If your in DC and want to help Katrina Victims

The DC Area Red Cross is compiling lists of volunteers to help staff phone banks, enter data or pack emergency supplies over the next couple of weeks. If you want to volunteer, email evanse@redcrossnca.org

Serrano and Grijalva tell State Dept - Let Cuban Doctors Help Katrina Victims

Congress is back in session and the insanity resumes!

Yesterday, Representatives Jose E. Serrano (D-NY) and Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) sent a letter to the State Department asking them to take Cuba's offers of medical assistance and supplies.

Clearly the U.S. can NOT accept this donation for several reasons. One, it would be a slap in the face to take hand outs from a third world country, who claims to have nothing at the US embargo is the blame for everything. Also, more importantly, how in the heck does the Cuban government have the resources to send 1,100 medical personal and 25 tons of medical supplies!!

The Cuban people don't have access to these medical supplies or assistance. Hundreds of letters are sent from Cuba to family in the US asking for simple things like aspirin because they can't find it in Cuba. They don’t even have bedding for beds in Cuban hospitals (well at least for hospitals that attend to native Cubans)...

It was only a few weeks ago Serrano asked the State Department to grant Pastors for Peace entrance into Cuba with humanitarian aide.....So Cuba needs assistance but can send it to thier “best friend” the good old USA too.... ok? .... you tell that to the thousands of Cubans still waiting for their rice cooker, promised to them by Papi Fidel, while they wait without electricity in their dilapidated homes, that the island is “plentiful” with resources. That, instead of helping Cubans, the government is going to give 25 TONS of medicine to the Yankees.... its enough to give everyone in Cuba a Sirimba!!

More correctly did Serrano have further brain malfunction over the summer recess? It only gives you a better idea how out of touch he is about the Cuban reality, or maybe how much in cahoots he is with Castro. ….. que mierda!

U.S. Press Release :: Serrano and Grijalva: State Dept. Should Let Cuban Doctors Help Katrina Victims

Not much traction with the abuse - Times reacts to critics of Bush

Not much traction with the abuse

Hurricane Katrina Relief Information for Military Members - U.S. Department of Defense Official Website

More information about Hurricane Katrina Aide
Hurricane Katrina Relief Information for Military Members - U.S. Department of Defense Official Website

Hotlines/ Websites for Missing Persons and Volunteers

HOTLINES AND WEBSITES FOR MISSING PERSONS, VOLUNTEERS, AND DONATIONS HURRICANE KATRINA

We have compiled the following list of websites and phone numbers from the Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi state websites.

Please bear with the emergency personnel and rescue teams and realize that it may be difficult to get through because of downed communication lines, and the overwhelming life-saving measures that are taking place. If you are aware of additional phone numbers or website that may be useful, please let us know. We will update this list as more information becomes available.

Louisiana (see http://www.louisiana.gov/wps/portal/)

To report missing persons, please call the American Red Cross at 1(866) 438-4636.

Louisiana Governor Blanco's hotline: 800-469-4828

Louisiana Evacuation Office: 225-925-7514

Louisiana State Police: 225-925-7708 or 7709

Shelter Information:
Red Cross- 1(866)(438-4636)

Special Needs Shelter Information
Triage Phone Numbers:
Alexandria: 800-841-5778
Baton Rouge: 800-349-1372
Slidell/Hammond: 866-280-7724
Lafayette: 800-901-3210
Lake Charles: 866-280-2711
Monroe: 866-280-7287
Houma/Thibodaux: 800-228-9409

Here is a list of phone numbers set up solely for cash donations and/or volunteers.
To donate cash, please call:
American Red Cross 1-800-435-7669 English
1-800-257-7575 Spanish
Operation Blessing 1-800-436-6348
America's Second Harvest 1-800-344-8070

