"You can get the money, You can get the power, keep your eyes'on the final hour"!
L. Hill

Sent by "C. Hopkins | 6:09 PM ET | 10-23-2007

No there is no comparison between Katrina and the California fires. Two different class of citizens rich v. poor, black v. white. No, the Californians have Multi-million dollar properties, the Katrina victims didn't, the response in California is a "white response", and we all know that the Katrina victims were not embraced so fast and so well. Two different States, two different Governors, two different mind-sets. There will NEVER be another Katrina event! The first one never should have happened. I don't feel nothing for those in California, they are RICH and have more than enough. NOLA, those people were exisiting (not living) on less than $500.00 per month or less, most of them. No sorrow, no pity. Most of those firestorm counties in California are vacation properties, NOLA were ONLY dwellings... Sorry, no comparison...

Sent by Marayven Beasley | 6:49 PM ET | 10-23-2007

Not all Southern Californians are rich white people. That is a racially predjudice statement that is wrong no matter who it's coming from. To say that they are all millionaires and need no sympathy or help is the height of stupid ignorance.

The price of housing is not the fault of these people forced to flee their homes. I live in a $600,000 home. Am I a millionaire? Not even close. The ups and downs of the housing market have no bearing whatsoever on the need of these people. For many their house was all they had. All vacation homes? Get serious!

Fires are common here and luckily we have state and local governments that know what they're are doing and are prepared for an event like this. That is the difference between Southern California's current disaster and what Katrina did to New Orleans, not the race of the people who live here.

Have governments learned things from the horrible Katrina disaster? Of course and I'm sure people are benefiting from the that but to chalk it all up to race so soon is nothing more than ignorant prejudice.

Sent by Lila | 7:22 PM ET | 10-23-2007

I think it is unfair to compare the response to Hurricane Katrina and the response to Southern California???s wildfires. As a life long resident of Southern California we have wild fires this time of year, every year. Granted, this is much worse than the norm, but the frequency of the occurrence means people are better prepared to respond when it is bad. On the contrary NO had not seen a major hurricane in decades when it was hit by Katrina.

Also, New Orleans is in a very isolated location. It is on a delta surrounded by water on multiple sides. That creates logistical issues getting supplies to the city and getting people out of the city. However, both Los Angeles and San Diego are accessible through a complex network of freeways that creates multiple ways in and out of each metro.

Lastly, Southern California has the benefit of having witnessed the mishaps that did occur in New Orleans two years ago. After Katrina, every major city in America realized how ill prepared they were for a major disaster. That realization helped cities beef up their preparation efforts. We are seeing the fruit of that now.

Sent by TR | 7:40 PM ET | 10-23-2007

Why aren't the people escaping the fires called refugees, like those who escaped Katrina? I have yet to hear the news refer to them as refugees

Sent by Roy | 9:57 PM ET | 10-23-2007

I don't think it's fair to mention race and class because it is still a disaster but the difference is there is a better preparation for the California wildfires. The Katrina incident and the backlash the government got afterwards for slow response must have taught the emergency response team a lesson. I mean can you believe the head of homeland security had already flew to California yesterday to help the Governor with the needed response?

But I would say one thing I noticed about the media as it relates to this disaster versus Katrina - nobody called the victims of the wildfires "refugees." But the appropriate term of "evacuees" was used immediately.

Sent by Moji | 9:18 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Comparisons between Katrina and the California fires cannot be helped. It's human nature to make comparisons, like comparing your prior job, house/apt, neighbors or car to your new job, house/apt, neighbors or car. The comparisons should happen because there should be a healthy discussion about whether there is any difference. Even though the nature of the disasters is different (fire vs flood), they're both major enough to require emergency declarations and assistance from the federal government due to their sheer size and the number of lives they're affecting. The media coverage is the biggest difference I see. The Katrina victims were called "refugees" (one who flees to find refuge from oppression or persecution), like they were from another country instead of being citizens until celebrities questioned it, and the fact that most of the people who did not leave (for whatever reason) were black, made it racial when they were sitting on roofs and stuck without federal assistance for 3-4 days. In the California disaster, the media only calls the fire victims "evacuees" (one removed from a threatened area) and most of the people you see in the reports at the stadium or outside their burned homes are white, and lo and behold, they didn't have to wait for 3-4 days for federal aid to get to them (whether the state had the situation covered or not) so clearly, there are differences. Hopefully, the better response on the federal level in California means the feds will live up to future expectations for them to step in when they're needed in any of our states, because like it or not, federal aid is an integral part of these emergencies and any slip on their level will cause the underlying reasons to be questioned (race, type of neighborhood, economic status, i.e., if this were Malibu under flood waters, would there have been any people sitting on roofs for 3-4 days?)

Sent by BD | 10:47 AM ET | 10-24-2007

Personally, I wouldn't compare the 2 events. I look at the success of Qualcomm as an evacuation location as a positive from the disaster of Katrina/Superdome. Hopefully, those that were spearheading the effort learned what not to do based on Katrina.

Sent by ernise | 12:00 PM ET | 10-24-2007

The National Incident Managment System (NIMS) that FEMA has implemented as the standard for all government agencies in responding to disasters , is based on the system developed in California for responding to wild fires. So, it stands to reason that the local response to this incident is well coordinated and effective. Emergency preparedness begins with individuals, families, and communities. Past that, local government bears responsibility for ensuring a reliable response plan is in place for their jurisdiction. As far as the federal government's role, I recommend visiting the the Department of Homeland Security's website and reading National Response Plan.

Sent by gismike | 12:50 PM ET | 10-24-2007

it does compare not everyone is california is wealth and has a big house and there is different races in both new orleans and calfornia.Thus races placs no part in this agruement. Both katrina and these wildfires had forced many people to leave thier homes because of the danger of both natural dieasters. though the wild fires will last longer and potientally leave as much damage and possible more then katrina. And i know what you're all thinking . well katrina had way more deafths then these wildfires. well that is true at this moment but there are people in hosiptal with 60 dgree burns, Thus there are more deafths to come for this. Im not saying that they wil lcompare to katrina because i highly doubt they will. In the end they both have made a big impact in areas.

Sent by Emily | 12:51 PM ET | 10-24-2007

In one of the billions of reports on every newscast this morning, there was a report about the wonderful services being offered to people who were evacuated to shelters, such as live entertainment, food, counselors, constant updates on the status of their properties, etc. I have several comments 1)The coverage of this story is sickening, and one cannot help but to compare this to Katrina. These people are being provided with everything they need while the victims of Katrina were cut off from the world in the Superdome with no information about the status of the storm or their homes, and they still haven't gotten the help they need to rebuild. 2) Wildfires are a common ocurrance in CA, and even though this one is exceptionally disastrous, why are we acting as if this never happens and why the constant media coverage? 3) While I have sympathy for people who lost their homes, most of them have the means and support to replace them, and a lot of these people were probably aware that wildfires were a possibility when they purchased their property. I lived in an area prone to hurricanes, and it always amazed me when people purchased beachfront properties worth millions knowing about the possibility of hurricanes and the reality of beach errosion, and somehow the taxpayers ended up paying to try to preserve the beach and fight mother nature so these homes didn't fall into the ocean. I think it is the same situation in CA.

Sent by CB | 1:19 PM ET | 10-24-2007

First of all I have to say bravo to the office of Governor Schwarzeneggar for such an amazing response and getting behind the ball and pushing to get the American government to do its job.

Second, of course wealthy people are going to get a better response but because the people in California are better educated, pay more taxes and have more money does not mean they deserve a better response it just ensures that they will get one. Nagin and Blanco pointed fingers and argued about who was at fault for not using school buses to evacuate the poor in 2005 while Ahnold and Ron Roberts Chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors greased the wheels of bureaucracy to make sure the Feds brought in water, tents and Super Scoopers. The difference is effective government working for the people vice poor government working against the people sadly in New Orleans race and class we pointed out in great wide brushstrokes.

Sent by Cavalor Epthith, Esquire | 2:08 PM ET | 10-24-2007

I'm here in Carlsbad, CA and had to evacuate my home twice during the fire. Just a note that no one shot at the helicopters and planes making water drops, our police force did not cave in and disappear and start looting, our politicians were not corrupt and making questionable decisions like the mayor and governor of NO (see Duke Cunningham as we get rid of those that do); though we had some looting reported nothing on the scale that was in New Orleans during Katrina. Most if not all San Diego county residents are hard working law abiding citizens You can only make so many excuses for a welfare dependent culture that depended on the government for their very existence. Stop making excuses for a culture who's mores and morals set them up for the disaster that was Katrina. The lack of values, morals, and mores started at the top with their government and filtered down to their people living off the system. In my opinion Katrina got a welfare dependent group off their ass in New Orleans, out of their government homes, and hopefully employed with a job in Houston....but I doubt it. Because as long as they can milk the welfare system and blame others for most of their problems they will be fooled to keep on existing which is all they are doing.....existing. I don't want to hear that San Diego people are rich so they have it easy. Success and money did not land in our laps or any of my fellow San Diego residents. I worked full time to support myself in college and get that education that helped me get a decent job. Nothing was given to me. Like my grand parents who came here from Poland use to tell me they never took a handout from anyone because they could work for money and would do what ever it takes to support their family without need for government handouts because they were too proud and would also have their babies while they married.....novel concept hey? Morals, work ethic, and faith in God make a difference even though it flies in the face of the liberal agenda that continually fails fact check after fact check.

