HBO tonight: Spike Lee's documentary on Katrina

[davidwparker]

[EFerrari]

1. An hour three and counting.

[villager]

2. it is good, strong stuff...

n/t

[babylonsister]

3. I've got my tape ready to record, the popcorn ready to go! nt

[snappyturtle]

4. Me too!

one for me and one for my hubby

oh! and btw K&R!

[EFerrari]

5. kick

[babylonsister]

6. K&R! nt

[uppityperson]

7. I wish I had HBO

[Olney Blue]

13. I'm sure this will be available on DVD- it will be a classic.

Right now, they are showing people gathering in the Superdome and the storm coming in.

[Cha]

125. Yeah, it will be on DVD and

the whole country can see it!

[uppityperson]

152. I do hope so. Put it out on DVD in, say, September or October?

[Cha]

205. It will be one of those HBO special's DVD

that I've seen in video stores. I know netflix doesn't offer it yet even for a "save".

And I'd like to add that the whole World will be able to see it.. maybe Spike will win an Emmy or something comparable?!

[LSK]

8. CSPAN is also doing some 1 year later Katrina things

[tjdee]

11. Well, our "president" can't be bothered to talk about that right now.

So all these people who want to talk about it... psh psh!!

[AlCzervik]

9. waiting--only 2 minutes to go.

[tjdee]

10. Woo hooo....

Or rather....

I had to come to DU because I knew you lot would understand.

[Olney Blue]

12. I'm watching- K and R.

[Olney Blue]

14. The water is rising...the format of the show is personal

interviews- tears, anger, singing...

[malaise]

15. Brilliant

We're all watching.

[Olney Blue]

16. Spike is showing the bodies floating. People are now screaming

from their homes.

[Olney Blue]

17. The Coast Guard "could not have done more" with their resources....

the one government agency that gets kudos.

[malaise]

19. Profound comment n/t

[Mabus]

20. and the people helped each other

Make shift rafts, carrying people.

on edit: coast guard pilots were flying 16 hours trying to save as many people as they could.

[Olney Blue]

22. The kindness of neighbors and strangers toward each other....

this is true heroism.

[Mabus]

18. We're watching

It is heart breaking.

[Olney Blue]

21. Sean Penn was pulling people out of there.

[malaise]

24. This man's mum died

I'm in tears. Is the bus coming?

[uppityperson]

27. eventually, but he had to leave her body behind.

[Olney Blue]

28. OMG, this is heartbreaking.

[Mabus]

32. and all Bush can say is he "understands their frustration"

The bus didn't come until Bush could make a photo-op out of it.

[Olney Blue]

43. He understands NOTHING

[LibraLiz1973]

I sensed he indeed COULD sense their frustration & empathized

WHILE HE FUCKING HAD THE GALL TO SIT THERE AND SMILE AND SMIRK. He's full of shit. He didn't sense or care about the peoples frustration and he sure as fuck didn't empathize. Fucking asshole.

I'm disgusted all over again

[aaronbees]

173. He did have that "gee whiz" smirk....

Whenever he's got that look you know he's just bullshitting right out of his mouth. What a vile criminal he is.

[Sydnie]

23. Just got home from work and tuned in

I missed a good bit, didn't I?

[Mabus]

25. It will be played in its entirety on the anniversary

Second part is tomorrow.

[Sydnie]

33. Thanks.

Maybe they will make it available on the HBO On Demand? I could watch it with my kids then too.

[Mabus]

37. You might want to watch it first

Even as an adult some of this is so heartbreaking to watch, especially seeing my fellow Americans floating dead in the water and listening to people talking about people dying.

[Sydnie]

42. My kids are 14 and 18 ... I don't want them to forget

I want them to see it and remember ... and vow to never let it happen again in this country, or any other.

[Mabus]

51. Whew

I was worried they were below 10.

As for them watching so they wouldn't forget and won't let it happen again, thank you.

[Sydnie]

60. My daughter helped me paint these and my son pounded them into

the ground. A bit of back story ... we have a parade in town every year (and apple/peach festival for our local growers) and this is what they met when they reached my house on the parade route that year.





I just don't want their memory to fade. It's too important for all of us.

[Mabus]

63. Way to go!

[davidwparker]

196. Excellent for you.

[tjdee]

40. It will be on HBO on demand on Wednesday.

I believe I saw that right before it began.

[Sydnie]

44. thank you for the info.

[dddem]

136. yes

beginning august 30th.

[Olney Blue]

26. Hi Sydnie. You missed the build-up before the storm, the storm hitting,

and the flooding. But now the true desperation is setting in.... damn, this is hard to watch.
I can't even imagine living through this.

[Sydnie]

29. It bring the memories back ... and the tears

I can't stop crying for these people and for all of us. This is all of us, no matter where we are located. They are we.

[bdamomma]

183. this could happen to any of us

I was totally upset and outraged that we still have these murderers sitting in the WH.

