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Hurricane Ike Media Blackout
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RythymRing
User ID: 204994
9/23/2008 12:03 AM
Report abusive post | Hurricane Ike Media Blackout
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Images from Galveston and other areas along Texas' coast reveal the scope of Hurricane Ike's destructive power, while the death toll remains relatively low.
But, for some, the real story of the lives lost to Hurricane Ike remains untold.
Thousands of bodies are floating in the Gulf of Mexico, dangling from trees or otherwise obscured by debris and unaccounted for, these people insist in online forums and posted reader comments. A government conspiracy and media blackout are afoot, they say, which explains why those images remain unseen.
Coast Guard rescuers, law enforcement agencies and government officials all say otherwise, but they're part of the conspiracy, right?
It is human nature in moments of frayed nerves to allow imaginations to run roughshod. After storms and other disasters, rumors are certain to swirl.
Remember the stories of rapes and mass murders at New Orleans' Superdome that were told after Hurricane Katrina? They were later revealed as gross exaggerations.
The stories about Ike's yet-unaccounted-for victims invariably come from those who say they know someone who has photos of them or who talked to an acquaintance of a pilot who flew over the storm-ravaged areas. One message to the Houston Chronicle was about someone who tried to head out into the Gulf on a boat to check an oil platform but had to turn back because of all the bodies.
"The rumors are not true," said Jim Guidry, a Galveston County spokesman.
Officials, he said, cite six deaths as the county's only known storm-related fatalities.
A reason to believe
The death toll may rise, but likely not to the extent that some fear. Searchers have swept over Galveston Bay and have not reported thousands of victims afloat in those waters. Jonathan Rice, a Coast Guard diver, said he and other rescuers did not spot any bodies on their missions. So, why are some so willing to believe there are forces at work to conceal mass deaths?
Carl Smith, a Northwestern University professor who has written three books about Chicago and the fires of 1871, offers an explanation:
"In moments of stress like this, deeply held fears and deeply held hopes come to the surface," said Smith.
Some may believe the powers-that-be want to cover up mass storm deaths because blame might be pinned on them for failing to clear evacuation zones. Smith said that storm victims are simply in vulnerable positions.
"The mind starts spinning out scenarios, and rumors fly," he said.
Then again, some might say, he could be in on it, too.
Sunny shit starter & stirrer, I shit the shit, My shit is stirred not shaken, Winner of the golden shit-stirrer award, Calling someone "a bit of a shit stirrer" in Ireland is usually a term of endearment rather than an insult. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 487325
9/23/2008 12:16 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
See sights seen in Galveston post.
Something is up. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 508786
9/23/2008 12:20 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
Images from Galveston and other areas along Texas' coast reveal the scope of Hurricane Ike's destructive power, while the death toll remains relatively low.
But, for some, the real story of the lives lost to Hurricane Ike remains untold.
Thousands of bodies are floating in the Gulf of Mexico, dangling from trees or otherwise obscured by debris and unaccounted for, these people insist in online forums and posted reader comments. A government conspiracy and media blackout are afoot, they say, which explains why those images remain unseen.
Coast Guard rescuers, law enforcement agencies and government officials all say otherwise, but they're part of the conspiracy, right?
It is human nature in moments of frayed nerves to allow imaginations to run roughshod. After storms and other disasters, rumors are certain to swirl.
Remember the stories of rapes and mass murders at New Orleans' Superdome that were told after Hurricane Katrina? They were later revealed as gross exaggerations.
The stories about Ike's yet-unaccounted-for victims invariably come from those who say they know someone who has photos of them or who talked to an acquaintance of a pilot who flew over the storm-ravaged areas. One message to the Houston Chronicle was about someone who tried to head out into the Gulf on a boat to check an oil platform but had to turn back because of all the bodies.
"The rumors are not true," said Jim Guidry, a Galveston County spokesman.
Officials, he said, cite six deaths as the county's only known storm-related fatalities.
