Chatter

By mommychristi

August 31, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Wow, there are some insensitive people on here. My family lives on the TX/LA state line and there is a mandatory evacuation, so most of them drove towards Dallas last night and were stuck in traffic for hours and most hotels are booked. They had some serious damage from Hurricane Rita and didn’t want to take a chance with this one.

By Marge

August 31, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Fellow Americans, I am looking forward to the opportunity of helping those AMERICANS in need during this Hurricane crisis. It is nice to offer aid to another US Citizen for once rather than a someone in another country, whom will probably never give anything back to our country. THESE FOLKS ARE US TAX PAYERS FOR GOODNESS SAKES!

By Marge

August 31, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

“can someone tell me just how we going to control that trash coming in from new orleans” I am sure they say the same about you when you visit for Mardi Gras.

By Mike In Woodstock

August 31, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

All I have to say is “WHY BUSH WHY????!!!!”

Why are you unleashing yet another storm on these poor people? Didn’t you do enough damage the first time?

By itsme

August 31, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

I certainly hope we will treat the evacuees with the same kindness with which we would wish to be treated if we were in need.

By Voice of Reason

August 31, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

This unfortunate storm is the best thing that could’ve happened to John McCain; it keeps Bushie away from the convention. It might even keep McCain away!

I’m glad to see people getting out now. Life is more important than bricks and mortar.

And, though I hate to see New Orlenians affected again by this massive disaster, I vote that New Orleans NOT be rebuilt. Just post a sign in the ocean: “This is where New Orleans used to be.” Erect a floating mini-NO on a barge that can be shipped away in case of future storms.

Too many billions of dollars are spent rebuilding a city/area that is below sea level, people, and is bound to get hit by future storms. It makes no sense to keep rebuilding there!

Cherish your memories, but it’s time to let the city go.

By David

August 31, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

A few of my in-laws arrived this afternoon from New Orleans. Good to see them and meet them for the first time, I just wish it was under better circumstances.

As far as not re-building, that’s preposterous. It may be a dangerous place to live, but so is southern California, so is Miami, Key West, etc. Seattle even sits on top of a fault line, so no matter where you go, there’s going to be a potential natural disaster to wipe you out. When New Orleans gets re-built, we need to bring the Dutch in to do it. Half of their country is under sea level, and they do it just fine.

It’s time to rebuild it right.

By pray4thebest

August 31, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

I’m from Atlanta, but I’ve lived in New Orleans the past 5yrs for school. I was set to move back home in October, but because of Gustav that move may have taken place today. Despite all the negatives of this city, I love that place. It’s filled with so much culture, and once you get to know the locals, they are great people. I’ve formed some life long friendships since I’ve been living there. I’m glad my family and friends in Atlanta were glad to have me back home in one piece.

I’m very worried about what Gustav may do to New Orleans. Until it reaches land, I’m going to pray for the best, but I’ve already prepared for the worst. I Love New Orleans!!!

By JaxDawg

August 31, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

I have lived in New Orleans, I have family in New Orleans and I love the city. We are praying that all the work put in over the last three years will pay off tomorrow. To those people who say we shouldn’t help to rebuild, I guess we should tell the people Iowa that they shouldn’t rebuild Cedar Rapids, and those people who live in California near those fires - just don’t come back and if you live near the tornado belt - sorry can’t help you either. We all should live in Atlanta where nothing can happen to you. Oh yeah, what about those tornados a few months ago? And when the water runs out in Lake Lanier? I guess nobody should live in Atlanta because it doesn’t have a sustainable water supply. Give me a break people. Let’s show a little compassion.

By Del

August 31, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

I have been to New Orleans and I loved it. I didn’t get to see all of it on a tour, and when I saw it on tv during Katrina I was shocked. I did not see the people or the areas that were affected by the hurricane. Now I know that they were hidden from tourist. From what I have seen and read about the city, it is really in a disaster area of the country. No natural disaster has affected more people in the terrible way than the hurricanes that affect the Gulf coast, especially New Orleans. It was declared after Katrina that no one would ever live there again, but with the persistance of the people who have lived there all their lives, and the politicians, they were starting to rebuild. It is all for naught because the national weather bureau has stated that the occurance of hurricanes in that area will be frequent in the future, and more and more powerful. I think they should give up and let it sink, and give the residents all of that money that they are throwing away to keep it above water.

