Luke_Wilbur

I would like to know when that was actually said.

McCain is definitely respected and nobody can dispute his shaking this election up. I just want to understand why Republican party leaders are speaking up against him. It gets voters nervous when they hear that their party nomination is being called a liar. Are these the people he wants shaken out of the party?

CenterPoint Energy reported that it reached another restoration milestone having restored power to 750,000 customers within three full days. The company now reports that 38 percent of its 2.26 million customers have power. “Our crews, working with the thousands of mutual assistance crews who have joined us from across North America, are making outstanding progress,” said Kenny Mercado, senior vice president of Electric Operations. “We will continue, however, to work around the clock until everyone’s power is restored.” CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered electric and natural gas customers in six states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Total assets $17 billion Revenue $9.3 billion Operating income $1,045 million Number of employees 8,623

The Port of Houston (PHA) is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in the U.S. in total tonnage. A range of serious complications due to the lack of electricity prohbits the Port of Houston Authority from opening for business operations Wednesday, September 17th. More than 200 million tons of cargo moved through the Port of Houston in 2006. A total of 7,550 vessel calls were recorded at the Port of Houston during the year 2006. The Houston Pilots navigate each vessel through the Houston Ship Channel. PHA is continuing to work with CenterPoint Energy to establish power. The welfare and safety of PHA's employees, customers and neighbors is always its first priority. PHA will update its status regarding business operations on the PHA Hotline 713-670-2870 and on its Web sites www.portofhouston.com and www.phastatus.com after daily.DATE: Monday, September 16, 2008 6:05 p.m. (CST) MESSAGE TO PHA EMPLOYEES Port of Houston Authority maintenance, operations and all employees at the Barbours Cut and Bayport terminals must report to work Wednesday, September 17 to help with cleanup and recovery efforts needed to bring the terminals back online. Business casual attire is acceptable. All other PHA staff should continue their communications regarding their status with their direct supervisors and managers. A range of serious complications due to the lack of electricity prohbits the Port of Houston Authority from opening for normal business operations Wednesday, September 17. The Port of Houston is made up of the Port of Houston Authority and the 150-plus private industrial companies along the Houston Ship Channel. All together, the port authority and its neighbors along the ship channel are a large and vibrant component to our regional economy.

Looks like Gas prices have slowly creeped their way up again. This is mostly due to the shipping lines being severed during our hurricane season. But, we are lucky to get our a large portion of our fuel from New Jersey. Hopefully, in the near future they will settle down again. Washington (DC only) Regular Mid Premium Diesel Today's Gas Prices $3.835 Regular $3.987 Mid $4.106 Premium $4.627 Diesel Yesterday $3.865 Regular $4.018 Mid $4.138 Premium $4.660 Diesel Month Ago $3.841 Regular $3.993 Mid $4.112 Premium $4.723 Diesel Year Ago $2.775 Regular $2.955 Mid $3.043 Premium $3.089 Diesel

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced a formal determination of a fishery resource disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, due to the devastation following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. “The economic impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike on fishing communities in the Gulf of Mexico will hurt these communities,” Gutierrez said. “We have a lot of work to do, but this disaster determination is an important step in the recovery process.” The fishery resource disaster determination was made pursuant to provisions of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act that authorize assistance to fishermen affected by natural disasters. This action also makes small fishing businesses eligible for certain Small Business Administration loans. NOAA’s Fisheries Service will work with the states to distribute any funds appropriated in response to this determination. Commercial fishing in the affected areas consists mostly of finfish, shrimp and oysters. NOAA will work with the states to further assess damage to the major fishing ports and the seafood processing facilities in Louisiana and Texas. “Working with the states, NOAA will continue efforts to assess fishing industry damage and long-term impacts to the marine environment,” said Jim Balsiger, director of NOAA’s Fisheries Service. The initial affected areas under today's declaration are Texas and Louisiana. DOC/NOAA will continue to work with the region to assess the impacts of the storm in other areas of the Gulf. Secretary Gutierrez is in Miami, Fla. today to visit the National Hurricane Center and discuss the U.S. government’s efforts to provide hurricane disaster relief to the Gulf Coast. He also will tour a U.S. Agency for International Development warehouse to discuss the offers of humanitarian aid that have been rejected by Cuba, following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

