Ghost of BiB Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 NORTHCOM For those interested, this is the NORTHCOM link. The lead article speaks for itself. Without going into the details as to the why's, but a LAMP never the less, I'm flying out to Peterson AFB Monday morning to work in the NC Operations Center with the Joint Interagency Coordination Group. That is the place where the Defense effort intersects with those of FEMA, Justice, Treasury, State (lots of foreign tourists affected) CDC, COE, state governments, etc. I'll be out there for a week, maybe more. I told Scott and a couple others that if it is at all possible, I'll try to blog my observations and perspectives. I don't know that I can, or even that what I'm doing would even be of any interest or even releasable. What I thought I might try doing is posting my daily sitrep that I will be sending back to the people I work for, at the end of my shift. Edited for board use, a lot of crap no one would care about and is layered with acronyms. For those who have interest, and can keep it from becoming a political flaming, I look forward to whatever I can provide. Whatever I can write, I promise it will be totally devoid of spin. I try to explain, not inflame (even though I have my moments). Like I said, LAMP I suppose, but this is a big deal beyond the physical damage. There is right now a lot of damage to our sense of security in many ways. I'll do what I can to pass on what I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crap Throwing Monkey Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 I told Scott and a couple others that if it is at all possible, I'll try to blog my observations and perspectives. I don't know that I can, or even that what I'm doing would even be of any interest or even releasable. 428142[/snapback] Why even bother? Most people here couldn't accept it as fact if it conflicted with their preconceived notions anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 Why even bother? Most people here couldn't accept it as fact if it conflicted with their preconceived notions anyway. 428179[/snapback] Which brings up an important point...does anyone reading this know of a Bills bar, or a decent place to watch the opener in Colorado Springs? I plan on being back in DC about midnight Saturday, but I can't be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverNRed Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 NORTHCOM-Katrina For those interested, this is the NORTHCOM link. The lead article speaks for itself. Without going into the details as to the why's, but a LAMP never the less, I'm flying out to Peterson AFB Monday morning to work in the NC Operations Center with the Joint Interagency Coordination Group. That is the place where the Defense effort intersects with those of FEMA, Justice, Treasury, State (lots of foreign tourists affected) CDC, COE, state governments, etc. I'll be out there for a week, maybe more. I told Scott and a couple others that if it is at all possible, I'll try to blog my observations and perspectives. I don't know that I can, or even that what I'm doing would even be of any interest or even releasable. What I thought I might try doing is posting my daily sitrep that I will be sending back to the people I work for, at the end of my shift. Edited for board use, a lot of crap no one would care about and is layered with acronyms. For those who have interest, and can keep it from becoming a political flaming, I look forward to whatever I can provide. Whatever I can write, I promise it will be totally devoid of spin. I try to explain, not inflame (even though I have my moments). Like I said, LAMP I suppose, but this is a big deal beyond the physical damage. There is right now a lot of damage to our sense of security in many ways. I'll do what I can to pass on what I can. 428142[/snapback] Good luck, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 NORTHCOM-Katrina For those interested, this is the NORTHCOM link. The lead article speaks for itself. Without going into the details as to the why's, but a LAMP never the less, I'm flying out to Peterson AFB Monday morning to work in the NC Operations Center with the Joint Interagency Coordination Group. That is the place where the Defense effort intersects with those of FEMA, Justice, Treasury, State (lots of foreign tourists affected) CDC, COE, state governments, etc. I'll be out there for a week, maybe more. I told Scott and a couple others that if it is at all possible, I'll try to blog my observations and perspectives. I don't know that I can, or even that what I'm doing would even be of any interest or even releasable. What I thought I might try doing is posting my daily sitrep that I will be sending back to the people I work for, at the end of my shift. Edited for board use, a lot of crap no one would care about and is layered with acronyms. For those who have interest, and can keep it from becoming a political flaming, I look forward to whatever I can provide. Whatever I can write, I promise it will be totally devoid of spin. I try to explain, not inflame (even though I have my moments). Like I said, LAMP I suppose, but this is a big deal beyond the physical damage. There is right now a lot of damage to our sense of security in many ways. I'll do what I can to pass on what I can. 428142[/snapback] Reading an unbiased report of whats going on? No, I wont read it. I'll watch the national news, they'll tell me the truth with no spin or political slant. Thanks but no thanks. Signed: Mr. Lemming <extream sarcasm> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAL Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Reading an unbiased report of whats going on? No, I wont read it. I'll watch the national news, they'll tell me the truth with no spin or political slant. Thanks but no thanks. Signed: Mr. Lemming <extream sarcasm> 428254[/snapback] What makes you think Bib's firsthand observations would be any more or less biased than Shepard Smith's or Anderson Cooper's. No offense Bib. