URGENT FROM BOGALUSA...PEOPLE ARE F**KING DYING

I have been in Bogalusa, LA for the past three days and today I lost it...emotionally.  The pain and suffering, the bullshit by every fucking government agency from the locals to the FEDS.

I have managed to bully my way into the main command center and become friendly enough with the 'important' people, that I have been invited into crucial meetings that are affectionally called "OPEC" meetings because they are about draining/screwing Americans.

Yesterday I was with the "crisis manager" of Bogalusa, Tom Anderson...he's actually a detective in the sheriff's department and while he surely was nice, he's a lying SOB when it concerns what is TRULY happening in Bogalusa. More on the FLIP...PLEASE CONTINUE TO READ THIS AND RECOMMEND

I talked to FEMA reps, RC reps, State Health reps and the hospital folks and received the same "we don't need doctors or nurses to run clinics" (I've been placing medical teams)

Today at the Red Cross shelter, the doctor I traveled with...Dr. Ken Levine, was STILL seeing patients that 'didn't need him' when I left at 7 p.m.

There is NO MEDIA HERE...PLEASE KOSSACKS, GET ME MEDIA...THE NATIONAL KIND NOW.

I went to check on my little 80 year old ladies today and stopped at another house with TWO TREES still through it and the couple living there...14 days AFTER the hurricane hit, they put a sign out on their lawn that said "this is how the government treats you"...FEMA went there the next day, gave them a $2k check and wished them good luck.  

These people sent their kids to Texas and want to go there...it's a town south of Houston, the name escapes me now.  These people have NOT seen the RC and scavange for food/water. She drove for an hour and waited in line for 9 hours to fill out the paperwork for getting RED CROSS vouchers and then was given a NUMBER and told to come back on MONDAY.  Now you might think, well they must be in the middle of no where...WRONG, these people are on the ROAD THAT ALL THE GOVERNMENT agencies take to the main control center at least 10 times daily.  FEMA never even got people to remove the trees off their roof, they had FRIENDS show up finally.

At my little 80 year old ladies home, I find out they haven't seen the RED CROSS for 2 days and they were out of food and water and needed medical attention and meds.  I got them all of that.

While there, their young neighbor talked with the photo journalists who requested I talk to him and I find out that the RED CROSS REFUSED to talk to him, much less help him.  This is a 36 year old man who has a wife with POLIO and they are living in a church with NOTHING.  FEMA won't talk to them, they have no phone, etc.

So KOSSACKS, here is the low down from here and what I am praying you will do.

1.  Contact the press and get them to come here and use me as their 'point' person so I can show them the 'real' shit.
   
2.  Contact the RED CROSS and ask them where the fuck the $700 million is going, cuz they sure aren't helping the folks much here.  Sure, they have shelters and soup kitchens, but that is that.  The shelters may or may not have food or sundry items.  I actually took a load of things to the one here today because they didn't have stuff.
   
3.  Start a ruckus, make all of these entities accountable.
   
4.  Texas KOSSACKS, get me a house for this one couple, they are poor, but they are wonderful.
   
5.  Help me get a home in Bogalusa for the man (Lucky) with the wife with polio.
   
6.  Mediate/pray that I will have the strength to continue.

I will be able to use this computer and the dial up connection each evening for the next few days.  I PRAY YOU WILL RECOMMEND THESE DIARIES.  

The situation is horrible here, 85% of the powerlines are down, thousands of homes are destroyed.  Animals have died, more are displaced or abandoned...I am horrified.

CALL ME if you need to.  The church where I am staying at night has good cell coverage...during the day in Bogalusa, it's hit/miss.

619.213.2762

If you can't or don't want to contact the press CALL ME WITH DIRECT NUMBERS PLEASE.

THank you.

In Peace and horrified.
Barbara SUNDAY A.M. It is 6:30 a.m. and I'm going to head to Slidell for a few hours and then get back here and may go up to Bogalusa to check on 'my' folks and bring them some things. Jim and Linda Creel, 1002 West Tenth, Bogalusa, LA are the couple who said they would go to Splendora Texas. Lucky Pope and his wife (with polio) are the other couple Miss Rosie and her sister are my '80 year olds'. URGENT: Missing woman. Ashley N. Dones, DOB 11/6/86, black, 250 pounds. Mother is Lisa Lewis. She was taken on a separate bus out of SLIDELL (by the RED CROSS apparently) and no one has heard from her or knows where she is. The Red Cross hasn't a clue with her bus went, they THINK it went to the DAYTON OHIO area. I know there are message boards for missing people. FEMA supposedly has begun 'community sweep teams' with the purpose of going DOOR-TO-DOOR to 'assess' the needs of people and get them registered with FEMA. Interestingly they have ONLY 24 teams and a pretty large parish. They won't be out until this week. Am trying to get names/numbers of the FEMA 'leaders' for that. Supposedly these are paying positions folks. I have heard that a 'BOBCAT' is worth $1000/day paid by FEMA (us), flatbed trucks something like $500/day. Then it seems the contractors try to collect additional money from homeowners, many poor. It just gets better. Please continue to pressure politicians in this area. This is Distric 12...I have the State Senator (not US) business card somewhere...Ben Neevers comes to mind...start CALLING HIM, let him know that Barbara from Oceanside needs to talk to him and give him my number. I met him at the "OPEC" meeting, I LIKE the guy...he told me to CALL HIM if I saw things that the others claimed were 'fine'.... The congressional guy (probably state) is Mr. Richey...he didn't have a card with him...he was okay, but not much of go getter. Well, I am off. I will attempt to beg for this computer later. THANK YOU.

•  You'll be in my thoughts.

   You're right, there are so many smaller gulf coast communities that are suffering terribly with no one to see. Good luck.

  by high uintas on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:42:18 PM PDT

  •  this town is about 40 mi north

    of Lake Ponchartrain.  Damage this severe got that far north...that's pretty amazing!  And gives a notion about serious the situation is in areas that have been ignored by the media, the government, and the NGOs.

    by billlaurelMD on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:46:05 PM PDT

    •  40 miles is spitting distance

      for a huricane that was hundreds of miles wide. Hell, the eye itself was about 20 miles wide. The inland areas were only spared the surge, not the winds.

      A vast area of the south was devastated and all we see through the tunnel vision of the MSM is New Orleans.

      by MarkInSanFran on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 10:59:00 PM PDT

      •  Damage

        400 miles wide apparently I was told.  You have the swath of the hurricane that tore trees and poles OUT of the ground, then the tornados SNAPPED trees and power lines, etc.

        by Barbara on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 04:55:29 AM PDT

        •  UPDATE Just got off the phone with Barbara

          She was driving the Slidel while were were talking.  There is so much but here are some topline points she made:

          1. Her Grandparents were from New Orleans.  She used to spend her childhood there and used to camp in Slidel.
             
          2. She is very qualified to speak to issues of government response.  She has long experience in victims rights.
             
          3. She has been in Bogalusa as you know, but also Baton Rouge and today Slidel.
             
          4. Essentially she is going from place to place to see if people who need help are getting connected with help that is on the ground.
             
          5. She is finding that FEMA officials are essentially ineffective and basically not administering help outside the confines of Red Cross shelters.
             
          6. The above means that like the 80 year-old Sisters she describes there a lot of elderly people who don't drive and have no resources who are essentially being left in their homes with no assistance.
             
          7. She is trying to coordinate services to anyone who seems to have been left out of the loop, but is encountering push-back from all Federal officials.  She is no wall-flower.  I can only imagine what it must be like to be a victim of this storm and to have to fight for help in the wake of it.
             
          8. Barbara has been travelling with two photojournalists who will be posting images including pictures of the sisters.  She is also getting her 35mm film developed and hopes to have those pictures up within the next three days.
             
          9. She arrived in Slidel at the end of our hour-long conversation and while we were still on the phone she met a group of people who said they still had not seen any official assistance.  In Slidel!!!!

          ACTION ITEMS:

          I have passed along the WWL radio phone number to her. I have no contacts there, but she is going to try to get on that station.  I will be working on a couple of other media contacts I do have today.

          Anyone who has media contacts please pass them along to her or me if you can't get her.  

          She has been to numerous areas and has a lot of information and anecdotal stories from the people she has met.  

          The recurring theme of her first-hand experience on the journey seems to be that the Federal assistance is very limited or simply non-existent.  Again the weak and the poor are being ignored and left behind.

          There is a troll who called her and left a threatening message just so everyone knows.  Disgusting in light of her heroism really.  Really disgusting.

          Also call your Congress critters tomorrow and ask that they work to protect the most vulnerable in our society.  They are still getting left behind!

          She is a Cali constituent so Cali people have an angle with your Senators and Reps here.

          Finally, I have to say that she is one hell of a human being and I was incredibly impressed with her courage and dedication in trying to help the victims of this storm.  Let's help her to make even more of a difference.

          Thanks to all.

          by inclusiveheart on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 08:17:12 AM PDT

          •  Anything WE can do in TEXAS?

            if you let us know specific steps, being in Houston me & the local Texas KOS guys may be able to do something for them here.

            not speaking in terms of media but perhaps local housing, directions, shelter info, etc...

            thanks for all your work...

            Bush, What Price Did You Pay?

            by krazypuppy on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 08:27:19 AM PDT

            •  She mentioned an elderly couple in her Diary

              who want to get to their family.  Any ideas or rides or whatever for that probably would be good.  They want to get to somewhere near Houston!  You may just be able to help out :)

              Barbara says she'll be back at the church later this afternoon.  Call her.

              Also your local media in TEXAS could be very helpful in starting the ball rolling for the overall issue of the many people who are being left behind.  AGAIN!!!

              FYI a lot of the people in LA who have seen no media are under the impression that it is the state and locals that are to blame.  They don't understand what they were supposed to have gotten.  Houston media would be helpful in clarifying the responsibilities of the Feds and exposing the utter failings.

              Thanks.

              by inclusiveheart on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 08:42:41 AM PDT

              •  MONDAY UPDATE

                The land lines have gone down again in Bogalusa and cell service has gotten worse.

                Barbara will call everyone back just as soon as she can get to a place where she can call.

                by inclusiveheart on Mon Sep 19, 2005 at 08:53:45 AM PDT

    •  The Red Cross is NOT IN LOUISIANA

      I'm in Louisiana and you CANNOT get Red Cross disaster relief monies in Louisiana. You can go to just about any city in the country and get aid from the Red Cross EXCEPT in Louisiana.

      The Red Cross in Louisiana says they are "not set up to handle disbursing of funds." This poster is right. You have to call a telephone number, which is always busy, and apply and then hope money comes.

      However, my friend refugeed to Ft. Lauderdale and simply walked up to a the Red Cross and got aid there.

      I told the Red Cross in Lafayette and Baton Rouge this and they said people have to go to Houston or any other major city because they are not set up to handle this.

      People from all over the world are giving money to the American Red Cross to help Louisiana people and the Red Cross is NOT disbursing money IN Louisiana unless you call and register on a telephone number which cannot be accessed... it stays busy.

      This is an outrage and the local media is covering this but NOTHING from the National Media.

      by Bidabunch on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 12:49:45 PM PDT

      •  Part of the problem--

        And I'm getting this from a fire fighter friend of mine who just returned from New Orleans, is that many of these small towns in Louisiana were remote to begin with and after the storm, a lot of the roads are simply impassable.  The Red Cross is setting up in big cities but can't get to the small towns.  You can't compare Ft. Lauderdale with some of these little, out-of-the-way Louisiana towns.  

        At a time like this coordination between the National Guard, state officials, military and Red Cross would be helpful.  It's a damn shame that after three weeks, they can't seem to get their act together to bring help to folks that need it.

        For all of us observing this, these are the things to keep in mind next time officials give you notice to evacuate.  And those of us in any sort of planning capacity must now be more fully aware that the folks who will be left behind in a disaster are ones who have big needs to begin wtih.

        by suzq on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 01:27:16 PM PDT

        •  Roads...

          Impassable roads were no doubt an issue the first 10 days, they are now driveable for the most part everywhere as the electric guys are having to clear everything to put more poles and string wires.

          Talk about amazing humans...there are electrical teams from all over and they are kick ass...

          by Barbara on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 03:36:03 PM PDT

          •  You are the Barbara of the diary?

            Anyway, I wrote an email to Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! a few hours ago. She has one of her investigative journalists/producers in NO/LA, Jeremy Scahill. He has been taken around St Bernard Parrish, I think, by a local activist, Malik ... And she has been there and has had other crew members there doing many nonMSM takes on the story. She is staying on the story and digging deep for exactly the sorts of injustices and screw ups described in the diary as can be seen from her recent shows' archives.

            CONTACT DEMOCRACY NOW!

            Comments or story idea? [e-mail]

            Send mail: Democracy Now!
            PO Box 693, New York, NY 10013

            Call us: [phone]

            Fax us: [phone]

            by NYCee on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 06:32:39 PM PDT

          •  Oh yes, of course you are that Barbara ... Uh huh!

