The comments below were collected from the Katrina Diaries. They've been edited slightly for brevity, most of the proginators have given their consent to have them reprinted. They're brutal, they're real, they're amazingly ahead of traditonal media. Offered here on behalf of those who can now never be heard, so that we never forget them.
Sat Morning 8/27
Not to get too far ahead of the storm. But if/when this thing pops both N.O. and MS Gulf Coast, how soon will Bush end his vacation to tour the damage? And how many millions of dollars will he give to these states versus the fat checks he gives to Brother Jeb?[I am in NO WAY dismissing the damage done to Florida last year and this year, ok?] by Rainman on Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 03:59:55 PM PDT
Weather Channel just called it FEARSOME. The meterologist said "this one is really scaring me." Oh my God. by nyceve on Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 04:31:57 PM PDT
I live in Memphis. If you are coming up this way, and need a place to stay, I have plenty of room. Really, anyone who needs a place...contact me... by jeeugena on Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 07:57:52 PM PDT
We're in New Orleans. We're staying at the Hilton because they have a generator and special hurricane rates. by nolalily on Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 06:27:12 PM PDT
I'd urge you to reconsider if the storm stays on its present course.by jeebs on Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 07:01:44 PM PDT
If I were you I'd pack and get the hell out of there but I wish you the best. by smartguy11 on Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 09:24:55 PM PDT
We've decided to go to Austin. Maybe we'll get up to Crawford and visit Cindy. My love to you all and thanks again for your care and concern. by nolalily on Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 10:29:42 PM PDT
I live about 340 miles NE of NO. If any of you need shelter ... Have room for a couple in one bedroom, a twin bed in a kids bedroom and couches that could handle three or four more. by jimG on Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 08:48:47 PM PDT
Sunday morning 8/28
Wow. Cat 5, 160 mph. Gasp! by TheSwampDweller on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 05:49:10 AM PDT
I wonder if anyone has told Bush yet. Isn't he always awake for his early-morning exercise by now? What sort of prep have the Feds done? by Louise on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 06:11:06 AM PDT
Dear God Please save the only blue city in this red state. by RandyMI on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 09:25:55 AM PDT
The National Guard will step in. Oh, wait. That's right, they're otherwise engaged. I can't even begin to imagine the emotional trauma of a National Guardsman in Iraq watching Katrina bear down on his or her family back here at home. by sxwarren on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 09:04:29 AM PDT
Good God ... Speechless. by Plutonium Page on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 09:08:58 AM PDT
My god. There's nothing I can do sitting several hundred miles north of you folks ...Good luck, and do what you need to stay safe. by dmsilev on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 09:12:58 AM PDT
Donations. Relief will be needed. I understand money is best. What groups can we contribute to? I want to stagger down Borboun Street again, dammit! by calipygian on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 09:13:13 AM PDT
Sunday evening 8/28
I'm thinking about canceling my classes this Friday and giving students a pass on tests for next week, IF they bring me documentation that they donated blood, food, clothing or money for the victims of Katrina. I've been thinking about this ... I'm going to do it. by cookiebear on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 09:04:18 PM PDT
On the local news, they just asked the emergency ops guy what advice he has to those who stayed at home. His response: a few moments of silence and then, "Pray. I wish you the best. I wish you had left, so that you had a chance to survive. But I wish you the best." Jesus. by hyperbolic pants explosion on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 06:48:28 PM PDT
I wonder, if there is extensive flooding in the city, how long will people be trapped in the Superdome? Do they have enough supplies in case it's a week? They were even talking earlier today about no electricity ... by sanantonerose on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 09:45:29 PM PDT
Local news was interviewing people waiting in line at the Superdome. They were predominantly African American. The two people I saw interviewed basically said that they had no transportation, their only option was the Superdome. They basically had NO CHOICE. Sad, and inexcusable in the wealthiest nation in the world. Where on earth were the evacuation plans? by diana04 on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 08:07:05 PM PDT
