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Hurricane Katrina
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[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005</i> <br /><br />[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by Ray.Lampman</i> <br /><br />How long until a railroad could push a train of empty gondolas into New Orleans to serve as an emergency evacuation train? Both Class-1s running west, UP and BNSF, seem close to reaching New Orleans. How much water depth above the rails would mechanically prevent a train from sloshing though? Have our governments explored the rail options? I'd sure like to see the railroads benefit from the positive press which would follow a few successful rescue trains! <br />[/quote] <br /> <br />Even if they could get the people to the railhead, riding in gondolas isn't particularly safe or comfortable. No bathrooms, not much chance for food or water service, difficulty loading and unloading, and then how fast would the train be able to travel? <br /> <br />Then there is the issue of where to take them. The Houston fire marshall has ordered that no more people be admitted to the Astrodome, it is at capacity. The word is that other locations in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas are being set up to receive more refugees. <br /> <br />This whole situation is a logistical nightmare, that nobody ever planned for. I think it's safe to say that some of these people who lived through the actual storm, will die from neglect in the aftermath. There is nothing we can do about it. No amount of money will save them. <br /> <br />Sometimes I wonder if the government isn't deliberately dragging it's feet in order to prove a point. There seem to be some very high expectations on the part of the general public being placed on the governmnet. In the government's defense, nothing like this has ever happened here before. <br /> <br />Is it really the government's job to bail people out when they choose to live in harm's way? I suppose according to the preamble to the constitution some people would say it is!!! <br /> <br />It isn't as if nobody expected a major storm to hit New Orleans. They all knew it was only a matter of time. Government and people alike. <br />[/quote] <br /> <br />What I want to know is where's MAC - Military Airlift Command. Instead of trains or buses, why not land some C130's on I-10 and get them out 500+ at a time. If that's not possible, then use the buses to shuttle them to the nearest place where a C130 can land, instead of wasting a lot of time driving all the way to Texas. For the time being, fly them to military bases like we did with the Cuban refugees. Stop worrying about looters and 'law & order' and get those people out of there!
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