WHO: Speakers from organizations that span the political spectrum, representing a coalition of more than 200 organizations. Speakers will include: Randall Swisher, Executive Director, American Wind Energy Association Glenn English, CEO, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Jerry Howard, CEO, National Association of Home Builders Rhone Resch, President, Solar Energy Industries Association Joseph McGuire, President, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers Marjorie Alt, Executive Director, Environment America WHAT: An unprecedented coalition of more than 200 businesses, construction companies, environmental organizations, investors, labor groups, nongovernmental organizations, trade associations and utilities have joined forces to call for Congressional action to extend the renewable energy and energy efficiency tax credits before the culmination of the September legislative session. The credits expire at the end of this year. During a press conference moderated by Gregory Wetstone, Senior Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Clean Energy NOW coalition members will press the case for extending the tax credits, addressing: The broad political support for the extension. The repercussions for America’s economy and jobs. According to a recent study by Navigant Consulting, failure to promptly extend the renewable energy tax incentives places at risk 116,000 jobs in the wind and solar industries and more than $19 billion in clean energy investment. The tremendous security and environmental benefits to be realized. WHEN: Thursday, September 18, 2008 9:30 a.m. EDT: Press Check-In; Breakfast served 10:00 a.m. EDT: Press Conference WHERE: The National Press Club The Zenger Room 529 14th Street N.W. 13th Floor Washington, D.C. For more information, please contact Laura Stevens at 202.862.4372 or

A bizarre but well-established aspect of quantum physics could open up a new era of electronic detectors and imaging systems that would be far more efficient than any now in existence, according to new insights by an MIT leader in the field. MIT Professor of Mechanical Engineering Seth Lloyd has found that a peculiar quantum-physics property called entanglement can be harnessed to make detectors--similar in principle to radar systems used to track airplanes in flight or ships at sea--that are as much as a million times more efficient than existing systems. In addition, beams of entangled light could be swept across a scene to reconstruct a detailed image, with a similar improvement in efficiency. The new findings, being reported this week in the journal Science, are purely theoretical, but Lloyd says that laboratory experiments have already proven the feasibility of both the light sources and the detectors needed for such a quantum-based photodetection system, so he anticipates that within a year it should be possible to build a laboratory-scale system to demonstrate the new concept. "It should be possible to have at least a proof-of-principle demonstration within six months to a year," Lloyd said. For example, military applications could include improved night-vision systems, which send out beams of infrared light--invisible to the unclothed eye--to sweep across a scene, and then use an infrared detector to reconstruct an image from the light that is reflected back. A more efficient system, using the quantum-entanglement effect, would make it much more difficult for an adversary to detect the fact that such a system was being used, because there would be so much less infrared light needed to provide the illumination. Theoretically, such a system could be used to allow medical diagnostic systems such as CT scans to work with a vastly reduced X-ray output, thereby making them much safer for the patient, but such applications would be much further in the future. It could also someday be used for safer microscope imaging of living organisms. Entanglement is a strange property that was deduced theoretically on the basis of the laws of quantum physics, and has been demonstrated over the last several years in a variety of laboratory experiments. Under certain circumstances, when an atom gives off two photons of light at the same time, the two are "entangled" even as they go off in different directions, so that anything that changes one of the photons simultaneously changes the other as well. This odd property makes it possible to perform seemingly impossible feats such as "quantum teleportation," in which all of the properties of one subatomic particle are recreated in a different particle some distance away. It has also been demonstrated as a way of producing seemingly foolproof encryption systems for data transmission. But explanations of exactly what underlies the entanglement phenomenon remain controversial. Lloyd says that he cannot provide a simple, intuitive explanation for why the quantum illumination system described in this report actually works, but is certain that the theoretical calculations demonstrating it are correct. "It is as if the two entangled photons retain a memory of each other long after any such memory should have faded away," he said.

