is insane...