Post by Jason on Aug 31, 2005 21:10:43 GMT -5
Some people are considering the use of the New Orleans Superdome by FEMA as a shelter, not allowing persons to leave after entering as an illegal or unacceptable act.
I would have to personally say no, the superdome is not a FEMA concentration camp. Although the extent of the personal searches of people entering the Superdome to seek refuge has gotten a bit out of hand, I believe that FEMA has just cause to keep people there once they have signed in and not allow them back on the streets of New Orleans where they can add to the chaos, the looting or the body count. As much as I despise our government, FEMA and the prospect of widespread martial law, I do believe that in emergency situations such as New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina is a justifiable use of localized martial law.
The real question, for me at least is whether or not the Astrodome will become a FEMA concentration camp once the refugees are bused there from the Superdome. The question arose at work "I wonder if they'll keep them from leaving the Astrodome?" It seems to me the consensous was that it would be best if they did? You gotta figure into the equation that I live and work in Montgomery county, TX, which has to have the highest percentage per capita of neo-con, Bush worshipping right-wing extremists in the world.
Imagine yourself a resident of a coastal city. You live in an apartment and rely on public transportation, you don't own a car. You get the news that a cat5 hurricane is going to end life as you know it, get out of town and do it fast. The buses aren't running, the trains, planes, taxis and rental cars are no longer available. Your only choice is to walk, bike or take a city bus to a sports arena being used as a shelter. At least you'll survive the devastation. Now you are about to be bused against your will, but probably legitimately for your own safety, to another sports arena in a larger city a couple hundred miles away. Not so bad considering the alternatives, in fact, rather fortunate compared to the many that have died. Now imagine that you have friends or family in another state or city willing to take you in until you can get back on your feet, or that you have enough money to live in a hotel until you can get back on your feet. The so called "authorities" won't let you leave! AMERICAN CITIZENS HELD AGAINST THEIR WILL WHEN THERE IS NO REASONABLE THREAT, NO JUSTIFICATION!!! I seriously hope for their sake that the neo-cons aren't planning on holding American citizens against their will far away from the area actually designated as a disaster area. I personally would be irate. I plan to protest it if it happens. I have a feeling that is what they are planning. We'll no in the next few hours if in fact that is the case.
I can see no conceivable justification for holding an American citizen against their will, a victim of a disaster, 200 miles away from the dangers of the disaster area. Especially, if the person in question has outside support or the financial means to get by on their own.
Granted the majority of the refugees probably won't have any means of supporting themselves or anyone willing to take them in and won't have any choice but to stay in the Astrodome, or any justification really for leaving it and just becoming another homeless statistic on the streets of Houston. Regardless, I think that once they have been transported to the Astrodome it should be voluntary whether or not they want to stay there. Anything less would be a criminal act by our government and illegal imprisonment. Despite what my co-workers think.
I would have to personally say no, the superdome is not a FEMA concentration camp. Although the extent of the personal searches of people entering the Superdome to seek refuge has gotten a bit out of hand, I believe that FEMA has just cause to keep people there once they have signed in and not allow them back on the streets of New Orleans where they can add to the chaos, the looting or the body count. As much as I despise our government, FEMA and the prospect of widespread martial law, I do believe that in emergency situations such as New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina is a justifiable use of localized martial law.
The real question, for me at least is whether or not the Astrodome will become a FEMA concentration camp once the refugees are bused there from the Superdome. The question arose at work "I wonder if they'll keep them from leaving the Astrodome?" It seems to me the consensous was that it would be best if they did? You gotta figure into the equation that I live and work in Montgomery county, TX, which has to have the highest percentage per capita of neo-con, Bush worshipping right-wing extremists in the world.
Imagine yourself a resident of a coastal city. You live in an apartment and rely on public transportation, you don't own a car. You get the news that a cat5 hurricane is going to end life as you know it, get out of town and do it fast. The buses aren't running, the trains, planes, taxis and rental cars are no longer available. Your only choice is to walk, bike or take a city bus to a sports arena being used as a shelter. At least you'll survive the devastation. Now you are about to be bused against your will, but probably legitimately for your own safety, to another sports arena in a larger city a couple hundred miles away. Not so bad considering the alternatives, in fact, rather fortunate compared to the many that have died. Now imagine that you have friends or family in another state or city willing to take you in until you can get back on your feet, or that you have enough money to live in a hotel until you can get back on your feet. The so called "authorities" won't let you leave! AMERICAN CITIZENS HELD AGAINST THEIR WILL WHEN THERE IS NO REASONABLE THREAT, NO JUSTIFICATION!!! I seriously hope for their sake that the neo-cons aren't planning on holding American citizens against their will far away from the area actually designated as a disaster area. I personally would be irate. I plan to protest it if it happens. I have a feeling that is what they are planning. We'll no in the next few hours if in fact that is the case.
I can see no conceivable justification for holding an American citizen against their will, a victim of a disaster, 200 miles away from the dangers of the disaster area. Especially, if the person in question has outside support or the financial means to get by on their own.
Granted the majority of the refugees probably won't have any means of supporting themselves or anyone willing to take them in and won't have any choice but to stay in the Astrodome, or any justification really for leaving it and just becoming another homeless statistic on the streets of Houston. Regardless, I think that once they have been transported to the Astrodome it should be voluntary whether or not they want to stay there. Anything less would be a criminal act by our government and illegal imprisonment. Despite what my co-workers think.