A reason to believe
The death toll may rise, but likely not to the extent that some fear. Searchers have swept over Galveston Bay and have not reported thousands of victims afloat in those waters. Jonathan Rice, a Coast Guard diver, said he and other rescuers did not spot any bodies on their missions. So, why are some so willing to believe there are forces at work to conceal mass deaths?
Carl Smith, a Northwestern University professor who has written three books about Chicago and the fires of 1871, offers an explanation:
"In moments of stress like this, deeply held fears and deeply held hopes come to the surface," said Smith.
Some may believe the powers-that-be want to cover up mass storm deaths because blame might be pinned on them for failing to clear evacuation zones. Smith said that storm victims are simply in vulnerable positions.
"The mind starts spinning out scenarios, and rumors fly," he said.
Then again, some might say, he could be in on it, too. Quoting: RythymRing
The reason for the media blackout is because of the 4200 dead bodies but the real reason is BUSH.
He owns allot of real estate in that area and he don't want to lose on the value. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 487325
9/23/2008 12:23 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
The reluctance to leave didn't surprise Hugh Gladwin, the director of the Institute for Public Opinion Research at Florida International University, who has studied evacuations in Florida and after Hurricane Katrina.
"Yes, there's always a certain number of people who won't evacuate no matter what: they're fatalistic -- they like being in hurricanes," Gladwin said.
Gladwin said he's never seen more than 80 percent evacuation participation anywhere, even with the biggest and scariest hurricane bearing down. And it can be harder to get people to leave when they've evacuated recently. |
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GraftedPromise U$ofA
User ID: 508968
9/23/2008 9:18 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
So how does a media blackout help Bush's real estate?
The blackout is for something else. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 426194
9/23/2008 9:31 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
All residents will be allowed back in Galveston on Wednesday. No coverup. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 488861
9/23/2008 9:33 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
photos any of these 1000's of dead bodies internet photo links?
may be disinfo |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 506402
9/23/2008 9:41 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
I read on another forum:
Posted by the wife of a emergency relief worker. Her husband has been out there since right before the storm. He told her that there are signs posted "no media". He also said that there was a lot of ambulance caravans comming & going with military escorts. He said that when they are comming out they always have a helecopter flying overhead following them.
very strange. Isnt there a level IV bio-lab there? |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 508988
9/23/2008 9:48 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
bump |
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South Texas
User ID: 508075
9/23/2008 9:55 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
I live an hour from Galveston.
We just got power on Sunday.
This is what I have seen on drive by's:
MANY still have no power, and the elderly are suffering the heat.
Still no food/mre's or other wise for people who have no power and no refrigeration to keep groceries. POD stayed 3 days!!! Then left.
No more water is being given out.
Beach house on Gilcrest, Gilcrest is gone.
Bodies mostly up through Chambers county as the tide washed them that way with the surge.
Haven't seen ANY bodies in the water/Gulf.
No materials, or generators readily available for repairs. Paid cash, no checks accepted, for a BRAND NEW UST 3500W generator--DOES NOT WORK. "Do not return to store call 1-866-797-2738" NO ANSWER, NO ANSWER MACHINE, NO COMPANY LISTING FOR THE MAKER--UST. (if you can get them please post!)
NO MORE MONEY, no pay check=no food.
No doctors or vets open yet, had to splint a broken leg(animal)myself.
Virus loose, symptoms: headache/eyestrain, nausia, vomitting. Linked to bottled FEMA given water-brand name- "Nestle, Pure Life".
Little house damage in my area, but the Seabrook area etc..Debris stack feet in the air. Boats too!(stacked!)
Trees were the main death toll all over Texas and through Ohio I hear.
Without power for a week everyone became isolated and still do not get the news as we should. Its on, but no word. Still trying to find out what is going on, and what happened immediately after IKE passed over us.
Phone lines are being rotated, power to call in the morning for a few hours, and in the evening again just a few hours.