Should have had a federal hurricane preparedness program. Oh the republicans are in power? That explains it. Now FEMA is but a political payback program for red states. by easong on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 08:01:55 PM PDT
Monday morning through landfall 8/29
Doesn't look like any last minute reprieve is in the works. Almost went to live in NO as a paleontologist for Texaco . Scary stuff. by memiller on Sun Aug 28, 2005 at 10:02:11 PM PDT
Biloxin getting hammered with tremendous waves now. Superdome roof "compromised"- with another hour to go before worst part of storm passes overhead. Pumps in New Orleans non-functional.by Kimberley on Mon Aug 29, 2005 at 06:21:34 AM PDT
Reporter staying at the NOLA Hilton said the building was "swaying like a tree house". by RandyMI on Mon Aug 29, 2005 at 06:25:08 AM PDT
Pray, it is all we can do. by RobertW on Mon Aug 29, 2005 at 07:04:27 AM PDT
Horrible and Tragic. That the resources and preparation weren't in place to fully evacuate everyone from the path of the storm. by robolywa on Mon Aug 29, 2005 at 07:35:34 AM PDT
Levies are breaking....the WWL coverage is breaking up, they have flood warnings...Breach at industrial area, 3-8 feet water so far...breakin' up, can't hear much...(industrial canal bridge?) by Barbara on Mon Aug 29, 2005 at 07:39:00 AM PDT
Hearing reports that the ABC affiliate in Biloxi just lost part of its roof and the staff has to evacuate. Also, WAPT broadcaster said at least one of the pumps in Nawlins is under water. Any science types know what that would mean? It doesn't sound promising. by CocoaLove on Mon Aug 29, 2005 at 07:44:25 AM PDT
I heard a report that there are some NOLA homes that have flooding up to their ceilings. by Buffalo Girl on Mon Aug 29, 2005 at 08:00:00 AM PDT
Tuesday, one day after 8/30
I wonder how much of the National Guard in that quagmire halfway across the world could've benefited this effort by now. by RobertInWisconsin on Tue Aug 30, 2005 at 02:16:11 PM PDT
Our government better get its ass in gear and get these people out of there or this is going to make the US casualties in Iraq look insignificant in comparison. by Marie on Tue Aug 30, 2005 at 02:16:21 PM PDT
My beloved city destroyed. Thousands of lives...destroyed. by jillian on Tue Aug 30, 2005 at 02:26:45 PM PDT
CNN has someone on from the Tulane Hospital. The hospital is surrounded by 6ft of water & the backup generator has died. by Rimjob on Tue Aug 30, 2005 at 02:27:20 PM PDT
I sure hope we're dropping life preservers to survivors where we can see them. Helicopters may not be able to get everyone out right away, but we can probably make sure everyone has life preservers while we're trying. by freelixir on Tue Aug 30, 2005 at 04:42:16 PM PDT
Where is the leadership? There are not enough troops there. They need troops to secure the City. They need every available helicopter in the SE to move. by reggg3 on Tue Aug 30, 2005 at 04:43:42 PM PDT
Wed 8/31 two days after
I don't have any words left, I'm too angry. by demkat620 on Wed Aug 31, 2005 at 04:49:58 AM PDT
It took me, as well, to hear a reporter crying talking about people screaming for help and dogs wailing and trapped in electrical cords to post yesterday's fundraising diary. And now it's with me - stuck there. by RenaRF on Wed Aug 31, 2005 at 05:20:06 AM PDT
[I saw] were two screen captures from yahoo news. One-a white couple walking through water with bags of food captioned: "people found food". Two-a black guy walking through water with bag of food:"looter. No lie. I felt physically ill. by JLongs on Wed Aug 31, 2005 at 05:53:37 AM PDT
NPR's coverage of New Orleans this morning lead with "President Cuts Short Vacation" to return to Washington. Oh and by the way the levees broke. by frostieb on Wed Aug 31, 2005 at 08:15:57 AM PDT
************************
Moving.
That last comment was made on Wednesday morning: Five Days after Kossacks begin warning residents to run for their lives, coordinating evacuee accommodations, updating the storm's progress, predicting with preternatural accuracy the devastation that would ensue, and organizing relief efforts. That comment was made hours and hours before a slew of hastily scheduled appearances of Federal Officials began parading across our TV screens alternating saying they were doing a heckuva job while whining that no one could have predicted this disaster or that the news papers on Tuesday said everything was OK. They were lying of course, lying blatently through their teeth. Lying Fucking Weasels.
Katrina was a disaster, the aftermath a nightmare, the response a catastrophe. I wish it had never happened. But I was so very proud to be a part of this community when it did and honored to be among you.
NEVER FORGET