            I just clicked your name, and, of course, typing is just the same. Dont mind me, in a rush here to go out.

            Anyway, if anyone will show the extreme and critical nature of the dilemma that is making you "crazy' with frustration right now, DN will. You are probably well aware of the show. It isnt MSM, but it is shown all over, more and more, and Amy gets congress critters on her show ... and lots of other people IN THE NEWS (and news business) ... Might be worth a try.

            Good luck. You are really doing a great thing, and it seems you love helping, although surely not against such stupidity and bungling.

            Keep on keepin on, and thank you! Tell your folks there we are thinking of them and trying to help ... and to keep on keepin on, too. :-)

            by NYCee on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 06:43:04 PM PDT

  •  And of course...

    ....according to Haley Barbour, everything is just peachy.
    

    by Dem In VA on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 03:08:28 AM PDT

  •  Do you have a camera or cameraphone?

    If so, take and post photos!

    by pontificator on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 05:09:56 PM PDT

•  Recommended.

  Your diary highlights what i love most about this site... In addition to debate, it gives us all an opportunity to act on our concerns.

  I am calling the red cross first thing monday!

  by LawSkoolPunk on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:43:31 PM PDT

  •  Red Cross Data:

    Red Cross Site
    

    
    Bogalusa LA,
    Red Cross Chapter
    Southeast Louisiana Chapter
    Address: American Red Cross
    Southeast Louisiana Chapter
    2640 Canal Street
    New Orleans, LA 70119
    E-mail: [e-mail]
    Phone: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    Web site: http://www.arcno.org

    Your Blood Services Region
    The zip code that you entered is not serviced by an American Red Cross Blood Services Region. Please call 1-800-GIVELIFE (1-800-448-3543). If you are still unable to locate an American Red Cross Blood Services Region, please contact America's Blood Centers at 888-USBLOOD (888-872-5663) or your local American Red Cross chapter to find other locations to donate blood.

    NATIONAL REQUESTS ONLY
    CALL: Disaster Public Affairs
    Phone: [phone]

    snip
    American Red Cross National Headquarters
    2025 E Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20006
    Phone: [phone]

    snip
    MEDIA REQUESTS ONLY.
    Public (private citizen, business, or student) requests, send email to [e-mail]
    The American Red Cross is in virtually every community in the United States and in many around the world. For broadcasters, this means tremendous opportunities to localize your news. Many of the more than 1,000 Red Cross chapters, Blood Services regions and stations have personnel immediately available to help meet your media needs. You can find your local Red Cross at www.redcross.org or by checking the white pages of your local phone directory.
    If you are a member of the national media, please call 202-303-5551.

    Snip

    [page re Hurricane survivors]
    The toll-free call center will provide financial resources and referrals to services for hurricane survivors across the nation. Families in need can access this program by calling 1-800-975-7585<> beginning at 9:00 a.m. EST Sunday. To apply for aid, victims calling in must be ready to provide their name, pre-storm address, ZIP code and home telephone number to call center agents. Callers must be prepared to write down a client identification number which they will take to a financial institution in their new community to receive the support.

    I really pray something above is of worth
    

    by DianeL on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:36:41 PM PDT

    •  With all due respect

      I have a friend locally who was in a hurricane, bad, in the south when in college. She says do NOT rely on the Red Cross. Do NOT send donations to them, do NOT expect them to help.

      She says, find a local person you trust, and send money/things directly to them to distribute.

      I would tell you the rest of her story but rather long. Involves Red Cross storing a bunch of donations in a warehouse, and saying that they weren't going to distribute them for DAYS until they "organized" them.  Someone got a key to the room, and they gave the stuff to people who had NOTHING but their clothes, were hungry, and had lost homes and family members.

      I have heard the same from others in the area.

      So -- I'd try Michael Moore's site:
      http://www.michaelmoore.com/
      He and others are at "Camp Casey Covington"

      and MoveOn's site
      http://www.hurricanehousing.org

      And/or send $$ to this diarist directly.

      by AllisonInSeattle on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 10:04:59 PM PDT

      •  The Red Cross Numbers

        Are there because Barbara asked that people call and ask what the problem is.

        If forced by pressure to respond they have far more resources than smaller organizations.

        by DianeL on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 10:25:38 PM PDT

      •  The Salvation Army

        actually does things for the victims.  The Red Cross is a money collecting, administrative machine.

        http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

        Survivors Needing Assistance:

        > Please call 1-888-363-2769.

        Additionally, the website has a lot of links to other sources of help.
        

        by LIsoundview on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 02:35:55 AM PDT

        •  In Wise County, Texas

          The Salvation Army will refuse to help unmarried couples no matter how desparate they are.  I have witnessed this with my own eyes!

          by TXsharon on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 06:12:29 AM PDT

          •  And in my area,

            The Salvation Army will refuse to help unmarried couples

             homeless women in their shelters.  

            by colleen on Mon Sep 19, 2005 at 05:54:05 AM PDT

        •  no...different focus

          the Salvation Army actually collects items for distribution.  The Red Cross doesn't--they deal with "mass care", caring for people at shelters.

          From their website:

          Why won't the Red Cross accept small, individual donations or collections of items such as clothing, food or cleaning supplies-doesn't every little bit help?

          The Red Cross does not accept individual donations of material items (called "in-kind" donations) because receipt of such items can actually hamper relief efforts. The financial and personnel cost of receiving, sorting, transporting goods and ensuring the quality and cleanliness of items donated by individual households is very high. It does not allow for individuals and families to receive what they uniquely need in their own size and shape.

          The traditional method of providing Red Cross assistance is with a voucher, redeemable at local stores and paid for with donation dollars, that enables victims to purchase what they need in the correct sizes and in accordance with their own taste. Making even these small decisions helps individuals begin to take control of their lives and their recovery. In addition, this process helps channel money into the local economy and thus aids the community in recovery from disaster. The Red Cross does accept large corporate donations of food, bottled water and other items needed by the disaster-affected communities.

          Allison--which Red Cross chapter accepted items, and then spent limited resources to store them in a warehouse?  Generally the storage space they have is used to house people, not donated goods.  I'd like to look into this further if you can tell me where this happened.  

          by willowby on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 07:53:27 AM PDT

          •  Here in the Florida Panhandle

            We have a few shelters set up by the Red Cross in churches and VFW halls. The Red Cross had ads on the local radio stations and articles in the local paper requesting donations of goods for these shelters, such as new blankets, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, and shampoo.