Sent by Tim | 7:48 PM ET | 10-24-2007

First of all Tim. It's the stupidy of ignorant Americans like you that keep the conversation going. I live in Baton Rouge and seen firsthand the people of New Orleans that came here after the storm. Unlike yourself, who probably has never been down here and only is baseing your narrowminded opinion on what you watch on television. Yes, there are ignorant people in New Orleans who are milking the welfare system, which is horrible and needs to be stopped, but the bottom line is the the majority of the people are hardworking individuals that pay taxes and just happen to not be multimillionaires like the people in California. Just because these people weren't living in multimillion dollar homes or half a million dollar homes, do not make them welfare cases. Newflash asshole, people can live in poor areas without being on welfare. The situation in California is bad, but not anywhere near the devastation that occurred in New Orleans. Be fortunate that you can afford to live in an area where people care about you and your surroundings, maybe if you lived in a poor area or were black, you would understand what being left feels like. The people in New Orleans didn't choose their fate and they didn't choose the aftermath, they were left to fend for themselves while you rich, white people were catered to. Do not try to talk about things you have no idea about but then again, its like the saying goes, you will never understand OUR prospective. Oh yea and California does have corrupt politics idiot, learn your history since you have so much time on your hands.

Sent by Tia | 10:32 PM ET | 10-24-2007

The previous poster (Tim) hit the nail on the head. One other thing that I would like to add...in our community we are helping our neighboors who have been evacuated from their homes, and trust me, there are people that are rich, that are poor and that are somewhere in between. We aren't waiting for the federal governement to step in and rescue our neighboors, we're all stepping in. That's why you see bundles of food and entertainment sweeping in the doors of Qualcomm stadium...those people are our neighboors!!

In some of those hills that are buring are families that have nothing but the homes that they live in.

California was better prepared for this disaster because of the lessons learned from previous disasters here in our state and from those in New Orleans.

Race and income levels have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that there are hundres of thousands of people whose hearts are breaking tonight because they don't know if when they return to their homes in the next few days if their homes will even be standing.

I wish that the previous poster who "feels nothing for those in California" (presumably because we're ALL rich) could have been with me today as I was talking with a man who had lost his home (no, not his vacation home, but his HOME) on Monday night. As he had tears in his eyes, this is what he said to me "I saved for twenty years to be able to build my wife her dream house and we just moved into it three months ago...now it's gone".

Instead of pulling out the race card or judging people because of their income level, we might want to try a little compassion for our fellow Americans.

Sent by Christa | 12:27 AM ET | 10-25-2007

This just goes to show where all the education in america has gone all the studying for graduated to conclude and reason.we have one side saying ohvits not different because of class and race and another saying it is.What is occcuring in the american public is nothing new and believe me all blacks understand what is going on in this situation. the thue nature of the events happening today will never be fully adressed with the respect that they should. The relief efforts in so cal are far greater than any refief effort know in california, i dont think it is a race issue but an issue of hypocracy and irnorance education and research would tell you that massages were not given o katrina victims nor were starbucks and concerts. if the people of so calhad nothing after such devistation they would have behaved worse than anything the world had ever seen.which is why they were given the relief they recieved. to conclude this i would like toadd that if people really feel that what is occuring here has to do with race and politics then sorry what this has to do with is exactly how the country works the explanination to all the money and race battles leaving people in poverty which is if these people you see ended with nothing this would refute all things so great about this country.

Sent by john pierre | 12:45 AM ET | 10-25-2007

the difference is obvious; you have a underclass of people and another class, mostly middle-class. The ladder is self sufficient, determined and responsible. the other lost, ignorant and helpless. It is a shame and katrina response was pathetic.