Donate Cash to and Volunteer with:
Adventist Community Services 1-800-381-7171
Catholic Charities, USA 703 549-1390
Christian Disaster Response 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee 1-800-848-5818
Church World Service 1-800-297-1516
Convoy of Hope 417-823-8998
Lutheran Disaster Response 1-800-638-3522
Mennonite Disaster Service 717-859-2210
Nazarene Disaster Response 888-256-5886
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 1-800-872-3283
Salvation Army 1-800-725-2769
Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief 1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440
United Methodist Committee on Relief 1-800-554-8583
For further information: please visit the website for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) at:
http://www.nvoad.org/

Mississippi (see www.mema.ms.gov )

Red Cross 1-866-Get Info (Missing Persons)
To report missing persons, please email missingpersons@seoc.ms.gov

Use this form: www.mema.ms.gov/missing.person.form.gov
Red Cross 1-800-Help Now (Donations)
MDOT traffic hotline: 601-352-7017
Volunteers

Medical personnel:
Doctors call: 601-987-3079;
EMTs call: 601-576-8085;
Nurses call: 601-497-8022

____________________________________________________________________________________
Non-professional volunteers: contact Red Cross, Salvation Army other established volunteer organizations.


Alabama (http://www.governor.state.al.us/hurricane_katrina/katrina2.htm)

Alabamians who want to volunteer for disaster relief efforts can sign up over the Internet through the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The website where Alabamians can sign up to volunteer is www.servealabama.gov/

American Red Cross
1-866-GET-INFO
For assistance, to volunteer or to assist click here:
http://www.redcross.org/

Alabama Emergency Management Agency
205-280-2200
Click below for your county EMA contact information:
http://207.157.116.10

Alabama Department of Transportation
Emergency Road Closure Information and Evacuation Updates:
1-888-588-2848 or 1-334-353-6650
http://www.dot.state.al.us/docs

Attorney General
1-800-392-5658
To report price gouging contact the Consumer Affairs Office:
http://www.ago.state.al.us/

Alabama Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation
1-800-367-0955
Facilities and Health Care Information


Other:

B'nai B'rith International, 2020 K Street, N.W., Seventh Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006; or online by going to www.bnaibrith.org and clicking on the link for disaster relief.

United Jewish Communities, P.O. Box 30, Old Chelsea Station, N.Y., 10113, attention: Hurricane Katrina. Mark the memo section of checks with "Katrina." Phone: 1- 877-277-2477

Union for Reform Judaism can be made at www.urj.org/give. Information on the Disaster Relief Fund can be found at www.urj.org/relief.

International Aid Global Headquarters
17011 W. Hickory
Spring Lake, Michigan 49456-9712, USA
Phone: (616) 846.7490 Fax: (616) 846.3842
Toll Free: (800) 968-7490
24-hour Donation Line: (800) 251.2502
The website is www.internationalaid.org

FEMA Press Release -

FEMA Urges Patience While Search Continues for Stranded Victims and Supplies Stream In

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is asking for patience in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Response operations are being conducted over a disaster area of nearly 90,000 square miles - the biggest single disaster response in our nation's history. This is a catastrophic event, and it takes time to get assets to victims over this large area, while we also conduct search and rescue efforts for those who are stranded and without commodities.

To date, Federal response activities include:

The sheltering and care of more than 91,000 hurricane victims. FEMA is supporting state partners, the American Red Cross and voluntary agencies, in ensuring that victims of the storms are in safe shelters with essential life-sustaining commodities. As of today, people are in 275 shelters in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

Ø The rescue of more than 4,800 people by FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) teams, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal, state and local rescue teams. All 28 of FEMA's US&R task forces have been deployed in response to Hurricane Katrina. Fourteen task forces and two Incident Support Teams are working in Louisiana and Mississippi and the remaining task forces are enroute. Eight swift water teams from California are also deployed making a total of approximately 1,800 US&R responding to this disaster.

