Questions about the Midwest (U.S.) Flooding

OK, in light of what happened in and around New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, the following questions must be asked in regards to the Midwest flooding and the government and media response to the flooding:

Where are all of the Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for help in restoring Iowa and helping the folks affected by the floods?

Where is all the media asking the tough questions about why the federal government hasn't solved the problem? Asking where the FEMA trucks (and trailers) are?

Why isn't the Federal Government relocating Iowa people to free hotels in Chicago?

When will Spike Lee say that the Federal Government blew up the levees that failed in Des Moines ?

Where are Sean Penn and the Dixie Chicks?

Where are all the looters stealing high-end tennis shoes and big screen television sets?

When will we hear Iowa Governor Chet Culver say that he wants to rebuild a 'vanilla' Iowa, because that's the way God wants it?

Where is the hysterical 24/7 media coverage complete with reports of cannibalism?

Where are the people declaring that George Bush hates white, rural people?

How come in 2 weeks, you will never hear about the Iowa flooding ever again?


Yes indeed. What is the reason for the different responses?

Could it be that government and media personalities just don't care about the farmers in the Midwest?

Or could it be that everyone knows or at least assumes that these people will have the fortitude and attitude it takes to pull themselves out of this dire situation without and instead of waiting for someone (the government) else to come and take care of their problems for them?


[edit on 6/30/2008 by centurion1211]

Lakes, streams, and rivers occasionally break the levee's. These farmers knew it would happen. Noone expected the levee's to break during hurricane Katrina. The amount of area that is flooded may be the same, but it's not the same amount of people. How many people were displaced due to Katrina? How many people were displaced now during the midwest flooding?

How many people found refuge in a superdome in the MIDWEST. With little or no food/water. Trapped in a building that the military would not allow people out of to find food and water.

Answer those questions and then the rest of your point becomes moot. In my opinion.

Originally posted by Cowgirlstraitup7
Lakes, streams, and rivers occasionally break the levee's. These farmers knew it would happen.

And hurricanes come and the residents of NO knew one would hit them someday.

Noone expected the levee's to break during hurricane Katrina. The amount of area that is flooded may be the same, but it's not the same amount of people. How many people were displaced due to Katrina? How many people were displaced now during the midwest flooding?

How many people just sat and waited for help after Katrina? Compare that to this article

The President's visit to flood ravaged Iowa took a turn for the surreal today as citizens blockaded roads and highways to keep FEMA officials from entering the area. Local governments in the affected areas have shown no sign of relenting in their wishes to handle the situation by themselves. FEMA officials have threatened to help Iowa residence by force if cooperation is not forthcoming.

"We need to get in there so we can help." Pleaded FEMA director David Paulison to the assembled protesters. "Let us in so we can help you in this terrible situation. FEMA is ready to do what it takes to help the people of the Midwest. We have money, talent, resources, we have learned our lesson from New Orleans, and besides you are white and vote."

"Hey look, we aren't trying to be uncooperative," said John Hickenger, Mayor of Bentville Iowa. "But after the Katrina mess up we just figure we can do a better job ourselves. If FEMA wants to give us a few front end loaders and some sandbags, we will take it from there."

Notice any difference?

How many people found refuge in a superdome in the MIDWEST. With little or no food/water. Trapped in a building that the military would not allow people out of to find food and water.

I guess none in the midwest were foolish enough to put themselves in a "superdome" situation - if one even existed. Instead, they fought hard to overcome and survive. I don't seem to recall seeing NO residents filling sandbags and manning levees.

Answer those questions and then the rest of your point becomes moot. In my opinion.

But you conveniently ignored most of the questions ...

How about some more questions ? What has the United States Army Corps Of Engineers (COE) been spending tax dollars on? Obviously not on levee inspection. The COE districts which encompass the Mississippi River Valley and tributaries have been upgrading the locks and dams but while doing so have gone overboard on making themselves (COE) look pretty. The locks were originally built with operations buildings of approx' 400-500 sq.ft. which worked fine until the Waterways User Tax built up. Granted, updating equipment was and is necessary but why excesses such as the St.Paul District COE replacing those 500 sq.ft. buildings with ones of 3000-4000 sq.ft that have mega wasted space and a large park around Lock #6 at Trempealeau,Wis. I'm sure the people in Winfield,MO and other towns and cities in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois are happy for the folks in Trempealeau. Why does the COE need an "inspection" vessel which is an inland river towboat, the Motor Vessel Mississippi, larger and much fancier than any working towboat. The largest working towboats are 10,500 HP, 200' long and 50' wide and push 35-40+ barges. The COE M/V Mississippi built in 1993 is/was 240' by 58' and 6270 HP and pushes maybe two small deck barges but has reportedly very posh accomodations for members of Congress and other "dignitaries" when used as the party boat it was really built as. There may be a newer and even larger M/V Mississippi now. Could not the COE have used the M/V Mississippi to check for "muskrat burrows" in the levees ? When was the last time the COE inspected the levees ? After the 1993 "100 Year Flood" was preparations did the COE make for this one ?