[malaise]

30. Get Bush off my TV now n/t

[EFerrari]

31. I'm forcing myself to watch this.

[IChing]

35. Me too.....kicked and nominated

[EFerrari]

49. I remember being nearly hysterical -- worried about merh and

Swamp Rat and Midlo and so many DUers. And other friends and just watching and watching and it just got worse and worse. And these mm8therf3ckers at FEMA never did anything but screw up, turn away volunteers and worry about their effen wardrobe.

[IChing]

57. I know, I remember that from last year, so sad

This warrants a criminal indictment against this government and the media.

Thanks Spike for telling this story...........

[guinivere]

34. Sad and moving and makes you kind of mad

all at the same time.



Spike Lee rocks.

[Mabus]

46. He just telling the truth - it hurts and makes you angry all at once

It is definitely bringing back memories of me sitting here on DU watching the storm cross the gulf. I remember someone posted a map showing the off-shore oil platforms and correctly warned everyone about the gas prices. I stayed up most of the night watching the reports. My husband thought I was crazy.

[Olney Blue]

79. I heard a commentator say that this is Spike Lee's best work so far.

[LibraLiz1973]

145. After 2 hours of that, I'm passed mad.

I'm LIVID. WHY IS HE STILL IN OFFICE?!?!?!?!?!?!
Fucker is literally killing people.

[aaronbees]

159. My first thought too....

How could this administration survive this? I mean, seriously -- inceivable failure at every level!!! Total and complete criminal, murderous negligence.

[babylonsister]

36. So excellent so far! nt

[malaise]

45. There's so much we didn't see

even though we had live coverage.

[Olney Blue]

38. The Superdome deteriorates- "like being in a sewer"

[LibraLiz1973]

39. The man who just said that you have to wonder

about a country that sees all of the damage this man <bush> is doing to peoples very lives and does nothing
was brilliant- he said exactly what I think everyday

[tjdee]

41. For real--WTF is wrong with some people?

Literally. What the fuck is wrong with some people in this country?

[Olney Blue]

47. good question, tjdee

[LibraLiz1973]

53. I'm sickened

just totally sick on the inside- what the hell has happened to this country?

[bdamomma]

184. they are denial and have very short memories

this regime must pay for all the death and destruction they have caused so many innocent people. how can we still have these murderers in the WH. Their ignorance and arrogance is disgusting. All they think about is themselves, they never had to struggle like "everyday" Americans have to do, they are totally disconnected to the American public.

[davidwparker]

197. I would like to think the american people are better than that. They just

don't get the real story. This is the real story that Spike Lee is showing. Everyone knew it was bad, but not that bad.

This was one story that the corporate-controlled press covered better, but compare that coverage to Lee's documentary. You can see how much suppression there still was.

[malaise]

48. Katrina must be part of the 2006 campaign

Bush must never be forgiven for this neglect.

[davidwparker]

198. And, keep in mind that we don't see what goes on with the Iraqi

people. I think if we cannot flush this administration and the fascist who are taking this country away, God/Karma is going to slap down this nation. At some point, we all become complicit in what we are doing in the world. Not protesting enough? Can't shop enough at Walmart? Etc.

[Olney Blue]

50. One thing that strikes me is how traumatized these people are even now.

You can hear it in their voices, see it in their faces.

[Lindsey]

56. Yes. That man who blasted Bush was very articulate.....

Bush is responsible for so much death. He's a criminal in every sense of the word. He should be in prison.

[Guaranteed]

52. The "walkers" story being told now. nt

[Sydnie]

55. I am so glad they are covering this part

All the guns to keep them from crossing but no help to keep them alive. That sums up this administration to a tee.

[EFerrari]

58. Exactly. We all need to learn this lesson: we are on our own.

[davidwparker]

199. I was glad to see a change to the Dem primary/caucaus schedule to

give minorities more say in who is nominated. A lot of that had to do with racism still in this country and just the disregard of the poor. Not only are all people in this country on our own, minorities are particularly vulnerable.

[LibraLiz1973]

54. this should be mandatory watching

It's amazing

[Olney Blue]

59. OMG, that poor guy got shot with buckshot- he showed his scars

About this time, the Chimperor was eating birthday cake, I believe

[Olney Blue]

61. Salt in the wound- Al Sharpton gets to the bottom line re the Chimperor

[Mabus]

62. What was the name of the guy who nailed Bush?

I turned away for a couple of minutes but I heard him talking about Bush's trip to San Diego and the air guitar.

on edit: never mind, I'm taping this.

[misanthrope]

166. Douglas Brinkley...

...he's an esteemed professor, author and historian in New Orleans.

[aaronbees]

174. Has anybody here read his book on Katrina?

I'd like to read it; he sounded pretty sharp.

[misanthrope]

177. You might like this...

...Doug Brinkley on NPR discussing The Great Deluge.

[aaronbees]

178. thank you!