A bizarre but well-established aspect of quantum physics could open up a new era of electronic detectors and imaging systems that would be far more efficient than any now in existence, according to new insights by an MIT leader in the field. MIT Professor of Mechanical Engineering Seth Lloyd has found that a peculiar quantum-physics property called entanglement can be harnessed to make detectors--similar in principle to radar systems used to track airplanes in flight or ships at sea--that are as much as a million times more efficient than existing systems. In addition, beams of entangled light could be swept across a scene to reconstruct a detailed image, with a similar improvement in efficiency. The new findings, being reported this week in the journal Science, are purely theoretical, but Lloyd says that laboratory experiments have already proven the feasibility of both the light sources and the detectors needed for such a quantum-based photodetection system, so he anticipates that within a year it should be possible to build a laboratory-scale system to demonstrate the new concept. "It should be possible to have at least a proof-of-principle demonstration within six months to a year," Lloyd said. For example, military applications could include improved night-vision systems, which send out beams of infrared light--invisible to the unclothed eye--to sweep across a scene, and then use an infrared detector to reconstruct an image from the light that is reflected back. A more efficient system, using the quantum-entanglement effect, would make it much more difficult for an adversary to detect the fact that such a system was being used, because there would be so much less infrared light needed to provide the illumination. Theoretically, such a system could be used to allow medical diagnostic systems such as CT scans to work with a vastly reduced X-ray output, thereby making them much safer for the patient, but such applications would be much further in the future. It could also someday be used for safer microscope imaging of living organisms. Entanglement is a strange property that was deduced theoretically on the basis of the laws of quantum physics, and has been demonstrated over the last several years in a variety of laboratory experiments. Under certain circumstances, when an atom gives off two photons of light at the same time, the two are "entangled" even as they go off in different directions, so that anything that changes one of the photons simultaneously changes the other as well. This odd property makes it possible to perform seemingly impossible feats such as "quantum teleportation," in which all of the properties of one subatomic particle are recreated in a different particle some distance away. It has also been demonstrated as a way of producing seemingly foolproof encryption systems for data transmission. But explanations of exactly what underlies the entanglement phenomenon remain controversial. Lloyd says that he cannot provide a simple, intuitive explanation for why the quantum illumination system described in this report actually works, but is certain that the theoretical calculations demonstrating it are correct. "It is as if the two entangled photons retain a memory of each other long after any such memory should have faded away," he said.

I heard that mushroom spores can survive in space.

MIT Institute Professor John Deutch stressed the importance of pursuing every available avenue on energy, in testimony Friday before the U.S. Senate's Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Deutch, who has served in major roles in several administrations including director of energy research under President Carter and undersecretary and deputy secretary of defense as well as director of central intelligence under President Clinton, said "the fact is that the United States has not been, and is not now, on a path to a secure and sustainable energy future." The nation's overall importation and consumption of fossil fuels is projected to go on increasing, he said. While there are several factors that have prevented the adoption of a sustained national energy policy, he said, the key cause is that "political leaders find it difficult to speak the truth about energy matters." The reality, he said, is that progress will be slow because of the magnitude of the problems. Deutch offered seven recommendations, and emphasized that these represent not a menu of choices, but a package of actions that are all essential in order to reach a sustainable future. First, he said, charging for greenhouse gas emissions is essential, whether in the form of a direct carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system. Second, a major 10-year program to demonstrate carbon sequestration is essential to make clean coal a reality. Third, a push is needed to improve the efficiency of energy use in buildings, cars, and appliances. Fourth, much more research is needed on potential energy solutions. This requires at least a doubling of federal research funding, the creation of a new energy innovation council to develop a multi-year research strategy across all government agencies, and an energy technology corporation to manage demonstration projects, he said. Fifth, there should be an expansion of domestic oil and gas production, which he said is important to add credibility to US efforts to encourage other nations to increase their production. Sixth, commercial nuclear power should be expanded, although this requires addressing issues of cost, waste management, and nuclear weapons proliferation. Finally, Deutch said, there must be improvements in the coordination of energy policy across multiple government agencies, by creating an energy coordinating council. Deutch rejected calls for an energy research program akin to the Apollo program or Manhattan Project. Unlike those focused government programs with very specific, clearly defined objectives, he said, "here, we're talking about having a technology deployed in the real economy, and the issues are much more complex." After a question and answer period during which each of the 20 senators on the committee expressed their views, Deutch said "I'm impressed that all of you are saying that we need to do 'all of the above'" -- that is, that every possible alternative should be aggressively pursued, as he recommended. Given that support, he then asked, why isn't it happening?

I really think the hate has to end. Their needs to be some type of election ethics rules put into place by each state that has to be signed by each candidate before their name appears on the ballot.

That was definitely cool. We several thousand ip no.s we have blocked now. Spammers are nuts. I think many publications are afraid of Google's power. They do not want to say anything bad, because they might get penalized. At this point I can say that is not the case. And they still have the best search around.

