National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Four days after Hurricane Katrina struck, the National Guard arrived in force Friday with food, water and weapons, churning through the floodwaters in a vast truck convoy with orders to retake the streets and bring relief to the suffering.

"The cavalry is and will continue to arrive," said Lt. Gen. Steven Blum of the National Guard.

At the New Orleans Convention Center, some of the thousands of storm victims awaiting their deliverance applauded, threw their hands heavenward and screamed, "Thank you, Jesus!" as the camouflage-green trucks and hundreds of soldiers arrived.

"Lord, I thank you for getting us out of here," said Leschia Radford.

But there was also anger and profane catcalls.

"Hell no, I'm not glad to see them. They should have been here days ago. I ain't glad to see 'em. I'll be glad when 100 buses show up," said 46-year-old Michael Levy, whose words were echoed by those around him yelling, "Hell, yeah! Hell yeah!"

"We've been sleeping on the ... ground like rats," Levy said. "I say burn this whole ... city down."

The Guard said its first priority was delivering food and water, after which it would begin evacuating people - something that could take days.

"As fast as we can, we'll move them out," said Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore. "Worse things have happened to America," he added. "We're going to overcome this, too. It's not our fault. The storm came and flooded the city."

Message edited 9/2/2005 2:29:40 PM.

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them...what do you think about that?

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Posted by Redhead

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Red, you said it best in response to this article

I think I gotta stop reading these articles and news clips coming out of New Orleans.. its just too much

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

There are so many articles out there and I just keep reading them because I am completely amazed at the state of this city.

Plus sharing them spreads the information. But I do think that its information overload on some sites now and I think I need to stop looking at pictures and reading stories.

It is such a disaster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Oh no Kathy, I am glad you posted it ... I mean we really can hardly escape it anyhow, and in a way its important to read about it

but the stories are all so contradictory and unfortuante and sad and ANGRY , it makes me just disgusted and sad all rolled into one

(me and everyone else I'm sure )

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

"Hell no, I'm not glad to see them. They should have been here days ago. I ain't glad to see 'em. I'll be glad when 100 buses show up," said 46-year-old Michael Levy, whose words were echoed by those around him yelling, "Hell, yeah! Hell yeah


Oh Lordy *** these are defintely peopleI want to risk my life for***

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

"Never bit the hand that saves you... even if that hand is a bit late"

OMG... the individual men and women in the Guard have nothing to do with how fast they get down there.

HOLY @#$%, what is wrong with people? Can you imagine survivors of the Holocaust who were in the camps when the Russians (they arrrived first) liberated them saying, "Hey, where they heck were you?" I know a Holocaust survivor who (after his shower) was given an old Nazi uniform by US soldiers to wear because that's all there was. To this day he says, yes, he was still thankful because it was clothing.

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

I can't even begin to comprehend how these people have been living. I can only assume that they have reached a point of exhustion and desperation that some are speaking from a place of confusion and frustration. I just hope that they voice it instead of acting on it like some have.

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Posted by unbelievable

"Hell no, I'm not glad to see them. They should have been here days ago. I ain't glad to see 'em. I'll be glad when 100 buses show up," said 46-year-old Michael Levy, whose words were echoed by those around him yelling, "Hell, yeah! Hell yeah


Oh Lordy *** these are defintely peopleI want to risk my life for***

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Posted by Moehick

Posted by heidla

I can't even begin to comprehend how these people have been living. I can only assume that they have reached a point of exhustion and desperation that some are speaking from a place of confusion and frustration. I just hope that they voice it instead of acting on it like some have.

Exactly I can't fault these people for being upset....how many people here during the Blackout were bitching that there f'en cell phones weren't working

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Posted by Moehick

Posted by heidla

I can't even begin to comprehend how these people have been living. I can only assume that they have reached a point of exhustion and desperation that some are speaking from a place of confusion and frustration. I just hope that they voice it instead of acting on it like some have.

Exactly I can't fault these people for being upset....how many people here during the Blackout were bitching that there f'en cell phones weren't working

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

I dont think we can judge...people are in survival mode and unless you have been there I think you can not even begin to fathom what it is like.

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

I'm sorry- but it is very easy for everyone here to sit and judge. We are all safe and dry. I spoke to my SIL today who has lived in the Gulf SHore of MIssissippi for the last two summers. They are devestated there. Everyone lost there houses- even those who were able to leave. And they know that most of the people who were not able to leave were just so poor, they didn't have any resources.

I can understand being angry and frustrated when nothing has really been done since Tuesday, when it ended. Its so devestating. The article clearly says that some peopel are thanking g-d for the National Guard - but others have every right to be upset and angry. The news just spins it so we think everyone is angry, ****** off and looting. Most people are helping one another.

My SIL told me that a furniture store in Mississippi opened itself up and let people sleep on their furniture. And strangers have opened up their homes. Overall, people are happy for the Natinoal Guard and are being good and helping one another.

However, unfortuneately, anger, tragedy, violence and looting sell more papers. What does that say about our society?

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Posted by Redhead

Posted by DebG

I dont think we can judge...people are in survival mode and unless you have been there I think you can not even begin to fathom what it is like.

if they were on survival mode then they would just shut up and except any help that is given...

sorry...i know they have been though hell but HELP IS HELP!

Don't sit there screaming at the top of you lungs for help and then when it comes act like an azz

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

Re: National Guard Arrives - some people are NOT happy to see them

I agree...the media is focusing mostly on the idiots....

I really hope that they are relieved to see people bustin their butt to get to them and get them what they need