tagged w/ Hurricane Katrina
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Army Corps Of Engineers To Blame For "Catastrophic Loss Of Life" During Hurricane Katrina. The Federal Government has to pay.Army Corps Of Engineers To Blame For "Catastrophic Loss Of Life" During Hurricane... more
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Jenime
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added this
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3 days ago
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New Orleans newspaper takes Rep. Steve King to task for his ‘heartless’ contempt of Katrina victims. In an interview with The Hill this week, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) boasted that “the best vote” he ever cast while in Congress was to deny $52 billion in aid to Hurricane Katrina victims. Yesterday, the Times-Picayune, New Orleans’ award-winning newspaper, calls King’s comments “heartless” and “appalling,” especially because he is from “a state that’s also vulnerable to flooding“New Orleans newspaper takes Rep. Steve King to task for his ‘heartless’ contempt... more
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A federal jury on Thursday rejected a New Orleans family's claims that the government-issued trailer they lived in after Hurricane Katrina was defective and exposed them to dangerous fumes.
A jury of five men and three women decided that a trailer made by Gulf Stream Coach Inc. and occupied by Alana Alexander and her 12-year-old son, Christopher Cooper, was not "unreasonably dangerous" in its construction.
The jury also concluded that Fluor Enterprises Inc., which had a contract to install FEMAtrailers, wasn't negligent in doing so. The federal government wasn't a defendant in this first of several "bellwether" trials.
"Bellwether trials" are frequently used in cases involving similar claims in product litigation to determine if they result in similar outcomes, thereby increasing pressure for a group settlement.
In the FEMA travel trailer litigation, U.S. District Court Judge Kurt Engelhardt in February scheduled four cases for trial, including the one decided on Thursday, in an effort to pave the way for settlement of at least 30 pending lawsuits against manufacturers.
More @ linkA federal jury on Thursday rejected a New Orleans family's claims that the... more
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In a new interview with The Hill, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) reveals his proudest moment as a lawmaker:
THE HILL: What vote would you like to redo?
KING: I don’t really go back and re-live that sort of thing. Some of the big votes that I’ve thought about, some of the jury’s still out. And at this point, maybe I’d answer that question another way, probably the singular vote that stands out that went against the grain, and it turns out to be the best vote that I cast, was my “no” vote to the $51.5 billion to [Hurricane] Katrina. That probably was my best vote. But as far as doing something different again, I don’t know.
King was one of just 11 members of Congress to vote against the $52 billion aid package. (It passed unanimously in the Senate.)
Media Matters Action Network’s Matt Finkelstein writes, “Katrina killed 1,464 in Louisiana alone and uprooted the lives of countless others all over the gulf region. Yet, King says this was his ‘best’ moment in Congress. Not fighting for ‘conservative principles’ like smaller government, lower taxes, or a strong national defense — no, he’s most proud of opposing relief for victims of a catastrophe.”In a new interview with The Hill, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) reveals his proudest moment... more
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For the first time since Hurricane Katrina left tens of thousands of families living in FEMA trailers, a federal jury heard allegations Monday that the government-issued shelters exposed Gulf Coast storm victims to hazardous formaldehyde fumes.
A New Orleans woman suing trailer maker Gulf Stream Coach Inc. and government contractor Fluor Enterprises Inc. claims her son's asthma was aggravated by elevated levels of formaldehyde in their trailer provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Gulf Stream's own tests found elevated levels of formaldehyde in its trailers in early 2006For the first time since Hurricane Katrina left tens of thousands of families living... more
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So many interesting concepts to be discussed from this five part series. I came across this Times Picayune multimedia series while looking up the current rehabilitation projects that are taking place along the miles and miles of Louisiana coastline that is being rebuilt after Katrina. This part is the most interesting to me: http://www.nola.com/speced/lastchance/multimedia/. It shows how Southern Louisiana's coastline has changed in the past 400 years and how dramatically is has changed since the 1930's. Stuff I'm sure many of you already know, but great for those who don't know, or need it spelled out for them in an interactive map.
What I found most startling was in the audio sideshow: http://www.nola.com/speced/lastchance/audioslideshow/. It's astonishing to me that the NOAA is still spending millions of dollars building barrier islands 60 miles south of New Orleans. Why not just move inward?
