[mojo2]

I think Art Bell said it best on the nationally syndicated radio show, Coast to Coast AM as he broadcast live for five hours this past Sunday night.

We have lost a major American city.

It should be noted (especially for the benefit of those who might casually and ignorantly dismiss the show as some kind of joke) that this natural disaster and the myriad and complex possible reasons for it have been discussed repeatedly over the years on the show and indeed the box office hit film, "The Day After Tomorrow," which dramatizes a natural disaster brought about by man's disregard or manipulation of the environment, which was based on the book, "The Coming Global Superstorm," Bell co-authored with Whitley Strieber.

I have been watching Fox News coverage of the disaster because Shepard Smith is a REMARKABLY talented reporter. In years to come I believe his Katrina reportage will be regarded in the same light as Edward R. Murrow's reports of London enduring the nightly Nazi blitz bombings in WWII.

He provides a "Gold" standard against which any and all other live reporters will be judged.

The big 3 networks all are doing a decent job from what I can tell but none can match Shep's intelligence, mental agility, humanity, humor and down to earth humanity he uses while conveying an accurate and compelling picture of the situation there.

He makes me think and understand. He gives me chills and makes me cry. He has a moral authority that caused Bill O'Reilly to stand back.

Bill just said to Shep what I've been thinking, "I hope you win the highest journalism award, EVER."

Fox News' Shepard Smith gets my vote.

[BlueSky]

I haven't noticed anyone outstanding, though I did notice 2 of CNN's reporters getting visibly ticked off at the lack of progress in N.O.

I don't watch FOX anymore, but if there's one anchor who is not towing the FOX party line, at least noticably, it's Shepard. I like him, like his style,



Off topic re: your sig:

"All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

I've always liked this one:

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free, but first it shall
make you miserable." - Carl Rogers

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by mojo2

I have been watching Fox News coverage of the disaster because Shepard Smith is a REMARKABLY talented reporter.

Some of Shep Smith's best work :

SHEPARD SMITH: You’re live on FOX News Channel, what are you doing?

MAN IN NEW ORLEANS: Walking my dogs.

SMITH: Why are you still here? I'm just curious.

MAN: None of your ****ing business.

Some more of his best work can be seen here.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

I haven't noticed anyone outstanding, though I did notice 2 of CNN's reporters getting visibly ticked off at the lack of progress in N.O.

I don't watch FOX anymore, but if there's one anchor who is not towing the FOX party line, at least noticably, it's Shepard. I like him, like his style,



Off topic re: your sig:



I've always liked this one:

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free, but first it shall
make you miserable." - Carl Rogers

Maybe that's why people think I'm always trolling or being intentionally provocative. I bring them truths which make them feel miserable.

Ahh, but mojo tucson, what does this say about you? What does it make you feel?

Kiss mah ase, you disembodied voice!

BlueSky, I wish there were a little alarm bell you could push so that each time you posted something really good and funny I'd be sure to catch it. Well, maybe I'll just check on ye evry few daze to see what I may have missed.

You are one funny motha focka! Thanks for the new sig, btw!

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by BRussell

Some of Shep Smith's best work :


Some more of his best work can be seen here.

I watched one of the videos you posted (J-Lo), the other wouldn't play. I also watched his little video bio and saw that he was raised in the South. And it seems, just watching and listening to him these days, that a bit of a drawl is returning.

I remember when Peter Jennings spent time in the UK that he picked up a Brit accent.

Speaking of the South, there are several national news anchors who are from the South or the midwest but have a southern sound about them.

[KeriVit]

Shep is my favorite thus far. I watched him tonight with some dumb-ass and they argued... it was great.

As for the accent, it takes one 15 minute phone call with my bro in NO to bring back my accent and I left nearly 20 years ago. When I move to GA, it will probably take about a week,

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Shep is my favorite thus far. I watched him tonight with some dumb-ass and they argued... it was great.

As for the accent, it takes one 15 minute phone call with my bro in NO to bring back my accent and I left nearly 20 years ago. When I move to GA, it will probably take about a week,

In a different thought...

