Thoughts and prayers

[cee]

All I can say after watching CNN for the past hour or so is that our family's thoughts and prayers are with those on the Gulf coast. Although few if any of those affected will be able to read this, I hope they can take some comfort from those who's hearts go out to them. I, for one, will be forgoing any hobby purchases for awhile, and, instead, have decided to use that money to donate to relief efforts. I hope others will do the same...

Dave

[gflat65]

Jennifer's parents are in Gulfport and her sister is in Hattiesburg. She finally heard from her parents today, so we now know they are okay. They were in their way back to their house to see how much damage there is (stayed at the VA home in Biloxi through the storm). They lived a few houses behind the railroad tracks they have shown several times with the crumbled houses piled up.

I have a really good friend from college that lived right off of Hwy 90 in Biloxi. He was on the bad side of the railroad tracks (beach side) and not far from the beach, so I'm sure his house is gone. I haven't been able to get in touch with him...

From WLOX.com, you can view footage of the aftermath. There are two sets-one is 10 minutes and one is 20 minutes. The place is devastated.

[gflat65]

80% of Miss is without power. Her sister is on her way to Oxford...

[Angela Short]

We don't realize what we have till it's all washed away :(. That lumpy old mattress dosen't look so bad now especially since I still have a roof over my head and somewhere to sleep. That is very nice of you to think of others in there time of need Dave.

[imsqueak]

These people are in dire need. If you can just imagine coming home to your family on Friday night from your "good" job and fixing a nice dinner in your cozy home and waking up Monday to realize your company's shop has been destroyed so you are unemployed, your house and all your worldly possessions are gone, and thanks to God, you have your whole family to provide for... it's truly overwhelming. I went through that and I've got the Andrew t-shirt but wouldn't recommend the ride to anyone.

If you can do anything to help these folks you just cant imagine what it can do for them; physically and mentally. However, make sure your donations are specifically targeted to the Katrina storm victims and not other worldwide campaigns that the common red-cross or united way funds which help worldwide problems.

[janasleah]

My older sister lives in Columbus, MS, which is due west of Tuscaloosa. They had two trees hit their house but no major damage...got an email this morning that their power was restored overnight. Many folks in Columbus had their houses completely destroyed and most are still without power. Amazing, the power of the storm that far inland....We actually lost power for a couple of hours yesterday evening. That never happens here; we're in the city. Of course Drew panicked about the sw tank...I assured him it would probably be OK, but after an hour I was wishing I had bought a battery powered air pump. Any money we can spare this month will be heading south.

[Runner]

Two of my aunts live (lived?) in Biloxi and planned to ride out the storm. Actually, they were about 12 miles inland, so at least they didn't get caught in the massive tidal surge. A few hours of 150+ mph winds, though, must have surely leveled the little shack that was their home. They worked at one of the Casinos they keep showing on the news.

We were without power for 5 hours in Powell yesterday -- and for once I didn't worry about my tank. I just kept thinking that if this is what a little wind did to us, how much more did the people in Mississippi have to endure?

My company is on the front lines with FEMA sending in First Responders suited up in environmental suits to assess all technical problems (environmental, engineering, etc.). Our corporate office is in Baton Rouge, so this was almost an assured job. They put out a call for everybody who is OSHA trained to go. My supervisor wouldn't cut me free for it, though. I may get involved in the 2nd and 3rd Responder levels, though -- when the time comes to put together a plan then a response based on what the first responders learn.

A man at my church is organizing a chain saw and/or mudding crew to go down in a couple of weeks through the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief group. I plan to join them if I can. If anybody gets the urge to join, let me know.

[Angela Short]

After watching the news for a few hours last night I feel just awfull. I agree with Dave we should try and forgo some of out trivial luxuries and make donations to the poor people who lost everything. One dinner and a movie will set us back $75-$100 easy and we don't bat an eye. Or the flame angel I was drooling over yesterday for $50 are all things we could live without to help someone in need. Everyone, me #1, always complains about being broke and needing stuff but in reality I can do without a "taken for granted" luxury to give someone who has nothing the basic necessities of life. Helping others in need I guarentee will make you feel better inside than buying that cool new thing you just couldn't live without! Pr. 11:24,25 NIV We never know when we may need refreshing!

[gflat65]

I just heard that a friend of mine (groomsmen) that lived a couple of blocks off of the beach in Biloxi is okay. He and his wife stayed at her parents house. Their house, like most of the area between the beach and the railroad tracks, is gone. Glad to hear he made it, though...