Get this ALL THE UTILITY companies are asking for their payment! "Or we have to turn you off", and that includes Direct TV. Not one company has discounted the bill for the time outage, which is half a month. They all want full payment which is between $250.00 to $800.00, and thats not including the mortage company! The Mortage co. is talking "foreclosure" for non payment. We are only this one month behind!
Good luck to the rest of you! |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 508075
9/23/2008 9:57 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
So how does a media blackout help Bush's real estate?
The blackout is for something else. Quoting: GraftedPromise U$ofA 508968
I think the black out is to make like they are doing the job, instead they have already left. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 365611
9/23/2008 9:59 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
The Mortage co. is talking "foreclosure" for non payment. We are only this one month behind! Quoting: South Texas 508075
God almighty, does their greed never end, even in times of natural disaster?? :( |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 426194
9/23/2008 9:59 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
I live an hour from Galveston.
We just got power on Sunday.
This is what I have seen on drive by's:
MANY still have no power, and the elderly are suffering the heat.
Still no food/mre's or other wise for people who have no power and no refrigeration to keep groceries. POD stayed 3 days!!! Then left.
No more water is being given out.
Beach house on Gilcrest, Gilcrest is gone.
Bodies mostly up through Chambers county as the tide washed them that way with the surge.
Haven't seen ANY bodies in the water/Gulf.
No materials, or generators readily available for repairs. Paid cash, no checks accepted, for a BRAND NEW UST 3500W generator--DOES NOT WORK. "Do not return to store call 1-866-797-2738" NO ANSWER, NO ANSWER MACHINE, NO COMPANY LISTING FOR THE MAKER--UST. (if you can get them please post!)
NO MORE MONEY, no pay check=no food.
No doctors or vets open yet, had to splint a broken leg(animal)myself.
Virus loose, symptoms: headache/eyestrain, nausia, vomitting. Linked to bottled FEMA given water-brand name- "Nestle, Pure Life".
Little house damage in my area, but the Seabrook area etc..Debris stack feet in the air. Boats too!(stacked!)
Trees were the main death toll all over Texas and through Ohio I hear.
Without power for a week everyone became isolated and still do not get the news as we should. Its on, but no word. Still trying to find out what is going on, and what happened immediately after IKE passed over us.
Phone lines are being rotated, power to call in the morning for a few hours, and in the evening again just a few hours.
Get this ALL THE UTILITY companies are asking for their payment! "Or we have to turn you off", and that includes Direct TV. Not one company has discounted the bill for the time outage, which is half a month. They all want full payment which is between $250.00 to $800.00, and thats not including the mortage company! The Mortage co. is talking "foreclosure" for non payment. We are only this one month behind!
Good luck to the rest of you! Quoting: South Texas 508075
That's bad. I'm not sure exactly where you are, but a lot of the local churches still have volunteers giving out water and MREs.
That bites about the utilities - I got a letter from my cable company that said they would prorate the month and we WOULD NOT pay for services not rendered. I'm not sure the mortgage company can foreclose after 1 month of nonpayment. Not sure that's legal. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 508075
9/23/2008 10:04 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
That's bad. I'm not sure exactly where you are, but a lot of the local churches still have volunteers giving out water and MREs.
That bites about the utilities - I got a letter from my cable company that said they would prorate the month and we WOULD NOT pay for services not rendered. I'm not sure the mortgage company can foreclose after 1 month of nonpayment. Not sure that's legal. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 426194
No churches are open, no lights!
The ONE time the phone goes on is when they managed to call, and that was on the first day I had power!! So I said to the girl, " do you know WHERE you are calling" because typically they don't. After I informed her of my location, she said that didn't excuse my non payment! I was so hot, tired and fed up at the stupidity, I simply hung up.