Tonight's forum was both enlightening and a relief of the political bantering Americans have watched this last few weeks. Both candidates took the high road and commended each others service given to our nation. McCain the legendary war hero and Obama the civil servant. Both candidates believe that an incredible opportunity was missed by President Bush to rally our country post 911. Instead of telling Americans to go out an shop President Bush should have encouraged volunterism in the military and civilian sectors. McCain and Obama spoke of the benifits of our Peace and America Corps. I was not born during World War II, but I cannot stop thinking about "Its a Wonderful Life." When World War II erupts, George Bailey leads the can food and material drives and his brother Harry becomes a Navy pilot and is awarded the Medal of Honor for shooting down 15 enemy aircraft. Each one served our country with honor. Obama and McCain played simular roles in their service to our country. Today, I walked down to see the new Pentagon Memorial. Like many Americans I watched the smoke bellow out of the headquarters of our Defense Department on September 11, 2001. I was shocked, horrified, and felt a huge fustration that I could not do anything to help. Their was a call for blood, so I went down and donated some. I brought my camera and took some pictures for DCpages. It was the hardest photo assignment I probably will ever have. Every time I peered through the camera lense I could not stop crying. The week following September 11, 2001, I went to the prayer service at the National Cathedral and left for New York. It was worse. The 'Big Apple' was quiet and a haze cloud was over Manhatten. I looked up at the tall buildings next to me trying to imagine the collapse of the Towers. Words written in dusty window panes looking for lost friends, hundreds of people crying and praying at Liberty Square. It was heart wrenching. I then got the opportunity to visit crash site near Shanksville in rural Somerset County, Pennsylvania. September 11 changed my life. I realized how mortal I was and how large this event was. I remember putting out candles for the victims of this tragedy. I wanted to do more. So did the rest of the world. Our allies sent planes to protect our skies. I cried a silent thank you. I remember President Bush's speech that we were going to get Osama Bin Laden dead or alive. I was happy to put links to Armed Forces recruitment sites. It was something our publication could do to help. One of our staff decided to join the military. Rob ended up in Afganistan. I could not tell you how proud I was for him. I prayed to God that he would not get in harms way. I got caught up in the patriotism. Mayor Guilani visited Washington and got I went to see him at the Verizon Center. So many good things were happening. But, then Iraq came along. We all heard that Al Queda was working with Saddam in attacking America and they were building nuclear weapons. At first I thought our country needed to attack Iraq to protect ourselves, but I wondered why many of our allies were not supporting us. I also noticed our President was not telling us to donate our time and our goods for the war effort, but to go spend money at our supermarkets. Then the Downing street memo leaked out and America became confused. Resentment began to build when we did not find weapons of mass destruction and word spread that we did not finish Osama Bin Laden at Torra Borra. Our prewar intelligence investigations started and the blame game commenced. The lines became more blurred when the fire fighters who volunteered in New York started getting lung ailments and our government was not paying the tab. We all know the story. Finally, both parties are admitting this disgraceful act. I personally felt duped and got even more angry at what was transpiring. Both senators Obama and McCain were instumental in letting Americans know the mistakes our government made. Today was a blessing to me. The dedication ceremony for those that lost their lives on September 11 are for a brief period the center of national attention. I respect both Senator McCain and Senator Obama on their opinion of the future. They are not much different. But, Obama is George Bailey in my eyes. He sees that we have to have government to get people jobs and a sense of American Pride. John McCain believes that our government should work closer with companies like Target and Walmart. They have the logistics to help get aid to people faster. John McCain is weary of expanding our civilian sector in the government. Obama knows that this is the time that we really need it. I think every American needs to get inspired and lend a hand on getting the best nation back on its feet. On this issue I side with Obama. I hope that Barack Obama chooses to take up John McCain on his challenge to join him in a town hall meetings accross our country.

Tensions are getting worse. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/...uela/index.html Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers landed at Venezuela's Libertador military airfield and "will spend several days carrying out training flights over neutral waters, after which they will return to the base," Interfax reported, citing the Russian Defense Ministry. Col. Alexander Drobyshevsky, a ministry spokesman, told Interfax that NATO fighters followed the bombers on their 13-hour flight over the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic. "All flights by air force aircraft have been and are marked by strict conformity to the international rules on the use of air space over neutral waters," Drobyshevsky told Interfax. The U.S. will monitor the Russian training, said Pentagon officials who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak on the information. On Monday, Russia announced it might hold joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean. The declaration came in the wake of increased tension between Russia and the United States over Russia's invasion last month of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, a U.S. ally that aspires to join NATO. Russia on Monday denied any link between that announcement and the conflict in Georgia, although Russia has criticized U.S. support for Georgia, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has long antagonized Washington. Earlier this month, Chavez said Venezuela would welcome the Russian air force, according to Russian news agency Novosti. "If Russian long-range bombers should need to land in Venezuela, we would not object to that either. We will also welcome them," Chavez said on September 1, according to Novosti.