Ø The deployment of nearly 1,200 National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) personnel to support medical facilities and hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi which are not fully operational. Teams are staged near disaster areas for immediate and rapid deployment further into the disaster zone once it is safe to do so. NDMS teams are also coordinating the transport of medical needs victims from New Orleans to Houston.

Ø The coordination of nearly 16,000 law enforcement personnel including National Guardsmen, and federal, state and local police officers being sent to the stricken areas.

Ø Convoys of food, water and ice which are arriving hourly in impacted areas.

Ø The evacuation of thousands from New Orleans to Texas. FEMA has contracted for more than 650 buses to expedite the state-ordered evacuation.


Ø President Bush has authorized 100-percent reimbursement to Louisiana for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance. The government normally pays 75 percent of these costs.

Ø Affected individuals in declared counties can register online for disaster assistance at www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll-free registration line 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) - TTY 800-462-7585, hours. Individuals are encouraged to register on-line due to the possibility of high call volume. If registering by phone, owners of commercial properties and residents with only minor losses are urged to wait a few days before calling so those whose homes were destroyed or heavily damaged can be served first. Phone lines are open 24-hours, 7 days a week.

Congress will return to Session tomorrow!

Rumors all around Washington have confirmed that Congress will reconvene to approve an emergency supplemental tomorrow. Bush has informed the Bicameral Leadership that FEMA needs additional funds this week.

New Orleans is still in shreds and will be for a long time. Over 1,400 national guardsman are being sent to New Orleans daily. Congress hopes to send about $10 billion dollars for all Hurricane Katrina victims.

article from the Roll Call

Congress to Return Friday for Katrina Aid Package

September 1, 2005
By Mark Preston and John Bresnahan,
Roll Call Staff

Congressional leaders are expected to cut their summer recess short Friday to approve an emergency aid package in the $10 billion range to help fund relief efforts along areas of the Gulf Coast devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

President Bush is scheduled to speak with Congressional leaders during a 3:30 p.m. conference call to talk about the emergency supplemental bill, Congressional aides said.

"Disaster relief should be the first order of business of this Congress," said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)." Sen. Reid feels this sends the appropriate message that we stand behind these people during this time of need."

The bulk of the estimated $10 billion aid package will be sent directly to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is taking the lead in federal relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and other affected states.

Congressional aides said the emergency supplemental bill is likely to pass by unanimous consent and will serve as a temporary funding measure until a much larger relief package is approved.

"FEMA is currently spending $500 million a day, and under this scenario they will be broke shortly," Manley said. "This $10 billion will give then another 20 days as they continue to assess their needs."

Ron Bonjean, a spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), said the GOP Congressional leadership is committed to helping the victims in the Gulf region.

"We've approached the Minority Leader with a proposal to bring the House back into emergency session to pass emergency funding for Hurricane Katrina victims," Bonjean said.

Ben Pershing contributed to this report.

Copyright 2005 © Roll Call Inc. All rights reserved.

God Bless,....they will survive

Donate today to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Go to the Catholic Charities at or help the American Red Cross

Help our fellow Americans.

In the midst of the largest and worst natural disaster people around the world find it necessary to say that America and New Orleans had it coming. They state we are a country of exaggeration and waste and New Orleans a city famous for booze, lude behavior and gambling… All I have to say is - Preposterous! If you need a sign, just look to Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter where a Jesus Christ statue proudly stands. No water lay at its feet. It was not toppled to the ground. Even after the worst catastrophe hits its home, it grandly stands on its dry pedestal as a beacon for the faithful. Even Bourbon Street, the headquarters of Mardi Gras, all the streets are dry.



The Jesus Christ statue might have lost two fingers, caused by a falling tree. Yet like the city of New Orleans, it is broken but not destroyed. It may be hurt, but it remains strong and ever present. They will not be forgotten or abandoned. The lord is watching over you and things will work out. Thought it’s hard to understand it now, in this world wind of events and catastrophes, everything happens for a reason and we must look for happiness in the smallest of things.

