Good idea PF - here ya go. 

__________________ 
Bunnies love me, this I know
'Cause Arubi tells me so. 

Thanks so much, Sue.

News, blogs, local television:

I'll just keep adding to this as I find sources.



http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html

http://www.nola.com/hurricane/?/wea...shbyparish.html

http://www.2theadvocate.com/index.shtml from Baton Rouge

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/ South Mississippi online newspaper

http://www.wdsu.com/index.html Streaming video (best if you have a high-speed connection)

http://www.wwltv.com/ News, blogs, streaming video (best if you have a high-speed connection)

http://www.wlox.com/ South Mississippi news station

http://www.wafb.com/ Baton Rouge station

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com...s.dll/frontpage Pensacola

http://www.disasternews.net/index.php

http://www.ka4eps.com/ Short wave (thanks, BG)


http://www.nola.com/hurricane/photos/ Photos
http://flickr.com/photos/tags/hurricanekatrina/ Photos


http://www.navy.mil/ Information for Navy personnel, phone number for them to check in.

http://www.af.mil/ News concerning relief efforts

http://www.army.mil/ News concerning relief efforts 

www.nolarefugees.com 

As the nation witnesses the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, thousands are asking how they can help.

The American Red Cross is taking donations to help the thousands of victims at http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html.

Following is a list of other Web sites offering disaster relief information:

Federal Emergency Management Agency
Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/

Louisiana Homeland Security
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/

City of New Orleans
http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx

Louisiana Governor's Office
http://www.gov.state.la.us/

Catholic Charities
Phone: 1-800-919-9338
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

FEMA Charity tips
http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
http://www.nvoad.org/

Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
http://www.la-spca.org/

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
Ande Miller, Executive Director
Email: amiller@nvoad.org
Phone: 703-339-5596

Local Red Cross contacts —

American Red Cross - Southeast Louisiana Chapter:
2640 Canal St.
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 620-3105 or (800) 229-8191
Fax: (504) 827-2135
http://www.arcno.org/?id=5&sub=3

Regional Service Centers —

NORTHSHORE REGION:
Regional Office
619 N. Tyler, Suite D
Covington, LA 70433
Phone: (985) 892-4317

Boothville, LA:
Phone: (985) 534-7449

Slidell, LA:
Phone: (985) 643-5608

Hammond, LA:
Phone: (985) 542-3469

Bogalusa, LA:
Phone: (985) 732-4227

BAYOU PARISHES REGION:
Regional Office
1231 Canal Blvd.
Thibodaux, LA 70302
Phone: (985) 447-3229
(Mail to: P.O. Box 102, Thibodaux, LA 70302)

Houma, LA:
Phone: (985) 872-6584

RIVER PARISHES REGION:
107 Maryland Dr., Suite D and E
Luling, LA 70070
Phone: (985) 785-0647

LaPlace, LA
Phone: (985) 652-9963

American Red Cross - Northwest Louisiana Chapter
4221 Linwood Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71108
Phone: (318) 865-9545
Fax: (318) 868-4111
Email: redcross@louisianaredcross.org
http://www.louisianaredcross.org

Red Cross Disaster Assistance info: (866) GET-INFO (866-438-4636)
http://www.redcross.org/contactus/


FEMA Regional Offices —
http://www.fema.gov/regions/

FEMA Region IV
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee)
3003 Chamblee-Tucker Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone: (770) 220-5200

FEMA Region VI
(Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas)
Federal Regional Center
800 N. Loop 288
Denton, Texas 76209
Phone: (940) 898-5399

State Emergency Organizations:

FEMA State Emergency Contact — http://www.fema.gov/fema/statedr.shtm

Alabama Department of Public Safety
Phone: (334) 242-4445
Website: http://www.dps.state.al.us

Alabama Emergency Management Agency
5898 County Road 41
P.O. Drawer 2160
Clanton, Alabama 35046-2160
Phone: 205-280-2200
Fax: 205-280-2495
Website: http://www.ema.alabama.gov

Florida Division of Emergency Management
2555 Shumard Oak Blvd.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
Phone: 850-413-9900
Email: florida.disaster@dca.state.fl.us
Website: http://www.floridadisaster.org

Florida Emergency Preparedness Association
Phone: 850-906-0779
Fax: 850-893-1845
Email: fepa@fepa.org
Website: http://www.fepa.org

Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Phone: 225-925-7500
Fax: 225-925-7501
Website: http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov

Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness
7667 Independence Blvd.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806
Phone: (225) 925-7500
Fax: (225) 925-7501
http://www.loep.state.la.us

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
P.O. Box 4501 - Fondren Station
Jackson, Mississippi 39296-4501
Phone: (601) 352-9100
Toll Free Phone: (800) 442-6362
Fax: (601) 352-8314
http://www.mema.state.ms.us
http://www.msema.org/mitigate/mssaferoominit.htm

Georgia Emergency Management Agency
P.O. Box 18055
Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
Phone: (404) 635-7000
Fax: (404) 635-7205
http://www.State.Ga.US/GEMA/ 

National Hurricane Center
» Alabama Declaration
» Lousiana Declaration
» Mississippi Declaration
» How to help
» How to get help  

http://205.252.89.181:8000/live.m3u

Takes a while to load...

If you wanna get upclose and personal....this is pretty close.. 

Great lists everyone.

As I mentioned in another thread, don't forget local groups that may be responding. They will also need monetary help. 

NowPublic.com is providing a public service for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. We have set up a website that lets people send in photographs of those who go missing during the storm. We are asking others to contribute by posting a link to tool on their sites. Your assistance in this effort is greatly appreciated.

The Link to the site is here:

http://www.nowpublic.com/user/2173 

http://radio.scannerbuff.net:8008/hurricane.m3u

This one has 1000 ports if the other URL is busy below 

I've become hooked. Really gives one an idea of the difficulties, confusion, and exhaustion of the all the authorities. 

At this URL are many, many LiveJournal bloggers who are providing first-hand accounts of the ongoing disaster in New Orleans and area. Compelling reading plus comments from readers!

http://www.livejournal.com/users/katrinacane/friends 

If you happen to have a shortwave receiver handy:
Amateur HF Gulf Coast Hurricane Net Frequencies:



03845.0 LSB Gulf Coast West Hurricane
03862.5 LSB Mississippi Section Traffic
03873.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane
03873.0 LSB Louisiana ARES Emergency (night)
03873.0 LSB Texas ARES Emergency (night)
03873.0 LSB Mississippi ARES Emergency
03910.0 LSB Mississippi ARES
03910.0 LSB Louisiana Traffic
03923.0 LSB Mississippi ARES
03925.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane
03925.0 LSB Louisiana Emergency (altn)
03935.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane
03935.0 LSB Louisiana ARES (health & welfare)
03935.0 LSB Texas ARES (health & welfare)
03935.0 LSB Mississippi ARES (health & welfare)
03935.0 LSB Alabama Emergency
03940.0 LSB Southern Florida Emergency
03950.0 LSB Northern Florida Emergency
03955.0 LSB South Texas Emergency
03965.0 LSB Alabama Emergency (altn)
03967.0 LSB Gulf Coast (outgoing traffic)
03975.0 LSB Texas RACES
03993.5 LSB Gulf Coast (health & welfare)
03995.0 LSB Gulf Coast Wx


07225.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane
07235.0 LSB Louisiana Emergency
07235.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane
07235.0 LSB Louisiana Emergency
07240.0 LSB American Red Cross US Gulf Coast Disaster
07240.0 LSB Texas Emergency
07243.0 LSB Alabama Emergency
07245.0 LSB Southern Louisiana
07248.0 LSB Texas RACES
07250.0 LSB Texas Emergency
07260.0 LSB Gulf Coast West Hurricane
07264.0 LSB Gulf Coast (health & welfare)
07265.0 LSB Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio (SATERN) (altn)
07273.0 LSB Texas ARES (altn)
07280.0 LSB NTS Region 5
07280.0 LSB Louisiana Emergency (altn)
07283.0 LSB Gulf Coast (outgoing only)
07285.0 LSB West Gulf ARES Emergency (day)
07285.0 LSB Louisiana ARES Emergency (day)
07285.0 LSB Mississippi ARES Emergency
07285.0 LSB Texas ARES Emergency (day)
07290.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane
07290.0 LSB Gulf Coast Wx
07290.0 LSB Texas ARES (health & welfare)
07290.0 LSB Louisiana ARES (health & welfare) (day)
07290.0 LSB Texas ARES (health & welfare)
07290.0 LSB Mississippi ARES (health & welfare)


14265.0 USB Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio(SATERN) (health & welfare)
14300.0 USB Intercontinental Traffic
14300.0 USB Maritime Mobile Service
14303.0 USB International Assistance & Traffic
14313.0 USB Intercontinental Traffic (altn)
14313.0 USB Maritime Mobile Service (altn)
14316.0 USB Health & Welfare
14320.0 USB Health & Welfare
14325.0 USB Hurricane Watch (Amateur-to-National Hurricane Center)
14340.0 USB Louisiana (1900) 

