Evacuees

America Blog notes FEMA director Michael Brown's curious little line at the conclusion of a CNN interview:

"...to help those who are stranded, who chose not to evacuate, who chose not to leave the city..."

Aravosis, rightly, asks if this is a way of deflecting blame, i.e., is there a bit of "well, they deserved it" to those words. I find this interesting in light of several reports tonight noting that a number of hotel guests are also stranded. Unlike the poor, these folks have resources, and I seriously doubt they all decided to stick it out, hurricane party-style.

In fact, I remember seeing, prior to the storm's arrival, at least one couple being interviewed who sought shelter at the Dome because they simply couldn't get out--they were on their honeymoon.

Michael of AmericaBlog heard a report that Greyhound buses stopped running on Saturday.

Whether Greyhound buses--or, for that matter, ANY public conveyence--city buses pressed into service, special Amtrak runs, school buses etc.--would've completely eliminated the human tragedy is of course open to question. Would people who view local authority, i.e., the cops, as people to be avoided at all costs (and, as some people know, at least some New Orleans police are DEFINITELY to be avoided)--anyway, would people who's relationship with authority is, well, combative--would they suddenly heed warnings to "get on the bus"? And, yes, plenty of people like that can be included among those who didn't evacuate.

However, it's also true that there was no attempt made to press city buses into service, or appeals to the government for extra passenger trains (still no appeals for trains as far as I know) until AFTER the storm. An attempt before the fact could have--and should have--been tried.

And people are certainly ready to evacuate now...AND many went to the Dome when it was opened as a shelter.

Note: just saw yet another live shot from Causeway at I-10--literally thousands are waiting on the interstate for buses out of the city, in conditions that could only be described as a nightmare: heat, humidity...and exactly six portable toilets.

In Chalmette, thousands are waiting at a boat slip to be evacuated. Reports say over a hundred died waiting for rescue in the heat and humidity without basic supplies like food and water.

And, finally, a slightly positive bit of news: reports are saying things in Jefferson Parish are improving dramatically. Well, a bit of good news is badly needed. And they're showing footage from attempts to plug the break in the 17th street levee. We'll see if that succeeds.