Bring It On

Politics Aside - Hurricane Assistance Information

Paul from Wizbang has asked, as bloggers, to put our Monday morning quarter-backing to the side and compile as much information as possible so that people affected by the hurricane (like himself) don't have to spend hours looking for information.  So, here is a list of information that might be helpful if you have been directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. I will keep updating this list as I compile more information. If you find information that you think might be useful leave the information in the comment section and I will add it to the list. Paul has some good tips on what people will be looking for so head over to Wizbang to get some ideas for what to help with.

For starters the Network For Good website is jam packed with donating information and information for the victims.

IMPORTANT: If you are trying to locate a loved one the American Red Cross maintains a database to help you find family. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information. Do not contact the chapter in the disaster area.

Evacuees can call the American Red Cross’ information line at 1-866-GET-INFO for information regarding emergency assistance and public safety information and road closures. In addition, Louisiana residents can call the Louisiana State Police at 800-469-4828 to check on roadways that are open and safe for travel in less impacted areas.

---

FEMA: The Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals

• For use ONLY by people in designated federal disaster areas.
• Be prepared to give your Social Security number, describe your losses, provide financial information, and give directions to the damaged property.
• What You Can Do If You're Having Trouble Getting Through
• If you get a busy signal, try to call in the evening after 6:00 p.m. or on the weekends when call volumes tend to be lighter.

Tips for Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance

People who lose their jobs due to the disaster may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) which provides weekly benefits to individuals who are unemployed and not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance compensation. You can call 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) or the local unemployment office for information.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance From the Department of Labor

• Louisiana – To file a claim, individuals may report in person to the nearest Job Center. For general information and locations of Job Centers, you can visit Louisiana Works Department of Labor website at http://www.laworks.net or call (225) 342-2937.
• Mississippi – Unemployed individuals must file their claim in person at the nearest local WIN Job & Claims Center. Individuals will need their Social Security card, or a Driver's License, and the names and addresses for the places he/she worked during the past 18 months. A listing of WIN Job and Claims Centers can be obtained on Mississippi Employment Security website at http://mdes.ms.gov. For convenience, individuals may complete an online registration form, print it and take it to a WIN Job & Claims Center.

FEMA can provide disaster housing assistance to those whose homes are damaged or destroyed. To apply for assistance, all you have to do is call the special toll free telephone number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and register. Specially trained operators at one of FEMA's National Processing Service Centers will process your application.

This is some of the information off of FEMA's web site. They have a great FAQ's section if you need to find out more information such as I Don't Have Any (or enough) Insurance?, What About My Pets?, Apply for Disaster Assistance?

Disaster Recovery A Guide to Financial Issues

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner - What To Do After A Hurricane Hits

USDA, Natural Disaster Assistance - Hurricane Assistance

Alabama Emergency Management Agency

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

Louisiana Emergency Management Agency

---

Louisiana State Information

Louisiana State Police

LSP Hotline 1-800-469-4828 for 911 emergencies only. Do not call for road closures.

Report Roadway Emergencies: Dial *LSP (*577) on your cell phone to report roadway emergencies.

Louisiana Citizen Awareness and Disaster Evacuation Guide

Evacuees can register children for school in Lafayette Parish

Shelter Information:
Red Cross- 1(866)-GET-INFO (438-4636)
Special Needs Shelter Information
      Triage Phone Numbers:
          Alexandria: 800-841-5778                    Shreveport: 800-841-5776
          Baton Rouge:   800-349-1372               Monroe: 866-280-7287
          Houma/Thibodaux: 800-228-9409         Slidell/Hammond:  866-280-7724
          Lafayette:  800-901-3210                      Lake Charles:  866-280-2711

Equine Shelter/Evacuation Site Information

Locations for Animal Evacuation:

       Alexandria - Large & Small  318-442-4222 (all vet clinics will accept)

       Lamar Dixon - Gonzales - Large Animals

       Shreveport - LSU-S  (pets only, no livestock)