HURRICANE KATRINA


http://radio.scannerbuff.net:8008/hurricane
WWL New Orleans (CBS)
http://205.252.89.181:8000/live.m3u
WJTV - Jackson, MS
http://66.255.148.51:8000/
WKRG (CBS) News Care Team 5
http://216.22.26.45:8002/
WDSU (NBC)
http://ve3nsv.no-ip.org:8000/canwarnlive

teamspeak://radio.scannerbuff.net:8767
teamspeak://incidentbroadcast.com:8767 

Interdicter has set up a Wiki with links to various media resources:
http://wiki.nola-intel.com/index.php/Main_Page 

Oh, you just KNEW this was gonna happen combatting urban legends as always:
Snopes.com - Katrina and the Waves 

"Inside the Houston Astrodome" blog.

http://blogs.chron.com/domeblog/ 

__________________ 
When is a flip-flop not a flip flop?
When it’s someone from YOUR party who you like who’s doing it (then it’s a thoughtful reconsideration of a past position).

When is a flip-flop a flip flop?
When someone from the OTHER party is doing it (then it’s sleazy politics as usual). 

Wall Street Journal's Crisis News Tracker: Hurricane Katrina
http://online.wsj.com/public/articl... ublic_home_us 

Two New Orleans blog sites--

Nolablogs.com http://www.nolablogs.com/nolablogs/
and
Metroblogging: New Orleans http://neworleans.metblogs.com/ 

Greetings!
(I am not the originator of the following plea - I'm just sharing it with y'all.)

On behalf of 9-1-1 Cares:

Red Cross is a wonderful organization and they need our
support. What makes 911 CARES different is that we DO have the
facilities or abilities that the Red Cross may not. We WILL take
clothing, we will take donations other than cash. We recognize the value
of a child's drawing, card or letter of thanks. Putting your prayers in
writing is powerful and we will make sure that 9-1-1 professionals and
first responders get everything that is collected. Nothing will go to
waste. As you know, we offer support to America's 9-1-1 professionals!


For those that didn't see our original post, please see below. We are
happy to say that NBC news interviewed us live this morning and we have
their support! We have already had inquiries and donations from generous
families, churches and schools. Please pass this on to your children's
schools and church. Thanks!


Here is an activation we sent out yesterday. We are getting an
overwhelming response. If you are in the disaster area and could benefit
from funds, clothing, toiletries or appreciation cards from fellow 9-1-1
professionals, please call as at 800-348-8911 x 102 or 650-595-5202
x105. You can also e-mail me at kevin@pstc911.com - we will need your
UPS safe address and phone number. Also, how many dispatchers do you
employ? THANKS EVERYONE www.911cares.com - see below for our activation
on how you can help:
Dear Friends of 911 CARES,


PLEASE pass this e-mail to friends and fellow public safety workers. We
also ask that you print and POST this e-mail in your dispatch center.
Please get the support of your fellow dispatchers, friends and first
responders during this activation. As you know, we are ALL part of the
public safety family and we are going to need a huge response to make a
dent in the Katrina tragedy. 911 CARES needs your help to make a
difference. 9-1-1 professionals have surely been saving lives each
moment during this national tragedy. It's our turn to help them to
re-build their lives.


President Bush and Governor Barbour have both agreed that the
devastation is overwhelming. I'm sure we will hear stories later that
will stun us. Let's not wait for those stories. We need to get help on
the way now. Please join me in helping to provide financial and
emotional support to our fellow 911 professionals. We have confirmed
that many 9-1-1 centers have failed due to a Bell South switch issue.
This means neighboring centers are being slammed with calls outside of
their jurisdiction.


As you know 911 CARES provides emotional and appreciation support for
9-1-1 professionals. We're sure that some of our fellow dispatchers have
lost their homes, belongings and god forbid, family members. Please get
the ball rolling and start a local collection of funds and items. All of
the items you donate and collect will go directly to impacted dispatch
centers and public safety agencies. From the experiences of last year in
Florida, we know that many dispatch families have lost many or all of
their belongings.


PLEASE start collecting items now! Look at the list below and see how
you can help. We will post additional specific needs next over the next
few days but we want you to get a jump start on gathering items now so
we can deploy resources once we identify the areas of greatest needs!
Take a look below and see how you can help!


