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FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandeers Stores

By Last Night in Little Rock, Section Huricanes Katrina and Rita
Posted on Mon Sep 12, 2005 at 10:09:56 AM EST
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by Last Night in Little Rock

For no apparent reason, the Federal Emergency Mismanagement Agency refused to permit Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores in Jefferson Parish, LA to reopen. Getting no explanation and taking matters into his own hands, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff ordered them to reopen for the people as noted here.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee said he has "commandered" the Sam's and Wal-Mart stores in the parish and ordered them to open as soon as possible.

Lee said he took the action after he learned that a Wal-Mart store wanted to open recently but was told by FEMA officials that it could not.

"I am upset with FEMA and some of their regulations," Lee said.

After talking about the situation concerning the Wal-Mart on Thursday, Lee said he briefly talked to Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans on Friday. He asked her to check on the situation and find out if there was a legitimate reason to keep the store closed.

But because of communication difficulties, he did not hear back and took the situation in his own hands.

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    FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandeers Stores | 14 comments (14 topical)
    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#1)
    by roger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:42 PM EST
    It will be hard to rplace the projects with luxury condos when locals are watching

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#2)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:42 PM EST
    Getting no explanation and taking matters into his own hands,
    More like this, please. That goes double for the Navy helicopter pilots who rescued 100 instead of playing by the book.

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#3)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:42 PM EST
    Was this a FEMA get-back at Aaron Broussard for badmouthing them on Meet the Press, while talking with Tim Russert?

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#4)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:43 PM EST
    Yeah - the same FEMA that cut the emergency communication lines of Jefferson Parish that Sheriff Harry Lee reconnected & posted armed guards to make certain those lines were disconnected. That FEMA. That sheriff is the same one, if I'm not wrong, is the same Harry Lee who ordered that no one enters his parish via the Crescent Street bridge. And WHY is such a big deal that parts of L.A. lost power?

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#5)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:43 PM EST
    oops....& posted armed guards to make certain those lines were NOT disconnected. That FEMA. Left out the word 'not' in the above post.

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#6)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:43 PM EST
    Yeah - the same FEMA that cut the emergency communication lines of Jefferson Parish that Sheriff Harry Lee reconnected & posted armed guards to make certain those lines were disconnected. That FEMA.
    Broussard nailed FEMA hard on MTP for turning back a Wal-Mart WATER delivery... Brown's departure is not making a big difference in the size of the tiny childish minds left at FEMA, is it?

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#7)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:43 PM EST
    FEMA = Federal Excuse Management Agency ?

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#8)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:43 PM EST
    Kitt, I haven't seen Lee's name mentioned in connection with the bridge. Are you thinking of Arthur Lawson, the Gretna police chief? Or am I just looking in the wrong places?

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#9)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:43 PM EST
    Okay, Quaker - here
    "....Arthur Lawson, chief of the Gretna, La., Police Department, confirmed that his officers, along with those from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the Crescent City Connection Police, sealed the bridge..."
    I'm at work & just checking sporadically. I saw this yesterday. I don't know much about the site but it was referenced from another site - which I can't remember.

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#10)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:43 PM EST
    Thanks, Kitt. I guess that's a good example of how a "take things into your own hands" attitude can cut both ways.

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#11)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:43 PM EST
    QITB: CNN - Anderson Cooper's '360' is having a segment on that bridge next. Anderson's show runs again - of course, if you have cable.

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#12)
    by Aaron on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:44 PM EST
    I saw Sheriff Lee on MSNBC being interviewed, standing beside him was actor Steven Seagal. According to the Sheriff, Seagal trained his swat team. Seagal was wearing law-enforcement garb badge and all, apparently armed as well. Steven was standing there with his arms crossed looking like he was ready to put a serious hurting on somebody.

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#13)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:44 PM EST
    Jeezzus, Steven Seagal. Steven was standing there with his arms crossed looking like he was ready to put a serious hurting on somebody. He got that from Mr. T

    Re: FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandee (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:46 PM EST
    "I guess that's a good example of how a "take things into your own hands" attitude can cut both ways." No, it's an example of BEING A RACIST, but wanting the Walmart open for the white people in the area. Here's a newsclue: PLENTY of racists in Louisiana/Mississippi law enforcement. That doesn't absolve FEMA for its officious and absurd disaster planning.

    FEMA Keeps Wal-Marts Closed; Sheriff Commandeers Stores | 14 comments (14 topical)