Tom Gresham: NG trooper said, "Turn [supplies] around or I will shoot and kill you"

[Bottom Gun]

Take this "report" with a grain of salt. Tom hasn't always had his facts straight in the past.

 

[Libertyteeth]

RealGun, Here are some sources. Alex Jones had some additional material I wasn't aware of as well.

http://www.infowars.com/articles/new_orleans/fema_deliberately_sabotage_relief_efforts.htm

FEMA Deliberately Sabotaging Hurricane Relief Efforts
Multiple parishes revolt, use armed guards to defend against feds

Paul Joseph Watson & Alex Jones | September 6 2005

Numerous credible sources have come forward with examples of how the Federal
Emergency Management Agency is deliberately sabotaging Hurricane Katrina
relief efforts in New Orleans. This represents a ruthless attempt on the part
of FEMA to impose a federal takeover of the area for their own benefit amid a
tragedy that has already claimed anything up to 10,000 lives. ...

Background on FEMA
http://www.infowars.com/articles/new_orleans/fema_orders_pave_way_ps_hell.htm

Fema Press release: First responders ordered not to respond
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18470

Homeland Security won't let Red Cross deliver food

(I don't have a URL for this.)
Saturday, September 03, 2005
By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As the National Guard delivered food to the New Orleans convention ?
center yesterday, American Red Cross officials said that federal ?
emergency management authorities would not allow them to do the same.

Other relief agencies say the area is so damaged and dangerous that ?
they doubted they could conduct mass feeding there now.

"The Homeland Security Department has requested and continues to ?
request that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans," ?
said Renita Hosler, spokeswoman for the Red Cross.

"Right now access is controlled by the National Guard and local ?
authorities. We have been at the table every single day [asking for ?
access]. We cannot get into New Orleans against their orders."

Calls to the Department of Homeland Security and its subagency, the ?
Federal Emergency Management Agency, were not returned yesterday. ...

> Posted at http://www.wunderground.com/blog/KatrinaBlog/show.html
>
> Still trying to deploy
>
> Posted By: KatrinaBlog at 4:34 PM GMT on September 06, 2005
> Updated: 4:51 PM GMT on September 06, 2005
>
> My wife Diane, who is an Emergency Medicine physician, has been
> trying to get deployed to the Gulf to do medicine on the victims of
> Hurricane Katrina. It is not going well. Last Thursday, Health and
> Human Services called the University of Michigan, who employs my
> wife, and asked the University to come up with a list of doctors and
> medical staff who could deploy, and to await a follow-up call giving
> details on how and when this deployment would occur. My wife and many
> other medical staff volunteered. It is now Tuesday, and the follow-up
> call has not come yet.
>
> So, my wife went to the American Red Cross, and got accepted to
> deploy with them. There was some reasonable bureaucracy to deal with,
> and she had to attend a half-day orientation meeting Friday, and will
> also go to a full-day shelter management training course Wednesday
> before she deploys on Friday.
>
> Now the bad news. An American Red Cross volunteer called Sunday and
> informed her that the people in charge of the medical relief efforts
> at the Federal level would not allow any Red Cross deployed doctors
> to practice medicine. They would be allowed to do first aid--i.e.,
> clean cuts and put on band-aids, the kind of thing you do at home.
> Red Cross deployed doctors would not be allowed to give drugs or do
> any medical procedures. Their primary responsibility would be doing
> triage and deciding who gets shipped out to be seen by FEMA-approved
> doctors.
>
> So, Diane is going to go down anyway, and hope that the rules change.
> There have been some doctors who have gone down and been able to work
> out arrangements with local officials to let them practice medicine.
> She's also planning on taking her own equipment and drugs and may
> ignore the rules forbidding her from practicing medicine, and give
> people help if they need it.
>
> In FEMA's defense, they have never had to coordinate an emergency
> effort needing a massive medical response. The 9/11 disaster, last
> year's hurricanes, and the Oklahoma City bombing were all handled by
> local medical resources. Let's hope FEMA learns from this disaster
> and is ready for the next one.
>
> One final note of irony--one of this blog's readers, who is also a
> doctor having no luck getting deployed, relayed this story to me: A
> friend in Grand Junction, CO, who has Public Relations experience,
> got a call from FEMA Wednesday, two days after the hurricane, asking
> her to come down and do PR work for FEMA. One wonders if FEMA is
> doing a better job coordinating the deployment of the PR people they
> are calling up than the doctors!
>
> Jeff Masters
>

 

[spartacus2002]

I heard secondhand that TPTB in NO turned away relief trucks from the Superdome immediately after Katrina passed thru because they didn't want the people in there to be too comfortable, i.e., they wanted them to have hunger/thirst as reasons to leave.

BUT, then they didn't let them leave and made no plans to take them elsewhere. I only believe this because I worked for the fed.gov for 12 years and I can absolutely see this happening. :banghead:

 

[joab]

In my continuing belief that all things can be explained and/or understood by using personal past events to analogize almost any event...

