Iowa vs. New Orleans

[Art]

I got this in an e-mail. I was thinking this myself, so I'm glad others have taken notice. Sorry if it's a repost.

Limbaugh:

“I want to know. I look at Iowa, I look at Illinois-I want to see the murders. I want to see the looting. I want to see all the stuff that happened in New Orleans. I see devastation in Iowa and Illinois that dwarfs what happened in New Orleans. I see people working together. I see people trying to save their property…I don't see a bunch of people running around waving guns at helicopters, I don't see a bunch of people running shooting cops. I don't see a bunch of people raping people on the street. I don't see a bunch of people doing everything they can…whining and moaning-where's FEMA, where's BUSH. I see the heartland of America. When I look at Iowa and when I look at Illinois, I see the backbone of America.”

[Snareman2]

Amen! I see good country folks who have worked hard all their lives, and know what hard work is. Not free loaders that think the government owes them something all the time.

[raktrakr]

I wish a lot more would take notice but its a touchy subject that some wont dare go(media)

[Art]

I wish a lot more would take notice but its a touchy subject that some wont dare go(media)


I agree. It's black and white, literally, in this instance... I think many would like to make it a race issue, but it's really not. It's about different values of two different segments of society It all comes down to accepting responsibility for ones self. Both places faced a tragic event, but how they coped is what is important to note.

I still remember people going so far as to say that Bush and God had somehow "controlled the weather" to punish people, or for financial gain. What a crock... When you reach that deep you are not going to accept responsibility for ANYTHING.

[lonesomepine]

There was plenty of devastation in rural areas of Louisiana and Mississippi that you didn't hear about,I think you are highly underestimating the damage caused by two hurricanes in the gulf region,there is no way the floods in Iowa caused more damage.I was down south a couple months ago and places that used to be there aren't there any more,I'm not talking about homes,I'm talking about entire towns.Sure the inner city trash of New Orleans begged for handouts,but many folks in Louisiana have been hurt by FEMA and the Govt's strict rules on rebuilding and can't afford to do so because of it.There are whole towns made of RV's and Campers at Campgrounds still today.You should drive through Cameron Parish Louisiana where they are still finding bodies in the marsh,big ships inland,and swaths of destruction still plainly visible for miles inland.
You can bet your big hero's in Iowa and Illinois are either getting or will be getting their fair share of aid from state and feds.

[Art]

Damage is relative. What's the difference if your house gets washed down a river in Iowa or blown away by a Hurricane in Louisiana?

Many of the farmers already had contracts on their crops, which means they had already been paid. Since they have nothing to give this year and the price of corn is rising, they will actually OWE money.

So what if the govt. helps them? The govt. can and did provide help to hurricane victims as well. The problem was that many people thought they deserved more. They took that assistance and uses it to buy TV's and purses.

Maybe if the people who were hit by a hurricane 3 years ago are so fed up because they are still living in a FEMA trailer, then they should send it north and let someone else in need use it for a half decade.

[lonesomepine]

Damage is relative. What's the difference if your house gets washed down a river in Iowa or blown away by a Hurricane in Louisiana?

Many of the farmers already had contracts on their crops, which means they had already been paid. Since they have nothing to give this year and the price of corn is rising, they will actually OWE money.

So what if the govt. helps them? The govt. can and did provide help to hurricane victims as well. The problem was that many people thought they deserved more. They took that assistance and uses it to buy TV's and purses.

Maybe if the people who were hit by a hurricane 3 years ago are so fed up because they are still living in a FEMA trailer, then they should send it north and let someone else in need use it for a half decade.


Maybe you should go look at the difference in how massive the destruction was.

[schroader]

Maybe you should go look at the difference in how massive the destruction was.

There is a big differance. You can rebuild a house and buy more clothes, but they cant replant the food tell next spring.

[Art]

Maybe you should go look at the difference in how massive the destruction was.


What difference does it make? Does it take longer to rebuild something in Louisiana then it does in Iowa?