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 What makes you think Bib's firsthand observations would be any more or less biased than Shepard Smith's or Anderson Cooper's. No offense Bib. 428306[/snapback] Did you see Smiths and Geraldo last night? Take emotion out of the reporting, then you get factual reports. Understand? No offense Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailog80 Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Did you see Smiths and Geraldo last night? Take emotion out of the reporting, then you get factual reports. Understand? No offense Al. 428309[/snapback] I wish I hadn't seen those two. Pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAL Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 I wish I hadn't seen those two. Pathetic. 428313[/snapback] Did I mention Geraldo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAL Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Did you see Smiths and Geraldo last night? Take emotion out of the reporting, then you get factual reports. Understand? No offense Al. 428309[/snapback] Did I mention Geraldo? As far as Shepard goes, it is actually interesting to see Fox depart from the normal position of the Administration can do no wrong. I think it's good to see him get pissed off over what was going on down there. Geraldo on the other hand is pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailog80 Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Did I mention Geraldo? 428318[/snapback] Was I talking to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAL Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Was I talking to you? 428322[/snapback] Apparently not. Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 . Geraldo on the other hand is pathetic. 428321[/snapback] We agree on Gearaldo If you dont mind, a tough question to pose. Do you think racism should be brought up here Al, I'd like a Black man's perspective. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAL Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 We agree on Gearaldo If you dont mind, a tough question to pose. Do you think racism should be brought up here Al, I'd like a Black man's perspective. Thanks. 428327[/snapback] I admit that I am tempted to, but the bottom line is no. I think the Local, State and Federal gov't all have failed these people regardless of what color they are. One part where I think you can question race's role is around the perception of looting. I don't know if it's true (haven't bothered to prove it one way or the other), but I do wonder if there's some truth to the media reporting black people as looters, and whites as looking for food. Is there anything really different about someone breaking into walmart, taking shoes, clothing, and food to help their family, and a doctor breaking into the pharmacy to take medicine? Both can be considered looting, but the doctor will get praised for helping people where as the other person is condemend even if all they are doing is helping their family survive. I have no sympathy for the guys taking tv's though. That is looting. I also think this is much more about class than race. If you look at the people who did stay, you have to wonder if they had any means of getting out when they called for a mandatory evacuation. To me, it's pretty sad that we have people living in that kind of poverty at all. I'm not a socialist by any means, but we are the richest nation in the world, and we have billions of dollars to help other countries, yet we still have pathetic living conditions in this country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 What makes you think Bib's firsthand observations would be any more or less biased than Shepard Smith's or Anderson Cooper's. No offense Bib. 428306[/snapback] I've showed so much bias and situation spinning to this point, I'm sure I could see where you'd be skeptical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 I've showed so much bias and situation spinning to this point, I'm sure I could see where you'd be skeptical. 