We are still waiting to hear back from Jenn's parents. If it will be at all helpful, we will be going down to help in their neighborhood.

If you want to see some good video of the destruction, check out WLOX.com. There is a video camera icon that says something to the effect of Effects of Hurrican Katrina on Gulfport. That one is 10 minutes long. The one on Biloxi is 20 minutes long. For those that don't know the area, Hwy 90 ran along the coast and Gulfport and Biloxi are almost continuous.

[cee]

I just donated to the Red Cross through their website. Very easy, and the money is for the hurricane relief fund. You can donate as little as $5. Irony is my donation will likely not even be enough to fill the gas tank next week when I suspect the price will be pushing over $4/gallon (I expect it will hit $5 before it's over with).

While I have no friends/family down there, my wife lived in Baton Rouge for awhile and I lived in Lafayette, so we feel some association with these poor people who have lost so much and stand to lose a lot more. Please do all you can, because it's going to take a lot for people to recover from this.

Dave

[greystreet55]

I just tried to fill up in Atlanta. They cut me off at 40 dollars. the lines are 1 hour long. prices range from 3-6 dollars. and they wont let you have more than 40 dollars worth. All regular unleaded was sold out. I had to buy plus. I am sure that it will be out by tonight

[cee]

Saw that on the news. $6 is gouging! I filled both vehicles up this morning in anticipation of this after watching last night's coverage. But at least we can stil drive.

Dave

[easttn]

I can't imagine the fear and depression all those folks are under. 25000 people from one stadium to another by bus, that's a 400+ bus convoy. So many lives changed. I hope that there will be some way for me to help as the months go by.

This has all the makings of a national panic- its very sobering. 1977 - 78 gas prices skyrocketed, people stopped buying large ticket items, auto industry and all the feeder industries faltered, inflation ran out of control - I think it got to 23%. The housing market will certainly slump, you won't be able to afford a 2x4. Next week groceries will begin to increase, truckers may strike, airlines may get pushed over the edge.

Only real bright spot is may end the war. We need to take care of our own.

Art, what are you seeing at the depot?

I am scared.

[fishdoc11]

I tried to buy gas today at the Kroger down the street and they had run out. Found some at Mapco for $2.89. The petroleum suppliers say the supply isn't low but..........


I was not happy but it pales in comparison to what is happenning on the Gulf coast. My wife thought I was nuts for following the storm as close as I did but as soon as it passed the Keys it just took off and you could tell it was going to be bad....real bad. And it wasn't as bad as it could have been. We also are giving what we can. If everyone would give something it would add up to a whole lot;)

Had no idea you had family that far south Gary. Hope everyone is ok.

Chris

[jfolley67]

Hi all, I have a family staying with me....2 adults, 2 children and 2 elderly...(mother in law and sister). They have no home now to go back to....from Destrehan, LA. Might relocate here. Been cooking for 12...ugh!! But glad to do it. Hit graceworks today for clothing and stuff, they were terrific. You don't realize what you don't have. We had to wait hours today to get one of the older women medicine today covered by graceworks because she only had 2 days of medicine with her. I am telling you...amazing. If you are gonna do donations, do them to the red cross over at clearview baptist on franklin road. My family will probably go there because it is exhausting to try and feed all here. I wish I could do more but they will be here for a long long time. I think the shock is setting in for my buddy. She made it like on vacation but today it is hitting her bad today. The reality is scary as is the unknown. She has no idea what to do with her kids and school, etc....makes my little issues feel so petty....so all, say a prayer for the Williams family...they are gonna need it, they probably don't even have jobs to get back to....the buildings are gone where they worked. After going to clearview and graceworks today it was funny, I stopped at Publix (my favorite grocery store) and asked them to donate anything...was so nice, they offered them an entire free dinner..come in to the deli and pick up whatever they need for a full big meal including dessert..that was so thoughtful I thought. Besides my mom being sick lately we have had all of this to deal with BUT.....as they say.....the man upstairs will only give you enough that he believes you can deal with...apparently he thinks we are some strong folks!! Oh well, glad to help but I am honestly tired!! ;)

[gflat65]

Chris,

It's Jenn's family. I'll pass along the good wishes. We are still waiting to hear back from them a second time. Getting lines in and out seems ot be a major issue.

I just can't imagine...