       West Monroe - Ike Hamilton Coliseum

Louisiana Hotel Information 1-800-99-GUMBO

Emergency Shelter Information Points:
Tourist Welcome Center, US 65 & 84, 1401 Carter St. (US 84), Vidalia, LA
Tourist Welcome Center, TA Truck Stop, Tallulah Exit (Hwy 65 & I 20)
Paragon Casino, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville LA
Sammy's Truck Stop, I-49, Exit 53, 3601 LA 115W, Bunkie, LA
Med Express Office, 7525 US 71, Alexandria, LA
P.E. Gym, LSU- Shreveport, One University Place, Shreveport, LA
Pickering High School, 180 Lebleu Rd., Leesville, LA
Mowad Civic Center, 5th & 10th St., 1 Block off US 165, Oakdale, LA

Offices of Emergency Preparedness
Orleans Parish	504-565-7200
Jefferson Parish	504-349-5360
St.Bernard Parish	504-278-4268
St.Tammany Parish	985-898-2323
Lafourche Parish	504-446-8427
Assumption Parish	985-369-7386
St.Charles Parish	985-783-5050
St.John Parish	985-652-2222
St James Parish	225-562-2364
Plaquemine Parish	504-297-5500
Tangipohoa Parish	985-748-9602
Terrebonne Parish	985-873-6357
Washington Parish	985-732-5200
St.Mary Parish	504-385-2600
Orleans City Departments Phone Numbers
Office Of Emergency Preparedness	504-565-7200
Mayor's Public Advocacy Office	504-565-7115
Mayor's Communications Office	504-565-6580
New Orleans Police Department	504-821-2222
New Orleans Fire Department	504-565-7800
Public Works Department	504-565-6844
Park & Parkway Department	504-286-2100
Sewerage & Water Board	504-585-2000
Hurricane Evacuation Shelter Coordinator	504-565-7208
Human Relations Commission	504-565-7916
Emergency Numbers
Southeast La. Red Cross	504-587-1500
New Orleans Public Advocacy	504-565-7115
New Orleans Human Relations Commission	504-565-7918
New Orleans Council on Aging	504-821-4121
American Red Cross	1-888-737-1997
For police, fire, and medical emergencies call 911.

Shrub Must Meet Sheehan

That's what a recent poll has suggested;

Slightly more than half of the country says President Bush should meet with Cindy Sheehan,

I'm sure that is the half of the country that didn't want him to be president in the first place.

We Don't Like Reality

Written by Cranky Liberal

Anybody that will pointedly, purposely ignore the truth so that their own agenda and definition of events triumphs cannot possibly succeed, not in the climate that exists today.

I beg to differ with you Mr. Limbaugh. I'd say that the people who purposely ignore the truth have won. I'd say that twisting the truth to meet their "own agenda" seems to be the fast pass ticket to winning elections.

Don't believe me Rush? Does this start to jar your memory?

1. The Downing Street Memo
2. Karl Rove and Scooter Libby
3. Iraq and 9/11
4. Mission Accomplished

I would say that is a fine job of ignoring reality and picking your own version of the "truth."

There is no questioning the success of the strategy either. At least until now.

We are being lead by people whose whole career, no, whole life has revolved around making 1+1=3. Or maybe given the state of the budget 2+2=3. That seems to be more like it.

They argue that a brain dead woman is aware, that stem cells in a clinic are people and that global warming is a myth.

They argue that Evolution is just a "theory." and homosexuality is curable. They do this in spite of the facts otherwise.

Maybe they do it because of the facts. Their little world crumbles if people begin seeing the truth instead of the bullshit they are peddling.

They twist and turn everything around to the point that nothing, nothing means anything yet they have the audacity to call us "moral relativists."

They have abused the notion of "truth" so badly that we marched happily to war. We did it to defend our nation, our liberty, our families. We went because we were convinced by the liars that we had to go. That was bad.

Whats worse is that they actually believe the lies themselves. They thought they really could fight on the cheap. That the people would clamour for us so badly that winning the peace was a forgone conclusion. They actually believed to such an extent that even when the evidence began to pile up they were wrong - they did NOTHING.

Why do something when you have the "truth" on your side. Except you manufactured the truth.