UPDATE:

Just wanted to say I don't support all the looting. I do understand looting for food and water. People need essentials. People are despearate. But those people who have looted televisions, and going into people's homes, this is not acceptable. In fact its despecable. Where exactly are they going to go with electronic appliances when EVERYTHING is covered with water. I agree with Peggy Noonan on this one, read her article at the Wall Street Journal

Louisiana Foundation

The State of Louisiana has set up a foundation to rebuild and help the people of New Orleans... also people can report missing persons here....

Please Help Katrina Victims!!

It is now time for you to do something…. Please donate money…..

Within a few hours their lives were devastated. Every item they owned had been swept away in a torrid wind, which not only shattered their homes, but their souls. From Mississippi, Alabama to Louisiana people hang out to the last shreds of what use to be their lives.

New Orleans’ flooded streets are filled with sewage. Many wade through the toxicated pool that use to be their neighborhoods, in order to save lives. Estimates expect that thousands have died. Many drowned in their own attics. Those who have made it to dry land wander the streets, with no direction, no water, no food, just panting in the smoldering heat.

Many wonder if New Orleans will be lost forever, or will it be a modern Atlantis, dipping into the ocean forever. 85 % of the city is under water. Even if the water is cleared, all those houses will have suffered severe water damage and will probably have to be destroyed. No one can even begin to truly understand what these people are going through. It is our time to help these people.

Babalu Blog is trying to organize people and donations and asking for support to help this ravaged people.

The American Red Cross
You can make a secure online contribution by visiting the Red Cross Online Donation Page.
1-800-HELP-NOW - (1-800-435-7669)

Catholic Charities –
online at Catholic Charities org.
1-800-919-9338
(The official charity endorced by Babalu Blog - "Catholic Charities is the same organization responsible for assistance to many thousands of Cuban refugees arriving to the US throughout the years and is the official Babalú charitable organization. Let's give a little back" )

Salvation Army
online at Salvation Army USA.
1-800-SAL-ARMY

FEMA listed the following agencies as needing cash to assist hurricane victims:

-- Operation Blessing, 800-436-6348.
-- America's Second Harvest, 800-344-8070.
-- Adventist Community Services, 800-381-7171.
-- Catholic Charities, USA, 703-549-1390.
-- Christian Disaster Response, 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554.
-- Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, 800-848-5818.
-- Church World Service, 800-297-1516.
-- Convoy of Hope, 417-823-8998.
-- Lutheran Disaster Response, 800-638-3522.
-- Mennonite Disaster Service, 717-859-2210.
-- Nazarene Disaster Response, 888-256-5886.
-- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 800-872-3283.
-- Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief, 800-462-8657, ext. 6440.
-- United Methodist Committee on Relief. 800-554-8583.
The Network for Good is also accepting donations for hurricane Katrina relief.

For a complete list of charitable agencies recommended by FEMA, visit http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm.

Also read California Yankee for more

Thank you Babalu Blog for your detailed information and work on this matter

On another note, it is beyond me how countries can look at this disaster, the loss of life, property and humanity – and STILL ridicule the United States. Are they so full of hatred and human decency that they can not see past jealousy and see the average person who is suffering in their current personal hell. Some German newspapers, while talking about the tragedy, editorialized saying that it was fit that the US get hit by this storm as we are to blame for global warming!!

Foreigners are VERY VERY wrong thinking that everyone in the US is rich. Many people who are affected by the storm are the poor, those who didn’t have much to begin with. How many of those countries will provide money for this disaster which is currently being estimated over $25 billion!!.... they think that we have enough rich people here and other nations shouldn’t need to help… Goodness forbid they help us, though we have always gone to every countries rescue.

God bless our poor fellow Americans. May this survive this horrible ordeal.

God bless their souls, may they have the strength to continue on and support their neighbor

God bless those that are much more fortunate and may they give as much as possible to help these people.