Some astonishing facts that many may not know, that I found interesting - and I hope is sparks some discussion. A great multimedia watch; check it out!So many interesting concepts to be discussed from this five part series. I came across... more
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We're joined by writer & illustrator Josh Neufeld. His beautiful new graphic novel 'AD: New Orleans After the Deluge' tells the stories of 7 survivors of Hurricane Katrina.We're joined by writer & illustrator Josh Neufeld. His beautiful new graphic novel... more
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GRITtv
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3 months ago
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‘‘Do you mind just increasing the morphine and giving her enough until she goes?’’ Cook says he asked the patient’s nurse.
Dr. Ewing Cook told ProPublica’s Sheri Fink that he gave the order to give an elderly patient a dose of morphine he knew would kill her.
‘‘To me, it was a no-brainer, and to this day I don’t feel bad about what I did,’’ Cook told ProPublica. ‘‘I gave her medicine so I could get rid of her faster, get the nurses off the floor.’’
He added, ‘‘There’s no question I hastened her demise.’’
(this is actually a pretty large article, that points to a few cases or suspected cases anyway.)‘‘Do you mind just increasing the morphine and giving her enough until she... more
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4 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
President Barack Obama promised that his administration would not forget what he called a tragic response to Hurricane Katrina. He said he would visit the still-recovering New Orleans before the end of the year.
In his weekly radio and Internet address, the president noted that the Bush administration's response to the killer storm raised questions among people in the United States about whether the government "could fulfill its responsibility to respond in a crisis."
Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005, killing more than 1,600 people in Louisiana and Mississippi and leaving behind more than $40 billion in property damage. Hurricane Rita followed almost a month later, with billions of dollars in additional damage and at least 11 more deaths.
Obama said he wanted to ensure "that the legacy of a terrible storm is a country that is safer and more prepared for the challenges that may come."
Since taking office, Obama has sent 11 members of the Cabinet to the region to inspect progress and to hear local ideas on how to speed up repairs.
"Our approach is simple: Government must keep its responsibility to the people, so that Americans have the opportunity to take responsibility for their future," Obama said in his address, released during his vacation on Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts.
Obama acknowledged that recovery has not come at an acceptable pace.
"I have also made it clear that we will not tolerate red tape that stands in the way of progress or the waste that can drive up the bill," said Obama. "Government must be a partner — not an opponent — in getting things done."4 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
President Barack Obama promised that his... more
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You can expect a lot of Hurricane Katrina retrospectives this weekend as the fourth anniversary is upon us. I'm originally from New Orleans so it's an anniversary that unfortunately really resonates with me. This blog talks about how the storm still resonates today.You can expect a lot of Hurricane Katrina retrospectives this weekend as the fourth... more
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Katrina was less than 24 hours away from making landfall on the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coasts. (August 29, 2005).Katrina was less than 24 hours away from making landfall on the Louisiana and... more
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On this date four years ago, today (August 23, 2005) a large area of thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave and remnants of tropical depression 10 organized into a broad area of low pressure.On this date four years ago, today (August 23, 2005) a large area of thunderstorms... more
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The 2009 Hurricane Season is off to a very slow start. In a matter of fact, this is the latest start to the hurricane season this decade.The 2009 Hurricane Season is off to a very slow start. In a matter of fact, this is... more
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Global Green interns discuss their experiences working in New Orleans' Lower Ninth. The area still suffers four years after being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.Global Green interns discuss their experiences working in New Orleans' Lower Ninth.... more
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In response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to repossess temporary housing from survivors of Hurricane Katrina on June 1, the US Human Rights Network issued the following statement:
The move by FEMA to enforce the June 1st eviction date for Gulf Region residents who live in temporary trailers not only lacks basic compassion but is also a derogation of the government’s responsibilities to uphold fundamental human rights. If FEMA moves forward with the Bush administration’s plan to forcefully evict people living in temporary housing, it will make a mockery of the Gulf Region recovery promised by President Obama and Congress.
Earnest Hammond is a 70 year-old retired truck driver who received no assistance after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home. He took matters into his own hands and by collecting aluminum cans, raised thousands of dollars to repair his badly damaged house. He is eager to move back but can’t restore his home by the June 1st deadline, and is facing eviction. “I have nowhere to go if they take my trailer. It’s hard to believe I have to go through this again.”