And what has that gotten us? Dead soldiers at home and a constitution in Iraq that virtually guarantees hostilities. We went to war to instill a "democracy" that is going vote for a theocracy. We went to war to spread freedom and settled for a document that doesn't even guarantee women the right to a middle school education.

But hey they did it pretty much on time, so it's a success according to the President.

It must truly be a tremendous gift to be able to look at an empty glass and see it as half full.

But as bad as they are, we are worse. We buy into it. We enable it. We have a crumbling school system but blame the teachers for the problems. No child will be left behind, because one day there won't be anywhere to go.

We have a deplorable health care system but would rather crow about socialism than fix the issue. We spend more money on health care than any country (15% of our GDP) but get less benefit than any other developed country. I guess its OK to make the doctors, lawyers and insurers richer every year as long as we don't provide decent health care to our citizens. isn't.

We consume 1/4 of the WORLDS oil production every year but dare complain that gas prices have risen to $3.00 a gallon. We want the government to do something about it. Fix it. As if the same government that came from Big Energy Inc. even wants to. Hey here's a solution from the real world, consume less. Sell your gas guzzling Lincoln Navigator or shut the fuck up.

Yes to many of us desperately want to buy into the snake-oil prescriptions they are selling because they sound better than real sacrifice, real effort and real work. To many of us want to believe that lower taxes make balanced budgets, where bombs make democracies and where science is optional. We don't like reality. We don't want to hear reality, and the people running the show know that all to well.

Mr. Limbaugh, you know this better than anyone. Your entire career is based on it.

Don't F**k With Haliburton

From MSNBC;

Bunnatine H. Greenhouse, Senior Executive Service, the top rank of civilian government employees has been demoted.

Bunnatine H. Greenhouse, who had been the Corps of Engineers' top procurement official since 1997, was removed, effective Saturday, for what Corps of Engineers officials called a poor job performance.

That's odd because her previous boss thinks she did a great job.

"She did an outstanding job," wrote the former commander, Lt. Gen. Joe N. Ballard, in a sworn affidavit in September 2003.

As other critics have learned, speaking truth to power in this administration has an interruptive effect on a career.

What Is An Average Muslim?

Stumbled across this little ditty over at Wizbang. It is a post about the suspected terrorists rounded up in Lodi a few weeks ago. I say suspected because, unlike some people, I still believe someone is innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.

Anyway, this writer comments that,

This is exactly why so many people -- myself included -- tend to be suspicious of the average Muslim.

and that sparked my curiosity about what exactly is an "average" Muslim? Is your "average" Muslim the same as your "average" Evangelical Christian? A little stereotypical, don't ya think?

The writer then goes on to state,

These people chose in favor of their faith, and against this nation. And I hardly think that this case is an aberration.

Well, if that's the case than I think these people also chose in favor of their faith and against their nation. Again, I put my question in front of you, what is an average Muslim? Or for that matter what is your average Evangelical Christian?

I guess the point I am trying to make is that your average Muslim and your average Christian are law abiding American citizens. These people that allegedly perpetrated these acts in Lodi are not your average anything. They are anything but average. I do have one other question though, how come if a Muslim blows something up they are refereed to as a terrorist but if a Christian blows something up they are refereed to as just a bomber?

Good Luck

Iraq finished its draft Constitution Sunday. I’m not sure why we are over there killing and dying to install a Constitution that opens the door for an Islamic theocracy to take hold, but I want to wish the people in Iraq all the best.

Months of debate and dialogue, conflict and compromise, blood and battle have boiled down to a document that, at it’s very heart, is built upon two sets of antithetical ideas

1. No law can be passed that contradicts “the fixed principles of Islam”
2. Iraqis are equal before the law without discrimination.

and

1. The document guarantees a strong, united Iraq
2. It allows for the continuation (or creation) of autonomous regions (like the Kurds have in northern Iraq, and that the Shiites want in southern Iraq).

Hmm it doesn’t take a political scientist (though that is my background) to see the problems here. Islam isn’t always known for being the most “democratic” and “non-discriminatory”of all religions. It’s really tough to be strong, united and autonomous and separate all at the same time. Does anyone remember that whole Yugoslavia thing?

