[BC] New Orleans - a matter of responsibility?

[Barry Mishkind]

At 10:12 AM 12/2/05, Rich Wood wrote
>I'm sure many victims in New Orleans would have given anything for a 
>baked potato(e). I watched much of the disaster coverage and rarely 
>saw or heard a radio. Many people commented that they got their 
>information from word of mouth, especially the fashion God at FEMA. 
>There are two sources I trust: the NWS weather radio for weather and 
>2 meter Ham for traffic. You know my feelings about EAS.

         Rich,

         You raise an interesting issue.
         I don't remember seeing any
         radios nor areas where a
         radio might have been set up
         at a checkpoint, or run off
         a car battery....

         It might have made a difference
         to those people who were on
         the Interstate, waiting for
         any instructions or information.

         Could it have been the authorities
         were afraid the stations might
         have started with "morning zoo
         humor" or stunts or endless rap noise?
         After all, it would only take one
         "fake" news story or "joke" from
         a station to start a mob or worse.

         Perhaps there was an intentional
         effort NOT to use local radio during
         the crisis.

         Now - this may or may not have been
         in all jurisdictions.  Rich was talking
         about New Orleans.  I know I've heard
         many stories from other areas where
         the local radio make a great contribution.

         Does anyone from the Gulf Coast have any
         facts on this?