KVIA.com - Feds: Posada Shouldn't be Deported to Cuba

KVIA.com - Feds: Posada Shouldn't be Deported to Cuba

Cuba Blames US for Deaths at Sea

RIDICULOUS!!!!

Fidel Castro is blaming the US government for the death of 31 Cubans who died at sea trying to reach American soil. Cuban officials site the Cuban Adjustment Act, which gives Cubans practically automatic residency once they reach shore (due to the wet foot dry foot policy).... HOW RIDICULOUS IS THIS!! .... Castro oppresses his people, forces them to live in poverty, misery and constant fear, but its the US fault they died trying to reach freedom... Maybe if Cuba was a free and open society, as it claims to be, people won't be dying to leave.... All Cubans know the odds, only 1 in 3 make it to the US. Cuban know they will most likely die, but they risk their lives anyway. "Viva Cuba Libre, Viva Christo Rey"

VOA News - Cuba Blames US for Death of Migrants

As Cuba loans doctors abroad, some patients object at home - The Boston Globe

article in the Boston globe... brings to light that while Castro is shipping doctors to Chavez, he is short changing the Cuban people and making the horrible medical situation even worse.... not a perfect article, but I am surprized a Boston newspaper even printed this...

As Cuba loans doctors abroad, some patients object at home - The Boston Globe

From The Black Informant : The indoctrination of the American Negro�Cuban style

Found this on Babalu Blog, thanks for brining it to light.... The Black Informant - The indoctrination of the American Negro-Cuban style

oh wait Jesse is going to fix it!

Jesse Jackson says he is going to Venezuela to smooth ties between the U.S. and Venezuela after the comments made by Pat Robertson on the "700 Club" denouncing the government of Hugo Chavez. -- Are you kidding me- Jess Jackson!!!

Of course the Venezuelan government jumped on any chance to hype up an Anti-Venezuela/ Anti- Chavez comment and try to put some weight on their allegations that the US government is trying to assassinate Chavez. Even though Robertson is a PRIVATE citizen, with NO official ties to the United States government, the Chavez administration, and some liberals, and over excited media, are trying to link Robertson's statements to the Bush administration. Secretary Rumsfeld all ready said the U.S. had no such plans, calling the statements “inappropriate.” Rumsfeled also said "Our department doesn't do that kind of thing. It's against the law," citing the executive order by President Ford making political assassination off-limits.
The Venezuela Vice President, Jose Vicente Rangel, said Venezuela was considering legal action against Robertson.(exactly for what??? Can the U.S. seek legal action for each time Chavez called for the end of the Bush administration?)

Still Jesse Jackson is asking President Bush to apologize to Venezula!... Even better, Jesse Jackson is going down to visit Chavez this weekend to personally fix the problem....What exactly is he going to do? Light up a Cuban cigar and talk about the last few trips and Cuba and how much fun they had???

Today on Fox, Jesse Jackson said he will talk to Chavez on "human rights and pro-democracy" .... B.S.... this man has no idea what he is talking about. Jesse Jackson has said about Fidel Castro he was "the most honest and courageous politician I've ever met." He also has stated "Viva Fidel! Viva Che!" ... If Jesse Jackson was really interested in human rights and pro-democracy he would denounce the Cuban government, ask for the release of all its political prisoners and ask for free and democratic elections, and he most defiantly would not support murderous dictators like Castro and Che... quick history lesson Mr. Jackson, one party politics does not mean a free and open democracy!!

Maybe Mr. Robertson went a little out there for some Americans (nothing any Cuban hasn't thought of a million times) by asking for the assassination of Chavez. But he is on target by stating that Venezuela would become "a launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism."... Chavez is working with Fidel, a harbor of international terrorism.

Mr. Jackson stay out of this! You’re definition of human rights and democracy is clearly blurred.

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Robertson: I Didn't Say 'Kill' Chavez

The Crazies are back in town!