428368[/snapback] This was something I had typed before an earlier post , well..... Thanks BiB. I think you'll agree its deeper than your response. Anybody that was told numerous times to leave, and didn’t, has no correlation to color. Securing their safety of their families regardless of color should have been priority number one. Its incumbent upon ourselves to take care of our selves, and not to rely one the government. The city of N.O was asked numerous times to evacuate, some decided to stay and take the chance of survival. Then only to complain, that the Government has not done enough. A state of emergency was declared two days before Katrina hit. There has to be some accountability on all sides, not just the local and state, and ultimately the federal government. I'm sickened by the idiocy of some on this board who have no idea of what their talking about. I'll await Al's response Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAL Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 I've showed so much bias and situation spinning to this point, I'm sure I could see where you'd be skeptical. 428368[/snapback] What bias and spinning have Smith and Cooper displayed? Although I haven't watched Cooper too much, I heard they have both gotten emotional, but I don't see them spinning things to the left or to the right. Bib, you certainly come from a point of view where you believe in what the administration is trying to do, and how they've gone about doing it. So I have no idea if that will influence your perception on how the Katrina relief is going. There was a definite lack of leadership from the Mayor of NO, to the Governor, to FEMA, and ultimately to President Bush. I don't know if you are biased or unbiased enough to admit that. Hence my initial question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 I think that there is a difference between "believing what the administration is trying to do" and actually knowing what is supposed to happen and when. You can believe that I know what I'm talking about, or not. With an audience this volatile (I'm not saying you) it is impossible to adequately explain how things work without starting a bunch of wars. The fact is, people just don't want to hear the truth and a lot of that is because the truth is not pretty. As for your "definite lack of leadership", unless someone knows what is supposed to happen, I don't know how that accusation can be made - of anyone. I suppose saying things like the Coast Guard has rescued 10,000 people in the last few days is biased. It doesn't sound bad, so it must be spun. It's better and more balanced to say that they didn't rescue whoever drowned in their attic a day after the storm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAL Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 I think that there is a difference between "believing what the administration is trying to do" and actually knowing what is supposed to happen and when. You can believe that I know what I'm talking about, or not. With an audience this volatile (I'm not saying you) it is impossible to adequately explain how things work without starting a bunch of wars. The fact is, people just don't want to hear the truth and a lot of that is because the truth is not pretty. As for your "definite lack of leadership", unless someone knows what is supposed to happen, I don't know how that accusation can be made - of anyone. I suppose saying things like the Coast Guard has rescued 10,000 people in the last few days is biased. It doesn't sound bad, so it must be spun. It's better and more balanced to say that they didn't rescue whoever drowned in their attic a day after the storm. 428483[/snapback] When the mayor of NO bails, the FEMA chief has no clue as to what was going on in the Superdome, and GWB is doing photo ops for 2 days before finally doing a flyby, I'd say there was a lack of leadership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of BiB Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 When the mayor of NO bails, the FEMA chief has no clue as to what was going on in the Superdome, and GWB is doing photo ops for 2 days before finally doing a flyby, I'd say there was a lack of leadership. 428537[/snapback] I have no doubt whatsoever that hundreds of things went wrong. I hope to know more Tuesday night. Part of the reason for my visit is to gather lessons learned so I can apply them to another interagency effort going on. I'm sure there is plenty of blame to go around. I doubt anyone will get any praise. A lady friend of mine is an Army Helicopter pilot flying relief down there right now. I'm pretty sure they are already exausted, and I hope that not too many crash before it's over with. I still put the start of this snowball at the city government of NO. There is absolutely no reason why they could not have executed an adequate evacuation plan. Had they done so, a heck of a lot of the rest of this wouldn't even be discussed. IMO, I don't think anyone in government fully understood that NO still had several thousands of people in it for quite a while after the fact. That shouldn't have been the case. IMO, there was a big "holy shidt" from a lot of quarters. The city government folded and panicked. I think a lot of things in place had to get shuffled and redone on the fly. If you look at the numbers that have been rescued and evacuated over the last week, then look at the video of the masses still standing around, it doesn't paint a pretty picture. There's been breakdowns up and down the chain, but it starts there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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