Uh oh...

[Nick Koan]

Originally Posted by sperry

Also BTW: IGT is matching donations to the Red Cross from IGT employees as well as spending $1M to help.

I donated $50 on Sunday and IGT's going to double that for me. So for the rest of you IGT employees on the board (Nick, Mike) if you plan to donate, do it through work!

Yeah, though, as I understand it, IGT is matching Helping Hands donations, not Red Cross and it is a one time payroll deduction.

Regardless, I donated to the Red Cross and Helping Hands today. Hopefully I did it right so that IGT will do a little bit of matching.

[Nick Koan]

Originally Posted by sp00ln

Sorry for the OT, but how many of you do actually work at IGT? Im trying to squeeze in there as well... crazy

As far as I know, its Scott, myself and MikeK. Though, we have been trying to convert at least one IGT employee, and doing whatever to help SECCS members get employed. What positions are you looking at? Send me a PM or something, so this thread doesn't get too off-topic.

[ScottyS]

Originally Posted by Dean

It also makes me wonder if I should have a hand gun a shotgun, and some training to protect what I do have?

I hate to think that way, but this sure has opened my eyes.

Seriously, personal weapons are virtually a part of life in a large part of the world. Here in America, although not as statistically necessary, both the weapons and training available to the general public are first-class (well, except for maybe CA, NJ, NY....). The difference between remaining capable and incapable of self-protection in America is mostly a matter of will, not means.

The largest difficulty in America relating to self-defense is the demonization of those who are prepared, as if our society is above victimizing others or something.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by nKoan

Yeah, though, as I understand it, IGT is matching Helping Hands donations, not Red Cross and it is a one time payroll deduction.

Regardless, I donated to the Red Cross and Helping Hands today. Hopefully I did it right so that IGT will do a little bit of matching.

Re-read the announcement email, they're matching both.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f...25-1077495.php

Troops begin combat operations in New Orleans

By Joseph R. Chenelly
Times staff writer
NEW ORLEANS — Combat operations are underway on the streets “to take this city back” in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “This place is going to look like Little Somalia,” Brig. Gen. Gary Jones, commander of the Louisiana National Guard’s Joint Task Force told Army Times Friday as hundreds of armed troops under his charge prepared to launch a massive citywide security mission from a staging area outside the Louisiana Superdome. “We’re going to go out and take this city back. This will be a combat operation to get this city under control.”

Jones said the military first needs to establish security throughout the city. Military and police officials have said there are several large areas of the city are in a full state of anarchy.

Dozens of military trucks and up-armored Humvees left the staging area just after 11 a.m. Friday, while hundreds more troops arrived at the same staging area in the city via Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters.

“We’re here to do whatever they need us to do,” Sgt. 1st Class Ron Dixon, of the Oklahoma National Guard’s 1345th Transportation Company. “We packed to stay as long as it takes.”

While some fight the insurgency in the city, other carry on with rescue and evacuation operations. Helicopters are still pulling hundreds of stranded people from rooftops of flooded homes.

Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and police helicopters filled the city sky Friday morning. Most had armed soldiers manning the doors. According to Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeremy Grishamn, a spokesman for the amphibious assault ship Bataan, the vessel kept its helicopters at sea Thursday night after several military helicopters reported being shot at from the ground.

Numerous soldiers also told Army Times that they have been shot at by armed civilians in New Orleans. Spokesmen for the Joint Task Force Headquarters at the Superdome were unaware of any servicemen being wounded in the streets, although one soldier is recovering from a gunshot wound sustained during a struggle with a civilian in the dome Wednesday night.

“I never thought that at a National Guardsman I would be shot at by other Americans,” said Spc. Philip Baccus of the 527th Engineer Battalion. “And I never thought I’d have to carry a rifle when on a hurricane relief mission. This is a disgrace.”

Spc. Cliff Ferguson of the 527th Engineer Battalion pointed out that he knows there are plenty of decent people in New Orleans, but he said it is hard to stay motivated considering the circumstances.

“This is making a lot of us think about not reenlisting.” Ferguson said. “You have to think about whether it is worth risking your neck for someone who will turn around and shoot at you. We didn’t come here to fight a war. We came here to help.”

Unfuckingbelievable.

[MikeSTI]

yes it is unbelievable that there could be this amount of anarchy in such a large city. it is also sad that in this great country the action of a few speak for the majority. i love how these stories make it sound like complete madness, when in fact there are just a few of these idiots roaming aound. i really wish the news would faocus more on the good being done then they have. my uncle is in Huston registering people for aid, yet there is still a need to get others out.

not everyone there is lawless, and the actions of a few should not out shine the needs of the majority. news reporters always look for the big story and thats what they think they are reporting.............

[sp00ln]

Originally Posted by nKoan

As far as I know, its Scott, myself and MikeK. Though, we have been trying to convert at least one IGT employee, and doing whatever to help SECCS members get employed. What positions are you looking at? Send me a PM or something, so this thread doesn't get too off-topic.

Sent. Thank you.

[sybir]

http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,68756,00.html

I'm not trying to start drama in this thread, as this isn't commentary on the devolution of society down south, but a good perspective on why it affected us so much.
Significant is the last quote, from a Jamaican disaster relief specialist:

"We always have resource constraints," she said. "That's not a problem the U.S. has. But because they have the resources, they may not pay enough attention to preparedness and awareness, and to educating the public how to help themselves."