-Money is always useful - we now have a direct donation link on the 911
CARES site. The quickest link is
http://911cares.com/Merchant2/merch...ore_Code=9C&Pro
duct_Code=AS&Category_Code=DON
or you can go to www.pstc911.com and click on "shop the company store"
and then "make a donation". Funds collected will help 9-1-1
professionals with buying essentials. This allows dispatchers to help
pay for fuel, lodging, clothing and meals that they need for their
family. It also pays for medical related needs or medication needed.


We will send funds as we get them. This will allow dispatchers to buy
essentials that are impractical to mail. We absolutely know that some
dispatchers have lost everything but they are still working in their
respective dispatch centers unable to access their losses. We want
monies to be ready once those agencies confirm losses and ask for 911
CARES help. If you prefer to collect money and send a check; make checks
payable to 911 CARES - Katrina Relief. Mail checks to the address below.
You can also make a direct VISA or MasterCard donation by calling
800-348-8911 and Lisa or Catherine can handle your phone donation. We
are in the office from 0730-1600 daily. Money is the preferred way to
help but we are aware that getting a collection of clothes and other
items is great. See below for ideas of items needed. This list comes
from our friends in the area and from the Red Cross.


-Clothing - remember it is humid and warm this time of year and most air
conditioning is not working. New or gently used clothing and shoes will
be welcome. Don't forget baby clothing, kids clothing and accessories
like hats, socks, etc. Blankets for the night will be helpful and
appreciated. 911 CARES will be sending a large batch of t-shirts from
our 911 CARES product line. Remember, most people have no running water
so there is no ability to clean or launder clothing. How about sending a
few of your agency baseball hats or t-shirts? Remember, these items are
going to "our family" of dispatchers and responders.


-Kid stuff - toys, games, sports stuff, arts/crafts, books and
activities. The shelters are overwhelmed and kids are getting anxious as
you can imagine. Some dispatch centers have allowed staff to bring their
families into the various 9-1-1 centers and you can understand how the
kids want to play. There are also centers operating on generator power
and they do have VCR's and DVD's. Send what you can. We just got an
updated request. There is a great shortage of diapers! Stuffed animals
are being requested also. They bring great support to any child!


-Food- For the most part, the Red Cross and other charities are handling
essentials. Powdered milk, treats and snacks may be better than sending
heavy items like water and other staples. We'll leave most food items to
the pros like he Red Cross and Americares.


-Additional Needs - Mosquito repellant. Due to all the standing water,
this is a HUGE necessity! Items like purell, handi-wipes, Sun Screen,
band aides, minor medical supplies, cold packs, flash lights, batteries
and camping lanterns. Do not send flammable items! Just watch TV and
imagine what you would want to receive and you won't go wrong!


-Emotional support - get your kids busy writing letters, drawing
pictures and other artwork. In the aftermath of September 11th, some of
the most appreciated items were the kids efforts. PLEASE pass this
e-mail on to your kids teachers or churches, let's start a big effort to
help! Emotional appreciation is essential right now!


-Vendors and Commercial Members - Please pass this to your corporate
donation representative. Let's support those that we benefit from. Any
donation will be greatly appreciated!


Here is an outstanding example of 911 CARES in action. A dispatcher got
our posting last night and here is her bounty of goodies she has
collected already "I've received the promise of 100+ never before worn
T-shirts to send to you for the Katrina victims. They're cream colored
Haines shirts that were printed up for several of our past special day
events. They're in a variety of sizes. I've also got someone working on
getting a gross of crayons. We have apx 50 flashlights that had been
donated to us for National Night out that weren't passed out. " That is
the kind of creative, dedicated collecting we are looking for!


-WHERE TO SEND THINGS:
For now, we will facilitate your donations at 911 CARES. Once mail and
UPS are more stable, we will provide a list of specific centers but
right now due to communications failures, it's too soon for that. Please
send items to:
PSTC 911 CARES - Katrina Relief
230 Twin Dolphin Drive #C
Redwood City, CA 94065 650-595-5202 is our phone number if you are
sending via Fed Ex or UPS


By sending items to us, it allows us to distribute items based on need.
We will post agency addresses later but by having us distribute items,
it ensures nobody gets left out. PLEASE make sure you include a card or
note in your donation so that we have something to give the agency.
Include your agency name, address, phone # or e-mail in case they want
to contact you or thank you later. We promise that EVERY gift, card,
donation or item of support will be distributed. 911 CARES turns 100% of
the donation you make to the area of need. We do not take ANY
administrative costs from your donation!


For additional updates, visit www.911cares.com or www.pstc911.com and
join our yahoo groups. We will post updates there as often as possible.


Call PSTC - 911 CARES is you know of specific dispatch centers in need
or of ideas we haven't included. We are getting e-mails and calls from
many agencies. Thanks in advance for your support. Your support of your
brothers and sisters of the 9-1-1 family is inspiring!

Kevin Willett and the 911 CARES family!


Kevin Willett
PSTC - Public Safety Training Consultants
www.pstc911.com www.911cares.com
E-mail: kevin@pstc911.com
PO Box 5508 - Redwood City, CA 94063 

Looks like everyone knows about the blogger now and he has a bunch of missors and co-locations.
His blog is here:

Pictures as he takes them on New Orleans on Poydras street here: http://www.tampabusiness.com/directnic/

Excellent high speed cam feed looking out his window. A lot more military, police and firetrucks over today. Looks like the Mayor has been embarassing some people. http://wss-vip.adv.xc.advection.net...an/0250?xt=.asf 

__________________ 
When is a flip-flop not a flip flop?
When it’s someone from YOUR party who you like who’s doing it (then it’s a thoughtful reconsideration of a past position).

When is a flip-flop a flip flop?
When someone from the OTHER party is doing it (then it’s sleazy politics as usual). 

DirecTV satellite television has an 800 number and e-mail address to make postings to their moving ticker on channel 100.

Also hurricane relief and shelter information.

www.directv.com/hurricane 

Listening to the scanner.

Apparently a convoy of school buses has gone "rogue" and they
are unable to locate them. They believe it is intentional.

Perhaps the drivers think that refugees besides the ones left at the "Terror dome" need to be evacuated as well. 

Lets hope its a voluntary redirection and not a hijacking or a case of getting lost. 

Well, there are stories of families getting separated. Say a guy send his wife and baby out on a bus to Houston and he decides to wait.

It is time for him to get on the bus and they tell him it is going to Dallas or San Antonio.

With the things going on in the Superdome it wouldn't seem impossible for someone to decide they wanted to "detour".

OTOH, they have been bussing people out for over 24 hours and we have already had one bus accident. Thos ebus drivers must be getting tired and do you think anyone cares if they decide to cheat on the log a little? I doubt it. 

__________________ 
When is a flip-flop not a flip flop?
When it’s someone from YOUR party who you like who’s doing it (then it’s a thoughtful reconsideration of a past position).

When is a flip-flop a flip flop?
When someone from the OTHER party is doing it (then it’s sleazy politics as usual). 

Notes From Inside New Orleans

by Jordan Flaherty

Friday, September 2, 2005

I just left New Orleans a couple hours ago. I traveled from the
apartment I was staying in by boat to a helicopter to a refugee camp.
If anyone wants to examine the attitude of federal and state officials
toward the victims of hurricane Katrina, I advise you to visit one of
the refugee camps.

In the refugee camp I just left, on the I-10 freeway near Causeway,
thousands of people (at least 90% black and poor) stood and squatted
in mud and trash behind metal barricades, under an unforgiving sun,
with heavily armed soldiers standing guard over them. When a bus
would come through, it would stop at a random spot, state police would
open a gap in one of the barricades, and people would rush for the
bus, with no information given about where the bus was going. Once
inside (we were told) evacuees would be told where the bus was taking
them - Baton Rouge, Houston, Arkansas, Dallas, or other locations. I
was told that if you boarded a bus bound for Arkansas (for example),
even people with family and a place to stay in Baton Rouge would not
be allowed to get out of the bus as it passed through Baton Rouge.
You had no choice but to go to the shelter in Arkansas. If you had
people willing to come to New Orleans to pick you up, they could not
come within 17 miles of the camp.

I traveled throughout the camp and spoke to Red Cross workers,
Salvation Army workers, National Guard, and state police, and although
they were friendly, no one could give me any details on when buses
would arrive, how many, where they would go to, or any other
information. I spoke to the several teams of journalists nearby, and
asked if any of them had been able to get any information from any
federal or state officials on any of these questions, and all of them,
from Australian tv to local Fox affiliates complained of an
unorganized, non-communicative, mess. One cameraman told me “as
someone who’s been here in this camp for two days, the only
information I can give you is this: get out by nightfall. You don’t
want to be here at night”

There was also no visible attempt by any of those running the camp to
set up any sort of transparent and consistent system, for instance a
line to get on buses, a way to register contact information or find
family members, special needs services for children and infirm, phone
services, treatment for possible disease exposure, nor even a single
trash can.