            They've been storing the surplus donated items in semi trailers in the parking lots. The largest shelter in my town, in which the Red Cross is caring for about 400 evacuees, now has three semis filled with goods in its parking lot. Recently, they asked that people please stop donating goods, as they're running out of room to store it.

            I was surprised that the Red Cross asked for this stuff, wondering what they're doing with all the money I and others have donated if they're not providing these kinds of things.

            by chantedor on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 09:19:02 PM PDT

          •  Vouchers

            Meant to comment on this too. I recently took a bag of clothing to the local Goodwill, where the lady told me to take it over to the larger Red Cross shelter instead. She said they're giving people vouchers for clothing at Goodwill, but they're only allowing them two items of clothing--just two items!--per person. She was concerned that these people had only the clothes on their backs and now were only being provided with basically one change of clothing (shirt and pants, or whatever, constitutes two items). So she told me that if I took the clothes directly there, the people could take more of them.

            At the church, the Red Cross people running the shelter said they didn't have much room to store or manpower to sort used clothes, but they did have several bags of them up on the stage of the auditorium housing the people. And since I mostly had shorts and summer tops, she told me to go ahead and leave them, and the evacuees could browse through them.

            Seems like this voucher system isn't doing people a heck of a lot of good, if they're only allowing two items of clothing per person.

            by chantedor on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 09:26:24 PM PDT

            •  actually in training they distingush between

              the immediate items provided (in the first day or so)--which would include an initial change of clothing, hygiene items, etc. and longer term relief.

              For long term, the last I heard, it was going to be a debit card with a certain amount of cash per family member.  It can be used to buy clothing and other needed supplies.  At the time the evacuee is able to move out of the shelter into an apartment or house, he may be given more to buy household items like sheets and towels.  

              It sounds like from what you say that each shelter may have different procedures and needs...I suppose if the storage space is available at the local site then they'll (hopefully) make good use of it.

              Just found out that I won't actually be at a shelter in Montgomery, but moved around as new shelters are opened and closed in MS and LA.  If I get the chance to get online I'll comment more about what is actually provided.    

              by willowby on Mon Sep 19, 2005 at 09:07:24 AM PDT

        •  Where does the money go?

          
          Can anyone quote a Red Cross official who has given a straight answer to the question:  Does all the money go to disaster victims?"  I have seen them interviewed and concluded they are master dissemblers.

          by Lying eyes on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 07:56:23 AM PDT

          •  numbers as of yesterday...

            can be found here:

            September 17, 2005 - The American Red Cross is responding to an unprecedented natural catastrophe and devoting every resource to this humanitarian relief effort. The American people can be confident the Red Cross will spare no effort to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors.

            Situation Updates: This disaster relief operation is constantly changing. All numbers are approximate.  Please note the date of last update when using facts or numbers in news stories.

            Sheltering Operations-
            Since Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the Red Cross has provided more than 2.2 million overnight stays in 902 shelters across 26 states and the District of Columbia. On Friday night, the Red Cross housed more than 49,000 Hurricane Katrina survivors in 250 shelters.

            Relief Workers-More than 129,000 Red Cross workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to Katrina. During this effort, the Red Cross has trained an additional 74,000 people in specialized disaster relief skills.

            Feeding Operations-The Red Cross, in coordination with the Southern Baptist Convention, has served nearly 9.8 million hot meals and more than 7.5 million snacks to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

            Financial Assistance-The American Red Cross is expanding the variety of its efforts to provide financial assistance to upwards of three quarters of a million Hurricane Katrina victims who are dispersed across the nation. Assistance is provided in a variety of ways, including client assistance cards, vouchers, checks and cash. This program has reached more than 255,000 families to date.

            Survivors can register for emergency financial assistance, 24 hours a day, by calling toll-free 1-800-975-7585. Due to the large number of survivors, phone lines may be overwhelmed.

            Reuniting Families-Persons looking for loved ones can call 1-877-LOVED 1S (1-877-568-3317),
            or go to www.redcross.org and click on "Family Links Registry" to:

            Register yourself
            Register a loved one, or
            View the existing list of registrants

            Family Links Registrants-More than 201,000 have been registered online.

            Health & Preventative Care-Visit www.redcross.org or www.cdc.gov for information about health strategies and preventative measures for those in affected areas.

            Disaster Mental Health-To date, almost 238,000 people have received Red Cross Disaster Mental Health services.

            by willowby on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 08:04:04 AM PDT

            •  Meta site for Missing/Found Persons

              The problem is that there are dozens of sites for listing people affected by Katrina. If the person you are looking for registered on site A and you search on site B, you won't find them. A bunch of programmers puts together a site that combines information from many of the databases (as well as hand entered non-structured information posted on forums) It is found a http://www.katrinalist.net/ ; however, another entry point with a much better summary is http://www.dosima.org/katrina/ (this page also has shelterfinder). The have over half a million people listed. Apparently the data from katrina safe isn't exported to this project but katrinasafe will be importing data from this project.

              by whitis on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 01:56:12 PM PDT

      •  Camp Casey

        I stayed there one night, won't go into it.  Michael is promoting it, but they are getting kicked out of their second encampment....

        I go every day and Moore is not here that I've seen.

        I can get you lists of where/who to assist directly, or Kossacks can 'adopt' a family.

        by Barbara on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 04:57:45 AM PDT

        •  Get us the lists!

          Get us bank accounts, routing numbers, people we can trust. If it's yours fine, walk around with bills like our soldiers in Iraq and hand them out to people in need.

          Or tell us where to ship stuff, if you think that will work. Tell us which system to use -- FedEx? UPS? Who's working the area.

          One thing that's bothering me is all of the offers of help on HurricaneHousing.org -- and seemingly so few people know it's there. Being herded into some huge camps, versus staying with families that'd give love and personal assistance.

          by AllisonInSeattle on Mon Sep 19, 2005 at 12:11:26 AM PDT

      •  I have to tell you this:

        I have lived through more hurricane seasons than I'd admit to, and have managed shelter operations for more years than I'd care to count.

        I wouldn't give the Red Cross a pair of cast-off flip flops.

        And I cut the Salvation Army off a while back because of their open discrimination against gays in their personnel practices.