Unfortunately Cindy Sheehan has decided to make a repeat performance in Texas.... According to her blog - The Blog | Cindy Sheehan: Coming Back to Crawford - she feels she is doing this for her son. (read her blog and comments)I don’t doubt she is truly grieving for her son and is overwhelmed by his death. But I think that her grief is blinding her and allowing other forces to manipulate her and her mission… If you read some of the internal lefty blogs, they don’t want to use her, just her image, as she has come out as anti-Isreal and made some pretty radical statements in the past.

She states in her blog
"I came here two and a half weeks ago for one reason, to try and see the president and get an answer to a very simple question: What is the noble cause that he says my son died for? The answer to that question will not bring my son back. But it may stop more meaningless deaths. Because every death is now a meaningless one. And the vast majority of our country knows this."

With each word that comes out of her mouth, or from her fingertips, more and more I think Ms. Sheehan is allowing this to be more about politics and less about her son.... Meaningless deaths? I ask you to tell that to the girls who know go to to school, to the people who now have running water, for those who know the true meaning of voting and look forward to the future... Are things in Iraq ideal, of course not, but we are transforming a country..... the majority of men and women fighting in Operation Iraq Freedom know they are doing amazing things in that country....

Any doubt I had was forever changed when I received a note from a college friend who did 2 tours in Iraq. He was part of the first group to cross the euphrates river. He was stationed on top of humvee as the shooter. His letters depicted the putrid smell in the streets from the lack of pluming and running water or any type of waste handling. He didn't understand what they were fighting for, as the country was already in shambles even before the US put foot in the nation. But he said, "I fight for our freedom, and for their freedom, if i die here, i know i have given my life so another can experience the taste of freedom, just like our forefathers did for us."

I can happily say he is back home in Miami, and still supports the war and its efforts. He is pained he can't still be with his platoon. He came back after being shot. But thankfully he is fine with no major injuries.

God Bless our troops

31 Cuban migrants feared dead

It was is being called the deadliest migrant boating accident in years -- the Coast Guard is still looking for 31 missing Cubans in the Florida Straits. The exiles left Cuba on Aug. 10 backing the 10 passenger speedboat with 34 people. The boat capsized 30 minutes after living Cuba. Three Cubans - two women, one man - was rescued by an Antiguan merchant ship, 30 miles north of Matanzas, Cuba.

We pray for these brave souls! May the lord watch over them and their families....

It is beyond me how people don't understand, while Cubans die to leave others pay to go to this "paradise"..... If it really was so wonderful why are so many risking their lives to get out of hell!

As my boss would say, most people lack common sense!!!


Herald.com | 08/24/2005 | 31 Cuban migrants feared dead

Say it ain't so....

Today many of Washingtonians mourn the departure of a Capitol Hill landmark - Capitol Lounge. The happy hour favorite suffered serious damages due to a fire in the early morning hours.

A hazy layer of smoke covered the corner of 3rd and Pennsylvania, while many Capitol Hill folks pondered where would they go now?

The Lounge's manager, Simon, speculated the fire could have been started by the donut fryer. No reports of injuries.

UPDATE: New reports state the fire may have been caused by a cigarette dropped into a garbage can and left overnight. The left side of the bar is totally destroyed. The Right side has sustained pretty bad smoke damage. Yet the Cap Lounge will live again -- The owner had good insurance (yeah for planning ahead) and plan to re-open within two to three months.

tear, tear... so many good times at Cap Lounge.... we will miss you friend...

Fidel's victims and enablers -Editorials/Op-Ed

Interesting Read --- Fidel's victims and enablers- Editorials/Op-Ed- The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

Boli-Nica : Is Chavez, Fidel's New Sugar Daddy???

Very interesting .... Boli-Nica On Bolivia, Nicaragua, Latin America and US Politics: Is Chavez, Fidel's New Sugar Daddy???

some people are so ignorant, read the comments too..