Non of it is legal, that never stops them from out lawyering you. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 508994
9/23/2008 10:11 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
The death count is being done as it is in Iraq and Afganistan. A soldier who dies in the field is counted as a fatality. Those who die while being medi-evaced or when they are transported to a hospital are not counted as battle-related deaths. Bodies floating in the ocean are not considered hurricane related deaths. Just my humble opinion. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 426194
9/23/2008 10:14 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
That's bad. I'm not sure exactly where you are, but a lot of the local churches still have volunteers giving out water and MREs.
That bites about the utilities - I got a letter from my cable company that said they would prorate the month and we WOULD NOT pay for services not rendered. I'm not sure the mortgage company can foreclose after 1 month of nonpayment. Not sure that's legal.
No churches are open, no lights!
The ONE time the phone goes on is when they managed to call, and that was on the first day I had power!! So I said to the girl, " do you know WHERE you are calling" because typically they don't. After I informed her of my location, she said that didn't excuse my non payment! I was so hot, tired and fed up at the stupidity, I simply hung up.
Non of it is legal, that never stops them from out lawyering you. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 508075
Are you in Houston? Do you have a car? There are open churches all over Houston, and Metro is running too. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 508075
9/23/2008 10:24 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
The death count is being done as it is in Iraq and Afganistan. A soldier who dies in the field is counted as a fatality. Those who die while being medi-evaced or when they are transported to a hospital are not counted as battle-related deaths. Bodies floating in the ocean are not considered hurricane related deaths. Just my humble opinion. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 508994
I think you might be right. On land the Mayor said only 7 deaths, 2 drowning in IKE, "the others were medical reasons, and were already ill". |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 508075
9/23/2008 10:26 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
Are you in Houston? Do you have a car? There are open churches all over Houston, and Metro is running too. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 426194
No. About 30 miles out. My father-in-law is over on Post Oak though. He STILL doesn't have electric. |
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himself 
User ID: 432454
9/23/2008 10:29 AM
 | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
The death count is being done as it is in Iraq and Afganistan. A soldier who dies in the field is counted as a fatality. Those who die while being medi-evaced or when they are transported to a hospital are not counted as battle-related deaths. Bodies floating in the ocean are not considered hurricane related deaths. Just my humble opinion. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 508994
You got it right
People who died building nuclear plants were not declared dead until helicopters took them offsite. |
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South Texas
User ID: 508075
9/23/2008 10:32 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
Something must be still "in the air". ALL of my animals, cats especially, are hiding under my feet again.
Storm clouds are gone. They sense something is wrong, but everything has settled down pretty much. Birds came back two days after the storm. But they are disappearing again, I thought it was lack of food, as their food sources where blown away. |
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GraftedPromise U$ofA
User ID: 508968
9/23/2008 10:45 AM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
First hand accounts are greatly appreicated.
 |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 506675
9/23/2008 12:26 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
Virus loose, symptoms: headache/eyestrain, nausia, vomitting. Linked to bottled FEMA given water-brand name- "Nestle, Pure Life". Quoting: South Texas 508075 |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 433665
9/23/2008 12:30 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
The reason for the media blackout is because of the 4200 dead bodies but the real reason is BUSH.
He owns allot of real estate in that area and he don't want to lose on the value. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 508786
Bush is NOT that POWERERFUL... give me a break.
But... we are being MIND CONTROLLED by ALL MEDIA...
DEMOCRATS... RUN it all. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 478781
9/23/2008 12:37 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
 |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 505767
9/23/2008 12:39 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
an email from my niece...
I spent yesterday at the local Red Cross shelter. The volunteers are not from this area, so they are limited in the knowledge of local resources.
I stopped to ask what they needed, and was bombarded with all kinds of requests. Some simple, some not so simple. Simple things, I did, however, we still need a doctor to come and see these folks.........the volunteers aren't allowed to transport them, and the city is overwhelmed with the need for their own vans. I met folks that haven't had insulin, some have severe sinus infections, and others simply need to get to a pharmacy to pick up scrips they need.......I will probably recruit some neighborhood help today, I already called the city police dept and told them to get their asses over there, and help. I called yesterday at 3:00, and as of last night, no show......I'm on it today, with a little more fire in my voice!
