I know it’s a crapshoot every year, but I can’t believe that just three short years after Katrina, we are watching another major hurricane aiming straight for New Orleans.
I remember the buildup to Katrina, the terrifying warnings that came out of NOAA that day, the sigh of relief as it missed the city, and the growing horror of the following days as the true destruction came to light. Jeanne Meserve describing hearing the calls for help in the utter darkness. The Superdome. Nursing home residents drowning in their beds, helpless. The bodies found for weeks and months afterwards.
Tommy Evans was in New Orleans for the post-Katrina coverage. I hope that he and Michael have not been roped in to cover Gustav. Anderson Cooper is there and will be airing a special edition of AC360 tonight.
Godspeed, New Orleans, and everyone else in Gustav’s path.
The people of New Orleans haven’t even finished rebuilding the city… but on the slightly bright side, it seems as if this one won’t be as strong as they were predicting. I mean, earlier the weather people were predicting category five and now it has been downgraded to maybe a three or two.
I hope that the residents of NO take this as a sign that they should *really* think about where they rebuild.
It really is odd how this might affect the presidential race. Gas prices are sure to go up, at least temporarily… and hopefully it will make people reconsider off shore drilling…
Also, at least this time around the people in power are paying attention.
So much for AC…Looks like the storm is making an early appearance…Maybe they will get his signal back on…I have a feeling MW is on his way or is already in Iraq.
Earlier in the day, I had a bad feeling about this storm and it was this: That Katrina in 2005 was a wake up call to get us prepared for what could be a bigger storm…I hope I am proved wrong and this storm tracks where it will cause minimal damage.
Ditto what you said Cyn “Godspeed, NO, and everyone else in Gustav’s path.
It will be interesting to see how the levies hold. If the storm keeps tracking the way it has been, the area that will be affected will be the western side of the city, and the levy system there has not been worked on post-Katrina. But it is a wealthier area, so were they built better to begin with? A lot of people think so, although graft and corner-cutting can happen anywhere…
Ugh! I wish I could tune those polls out…They really make me nervous…49%/48% is the latest.
JK is using his magic map to talk about the levies right now. It will be interesting Cyn to see how those levies hold up…They are actually getting the worst side of the storm this time…But perhaps it will be further away?
Where will the CNN crew “hunker down” during the storm? I cannot imagine there will be too many safe areas…Jon Stewart always has a field day with all of those correspondents trying to report at the height of the storm…I have to say, other than the dramatics that create ratings for the cable networks, I don’t see any real value to the public…It just encourages the crazies to go out and try it themselves.
Gary Tuchman was on earlier, and Wolf said they were getting a lot of emails asking where the CNN reporters would be safe. Gary said that one of the great things about working for CNN is that they are very well taken care of. He did not reveal where they would be, but he said they were staying in safe hotels. Also, they have been on the air all day across the street from City Hall, and that’s one of the four designated “safe places” in the city, where the mayor will be.
Amazing photos on the AC360 blog…
We got the special AC 360 on CNN Int and I am watching the Live video on cnn.com for hours now, from the office. Very odd and disturbing feeling to watch this live, from my safety place… I hope everyone’s on Gustav’s path will be fine and safe.
Good to know that they are taken care of. Ali Velshi is reporting (by phone) from the middle of Gustav’s path this morning…The images from his location are quite frightening and I can’t picture where it would be safe there…All you see is a few homes (which look like they are about to break) and rough waters.
The Lower 9th is flooding. Water is coming over and UNDER the levee already. The northern part of the city, the Industrial Canal, is already flooding.
And Bush just held a press conference to thank and backslap everyone for how well they have done. Talk about a slow f***ing learner.
I keep hearing conflicting reports on the levies…Are they breached or is it just overflow? Also, I was away for a little bit…Did we ever hear from Ali Velshi again? The last I heard was that he was in a home that had flooding on the ground floor.
I just noticed the flag counter reset…I was looking forward to the day it reached 100,000
Gary Tuchman said water is spurting from the bottom of the Industrial Canal wall and that the police said there is so much pressure on it, it could “explode” at any time, and they got the hell out of there. He said there was a “deluge of water coming over and through the levee.” That was a couple hours ago, not sure anyone’s been back there yet. But stop signs are underwater. Not as wide-spread as Katrina, but this is the early part of the storm, it’s 12 hours or so before things get bad as far as flood risks.
And I’ll check the flag counter when I have a chance — it looks like a glitch, though. I hope! I liked seeing the hits we got from Georgia a few weeks ago!
I am seriously going to be ill… someone from McCain’s campaign just argued — with a straight face! — that because Palin was “Commander in Chief of the Alaska National Guard” that she has military command experience! WTF?!?
These people have no shame. Every time they pull this crap, they belittle and demean the men and women who actually DO serve in the military. And they claim to be such patriots. It is revolting.