        I support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a mission of the Catholic church. I know this may seem incongruous given my statements above, but I do trust the Catholic church to care for the poor and the disenfranchised.

        by NCYellowDog on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 11:43:08 AM PDT

        •  Same here

          I highly recommend St. Vincent de Paul!  I am not Catholic but I have heard and seen good results from their charities from clients of mine over the years.

          by wishingwell on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 11:46:02 PM PDT

    •  Barbara,

      I know you're getting some much needed rest now, but when you can give me the name of the church you're at.  I called the following Red Cross number from above:

      NATIONAL REQUESTS ONLY
      CALL: Disaster Public Affairs
      Phone: [phone]

      and selected 1 for media calls, apologized for not being the media, and gave the young woman your name, number, and pertinent data.  She said she'd notify the Baton Rouge office and asked me to find out what Church are you staying at.  She sounded ready and willing to help, so I pray whovever she contacts is of the same ilk.

      by DianeL on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 10:21:25 PM PDT

  •  Bet the donations lines are open

    all weekend.

    by mattes on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:37:35 PM PDT

    •  Please -- give other than Red Cross

      per other posts

      by AllisonInSeattle on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 10:07:08 PM PDT

      •  there are other

        well deserving charities. Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charities, etc. Billmon has them posted at:

        http://billmon.org/archives/002122.html

        Pick one and indicate that it is for hurricane relief. I am sure there is plenty of recovery work for everyone in that part of the country.

        by hopeful on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 06:34:19 AM PDT

      •  OK, this is the last straw for me

        I'm going to e-mail everyone who's already made contributions through the link in my sig, but as far as I'm concerned, the following change is a reasonable one:

        Donations from the Casey bracelets (through September), and the Orleans bracelets (always) will be going to

        America's Second Harvest

        I have just heard quite enough of the failures of the Red Cross to get their act together.

        Besides, money is pouring into their coffers, and I'd be willing to bet that, as a result, money is not pouring into other worthy organizations.  Therefore:

        America's Second Harvest
        America's Second Harvest
        America's Second Harvest

        by hyperbolic pants explosion on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 09:58:21 AM PDT

        •  Better Yet

          You choose.
          

          by hyperbolic pants explosion on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 04:11:37 PM PDT

•  I recommended your diary

  You might want to have something in the title that indicates how dire the situation is there.  For those who don't know, I used Mapquest and see that this town is in Washington Parish, about 60 mi as the crow flies north-northeast of NOLA near the MS border.

  by billlaurelMD on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:44:33 PM PDT

•  Such a tragedy

  And I'll gladly "recommend".  All along I thought that we would see our biggest problems in these outlying areas.  I'm afraid we're going to see worse.

  What numbers would be helpful to you?  I'll gladly look them up.

  by tjb22 on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:46:38 PM PDT

  •  INFO NEEDED

    Contact Anderson Cooper, and all the folks that were/are in NO that were so fucking emotional by that...I can take them to ONE BLOCK and they will fucking cry on camera three weeks later at the travisty here...

    by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:10:39 PM PDT

    •  Emailed CNN

      sent part of your post...including your phone number.  Will look for more outlets to email.

      by tjb22 on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:26:35 PM PDT

      •  me too

        I sent it to Anderson Cooper and 4 other email links on CNN.

        by Buffalo Girl on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:15:50 PM PDT

        •  Did you send to the one for

          news tips?  I did and got a form email back...at least they received it.

          Figure if enough of us send the same info maybe someone will at least look at it.

          by tjb22 on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:19:07 PM PDT

          •  yup

            by Buffalo Girl on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:20:36 PM PDT

            •  Brian Williams has blog @ nbc

              by concerned on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 03:21:55 PM PDT

•  I read in Frank Rich's op-ed that CNN and CBS

  are setting up offices in New Orleans. Anderson Cooper and others should be commended for the humnaitarian effort of getting at least some honest news out to the public. I'll drop a line to CNN if aothers want to follow. Power in numbers!

  by wardeo on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:49:05 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for the idea

    I just sent this to Anderson Cooper 360.

    by abbyOH on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:56:14 PM PDT

    •  Kenner

      I think he said he's going to be in Kenner next week.  I'm assuming that's in LA, but I could be wrong.  Anybody know if it's near Bogalusa?

      by eliza2905 on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:08:02 PM PDT

      •  Kenner

        Isn't that below NO?  

        We are fucking ignored here, NO national media has EVER been here...we need them now.

        I don't have the capability to upload fotos cuz of dialup...

        by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:12:04 PM PDT

        •  Kenner

          is a suburb of N.O. It's where the airport is located.

          by MSM on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:28:51 PM PDT

        •  Barbara,

          I don't know about the logistics for you, but if you can get me the pics by mail, this might be impossible for you right now but, I will be glad to upload and host some for you, maybe for a follow up diary.  

          Thank you for being there for people.  I will email CNN and MSNBC...the squeaky wheel gets the grease.  

          by otis704 on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 07:22:54 AM PDT

      •  Unfortunately not

        Just did a Map check and looks like Kenner is just South of NOLA, and Bogalusa is about 70 miles North.

        by abbyOH on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:13:03 PM PDT

        •  Yeah

          I just looked too.  He was in Baton Rouge before and now off to Kenner from NO.  Cooper would be best, but if we bug them maybe we can get somebody else out there.

          by eliza2905 on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:19:30 PM PDT

          •  Hell

            I'll go get them

            by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:26:22 PM PDT

            •  map

              Barb- From New Orleans, take I-10W to Baton Rouge, get off at the Airport exit, head to the airport, most likely where Anderson will be. From Kenner to Bogalusa: go back to I-10, take it East back towards New Orleans, about three miles or so, take the Causeway exit to Covington (North), back over I10- the second off ramp, I think. Take the Causeway bridge over Lake Ponchartrain to Covington (maybe a toll), if they have booth operators on duty. Once in Covington, Bogalusa is West, so follow signs to it.

              Can't remember what parish Bogalusa is (Tangipahoa?), but go find the sheriff / deputies, and talk to them. Get the names of poeple you wan to help. That area is close, and it will make thigns work faster with if you say that John & Mary Walker need food, rather than just generic.

              Also, got check Ponchatoula, west of Bogalusa My ex's family, the McLendons's, live there, and that area also get ignored.

              by azureblue on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 07:47:39 AM PDT

      •  outlying New Orleans

        Kenner is part of the greater New Orleans area; home of the New Orleans International airport. This is in Jefferson Parish where the canal floodwall broke and flooded the neighborhoods, sadly trapping those left in nursing homes.
        Kenner is 68% Anglo, compared to New Orleans which is 69% Black. There are also a lot of Vietnemese families and businesses in Kenner.  