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSK, CMCSA), the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today announced that they are working with Intel Corporation to bring Internet Protocol (IP) based applications to the television experience set using a new technology co-developed by Intel and called the Widget Channel framework. This technology, previewed today at Intel’s Fall Developer Conference, is an open software development framework that enables the ability to combine Internet-based applications with a TV experience through a widget-based user interface that can be easily accessed while watching television programs. The Widget Channel framework’s graphical user interface will let consumers click an onscreen widget to access and view a variety of Internet-based applications or content such as weather updates, news, games, and other -interactive applications on their TV. Comcast and Intel expect to begin integration testing of The Widget Channel framework in the first half of 2009 on Comcast’s interactive program guide using tru2way™ technology, a Java-based platform with open API specifications, that’s being built into televisions, set-top boxes, and other devices. Tru2way technology enables application developers to “write” interactive applications once and see them run successfully on any cable television system or device that supports the specification. “The Widget Channel enables interactive applications and tru2way technology has opened the door for these types of innovations to work in the cable industry,” said Tony Werner, chief technology officer, Comcast Cable. “We’re looking forward to working with Intel as we continue to bring our customers new features and services that further enhance their viewing experiences.” “The success of the Widget Channel framework relies heavily on the support of industry-leaders like Comcast,” said Eric Kim, Intel Corporation senior vice president and general manager of the company’s Digital Home Group. “We feel this support will foster innovation and help bring new and exciting Internet widgets to millions of television sets across the country.” This announcement marks another important milestone in the evolution of the tru2way ecosystem. The Widget Channel framework will complement tru2way technology and the companies expect it will broaden the developer community and enhance the user experience.

Ford Motor Company really gets my goat. In the worst economic crisis since the great depression, Ford comes up with a green car that cannot be sold in the United States. Fiesta ECOnetic's launch at the 2008 British Motor Show brings the title of the UK's greenest car to Ford. Ford's range of fuel efficient ECOnetic models are leading the company’s bid to cut UK CO2 emissions by over 80,000 tons. The eco motoring website, http://www.cleangreencars.co.uk, calculated the environmental effect if all Ford buyers switched to the lowest CO2 model in the current range without downsizing, and lists three Focus models in its top five small family cars based on eco friendly credentials. The 44 mpg Kuga, with 169g CO2, is named its cleanest, greenest 4×4 and the Mondeo ECOnetic is shortlisted as an eco large family car. The new Ford Fiesta ECOnetic joins the Focus ECOnetic, which went on sale earlier this year and achieves CO2 emissions of 115g/km and fuel consumption of 65.6mpg (combined cycle). The Mondeo ECOnetic went on sale this month and offers large car comfort combined with fuel economy of over 53mpg and CO2 of 139g/km. Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "In the first half of this year, we have seen a 38% rise in sales of all Fords achieving under 120g CO2. Thanks to Clean green cars we’ve seen what could happen if this swing continues within each of our model ranges." Look for a less efficient gas powered version to be sold in the United States. I guess their philosphy is make money with no loyalty to country.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson's Speech energized the crowd tonight. He threw out a some funny lines like how Sarah Palin "is the only nominee in the history of either party who knows how to properly field-dress a moose ... with the possible exception of Teddy Roosevelt." He then gave a biography about John McCain. He then had people laughing when he stated that the early years in John McCain's life during flight school in Pensacola, the young soldier drove a Corvette and dated a girl who worked in a bar as an exotic dancer under the name of Marie, the Flame of Florida. Thompson got serious about how a P.O.W survived the horrors of prison camp. The cameras panned out to people crying as they listened to the story. His strongest remark came when he said, "The respect he is given around the world is not because of a teleprompter speech designed to appeal to American critics abroad but because of decades of clearly demonstrated character and statesmanship." For those of you that did not get to watch or listen to the speech here is the transcript:

I think it is funny how the news is reporting how the media should not be reporting this personal story every half hour all day long. This election should not be on race and teen pregnancy. Stick to the issues.

