HURRICANE KATRINA

Sunday, September 18, 2005.

Lunch Break

Lunch is an Almond Snickers bar and two liters of water. I've finally given in to wearing my bathing suit outside since I wind up drenched in sweat. I can also hose myself down every so often, which is nice. I think I'm horrifying the neighbors, though. This bathing suit is kind of small...

I went out this morning and got breakfast at McDonald's. You know life is coming back to normal when you can get breakfast at McDonalds. I need to keep up my grease intake so I can maintain my health, you know.

I then went down to the dime store and picked up a few things. I talked to the cashier who is always friendly with me there. Virginia and I stop in there every week for 'Icee Day'. (For you Yankees, and Icee is a frozen treat like a Slurpee.)

Speaking of Yankees, my friend and firearms instructor sent a letter to the California Highway Patrol about their officer's actions in New Orleans. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch this video of the California Highway Patrol assaulting a woman in her own home:

http://www.ktvu.com/video/4946889/detail.html

Here is Peter's letter:

***

Mike Brown

Commissioner, California Highway Patrol

Dear Sir,

It was most distressing to me to see footage of your officers tackling an elderly woman who had an obviously unloaded revolver ( the cylinder was plainly open, no cartridges in the chambers) and that any reasonable and prudent person could clearly see posed no threat to the officers. This poor woman managed to survive the hurricane, the flooding, the looting, only to fall victim to your officers' heavy-handed tactics.

I find it hard to believe that law enforcement officers are entering people's homes without warrants and taking their lawfully owned possessions, even though these people have not been accused of committing any crime.

Imagine, for a moment, how you would react if you had survived a hurricane, a flood, looting, and then had your home invaded, and your possessions taken. (with no intention of them ever being returned).

Didn't you and your officer swear to uphold the constitution of the United States of America?

Article the sixth [Amendment IV]

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

After the tragic attack of September 11, 2001, I figured that there was no way terrorists could destroy the United States. Hurt us, yes. Destroy us, no. Only we, the people, the citizens, could destroy the United States. Either by allowing or by causing an erosion of our civil rights. You, Sir, are certainly doing your part. And saying that you were only following orders doesn't excuse you.

Sincerely

Peter Burlingame

***

Here is the response he got:

***

-----Original Message-----
From: Public Affairs [mailto:PublicAffairs@chp.ca.gov]
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 12:37 PM
To: [ADDRESS REMOVED]
Subject: Re: New Orleans action taken by CHP
Importance: High

** High Priority **

Dear Sir or Madam:

I have received your comments regarding the involvement of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in the state of Louisiana. I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some additional information that might clarify the recent actions of the CHP.

As you are aware Hurricane Katrina struck the eastern shoreline of Louisiana on Monday, August 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina was a category 4 storm which left a wake of massive destruction along the gulf coast. The devastation, loss of lives, and subsequent civil unrest has prompted many federal, state, and local government agencies to deploy resources to Louisiana to assist in restoring order.

On September 3, 2005, the Governor of the State of Louisiana and the Superintendent of the Louisiana State Patrol (LSP) made a formal request for mutual aid to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California Government Code (GC) Sections 177, 178, and 178.5 establishes California's participation in the Interstate Civil Defense and Disaster Compact. This compact authorizes affected states of a disaster to deputize assisting law enforcement agencies to extend the same powers, duties, rights, privileges and immunities as if they were performing their duties in their own state

With the approval of Governor Schwarzenegger, three CHP rotary-wing aircraft, and approximately 113 uniformed CHP personnel, were dispatched to Louisiana. On September 6, 2005, peace officer powers were conveyed to CHP personnel through LSP officials during a swearing in ceremony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The primary mission of the CHP is to provide safety, service, and security. Accordingly, the CHP's mission within the state of Louisiana remains the same while supporting LSP's search and rescue operations. CHP and LSP personnel are performing general law enforcement duties and operations related to restoring order, saving lives, and maintaining security as tasked by LSP.

I hope this information assist you in understanding our position. Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns.

Sincerely,

A. V. Alcaro, Captain
Commander Research and Planning Section

***

Standard form letter it seems. Very sad.

I'm going back out to work in the yard some more. I'll have some extra pictures up later.

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This blog is being picked up by other blogs. I'm famous! :)

http://www.patdomore.typepad.com/ http://patdomore.typepad.com/my_weblog/2005/09/success_story.html

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Working out in the yard, moving large branches, one of them managed to fall on me. I couldn't see the damage, so I had to take a picture. Ouch. Now I've got to find a neighbor who is willing to clean me up... My scalp is bleeding too. Lovely.