        Kenner, LA at wikpedia

        Thank you, Barbara, for your hard work. Best wishes.  

        by CalNM on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:42:39 PM PDT

    •  Link?

      by TXsharon on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:39:13 PM PDT

  •  NBC is also setting up a bureau in NOLA

    by annefrank on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:07:40 PM PDT

  •  NBC

    has opened an office in New orleans.  Brian Williams and David Gregory have shown real "spine" in covering this story.  

    by ljm on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:55:00 PM PDT

    •  Off the Bogalusa topic

      but ABC, including our local affiliate, has been licking up the Bush "apology" as if it was real. They're been running the headline "Bush takes responsibility" ignoring the fact that he blaimed it on "all levels" of government, limited his own culpability to "the extent to which federal gov't didn't do it's job" and never addressed the two biggest disaster factors aside from the Hurricane itself.

      1. Bush cut funding for levee maintenance.

      2. He gutted FEMA and staffed it, like all his other appointments, with people whose only qualification is loyalty to the Republican party over and above loyalty to the American people and our Constitution.

      Okay, all of you know that. But ABC is just making me sick. Good Morning America is insidious propaganda. Covering just enough news so as not to lose it's soothing "everything is good in America" tone.

      Ted Koppel might be an exception. I think I heard him asking some tough questions.

      by nuttymango on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 03:48:21 AM PDT

      •  ABC network news...

        Since Peter Jennings died, ABC is becoming Fox News Network Lite, at least as far as its network news goes. It has been my prediction for a while that George Stephanopoulos will be fired soon, as will John Stossel. Stephanopolos is, of course, a Clinton Democrat; and John Stossel is the wrong kind of conservative (a real one, not a NeoCon) for the New Order at ABC.

        Expect Bob Novak to take over This Week when Stephanopolos gets the Golden Shove. I hear he's suddenly "at liberty" after the incident at CNN.

        by MamasGun on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 10:04:10 AM PDT

        •  Oh yeah....

          Koppel is toast too.

          by MamasGun on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 10:04:49 AM PDT

  •  NBC is setting up a NOLA office. Brian Williams

    and others have been doing a great job along with Anderson Cooper.

    by Pirate Smile on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:06:53 PM PDT

    •  send it to him, too.

      Anyone send this info to Brian Williams? Does he allow feedback on his blog? MSNBC crashes my browsers all the time. I honestly think this should be sent to Shep Smith on Fox, too. Fox crashed my computer too. Maybe it couldn't stand being up at the same time as DKOS.

      by Buffalo Girl on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:18:32 PM PDT

      •  Just sent to Brian Williams

        I just lifted Barbara's text, took out a few sentences that didn't make sense when not in diary, cleaned up a bit of language, put in her phone and email where they asked for it.

        Easy.

        by AllisonInSeattle on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 10:20:32 PM PDT

    •  Yeah but...

      The MSM Big Daddy's aren't too happy about all the tender loving care some reporters have displayed and are reining them in now.  The Bushie's don't like all the warm fuzzies the Cooper's, Gregory's and William's are producing.  Read this:

      http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0917-29.htm

      by pmob5977 on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 03:27:15 AM PDT

      •  Rove's longknives were out this morning on CSPAN

        Washington Journal during the first hour call-in segment, excoriating  the BBC and CNN's  and some of the other 'mutinous" US broadcast media for their recent surprizingly frank tell-it-like-it-is dead-bodies-and-missing-chidren  coverage of the Katrina disaster.

        Not good for Bush's image. There will be hell to pay once the Bushies get a clamp on all these uppity traitorous news people.

        by shumard on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 06:06:47 AM PDT

•  Barbara, will spend the next 24 hours

  trying to secure interest in your plight.

  Kossacks, go to

  http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/

  any contact you'll ever need you can find on this web site.

  Emails, phone calls, faxes, newspapers, etc. all the numbers are to be found on this site above.

  Let's get her some attention and help.
  

  by 0hio on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:50:00 PM PDT

  •  Hello, Kossacks!

    If any of you are sending emails, faxes, etc. don't forget to send the URL for this diary.

    It is,

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/17/223753/006#36

    That way whoever has an interest can copy/paste or click through for her story.

    by 0hio on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:28:43 PM PDT

    •  I hope

      I didn't inadvertently give you a 0. I meant to hit reply...

      Anyway, thanks for putting up that link.  I used it to send this diary to some national media.  I hope it  helps.

      by zett on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:52:00 PM PDT

    •  Tiny URL this diary = http://tinyurl.com/ay8kf

      That's
      http://tinyurl.com/ay8kf

      it will open this diary. Short URLs safer.

      by AllisonInSeattle on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 10:23:50 PM PDT

  •  I sent it to ...

    ... both Maryland Senators (Mikulski and Sarbanes) and Countdown w/Keith O.  Will find other ways I can contribute to getting the word out today.

    Barbara, my thoughts and prayers are with you as is my gratitude for doing this.  (I will email you offlist with more comments).

    by Bexley Lane on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 04:51:49 AM PDT

    •  good idea...

      I'll send it to my rep, Elijah Cummings.

      by rioduran on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 06:47:39 PM PDT

  •  Red Cross messed up in San Diego

    Thanks for the link. I sent an email to the Los Angeles Times AND to local San Diego papers. Several years ago there was a big fire in San Diego. A lot of people gave money to the Red Cross  and specified that it was for the "Alpine fire" victims, but the victims didn't get it. At the same time, the local Red Cross CEO, Dodie Rotherham, got a hefty bonus, which was based on how much money poured into the San Diego Red Cross that year. After a public outcry, Dodie was fired and the Red Cross  seemed to shake up their organization.  Thinking that the Red Cross cleaned up their act, I have recommended that people contribute to the Red Cross rather than some unknown internet entity. Maybe that is not such a good idea.
    I have also read reports that Red Cross workers are being intimidated and that some people are coming to aid stations and taking all the stuff.  The National Guard was supposed to be there 24/7, but showed up for only one day and left. Any truth to that?

    by chrisc on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 06:24:30 AM PDT

•  Yes, Ma'am I'm praying

  While I lament the break in I-10 that keeps our effort on the east from getting to you, I'll add specifics to my prayers for you to include those on the other side of the lake who can get help to you.

  Are you taking your CIPRO?  (that will make you feel worse, but you know you need it).  Hydrating?  Potassium?  You know the drill.  You can't help anyone if you aren't in as good shape as you possibly can be.  Bless you--

  by gazingoffsouthward on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:50:27 PM PDT

  •  I'm traveling with a doctor...

    good drugs available...staying in a church with all power...i am blessed.

    by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:13:34 PM PDT

•  I will see what I can do with some of my well

  placed neighbors with your story, but will call first tomorrow.  