Britney is from down there, isn't she? Anyone heard from her?

[mojo2]

Fox News' Greta Van Susteren Applauds Law Breaker!

A young man was just commended by Fox News' Greta Van Susteren for breaking into a school bus yard and stealing a school bus!

Jabbar Gibson didn't know how to drive the bus but he loaded it with survivors and somehow drove 70 grateful people to the Houston Astrodome, stopping for gas 3 times along the way paid for by the passengers who pitched in for the expense.

[mojo2]

On one of the Sunday morning news shows, NBC's Meet the Press, I think, Jefferson Parish President (!!), Aaron Broussard told the story of his and his crews' efforts during the past week and at the end of his interview he concluded with a compelling story of a worker whose own mother called every day asking for someone to rescue her and he replied, "someone is coming to get you momma," until the last day when she drowned. At this point Broussard broke down into tears and sobs.

I don't think ANYONE has the gall to accuse him of lying or of using that heartbreaking story for purposes of manipulating the press or spinning the news.

However, I wonder how Broussard, his office, his leadership and his jurisdiction will fare when all the dust settles. Will he be found to have done everything he should have in preparing for and in preventing the impact on people in Jefferson Parish?

He certainly seems to be a decent and earnest man. I have seen him on every network now and as is always the case, certain figures remain in our minds after a prolonged news story and I think he will be one of those who does so in this one.

[screamingFit]

A group of my friends just escaped from N.O. and returned safely yesterday (they were down a week before the storm on business). The news reports aren't showing everything, its pretty watered down - the stories I've heard for the past 24 hours are absolutely horrible and depressing. No news coverage I've seen comes close to what I've been hearing!

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

A group of my friends just escaped from N.O. and returned safely yesterday (they were down a week before the storm on business). The news reports aren't showing everything, its pretty watered down - the stories I've heard for the past 24 hours are absolutely horrible and depressing. No news coverage I've seen comes close to what I've been hearing!

I think it would be instructive and enlightening to read eyewitness reports here if you really have some and if you trust your sources' and your own objectivity in relating them faithfully.

Please share if you'd like.

[screamingFit]

Well, some things not necessarily news worthy but I found interesting to share:

- Police helped them break in and loot a Wallgreens
- The hotel where they were staying in during the flood told them that they were being evacuated on buses. When everyone left the hotel to go to the buses, the buses were nowhere to be found (found out later the goverment wouldn't let them come) and the hotel wouldn't let them back in.
- They had to stay on the steps on the Superdome. Were told if they entered, they'd be killed.
- Saw hundreds of dead bodies
- They tried to cross a bridge on foot and police started shooting at them. They had to hide under a semi trailer.
- They finally found a bus that would take them out of the city. They were told by the police to duck their heads while on the bus or risk being shot by people who weren't leaving.
- My friends made a pact that they were either all going to get alive or none of them would.

These are only the things I want to think of right now. To see the pain in this group's eyes...I just can't fathom the things they went through. At least they're safe now but the poor people left behind...

Seeing this stuff on the T.V. really doesn't let it sink in as deep as hearing these people's stories.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

Well, some things not necessarily news worthy but I found interesting to share:

- Police helped them break in and loot a Wallgreens
- The hotel where they were staying in during the flood told them that they were being evacuated on buses. When everyone left the hotel to go to the buses, the buses were nowhere to be found (found out later the goverment wouldn't let them come) and the hotel wouldn't let them back in.
- They had to stay on the steps on the Superdome. Were told if they entered, they'd be killed.
- Saw hundreds of dead bodies
- They tried to cross a bridge on foot and police started shooting at them. They had to hide under a semi trailer.
- They finally found a bus that would take them out of the city. They were told by the police to duck their heads while on the bus or risk being shot by people who weren't leaving.
- My friends made a pact that they were either all going to get alive or none of them would.

These are only the things I want to think of right now. To see the pain in this group's eyes...I just can't fathom the things they went through. At least they're safe now but the poor people left behind...