Obviously this isn’t exactly what we hoped for.
It is of course what we should have expected. When you have no plan you need to expect the worst.

Say hello to the worst.

Maybe the document passes the popular vote even though the Sunni’s are already working to thwart its passing.. Maybe the politicians in Iraq can do a far better job than we have lately in balancing the disparate demands of the secular and the soul. Maybe in the end a war we should have never started, fought by men and women who should have never died, for a government we should have never elected, will provide the freedom for the Iraqi people that we all wish for.

Maybe.

It’s an awfully big price to pay for such an awfully uninspiring word.

Beware unscrupulous bloggers

There are bloggers out there who have no scruples at all.  You've seen the sites.  These unscrupulous bloggers don't want anyone to comment on their site if they don't agree.  Oh, they might leave the dissenters' comments up, but they'll also radically change them to make the commenter look stupid. 

Why do they do this?  They are bullies.  It's just that simple.  Just like bullies, it makes them feel big to try and make someone else look small. 

Continue Reading

Stereotypes

...when I read the Sunday morning San Jose Mercury news I wasn’t surprised by this little incident.

“At the pro-Bush rally, there were some heated moments when two members of Protest Warrior, a group that frequently holds counter protests to anti-war rallies, walked in with a sign that read "Say No to War - Unless a Democrat is President."

Read More

Extradite Pat Robertson???

From BBC;

Hugo Chavez said Venezuela might even seek to extradite Pat Robertson. He also warned he would complain to the UN if the US failed to take action.

Does Pat speak spanish?

Protest This...

Ah yes the protest song, the kindred spirit of the hippy liberal protesting everything from global warming, the environment, and women’s rights and of course war. From the early days of protest songs way back to the Revolutionary War and the protest songs that were created by slaves; they have invigorated and motivated the masses. Woody Guthrie to Bob Dylan during the Vietnam War sang songs full of angst and feeling, they spoke to a generation of young and old alike, and they were the voice of a generation.

So where are they now? Oh they are here, believe me, you may not see them on MTV or you may not hear them on the radio like you hear 50 Cent, or Mariah Carey, but they are there, and they too are speaking for a new generation of young people, they are the voice of my generation.

Here are a few artists that I happen to enjoy, and some samples of their lyrics. If you haven’t ever heard of them, I hope to open you up to a new generation of hippy liberal protest music (I am going to provide a link to these songs on iTunes, it’s free, and you can listen to a 30 second clip of the song);

1. Bright Eyes, aka Conor Oberst; When The President Talks To God:

When the president talks to God
Are the conversations brief or long?
Does he ask to rape our women’s' rights
And send poor farm kids off to die?
Does God suggest an oil hike
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
Are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
Does he fake that drawl or merely nod?
Agree which convicts should be killed?
Where prisons should be built and filled?
Which voter fraud must be concealed
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
I wonder which one plays the better cop
We should find some jobs. the ghetto's broke
No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't
Just give 'em more liquor stores and dirty coke
That's what God recommends

When the president talks to God
Do they drink near beer and go play golf
While they pick which countries to invade
Which Muslim souls still can be saved?
I guess god just calls a spade a spade
When the president talks to God

When the president talks to God
Does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head
When he kneels next to the presidential bed
Does he ever smell his own bullshit
When the president talks to God?

I doubt it

I doubt it

Song (BTW This is a free download from iTunes), Lyrics and Video

2. Ok, so he is my new favorite, one more from Mr. Oberst; Land Locked Blues:

We made love on the living room floor
With the noise in background of a televised war
And in the deafening pleasure I thought I heard someone say
“If we walk away, they’ll walk away”

But greed is a bottomless pit
And our freedom’s a joke
We’re just taking a piss
And the whole world must watch the sad comic display
If you’re still free start running away
Cause we’re coming for you!

