Children's Hospital under Seige

[jasons2k]

NOLA.com:

Children's Hospital under seige

Tuesday, 11:45 p.m.

Late Tuesday, Gov. Blanco spokeswoman Denise Bottcher described a disturbing scene unfolding in uptown New Orleans, where looters were trying to break into Children's Hospital.

Bottcher said the director of the hospital fears for the safety of the staff and the 100 kids inside the hospital. The director said the hospital is locked, but that the looters were trying to break in and had gathered outside the facility.

The director has sought help from the police, but, due to rising flood waters, police have not been able to respond.

Bottcher said Blanco has been told of the situation and has informed the National Guard. However, Bottcher said, the National Guard has also been unable to respond.

[ericinmia]

Alright now i'm getting infuriated....

On two fronts:

1. Who the hell are these scum of the earth that should rott in the deepest depths of hell.

2. Why, WHY isn't their a FULL military presence. If someone gets kidnaped or there is a problem anywhere in the world we can respond in hours if not MINUTES. Why can't why respond with that same force in our own country! This is soo shameful.

I'm at a loss.....
-Eric

[SouthFLTropics]

First of all I for one am not quick to advocate the use of using our regular military to police our own people...That being said, I feel that in dire times the need for that does come sometimes. We as a people in the United States hold forth certain freedoms that you don't see in other countries. By instituting Martial Law we basically abolish those freedoms and give total rule of the area to the military...essentially an occupying force on our own soil. That is not an easy pill to swallow but given the current circumstances in NOLA I feel the time has come to put that into effect. The full resources of all branches of the military need to be brought into NOLA to restore order and put this anarchy to rest. The City and State are having enough to deal with just with the Natural part of this disaster and now the "fools" who were not smart enough to evac with the rest of the people are causing more problems. Bring the military in now and stop this uprising before it gets further out of hand. It is now to a point that it is crippling the rescue and recovery efforts.

[Praxus]

On CNN they said that the military wasn't taking a more active role because
they didn't want it to seem like local officials couldn't handle things.

Jeez the governor got close to crying on national tv...I think they should get their butts in gear, they are needed.

[djtil]

i also think this is one of the few times i condone a full military response due to the communications and mobility problem.....the "real" military has the resources to function in these conditions....the guard im not sure...it doesnt seem like they do though.

[SouthFLTropics]

Unfortunately it already seems that the local and state officials cannot handle this situation...Don't be too proud to ask for help...Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin, get on the phone to President Bush and get the military in there now!!!

[TSmith274]

Surely these aren't looters! I can't imagine people going to those depths of behavior... looting Children's Hospital?? Jesus.

Perhaps they are seeking higher ground in the hospital, which, if I remember correctly, is about 10 stories. That area of the city should be getting rapidly rising floodwaters about now, with the breach at the 17th Street Canal.

[ericinmia]

i also think this is one of the few times i condone a full military response due to the communications and mobility problem.....the "real" military has the resources to function in these conditions....the guard im not sure...it doesnt seem like they do though.

Agreed, if we don't get the military in there soon... its going to get really bad. These thugs are getting more brazen by the hour.
-Eric

[kevin]

On CNN they said that the military wasn't taking a more active role because
they didn't want it to seem like local officials couldn't handle things.

They can't. They haven't been. The military has the capabilities and the training to enforce law and order. It couldn't hurt. It simply could not hurt if lawlessness cannot be addressed. Martial law sickens my stomach, but there is only one thing worse than military government and that is no government. Once the criminals realize they can act in a limited manner, they will not hesitate to broaden their moves. That is why decisiveness is always important. Seizing the initiative.

Not to sound like a couch quarterback since I do not have the right intel to truly judge the situation. These are just my feelings.

[scostorms]

What is in the minds of these people! Think about it, it is a being just like you! With a mind, thinking probably who cares about the children hospital! I hope the employees and kids die? Good God, I hope these people trying to get in drown in the rising waters.

[CentralFlGal]

I am the last person who would advocate the use of force in delicate times such as these, but enough is enough.

Trying times bring out the best in people as well as the worst. We should deal swiftly and hard with the worst to bring it under control. There is simply no explanation for this behavior other than the offenders acting like wild beasts.

Can't blame it on traumatic stress, because if that were the case, then everyone in these situations would revert to this insipid and grotesque behavior.

Watching the footage of looters parading around with smiles on their faces earlier yesterday made me want to wretch. "Look what I got!" was the impression I received. I can't begin to imagine how many controlled substances are now in the hands of base individuals.

I really hope the Children's Hospital held up against their attack.

[Frantastic]

In 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans was placed under martial law after widespread flooding rendered civil authority ineffective. The state of Louisiana does not have an actual legal construct called "martial law," but instead something quite like it: a state of public health emergency. The state of emergency allowed the governor can suspend laws, order evacuations, and limit the sales of items such as alcohol and firearms.

Found this on a US Constitution web site. Seems to be some confusion on exactly who can declare martial law, President, Congress, Governor?

[weatherSnoop]

Hmmm, Such was the case on Saturday in regards to Manditory Evacuations... I see State constitutional amendments in order.
BTW: I extremely dislike the misuse of them, but like all constitutions some adjustments must be made.

[Frantastic]

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_mlaw.html

[CFL]

On CNN they said that the military wasn't taking a more active role because
they didn't want it to seem like local officials couldn't handle things.

Jeez the governor got close to crying on national tv...I think they should get their butts in gear, they are needed.

I don't think you can expect any local officials anywhere to be able to handle something of this magnitude without outside intervention. Hopefully we'll see that happen very soon.

[jlauderdal]

NOLA.com:

Children's Hospital under seige

Tuesday, 11:45 p.m.

Late Tuesday, Gov. Blanco spokeswoman Denise Bottcher described a disturbing scene unfolding in uptown New Orleans, where looters were trying to break into Children's Hospital.

Bottcher said the director of the hospital fears for the safety of the staff and the 100 kids inside the hospital. The director said the hospital is locked, but that the looters were trying to break in and had gathered outside the facility.

The director has sought help from the police, but, due to rising flood waters, police have not been able to respond.

Bottcher said Blanco has been told of the situation and has informed the National Guard. However, Bottcher said, the National Guard has also been unable to respond.

this would be a good time to call in the apaches, nuff said.

[jlauderdal]

In 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans was placed under martial law after widespread flooding rendered civil authority ineffective. The state of Louisiana does not have an actual legal construct called "martial law," but instead something quite like it: a state of public health emergency. The state of emergency allowed the governor can suspend laws, order evacuations, and limit the sales of items such as alcohol and firearms.

Found this on a US Constitution web site. Seems to be some confusion on exactly who can declare martial law, President, Congress, Governor?

how about they all declare it then we ask questions later.

[Cookiely]

I don't think these are looters but drug addicts looking for a fix. I say shoot them and put them out of their misery.

[Josephine96]

Please tell me they're joking about this.. Why the heck would they wanna scare innocent kids like that.. What's the matter with these people/

[Marilyn]

I don't think these are looters but drug addicts looking for a fix. I say shoot them and put them out of their misery.

I do to Cookiely,, Why else would they try and get into a Hospital! Just like the ones i saw the other day on tv it look like they were looting a drug store.