On Tuesday, an FCC-sanctioned team of techies landed in Houston, ready to set up a low-power radio station that would keep the Katrina evacuees housed there informed of the relief effort.
But even before the radio crew set foot in the Astrodome, the local paper-pushers have been working overtime to scuttle the project.
First, they demanded that the team come up with 10,000 portable radios before they could begin their broadcasts. No sweat: by Wednesday, the crew had Sony and Democracy Now ready to provide the gear.
So then, volunteer Jacob Appelbaum tells us, the bureacrats came up with more reasons — or really, non-reasons — why the radio station couldn’t go on-air.
Rita Obey is the person that told Austin Airwaves they had to have 10,000 radios before they could broadcast. We purchased a number of radios and while weve had some issues with this, it was just a meaningless golden egg. We called her bluff by getting the radios lined up to be purchased and they threw something else out.
At 16:29 (CST) today, RW Royal Jr. Incident Commander of the JIC (Joint Information Committee) has denied Austin Airwaves the ability to run the emergency low power FM radio station inside of the dome. This is contrary to the FCC licenses that have been issued to Austin Airwaves. However, R.W. Royal Jr. is a member of the JIC. He has decided to deny the request. When they asked why they were being turned down, they were told that the Astrodome could not provide them with electricity. When the Austin Airwaves team offered to run on battery backup, they were still denied.
This is an OUTRAGE.
The people on the ground I spoke with personally asked me why I was there. I told them that I was with a group helping to bring emergency radio information to them. Broadcast from right inside the dome. Those people were overjoyed to hear that they would get a radio station with emergency information, with information on job interviews, food, housing, lost children, found person, clothing and other important information. It breaks my heart.
Why has this man denied this? Why is the government going out of its way to stop us from helping people?
Why? Here’s a hint.
THERE’S MORE: Of course, the ones at the Astrodome are lucky. In Oklahoma, evacuees have been herded by FEMA into what appear to be detention camps.
FEMA will not allow any of the kitchen facilities in any of the cabins to be used by the occupants due to fire hazards. FEMA will deliver meals to the cabins. The refugees will be given two meals per day by FEMA. They will not be able to cook. In fact, the “host” goes on to explain, some churches had already enquired about whether they could come in on weekends and fix meals for the people staying in their cabin. FEMA won’t allow it because there could be a situation where one cabin gets steaks and another gets hot dogs — and… it could cause a riot. It gets worse.
He then precedes to tell us that some churches had already enquired into whether they could send a van or bus on Sundays to pick up any occupants of their cabins who might be interested in attending church. FEMA will not allow this. The occupants of the camp cannot leave the camp for any reason. If they leave the camp they may never return. They will be issued FEMA identification cards and “a sum of money” and they will remain within the camp for the next 5 months
(Big ups: Xeni)
AND MORE: Over at Wired News, Joel sets the Astrodome radio story straight.
This has become way too political here. Defense industry? What’s that? Sourcing blogs that use such hyperbole as: “these are the marks of repressive government, which mixes inefficiency with authoritarianism.” These marks, of course, are showing respect for the deceased by not pasting their picture all over newspapers. If I had a loved one that died in the flooding, I would go out of my way to knock the teeth out of anybody publishing a picture of his or her corpse, identifiable or not. It is disrespectful and not a mark of “uthoritarianism.” What kind of asshat writes something like that?
Noah, please.
Rutty:
I assume you’re talking about the last item, which links to “Above Top Secret.” It’s not a source I usually feel comfortable linking to, for all the reasons you listed, and more. But I thought a first-hand account of these FEMA facilities — complete with pics — was worth the icky-link trade-off.
nms
Also this is a national security issue.
The damage done to New Orleans is very similar to what a nuclear attack would do (use http://www.fas.org/main/content.jsp?formAction=297&contentId=367 and select New Orleans as a target. THen compare with sattelite photos of the aftermath).
And the response would need to be very similar: Feed and evaculate the refugees, medical attention to thousands to tens of thousands of casualties (albeit radiaton/burns compared with infectious disease). Heck, a nuclear weapon in new orleans would probably take out the levie system anyway.