I was about to post “I am going to be ill” and then I read your post Cyn…I am watching LKL and this congresswoman just argued that Palin has more experience than both Obama and Biden combined!!! WTF to the National Guard and the experience question…Seriously, she has not made tough decisions…She was against the bridge to nowhere AFTER everyone complained and ridiculed it.
Clearly the guy I saw talking to Campbell got the same talking points from whatever Rovian sycophant (if not Rove himself) is running the show for McCain.
Oh good…Carville just brought up the she just recently got her passport…I am seriously going to punch this congresswoman on LKL through my TV…She is trying to make everything a “women” issue…I think Carville’s face says it all “WTF??”
If she makes that “demeaning to women” pitch again, I will help you hunt her down. As long as she has ovaries, she’s qualified? Whatever.
And what REALLY annoys me? Even after they lose, she won’t go back to her caribou, she will stick around. She’s on the national stage now. Gawd. And I thought the Repuglicans couldn’t lower the bar any further than they already had…
o.k.- I am totally in, that congresswoman is really pissing me off!!!! This is the 2nd “interview” I have seen with her and she sad the same thing. She has that idiot grin on her face (like McCain himself)
I am so glad she had dinner with her- at least she spent more time with her than McCain did!
Palin is under investigation in Alaska and her 17 yr old daughter is pregnant-and her answer to that is….oh, they are going to get married so it’s o.k. (like 17 and pregnant isn’t hard enough let’s through marriage on top) Sorry, I had to get it out
Glad to see New Orleans didn’t get it as bad (or so it seems) as everyone feared.
From this Gulf Coast girl (originally) my heart goes out to all- stay safe & good luck
It is amazing to hear of republicans rallying around Palin and her daughter. I mean, it is proof positive that even people who are supposed to have instilled the right kinds of values in their kids can’t prevent them from having (unprotected) sex… and that abstinence only doesn’t work.
Also, if it were the case that one of Biden’s kids had gotten preggers out of wedlock that the RNC would have made a much bigger deal of it, instead of saying that it should be a family matter… and isn’t Palin amazing to be able to deal with this challenge. The big stinking hypocrits.
I don’t get why women so desperately want a woman either as VP or as president… especially they would want one as unqualified as this one.
Here is another point that the Republicans are using to say that Palin understands national security – she is governor of Alaska, whose borders nearly touch Russia’s. Seriously??
Also, let’s not forget that McCain picked Palin on a “gut” feeling and 15 minute meeting…Is that really how we want our Commander in Chief making decisions? It is reminiscent of Bush “looking into Putin’s eyes” and we all know how that worked out.
I agree with all of you. I really can’t wait for Biden to take her to school at the VP debates. Meanwhile in my sleepy- cold medicine- induced haze I say we seriously consider the exodus to NZ or Australia, or where ever we were going to all move to and live in a commune and grow vegetables and bitch about politics and talk about MW’s t-shirts and rugby and…
Oh crap, sorry. Time for more pills and a nap.
This is from The Huffington Post:
Speaking before the Pentecostal church, Palin painted the current war in Iraq as a messianic affair in which the United States could act out the will of the Lord.
“Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,” she exhorted the congregants. “That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”
Feel better mebz72. Try to drown-out your cold and the Repuglican Convention with drugs.
maxie1218 – I hadn’t yet read that report. OMG! Not another one! Not another nut-job!
This is one of the reasons our Founding Fathers provided freedom of the press. Let their will be done. We don’t have to touch the embarrassing controversy of her pregnant daughter or the dumb red-neck that will be subject to a shotgun wedding. Her owns words ought to sink her. McNutty, what have you done in choosing this woman?
Oh “God” I feel sick………
Maybe she & McCain are meant to be together- they both seem to say stupid things with a smug smile n their faces.
After this convention, I think all of the DMs are going to be ill! Feel better mebz72!
Thanks guys. While I do not endorse unauthorized drug use, I must say that the loopy-high that comes from a combination of head-cold and allergy medications does make the RNC (almost) watchable. However, when they start to wear off I’m overcome with the urge to gouge my eyes and ears with pencils. Must. Resist. Urge.
This convention just makes me feel dirty…
mebz72 resistence is futile
I have the convention coverage on in my office. I feel dirty too …. but not in that good way.
Thompson is talking about the “breath of fresh air” Sarah Palin. Now I don’t just feel dirty, I feel soiled.
They talk as if they are the only ones who appreciate the military … and the only ones who serve.
I may need meds too, mebz72 ….. I’m gonna need an extra dose of blood pressure medicine.
I haven’t even turned it on. I just know someone will take credit for how well the Feds handled Gustav, and I will have to go through the screen and throttle them. As if that would have made up for Katrina.