A few years ago my wifes aunt was relocating her sewing business. Many of the younger male relations were helping to move her inventory from one store to the other, among these were appx 200 to 300lb sewing machines about 20 of them.

They were in odd shaped cumbersome cabinets which required 3 people to move them.
The weight was precariously distributed with the weight being more to the rear left side, where the person carrying would only be able to use a left hand reverse grip.
I was the biggest, youngest and strongest so that was my position.
There was room for a fourth person but if he was utilized it would throw the whole balance of the package off and put almost all the weight on that left rear corner.

We had moved about ten machines and were pretty much in sync with each other, although to the casual observer we could have used that fourth position carrier to get the job done easier.

Along came Frankie, a cousin that I have decidedly little use for, wanting to help he ran up from behind and grabbed the fourth corner.
He not only grabbed that corner in a position that would have made it impossible to walk with the machine he lifted with all his strength.

There was the audible POP of my uninsured shoulder dislocating, followed by a manly scream and a flood of whiny profanity and a $2000 machine crashing to the ground and partly down on uncle Hien's foot, more screaming and profanity followed.

Frankie was no less qualified or good intentioned than we were
But his actions caused a series of events that while obvious to us, the coordinated effort,
were unforeseen to him, the good intentioned interloper, and devastating to the reloction effort

 

[publius]

Found it here.
http://www.rightwingnews.com/

Here's Fox's Major Garrett discussing the story with Hugh Hewitt:

Hugh Hewitt: You just broke a pretty big story. I was watching up on the corner television in my studio, and it's headlined that the Red Cross was blocked from delivering supplies to the Superdome, Major Garrett. Tell us what you found out.

Major Garrett: Well, the Red Cross, Hugh, had pre-positioned a literal vanguard of trucks with water, food, blankets and hygiene items. They're not really big into medical response items, but those are the three biggies that we saw people at the New Orleans Superdom, and the convention center, needing most accutely. And all of us in America, I think, reasonably asked ourselves, geez. You know, I watch hurricanes all the time. And I see correspondents standing among rubble and refugees and evacuaees. But I always either see that Red Cross or Salvation Army truck nearby. Why don't I see that?

Hugh Hewitt: And the answer is?

Major Garrett: The answer is the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security, that is the state agency responsible for that state's homeland security, told the Red Cross explicitly, you cannot come.

Hugh Hewitt: Now Major Garrett, on what day did they block the delivery? Do you know specifically?

Major Garrett: I am told by the Red Cross, immediately after the storm passed.

Hugh Hewitt: Okay, so that would be on Monday afternoon.

Major Garrett: That would have been Monday or Tuesday. The exact time, the hour, I don't have. But clearly, they had an evacuee situation at the Superdome, and of course, people gravitated to the convention center on an ad hoc basis. They sort of invented that as another place to go, because they couldn't stand the conditions at the Superdome.

Hugh Hewitt: Any doubt in the Red Cross' mind that they were ready to go, but they were blocked?

Major Garrett: No. Absolutely none. They are absolutely unequivocal on that point.

Hugh Hewitt: And are they eager to get this story out there, because they are chagrined by the coverage that's been emanating from New Orleans?

Major Garrett: I think they are. I mean, and look. Every agency that is in the private sector, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Feed The Children, all the ones we typically see are aggrieved by all the crap that's being thrown around about the response to this hurricane, because they work hand and glove with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. When FEMA is tarred and feathered, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army are tarred and feathered, because they work on a cooperative basis. They feel they are being sullied by this reaction.

Hugh Hewitt: Of course they are. Now Major Garrett, what about the Louisiana governor's office of Homeland Security. Have they responded to this charge by the Red Cross, which is a blockbuster charge?

Major Garrett: I have not been able to reach them yet. But, what they have said consistently is, and what they told the Red Cross, we don't want you to come in there, because we have evacuees that we want to get out. And if you come in, they're more likely to stay. So I want your listeners to follow me here. 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, and state officials were saying you can't come in. (*** My emphasis -- JDH ***)

...

Hugh Hewitt: I also have to conclude from what you're telling me, Major Garrett, is that had they been allowed to deliver when they wanted to deliver, which is at least a little bit prior to the levee, or at least prior to the waters rising, the supplies would have been pre-positioned, and the relief...you know, the people in the Superdome, and possibly at the convention center, I want to come back to that, would have been spared the worst of their misery.

Major Garrett: They would have been spared the lack of food, water and hygiene. I don't think there's any doubt that they would not have been spared the indignity of having nor workable bathrooms in short order.

Hugh Hewitt: Now Major Garrett, let's turn to the convention center, because this will be, in the aftermath...did the Red Cross have ready to go into the convention center the supplies that we're talking about as well?

Major Garrett: Sure. They could have gone to any location, provided that the water wasn't too high, and they got some assistance.

Hugh Hewitt: Now, were they utterly dependent upon the Louisiana state officials to okay them?

Major Garrett: Yes.

Hugh Hewitt: Because you know, they do work with FEMA. But is it your understanding that FEMA and the Red Cross and the other relief agencies must get the state's okay to act?