Sent by mdisen | 11:26 AM ET | 10-25-2007

As a Canadian who has followed both of these devastating events, it is obvious that there is a double standard for people of color and the poor in America. Its sad to see that in the year 2007 racism is still alive and well, and becoming more apparent under your dictator???s Bush???s govt. Tim the ranting racist is the stereotype that comes to mind when we think of the average American (sad but true, ask any person around the world). Someone who is arrogant, ignorant (although he claims to be educated), has a superiority complex (Hitler had a similar delusion), and rich (wealth usually comes from cheating or exploiting others or resources, Jesus summed it up when he said a rich man had as much of a chance of getting into the kingdom of heaven as a camel going through the eye of a needle). He then claims to be somehow more moral than the poor people of New Orleans. The majority of people who were affected by Katrina were not welfare cheats (fact majority of people on welfare in the USA are white), families (who cares if they are married or not, they still deserve respect and our help), and law abiding tax payers, many who had lost their own homes (majority of their mortgages where paid off a generation ago). When he raises the example how his grandparents came from Poland as I???m assuming (Jewish) refugees escaping Nazism, it???s appalling that he holds these racist beliefs. Unfortunately, America will probably continue down this same path how to respond to future disasters (and relief response) based on race and class.

Sent by traci | 12:34 PM ET | 10-25-2007

hmmm...which of the following is a race-related response?...the thousands of volunteers coming to aid their neighbors? the food and supplies donated by the people of san diego before state or fed. aid came in? san diegans offereing services and housing to those displace by the fire on craigs list, etc? teachers, doctors, massage therapist, psych grad students for counselling, students going into qualcomm stadium to offer services? the government had absolutely nothing to do with these responses. I am a san diegan, not white, not living in a million dollar home. i am a hard working middle class woman who put myself through college with a combinations of loans and working full time. the government had nothing to do with my decision to make my life better so that i don't have to depend on welfare. the plain and honest truth is that san diegans responded right away from their hearts not waiting for the government. i heard the news sunday nt and started thinking of ways to help once i knew that i was safe. no government made me do that and i don't care what color the people i am and will be helping. it's called random acts of kindness.

Sent by jana from san diego | 1:56 PM ET | 10-25-2007

One thing that no one is pointing out is that the millionaire, uppercrust southern californians all chose to live in an area that is prone to wildfires. It is their own fault that their mansions are burning. In New Orleans it was the oil companies fault that the coast is eroding and destroying a population center that had a rich heritage and tradition before San Diego ever built it's first tract of McMansions. Katrina was the government's fault, the wildfires are the fault of the greedy.

Sent by Joachim | 2:09 PM ET | 10-25-2007

Statements like "we learned from Katrina" and "we don't want another Katrina" can have a subliminal impact. We learn from lab mice what we apply to human beings. Lab mice are often white and so are lab coats. We need to be careful that discussions don't become a form of degradation rather than a justification or explanation.

Sent by Angelo | 3:30 PM ET | 10-25-2007

Slow down Joachim. I agree 100% there were a lot of Southern Californians who chose to live in areas prone to wild fires. They should not be surprised when an inferno is knocking at their door.

By the same token New Orleans is on a delta BELOW sea level. If we are going to fault Californians for living on fire prone hillsides, we must equally fault Louisianans for choosing to live in a hurricane exposed city that was just asking for a flood.

Maybe local governments need to rethink some of the places they allow developers to build. Also, individuals have a responsibility to try put themselves in a position not to be harmed. However, the reality of life is you just may be harmed anyway. When that does happen folks need help, not BS comparisons, arrogance, or finger pointing.

Sent by T. Rogers | 3:56 PM ET | 10-25-2007

Victims of natural disasters are frightened, desperate and devastated. They are ALL worthy of compassion and assistance. Whether they are victims of hurricane and flooding in New Orleans, wildfires in southern California, tsunamis in southeast Asia, or earthquakes in Peru, our hearts naturally go out to them, as they should. These are our brothers and sisters, black, white, Latino, Asian, rich, poor, middle-class, educated, uneducated - it really matters not. We can have intelligent discourse by not resorting to name-calling and holding those who have suffered great loss, be it loss of life or property, in contempt. We can discuss the issues of our times with the intention of better understanding these situations and each other. We are in desperate need of more unity in these UNITED States of America.

I live in southern Florida. I know there will be hurricanes (just as Californians can depend on earthquakes and wildfires, and those living along the Gulf coast can depend on hurricanes and flooding). When it hits, I hope not to see my brothers and sisters across the nation denigrating me for any reason. I hope to have your compassion and help.

Difficult times can bring out the best or the worst in us. You choose.