Sean Callebs said it best last night — we have no idea how well FEMA would have done, because there was no disaster. There was an evacuation, which was certainly handled better (the residents and Mayor Nagin get credit for that.) There was certainly better pre-positioning of assets, there’s one major lesson learned. Having people sign up on lists prior to getting on the buses/trains… dumb idea. Get them the hell out of Dodge and then spend that time, even if you need to put a volunteer on each bus to do it. That’s for next time, though.
But NOTHING makes up for Katrina. And Bush better not act as if this does. He will still be explaining his screw-ups to Saint Peter… right before the latter pulls the lever on the trap door!
Okay, here’s my prediction… Palin will tearfully resign from the ticket, with blame placed firmly on those nasty Dems for “hounding” her and her family with nasty rumors (healthy dose of hatred for the media, who dug up the dirt). And then McCain will pick Bobby Jindal for his veep.
That’s how I would write it, anyway…
I can’t believe McCain cancelled his interview with Larry King because of Campbell Brown’s interview with Tucker Bounds yesterday. (He’s the moron who cited Palin’s “military command experience” as CoC of the Alaska National Guard.)
Good grief. Whatever.
Phebe posted this on ATA tonight — it’s an email she got today… let’s compare experience:
“Obama Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law and was editor of the Review. His thesis was on Soviet disarmament. He was a State Senator for 8 years and a United States Senator for nearly 4. He served on the Foreign Relations, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees.
Palin graduated from a 3rd tier Idaho college with a BS in journalism. She did sports reporting on TV. She was a city council person in a city with under 9000 residents, and then served as its mayor. She’s been a Governor for under a year and a half of a State with a population so small there are 20 cities with larger populations than the entire State of Alaska.
Oh, and if you missed The Daily Show tonight… ABC News reported that some top Republicans had them selves a nice little party last night as Gustav was hitting the Gulf Coast. Name of the band was “Hookers and Blow.” Wow, I would love to know who booked THAT gig!
McCain is expected to go heavily into self-congratulation about the successes in Iraq, so if Michael is still in NY (and I would think they wanted him here more to comment on McCain, since that’s when the talk REALLY shifts to Iraq) we may see him Thursday or Friday.
If you have time, check out this week’s cover of the New Yorker. There is also a link to an extensive article on General Petraeus and the road out of Iraq. It is written by Steve Coll.
I can’t stand Rudy “protector of America” Giuliani… he actually mocked Obama’s organizer background… and the lies he’s been spewing about Obama. How many times does Obama have to explain his tax policy for people to understand just who he plans on taxing? They keep distorting and lying… and smiling all through out.
Obama is an elitist. God. The repuglies really hate smart people. Why else would they keep electing the bottom of the heap? McCain was the fifth from the bottom of his graduating class at Westpoint… Palin went to university of Idaho – a third tier college.. and lets not forget Bush… These people are afraid of intelligent politicians. Why is this?
Oh, and voted to increase gas taxes too… something they tend to forget. or the fact that she left the city of Wasilia in a debt when she left office (a fellow democrat told me this).
I’m waiting to see what Palin has to say… but I’m so pissed right now. I mean, mocking Obama because he was a grassroots organizer! Oh, and Obama supports charter schools – something that I disagree with him on… I repeat. I hate Rudy.
The Republican Convention was one of the most mean-spirited, offensive hate-fests I have ever witnessed. Without substance or useful detail, these pitbulls were frothing at the mouth while spewing lies and half-truths about their opponents. The whole thing looked like a Klan meeting – all hate-twisted white faces. It was horrible, just horrible.
And they told us nothing about what they would do for this country. It was mostly about McCain as a POW and what that says about his character. The guy has been a politician a lot longer than he was a military man. But they said nothing about what he’s accomplished in his 26 years in the Senate. Un-freakin’-believable.
They have taught me to hate them like never before. And “hate” is a truly accurate description.
(edited for brevity)
From Barbara Starr
CNN Pentagon Correspondent
(CNN) — U.S. military forces landed at a compound in Pakistan to battle targets linked to recent attacks on U.S. troops in Afghanistan, a senior U.S. official confirmed Wednesday.
The action was an uncommon one for the U.S. military. Generally, NATO forces do not enter Pakistan except when pursuing insurgents in Afghanistan who slipped over the border or, in an extreme case, to pursue a high-value target.
The senior U.S. official said a small number of U.S. helicopters landed troops in the village near Angoor Adda in South Waziristan, where Taliban and al Qaeda fighters have hunkered down over the years.
Anyone hear anything about this?
iDesk FT-Petraeus says U.S. troops could leave Baghdad by July “conditions permitting” http://www.cnn.com
I didn’t watch the RNC because McCain turns my stomach as does Ms. Palin.
The difference between a hockey mom & a pit bill is lipstick………….? Someone call 911 I think I’m gonna pass out
From the clips I heard this morning and from what all of the “strategists” were saying, no mention of what she would so, just b***ing about Obama. Maybe she wants to tell us what “they” will do instead of talking trash about the others…….just an idea