Seeing this stuff on the T.V. really doesn't let it sink in as deep as hearing these people's stories.

War Stories.

How many books and films will come out of this disaster?! Your friends should get a ghost writer. There are ghost writers looking for those with experiences like your friends'.

[mojo2]

On the Clark Howard radio show a caller says the American Red Cross hasn't been living up to their expectations. Not providing service(s) when, where and how one would think they would, could or should.

Howard says fewer than 3,000 school, city, charter or other buses would have been necessary to evacuate 100,000 citizens.

[mojo2]

Let's use this for RITA media coverage as well.

Want an example of a Fox News guy who doesn't get it?

John Gibson was talking to Judge Napolitano about the Texas judicial ruling empowering homeowners to shoot to kill looters who they feel are threatening their homes and property and gun owners to protect their own homes, businesses and neighborhoods with the right to shoot to kill as well.

Gibson then looks kind of surprised and asks something about whether the courts had mitigated that ruling somewhat or somehow as it seemed a bit too draconian and too wild west, in his estimation.

HE COVERED THE KATRINA DISASTER BUT HE DIDN"T THINK ABOUT WHAT HE WAS COVERING???

When people get desperate for food and water and think there is no law to stop them, they will do ANYTHING!

Gibson MAY be tired or just not thinking correctly after all this new Rita stuff.

[mojo2]

It's 1:19 ET and Shep Smith is STILL reporting from Beaumont, TX outdoors as the rains and winds assaults him and, for what?

WE GET IT!!!

Get him indoors, safe and dry!

ENOUGH!

[Kevin]

On a different note

http://www.dougmm.com/Looter.htm

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by Kevin

On a different note

http://www.dougmm.com/Looter.htm

Some of the most racist images I have ever seen.

And yet despite those relatively few disturbing images there's also a greater number of some of the funniest images I have ever seen in my life.

All in all though, I give it a HUGE...

I went through FOUR Kleenex tissues!

Some very talented PS'ers! Funny, funny, funny stuff!!!

Thanks, Kevin!

[mojo2]

The RED CROSS commercial with Johnny Cash singing, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" brings a lump to my throat and a tear to me eye every time I see it.

[rickey939]

Originally Posted by Kevin

On a different note

http://www.dougmm.com/Looter.htm

Carly! Carly! Carly!

[bstone]

I've been in Waveland, MS for the past 2+ weeks working in a makeshift medical clinic. It's 2 screen tents set up and we're seeing 80+ patients a day. Been begging FEMA & Red Cross for an RV, trailer, etc to use instead. No such luck. They are dragging their feet. Meanwhile, we're treating patients (including minor surgical procedures) on toxic ground in the middle of a parking lot.

yay fema

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by bstone

I've been in Waveland, MS for the past 2+ weeks working in a makeshift medical clinic. It's 2 screen tents set up and we're seeing 80+ patients a day. Been begging FEMA & Red Cross for an RV, trailer, etc to use instead. No such luck. They are dragging their feet. Meanwhile, we're treating patients (including minor surgical procedures) on toxic ground in the middle of a parking lot.

yay fema

Thanks for letting us know. If you post the particulars maybe someone here will be able to help that. Is there only one med clinic in Waveland?

By the way...

WAY TO GO BSTONE!

YOU ARE MY HERO FOR THE WEEK!

[bstone]

The US Navy came by and installed wireless internet. It hardly works and they keep "fixing" it. With all that money I wonder how many trailers they could have bought us.

There are other clinics in Waveland. Some are just like the one I volunteer in - tents in the middle of toxic parking lots.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by bstone

The US Navy came by and installed wireless internet. It hardly works and they keep "fixing" it. With all that money I wonder how many trailers they could have bought us.

There are other clinics in Waveland. Some are just like the one I volunteer in - tents in the middle of toxic parking lots.

Damn disappointing.

But I've got good news—I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance!

(Just wanted to give you a smile. )