All I'm saying is that the situations are somewhat similar in the fact that mother nature destroyed peoples lives. What should be noted is the obvious differences in how all the people involved have dealt with their misfortune. The media has also handled each story differently. Katrina was all about showing how poor the govt. is at turning lemons into lemonade. In Iowa it has been about people are trying to overcome what they have been dealt.

I feel sorry for ALL who have been effected, but I hate to see anyone sit back and complain when there are things they could and should be doing to help themselves.

[lonesomepine]

Hmm,Holly Beach,Louisiana =
http://www.ritaimages.com/photos/d/579-4/Holly+Beach+Louisiana?g2_GALLERYSID=bdf117e92a333c dac17d8fba275925b4

That's what used to be a thriving town looked like after "Rita".Destruction like this went for miles inland along the entire Louisiana Gulf Coast and part of Texas and Mississippi.National Wildlife Refuges are still closed today because of hazardous debris scattered everywhere.

[lonesomepine]

What difference does it make? Does it take longer to rebuild something in Louisiana then it does in Iowa?

All I'm saying is that the situations are somewhat similar in the fact that mother nature destroyed peoples lives. What should be noted is the obvious differences in how all the people involved have dealt with their misfortune. The media has also handled each story differently. Katrina was all about showing how poor the govt. is at turning lemons into lemonade. In Iowa it has been about people are trying to overcome what they have been dealt.

I feel sorry for ALL who have been effected, but I hate to see anyone sit back and complain when there are things they could and should be doing to help themselves.

That's where you are misjudging Art,you think everybody in Louisiana just layed down and wanted a handout?Most folks there tried to help themselves,but not only did they lose everything they had,they lost their whole communities,jobs were gone,roads were gone,shoot when I was there in April Pecan Island,La had just got a firetruck finally back after people worked and donated to buy it themselves,not from FEMA or any handout.

[lonesomepine]

There is a big differance. You can rebuild a house and buy more clothes, but they cant replant the food tell next spring.


Oh,so corn is more important than your clothes and house right? I guess they don't grow "Food" in Louisiana either,huh? Better check your facts first.

I suppose none of those poor Iowa corn farmers raised grain under FSA contracts either,or had crop insurance did they?

[lonesomepine]

Louisiana’s farmers help Louisiana place very high in the nation in:

Harvested Acres

No. 1 in sugar
No. 2 in rice and sweet potatoes
No. 9 in cotton and sorghum

Crop Production:


No. 1 in crawfish
No. 2 in sweet potatoes and sugar
No. 2 in rice
No. 20th in sorghum
No. 9 in cotton
(Louisiana Agricultural Statistics 2005)

[Art]

I think you're missing the point lonesome. I'm not saying everyone in Louisiana is a roving thug without a job. All I'm saying is that there are some obvious differences. The media LOVED Katrina because it gave them an inroad to attack Bush and his ultimate control of FEMA. Can we not agree that within a week of Katrina hitting, we were all more focused on our governments failures then we were any other factor?

BTW- I really don't think I'd even attempt to claim that Louisiana's agricultural output is anywhere near Iowa's in size or importance. Crawfish or corn....Hmmm.:D

[headoftheholler]

Personally, I believe that race has a lot to do with the difference in the two. I call it like I see it. I used to live in an urban city in Georgia, high crime, high homicide rates, and a high % of blacks (80%) and when we had a tornado come through sure enough there was looting. I now live in a very rual area (98% white) low crime, low homicides, and when we have a disaster, namely flooding, people help each other as we see our neighbors as extended family, not as someone we can take advantage of.