I’ve grown tired of holding this pose
I feel more like a stranger each time I come home
So I’m making a deal with the devils of fame
Saying “let me walk away, please”
You’ll be free child once you have died
From the shackles of language and measurable time
And then we can trade places, play musical graves
Till then walk away, walk away

So I’m up at dawn
Putting on my shoes
I just want to make a clean escape
I’m leaving but I don’t know where to
I know I’m leaving but I don’t know where to

Song, complete lyrics

3. Cat Power; Maybe Not:

There’s a dream that I see, I pray it can be
Look cross the land, shake this land
A wish or a command
A Dream that I see, don’t kill it, it’s free
You’re just a man, you get what you can

We all do what we can
So we can do just one more thing
We can all be free
Maybe not in words
Maybe not with a look
But with your mind

Listen to me, don’t walk that street
There’s always an end to it
Come and be free, you know who I am
We’re just living people

Song, complete lyrics

4. Sleater Kinney; Combat Rock

They tell us there are only two sides to be on
If you are on our side you’re right if not you’re wrong
But are we innocent, paragons of good?
Is our guilt erased by the pain that we’ve endured?
Hey look it's time to pledge allegiance
Oh god I love my dirty Uncle Sam
Our country's marching to the beat now
And we must learn to step in time
Where is the questioning where is the protest song?
Since when is skepticism un-American?
Dissent’s not treason but they talk like it’s the same
Those who disagree are afraid to show their face
Let's break out our old machines now
It sure is good to see them run again
Oh gentlemen start your engines
And we know where we get the oil from
Are you feeling alright now
Paint myself all red white blue
Are you singing let's fight now
Innocent people die, uh oh
There are reasons to unite
Is this why we unite?
If you hate this time
Remember we are the time!
Show you love your country go out and spend some cash
Red white blue hot pants doing it for Uncle Sam
Flex our muscles show them we’re stronger than the rest
Raise your hands up baby are you sure that we’re the best?
We'll come out with our fists raised
The good old boys are back on top again
And if we let them lead us blindly
The past becomes the future once again

Song, complete lyrics

5. Ok, one more, and I am sure this artist will shake up both the conservatives and the liberals, I don't agree with much that he says, but I do believe that he is a very talented artist.

Eminem; Mosh:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One nation under God
Indivisible...
It feels so good to be back..

I scrutinize every word, memorize every line
I spit it once, refuel and re-energize and rewind
I give sight to the blind, my insight through the mind
I exercise my right to express when I feel it's time
It's just all in your mind, what you interpret it as
I say to fight, you take it as I'mma whip someone's ass
If you don't understand, don't even bother to ask
A father who has grown up with a fatherless past
Who has blown up now to rap phenomenon that has
Or at least shows no difficulty multi-task
And in juggling both perhaps mastered his craft
Slash entrepreneur who has helped launch a few more rap acts
Who's had a few obstacles thrown his way through the last half
Of his career typical manure moving past that
Mr. kisses ass crack, he's a class act
Rubber band man, yea he just snaps back

[Chorus:]
Come along follow me as I lead through the darkness
As I provide just enough spark that we need to proceed
Carry on, give me hope, give me strength
Come with me and I won't steer you wrong
Put your faith and your trust as I guide us through the fog
To the light at the end of the tunnel
We gonna fight, we gonna charge, we gonna stomp, we gonna march
Through the swamp, we gonna mosh through the marsh
Take us right through the doors (c'mon)

All the people up top on the side and the middle
Come together lets all bomb and swamp just a little
Just let it gradually build from the front to the back
All you can see is a sea of people some white and some black
Don't matter what color, all that matters we gathered together
To celebrate for the same cause don't matter the weather
If it rains let it rain, yea the wetter the better
They ain't gonna stop us they can't, we stronger now more than ever
They tell us no we say yea, they tell us stop we say go
Rebel with a rebel yell, raise hell we gonna let em know
Stomp, push, shove, mush, Fuck Bush, until they bring our troops home (c'mon)

Song, video, complete lyrics

These are just 5 artists in a new wave of young and talented artists, who are speaking up, causing some commotion; and they have the ears of millions of young adults. I invite you to check them out, see what they are about, and to enjoy this new generation of protest songs!

What are some of your favorite protest songs?