Sent by misha | 4:07 PM ET | 10-25-2007

Yeah, fellow Californian's came to the aid of their brothers, and so they should have. Congratulations. They weren't shut out, held back at gunpoint by skinhead residents and Blackwater hired guns and not allowed to cross bridges to safety.Many people of conscience who drove down to help were turned away, even a truckload of bottled water was turned away. Dead bodies were left on the ground in NO for weeks. Didn't quite hear how many people drowned. But its a shame when two people are found dead in a burned home. Shame on Blanco who ordered police to shoot to kill. I would loot stores for food too if I or my children were hungry.

Sent by Cheryl | 4:32 PM ET | 10-25-2007

New Orleans was and is a corrupt city that can snatch your life with a wrong turn. A large percentage of the population is lacking basic skills in civility and or discipline. This city was neglected by the Government, it own people and the United States. The response didn???t surprise me; the South that likes to boast about its proud traditions but has it roots deeply rooted in hate, segregation and injustice not only of others but also of themselves is to blame along with Southern politicians. We are coming around as a country but we have a very long way to go. The benefits of education, acceptance and assimilation are visible in a close look the two deserters. Before you get mad I???m African American.

Sent by M. West | 5:00 PM ET | 10-25-2007

OK folks as a Katrina survivor I'd like to set a few things straight. First of all, evidently not all, but certainly most of us, have nothing but empathy and compassion for those who lost their homes and are displaced by the wildfires . We are well aware of what you have been through and have yet to go through. You will have to deal with insurance companies that refuse to pay off even though the homeowner has paid premiums in good faith every month for thirty years, not to mention FEMA, rogue contractors and whatever state and local programs come avaialable, as well as endure mean-spirited people who say that you got what you deserved because you knew that you lived in a fire-prone area or that your city was godless, gay-loving, hedonistic, etc. Believe me,we heard it all. Let me say,though,that to condemn New Orleanians for not helping their neighbors is simply not fair. There was nothing that most of us wanted more than to go back home,but we were forbidden to do that for nearly a month. Armed Guardsmen were at all entrypoints to assure that we couldn't. Even as far as San Antonio, there were enormous signs on the I-10 which said "NO ENTRY TO NEW ORLEANS". The entire metro area had no utilities,no source of food or any other basic need and the police were tied up with their own problems-no cars,no gas,no communication,etc. One other thing:don't lull yourselves into thinking that the swift Federal response to your situation was anything other than partisan. A solidly Democratic constituency=abysmally slow and indifferent response,regardless of race or income. You guys are lucky that you historically have backed the red horse(or elephant,as the case may be). For many of us the only thing that kept us sane was the notion that our city had somehow knowingly sacrificed itself to expose the depthless incompetence and cronyism of the Bush administration and as it turned out,Katrina was indeed that catalyst. Before you call us crazy,stop and think that you might well have to come up with your own rationales to make some sense of your losses. Good luck to all of you.

Sent by Patricia Parker | 5:13 PM ET | 10-25-2007

What federal response do people think California has benefited from during these fires? There has been and still is local and county wide response. Mr. Bush saying in a press conference on Tuesday that he would release aid, has not made an impact on anything. A federal promise of future aid, has no impact when the disaster is occuring. It unfortunate that people don't know how government works.

The federal government has not sent a fire truck, a fire plane or any man power. They did not send out an evacuation order, bring water or food to the evacuees. They did not rescue anyone. All of these responses occured on a local level.

Sent by Nicole A | 5:43 PM ET | 10-25-2007

Ms. Parker,

I hear everything you are saying except the part about California's support of the Republican party being the reason for Bush's response. Yes, California did produce Ronald Regan. However, that was 30 plus years ago. I can assure you California is probably THE bluest state in America. It is one of the reasons many Southerners hate the West Coast.

I can not deny anything you said regarding your experience. Heck, I am glad you survived. However, believe me when I say Bush and his crew are not loved in California, and he knows it.

His response was more about saving face for his administration in the wake of criticism he received from Hurricane Katrina.

Nicole,

Everything you wrote was spot on.

Sent by T. Rogers | 7:01 PM ET | 10-25-2007

First, I'd have to say that the poster Tim and everyone who thinks like him is racist...period!

Second, I was born and raised in So. Cal. and currently live in the city. I remember the wildfires in the early 90's in Malibu and other rich white areas and the response was the same as it was now. So please don't say that the response is due to the lessons learned from Katrina. That year, I believe it was '93, So. Cal. had it bad. Wildfires during the fall. Mudslides during the beginning of winter and the Northridge earthquake that following year. All of these events happend in predominately white upscale neighborhoods. Did I feel for them? Sure. But that's why I live in the city. The further out your live here in So. Cal. the more chance you have of some crazy shyt happening to you. That's just the way it is. So I CHOOSE to live in the city. Now the rich folks that move to get away from the "element", I have no pitty for them. That was your choice. Deal.

