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DirectNIC Crisis Manager Braves the Chaos of New Orleans
Aleks Clark writes "The Interdictor, a DirectNIC crisis manager, is currently braving the madness of post-Katrina New Orleans. Server rescues, OC4 repairs and live video and audio feeds abound as he and his crew battle the odds with what seems like the entire internet at his back. 1700+ People are tracking his blog, and IRC channels are full to capacity."
Just curious, where is the power for his net connection coming from? He has an OC4 up and running... yet nobody else has phone service or internet service... I understand he has generator power... what I do not understand is what is powering the data lines running to his location... are they all on major generators also?
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Except that as far as I know from friends that were able to contact me, the cops are looting stuff like gun shops and food shops. Unlike the other looters that steal money (wtf is the point of money in New Orleans right now, eh), and non-critical supplies.
Also, you described the economic side of price gouging - fair enough. Now, IN THE MEANTIME, whilst the supplies are being shipped in, nobody can pay for their foodstuffs. They die. Congratulations.
How about some slashdotters set up a database driven site where people can register to be found and find others? They could list their employer, address, any significant information. I don't have the resources to do this but would be glad to help in throwing together some php and sql if given some server space.
I second that emotion. You wanna loot food after two days with no food or power? Fine. You wanna loot a plasma TV while babies are dying in the streets because of destroyed infrastructure? Two in the head. The Guard / Feds / Army should all roll in there with kid gloves on, whip out some bullhorns, and give the populace exactly one chance to rally together and start saving some fucking lives. After that, any armed civilians should be given one warning to disarm and pick up a shovel. They say no? Two in the head. Refuse to dig in and help? Two in the ass. Take a shot at the Guard or a rescue chopper? Two in the gut and let them roll around in water that's been filtered through a few hundred dead bodies. Infection and the sun will take them in a day or so, and they'll suffer like they deserve.
Oh, and the fuckers roaming the Dome and raping girls in dark corners? Two in the thighs to shatter bones, one in the gut to promote pain and infection, and a gun butt to the face while they're still conscious, just to let them know why they're being removed from the gene pool.
This is America, but if you want to act like it's Haiti then we'll play by Haiti rules.
(And for all you internet "anarchists" out there, I hope you're on the next bus to NOLA. This is what you wanted, right? They'll just looooooove to see you.)
People are going to act badly in those sort of circumstances. Hell, a shitload of people are acting badly in far milder ones - here in Baton Rouge people with food, water, power, and vehicles are beating the shit out of each other over cutting in line for gas. People are so scared of all the brown criminals from NO coming here that the town was practically paralyzed by rumors (non-factual) of rioting and looting at the local mall.
No, NO is not a healthy place to be right now. Poeople aren't at thier best. But honestly, a lot of people here on slashdot wouldn't do any better in the same circumstances. Get them out of there, get some food and water, clothes, basic hygiene in place and you'll see a marked improvment in character and behavior. It sure would be nice if everyone there had come together and supported each other until outside help could come. But human nature has it's dark side and getting on your own high horse about it is just hypocritical.
Heartless bastard reporting for duty.
New Orleans has been sinking into the swamp for years. The city is essentially a hole in the ground, surrounded by water. You know why the cemetaries have above ground caskets? They're 15 feet below sea level. The hole fills up with water as fast as they can dig it.
If we rebuild, it *will* happen again. And then what? We pay to have it rebuilt again? If the city was next to an active volcano, would you be saying we should rebuild it?
Democrats or Republicans. They are both taking us to the same place and they are not afraid of us anymore.
From what I've been told while in Haiti, they wouldn't be quite so generous. :)
Personally I wouldn't mind seeing a pair of AC-130's on "looter patrol". Once word gets around that TV's and 105mm holes are closely related, I'm sure the deadbeats will find something more productive to occupy their time.
I think there are FAR more major problems than that going on down there. People are dying due to being stuck where they are without neccessities-- that's the major issue. I've not lost perspective on this, please don't think that.
People are going to act badly in those sort of circumstances. Hell, a shitload of people are acting badly in far milder ones - here in Baton Rouge people with food, water, power, and vehicles are beating the shit out of each other over cutting in line for gas. People are so scared of all the brown criminals from NO coming here that the town was practically paralyzed by rumors (non-factual) of rioting and looting at the local mall.
See, and that's fucked up. I can completely agree with you-- people are almost guaranteed to act badly in situations like these. But, I can still recognize that it's not right, no matter what the situation. Sure, there's going to be a great deal of situational morality-- people do what they have to so they can survive. You'll never catch me judging people for breaking through a storefront for essentials when there's a lack of food like there is; however, you will find me angry at people raping one another, or anyone else who takes the opportunity to "get it for themselves", like grabbing a DVD player while in Wal-Mart getting food.
No, NO is not a healthy place to be right now. Poeople aren't at thier best. But honestly, a lot of people here on slashdot wouldn't do any better in the same circumstances. Get them out of there, get some food and water, clothes, basic hygiene in place and you'll see a marked improvment in character and behavior. It sure would be nice if everyone there had come together and supported each other until outside help could come. But human nature has it's dark side and getting on your own high horse about it is just hypocritical.
You didn't make a differentiation in who was covered by your initial statement. I specifically focused on rape because it's not essntial to live. Senseless shit is what I'm incensed about. People are out there-- theft of food, water, etc will undoubtedly be looked over, but there's no excuse for just going ape-shit when a disaster strikes.
It's not hypocritical at all to condemn senseless acts of violence, even in a disaster situation, where it's almost expected that people will go nuts. My main point is that in times like this, it's perfectly OK to still maintain standards of decency, but be able to survive. I don't care what's going on, it's not acceptable to corner someone with a weapon, and force yourself upon them.