[MattR]

Did anyone see Kanye West struggling through his rant on the NBC Telethon? He managed to stutter through.."George Bush does not care about black people"...

Check out the clip.

Kanye West is a loser

[sperry]

Mike Myers should have just punched him.

[tysonK]

OMG!

That was pathetic.

I feel bad for Mike Myers.

[MattR]

What amuzes me about Kanye, is the fact that he can get throw down lyrics in his songs no problem, and quite well...

but he can hardly communicate with others when giving an interview or speech. (I've seen him in other interviews...wow).

[Nick Koan]

What I think is the worst, is that race relations are strained enough that some people (black and white) are finding validity in Kanye's statement about Bush.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by nKoan

What I think is the worst, is that race relations are strained enough that some people (black and white) are finding validity in Kanye's statement about Bush.

I agree.. I honestly believe that the race arguement is completely unmerited, and unnecessary. It upsets me that that is thown out there as the reason things are not going well in NO. But, people love to throw racism in everyones face. I bet Bush's approval ratings fall to their lowest point ever in coming weeks. He's a scapegoat in this disaster.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

I agree.. I honestly believe that the race arguement is completely unmerited, and unnecessary. It upsets me that that is thown out there as the reason things are not going well in NO. But, people love to throw racism in everyones face. I bet Bush's approval ratings fall to their lowest point ever in coming weeks. He's a scapegoat in this disaster.

I'm all for Bush being the scapegoat on this one. I think he handled the hurricane in mediocre fashion... but has really screwed the pooch in our forign relations. Whatever it takes to get someone unlike Bush in office in 2008 (which doesn't necessarily mean Democrat).

[MattR]

You have heard the rumors that Jeb Bush (FL governor Jeb) may run for Prez for the Republicans. And if Hilary Clinton gets the nomination for the Democrats, then Jeb's in...16 years of Bush rule! OMG@!!!!

Win a free country...Vote Libertarian!!!!!

[Nick Koan]

Great, just what we need. Different Bush's and Clinton's going after the presidency for the next 50 years.

[sperry]

I wouldn't mind a dynasty of presidents... if they weren't all retards.

'Course, wasn't Jeb Bush the "successful" son? I know W. became president and all, but before that wasn't he a coke-head followed by an unsuccessful business man? Plus beating Gore and then Kerry isn't exactly "successful"... that's like the Mariners winning the Little League World Series... sure you won by one run in the bottom of the 9th... but you were playing 13 year olds. Then again, being the governor of Florida is sorta the same thing, now isn't it.

Where's Ross Perot when you need him?

[MattR]

Jeb is way more people friendly, a much better speaker and appears to have a better grip on things in general, however, I believe his politics are a bit to the right of GW's, and he's much closer to the religious right.So, there you go.

Ross Perot is not the answer. Close but not quite.

[Nick Koan]

Nader 2008.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

Jeb is way more people friendly, a much better speaker and appears to have a better grip on things in general, however, I believe his politics are a bit to the right of GW's, and he's much closer to the religious right.So, there you go.

Ross Perot is not the answer. Close but not quite.

"Sometimes you need to tap on the glass of your sarcasm detector to loosen the needle up a bit."

[sp00ln]

"George Bush doesn't care about black people." Hahaha! Did you see Mike Myers reaction?! Wow... stupid. And black people ARE looting, raping and killing. Who cares if theyre 65% of the population in new orleans... that shouldnt be an excuse. And yes, white people are probably looting as well - I know I would if I lost everything and needed something. If i need water, Ill get it. If i need food, Ill get it. But a TV? No, no one needs a TV. New Orleans doesnt even have power! Why dont these 'all might black leaders', such as Mr. West here, stand up, and say something that takes an education, such as, "You wonder why people still discriminate black people. Look at what youre doing. When things are at their worst, youre stealing TVs! Cars! And other un-important materials. Actions speak louder than words. Stop the looting, stop the violance. Lets get together, organize, and show these people who we really are. If we work together, we can work through this. We will prevail." .... or something of the like.

Now off to wash the car!

[MikeSTI]

just goes to show how much influence the "mass media" has on ones view points in a disaster area.


I want to be President!!!!1 Vote Me in '16

and there lays the reason we will never get a good president!!! Job sucurity sucks, pay is crap, get blamed for hating people, sell your sole to stay in another 4 years, and all for what...............have everything you tried to do change in the next term


US is for the layers now

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by MikeSTI

and there lays the reason we will never get a good president!!! Job sucurity sucks, pay is crap, get blamed for hating people, sell your sole to stay in another 4 years, and all for what...............have everything you tried to do change in the next term

Wait, what? Job security sucks? Did you notice that the last 2 presidents got re-elcted despite having extremely vociferous opposition during their first terms? Blamed for hating people? Only by people as ignorant as they claim the president is. And the trade-off for having your work "undone" is... you got to undo the last guys' work.

[MikeSTI]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Wait, what? Job security sucks? Did you notice that the last 2 presidents got re-elcted despite having extremely vociferous opposition during their first terms? Blamed for hating people? Only by people as ignorant as they claim the president is. And the trade-off for having your work "undone" is... you got to undo the last guys' work.

well we need an indy' that will get the vote, and maybe just maybe the Indy's can hold office just long enough to kill the 2 party system.

I got a call few few days ago for donations for the upcoming election, they asked me to give money blah blah speach. I told them that the timing was bad and they may have just lost my vote. The US is in a crisis and all they want is to secure the 08' election. what crap