Katrina Info

Years ago Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Some things people know, some NEVER made the news.

Did you know Venezuela offered tons of food, water, and a million barrels of extra petroleum?

France had a range of aircraft, two naval ships and a hospital ship standing ready in the Caribbean? (Gonna have to lay off making fun of 'the cheese eatin surrender monkeys').

Russia offered four jets with rescuers, equipment, food and medicine, but their help was first declined before later being accepted.

Germany provided vaccination, water purification, medical supplies including German air force hospital planes, emergency electrical power and pumping services.

Afghanistan donated $100,000 to the hurricane victims.

The Red Cross Donated $1.1 Billion Dollars

Australia donated approximately $7.5 million, and a team of 1,000 emergency response officers. They also donated $20 million to the American Red Cross.

Austria sent 140 specialists of the 'Armed Forces Disaster Relief Unit'

Azerbaijan donated $500,000 (I had to look them up!)

Belgium offered 3 Medical teams of 31 personnel, logistic team of 10 personnel, coordination team of 4 personnel, civil engineering team of 10 personnel, diving team, and also balloon-lamps, low and high capacity pumps and small generators.

Canada's contribution was way too big for my poor typing skills

People's Republic of China offered $5 million along with emergency supplies, including 1,000 tents, 600 generators, bed sheets, immediately for disaster relief.

Cuba was one of the first countries to offer aid, they offered to send 1,586 doctors and 26 tons of medicine (it was rejected by the State Department). Also, before the 2006 World Baseball Classic, Cuba said they would donate their share of the winnings to Katrina victims to ensure the United States embargo against Cuba was not violated. However, the U.S. government refused to allow the donation.

The list is HUGE!
Iran offered to send humanitarian aid and 20 million barrels of crude oil!!!! IRAN!!!!

Now to ruin the mood, I'll get to what I was going to post about.
On September 8, 2005 New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass to local police, National Guard troops, and US Marshals to confiscate all civilian-held firearms. "No one will be able to be armed," Compass said. "Guns will be taken. Only law enforcement will be allowed to have guns."
This was carried out without warrants, and in some cases with excessive force.
One instance captured on film involved 58 year old New Orleans resident Patricia Konie. She had stayed behind, in her well provisioned home, and had an old revolver for protection. A group of police entered the house, and when she refused to surrender her revolver, she was tackled and it was removed by force. This 58 year old woman's shoulder was fractured, and she was taken into police custody for failing to surrender her firearm.
I thought 'being able to defend yourself' was a RIGHT guaranteed to United States citizens without a criminal record. What did the political hack want her to use against the looters? Harsh language?

Even National Guard troops were used for house to house searches, seizing firearms and attempting to get those remaining in the city to leave.

Why am I going on about this? I was just talking to someone who had a firearm confiscated during Katrina. A shotgun that his father had left him (this needed no paper work to transfer ownership). He still hasn't gotten it back.
So much for our 'rights'. They mean less than some political asshats ambition.

Dan Emplit
USN 1986 - 1992