To understand this tragedy, its important to look at New Orleans
itself.

For those who have not lived in New Orleans, you have missed a
incredible, glorious, vital, city. A place with a culture and energy
unlike anywhere else in the world. A 70% African-American city where
resistance to white supremacy has supported a generous, subversive and
unique culture of vivid beauty. From jazz, blues and hip hop, to
secondlines, Mardi Gras Indians, Parades, Beads, Jazz Funerals, and
red beans and rice on Monday nights, New Orleans is a place of art and
music and dance and sexuality and liberation unlike anywhere else in
the world.

It is a city of kindness and hospitality, where walking down the block
can take two hours because you stop and talk to someone on every
porch, and where a community pulls together when someone is in need.
It is a city of extended families and social networks filling the gaps
left by city, state and federal governments that have abdicated their
responsibility for the public welfare. It is a city where someone you
walk past on the street not only asks how you are, they wait for an
answer.

It is also a city of exploitation and segregation and fear. The city
of New Orleans has a population of just over 500,000 and was expecting
300 murders this year, most of them centered on just a few,
overwhelmingly black, neighborhoods. Police have been quoted as
saying that they don’t need to search out the perpetrators, because
usually a few days after a shooting, the attacker is shot in revenge.

There is an atmosphere of intense hostility and distrust between much
of Black New Orleans and the N.O. Police Department. In recent
months, officers have been accused of everything from drug running to
corruption to theft. In separate incidents, two New Orleans police
officers were recently charged with rape (while in uniform), and there
have been several high profile police killings of unarmed youth,
including the murder of Jenard Thomas, which has inspired ongoing
weekly protests for several months.

The city has a 40% illiteracy rate, and over 50% of black ninth
graders will not graduate in four years. Louisiana spends on average
$4,724 per child’s education and ranks 48th in the country for lowest
teacher salaries. The equivalent of more than two classrooms of young
people drop out of Louisiana schools every day and about 50,000
students are absent from school on any given day. Far too many young
black men from New Orleans end up enslaved in Angola Prison, a former
slave plantation where inmates still do manual farm labor, and over
90% of inmates eventually die in the prison. It is a city where
industry has left, and most remaining jobs are are low-paying,
transient, insecure jobs in the service economy.

Race has always been the undercurrent of Louisiana politics. This
disaster is one that was constructed out of racism, neglect and
incompetence. Hurricane Katrina was the inevitable spark igniting the
gasoline of cruelty and corruption. From the neighborhoods left most
at risk, to the treatment of the refugees to the the media portrayal of
the victims, this disaster is shaped by race.

Louisiana politics is famously corrupt, but with the tragedies of this
week our political leaders have defined a new level of incompetence.
As hurricane Katrina approached, our Governor urged us to “Pray the
hurricane down” to a level two. Trapped in a building two days after
the hurricane, we tuned our battery-operated radio into local radio
and tv stations, hoping for vital news, and were told that our
governor had called for a day of prayer. As rumors and panic began to
rule, they was no source of solid dependable information. Tuesday
night, politicians and reporters said the water level would rise
another 12 feet - instead it stabilized. Rumors spread like wildfire,
and the politicians and media only made it worse.

While the rich escaped New Orleans, those with nowhere to go and no
way to get there were left behind. Adding salt to the wound, the
local and national media have spent the last week demonizing those
left behind. As someone that loves New Orleans and the people in it,
this is the part of this tragedy that hurts me the most, and it hurts
me deeply.

No sane person should classify someone who takes food from
indefinitely closed stores in a desperate, starving city as a
“looter” but thats just what the media did over and over again.
Sherrifs and politicians talked of having troops protect stores
instead of perform rescue operations.

Images of New Orleans’ hurricane-ravaged population were transformed
into black, out-of-control, criminals. As if taking a stereo from a
store that will clearly be insured against loss is a greater crime
than the governmental neglect and incompetence that did billions of
dollars of damage and destroyed a city. This media focus is a tactic,
just as the eighties focus on “welfare queens” and “super-predators”
obscured the simultaneous and much larger crimes of the Savings and
Loan scams and mass layoffs, the hyper-exploited people of New Orleans
are being used as a scapegoat to cover up much larger crimes.

City, state and national politicians are the real criminals here.
Since at least the mid-1800s, its been widely known the danger faced
by flooding to New Orleans. The flood of 1927, which, like this
week’s events, was more about politics and racism than any kind of
natural disaster, illustrated exactly the danger faced. Yet
government officials have consistently refused to spend the money to
protect this poor, overwhelmingly black, city. While FEMA and others
warned of the urgent impending danger to New Orleans and put forward
proposals for funding to reinforce and protect the city, the Bush
administration, in every year since 2001, has cut or refused to fund
New Orleans flood control, and ignored scientists warnings of
increased hurricanes as a result of global warming. And, as the
dangers rose with the floodlines, the lack of coordinated response
dramatized vividly the callous disregard of our elected leaders.

The aftermath from the 1927 flood helped shape the elections of both a
US President and a Governor, and ushered in the southern populist
politics of Huey Long.

In the coming months, billions of dollars will likely flood into New
Orleans. This money can either be spent to usher in a “New Deal” for
the city, with public investment, creation of stable union jobs, new
schools, cultural programs and housing restoration, or the city can be
“rebuilt and revitalized” to a shell of its former self, with newer
hotels, more casinos, and with chain stores and theme parks replacing
the former neighborhoods, cultural centers and corner jazz clubs.

Long before Katrina, New Orleans was hit by a hurricane of poverty,
racism, disinvestment, de-industrialization and corruption. Simply
the damage from this pre-Katrina hurricane will take billions to
repair.

Now that the money is flowing in, and the world’s eyes are focused on
Katrina, its vital that progressive-minded people take this
opportunity to fight for a rebuilding with justice. New Orleans is a
special place, and we need to fight for its rebirth.

-----------------------------------------------
Jordan Flaherty is an editor of Left Turn Magazine (www.leftturn.org ). 

NOAA site

This site will allow people to zoom in on their neighborhoods and see if their houses are still there and what things look like around them.

Sage 

Mentioned on my local Freecycle:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org/ 

DENVER - The American Red Cross, with support of the worldwide Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is launching a Web site to help assist family members who are seeking news about loved ones living in the path of Hurricane Katrina.

http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/katrina

Visit the "Family Links Registry" to register yourself, a missing relative or view the existing list of registrants.

Evacuees wishing to inform loved ones of their location can register their name by clicking on "Family Links Registry". Concerned loved ones can register the names of their loved ones and view the list of those already posted. Due to the extent of the damage and the number of people displaced, concerned friends and family members are encouraged to visit the site daily to consult the list, as it will be updated continuously. A toll-free hotline is being established for those who do not have internet access. 

----

A list of links to stations and newspapers covering areas affected by the hurricane - Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/stories...sa.d07a2d0.html 

Anyone have a *complete* list of all of the missing/found sites? We have some people in our area (evacuated from LA, MS, AL and sheltered in OK ) missing children or parents and it's hard trying to track down all of the various sites. Thanks! 

Officials warn of Katrina scams
Would-be donors encouraged to give directly to established charities

Todd Wallack, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, September 2, 2005

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(09-02) 15:01 PDT San Francisco (SF Chronicle) -- With many Americans opening their hearts and their wallets to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, state and federal regulators warned donors to be wary of con artists trying to cash in on the disaster.

“These kinds of tragedies bring out both the best and the worst in people,’’ said Teresa Schilling, a spokesman for state Attorney General Bill Lockyer’s office.

So far, Americans have given an unprecedented amount of money to relief efforts. In just four days, major charities have collected at least $219 million, outstripping U.S. donations for both last year’s tsunami and the Sept. 11 attacks, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, an industry newspaper.

But there also have been several reports of Katrina-related charitable scams.

Wisconsin officials said Thursday that “rip-off artists” are sending out e-mail, supposedly soliciting donations on behalf of the Red Cross. But the letters contain links that actually route users to a fake version of the Red Cross web site — allowing the thieves to collect donors’ credit card numbers and other personal information.

Separately, authorities in Chesapeake, Va, warned that a con artist there was raising donations for hurricane victims by falsely claiming to be a fireman — and then keeping the cash, according to a local television station, WAVU.

The FBI also is investigating reports of con artists using e-mail or Web sites to impersonate charity groups, the Washington Post reported.

In addition, many individuals have been raising money both in person and via the Internet, raising questions about whether all the money they raise will actually go to charity.

To be safe, experts are urging donors to give money directly to an established, respected charity, such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army.

“Play it safe, protect yourself and stay with the tried and the true,’’ said Schilling of the attorney general’s office.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau issued similar warnings. People can report scams to the California Attorney General at piu@doj.ca.gov.