I will check it out

[leftchick]

185. I heard that on Fresh Air

he really laid blame all around and didn't put it all on bush. He said Nagin and Blanco were equally clueless. That sort of pissed me off.

[misanthrope]

194. I would agree with that assessment...

...all government on every level dropped the ball on these people.

[IChing]

64. Now the BushenFuhrer is getting slammed

BROWNIE YOUR'E DOING A HECK OF A JOB.

I AM SO PISSED I CAN'T TYPE.

[Mabus]

65. and now Brownie

[EFerrari]

66. Brownie lying his ass off, saying he's feeding people.

[Mabus]

70. Yes, he was feeding himself

remember the e-mail where he didn't want to be disturbed during dinner.

[EFerrari]

77. Yeah, I remember that. God save us from these frat boys. n/t

[Mabus]

87. Frat boys is right

My brother knows the #4 FEMA guy

n fact, even before Katrina came ashore, Brown's deputy chief of staff dismissed the idea of the White House creating an interagency group. In an August 28th e-mail, Brooks Altshuler wrote, "let them play their little reindeer games as long as they are not turning around and tasking us with their stupid questions." http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0510/18/lt.03.ht...

Brooks was with Bush on 9/11. My brother told me that among Brooks' responsibilities were WH photo-ops and Brooks took credit for the "Bush with a bullhorn on the rumble" photo shot. Brooks is the son of a former Oklahoma GOP bigwig. iirc Brooks graduated from law school and was appointed a deputy Sec. of Commerce, then went to the WH and then to FEMA. Total little frat boy. He looks like Jason Schwartzman in "Rushmore" down to the dark-rimmed glasses.

[Sydnie]

78. and how concerned he was with his wardrobe for the cameras?

I remember that ... it still pisses me off.

[Mabus]

102. roll up your sleeves - it's "hard work"

Damn straight it was "hard work". It was hard work ignoring what everyone else in America and the world was watching unfold in front of our eyes. It was hard work ignoring those suffering people. It was hard work getting a table at the restaurant!

[Olney Blue]

67. Soledad nailed Brown- said his lack of intelligence was baffling

(intelligence here is regarding knowledge about the convention center)

[LibraLiz1973]

148. She had the balls right then- I have to give props

that she went balls out- the only way it was watered down was that she didn't say he was a fucking moron

[Olney Blue]

157. It was clear she was thinking it, anyway.

[AlCzervik]

68. wow, so far it's very powerful and i think i've cried 3 times already

it's so fing shameful.

[Olney Blue]

75. Yes, this is awful to watch.

Condi was out on the town in NYC.

[Sydnie]

69. Chertoff IS Dr. Death

He should rot in hell for his part in this too.

[AlCzervik]

71. oh yeah, talking bout Dr. Rice's shoe shopping/ Spamalot trip.

[goclark]

170. Condi got a knockout punch!

Just seeing her in the light of day, with the lack of caring says it all.

They took off all of the emperor's wife's clothes.

Go Spike Lee! You are the MAN!

[im10ashus]

72. This is an amazing documentary.

I hope it wakes up some more of the sheeple.

[AlCzervik]

74. "Blahnik, Broadway and Balls"

[LibraLiz1973]

137. BEST. QUOTE. EVAH!

Stupid bitch. I loathe that woman- she's a cancer

[AlCzervik]

156. i agree, that man has a way with words.

[malaise]

179. That Condi section was excellent

Dems better use clips from this for November. Katrina and Iraq will define these thugs forever.

[bdamomma]

186. don't forget 9/11 they had an instrumental part in that too

they are just criminals, why are they still in office, and why are we not storming into DC?????? just my rant.

[Mabus]

73. Condi's shoe buying and going to Camelot

Then she went to hit tennis balls.

Think about how sensitive she is to people in other countries. Some Secretary of State.

[Olney Blue]

81. I had not heard that she was booed at Spamalot or chastised

by a woman when she was shoe shopping.

[Mabus]

92. I heard about the woman but not the booing at the theater

Good for those audience members.

[tjdee]

126. NYC, LOL.

Broadway is still in Manhattan, LOL-- to the chagrin of many a Republican I'm sure.

[AlCzervik]

76. Nagin getting the slapdown, putting the business community ahead of the

people.

[babylonsister]

80. I wondered why it took him from the phone call from Max

(the weather guy) at night until the next a.m. to get the mandatory evac moving.

[Olney Blue]

82. Who is that guy crying? He interviewed Nagin when he was cussing.

[AlCzervik]

83. radio host.

[Sydnie]

84. Radio personality

but I didn't catch his name.

[Feron]

111. I don't have HBO, but

it sounds like you are talking about Garland Robinette. He works for WWL radio.

[LiviaOlivia]

162. Yeah him.

I cried when he broke down and started sobbing. America is lost.(under Bush)

[fortyfeetunder]

167. that was the turning point for me...

I thought I could take the documentary without shedding a tear until Robinett melted. Then I was wiping my eyes...

for the night crowd.

[lavenderdiva]

191. His name is Garland Robinette...

He was the Channel 4-WWL-TV news anchor in New Orleans for many, many years, until he retired. He is beloved by New Orleanians. He is an artist and now has a radio show in N.O.

[Olney Blue]

206. Thank you. I can see why he was loved.

[Olney Blue]

85. Ha! Nagin called Airforce One a pimpmobile.

[Sydnie]

86. a penthouse in the sky

and that is how he travels everytime he goes to raise funds for the GOP too. On OUR dime!

[Mabus]

88. even better than that Ramsey killer

sorry, couldn't help myself.

I needed the levity.

[Sydnie]

90. Unfortunately, we get the bill for both

LOL You're allowed to find a bit of levity where ever you can. It's hard to stand and be a witness to this, no matter how you cut it.

[Mabus]

95. I wonder what the DHS guy who accompanied him ate

I'll probably have to get a copy of the National Enquirer to find out.

[AlCzervik]

89. "Bush giving C students a bad name all around the world" LOL!!!!!

[Sydnie]

93. I loved hearing that too. n/t

[IChing]

91. If this is only the first part, my god

can you imagine the next three?

[mucifer]

this is part 2 it started a half hour ago

parts 3 and 4 are tomarrow

[Mabus]

97. It is in four acts. First and second ones tonight

Three and four tomorrow.

[EFerrari]

98. The photography is amazing and horrifying. nt

[AlCzervik]

99. it's a damn national disgrace, 5 goddamn days to get people water and

food? It's unbelievable and the survivors should be getting a medal, a real one not a fake Bush medal of freedom.

[davidwparker]

202. I don't recall it took them that long getting missles to Israel recently.

People do what people want to do. Watch what they do, not what they say if you want to get to the truth.

[IChing]

101. Thanks, still even with two parts(didn't see any break for part 2)

every american needs to see this.

[babylonsister]

94. I love Reverend Al! He was there, and calls 'em like he sees them!

Perfect!

[EFerrari]

100. He always says it just right. Gift. They tried to slime him

but they can't. The man's basic goodness just comes through.

[Mabus]

96. Honore is there, so Bush will be showing up any moment

Totally staged for another Bush photo op.

[Mabus]

103. I didn't realize it was like that at the airport

Eight thousand people!

[Olney Blue]

106. And people had to get on planes to destinations they didn't want.

[Mabus]

108. and families were split up

"treated like slaves" families ripped apart.

[Olney Blue]

104. The airport was wall to wall people, several times over.

And to think, Shrub barely mentioned this epic disaster in his State of the Union.

[Mabus]

107. Well, there is that steroid problem in Major League Baseball

and, you know, that's more important.

[Olney Blue]

109. Oh yes. We have priorities in the GOP congress.

[tjdee]

116. At least the gays can't get married!

Fucking Republicans.

[babylonsister]

105. The lady who said, "If I had any drugs, I'd smoke them"; I love her!

And after this tragedy, security kicks in?

[Guaranteed]

112. Her story sounded odd, at first...

She sounded frustrated.

But then I realized what she was saying. They were being treated as an inconvenience, or worse. There was no empathy.

[LibraLiz1973]

144. God bless her.

She spoke the truth and I can only thank god she is alive to tell her story. It's very compelling.

[bdamomma]

187. there should be many more to speak out like her

no one should ever be treated like those people were, they were treated with no respect and with no morals. Watching this was like watching a third world country, bush has caused so much damage, he is like a cancer spreading to everyone and everything. I totally hate this man, he is totally delusional and sick.

[Guaranteed]

110. There's virtually no sympathy for the poor in the U.S. (Vonnegut)

Kurt Vonnegut makes mention of it in "Slaughterhouse Five." In other countries, it's not like that. In other countries, poor people have respect for themselves, and other people respect them as well.

But, for some reason, the down-and-out in this country are robbed of their dignity. Like these Katrina evacuees- one lady was telling a story about a woman working in the airport who was looking at the evacuees with what sounded like disgust. Poor people in this country are just a nuisance, getting in the way, fouling up the scenery. They're not human.

It's really too bad.

[EFerrari]

113. How many people died. Will we ever know.

I really hate these m6therf2ckers.

[tjdee]

118. That's a good question. How many people died?

Have we ever gotten any real numbers?

[EFerrari]

122. We need to start a Katrina Truth Project because the Cabal

will never tell us on their own.

We could find out and we should.

[Mabus]

127. According to the wiki more than 1,836

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina

[tjdee]

133. Thanks...see, what an interesting way things are framed here...

Every so often we get to hear about the 3,000 people who died on 9/11, which is obviously a tragedy.

But what about the 2,000 people that died in Katrina? Never hear about them. Interesting.

[Mabus]

141. I'd guess higher

I mean, they are still finding bodies and there are some that will never be found. Also, I don't know how the wiki got that estimate. I'll try to check into it after I walk the dogs.

