FNC's Major Garrett: Red Cross Blocked by Order of the Louisiana State Government

Hugh Hewitt ^ | 9/7/05 | Hugh Hewitt

[finnman69]

The Red Cross Blocked

The Fox News Channel's Major Garrett was just on my show extending the story he had just reported on Brit Hume's show: The Red Cross is confirming to Garrett that it had prepositioned water, food, blankets and hygiene products for delivery to the Superdome and the Convention Center in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, but were blocked from delivering those supplies by orders of the Louisiana state government, which did not want to attract people to the Superdome and/or Convention Center. Garrett has no paper trail yet, but will follow up on his verbal confirmation from sources at the highest levels of the Red Cross.

The transcript of the interview will be available at Radioblogger later this afternoon.

And here is a very interesting article from Septmber of 2004:

Debate continues over Superdome as potential hurricane shelter

Seems that the debate over using the Superdome goes back almost a year, and that no one in New Orleans thought it would be a great place in a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane.

Key graphs:

"If we were to lose power, if we were to lose plumbing facilities, if a storm were to hit and create flooding in the area; the Superdome would not be a desirable place to be," he said.

The American Red Cross admits it would not stay in town for a severe hurricane. Workers would offer supplies and training to the Dome but would then leave to ensure aid for the hurricane's aftermath.

Kay Wilkins, spokesperson for the American Red Cross, said, "While we're saying we;re going to move our volunteers and staff out of the risk area into areas where its safer for them to be it doesn't mean we're not going to be here ahead of time for others."

Mayor Nagin said the city has more than 80,000 people without transportation access, and when the next hurricane evacuation there will be thousands of people who will not, or cannot, leave, highlighting the city's urgency of finding the most suitable place for shelter.

Permalink

[dmw]

Thanks for the links!

[Mo1]

It's going to be interesting to see the Democrats back off of their witchhunt in a hurry.

They aren't going to back off .. they are digging in their heels because they have a A LOT to lose

Having Hellary come out and be on every morning show was proof of that

Many Officials in Louisiana are in some Deep Big Time Trouble .. and I'll just bet they are pulling in some favors

Though .. in the end ... it won't work

[Bush gal in LA]

I also couldn't get on it. I hope this gets out soon to all the RATS like Pelosi! She called the President'' clueless ''today and out of touch and dangerous. I think the RAT governor is the dangerous one. Pelosi needs to shut up!

[nutmeg]

Thank you for this thread, finnman!

[Ken H]

Just saw another interesting headline at Drudge...

"ABC NEWS: GOVERNOR'S OFFICE POINTS FINGER AT MAYOR OVER 'EVACUATION' DEBACLE..."

[BCrago66]

This "political teen" guy is great. He culls a few interesting stories from the cable news networks - ususally Fox News - everyday, and I'm able to catch up with what I missed at work.

[Dont Mention the War]

Is Hugh's show available as a podcast anywhere? MP3s?

[najida]

OK,
I believe not only is she crazy, but she's evil too!

The witch!

[Guenevere]

big bttt

[Stultis]

The Red Cross confirms this story on their own website:
Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?

Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?

• Acess 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 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.

• The Red Cross has been meeting the needs of thousands of New Orleans residents in some 90 shelters throughout the state of Louisiana and elsewhere since before landfall. All told, the Red Cross is today operating 149 shelters for almost 93,000 residents.

• The Red Cross shares the nation’s anguish over the worsening situation inside the city. We will continue to work under the direction of the military, state and local authorities and to focus all our efforts on our lifesaving mission of feeding and sheltering.

• The Red Cross does not conduct search and rescue operations. We are an organization of civilian volunteers and cannot get relief aid into any location until the local authorities say it is safe and provide us with security and access.

• The original plan was to evacuate all the residents of New Orleans to safe places outside the city. With the hurricane bearing down, the city government decided to open a shelter of last resort in the Superdome downtown. We applaud this decision and believe it saved a significant number of lives.

• As the remaining people are evacuated from New Orleans, the most appropriate role for the Red Cross is to provide a safe place for people to stay and to see that their emergency needs are met. We are fully staffed and equipped to handle these individuals once they are evacuated.

[mystery-ak]

Hillary was out today in force...she wants to dispell the idea that women can't be strong in office...she's worried about Blanco's incompetence in LA might affect her chance in 08...so expect to see a lot more public appearances from the beast.

[MizSterious]

So glad you posted this transcript here. I'd seen it on another thread, but the thread was removed. This is simply criminal. Heads (and jobs) should roll. People should face jail time.

[Constantine XIII]

Fecal matter, meet rotary air impeller.

[finnman69]

Excuse my french, but Gov. Blanco is really F@#$ed!

[My Favorite Headache]

The news is breaking...

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7000062247

Red Cross Says "We Were Kept From Superdome By State"

September 7, 2005 10:01 p.m. EST


Douglas Maher - All Headline News Staff Reporter

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A report on Fox News from correspondent Major Garrett Wednesday night reveals a major break into what exactly went wrong at the Louisiana Superdome in the days after Hurricane Katrina struck the city.

An American Red Cross representative tells Fox News that the Louisiana State Homeland Security Department refused the relief organization permission to take food and water to the Superdome because they did not want to "encourage people to go there."

They State office of Homeland Security wanted to get people out and were afraid that providing support would be a "magnet" attracting more displaced citizens of New Orleans.

Stay with All Headline News for more on the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts.

[BARLF]

Oh let her rave. She and Hillary are doing just fine!

[Dog]

Mo I told you this morning before I left for work and this broke that there will be NO Hearings....none.

It's because of this....what was done here is criminal.

[MizSterious]

I sure hope you're right. If they get away with this, they're getting away with not only murder, but multiple murders.

[Exit148]

<<<<>>>>>> And it shows just how feverish CNN dealt with it.

[finnman69]

OK, the mayor encourages people o go to Superdome as a last resort but the Gov WITHOLDS supplies on purpose.

CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE!