American Red Cross: "Hurricane Katrina: Why is the Red Cross not in New Orleans?

Acess to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.

The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.

what. the. FUCK.

i do not, in any way, bear ill will towards the red cross for this. they are trying to get in there, and they are running shelters around the affected area for the refugees. this is good work, useful work.

rivka, at respectful of otters, has a good post here talking about this, how the administration is still providing an unacceptable response to this disaster, and:

To willfully withhold basic life support from tens of thousands of desperate people because you think it will discourage evacuation is - actually, I have no words strong enough for what it is. Unconscionable. Morally depraved. A crime against humanity. Nothing seems strong enough.

i keep thinking that this can't get any worse. and then it does.