[Mabus]

160. Found the original source: National Hurricane Center!

I looked at the wiki discussion and found this line:

The death toll is updated to 1,833 (ignoring inland deaths that the HPC has declared part of Katrina).

the part that gets me is "(ignoring inland deaths that the HPC has declared part of Katrina)." So the number has to be more than 2,000.


Page 11 this pdf document: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf

The total number of fatalities known, as of this writing, to be either directly or indirectly related to Katrina is 1833, based on reports to date from state and local officials in five states: 1577 fatalities in Louisiana, 238 in Mississippi, 14 in Florida, 2 in Georgia, and 2 in Alabama. The total number of fatalities directly related to the forces of Katrina is estimated to be about 1500 spread across four states, with about 1300 of these in Louisiana, about 200 in Mississippi, 6 in Florida, and one in Georgia. Especially for Louisiana and Mississippi, the number of direct fatalities is highly uncertain and the true number will probably not ever be known. As of this writing, several hundred persons are still reported missing in association with Katrina, so it is possible the death toll could grow beyond current estimates.

Presumably, most of the deaths in Louisiana were directly caused by the widespread storm surge-induced flooding and its miserable aftermath in the New Orleans area. However, several indirect fatalities in Louisiana have been confirmed or are suspected, and some deaths included in the total might not be related to Katrina at all. Louisiana also reports that persons of more than 60 years of age constituted the majority of the Katrina-related fatalities among its residents. The vast majority of the fatalities in Mississippi probably were directly caused by the storm surge in the three coastal counties. In Florida, three of the direct fatalities were caused by downed trees in Broward County, and the three others were due to drowning in Miami-Dade County. Two deaths were also reported in Georgia, with one directly caused by a tornado and the other occurring in a car accident indirectly related to the storm. Alabama reported two indirect fatalities in a car accident during the storm. Despite the fact that inland fresh water floods produced the majority of fatalities due to tropical cyclones during the past few decades, Katrina provides a grim reminder that storm surge poses the greatest potential cause for large loss of life in a single hurricane in this country.

[RagAss]

135. we will never hear how many people died....not in our lifetimes....

[davidwparker]

203. and with people dispursed, they can't get back together to determine

and count the numbers of lost family members.

[babylonsister]

119. No, never. I sure haven't seen a list of how many people

are still missing-that's odd. We heard something of a count for the tsunamis.

[EFerrari]

124. We should make it our work to find out, to get names

because, that's the only way we can ever ever begin to heal.

To honor the dead.

[babylonsister]

128. You are so cute,

sfexpat2000. I'd like to know, but I'll just bet you someone, some agency, the P.O., someone knows who's still missing. If not, I'll bet Spike Lee knows/can or will find out.

[LibraLiz1973]

134. I wonder if that will be a part of tomorrow night?

It will be interesting to see what Spike gets out about that, if anything

[babylonsister]

140. Really good point. I had read tonight was more

dramatic, and tomorrow wasn't so much. I hope Spike takes it on.

[lavenderdiva]

192. tonight's episode ought to be even more infuriating...

its supposed to expose the insurance industry's response to the survivors of Katrina.

[EFerrari]

138. We need a roll call. Because, believe me, until we honor those people

this crime will fester in all of us. I don't mean to be cute, lol, but just real.

This happened and we still need to do whatever we can to make it right. And real, too. Because until we know who died and how many and how, Katrina will not be as real to us all. It will be easier to look the other way and so, let it happen again.

We don't want to do that. Next time it will be here on the beach in San Francisco or maybe New York again or who knows. But, burying the dead is one of the most basic impulses a culture has.

Those Bush bastards can't take that away from us.

[uppityperson]

129. Montava Trueblood, 6 years old.

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/...
A FAMILY LOST
A child is buried almost a year after the floodwaters swept him away. But his mother and brother aren't there to mourn. They died in a fire months after the storm.
Monday, August 21, 2006
By Gwen Filosa

The foul floodwaters swept little Montava Trueblood away, snatching him from his mother as New Orleans fell into absolute horror almost one year ago. Montava slipped off a rooftop in the Lower 9th Ward and into a violent sea of destruction on Aug. 29. He never got to enter first grade. He never got to celebrate his 7th birthday in December. Instead, he slipped beneath a pile of debris and drowned.

Only days ago, Montava was finally given a proper funeral, as the world prepares to take notice of the one-year anniversary of the worst natural disaster -- and arguably the worst engineering failure -- in the history of the United States. Preachers comforted the 30 or so mourners inside Littlejohn's Funeral Home on Aubry Street. On Aug. 15, the boy's remains were identified by the Orleans Parish coroner's office through a DNA sample his mother gave mortuary officials a month after the storm, the Trueblood family said. When the child's ashes are placed in a plot at Resthaven Cemetery, he will not be alone.

Montava will be laid to rest in October alongside his mother and his baby brother who, after barely escaping the floodwaters, perished in a fire in Milwaukee in December, a few days shy of his mother's 32nd birthday.

