Tuesday, May 23, 2006

The real truth about Katrina and America's heros who saved tens of thousands

For 9 months, our heads have been filled with lies and distortions by the media. Finally the real truth is starting to come out about the real heroes of Hurricane Katrina.

These dedicated men and women from the Coast Guard, National Guard and first responders are finally having their stories told. It is a shame that the media filled America's head with so many lies, that it has taken 9 months for the truth to come out.

The story is a must read about America's heros. It is long, but well worth the read. Here is a snippet-

Do you remember the dramatic TV footage of National Guard helicopters landing at the Superdome as soon as Katrina passed, dropping off tens of thousands saved from certain death? The corpsmen running with stretchers, in an echo of M*A*S*H, carrying the survivors to ambulances and the medical center? About how the operation, which also included the Coast Guard, regular military units, and local first responders, continued for more than a week?

Me neither. Except that it did happen, and got at best an occasional, parenthetical mention in the national media. The National Guard had its headquarters for Katrina, not just a few peacekeeping troops, in what the media portrayed as the pit of Hell. Hell was one of the safest places to be in New Orleans, smelly as it was. The situation was always under control, not surprisingly because the people in control were always there.

From the Dome, the Louisiana Guard's main command ran at least 2,500 troops who rode out the storm inside the city, a dozen emergency shelters, 200-plus boats, dozens of high-water vehicles, 150 helicopters, and a triage and medical center that handled up to 5,000 patients (and delivered 7 babies). The Guard command headquarters also coordinated efforts of the police, firefighters and scores of volunteers after the storm knocked out local radio, as well as other regular military and other state Guard units.

Jack Harrison, a spokesman for the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Virginia, cited "10,244 sorties flown, 88,181 passengers moved, 18,834 cargo tons hauled, 17,411 saves" by air. Unlike the politicians, they had a working chain of command that commandeered more relief aid from other Guard units outside the state. From day one.


1 comment:

K. Carpenter said...

Aw shucks! You said such nice things and their I go again blasting Kenosha teachers. Thank goodness you are not a Kenosha teacher, you might be offended by what I have said. I am still really miffed at the Kenosha teachers, in case you didn't notice

To be totally fair- not every Kenosha teacher voted for WEAC. I think I will add that to my next post.