Instead of carrying out the former administration’s callous plan for eviction, the Obama administration and Congress should apply the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, a human rights policy that, for several years, has guided our government in providing temporary and permanent homes for people in foreign countries who become displaced by earthquakes, typhoons, and flooding.
Ajamu Baraka, Executive Director of the US Human Rights Network, said:
“Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently announced that our government will be applying the human rights policy that governs internally displaced people to the homeless in Afghanistan. It is unconscionable to hold our own population to a lower standard and subject displaced Americans to evictions before permanent housing has been secured.”
Hurricane Katrina displaced over a million people, many of whom have yet to fully recover as a result of the government’s failure to honor the UN Guiding Principles and human rights treaties ratified in the US. Gulf Region residents, both renters and homeowners, have worked tirelessly to access safe, permanent housing and should have the support that our government provides under basic standards of human rights law.
FEMA fails again and again. Promises to assist the hard hit Gulf reason by now President Obama and Congress failed the thousands that now are homeless. Just a reminder, we are now in hurricane season, sleep well knowing that your Government is there to care for you, should you need it.In response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to repossess... more
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Mississippi along with several other Gulf Coast States have experienced many hurricanes of various intensities over the years, but more major hurricanes have targeted the Mississippi Gulf Coast.Mississippi along with several other Gulf Coast States have experienced many... more
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Four years since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there are still nearly 3,000 mobile homes and trailers across the Gulf Coast housing victims of that disaster.
In Louisiana, there are 2,100 families living in trailers, most of them homeowners struggling to rebuild their homes, according to figures released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mississippi has 781 families in trailers.
The numbers are down considerably from the 134,000 temporary trailers and mobile homes that dotted the Gulf Coast immediately after Katrina slammed the area in August 2005, leading to nearly 1,800 dead and thousands more homeless. Some trailer dwellers are also victims of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which hit Louisiana last summer.
The federal government has made it a priority to vacate the temporary trailers, particularly after formaldehyde and toxics were found in the trailers. This month, FEMA and HUD announced programs to help extradite residents from the trailers, including $50 million in housing vouchers.
Slow-moving federal housing funds, elderly and disabled residents unable to navigate the system, and a lack of affordable rental units have kept them from completely emptying, said Crystal Utley of the Mississippi Center for Justice, which provides legal advice to disaster victims. Escalating insurance rates in the affected areas have also made it difficult, she said.Four years since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there are still nearly 3,000... more
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One of the lessons Hurricane Katrina taught Mississippi, is being prepared by keeping the lines of communication open.One of the lessons Hurricane Katrina taught Mississippi, is being prepared by keeping... more
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These wonderful, mysterious photographs of historic New Orleans architecture are by Frank Relle, who was born and continues to work in New Orleans. Relle has been the recipient of numerous awards, and his work is represented in many major collections. His photography has appeared in The New Yorker, The Southern Review and The Oxford American magazines.
The haunting images of New Orleans at night presented here keep the viewer on edge, and yet are somehow serene. What shines through most in these images is a love of New Orleans, a respect for its beauty. The pictures are very sad, but very beautiful at the same time. Relle continues to document the changing architecture of New Orleans, hoping that people around the world will be inspired to help rebuild the city of New Orleans with the integrity she deserves.
Includes a number of stunning photographs of old New Orleans architecture, as well as a memorable, emotionally moving photo-gallery.These wonderful, mysterious photographs of historic New Orleans architecture are by... more
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“Glory at Sea” is an acclaimed narrative short film that has garnered twelve film festival awards. The film can be seen as a moving Memorial Day tribute, one that endearingly produces the forlorn feelings that are amassed within the sea of a forever-sunset palette, sanctioning our mourning within its beautiful sorrow.
Every once in a rare, long while, a film appears with such a sweeping gust of rejuvenation that it has the power to restore not only one’s faith in cinema, but in humanity as a whole. These miracles, are truly blessed creations. They are worlds unto themselves, borne out of a passionate vision, torn from the spiritual recesses of an individual’s soul and transferred miraculously onto the big screen. "Glory at Sea," a production by the acclaimed Court 13 film collective, is one of these miracles.
Includes beautiful photographs, a memorable slide show and the award-winning stunning short film, “Glory at Sea.”“Glory at Sea” is an acclaimed narrative short film that has garnered twelve film... more
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