Almost nothing remains of 1908 Tennessee St., where Montava lived. It is among entire city blocks in the Lower 9th where houses were erased by the floodwaters, rocked off foundations to float away or destroyed on impact. On Friday, unkempt grass and weeds flourished where houses once sat. Beneath the weeds, though, one could find the concrete slabs or steps that lead to nowhere. It's all that is left. After the rising tide crashed through the levee breach at the Industrial Canal, Byndra Trueblood took her sons out of their flooding house, waded through the dirty water and sought refuge on the roof of a house down the street...(more@link)


Byndra Trueblood, who with her son was killed in a fire December 2005, barely survived Hurricane Katrina. Her other son disappeared during the storm.

[moc]

114. OMG, the bodies

[Mabus]

115. That's exactly what I've been repeating to myself

over and over again.

"his name was Eddie."

[moc]

120. We must never forget.

[Mabus]

123. No, we can't forget

I know I never will.

[aaronbees]

150. Powerful statement

The shame our government should feel about this is just astounding. Great, great documentary work.

[Olney Blue]

117. Dead bodies everywhere....

[Mabus]

121. Families took bodies to the highway

and covered them in blankets.

And all those people dead and floating, the picture of the dead guy and the dog - it is gut-wrenching.

[bdamomma]

188. bodies on the highway while this regime just plays with

so many peoples' lives. this could of happened to any of us, and WE ARE totally on our own. America must be found again.

Spike Lee is great, and I admire him for bringing this document into our consciousness again.

[Olney Blue]

130. I found this link from a Louisiana newspaper with a good summary of

the screening of the film (the comments following the article show that some sure don't like liberals there- but its still a good review)



http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=...

[sproutster]

131. Thank you so much people for reporting on this - I'm teary

Katrina woke me up, and I realized something was very, very wrong with America. I wish I could say I woke up earlier, but I didn't.

I spent those five days in disbelief, anger, frustration and abject horror at what was happening. I think it will always bring me to tears.

I found DU during Katrina from Randi's AAR site. I was so happy to find others felt the way I did. I could not comprehend the people blaming the victims. Did they not see the stories of sherrifs shooting at people trying "just walk out - that's what I would do."

When the busses came and Oprah had a show on it, it was the most shocking video I have ever seen IN MY LIFE.

At the airport, they put dying people in with corpses in the makeshift morgue - OMFG, tell me that is right?!! HOW THE FUCK DID THEY GET AWAY WITH THAT SHIT??!!!

...I need to go- I am so mad I am shaking.

Tell me you need a FUCKING SIGNATURE TO TAKE OVER THE NATIONAL GUARD TO FUCKING DROP WATER AND FOOD!!!!! BULL F'ING SHIT.

[dddem]

154. I know what you mean

I have been angry, frustrated and shocked at what this administration has done to the reputation of this country around the world, but never before Katrina did I feel such a deep sense of shame.

[uppityperson]

158. I think Katrina was the turning point for a lot of people, the disconnect

between what the administration said and what people could see on tv. And it is NOT over yet, things are better but they are still a hell of a loong ways from better. I am glad that this documentary is out now, hope the emotions it elicits holds over until Nov election: they lied and people died. Here. In OUR country. Can you trust anything they say?

[LibraLiz1973]

132. I'm completely aghast all over again

I have tears in my eyes right now... god those PEOPLE!!
Spike did an amazing job with parts 1 & 2... I'm anxious for the next 2 parts tomorrow night.
It's easily one of the most moving things I've ever seen. hands down.
He really shines the light on what the fuck happened

[spanone]

143. The Bush* Administration is a sham. Every facet.

[malaise]

181. DUers knew that very early

during Katrina.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Brotherjohn HEAD'S UP NORTHERN GULF COAST - KATRINA IS STRENGTHENING RAPIDLY!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... steve2470 Latest Katrina predicted paths, New Orleans take heed

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... steve2470 On New Orleans TV, they're talking about 145 mph possible

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... steve2470 10 PM CDT advisory from NHC for Hurricane Katrina

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... steve2470 Katrina wind gusts up to 170 mph possible

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Media_Lies_Daily The Weather Channel just now...Katrina Cat 4: 145 mph, 935 mb pressure...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... skids If New Orleans gets hit, it's inevitable.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... in_cog_ni_to Not ONE SINGLE PERSON should have been left in New Orleans!!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Stephanie WHY DOESN'T GEORGE BUSH INTERRUPT HIS VACATION TO DEAL WITH KATRINA?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... rbjensen 100,000 PEOPLE STUCK IN NEW ORLEANS

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... DoYouEverWonder OMG, I've never read a Hurricane Advisory like this one

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Stephanie WHERE'S GEORGE?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Silverhair Sending in the Nat'l Guard to evacuate New Orleans would be useless.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... mtnester Calls coming in from trapped residents