If the response, at the local, state, and federal level is so troubled in this situation, we MUST make sure the next situation, be it an LA earthquake or a terrorist nuke, is handled in a vastly superior manner.
I suspect they are afraid of the effects of coherent action by 10+K people in response to a future impulsive, ill-considered broadcast. (“Hey everyone, rush the stage and show this general what we really think of him!”)
It’s a reasonable concern and I’d even agree it makes sense to throw obstacles at the project for the first week or two until the overall stable tone can be assessed but ultimately it should be allowed to happen if things don’t turn too chaotic there.
It’s not an “OUTRAGE” yet — it’s just prudent. In a couple of weeks it’ll be an outrage if the would-be providers keep jumping hoops but don’t get to deploy.
Chill.
–t
Did anyone rally think with $Billions up for the taking that the big boys, “SBC”, “Ericcison”, “Nextel” etc. were going to let a bunch of “Geeks” give away what they can sell.
Get a grip folks. With $200Billion up for the steal’n, this is Iraq II and the greedy are smelling another big pay day.
The new name for New Orleans La., is now Lake Bush La.
What you are smelling is not all biologicial.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
“Stewart’s Platoon”
Mr Skinner,
Just when I think you cannot come up with something more idiotic to write, you outdo yourself!!! It’s remarkable! You must be really proud…
On the radio issue: Things are not quite as peaceful and serene at the Astrodome as to allow this potentially dangerous radio station to transmit there. Imagine if people like YOU manned this station, telling the citizens there that the government is out to get them, the Red Cross is stealing their money, black helicopters, greedy corporations, etc. There could be riots and anarchy. Just today there were problems with the orderly disbursement of Red Cross money there.
Thanks!
It amazes me that people would actually want *more* government, or would think that more government would be the solution for all the idiocy described above. Most of the good done over the last week has been accomplished by private enterprise (in which I include both NGOs and corporations). The idea of government as the solution to all problems is anathama to me. Encouraging bureaucracy only brings us the problems we now face.…
Good Evening Rey,
Whom do you think is going to rebuild Lake George’s (formaly “The City of New Orleans”) wireless infrtastructure, little Evles taking time off from Santas workshop?
You seem to have a problem with peoples right to know and to make up their own minds. Personaly I think those folks in the Astro Dome are far more capable of determining what’s best for themselves then President Bush’s political hacks and campagin flunkies that have taken over FEMA and DHS.
Hearding people into large buildings and locking the doors because they have the misfortune of being caught up in Hurricane Katrina and Federal incompentence, so they can’t get out is not the way we do in things in the United States.
Keep on posting Rey, no one puts out the Administration point of view quite as well as you. Your opinions show the workings of the Bush mind in a way no body else has yet to admitt to.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
“Stewart’s Platoon”
Remember when we used to have something called a free press and a 1st amendment… Whatever happened to that? Oh thats right, Dear Leader was elected and b.s. reasons for abandoning those inconvenient trappings of a free country had to be elliminated.
And besides, as Chriss points out– theyre black? Why should they be treated as Americans.
Mr Skinner,
I don’t think it is a problem with people learning the FACTS, it is a problem with people being exposed to nonsense the like of which you disseminate here when they are most vulnerable. It is not about censorship my friend, is about what is sensible and prudent at the time. Once these poor people are out of their situation, then you can bombard them with conspiracy theories and little green men in Roswell. Meanwhile, please keep your insanity to yourself. What meaningful information do you bring to the table, other than those kook theories of yours? Let the agencies in charge there work in the manner they prefer. If you don’t like it, please set up your own refugee camp. One word of advice to your guests: Don’t drink the Kool-Aid…
Thanks!!!
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assume you’re talking about the last item, which links to “Above Top Secret.” It’s not a source I usually feel comfortable linking to, for all the reasons you listed, and more. But I thought a first-hand account of these FEMA facilities — complete with pics — was worth the icky-link trade-off.
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