Major Garrett: As the Red Cross told me, they said look. We are not state actors. We are not the Army. We are a private organziation. We work in cooperation with both FEMA and the state officials. But the state told us A) it's not safe, because the water is dangerous. And we're now learning how toxic the water is. B) there's a security situation, because they didn't have a handle on the violence on the ground. And C) and I think this is most importantly, they wanted to evacuate out. They didn't want people to stay.

 

[Art Eatman]

The more information that comes out as to WHO gave weird orders, it ain't FEMA, it's either New Orleans city people or Louisiana state people.

Off and on through Wednesday, Sep 7, Fox News had interviews with local people or people like the Red Cross from the above post who named names or governmental entities. FEMA ain't the problem.

Compare the New Orleans "stuff" with what's going on in Mississippi, and ask yourself why they're not having the same amount of problems there. The actual hurricane destruction was worse to the east of New Orleans than in that city, but the relief operations are going far more smoothly. (If such a word as "smoothly" can be used in this situation.)

Art

 

[AZRickD]

"...or I will shoot and KILL you..."

I think we're done here.

Rick

 

[FPrice]

I think we're done here.

Is that because the buck appears to be stopping at the state level? Exposing the incompetance of Louisiana politicians?

We still (to the best of my knowledge) have had no actual confirmation of the original story you posted. I don't doubt that someone was turned around, but the exact exchange still remains a mystery.

 

[Libertyteeth]

Here is more information, posted at the W-A-L list.

FEMA's Blocking
Relief Efforts -
An Amazing List
9-8-5

FEMA won't accept Amtrak's help in evacuations
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/84aa35cc-1da8-11da-b40b-00000e..

FEMA turns away experienced firefighters
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/5/105538/7048

FEMA turns back Wal-Mart supply trucks
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/05/national/nationalspec..

FEMA prevents Coast Guard from delivering diesel fuel
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/05/national/nationalspec..

FEMA won't let Red Cross deliver food
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05246/565143.stm

FEMA bars morticians from entering New Orleans
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15147862&BRD=...

FEMA blocks 500-boat citizen flotilla from delivering aid
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/3/171718/0826

FEMA fails to utilize Navy ship with 600-bed hospital on board
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509..

FEMA to Chicago: Send just one truck
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-050902dale..

FEMA turns away generators
http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html

FEMA: "First Responders Urged Not To Respond"
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18470

That last one is real -- not satire but straight from FEMA's website.

 

[FPrice]

LibertyTeeth...

Many of your url's are unavailable. Some are from what appears to be a liberal blog (dailykos.com). And at least one is misleading.

What you say:

"FEMA: "First Responders Urged Not To Respond"

What it really says:

"First Responders Urged Not To Respond To Hurricane Impact Areas Unless Dispatched By State, Local Authorities"

 

[GAMALOT]

If the above list of links is what you are relying on for your info then I am not at all surprised at your LEFT TILT.
Those of us with a degree of intelligence would expect anything but the TRUTH from your list.
This should not be a thread devoted to politics but I take issue with having that garbage shoved down my throat.
Gary

 

[JohnBT]

I looked at the 5th link in that list.

After saying they weren't allowed through, it continued...

"Though frustrated, Hosler understood the reasons. The goal is to move people out of an uninhabitable city, and relief operations might keep them there. Security is so bad that she fears feeding stations might get ransacked."

 

[RealGun]

Think about why the Red Cross is not allowed on a battlefield.

 

[AZRickD]

Is that because the buck appears to be stopping at the state level? Exposing the incompetance of Louisiana politicians?

No. It is because we have discussed the issue as fully as a net forum can.

Whether it was a federal, state, or local issue (or some combination) has not been the issue for me. Blockheads work in all levels of government.

We still (to the best of my knowledge) have had no actual confirmation of the original story you posted.

You have a few options.

1) You can wait for the Louisiana-based Tom Gresham to get un-busy from his activities and respond to this post. 2) You can e-mail him at tom(at)guntalk.com. 3) You can call into his show at 866-TALK GUNS which is syndicated and broadcast live from about 2 pm to 5 pm EST every Sunday) http://www.guntalk.com which is streamed here http://www.ksbn.net/ . 4) You can get on his chat room at the same time and ask him the question (URL announced during the show).

I plan on doing all three.

"First Responders Urged Not To Respond To Hurricane Impact Areas Unless Dispatched By State, Local Authorities"

Problem is, the "Authorities" weren't communicating, and couldn't. Times like that call for individual action. I can see the converstation next time there is a disaster:

Govmnt--"We have to abide by the command&control structure.
Citizen Volunteer--"Oh, yeah, like you guys did during hurricane Katrina? B*llSh*t. People are dieing, get the h*ll out of my way, Pvt. Pimples."

We're still done here.

Rick

 

[AZRickD]

Here is the location of the statement made by Gresham....

http://www.guntalk.com/archives/

Archive date: 2005/09/04

Time: 1:23:00

"...I will shoot you dead."

"Get out or we we will kill you. Get out now."

Rick