Regulators advised donors to give money directly to charities whenever possible, rather than going through intermediaries. Many charities now accept donations both through the mail and via their Web sites.

Watchdog groups also urged donors to do their research, even when giving to a well-known charity. Some nonprofit groups, for instance, spend most of their money on telemarketers or other fundraising expenses, instead of serving their mission. Others fall short of other charitable standards.

The American Institute of Philanthropy has assembled a list of more than a dozen recommended charities that are collecting money to aid hurricane victims. It’s online at www.charitywatch.org

Top rated charities include the American Red Cross, Church World Service, International Rescue Committee, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Salvation Army and Save the Children.

The Better Business Bureau also has posted a list of charities collecting money for victims, along with reports of whether they meet its standards. The list is online at www.give.org/news/katrina.asp.

Regardless of which charity you choose, you may need a receipt to claim a tax deduction for gifts of $250 or more.

It’s also worth checking whether your employer will match your donations — increasing the impact.

DONATING WISELY

Watchdog groups recommend that donors be cautious when giving money to hurricane relief efforts. Tips include:

• Give to established relief groups.

• Don’t give cash. Use a credit card or write a check instead.

• Be wary of strangers asking for donations.

• Research groups before giving.

• Watch out for groups using names similar to major charities.

Source: Chronicle research

Email Todd Wallack at twallack@sfchronicle.com.


SF Chronicle  

__________________ 
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My favorite forum is The Minion Report

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DILLIGAF?
 

This is no longer an immediate threat so I'm going to move Katrina news and commentary to The Coliseum. Please posts new Katrina posts in this forum unless it is breaking news; then it goes in the Great hall.

Thank you. 

__________________ 
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity." - Robert A. Heinlein

My favorite forum is The Minion Report

Fair Use Statement

My PGP key is 0x780B7C0A

DILLIGAF?
 

Tax Rules Adjusted for Gulf Coast Workers


By MARY DALRYMPLE
Associated Press, via The Las Vegas Sun
September 23, 2005

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mississippi and Louisiana lead in the nation in the portion of families who rely on a tax credit for the working poor, the kind of help that can be disrupted by job losses and family separations like those caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Lawmakers acted this week to protect those Gulf Coast workers from seeing their earned income tax credits shrink. The benefit, designed as an incentive for work, can mean refunds up to $4,400 for some workers with children.

Alan Berube, an expert in low-income issues at the Brookings Institution, said the credit is one of the most significant things the federal government does for New Orleans, in particular.

"This year," Berube said, "it's going to mean that much more because it's going to make up some of this gap in employment and wages."

Here, in question-and-answer form, are more details about the new rules and some potential problems workers should keep in mind:

Q: What is the problem?

A: The credit calculation depends on two factors, income earned from work and children. Some people who lost their jobs after the hurricane would have smaller tax credits because they won't earn as much this year. Children who live in more than one household during the year might not have lived six months in one place, a requirement to claim the credit, before the hurricane struck and some families separated.

Q: What did Congress do to fix the problem?

A: Lawmakers said workers can choose between using income earned last year or income earned this year for the purposes of calculating the earned income tax credit. The change lets workers maximize their credit, despite prolonged unemployment after the hurricane.

Q: Which year's income should I use?

A: That depends. At very low wages, more income means a bigger credit, but once a worker makes more than about $15,000, the credit shrinks as income goes up, said John Wancheck, the earned income credit campaign coordinator at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. That means workers should try the calculation both ways and find out which yields a bigger credit.

Q: What about my children?

A: The new rules do not specifically change the requirement that your child live with you for six months or more this year. However, lawmakers gave the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service the authority to make sure taxpayers in the Gulf Coast do not lose their credits, deductions or household status because of temporary dislocations caused by the storm.

Q: How do I find out how much money I made this year?

A: Employers send that information to employees and the IRS after the end of the year.

Q: What if my employer went out of business?

A: If your employer went out of business and all of its records are destroyed, it might be up to you to piece together your income. Kathy Burlison, director of tax implementation at H&R Block, suggests you start with bank statements, checkbook registers or paycheck stubs. If your financial records were destroyed, or you cash paychecks instead of depositing them into an account, Burlison recommends sitting down with a calendar to piece together, week by week, the number of hours worked and the amount in your paycheck.

Q: Do these rules apply to Hurricane Rita?

A: No, the rules are specific to those hit by Hurricane Katrina.