I know some of us have heard about the recent hurricane down south, and are probably thinking oh, another hurricane. I just wanted to make it known that most of the south is flooded, loss of life is unknown. New Orleans could actually be lost, the barriers keeping the ocean out are down, and the entire city is under water. I think we should start a roster of everyone we know who is down there and try and find out if they are ok. Right now i'm a little scared for everyone who's caught in this thing. I just thought you guys should hear about this, turn on your news.

I've been hooked on CNN all day (I always am in this sort of situation...was for Ivan at least) and it is very drastic. So many people being rescued, and a whole town is underwater (80% of it)...To go along with Mobile and Biloxi (sp?) being hit tremendously hard. It sure does get to one's mind and heart. Much like Floks, I am concerned for all that are facing this destruction, both in and out of the gaming community. Thoughts are with them during this trying time.

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<b>-The Sergeant Is Back, And It's Time To Be Executed.</b>

They won't just leave the city to rot. It'll take 6-8 months to plug the hole and another 6 months to pump all the water out.

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I former co-worker of mine (Ex Marine) lives in New Orleans, I keep ole "Wombat" in my prayers!

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"Down with democracy... we need more dictatorships"! Galamoth
"Derms, celebrate your independance"! Babz

I saw a video today and even some police and security are looting!

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In reality, the looting is essentially a non-issue. Why? Every business and homeowner in that area will be expecting insurance to cover their losses. If its not stolen, it will be damaged by the hurricane or flood waters anyway. Food especially - none of this will be "reused/restocked". So taken in the bigger picture, the looting is not a top issue at this point (IMO). That material stuff can and will be replaced.

Saving lives should still be priority number one. Too many people still stranded without food, water, bathroom facilities, or the means to escape. Focus on finding and saving these people! In the mean time, pray for them often!

Long term, why rebuild? So it can flood again in 50-100 years? How many disasters will it take, and at what cost (not just money, but in LIVES) before people realize it is not worth the risk? Especially in New Orleans, where it is BELOW SEA LEVEL!

Again, my lonely opinion - the area should be demo'd, and left as a natural wetland / public beach / national park area. Offer camping, fishing, boating, and a monument to the history of the area - both wartime era and natural disaster victims...

Just one dumb Moose with my ideas.

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--> Born in 1972 and unable to PM or post without an editorial review, ! <--


No moose hunting without a license ! Licensing fees available by request .
Why hunt moose anyway? We're just big, slow, dumb, and make for easy kills...oops.

It is true that the looting is not soemthing to worry about since the products or whatever would be damaged by the weather. However, the last I heard, was that some homeowners were refusing to leave their houses due to the potential looting. This just costs more lives. And, I read a report from the Guard saying that they weren't going to save able bodied citizens who refused to leave until the end, and by then it might be too late.

So, all in all, the looting may not be anything to worry about, but in the long run, it could make things worse.

As for rebuilding...its one of those things. Since New Orleans has such a history, they will probably try their best to bring it back up. I don't see why, either, Moose, since they are basically a town sitting in a hole waiting to be flooded.

Phobos---It will take a year, as you say, to repair the levee and pump the water out, but how long after that will it take to repair everything? Basically, until the water subsides (whenever that is) and filling the break becomes easier, there isn't really much they can do to stop the flooding. And who knows? The foundations of buildings will probably be destroyed and will have to be rebuilt from the ground up. Surely basements will be destroyed.

And Moose, they aren't dumb ideas....just opinions...and besides, the Wolves are with ya

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<b>-The Sergeant Is Back, And It's Time To Be Executed.</b>

I think the Mayor of New Orleans realises there's an opinion, bordering on a majority level, to let that land be, to stop tinkering with it and let it be!

I was reading several articles about the Mayor reminding news reporters, FEMA, and any one that would listen that they need to hurry up and fix the levees, and get the water out so they can get back to "pumping oil"!

Remember the Pres just openned the Fed Reserves to aleviate the shortage, due to Katrina and the shutdown of domestic oil production in Lousianna.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/08/31/ ... index.html

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"Down with democracy... we need more dictatorships"! Galamoth
"Derms, celebrate your independance"! Babz

It should take about a year to get the last of the water out. That's what the experts are saying anyhow. But to say that New Orleans is lost is quite a statement to make indeed. The water will be pumped and New Orleans will rebuild it's just that simple.

Not to detract from the actual momentus tragedy of course!

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Hmmmph. Oil is all together a different topic. This disaster is just the latest "event" the oil companies are using to pad their FAT pockets with money. Yes, oil prices have risen...the bigger issue in my mind is that the wholesale / refinery rise is much larger than the actual crude rise.

How can I say this? Easy. Oil companies are posting RECORD profits, shattering every record they have ever set. Yes, they are paying more for the crude supply, but they are not just passing along the cost. They are using it to justify nothing short of PRICE GOUGING of the public for gas, and putting that money right in their own rich self serving pockets.

How should the American public respond?
1. Demand investigation of this markup, and prosecute these oil companies and CEO/board members for price gouging.
2. Return to goverment regulated gas prices (Hawaii already doing this, starting Sep 1).
3. Most importantly - increase the funding, effort, and priority of alternative fuels.

I know my government "price controls" comment will turn heads. The bottom line is that gasoline and oil are no longer "free market" items. Why? It is now like electricity - America cannot function without it. Gasoline is more like a public utility than a DVD player or other consumer item from your local retailer. Utility companies are forced through checks and balances before they can hike rates - oil and gas should be no different.

No, I'm not running for office, at least not yet...

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--> Born in 1972 and unable to PM or post without an editorial review, ! <--


No moose hunting without a license ! Licensing fees available by request .
Why hunt moose anyway? We're just big, slow, dumb, and make for easy kills...oops.

I want a Moose in office that's fer shure!

Down with OPEC!!!

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I totally agree with you Moose, but you don't want to get into another political discussion about that!, I could write one of my 1,000 word essays and bore everyone!

All I will say is that, how we got into this quagmire, was a step-by-step process, which can be easily traced back to the beginning. You don't have to be a history major, just a desire to read, and a habit of saving articles of significant socio-economic events.

By the way, where is your campaign manager, "MassuvChaos"! His ole sig of Moose for President was a Hoot!

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"Down with democracy... we need more dictatorships"! Galamoth
"Derms, celebrate your independance"! Babz

Fair enough Dunna. I did edit my post more than once to remove any reference to political parties or elected officials, trying to avoid the political debate as well. Just trying to focus on the oil industry itself.

Yep, I did think of Massuv as I typed. And the truth is that I have thought often about truely running for public office.

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--> Born in 1972 and unable to PM or post without an editorial review, ! <--


No moose hunting without a license ! Licensing fees available by request .
Why hunt moose anyway? We're just big, slow, dumb, and make for easy kills...oops.

The fact that New Orleans is built 12 feet under the sea level is beyond all stupidity Well lets see apparently they can't count on the levies's and the pumps conveniently...... then if they had backup generators failed and they dont foresee them coming up soon another thing is think of all the wildlife ie sharks and dolphins that are now swimming in new orleans? It showed on the news a shark swimming down the street uh scary? I feel bad for everyone that went through this i really do... But why why would they build new orleans in that location!! I also have family that live there and have yet to hear from them so i am ... worried

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View Tribes Ascend stats for BegginStrips.

I think you'd be a good man for the job, and I also editted my replies. It's too tempting to type!

Beggin I truly understand, I have a friend there too.

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"Down with democracy... we need more dictatorships"! Galamoth
"Derms, celebrate your independance"! Babz