By Del

August 31, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

I have been to New Orleans and I loved it. I didn’t get to see all of it on a tour, and when I saw it on tv during Katrina I was shocked. I did not see the people or the areas that were affected by the hurricane. Now I know that they were hidden from tourist. From what I have seen and read about the city, it is really in a disaster area of the country. No natural disaster has affected more people in the terrible way than the hurricanes that affect the Gulf coast, especially New Orleans. It was declared after Katrina that no one would ever live there again, but with the persistance of the people who have lived there all their lives, and the politicians, they were starting to rebuild. It is all for naught because the national weather bureau has stated that the occurance of hurricanes in that area will be frequent in the future, and more and more powerful. I think they should give up and let it sink, and give the residents all of that money that they are throwing away to keep it above water.

By Kraw

August 31, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

storms like this are why I left NOLA.

I have family in Vernon Parish… looks like it will be a TS by the time it gets there. They should be fine.

I’ve invited friends to stay here if need be, but most people I know from NOLA are still emergency workers (like I was) and won’t be evac’ing

By Andrew Quinn

August 31, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

New Orleans is amazing; has plenty of problems but has some of the most faithful, loyal people in the world. I lived there for many years, taught High School there. Been back to gut houses and build homes throughout New Orleans for Habitat for Humanity. The spirit of God is alive in Louisiana, peace and prayers

By coley

August 31, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

I have to agree with JaxDawg. I am a New Orleans native and I love my city and the people. We are what makes New Orleans great, not the physical land. I love New Orleans (even though its messed up). I envy those who have the strength and can afford to rebuild. That’s what make New Orleans people different, not stupid. We don’t give up, we fight until the end. We’re like the Spartans. Never surrender! Even if our odds are stacked against us. It’s about honor, loyalty and heart. Hey, we still love the Saints after how many losing season?? lol

By Volunteer

August 31, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

I volunteered at a shelter in metro ATL when the Katrina evacuees were here. That was a terrible time. I saw so many desperate people. The shelter that I volunteered at had mostly uneducated, underprivaleged people who had been flown in to Dobbins as medically at risk. They had no family and no where to go. Many had lost family members. No matter what their lot in life, each one deserved to be treated with respect and kindness.

Sure, there were those who behaved as though they were entitled to handouts. But there were also many who just hoped for a hand up. I remember one gal who walked from the shelter up the street to the Macdonalds restaurant and got a job. She came back to the shelter after work and slept. She is a true inspiration. I hope she is doing okay now.

I pray that I’ll never find myself in a similar circumstance, but it could happen.

I’m standing by to volunteer again if needed at a Red Cross shelter for Gustav victims.

By Bronco

August 31, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Get the FEMA cards ready to send down. Its another payday for New Orleans. If a storm hit where I live and my house was already 17 feet below sea level. They wouldn’t let me move back. I suggest making New Orleans a land fill and when it is up to a safe level then let people rebuild. With the city and the war overseas it is going to break the US rebuilding these places. Sure there a few decent people there but the majority is on welfare, on drugs and a drain to our society.

By Rob

August 31, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

I agree. If the Dutch can do it, why cant Americans?

By Volunteer

August 31, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

I volunteered at a shelter in metro ATL when the Katrina evacuees were here. That was a terrible time. I saw so many desperate people. The shelter that I volunteered at had mostly uneducated, underprivaleged people who had been flown in to Dobbins as medically at risk. They had no family and no where to go. Many had lost family members. No matter what their lot in life, each one deserved to be treated with respect and kindness.

Sure, there were those who behaved as though they were entitled to handouts. But there were also many who just hoped for a hand up. I remember one gal who walked from the shelter up the street to the Macdonalds restaurant and got a job. She came back to the shelter after work and slept. She is a true inspiration. I hope she is doing okay now.

I pray that I’ll never find myself in a similar circumstance, but it could happen.

I’m standing by to volunteer again if needed at a Red Cross shelter for Gustav victims.

