Help refused

Good evening to all,

Well, it seems in the latest of Hurricane Katrina horror stories, help from California firefighters, and search and rescue workers was refused in the moments immediately following the storm. Word has it that immediately after the storm passed, and things were beginning to look like they would be bad, the California effort was put into place, inflateable boats, communications equipment, and other items that sure would have been useful were prepared to be taken into the effected area, their offer quickly forwarded to FEMA. What was FEMA's response? They said they weren't needed, they wouldn't approve airfare to bring the Californians into the area, and suggested taking the bus if they still wanted to come, the bus trip took two days! We all remember the pictures and video from those first two days, imagine if local authorities had access to good communications equipment, had many inflateable boats to use, and had the useful manpower of people specifically trained for search and rescue operations, the picture might have been a bit different from what we saw. Personally, I'm outraged! I'm outraged about this latest revelation, as well as the slow approval of international help, as well as the reports of entire shipments of food, water, and fuel that was either turned away or restricted from use. It's on a level that would be simply unbelievable, if we didn't know it to be true. I've said it so many times these past few days, but the people deserved so much better than the treatment they have received even to this day.