[CaptainDave]

It's turning into quite a nasty situation down in NOLA. I'm worried about what this might turn into as well, Charles. I have to head to Knoxville this weekend for a wedding, and I would much rather save the gas money to send down to these poor people.

For those interested in donating and wanting to use Paypal, this site will take it:

Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund (http://writerscafe.net/donations.html)

This was set up by a guy on Fark.com, and he did the same thing for the tsunami. 100% of the money goes to Americares, which from what I have been reading is a very well-run outfit.

The site of course takes other forms of payment.

jfolley, that's awesome what you're doing!!

Everyone that has friends and family down there, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

[gflat65]

Jenn heard from her family again and they siffered minor losses. Only had a foot of water make it to their house. We are quite relieved. Just feel soo bad for all of those others. I'd love to be able to physically help down there...

[Muttling]

Is it me or is thing starting to look like the movie "Escape from New York"?

[fishdoc11]

That's exactly what I said to my wife today.....very scary and sad.

Hopefuly some people in high places will realize OUR citizens need help too. Too bad a lot of our money and reserve and guard troops are somewhere else:rolleyes:

I'll stop now.....

[Runner]

Yeah, and too bad the people in high places caused the hurricane in the first place....

;)

[fishdoc11]

You mean George Bush caused the hurricane?!?!?!

Well that's really going to hurt in the polls:lol:

That's what I get for getting political.....wanna talk about religion....or sandbeds....or skimmers...or Zeovit? :lmao:

Seriously though I am stopping now.

For Titans fans you can donate to Steve McNairs charity and get a signed 8x10 photo for a $100 minimum donation. I thought that was pretty cool. FWIW I am giving some of "our" money and some of my tank money like Dave. I challenge the rest of you to do the same:)

Chris

[awcurl]

This week all suppliers cut off fuel to the Unbranded stations so that they could keep their Branded stores in supply. There were 8 pipeline pumping stations out of service on the main line coming to Atlanta from Houston which is where we in the TN get all our fuel piped in from. We were running on the supply that was stockpiled before the storm. We came very close to completely running out of fuel. If that were to have happpened all fuel for this area would have to be trucked in from out west.

The last we heard, the pipeline was back up and running at 50%. But since we used up most of the reserve supply in Knoxville it will take about a week for all the terminals to catch back up. Until then most of the smaller stations that buy un branded fuel will have problems getting fuel. As for the price, all I know is that the wholesale price didn't cause the price increase, the demand did.

[Runner]

So it was like the stock market wildly fluctuating or the bank crash during the depression? Fear of what would happen made it so? I told my wife I thought that is why the prices went up so bad.

[EvilMel]

Thanks for the info Art.

[fishdoc11]

Fear of what would happen made it so

What's what I thought also.

Thanks for the info Art.

Chris

[Muttling]

Yesterday exemplified the total catastrophe of leadership that was running the Federal response at the beginning of this thing. Just read what the directors of FEMA and Homeland security were saying YESTERDAY.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/katrina.response/index.html

I'm guessing these are on the short list for a butt kicking once the congressional inquiries begin.



On the bright side, it looks like Bush took notice of their screw ups and pulled out the biggest guns he had.

3000 troops from 82nd Airborne have deployed for force protection/riot control, elements of 4th Infantry Division are deploying for logistics, and........


3 Star General Russel Honore, commander of 1st Army is personnally on the scene make sure it happens and happens right:

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/US/09/02/honore.profile/vert.honore.ap.jpg


I met this guy a few years ago on a marketing trip to Fort Gillem. He's very intense and very intollerant of BS. I can't imagine a better person to make it happen. Look for him to be heralded as a hero when it's all said and done.

[fishdoc11]

I'm glad what needs to be done is finally getting done. I think the press deserves some of the blame in this(this was admitted on the air this morning) for dramitizing the level of violence. This in turn made relief workers scared to enter the city. Of course a heavy national guard prescence would have helped this as well. Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville has become the hub for distributing hospitalized patients from the stricken area to various hospitals in the region. It should be pointed out that Vanderbilt initiated this....no one asked them.
Chris

[easttn]

Thank you Art. The CNN/FOX news alarmist are both so biased (L wing/R wing) it was nice to read fact. The now obvious fact that our reliance on the domestic oil pipe system and the fragile tube it travels through in remote areas are keeping me up at night. The media has done an outstanding job of pointing this flaw out and the world has seen it. We are truly at a turning point in history. I'm very scared.

[SmartWrasse]

Originally posted by Muttling


On the bright side, it looks like Bush took notice of their screw ups and pulled out the biggest guns he had.