By bigred

August 31, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

I really feel bad for the people in New Orleans.Many were lured back by promises and good deals on housing and still,after 3 years there are only about half the populace pre-Katrina.The upside is there are less to evacuate and it seems we(Government,local and FED)CAN sometimes still surprise us and learn from past mistakes!It may not be as pretty as we would like and it maybe still has some tweaking but someone may finally have gotten tired of hearing that old saying,”Well,that’s close enough for gubmint work! I know that with anyone,wherever you are born,that is HOME!But,if Gustav does half as much damage as Katrina,I would have to be begging the people who bravely call Nawlin’s HOME to REALLY REALLY look hard at maybe finding a new home.Home is where the heart is someone once said.Please think about making another area of this great country your home.If you went to a bank and asked for money to build a house in a swamp how long do you think it would take for the loan officer to stop laughing?I have just saw a news report where there have already been looters arrested?When people that live in New Orleans don’t take it serious when they are told to leave,that staying behind and STEALING,yeah,I said it,STEALING,not LOOTING,STEALING from their neighbors during a vulnerable and devestating time,I have a very hard time feeling anything for the likes of them.Good luck and godspeed people of New Orleans!

By Denise

August 31, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

I was actually hoping for my mother, her husband,and her mother-in-law to evacuate here or to my brother’s in Baton Rouge. My mother does not live in New Orleans but where she lives on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi was completely destroyed during Katrina.

My grandmother and some other relatives who live in Slidell, LA have evacuated to Baton Rouge and Birmingham. Their homes in Slidell were not badly damaged during Katrina but they didn’t want to chance it. Some folks decided to ride it out like my mother and her husband.

My grandmother’s brother died this morning and we have no idea what is going to happen now. All we can do is pray that there is no or negligible damage so that we are able to lay my uncle away sooner than later. Imagine having to evacuate and losing your brother within 2 days. Imagine the uncertainty my family feels. Gustav doesn’t seems so important when you lose your family member but the uncertainty around Gustav is adding more stress to the grief.

For those who are so unsympathetic, I pray that you are never in the same situation as MY people are, being encouraged (or forced) to flee from your home to places safe from hurricane. It’s not so easy to just up and move from what you call HOME.

By Meme

September 1, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

I have family who moved back to St. Bernard Parrish about 2 month ago. We begged them not to go. Their homes were destroyed by the break in the levee. One group spent a couple of days on their roof and had their dog shot by the NOPD. We helped them come to GA. They got jobs here and bought homes. They were staying for good. Then they got homesick. I might could understand that except they were all here. I frankly think some of them missed the money they had gotten from losing everything in Katrina and wanted to go back to that ‘the government and the world owes me whatever I want’ attitude. (They’ve already asked for money from us) I don’t know where they are now, but I hope they are safe.

By coley

September 2, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Meme, go back to get money? C’mon now. I know some money hungry people, but they would risk their lives for a few hundred dollars.

Bronco, I’m sure you know that there is more to life than whats on CNN. And the news NEVER is news when there are positive people on it. Right? Majority? I am 27 year old New Orleans native and have NEVER known anyone who was on drugs. My people are college graduates, entrepreneurs, lawyers and doctors. I’ve never heard such crap in my life!

God forbid if Hanna decides to blow away overdeveloped Atlanta would you rebuild? And how much would that cost?? Ive been downtown a few times and it looks pretty new and damn expensive to me. At least New Orleans had the same buildings for atleast 50 years (lol, gotta laugh at that myself).

I agree that people should move back when they can guarantee that it is safe, but where else could they go? Atlanta? Texas? Tennessee? They are all great places, but frankly, they don’t want us. My neighbors here barely speak to me. God forbid if you say “Good Morning”, they look at you like you have s** on your face. I’m not the only person who experienced this here, that’s just one of the reasons people move back.

Have you ever felt unwanted and humiliated and treated like you are what Bronco so eloquently said “a drain to our society”. I have. We are all “those looters” on the news. Forget about the fact that I’m a college graduate, have a successful career and own my own business. I’m just a black, uneducated Nawlins, government handout wanting waste of time. Right? I grew up with a love hate relationship with New Orleans. I always wanted to settle elsewhere. Now that Katrina kicked me out and I have a taste of what its like to live somewhere else, I have a strong desire to move back. Even though they may look like “undesirable” people, they really are the most kind-hearted people you could EVER meet. Thanks a lot Atlanta for making me feel welcome in this “great country” of ours.