Belle Chasse, LA- The water levels around the Caenarvon Diversion and Scarsdale Levees are falling some and it appears the sandbagging effort is making a difference. Parish President Billy Nungesser says, “We have stopped the bleeding…and I am very encouraged by what we are seeing.” Additionally, permission has been granted by the State to reverse the Caenarvon Diversion Siphon to allow the water to drain into the river which could greatly aid in the effort. “This could not have been accomplished without the incredible support of St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Jack Stephens and Parish President Craig Taffaro. They sent manpower and sandbags and were just a huge help. We also are grateful to the parish employees and many volunteers who came out to help…also for all the support and help from Governor Bobby Jindal, Garret Graves with the Governor’s office and Col. Jeff Bedey with the Army Corps of Engineers,” says Nungesser. Crews are continuing the sandbagging efforts. Nungesser says they will not give up and will continue the fight as long as it takes to save the East Bank’s Braithwaite area. So far no homes have flooded. Meantime, there is some overtopping on the Citrus Lands Levees on the westbank…there is work underway to flood fight in that area as well. However, the water is not threatening Highway 23. The water had been rising in the Myrtle Grove area as well and is being monitored very carefully. So far no serious flooding has been reported.

New Orleans waits for landfall Sept. 1: As the storm takes aim at Louisiana almost exactly three years after Hurricane Katrina, NBC reports from New Orleans.

Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Lt. Col. Jerry Sneed, Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, are urging residents who will need assistance to evacuate from New Orleans to register for the City Assisted Evacuation Plan. The City estimates that 30,000 people will need evacuation assistance because they do not have vehicles, cannot afford to evacuate on their own, or have special medical needs. Below is key information about the program: * Register by calling 311 or (504) 658-2299 * Citizens also may register in the Office of Public Advocacy, * Citizens will board RTA buses at 17 pickup sites once the CAEP is initiated. Each site has special signage. * Citizens should identify the closest pick-up site now. * People who have not registered may still show up at one of the sites. * ID will not be required in order to board a bus. * Buses will transport citizens to the Union Passenger Terminal. From there, they will be transported to a shelter outside the New Orleans. * Bring luggage similar to what would be taken as a carry-on for an airplane - one medium-sized bag and a personal bag, such as a purse or laptop bag. * Maps are available online at http://www.cityofno.com Citizens with special medical needs * Residents with special needs are urged to evacuate with a family member or friend if possible. * Registration is critical for those with special medical needs who may need to be transported by ambulance or who may require other special care. * Residents with special medical needs who have been pre-identified will be transported from their homes. * Citizens with special medical needs should plan to bring one attendant with them. Pets * Citizens may bring their pets

New Orleans Mayor Announces Mandatory Evacuation Mayor C. Ray Nagin has announced a mandatory evacuation for the City of New Orleans beginning Sunday. Mayor Nagin called for a mandatory evacuation on the West Bank of New Orleans beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday. The mandatory evacuation is set to begin at noon on the East Bank. The Mayor said Hurricane Gustav is likely to be larger and stronger than Hurricane Katrina. The City Assisted Evacuation Plan will continue until midnight on Saturday and from 6 a.m. until noon on Sunday to provide transportation for citizens who cannot evacuate on their own. Those who need transportation should go to one of 17 designated pick-up sites. Residents who have special medical needs should call 311 for assistance. Mayor Nagin urged tourists to leave the city immediately. According to Mary Beth Romig of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors’ Bureau said local hotels will heed the evacuation order and close for business. She further urged citizens to depart from the city. Travelers who have airline reservations may board a shuttle at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown New Orleans. Travelers must have proof of a reservation in order to board. The City is paring down its staff to a skeleton crew. Mayor Nagin said he will trim the staff from approximately 200 people to 50 people. The New Orleans Police Department may also have some officers evacuate from the city. Most other city agencies are evacuating their entire staffs. Mayor Nagin urged that the West Bank may be most severely impacted by the hurricane and storm surge. He reiterated that the area’s storm protection system is not adequate to protect the New Orleans area in the face of the anticipated storm.

3800 Gulf Coast Oil Platforms are being evacuated. It is going to be a very rough Monday.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit: * Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation * Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food * Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both * Flashlight and extra batteries * First aid kit * Whistle to signal for help * Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place * Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation * Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities * Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) * Local maps http://www.washdc.com/emergency-supply-kit