[lonesomepine]

I understand your point Art,personally I never liked New Orleans except for when I used to party a little and went to a couple Mardi Gras there.Fact is I have always preferred rural living,my point is you can't compare the magnitude of the two disasters,while I am slightly biased toward Louisiana because I lived and worked there years ago,was married to a Cajun girl,and have a son in college at UL-Lafayette.The media could mess up a wet dream,but you can't blame or lump together everyone affected either.
I was talking to a black guy who worked for the Post Office in Cincinnati once,he also worked part time as a garbage man for some contractor there,he said he always had tons of garbage to pick up in these slums in Cincy so he told his boss why don't they build those people a decent place to live and maybe they wouldn't have so much junk.His boss told him that it wouldn't matter where they lived it would be the same,he told me at first he was mad being black himself and all,but they built brand new housing for those people and in no time it was trashed and back to the same old ,same old.He said you know my boss was right.



Out of curiosity,I wonder how much of that Iowa corn actually goes to the USA and how much is exported?

[EKY.MTN.HUNTER]

Comparing the New Orleans response to that of Iowa is an apples to oranges comparison, it isn't much of one at all.

[MsgMills]

Sorry to jump on your favor for LA over Iowa stance Lonesomepine....But Least you forget, New Orleans had several days to prepare, evacuate and everything else to do prior to the Storms of Katrina. But most sat on their kiesters waiting for the onslaught of the Storm and then complained about not getting the help they needed. The Governor and Mayor turned down the Aid offered by the Government at first, " Quote they Governor and Mayor said they could handle the situation" Then all Hades broke out when the Levee broke. I totally blame The LA. Governor and Mayor Ragin over the whole debacle of the Mess in LA.

Now as far as the storms in Iowa, yes they had warnings of the Impending storms in advance. What did the people of Iowa do, they get together and prepared the best they could in such short time as they could. They withstood the Rain and swollen Rivers to a point. Then new storms hit and their planning didn't account on new storms. Then the Levee's and flooding was worse then expected. Some of the Levee breaks were caused by wild animals making holes in the banks close to where the levee's were and no Official could have known about this harm that had been done prior to the storms hitting. The people of Iowa all pulled together and worked as a Community and helped each other. You have not and probably will not hear of rapes, killings, looting, and robberies going on in these communities. These people seem to have more values and morals that won't let them evolve to the days of old. The Head Officials jumped in and done what was supposed to be done, took action , called out the National Guard early enough to help and not hinder the situation. Got the Head Government notified in a timely manner and accepted the help when it was "FIRST" offered. Big difference from Katrina to the Flooding of Iowa in my view.

Then last but not least...The nut jobs of New Orleans re-elected half of the reason New Orleans failed to deal with the National Disaster of Katrina. Put Mayor Ralph Nagin back in office for another 4 years, so I have no sympathy at all for the people of New Orleans...They get what they deserve from that point on......:(

[lonesomepine]

Sorry to jump on your favor for LA over Iowa stance Lonesomepine....But Least you forget, New Orleans had several days to prepare, evacuate and everything else to do prior to the Storms of Katrina. But most sat on their kiesters waiting for the onslaught of the Storm and then complained about not getting the help they needed. The Governor and Mayor turned down the Aid offered by the Government at first, " Quote they Governor and Mayor said they could handle the situation" Then all Hades broke out when the Levee broke. I totally blame The LA. Governor and Mayor Ragin over the whole debacle of the Mess in LA.

Now as far as the storms in Iowa, yes they had warnings of the Impending storms in advance. What did the people of Iowa do, they get together and prepared the best they could in such short time as they could. They withstood the Rain and swollen Rivers to a point. Then new storms hit and their planning didn't account on new storms. Then the Levee's and flooding was worse then expected. Some of the Levee breaks were caused by wild animals making holes in the banks close to where the levee's were and no Official could have known about this harm that had been done prior to the storms hitting. The people of Iowa all pulled together and worked as a Community and helped each other. You have not and probably will not hear of rapes, killings, looting, and robberies going on in these communities. These people seem to have more values and morals that won't let them evolve to the days of old. The Head Officials jumped in and done what was supposed to be done, took action , called out the National Guard early enough to help and not hinder the situation. Got the Head Government notified in a timely manner and accepted the help when it was "FIRST" offered. Big difference from Katrina to the Flooding of Iowa in my view.

