Racism, My Ass!
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/plans/EOPSupplement1a.pdf
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
The Mayor of New Orleans is Black and according to the Louisiana State of Emergency Plan, he is the one responsible for calling the evacuations.
With just a few clicks on the key board, I found a 2000 census for Orleans Parish and the State of Louisiana.
O. P. State
White persons 28.1% 63.9%
Black or African American persons 67.3% 32.5%
I also found the Louisisna States Emergency Operation Plan. In the summary of the plan, it states that a category 3, 4, or 5 hurricane will be categorized as catastrophic.
The summary went on to say “it was not intended to replace or supersede any local plans, which are incorporated by reference, nor does it usurp the authority of any local governing body.” In my opinion, this statement means that the plan was written and even practiced, but clearly, it was never intended to be followed at the local level.
I continued to read the plan and found that there are three phases to the evacuation process: precautionary/voluntary, recommended, and mandatory. Nowhere in the plan did I find anything about when to implement each phase. However, I did run across a section titled “Situations”. This briefly explained possible levee breeches, tidal surges, evacuations problems due to the city grid and due to evacuation routes located near bodies of water. I know that State and Local Public Officials knew prior to hurricane Katrina, the possible effects that a storm of this magnitude could cause.
Under the section “Assumptions”, it states, “the primary means of evacuation will be personal vehicles. School and municipal buses, government-owned vehicles and vehicles provided by volunteer agencies may be used to provide transportation for individuals who lack transportation and require assistance in evacuating.” This part of the plan was followed by those who evacuated in their personal vehicles and the one person who stole a school bus and drove it loaded with refugees to the Astrodome.
The last item I want to bring up is the “Last Resort Refuge”. This section says that once the evacuation routes are closed and there is no other option, as a last resort, a shelter that will protect against heavy winds and rains will be provided. It goes on to specifically state “unlike a shelter, there may be little or no water or food and possibly no utilities. This just goes to show us that the State and Local Officials chose not to follow the plan and instead of using all available means (school buses) they let these people think that they were just going to ride out a storm in a strong building (Superdome). What were these officials thinking?
The State and Local Public Officials failed their people. This is not about race. This is about the breakdown of a system.
Here is a link to the Louisisana State of Emergency Plan
With just a few clicks on the key board, I found a 2000 census for Orleans Parish and the State of Louisiana.
O. P. State
White persons 28.1% 63.9%
Black or African American persons 67.3% 32.5%
I also found the Louisisna States Emergency Operation Plan. In the summary of the plan, it states that a category 3, 4, or 5 hurricane will be categorized as catastrophic.
The summary went on to say “it was not intended to replace or supersede any local plans, which are incorporated by reference, nor does it usurp the authority of any local governing body.” In my opinion, this statement means that the plan was written and even practiced, but clearly, it was never intended to be followed at the local level.
I continued to read the plan and found that there are three phases to the evacuation process: precautionary/voluntary, recommended, and mandatory. Nowhere in the plan did I find anything about when to implement each phase. However, I did run across a section titled “Situations”. This briefly explained possible levee breeches, tidal surges, evacuations problems due to the city grid and due to evacuation routes located near bodies of water. I know that State and Local Public Officials knew prior to hurricane Katrina, the possible effects that a storm of this magnitude could cause.
Under the section “Assumptions”, it states, “the primary means of evacuation will be personal vehicles. School and municipal buses, government-owned vehicles and vehicles provided by volunteer agencies may be used to provide transportation for individuals who lack transportation and require assistance in evacuating.” This part of the plan was followed by those who evacuated in their personal vehicles and the one person who stole a school bus and drove it loaded with refugees to the Astrodome.
The last item I want to bring up is the “Last Resort Refuge”. This section says that once the evacuation routes are closed and there is no other option, as a last resort, a shelter that will protect against heavy winds and rains will be provided. It goes on to specifically state “unlike a shelter, there may be little or no water or food and possibly no utilities. This just goes to show us that the State and Local Officials chose not to follow the plan and instead of using all available means (school buses) they let these people think that they were just going to ride out a storm in a strong building (Superdome). What were these officials thinking?
The State and Local Public Officials failed their people. This is not about race. This is about the breakdown of a system.
Here is a link to the Louisisana State of Emergency Plan