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Sannum This is horrific.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... ballabosh This is why I love being a liberal (and a DU'er)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... katinmn Waiting for the storm (photo). Shit. Some of these people are stuck there

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... barbaraann N. O. hurricane disaster planning was privatized by Homeland Security



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... underthedome How will Bush use Katrina politically? Can he repeat his 9/11 performance?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... katsy Cnn anchor indignant about people looting food...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... DoYouEverWonder Did anybody bother to tell this idiot

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Generic Other Cindy calls on vets to help those devastated by Katrina!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Roland99 To all those who think the people staying in N.O. is *'s or GOP's fault:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Bluebear "Louisiana National Guard troops watch Katrina from Iraq"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... titoresque 8pmET: Online Peace vigil for NO begins now

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... friesianrider Please donate to help Louisiana's animals with and without homes!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... earthmama 100, 000 people can not leave because of no money or transportation

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Roland99 New Orleans Damage Report (from various sources) (LEVEE BREACHES!)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Cocoa Louisiana National Guard took equipment with them to Iraq

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... Stephanie The Irrelevant President -PIX from AZ-

[Olney Blue]

149. I'm looking forward to seeing parts 3 and 4.

See you all tomorrow night.

[Blue_Tires]

139. powerful stuff--just wanted to add a few comments

1. FUCK FEMA
2. FUCK BUSH
3. FUCK BROWN

All i can do is (foolishly) hope that the powers that be come up with some proper kind of plan in the future that fully coordinates local and federal agencies, gets supplies in fast, and has a half-assed evacuation plan....

[LibraLiz1973]

142. adding... FUCK BLANCO

Sorry, but I'm NOT a fan- democrat or not.
She spends a good amount of time passing the buck- especially about the whole police and guards keeping people from leaving...

[EFerrari]

146. And Nagin, too. All these people were playing ball while people

were thirsting and dying.

They all failed, bigtime. Looking after their goddamn careers while the people died.

/typo

[LibraLiz1973]

151. Oh yeah... when he said he was showering on AF1

I almost puked. Your citizens are DYING and your fucking showering? Sorry, but thats bullshit IMHO

[EFerrari]

155. Maybe I'm being too hard on the man but it made me want to

[bdamomma]

189. Nagin should have just visited bush unshowered and bring

the reality right into AF 1, it was like Nagin had to get himself ready to view the Emperor. Fuck bush, bush is disconnected from people and reality.

[davidwparker]

204. That kinda shows what he is about too. When he said that, I thought

about the people who had not showered. And, the film brings out other things. Like women who had periods. People with soiled clothes from other bodily functions. He should have met the president as he was, like the people of his city was.

[LibraLiz1973]

209. Your damn right

And lets remember- he was ALREADY better off than the people of his city... he was eating and drinking.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

207. Oh for crying out loud.

The man had an opportunity to take a ten minute shower after several days of swimming through filth.

Walk a mile in his shoes.

[LibraLiz1973]

210. When was Nagin swimming through filth?

I missed that footage.

I'm not saying he didn't care, but I am saying he should have gone to Bush AS IS. Fuck showering.
Women had their periods pouring out of them FOR DAYS. People were having diarrhea in their pants FOR DAYS.


You want to be authentic? Go as you are.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

214. When he was with everybody else at the convention center.

Sorry Nagin that did consider being was some sort of political zinger he could get Bush with.

[EFerrari]

161. It's not going to happen. FEMA is dead. Any of us that lives in a

high risk place -- we need to put together an emergency plan and stock up.

After watching the citizens of the Gulf Coast DIE on national teevee for DAYS, that should be one lesson we take away from Katrina.

[Missy Vixen]

168. Don't forget Chertoff

Brown was their highly convenient punching bag. He's not completely blameless, but Chertoff is the real problem, along with Bush, Cheney, Rice and everyone else at the White House who ignored the true scope of this tragedy.

Julie

[Blue_Tires]

171. of course

like 9-11, there was SO much blame to go around in this disaster it isn't even funny...my list could have been in the hundreds, but i decided to cut it off at 3

[Warren Stupidity]

147. At first it was a bit boring and then...

it wasn't boring at all, and then suddenly all the rage, all the dark boiling anger that filled me, all the gnawing frustration at my own helplessness last year to do anything at all, all of those feelings I had so carefully bottled up, all of them came right back to the surface, floating like the bloated corpses of that late new orleans summer...

I guess this is effective film making, huh?

[EFerrari]

153. I can't imagine what it was like to put this together. All those hours

with all those images. Spike Lee is a strong man.

[babylonsister]

163. That's very good. A strong man, a man of conviction is

doing his thing to expose the failures in power. This is a documentary that I hope gets lots of attention.

[Superman Returns]

164. When will this re-air?

thanks ahead of time.

[EFerrari]

165. Right now on HBO. nt

[bdamomma]

190. the total documentary will be aired on August 29th the

anniversary/memorialversay of Katrina.