Then last but not least...The nut jobs of New Orleans re-elected half of the reason New Orleans failed to deal with the National Disaster of Katrina. Put Mayor Ralph Nagin back in office for another 4 years, so I have no sympathy at all for the people of New Orleans...They get what they deserve from that point on......:(

Like I said,I could care less about New Orleans.Flushing the town out was probably the best thing that ever happened to it,but lumping New Orleans together with the rest of the State of Louisiana is like saying everywhere in Kentucky is like Louisville.The other point I might add is,How does Evacuating make up for the total destruction of your home,property,community,job,etc?
No different than if the Iowa folks had evacuated,a loss is a loss,but the two Hurricanes were definitely greater than the other in size and total loss.
Everyone in Louisiana didn't sit around hoping for a FEMA handout,you think I don't know about floods or FEMA? Look up the town of Falmouth,Ky in 1997,I live 6 miles south of there.

http://www.enquirer.com/flood/031597_flfalmouth.html
http://www.enquirer.com/flood/floodphotos.html

[raktrakr]

I think we're missing the point of the original post. The media took advantage of the "big story" which in LA was looting, raping, and gun grabbing. The big story in IA was just the opposite, people coming together in a time of tragedy and lets not forget, Iowans not blaming the levvy breaks on Bush. I'm sure there were some criminal activity going on in IA, it just wasnt enough to for Big story

[MsgMills]

I think we're missing the point of the original post. The media took advantage of the "big story" which in LA was looting, raping, and gun grabbing. The big story in IA was just the opposite, people coming together in a time of tragedy and lets not forget, Iowans not blaming the levvy breaks on Bush. I'm sure there were some criminal activity going on in IA, it just wasnt enough to for Big story

I couldn't agree more........People being normal was not news worth in Iowa, like all the criminal activity there was in New Orleans.......:(

[swamper]

I agree, you're comparing apples to oranges....the population density between the two is just not comparable. BUT, that being said, it seems like thugs love to gather in cities, and thugs will be thugs. The crop devestation in Iowa wont' kill those farmers...the vast majority of them had crop insurance.

[predator]

I think we're missing the point of the original post. The media took advantage of the "big story" which in LA was looting, raping, and gun grabbing. The big story in IA was just the opposite, people coming together in a time of tragedy and lets not forget, Iowans not blaming the levvy breaks on Bush. I'm sure there were some criminal activity going on in IA, it just wasnt enough to for Big story

I think you are correct in your post raktracker. Good thread Art.

[maxcam]

That's where you are misjudging Art,you think everybody in Louisiana just layed down and wanted a handout?Most folks there tried to help themselves,but not only did they lose everything they had,they lost their whole communities,jobs were gone,roads were gone,shoot when I was there in April Pecan Island,La had just got a firetruck finally back after people worked and donated to buy it themselves,not from FEMA or any handout.

Is this where IM suppose to feel sorry for folks that when they look out their front window they are at eye level with the ocean?

Give me a break.......

You know very darn well the difference.....Take a look at neighboring Mississippi.....I didnt see folks robbing the local grocery store on the news there ....Whats the difference? Its as obvious as black and white aint it!

[lonesomepine]

Is this where IM suppose to feel sorry for folks that when they look out their front window they are at eye level with the ocean?

Give me a break.......

You know very darn well the difference.....Take a look at neighboring Mississippi.....I didnt see folks robbing the local grocery store on the news there ....Whats the difference? Its as obvious as black and white aint it!


Uh,once again New Orleans is just one crap hole city in Louisiana,most of the state is rural and has a lower black population than many areas of Kentucky.

When you want to take a trip to the rest of the state of Louisiana let me know and I'll show you how many bad people there are there,meantime watch a few episodes of "Cops" and see how good the folks in Des Moines,Cedar Rapids, and a few other Iowa Cities are.

[lonesomepine]

http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/iacrime.htm

http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/lacrime.htm