3000 troops from 82nd Airborne have deployed for force protection/riot control, elements of 4th Infantry Division are deploying for logistics, and........


3 Star General Russel Honore, commander of 1st Army is personnally on the scene make sure it happens and happens right:

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/US/09/02/honore.profile/vert.honore.ap.jpg


I met this guy a few years ago on a marketing trip to Fort Gillem. He's very intense and very intollerant of BS. I can't imagine a better person to make it happen. Look for him to be heralded as a hero when it's all said and done.

That sounds good to me. Hard to imagine criminals taking over parts of a city and so callously preying on those who are in need.

Thanks for the other earlier posting of the link on the other charity with paypal.

As Art said, I think it was a matter of everyone who had a 1/2 tank or less in these cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, etc all buying gas at the same time. The people selling it jacked the price when they had runs on their stations. Not a good thing, but that is free enterprise. I am hopefull things will settle down on prices etc. Things I have seen in the news said there would be a couple weeks delay but gulf oil production would snap back.

[RCS]

When everyone else around here was $3.29+, I happened to notice that Wal-Mart was still keeping theirs at $3.09. I also noticed yesterday that prices were coming back down...I couldn't believe there was a lineup at 7pm on the way home Tuesday to get gas (I actually needed gas, and haven't had to fill up since...likely won't until end of next week). People are way too panicky.

From what I've read, the refineries in the area make up about 10% of production...that still leaves 90% out there, so I don't foresee a long-term impact at all, especially if people relax and go about their normal business.

[Muttling]

Long term, it sounds like natural gas is going to take the REAL hit. The hurricane knocked out a number of production fields and we don't import much NG.

[RCS]

That's what good ol' 'lectricity is for!

[janasleah]

For those of us who raid the grocery budget to buy our hobby supplies (and can't divert that money to the Red Cross)....I am going to help out at the Knoxville Coliseum with the refugees of Katrina. We're looking at a long-term stay and they're going to need help down there for a long time.

[Runner]

Originally posted by Muttling
3 Star General Russel Honore, commander of 1st Army is personnally on the scene make sure it happens and happens right:
I like this guy already. Here is an excerpt from a press conference he had last week. Gen. Honoré took over from Mayor Nagin when the reporters started to badger Nagin.

Honoré: Mr. Mayor, let's go back, because I can see right now, they're setting this up... There are buses [at the convention center]. Is that clear to you? Buses parked. There are 4,000 troops there. People come, they get on a bus, they get on a truck, they move on. Is that clear?

Female reporter: Where do they move on...

Honoré: That's not your business.

Male reporter: But General, that didn't work the first time...

Honoré: Wait a minute. It didn't work the first time? This ain't the first time. Okay?... Let's get a little trust here, because you're starting to act like this is your problem. You are carrying the message, okay?

Male reporter: We were told that Berman Stadium...would be another staging area...

Honoré: Again, the current place, I just told you one time, is the convention center... Let's not confuse the questions with the answers... You're asking last storm questions for people who are concerned about the future storm. Don't get stuck on stupid, reporters. We are moving forward. And don't confuse the people please. You are part of the public message. So help us get the message straight.

Male reporter: Why [will the convention center work] this time, though, not last time...

Honoré: You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question. We are going to deal with Rita. Rita is happening now... We can have a conversation on the side about the past, in a couple of months.

"You are stuck on stupid." —Gen. Russel Honoré :D

[Muttling]

Yep, that's Honore. He's as hard core as the come. My impression of him is that he views everyone as having a mission and part of your mission is to (1) support his mission or (2) don't get in the way of his mission.

That's a PITA detail to deal with when you're an environmental engineer trying to clean up a base under his command (e.g. ME.) However, it's a GREAT attribute to have for the man you send to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

He's not an easy guy to deal with, but if I were stuck in my attic... he ranks in the top 3 people I'd want tasked with getting me out (and I work with a number of really incredible military dudes.) If no one else were available, I'm convinced that Honore would personally chew through the roof to get his objective. At the same time, general Honore's foot would be knee deep in the butt of any 1st sergeant who thought he was too good to bite into an asphalt shingle.

This is one of those guys that expects the moon from anyone who works under him, but he also expects the moon AND the stars from himself. Trying to do environmental clean up under this guy is rough because it's never going to be mission critical. None the less, I have an insane amount of respect for who he is and what he can do when the brown stuff hits the rotating oscillator.