Do any of you remeber the "war" in Kosovo? Ethnic Albanians formed an army to force Serbia to acknowledge them as an independent state. Serbia wasn't having it (understandably) and began putting the hammer down. The refugees from that "war" received pop tarts, cereal, milk, hot coffee, a movie theater, and other ammeneties. The average daily total per refugee was about $1.11. Now, at the same time in war torn Africa (pick a conflict), aid was significanly less. The daily total per refugee was 20 cents. The reason is simple. People help people who look like them. More money was sent to the Kosovo refugees than to the Africans. Not saying this is anyones fault, just telling it like it is.

Sent by Paul | 7:13 PM ET | 10-26-2007

To Charyl,

You also have to remember....

Blacks "loot" while whites "find".

Sent by Paul | 7:17 PM ET | 10-26-2007

Maybe one should consider that CA, being the 6th largest economy in the world, has the resources and the responsibility to be prepared and respond. New Orleans and Louisiana, on the other hand, do not have that wealth, nor did they seemingly have a disaster plan, so they relied on the federal govenment. Perhaps this is one more example of why state's rights must preveil....once you begin to rely on the federal government, you will always get less and pay more. The states will always be a much more nimble and responsive branch of government and should retake their constitutional role by getting the federal government out of our state's collective shorts.

Sent by Calvin | 7:02 AM ET | 10-27-2007

After reading and rereading my earlier note, not once did I mention race....not a single time. So quick some of you are to grab the race card. The people in NO could have been purple, it makes no difference the color of their skin. I was speaking of New Orleans resident's initial reaction to the calamity which was unfortunately not the food section of Wal Mart but the Electronics Department at Wal Mart when seeking their survival supplies. Again the facts are painful I know. Though they did not choose their fate or the aftermath their acts after the horrible flood were hardly civil. Again it gets down to your core values, mores, and faith as a people and those values do happen to be stronger in this community than New Orleans in my opinion. For you race card pullers San Diego has a large white population along with a growing Hispanic population and a black population as well as a mix of many other ethnic groups and races. California truly is the melting pot of this great country. Lets take NO before Katrina. Led the USA in murders for about 10 years in a row. Rated the most corrupt city and local government in the USA. Since many of you bring up the fact that NO is largely black it should be added that 70% of all black babies born in this country are born out of wedlock, i.e. with a missing or absentee father. Interesting that prisons note that as much as 80% of inmates come from fatherless households and study after study shows that a father that raises his kids has better kids, see Tiger Woods and the incredible job Earl Woods did RAISING Tiger. I have been been to NO on many business trips and can tell you that I often asked my self why I saw so many men on the street between the ages of 25-35 either sitting on a front porch or standing near a street corner looking like they had nothing to do, i.e. no job. There seemed to be a feeling of hopelessness, like they could not escape their plight of being in a poor neighborhood. And some of you respondents seem to support that sad belief as well. I'm sure glad the Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice didn't feel that they couldn't escape their plight just to name a few of my hero's. Couldn't 8 years of Clinton save the poor like the Democrats claim to do only to leave them hanging with promises of more government help programs but no business opportunity so they can help themselves????? San Diego is a largely family based, middle-class, conservative, military town that like NO is not perfect. But I think core values matter and San Diego exhibited that in this disaster. Again some of the respondents really make my point when they read something they don't like and resort to name calling and pulling the race card. I won't go there but will continue to call them as I see them.

Sent by Tim | 2:32 PM ET | 10-27-2007

The greatest impression that Katrina left on me after the floods and loss of lives and property was a stark reality. I believe that any one who believes that this government is fully prepared to handle business during a national disaster period had better rethink that position. I have read different opinions. Some I agree with and others I do not agree with. But, I am from the midwest. We deal with tornados and floods. I have seen many folks who were totally frustrated with the lack of prompt federal responses. While the state response has been the most prompt answer. However, as far as the human condition goes-it seems that there is a need for a compassion check up. And before folks start in about Katrina-I am pro the victims being supported in every way possible. Having been a victim of a fire myself I was glad that there was some for assistance for me. At that time I didn't give a damn who aided in my relief effort. I was glad for the relief assistance period.

Sent by D.L.White | 2:52 PM ET | 10-27-2007