I got donations from clients {Barb is a hairdresser} last week by putting a donation jar on the front reception desk. 68.00......And my wonderful next door business neighbor, Sue, gave me 100.00, and her Mom, Mary, kicked in another 20.00!!!!!
I went to Wal-Mart, which finally opened after 8 days of being closed due to repairs!!!! Got towels, OTC meds, snacks, large dispensers of water, bug spray, feminine products, combs and brushes, and cigs! (Those were for Fred and Andrew, whose homes are in Galveston, which are probably no longer liveable, but they remain extremely hopeful).....They will be allowed to go for a look and leave tomorrow, please say a prayer.
People trying to get emergency food stamps are having to wait in lines 7 blocks long in the heat. A lot are being turned down, for one reason, or the other. (My guess is that this big banking/mortgage buyout, along with the cost of the WAR are really pushing this administration to it's limits, so food is secondary..................AS FUCKING USUAL!)
I'm going back today, there are so many folks that just wanted to talk.....just talk.....and cry.........
One woman needs a cage for her cat, I tried, to no avail, to locate one yesterday. The animal shelters are strapped, due to the rescue efforts on the island. A lot of animals were left behind.
I'll update again tomorrow.............
Peace and Hope from the Gulf Coast!
Mom/Barb
Funny how some people underestimate "community organizers".........I have a newfound respect for the job....................
"I will NOT be censored or silenced by the ignorant majority!"
-Barb
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 426194
9/23/2008 12:39 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
Virus loose, symptoms: headache/eyestrain, nausia, vomitting. Linked to bottled FEMA given water-brand name- "Nestle, Pure Life". Quoting: Anonymous Coward 506675
I wondered about that. Even inland, where there wasn't standing water and yucky stuff - just wind damage, people are getting sick. The ones I know were in FEMA lines getting free gubmint stuff. We went to Wal-Mart for our water figuring we would leave the FEMA stuff for those who really needed the help - no one at my house got sick. |
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samson
User ID: 509151
9/23/2008 1:20 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
I live between houston/galveston and lost my house. I registered with FEMA a week ago and havnt heard anything back yet other than they are sending me a low interest small business loan application. WTF I dont have a business and lost my house, so why a loan that I cant pay back. I am now sick with cold like symptoms and from the sound of it many people around here are getting sick too. All the FEMA hotels are full so I have to live in my shed converted into a small house next to my destroyed house. I live in a rural area and have water well and septic system so I made a pathway in my destroyed house to those areas,but it aint pretty. All the phone lines are usually overloaded and cant contact FEMA for any further questions I have. I had to pay all my bills and buy some necessities so I have no money left. Work has been unavailable and help isnt coming soon enough. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 497776
9/23/2008 1:21 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
it was a cat 4, but they lied and said cat 2 so people would not evacuate from houston. |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 426194
9/23/2008 1:26 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
it was a cat 4, but they lied and said cat 2 so people would not evacuate from houston. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 497776
There was no lying. CAT2 winds, close to the surface, higher gusts up higher, 20' storm surge.
They actually predicted (publicized on the news) 25'. People don't PAY ATTENTION. They hear CAT2, and move on.
We have to learn to actually listen, make judgments for ourselves, engage our brain and quit relying on others to spoon-feed us. |
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Insomnia
User ID: 498780
9/23/2008 4:05 PM
 | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
does anyone ever know what happened to that barge that was trapped in the ocean? it malfunctioned and they couldn't get to it? |
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Anonymous Coward
User ID: 426194
9/23/2008 4:49 PM | | Re: Hurricane Ike Media Blackout | Quote |
does anyone ever know what happened to that barge that was trapped in the ocean? it malfunctioned and they couldn't get to it? Quoting: Insomnia
Yea, they're okay.
[link to www.chron.com] |
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