"His mother was trapped in St. Bernard nursing home and every day she called him and said. Are you coming. Son? Is somebody coming? And he said yeah. Mama. Somebody's coming to get you.. Somebody's coming to get you on Tuesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Wednesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Thursday. Somebody's coming to get you on Friday. And she drowned Friday night. And she drowned Friday night. Nobody's coming to get us. Nobody's coming to get us. The Secretary has promised. Everybody's promised. They've had press conferences. I'm sick of the press conferences. For god's sakes, just shut up and send us somebody..—Aaron Broussard
I grew up with men like this. They can work 16 hours on an oil rig, or welding ships, or painting buildings, then help you fix your flat on the way home, then drink you under the table, and still be tough enough to catch a gator bare-handed, and get up at 5am the next morning to do it all over again. Seeing them reduced to tears begging for help from their government makes me ashamed to be American.
7 comments:
I almost hate to post this because it doesn't change the fact that many others had to deal with the reality that their parents did die but he was lying. His mother died before Katrina.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9368952
It doesn't look like anybody was lying. Off on the timeline for one incident, maybe, but lying, no.
So, his old mother died on the day of the storm (not before), and thirty others died in the flood when they weren't removed and no help came for them.
It's a shame and a tragedy and a crime.
Seige, you've got to go. I'm sending good vibes your way. Best of luck and I'm sure she's all right down there, some place.
posted by: juleslaine on 9/5/2005 6:01:19 PM
----
All my people are safe and accounted for and I pray for the same thing for you.
posted by: laura_wood on 9/5/2005 11:57:06 AM
----
i live in atlanta and feel nauseated to think that this disgraceful (lack of) action is taking place just seven hours away. in new york on 9/11, the world saw new yorkers "coming together," but those in new orleans have not even had this kind of opportunity afforded to them. they have been left to fend for themselves, with little-to-no outside support (especially in comparison). it scares the shit out of me, frankly. i hope you find your family and have the chance to help many others along the way. and with any luck, someone will catch GW "drinking again" before S.F. has an earthquake of the same magnitude.
posted by: skinnyfist on 9/5/2005 11:23:27 AM
----
Siege, My heart has broken & then rebreaks every minute that has ticked by since last Monday. I AM ASHAMED as hell to live in this country & am angry at what our government & president (if that's what you want to call him) have done to us. It is UNFORGIVEABLE.
I am saying prayers that you find your Mom & brother. I have no idea what you must be feeling right now.
My husband & I want to help some specific people in need - we feel like with how poorly the entire disaster has been handled we don't trust our money sent to organizations that they will use it where it's needed most... in other words we don't want it going towards the beaurocratic shit that's being pulled or to general operating costs. I thought I'ld ask you if you have some people (friends of yours from there), maybe a family that needs clothing or gift certificates to grocery stores or for someone to pay for some time at a clean hotel or buy their baby diapers and formula etc.
Maybe others would be interested in helping out that way also. I'm not sure about the logistics of it all, but we can figure it out. My email is workpool04@aol.com
Our thoughts are with you & your family.
Laurie & Gavin
posted by: workpool on 9/5/2005 10:55:10 AM
----
Siege, Having people drown five days after the event is as shameful a situation as any I can imagine. I, too, am ashamed to be an American when things like this can happen.
Go find you mama, it's clear that when it comes down to it, we are all responsible for ourselves and counting on this administration is simply like believing in fairy tales.
Our government is clearly more interested in "saving" people in Iraq then they are in getting sorely needed assistance and provisions to those suffering at home.
My best to you and your family. My heart is with you.
posted by: lssmwinycom on 9/5/2005 10:26:04 AM
----
Go, Clayton. Be safe.
posted by: one_cool_angel on 9/5/2005 9:41:24 AM
----
Siege? Have you heard from your mom? Tell me she's ok!!!!!!!!!!! I'm dying!
posted by: pattilabelle on 9/5/2005 3:31:23 AM
-----
go get your mama, that's what sons are for...but please keep us posted...I can't stand it until I know you have found her...those of us with people there understand...be careful, be safe...
posted by: tjvickroy on 9/5/2005 1:00:05 AM
----
Thanks for posting this. Sex can wait.
posted by: freemason on 9/4/2005 11:30:37 PM
Great post. So many brilliant pictures of so much devastation. I understand where you're coming from. Sometimes I just don't know what to do with myself.
Spitting in a Wishing Well
Ed, thanks.
I think I'm going to have to differ with you on Broussard. On the long list of people who need a beatdown over this travesty, he ranks very very low, even below Russert. If he's on the list at all.
I don't know when Ed posted but I'm sure by now we've all heard from the Senate investigations just what FEMA's Michael Brown was doing while the waters rose and people drowned in New Orleans. While people died from exhaustion in the Superdome and then the Convention Center, he was dining out in fancy restaurants in Baton Rouge 80 miles away. (You're doing a fine job Brownie!). Then he got canned, but is still on the dole as a consultant. He must have connections?
AAron Broussard is not the roughneck you described and he made some awful mistakes which may end his political career. Like ordering the pump operators out of the parish which is what caused all the flooding in Jefferson parish. But, he and Nagin both are not of the same ilk as Bush's cronies.
As far as the airport is concerned; I work there. The Air Force was there first followed by the 82nd airborne. Thousands of sick and injured were already in the airport with no electricity, food or water when they arrived. The military, commercial, and private aircraft saved thousands of people in the following week. There were federal people there alright(the airport is 18 miles from downtown) but, not FEMA in any sense of relief.
Ed, read up on FEMA's 236 million dollar deal with Carnival Cruises (3 ships still only half full), $26,000 for one truckload of ice and the other millions of wasted resources and money. No planning. Like Iraq?
Clayton, your work here is awsome. Thank you for capturing the raw essence of the forgotten Gulf Coast. By all indications, Mississippi is gonna kick ass in the rebuilding compared to Louisiana. Again. May the good Lord bless you and your family(s). You're all going to make it.
I lived in St. Bernard parish and know this man is not lying about his friend's mother. She drowned at St. Rita's nursing home waiting for help to arrive along with thirty-something other helpless people. While the people in NOLA were being rescued by the National Guard with helicopters, the people on their rooftops in St. Bernard parish ware left to die or be rescued by other citizens having boats. This is a FACT, I know it is true. While the US President toured the city, our people were dying on rooftops and in attics waiting for someone, anyone to help them. While everyone was watching the TV filled with New Orleans chaos and heroism, people in St. Bernard parish were left to fend for themselves. No media coverage because the Governor didn't want the dead bodies to be shown on TV so, no one came to help. The St. Bernard parish police department and the average citizen with a boat came to the aid of the folks still alive after this disaster. I appreciate your pictures and this website, it is awesome, I just had to comment on this one because I lived and loved St. Bernard parish.
Post a Comment