  I wonder if the Vetrans for Peace in Covington can send some help/media your way.  I'll think about that too.  Will call.  Hang in there.

  by inclusiveheart on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:52:40 PM PDT

•  Prayers to you, and

  Do you have an address where funds can be sent?   If so, you should post it.

  by DianeL on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:54:45 PM PDT

  •  Remember when...

    I was writing about going to Covington and beggin for donations?  I'm taking everything now out of my pocket and not working...

    Donations are a good thing...call me and I'll give you the relief account number, but have to find it....more important things have taken my life over right now.

    haven't seen the news since tuesday...haven't a clue on what is happening.

    by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:28:39 PM PDT

    •  WIll do ASAP n/t

      by DianeL on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:39:42 PM PDT

      •  Left you a message

        you're probably on the phone, I'll try back.

        Also spoke w/an NBC news person who requested I e-mail a copy of your SOS saying he'd look at it as soon as he received it, but they wouldn't be able to act on anything till at least tomorrow or Monday.

        Left a message w/CBS w/your phone number.

        I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, hang in there.

        by DianeL on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:03:34 PM PDT

      •  A PayPal account would get funds to

        her fast.

        by hoolia on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 01:48:12 PM PDT

  •  Barbara Went There..........

    When the Call went out Asking for Help after the Veterans For Peace bus Arrived in Covington, with Water, Food, a Generator, a Satellite Connection for Communication via the Net [bus Upgraded in Crawford and the Only Communications Around] and Other Supplies Left From Crawford Camp Casey!!

    In Short Order things Started to get Orginized there in Covington and Through Online Connections with Message Boards Set Up, Sites Updated, A Local Vet and Family [Baton Rouge using their Home as Shipping Point and Warehouse as well as Way Station for some Volunteers who Like Barbara Dropped Everything and Rushed There beating the Organized{?} Civilian/Government Relief Agencies] and the Loyal Help from Hundreds around the Country, Canada and Overseas!!

    These are All just Regular Folks with Hearts of Gold, using their Expertise or Lack There Of but REAL Compassion for their Fellow Man/Woman/Children and Are What This Country TRUELY Represents!!

    Once Established in Covington they've Moved to Other Area's, many being Reported that Other Help had not been there, or quickly came in gave a Nod and Left!!

    To Make Contact and/or find out what's going on, what is needed/requested, how you can help, etc. etc. etc. Visit These Sites:

    VFP Hurricane Katrina Relief-Covington LA
    http://www.vfproadtrips.org/home.htm
    Plenty International
    http://plenty.org/
    Michael Moore
    http://michaelmoore.com/
    Message Board
    http://www.vfproadtrips.org/katrina/
    Veterans For Peace - Homesite
    http://www.veteransforpeace.org

    Especially the Message Board!

    This Is Purely GrassRoots and Not as Organized as the Agencies We Would Expect To Be but Aren't, but it is Organized enough To Give Much Needed Aid and Give Those Like Barbara a Starting Point To Build On!!

    As She Writes, Contact The Media, Pass On any and All Information To As Many As Possible, Slam The Politicals [You Pay Them], Get This Shit Together and Working For Those Who Really Need It Not The 'Profitteers'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    James Starowicz
    Member: Veterans For Peace
    

    by jimstaro on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 05:26:57 AM PDT

    •  I Should Add........

      The Veterans For Peace Bus wasn't and isn't the Only 'GrassRoots' Relief Effort going on or Actually Beating the Expected Agencies and Helping those in Need!

      Some got there rather Quickly, some Started Setting Up shortly after, and some are just getting Organized in LA, MI, and AL, many are Local some from Around the Country!

      If there is Communications able to come out You will find them!

      
      In Top Red Bar It's 'Hurricane Relief Effort'

      James Starowicz
      Member: Veterans For Peace

      VFP Hurricane Katrina Relief-Covington LA
      http://www.vfproadtrips.org/home.htm
      Plenty International
      http://plenty.org/
      Michael Moore
      http://michaelmoore.com/
      Message Board
      http://www.vfproadtrips.org/katrina/
      Veterans For Peace - Homesite
      http://www.veteransforpeace.org
      

      by jimstaro on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 05:35:18 AM PDT

•  Pictures. Pictures.

  Get digital pictures and send these to the media and to us. It will get the attention a long description may not.

  by dinazina on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 07:56:42 PM PDT

  •  I know

    NO CONNECTIONS to upload/download....will continue to try.

    by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:15:01 PM PDT

    •  Do you have postal service there? n/t

      by deepintheheartoftx on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:19:08 PM PDT

      •  Have seen postman around...gave them a letter to

        mail for me.

        by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:29:27 PM PDT

        •  If you get a disposable camera

          take pictures and then send the whole thing to me, I'll get them developed, digitized and uplaoded -- do you think that would work?

          by deepintheheartoftx on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:36:03 PM PDT

          •  Hey

            I have rolls of 35mm, can I FedEx them to you and will you take care of them?  Send your address....better still call me tomorrow.

            by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:43:50 PM PDT

            •  Tomorrow when? I can call right now if

              you want me to!

              by deepintheheartoftx on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:48:33 PM PDT

              •  And, yes, I'll take care of them, digitize

                them and post them/send them everywhere!

                by deepintheheartoftx on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:49:26 PM PDT

    •  Cell phone?

      Got one with a camera? Need one? Got a signal?

      by Kagro X on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:21:37 PM PDT

      •  yes

        have a cell phone with a camera, haven't a clue how to send, don't have the emailing/text service and guess I could get it.  

        Am going to see if these Photo Journalists with me are sending photos...also have a 35mm...will get things are disks.

        by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:34:40 PM PDT

        •  Tell us what kind of phone you have.

          And I'll bet someone here either has it or can download instructions for you.

          by Kagro X on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:47:12 PM PDT

          •  Verizon

            Motorola

            by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:19:53 PM PDT

            •  Barbara - let's get you set up with a photo blog

              I see that you have a Motorola phone.  Please post the model number (V60p, V65p, V276, E815, etc.) when you have a moment.

              Using Flickr, which is part of Yahoo!, you can set up a free photo blog.  This will enable you to send your cameraphone pictures to a special Flickr email address, and they will automatically be posted to Flickr.  These pictures can then be accessed by anyone and easily included in dKos Diaries.  All of the pictures in my recent Diary series are hosted by Flickr.

              As an example, here's my Flickr photoblog.  Let's get you set up so you can publish pictures directly from the field:

              Step 1: Looks like you already have a Yahoo! account.  Activate Flickr account using your Yahoo! username by clicking here.

              Step 2: Set up your Flickr account to receive photos via email.  Click here for help with this.

