U.N. Poverty Expert Finds New Orleans "Shocking"

http://2theadvocate.com/stories/102905/new_poverty001.shtml

U.N. poverty expert finds N.O. 'shocking'
By CHANTE DIONNE WARREN
cwarren@theadvocate.com
Advocate staff writer

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"Something went wrong and it appears to be a gross violation of human rights," said Sengupta, United Nations independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty. He said the federal government has responded slowly and with poor communications to help some of its poorest and most vulnerable citizens.


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"The people in New Orleans and the worst affected areas were very poor and what you have to do is a social responsibility of the federal, state and local governments," he said.

"Budget questions should be resolved. If the United States wasn't the richest country in the world, I'd say international aid should come in. But I don't have to say that for the U.S.," he said.



Sengupta plans to reveal his findings before a United Nations panel in April. He does not know what the council will do with his report -- perhaps draw up a resolution -- but he wants the world to know what he saw and heard, he said during a meeting at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, 8470 Goodwood Blvd.


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"My whole intent is to understand. I don't think I would have understood the extent of the calamity until coming here," Sengupta said. "What is more shocking is that two months later, my impression is that New Orleans is untouched … debris is not cleared. … Relief work in New Orleans is not what I expected with the richest country in the world. Why should it take so much time?"

much more at link above

"If the United States wasn't the richest country in the world"

The United States is clearly not a rich nation. As a Government, the United States is an overly indebted nation.

True the controlling interests in US corporations are the richest people in the world.

But most US corporations don't really give a shit about the poor in New Orleans.

most US corporation don't really give a shit about the poor ANYWHERE, much less just New Orleans.

BushCo is in charge and could not care LESS about the poor. Look at how BushCo conducted its "War on Terror" after 9-11, with a whisper campaign against that big "terrorist," Joe Wilson.

IMPEACH the CHICKENHAWK BASTARDS!

and we deserve it.

... Relief work in New Orleans is not what I expected with the richest country in the world. Why should it take so much time?"

The US has been in gross violation of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" for many years now.

http://www.economichumanrights.org/about/about.html

Although, of course, it is just a "Universal Consensus" that only applies to other countries:(

> If the United States wasn't the richest country in the world,
> I'd say international aid should come in. But I don't have to
> say that for the U.S.," he said.

We used to take it for granted that we could and would always take care of our own, that despite whatever other problems we had as a society, when disaster struck we would be there for each other. And without question, our government was us.

If there is anyone left in this country who still thinks that's true today, I say bring on the international aid and let them feel the shame.

Bush was actually offered aid after the drowning of New Orleans, and he brushed it off like a fly. :argh:

Hekate

And our area even has piles of rubble from tornadoes two years ago. The infrastructure is past crumbling in ALL of America. It has been looted to the bone.

Even in my "rich" state of CT, roads and schools are crumbling and there is an ever-higher tax burden locally due to no federal trickle-down.

I say, let's send these bastards to jail and take back their loot!

have giant craters from uh... let's see... no hurricanes, tornadoes, frost heaving, shrinky clay.... people driving maybe????

It's appalling.

I mean, come on....do they bring in a profit? Fo'get 'em, then!
Shrubby Dubby would 'a saved Saudi Princes faster.........

at least the obscenely wealthy will be able to come and go by helicopter.

In the meantime, _Bush wants the last round of unwarranted tax advantages made permanent.



If there are ANY Republicans with even a trace of conscience, they should do some overdue soul searching before the next election. I wonder if what _Bush did concerning New Orleans is REALLY what they expect from a U.S. President.

"My whole intent is to understand. I don't think I would have understood the extent of the calamity until coming here," Sengupta said. "What is more shocking is that two months later, my impression is that New Orleans is untouched … debris is not cleared. … Relief work in New Orleans is not what I expected with the richest country in the world. Why should it take so much time?"

And we're talking about a friggin' storm, not a comet impact.

.....amazing concept there....but it's not REALITY. :nopity:

it is but a microcosm of their ineptitude and greed IMHO.

:kick:

the cleanup is done. Why on earth people are trying to live there among with the toxic conditions is beyond me. FEMA needs to declare it unfit for life and clean it up pronto.

I talked to a lady yesterday who had been down there to check on her house. She didn't stay very long, but still got sick a couple of days later.

I posted this on another discussion board and the freepers are exploding, saying it is none of the UN's business. LOL I asked them what they think the UN's role is, why do they think we belong and why is the UN headquartered here in the US? They have yet to respond to my questions.

seriously, as already posted in the La. forum, what would be stopping us from forming an NGO dedicated to the preservation and recovery of what is, after all, one of the world's premier heritage sites?

Based on what I read at the link, Mr. Sangupta would most likely be inclined to give a favorable recommendation to a request for credentials from this NGO. That'd sure as hell show King Dumbass** who's a "useless debating society"!

is not "into" helping the poor.

What must Sengupta be thinking? :sarcasm: