Forced Evacuation

Good morning to all,
hope your day is going well.

The Governor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans have okay'ed the start of forced evacuation from the devastated city of New Orleans and surrounding parishes. Yet, there are some who are refusing to leave, so it could take some effort in convincing them to uproot their lives from the city they call home. But, how much force will be used? I believe it would be adding insult to injury to see pictures of police beating survivors who fight back in their attempt to stay. My hope is that the police and military consider the actions of the Israeli forces while trying to extract Israeli settlers from Gaza, they took well into account that the people they were encountering were their own countrymen, and met them with a balance of responsibility of mission and understanding. Will reporters be allowed into the area at the times when the extractions will be taking place? Though I hope I'm wrong, I would bet they won't be allowed for some reason or another. I don't want to see people being dragged from their homes or businesses, but I think the presence of cameras in the area could prevent the situation from getting too heavy-handed, as none would want to be the one shown on the evening news.

One other thing that troubles me are the pets left behind in the city, what is to become of them? Surely people can understand that a pet becomes like a member of the family, and it would be unfair to simply abandon them to a city that is being cleared out of people. I heard a news story of a little boy being evacuated from the city, but was refused to be allowed to take his dog with him, cameras caught the scene of a policeman taking the dog from the boy's hands while forcing the boy onto a waiting bus, with the boy's sobbing cries of "Snowball! Snowball! Please don't take him away!" being clearly heard. It's heartbreaking to think of even now. While I understand the concern for the evacuation of people, space in the evacuation centers, health concerns, and such, I couldn't help but think, "hasn't that boy been through enough? why don't they see that they are taking away the friend he had during the times when he was scared, who stayed with him through it all, and who might be the only thing in that boy's life he might have to remember when his life wasn't turned upside down?" But apparently rules are rules, and they're sticking to them, with little exception being made. That is what lead me to wonder about the amount of force authorities will take with those who remain, if someone could take a dog from the hands of a crying boy, then it's safe to believe they could do anything. I don't mean to sound as if I'm saying the authorities are bad guys, they're doing wonderful things in saving lives, but the effects of frustration, lack of sleep, the squalor of surroundings, and their concern for their own families, can take a heavy toll on even the most professional of people, sometimes leading to unwanted results. They should treat the people they encounter as they would treat their own mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, or daughters, who are simply scared to leave the familiarity of a place they love, for the uncertainty of a place and life unknown. Understanding is the word I would stress to those who have the assignment of clearing the streets.