BigSmooov's Blog

The other reason is that the California state and local government seems to more competent than their Louisiana counterparts. Plus, people in California have taken the evacuation orders more seriously...I guess seeing big flames and smoke is more imposing than a hurricane, but I could be wrong....

I don't know enough about either situation to refute what seems like fuzzy logic to me overall. However, I worked in the insurance industry many years. Homeowners policies, which most people have, always cover fire as a basic peril. You have to buy flood and earthquake insurance at an additional cost, and the flood is underwritten by a national government program. And you don't buy coverage after the fact; if you want fire insurance, you have to buy it before the covered fire, not after.

Insurance companies are bound by law to uphold the contracts they sold to insureds. If they don't, the insureds should go to their insurance commissioners for help. I'd like to see real statistics, not uneducated guesses, on how many insureds in New Orleans who had flood insurance in place before Katrina were "screwed" out of their insurance recovery money. If you listen to the Louisiana Monday morning quarterbacks who didn't read their homeowners policies, and then found out too late that they didn't have flood insurance, of course the bad old agent and mean old company mistreated them. Contracts are two way deals; you ought to read them before you buy them!

And I think you ought to ask Ray Nagin some of your questions, Bigsmooove. Surely you don't think he did a good job during and after the disaster?

Yep, but dont tell that to Smoov ... its all whiteys fault ....

First, I would like to say that Ex_mpd's statement was inappropriate and uncalled for as the people in LA had nothing to do with how the government responded. I have no idea why anyone would compare the two and I truly believe that it is egregious for some of the parties on this blog to state that "black people" were at fault with Katrina. Hell, the good ole government did nothing to protect their people regardless of color, creed, or national origin.

Bits, you won't get an argument out of me regarding Bush or his FEMA flunkies. But I didn't mention him, did I? Nor did Smooov.

I remember Katrina as well, and what I remember most is Nagin doing a lot more mouthing off than taking productive action. He reminded (and reminds) me of our own superstar, Jack Johnson.

And yes, I realize that Big S. was doing his best to incite a few arguments. As I said, I don't have real statistics to look at; it's too early to have statistics on the Southern California fires. I do think that a raging fire is horrible. And a flood that lasts weeks is horrible. How are you going to compare the two?
The filth and degradation of the Super Bowl took more than a few days to develop. We may yet hear stories from California of looting and murder; who knows? Quite a few people are like rats when they need to get out of disaster's way.

Grandma:

I hear you on that one, and only time will tell what is happening in CA, but it is awfully amazing that FEMA has its Sugar Honey Ice Tea together this time as I do not wish another disaster like Katrina on anyone, regardless of color, creed, or national origin as it was a complete travesty and it is people like Ex_Mpd and others who want to blame "blacks" for the way things were handled then by our good ole government, how can they as the people who had to endure that kind of treatment, that was just plain horrible. It makes me sick to see how some people can only see the bad apples, which are in every race and make all parties of that race pay the price, we need to realize that regardless of what color we are, we are all HUMAN BEINGS created by OUR ALMIGHTY HEAVENLY FATHER, which also makes us brothers and sisters in Christ! I am glad that I can see beyond the color barrier and look at people for who and what they are!

I hear you, too. I am curious to hear if LA can keep a stadium full of people who've just lost everything supplied with everything they need, supplied with working toilets, a police force, etc. I like what Gov. Huckabee did for refugees when they came to Arkansas. He made a point of treating people like brothers and sisters, and did everything he could to keep morale high.

Main difference is that everyone was adversely affected in New Orleans from the mayor on down; in these fires, people could get out in time and go to a place where support systems and government are still functioning.

I have my suspicions about New Orleans regarding race, too. I wonder if all the facts will ever come out. I just heard that one of the CA fires is considered arson---I think we can all agree that the arsonist should be strung up by his thumbs.

saw "smooov's" blog shortly after he posted but decided to wait to see what attention he created ...

..."smooov" wants to take advantage of what he thought would be a subtle, clever way to put life in his race attitude and add strength to that slant on the issue by bringing his Bush bashin' bag along...

...nobody wants to change you "smooov" ...it's kind of amusing to see you sit out there after you set yourself up to be aroused with the collection of remarks you were looking forward to landing ...you ain't finished yet so straighten out your chin and posters cuff him again...

Priveye, not only is he defrauding his employer but he's also probably filed an EEO complaint because he doesn't get paid enough or promoted or some other boondoggle.

Ex_mpd: You stated: LIL BITS. You seem to become "outraged" and personally hurt by many statements that are made on these blogs. Perhaps you are too feeble, or thin skinned to participate in this whole "internet" experience. Maybe it's time you just called it a day, and went back to praying.

First of all, I am not outraged nor am I personally hurt by any statements that some of you racist make to me or regarding my race as it is expected of people with closed minds that see each person as one of the same. In regards to you believing my skin it thin or that I am feeble, well hell, this is a free world and you are free to think whatever you like but just know that does not make it correct nor does it make you superior or me inferior, so get over yourself. Lastly, in regards to me calling it a day and going back to praying, please know and believe that I PRAY EARNESTLY every minute of the hour especially for the likes of your kind. Nevertheless, I did not take your comments personally but I did think that you let your hatred for blacks show in your statements and that was uncalled for as the poor people in LA did not ask to endure the tragedy that they faced and have no idea what these fires have to do with Katrina nor do I understand why the media needs to keep comparing other incidents to Katrina! It is awfully amazing that no matter what the circumstances, there are some like you out there in the world that will always compare blacks to whites, no matter, why is it necessary to make comparisons instead of trying to find avenues to fix the racial divide. As long as