[yurbud]

169. Oddly the part that bothered me most was Nagin asking business leaders

if it was okay order an evacuation of the city.

He is far from the worst player in all of this, but it shows a kind of corruption that is at the very heart of our political system--business interests trump everything even saving people's lives.

As long as that is allowed to persist, we will be vulnerable to being screwed by the next Bush and will definitely be screwed in a million smaller, subtler ways in any case.

[earth mom]

172. Damn! I don't have HBO! I want to see it!!!

I WILL NEVER FORGET KATRINA!!! or 9/11!!!

[bling bling]

175. Very disappointed in Blanco.

Cold, callous, and selfish behavior on her part. If my family was in a life or death situation where time was of essence I sure as hell wouldn't be bickering with Bush over stupid details. Accept any and all help you can get and get it NOW. But that's the difference between someone who gives a shit about other people and someone who cares only about herself.

I understand that some people have a problem with Nagin but I find myself wanting to defend him. First, he did tell people to evacuate, despite whatever the business community said or wanted. Second, he did the right thing by taking a shower on AF1. If he smelled like raw sewage and sweat, the president and others would have been focusing on the offensive smell rather than what he had to say. Third, he was on the scene the whole time. He was there begging for help. He didn't cause the levy problem, he didn't cause the delays in the responses to the disaster. In both cases, he was a victim, too.

[EFerrari]

176. Actually, Nagin split to a hotel in Baton Rouge.

I know what you mean about wanting to defend him. He's got a ton of personality. And as far as I can tell, he was hamstrung by both Blanco AND Junior. But, he did exactly what I'd expect Gavin Newsom to do: he was taking care of the people who put him in office.

Junior wanted to take control of LA and Blanco had to fight off his predations. Clearly, everyone involved in that horrible power struggle had their priorities ass backwards.

[KamaAina]

208. I thought it was the Hyatt across the street from N.O. City Hall.

he apparently thought it would make a better command post, but it fared little if any better in the storm; it is still closed and is slated to be redeveloped as part of a jazz park.

[malaise]

180. Both Blanco and Nagin

failed big time but you missed the key point about Blanco and Bush - Bush was attempting to seize power from the state. Nagin only delivered when he exploded in that interview. That woke up the morons in the Federal government.

[bdamomma]

182. I was so angry after watching this documentary

God, the wounds of this trauma still live on for so many people, damn the Bush administration for showing their true disrespect and no support for those people who have losted so much. Bush is so cold and evil, he has caused so much death and destruction for so many people, he is totally disconnected from us all. I applaud Spike Lee for being this into our consciousness again, it should never be forgotten.

[lavenderdiva]

193. Aaron Broussard (R), Parish President of Jefferson Parish:

quote: "Bureaucracy has murdered people in the greater New Orleans area.Take
whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a
better idiot. Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just
don't give me the same idiot."

link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9256087 /

too bad we got the same idiot twice in the 'top' job.

[EFerrari]

195. I remember this quote and Broussard. He came through for

his parish.

[Generator]

200. VERY compelling, riveting, touching, profound, epic

I couldn't get up to go to the bathroom! I thought I would be crying-but mostly I was ANGRY, and reminded that on this alone-I would never, will never forgive those in charge. This is America and this should never have happened. I have America in my heart and New Orleans is in it and this is not what America is and those that don't care, did nothing, have excuses and allowed this to happen do NOT love America. I'm not even sure where to place all the blame but I DO start with the TOP because the first DAMN job of the DAMN president is to protect Americans.

PERIOD.

(Answer that you fucking heartless Republicans that don't care about Americans. I guess IRAQ is more important than America, huh? We could have used the National Guard HERE)

[aaronbees]

212. "This is America and this should never have happened."

Hell motherfuckin' yes!

Those who would let New Orleans float away like a dead branch get no sympathy and no respect from me. None. Ever. New Orleans is America through and through and the best of what this country is in my dreams, its real crazy heart and soul with a powerful spirit. I agree, beyond touching me emotionally, this film just enraged me when I think of the folks who want to tell New Orleans to move on and get over it and who'd happily Disney-fy this beautiful place.

[bdamomma]

201. I am ready to see parts 3/4.

and if anyone wants to squeeze out some monetary funds to those who need it, I found this

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/whentheleveesbroke/res...

[Blue_Tires]

211. kick for the second night

[SeattleGirl]

213. An amazing documentary. I went through a whole range of

emotion watching it: anger and rage at how the people of the Gulf region were ignored, left to fucking drown! Tears at some of the stories, particularly the young woman whose little girl had drown, and the older woman seeing her home for the first time. Sadness at the fact that so many of these people still have not been able to come back. And a lot of admiration for the soul and spirit of the people and the city. The woman at the end, Phyllis LeBlanc, and the piece she wrote about starting to mend, coupled with the singing of "I'll Fly Away" at the very end, was extremely touching. I am so glad I taped it. And kudos to Spike Lee for this fine piece of work.