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Gustav prompts 'substantial' changes to RNC agenda
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Sen. John McCain says storm could make time wrong for political celebration
Bush likely to address convention, if there is one, via satellite, sources say
GOP source says convention may turn into a massive telethon
Gulf state governors already have canceled trips to convention

From same CNN article:

"...A senior McCain source said Saturday that officials were considering turning the convention into a massive telethon to raise money for the Red Cross and other agencies to help with hurricane aid.

"He wants to do something service oriented if and when the storm hits and it's as bad as it's expected to be now," the McCain source said.

They are also hoping to get McCain himself to a storm-affected area as soon as possible.

McCain had suggested to a Fox News interviewer that the convention could be suspended if it seemed that a festive gathering was inappropriate in light of the destruction the storm may bring...."

And for those, like me, whom just can't bare it... there's

banksy in da 'big easy'..

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Aug 31 2008 19:08 utc | 1

Left I has a good point: Apples and oranges, socialism and capitalism.

Posted by: D. Mathews | Aug 31 2008 20:32 utc | 2

Gustav is a very convenient way for the Republicans to eliminate Bush & Cheney from speaking at the convention. After all, no one wants voters to link those two with their chosen wrinkled windbag nominee.

It may backfire though. If the levees don't hold and N.O. is flooded again three years later, the entire Republican administration is going to be blamed for rebuilding Baghdad and letting New Orleans go down the crapper again. Add to that the Bush/McCain birthday cake photos from Katrina days and Bush staring out the window of his plane at the bodies floating far below.

We here on the north Gulf coast don't want any of them to visit and gawk, spout homilies and lies. They didn't give a shit then, and only give a shit now because it serves their political agenda.

Posted by: Ensley | Aug 31 2008 20:37 utc | 3

According to Reuters, UK:

The Cuban weather service said one of its stations measured a gust of 204 mph (340 kph), the highest ever recorded.

and, by the way...

The government reported some minor injuries. But hurricane deaths are rare in Cuba, where evacuations are well-organized and begin early.

Posted by: D. Mathews | Aug 31 2008 21:02 utc | 4

I read that this time Governor Jindal has preemtively ordered a mass evacuation of New Orleans and surroundings, but where are these people evacuating to? Some probably have friends or relatives they can go to, but the rest?

Posted by: Maxcrat | Aug 31 2008 21:05 utc | 5

Maxcrat, they are going to public shelters (schools, churches, govt buildings) in northern Louisiana and Texas, some to Mississippi.

Posted by: Ensley | Aug 31 2008 21:25 utc | 6

If you've ever been to an emergency shelter, you know its the last resort. I stop in one when Floyd was bearing down on the low country of South Caroline in '99. Already, 8 hours before the storm hit, every toilet was clogged, the gym of this high school reeked of human waste, the staff was exhausted and there was no food. So I went home, seeking death as a better alternative.... and to guard my library. No use trying the highway. It took almost 8 hours to go a mile that night.

Posted by: Diogenes | Aug 31 2008 23:29 utc | 7

I should add, for the sake of the chorus that will say I should have tried to leave earlier, that the highway was just as bad 12 hours earlier! Luckily, Floyd strayed north and we weren't hit as bad. I was 14 miles inland and they still expect storm surge to be a problem there. My thought and prayers go out to the Gulf coast tonight.

Posted by: Diogenes | Aug 31 2008 23:33 utc | 8

We who live on islands in the Caribbean have nowhere to run. People search for higher ground to not get flooded out, which is arguably the biggest threat a hurricane poses. Make sure you live in a cement house that is placed on firm (preferably rocky) ground. If your house isn't sturdy, go to a hotel (if you can afford it). I stay at home. Prior to the hurricane's arrival, stock up on canned goods (I buy tons of corned beef and sardines), drinking water and dry wood (to cook). You will expect to be stuck in your house until the fallen trees and electrical lines are cleared by authorities to enable you to get out and about. Of course, some people use event as an excuse to go on rum drinking binges (not a good idea).

Posted by: D. Mathews | Sep 1 2008 0:57 utc | 9

Photos from hurricane damage to our sister island of CUBA.

Posted by: D. Mathews | Sep 1 2008 1:22 utc | 10

maybe i should confess i have been ignoring gustav thinking it will just disappear(vanish) into thin air. that doesn't seem to be happening tho.

doesn't the world have enough on its plate?

Indian officials reported a death toll of 65 but said agencies put it much higher, possibly about 3000.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the situation as a "national calamity".

grinding teeth.

Posted by: annie | Sep 1 2008 2:20 utc | 11

Would you bet Gustav will led to a big show by federal government.

Posted by: Ventura, Marcos | Sep 1 2008 3:40 utc | 12

Gustav blogged from a data center in New Orleans (the same place where someone blogged Katarina)

Posted by: b | Sep 1 2008 5:26 utc | 13

So a category 2 hurricane already spills over those fine new levees in NOLA, and Bush says all is fine.

What would a cat 3, 4 or 5 have done?

Posted by: b | Sep 1 2008 19:00 utc | 14

I also find it amazing that that's the best the govt could do with the levees. Remember, the levees didn't breach until the day after Katrina hit. As well as the storm surge, the rainfall accumulation has a lot to do with whether they will hold or not. There is still heavy rain coming. It is storming here right now on the Florida-Alabama line on the east side of the hurricane.

Posted by: Ensley | Sep 1 2008 21:25 utc | 15