Bane Macleod

The Chaos Spreads

As we continue to watch and wait for news from New Orleans it just keeps getting worse. Rescue workers are not wanting to enter the area because it is, for the most part, a war zone. There have been reports of gunshots throughout the night from a lady in contact with the radio stations here who refuses to leave New Orleans because they won't let her take her dog on the helicopter. The evacuation of the Superdome seems to have been delayed by trash fires on the pavement outside the dome and by someone apparently firing at one of the rescue vehicles.

The chaos does not seem to be contained to the worse effected areas. Baton Rouge, which weathered the hurricane as it does most others, with downed power lines and tree limbs but no major damage, now has to control a constant flood of refugees from New Orleans. Some of these folk are desperate for shelter and simply looking for a place to stay. Some are looting the area malls and stores and massive reports of people breaking into cars and other theft. We had an advisory last night to be sure to lock all doors and windows. When I went outside to check out the neighborhood there was a guy at the end of the road going through the trash bins, he started walking toward the street and left when I walked toward him. I had simply hoped to offer him a sandwich but thought better of yelling it.

Louisiana being the "Sportsman's Paradise" I really do fear for the thought of people attempting to take the law into their own hands against the looters and criminals. The amount of guns to angry rednecks here is staggering, and restraint has never been the word of the day here.

Adding to the resulting panic from looters moving outwards the gas stations here are being pounded as the scare of a fuel shortage and rising prices has people at the pumps with 2 and 3 hour wait times. Pasing the station by my house the line stretches well into the road. I can't imagine this is helping peoples anger any at all.

We have two ways of going as a community here. We can lock down the hatches and selfishly ride out the storm, or we can react as the country did to the Tsunami across the world. With money, donations, and our hearts and prayers given to those in the greatest need. I hope to make a post here shortly with ways we all can help.