I don't moderate anymore. Karma penalty for 90% fair mods? Can I mod that unfair?
Yeah, on Sat when they were predicting a possible direct Category 5 strike directly on New Orleans I would have assumed that the federal government would be mobilizing the troops (literally and figurativly). For instance we sent in ships to act as desalination plants in the wake of the tsunami last winter but it took till 3 days after the hurricane for the aircraft carrier to leave New York. IMHO it should have been stationed at a southern port along the Atlantic ready to raise anchor as soon as the danger had passed. Taking over half the time that it takes for people to die of thirst to even freaking start heading towards them is just assanine! I think the scariest thing about this whole thing is that it shows how absolutly uprepared we are as a nation even after we have plowed billions and billions into disaster preperation under the banner of homeland security. If we can't deal with a natural disaster how can we possibly deal with the worst that a well funded and intelligent group of humans can do?
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
If I were in charge here is what I would do:
1) Declare marshall law; put the military in charge
2) Drop paratroopers to secure sites for coming supply drops
3) Do air drops of food and medical supplies (water too)
4) Send in the SEALS with their dingy boats to begin to rescue people/pick off snipers/gangs
5) Send in forward air controllers and ham radio operators- by parachute if needed. I would include military medics as well.
6) Commondere every single bus in the state of Texas, LA, MS, AL and AR and move into the city heavily fortified by military support
7) Use 2 aircraft carriers, park them as close to the city as possible. AC#1 gets used as military command and HQ. AC#2 is used to put evacuaees aboard for food/shelter. If AC#2 isn't available commondere a cruise ship and use it.
Asking for British, Canadian, and Mexican forces to lend a hand is a good idea as well. This might mean major withdrawl from Iraq which would worsen the situation over there but free up resources here. However when faced with helping fellow Americans or keeping the stability of a foreign country (which is close to being on its own feet anyway) I would personally choose American lives over Iraqis.
Drastic times call for drastic measures.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE for the current situation and a severe leadership AND communication void exists. This scenerio is NOT being managed in the right way and once this is over I want to see several independent and congressional studies as to what the breakdown was.
As of noon, the media had more information about happinings inside the city than the FEMA director did! He didn't even know about the situation near the convention center until the media told him. It appears the media is closer and better informed of this situation than is the government. The CIA often uses the media as secondary source of intelligence. Most of the time I would disagree, but in this instance I would suggest that the authorities follow that lead and begin to pay attention to the media outlets as it appears they are able to get information in and out.
DISCLAIMER:
I realize I am not in charge and being a Monday morning/arm chair quarterback is not accomplishing anything but I feel the need to share my thoughts and vent nonetheless.
Feel free to post your input/comments. If you disagree with me that is fine but please be polite about it or I won't respond to your post
Libertas in infinitum
You are an absolute imbecile. NOT ALL VICTIMS ARE RAPING LOOTING MURDERING CRIMINALS. These are helpless suffering people, everyday people. Where is your compassion! These people are left without aid. Your own people for fuck sake. This is the biggest natural disaster to hit the US, and one of its biggest discraces. The rest of the world looks upon this all and are absolutely stunned that the government and people are doing squat to help. Why on earth isnt there a mass airlift to drop supplies to the hospitals and desperate people living in barbaric conditions. You send all these armed soldiers to shoot looters inseat. No supplies, no water, no food, nothing. Shame on you America.
But of course, there was no organized evacuation. No buses, nothing. People were just told to leave on their own. Some people don't own cars. Or gasoline. They live paycheck to paycheck. Lots of these people rely on government checks that arrive on the first of the month.
What really struck me is how many of the people of New Orleans decided to steal from each other instead of help each other. It's really sad to see people busy stealing watches, camcorders and cadilacs while people are dying around them.
Equally tragic was the response of especially the Army and Air Force - they did not deploy nearly fast enough. Just the presence of troops would have prevented a lot of the carnage.
I love how all the "real" Americans among us are the first to turn on their less fortunate countrymen when a disaster strikes.
I don't think this is the case at all. I think people are sickened by victims of a disaster turning on each other and stealing cars, jewelry, electronics and other luxury items while people are dying that could be as easily saved from the water as the five rolexes they grabbed. One thing is certain: we as a nation need to re-think how we deal with disasters and focus on 1) making sure everyone has food shelter and security 2) helping get people relocated quickly so they can be reunited with their families and get on with the business of living and 3) dealing with those who would rather steal luxury items rather than help their fellow man appropriately.
Who cares about money and luxuries when people are literally dying around you?
-- $G
You do realize that the men raping and shooting number in the double digits?
This is about terror of scary brown people. I've been to New Orleans, and I know what the attitude towards the poor blacks of NOLA is.
Tens of thousands of people are dying in the street because whites are obsessing about the dozens committing psychopathic crimes. They're AFRAID of the people, don't want to go into the town, and don't want the people to come to THEIR towns.
Every incident of black crime is being amplified and fed back into the fear to postdatedly justify the lack of response for the calls for help.
Obsession about the few psychos to the exclusion of all others is the hallmark of network news, and they are now feeding their fear and bias back into the stew of white fear.
Sorry, but that's the truth.
OK. Let's suppose the worst nightmare comes true, the one the neocons keep telling us is such a realistic threat, the terrorists detonate a real live nuke in a city.
Well, then, we're stuffed, aren't we? Clearly they can't handle a flooded city even when given several days' warning. So if some sod manages to cause comparable damage with a bomb, with no warning...
I'm feeling really safe, aren't you?
Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.