President Bush during a briefing on Hurricane Katrina

[hummingwolf]

The good news is -- and it's hard for some to see it now -- that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house -- he's lost his entire house -- there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch. (Laughter.)

I think it is time for me to get away from the news and take a good, long walk.

Comments

[darth-spacey.livejournal.com]

We've seen one tale of one unlucky hitchiker. You've given your medical opinion that a five mile walk is too much for a healthy person facing a category 5 hurricane.

I don't think that counts as cast-iron proof that there's no way to escape without buying your way out.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

You made an absolute statement that lack of money is NEVER enough reason not to evacuate, not for anyone under any circumstances. ONE failed hitchhiker, ONE disabled person in a wheelchair, or ONE sick person who cannot stand up is enough to negate your absolute under "any circumstances." Your original statement was blaming people much like ME for not getting out of the area, and I do tend to take that personally.

You've given your medical opinion that a five mile walk is too much for a healthy person facing a category 5 hurricane.

No, I said that walking or rolling out of a disaster zone the size involved with katrina is too much for an average person. There's a difference. Actually, there are several differences. Please re-read with your brain engaged to see if you can figure out what they are.

[darth-spacey.livejournal.com]

My point, simply, is that lack of money in and of itself is not a sufficient reason to not try to save your own life.

I think we've also established that other impediments exist that personal funds would alleviate. I contest that the mayor and governor should have done more, both to alert and assist those with more problems than mere money.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

in and of itself is not a sufficient reason to not try to save your own life.

My point is that not everyone who failed to get out failed to try. You do not seem to be understanding that fact.

I contest that the mayor and governor should have done more

Indeed. So should the DHS, which was created precisely to deal with emergency situations like this. There were and continue to be massive, massive screwups on all levels of government, a truly bipartisan spectacle of bastardy.

[darth-spacey.livejournal.com]

You do not seem to be understanding that fact.

*ahem*

Check where this thread started. I think I use fairly clear language to express the exact notion that the people who stayed behind did not all do so voluntarily.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/hummingwolf/293731.html?thread=1751395#t1751395

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Nobody is too poor to leave. Nobody. Not one person. Ever. From anywhere. For any reason.

Okay, clearly I am missing something major here. What does "For any reason" mean if it does not refer to the things you are now calling "complicating factors"? Because poverty does not occur in a vacuum, any discussion of folks under the poverty line *must* presuppose that that group includes people with disabilities, the elderly, and small children. If you were not referring to those, I do not have a clue why you put "For any reason" in your statement.

I still do not know how even a healthy person would walk out of a city the size of New Orleans.