Saturday, September 10, 2005

Flash me, or Stay Here and Starve.

As if the misery for survivors of Katrina wasn't bad enough, it turns out that female survivors of the hurricane gathered on New Orleans rooftops were told to bare their breasts before they would be rescued. Those who refused were left where they were.

According to British tourist Ged Scott of Liverpool, "I could not have a lower opinion of the authorities, from the police officers on the street right up to George Bush... The American people saved us. I wish I could say the same for the American authorities."

This is not only truly disgusting, but it is a criminal act (something of value, namely saving her life, is offered to a woman for a sexual act, which is solicitation), and I hope it will be investigated immediately and those guilty prosecuted for it.

Many heroic rescuers have risked their lives and taken time away to come and help, and most are doing an outstanding job. But the actions of one or a small number risk to besmirch the reputation of those who deserve to be applauded.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Eli,
    WOW! I hadn't heard that story yet, it hasn't been on the television news, yet I'm not surprised by news omissions anymore, as the media appears to be quietly going back into lockstep with the administration. First there was a loud outcry, even by people I was shocked to hear saying things so far out of their "everything is ok, go back to sleep" mantra, such as Scarborough, Hannity, even O'Reilly, but I've been noticing a shift back to "everything we did is ok, or not as bad as you thought, you didn't really see what you thought you did", at least that's how I regard those people's words on the present state of things. Imus seems to be back to his feigned outrage, though I expect a last minute change of heart to steer his followers back into believing all is well, he did the same around election time when he first endorsed Kerry, then slowly (and quite methodically) worked him over in the last few days before the election.

    Back to the shameful behaviour you described, I believe that anyone who had a negative experience at the hands of those whose charge was to care for and save them, should speak out in as publicly a manner as possible, use of photo line-ups should be used, and those who took part in such dispicable behaviour punished to the full extent of military or civillian law. While the worst of times has the ability to bring out the best in people, ir also has the ability to bring out the worst.

    The world is watching, but what is it they see? Is it our best, or is our worst? I'm sorry to say I still don't know the answer to that question.

    Thanks for the good info, and good blog, I check it daily to see what you might have found out there. Please feel welcome to visit my blog sometime, we'd he happy to have you there.

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  2. I wonder if the man who told the women to bare their breasts was a republican or a democrat.... hmmm.

    Does that question even make sense to you? Not to me either. So why are you saying that this incident is the fault of the Republican president.

    The more I read your blog Eli and the more I read the comments of your friends the more I realize that partizanship is stronger on the left that it is on the right. No right thinking republican of my acquaintance would have blamed president Clinton for such a scene.

    Get real people, Bush is not out to get you. Such Paranoia. Sheesh.

    Mark

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  3. Mark,

    Where did I say this had anything to do with Bush? NOT every post I make is about Bush.

    This is a political blog and most of my posts are political in nature, but you need to realize that there is life outside of Bush.

    I made this particular post because I found that 1) this was despicable, and 2) it wasn't being reported elsewhere and it needed to get some coverage.

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  4. I guess Buddy that it was because your quote in your blog referenced George Bush. I will paste it next.

    "According to British tourist Ged Scott of Liverpool, "I could not have a lower opinion of the authorities, from the police officers on the street right up to George Bush... The American people saved us. I wish I could say the same for the American authorities.""

    Your blog insinuated a connection between the apparent shameful act of one idiot with all "American authorities", and "George Bush". If the quote wasn't worthwhile don't post it.

    I would like some confimation of the accuracy of the report anyway. It may be that its not getting press elsewhere because it has been fact checked and can't be verified. CNN, Fox etc. usually won't run a story unless it can be substantiated.

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  5. Mark:

    I thought going from the police up to the President was a pretty equal opportunity rip.

    However, it is true that Mr. Scott and his family are the only people to have made this charge (although he repeated and expounded upon it here.

    This could mean it is not accurate, or it could mean that it happened once-- to the group of people he was with, and they are either too embarrassed or too 'OK' with it to come forward. However, this does need to be thoroughly investigated.

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