History's Garbage Dump - TANSTAAFL

Well, it seems that we've attracted pests. To Whom it may concern: I've broken out the Raid, so if you use obscene language, you get zapped.

Several days ago I finished the second of two recreational books I'd brought to Louisiana. The Stress Management group (it's FEMA- of course there's one) has the offices next to the one I've been sleeping in, so I brought them the books and suggested a "leave one, take one" library. They thought that so great an idea that a few days later they bought several more at a Dollar Store. Well, I haven't noticed a lot of turnover, but tonight the shelf sported some new additions- pamphlets from the 'Church of Scientology Disaster Response Team'. I thought about pitching them, but it would probably make them believe there's a demand. Next time I run into one of these people, maybe I'll just offer to help them get 'located'- hard to do when one's head is up one's ass.

The FASTAC is still sitting at the dealership, awaiting an apparently hard-to-come-by (at least in Baton Rouge) part. So I'm driving my boss's Tahoe to NOLA this AM. Exact assignment unclear, and billeting still up in the air- one rumor is still a berth on the Iwo Jima.
Net access is still a question mark. I have applied for a dial-up, but the IT guy didn't come back to implement it on this comp. So if I'm not a web presence for a while, *hearty handshake* for all the guys, and *hugs**lingering* for all the ladies.

Drive-by blogging from the heart of FEMA-

I was just asked when I go off-duty. My response: "After the next hurricane or so."

Set out for NOLA early yesterday. On the Eastern outposts of Baton Rouge, the FASTAC vehicle died. It is currently awaiting repair at a local Ford dealership. In the aftermath, I am back to night duty at the Baton Rouge HQ.
I spent several hours awaiting the tow that was promised for 1 hour. The only reason they came at all was my boss's (unfounded) threat to turn The Admiral loose on them for keeping a FEMA medical officer sidelined for so long.
Many people, some with less than nothing to call their own, stopped to offer aid, rides, and drinks. There is a spirit of hope and future here that I'm sure you won't hear about in MSM. And praise and thanks for FEMA and the many people who are down here working the recovery effort.
So I still have yet to see NOLA, and tonight's scuttlebutt is that the new storm might well follow Katrina's track. *Sigh* I never made it to Margaritaville. But I have been drunk in Atlanta with Jimmy Buffett.

I drove through Mississippi Monday night on my way to Baton Rouge. It looked as though G-d had taken a weed-wacker to the place. Lots of wood down. Road signs twisted down like discarded matchbook covers. Utter blackness where we once controlled the night. Signs of civilization in the most surprising spots. Anarchy in sporadic outbreaks.

Free-floating cluster-fuck in all the various HQs, but the work is getting done, with amazing speed and surprising efficiencies.

Working with NOLA residents is heart-breaking. There are people who have lost everything but their lives and their family. There are others who have lost family. What would you do if you had to flee with what was on your back? These are not the first refugees in history; they won't be the last. But still tragic.

Sometime in next 48 hours I may move into NOLA itself. Too late for Mardi Gras. No one to throw beads at, anyway.

Caught a little of the President's speech tonight. Steve Chapman wrote a thought-provoking article in the Chicago Trib of 9/13: "Should we even rebuild N.O.?" Looks like it will happen whether or not it really makes sense.

Talked to a worker tonight about the morgue effort. Non-stop sadness wherever you look, down here. Many workers will become psych casualties as the weeks go on. Most will not, will just soldier on. But some people manage to keep smiling. Excellent pics from the FEMA JFO by a blogger at : www.sarahbottinbatonrouge.blogspot.com.

Update 18SEP05:
The blog referenced above is down; I'm told the blogger is no longer here. For those who missed the photo of the "Church of Scientology Disaster Response Vehicle", tough luck.

Thanks to Joe & Sherri, Sarge & Diana, Mike, the fine ladies at Nursefinders/SB, Steve, and assorted lizardoids (you know who you are) for bottled water, road munchies, miscellaneous supplies and goodies, or moral support.
Albright's Cycling and Fitness, of Mishawaka, IN, donated a check-out of the aging Schwinn I'm toting along. Thanks again, guys.

For anyone who cares:

After much deliberation, and a lot of bending of friends' ears, I'm headed for Baton Rouge. My chain of command isn't sending me, and the State Dept. of Homeland Security hasn't organized their next wave yet, so I'll be a civilian contractor for FEMA. Doing this now means probably losing one job, but the need seems greatest now, and I want to be able to face myself in the mirror. I'll be out of electronic contact for a while, so sometime in the next 72 hours I'll be signing off for an indefinite period.

Licenses accepted by LA. Office staff bought me a carton of bottled water, protective gear, and Little Debbies for the road. So I've got water, MREs, Little Debbies, J. Walker Red, and .45 ball. What more could I possibly need? A more reliable vehicle. But I'm sure the bumper stickers will be a hit:

Missing B100's birthday party to do this, so there better be at least one working C&W radio station down that way.

F Troop- hold the fort while I'm gone. Defend it with extreme prejudice.

G-d bless all those who are helping, and if there is a Hell, may G-d damn to eternal Hell all those Democrats who are trying to destroy this country by making this disaster a political football.

(excerpts from LGF comments)

1. Effects happen in irregular ripples. Supplies continue to diminish in a widening circle from the epicenter.
2. The LA National Guard was on scene before the flooding began. More LA and Federal military and civilian assistance continues to pour into the Gulf area, including vehicles, aircraft, and capital ships. They must bring their own fuel, water, and food.
3. Many victims made themselves victims, and continue to wait for someone else to fix their problems. A determined group, self-organized, could walk or raft out of New Orleans in less than 4 hours. As they weaken, self-rescue, or any rescue, becomes less of a certainty than death.
4. The death toll will be staggering. That, the hurricane itself, and Gov. Blanco's total lack of spine and skill, are not the fault of President George Bush.
5. Martial law is an ugly thing. It will be required to restore order and provide meaningful assistance.
6. Monetary donations to ARC, Salvation Army, and a select handful of main-line charities, is probably the most effective way most Americans can help. Direct aid is for experts, or those who find themselves with out-of-state refugees to aid.
7. Serious thought must be given as to whether or not NOLA and other Gulf Coast communities should be re-built; other than hardened port facilities with raised roads to inland centers.
8. Katy Couric is a two-bit whore.

Also see:some thoughts on preparation.