Louisiana Loathing

I've caught this in the news and on several blogs.

The Louisiana Department of Homeland Security blocked a vanguard of Red Cross trucks filled with water, food, blankets and hygiene items from bringing relief to the thousands of hungry and thirsty evacuees stranded in the New Orleans Superdome after Hurricane Katrina struck, according to a Fox News Channel report.

The state agency responsible for Louisiana's security "told the Red Cross explicitly, you cannot come," said Fox News reporter Major Garrett in a radio interview.

and

The Louisiana governor's office of Homeland Security explained to the Red Cross that they didn't want the relief supplies, because they wanted the evacuees to leave, according to Garrett.

"At the very moment that Ray Nagin, the Mayor of New Orleans, was screaming where's the food, where's the water, it was over the overpass [nearby], and state officials were saying you can't come in," Garrett said.

So here's another place where FEMA wasn't directly at fault. Though I'd say that they are a partner in the problem. The logic goes, that FEMA is the agency that assists in training and preparations for emergency scenarios. The coordination was obviously not there. The state DHS was so short sighted that they didn't know that people couldn't get out. The mayor of NOLA failed to make that clear to the state, not to mention failing to assist in evacuation.

The Red Cross has posted a "Disaster FAQ" on its website which explains, "Access to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders."

The private charity says, "The state Homeland Security Department had requested -- and continues to request -- that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city."

Yup, that's pretty disturbing.
[h/t Ravenwood among others]

On the topic of NOLA, we have another Ravenwood's Universe post that is disturbing, though the result is understandable. This from the NYTimes:

Waters were receding across this flood-beaten city today as police officers began confiscating weapons, including legally registered firearms, from civilians in preparation for a mass forced evacuation of the residents still living here. No civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to carry pistols, shotguns or other firearms, said P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police. "Only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons," he said.

I suppose the authorities have that right, since it is in the state of marshal law at the moment. Though I must admit I find this next paragraph disturbing in contrast.

But that order apparently does not apply to hundreds of security guards hired by businesses and some wealthy individuals to protect property. The guards, employees of private security companies like Blackwater, openly carry M-16's and other assault rifles. Mr. Compass said that he was aware of the private guards, but that the police had no plans to make them give up their weapons. [Emphasis mine]

Now why are wealthy individuals allowed to stay in NOLA, but not others? I can understand the security companies, as long as they are coordinated with law enforcement. They're there to ensure that certain exceptionally valuable sites aren't plundered. That alleviates law enforcement control. But the wealthy individual is getting preference because of their wealth. The individual isn't coordinated with law enforcement. Just how wealthy do you need to be to stay in NOLA and be armed to protect yourself and your possessions? And why are the wealthy being given a choice, while the poor aren't?

No class preferences here.

UPDATE:
Go read this entry from SayUncle on the rise in the number of firearms sold after the hurricane. Especially look at the second quote on nurses who are returning to work in NOLA.