              Step 3: Put the email address Flickr generates for you in Step 2 into your phone's address book.  This makes it a million times easier to send a picture to Flickr.  Email or post if you need help with this step.

              Step 4: If you take a picture you want to upload to Flickr, click 'Send in message' like Kagro said.  Instead of typing that special Flickr email address in every time, use the menu to insert it from the address book.

              Email if you want help or want me to walk you through this on the phone tonight or tomorrow.

              -AG
              

              by AlphaGeek on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 11:02:23 PM PDT

              •  You rock! n/t

                by bablhous on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 11:57:27 PM PDT

              •  Yeah Alphageek!!!!!! you da best n/t

                by shycat on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 08:38:23 AM PDT

        •  Motorola phones...

          As soon as you snap your pix, you get an option to store it. Choose that, and the first menu option you get is "send in message." You can send it to any email address.

          If you choose "send in message," you get a "To:" screen. Hit the # button twice to switch your keypad from numbers to letters, then type in the address. Hit a number key once to get the first letter it represents, twice to get the second, etc. Slight pause between presses will get you to the next space, so you can fill in the next letter. "1" key is both "@" and "."

          You got someone to send 'em to? Send 'em to me if you have to. My username, no space, gmail.

          by Kagro X on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:01:13 PM PDT

•  I can't decide whether this catastrophe is

  making me long for the big, benevolent and maternalistic government of the 1970s or anarchy.

  by thebluenomad on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:01:18 PM PDT

  •  I'm longing for ...

    civil disobedience on a massive scale.

    by STOP George on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:08:32 PM PDT

    •  Sounds good to me. Where do we meet?

      Should I bring doughnuts and beer?

      by thebluenomad on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:20:06 PM PDT

      •  A good start...

        would be on September 24th -- anywhere.

        by STOP George on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:26:18 PM PDT

  •  How about both?

    nyuk nyuk

    by aitoaster on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:30:52 PM PDT

  •  If You Take Nixon's Fascist Mob

    out of it, it had a lot going for us.

    Anarchy is when the people agree to give up government so they can sling pebbles against the corporations.

    by Gooserock on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 09:12:05 PM PDT

•  Barbara

  Also can you please either post here or send me an email with a brief profile of Bogalusa - the town, people, general resources and a brief summary of how you ended up there - your short story.  Any other details about the number of FEMA or ARC officials would also be interesting.  Just need some framing for the people you have told us about.  These are components of a media kit that people will need in order to generate the interest.  Thanks.

  by inclusiveheart on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:04:26 PM PDT

  •  Bogalusa

    Bogalusa

    Stats

    by Carnacki on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:13:37 PM PDT

  •  Here's the Bogalusa city stats page

    link.

    Town of 13,000.

    There is a little bit of info on the hurricane on the home page.  

    by 2lucky on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:14:39 PM PDT

  •  forget e-mail - post it here publicly

    the info will be good to outline the story for media contacts.  outline it all. if you have any pictures of the victims and the hurricane damage, post those as well.  driving directions, etc.. on top of numbers of fema and arc officials, names and serial numbers too. also, where are you staying, and what kind of accommodations can be made for media?
    

    keep your chin up.  this won't go on forever.
    
    

    by Back in the Cave on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:14:41 PM PDT

  •  Not a problem

    Exhausted tonite, may well go to bed soon, and try the computer again in early, early a.m....if it is available and will send it to you.

    by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:45:05 PM PDT

    •  Will look for it

      thanks

      by inclusiveheart on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 06:19:18 AM PDT

•  Barbara

  Good to see you have the majority of what you need there.  A commenter upthread said something about a digital camera.  I know you were trying to secure one - I would ask one of the residents whom you are trying to help.  Indicate to them that perhaps you have a conduit to some national attention.  I think you'll come by it faster that way.

  Best..
  Rena

  by RenaRF on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:07:35 PM PDT

  •  residents don't own

    digital cameras...average wage is $6/hour

    by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:18:37 PM PDT

•  Bogalusa

  Well.. I had heard of the place, due to it's history with the Civil Rights Movement

  by RBH on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:15:45 PM PDT

•  Emailing Keith O. and Miles O'b at CNN

  right now. Stay calm, prayers are with you.

  by Phil S 33 on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:16:02 PM PDT

•  Where in Texas do they want to be?

  I can probably find them somewhere to be in Austin, but I'm not sure if that'd be too far away from their kids?

  Do they need travel money/arrangements as well?

  Either post or email me at [e-mail]

  I'll do what I can!

  by deepintheheartoftx on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:18:03 PM PDT

•  Texas

  SPLENDORA, TEXAS

  by Barbara on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:19:39 PM PDT

  •  Hmmm, that's a little under 200 miles

    from Austin -- Houston folks? You out there?

    by deepintheheartoftx on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 08:47:21 PM PDT

  •  Google says745 people there in 1990

    Now to find a zip and see if it's listed on http://www.HurricaneHOusing.org.

    77372

    OK, two people in Splendora offered  housing, one for 3 people, one for 6 people!

    Go to HurricaneHousing.org,
    then click on Houston, TX,
    then modify to use the zip 77372,
    and modify to 10 miles,
    then click search.

    Good grief -- there are 16 offers of housing within 10 miles of Splendora. Humanity is amazing, simply amazingly generous. I tear up every time I go to that site.

    Hope this helps.
    

    by AllisonInSeattle on Sat Sep 17, 2005 at 10:49:31 PM PDT

    •  will check this out tonight

      if I get the computer and make calls.  thanks.

      by Barbara on Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 05:13:13 AM PDT

      •  Private offers are probably better

        Such as those in the comment above yours, but I also saw the following in a Yahoo news item this morning (guess HUD is the place to contact; I couldn't find any more info on it by googling):

        A pilot program announced Saturday by the     Department of Housing and Urban Development could offer some help, providing 100 rent-free homes for refugees in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas.

        The "Welcome Home Project" places families in empty HUD-owned homes rent-free for 18 months, HUD spokeswoman Dustee Tucker said. Appliances are being provided, and a private anonymous donor is furnishing the homes at no cost.

        For Patricia Livas of New Orleans, her new single-story, three-bedroom home in southern Dallas promises some stability as she tries to care for two sons and look for a new job in the technology field.

        "It's just totally awesome. I slept here last night, every bit of my three to four hours of sleep was peaceful. It was like home," said Livas, who has gone from living with a sister in Jackson, Miss., to hopping from one Dallas-area hotel to another in the weeks after Katrina struck. "It takes the stress off of trying to