Bush failed to order Navy hospital ship to provide aid to New Orleans survivors; it was ready and waiting 


The Chicago Tribune reported that the Navy had an 844-foot ship, the USS Bataan, just offshore of New Orleans and already prepared to respond with aid to the hurricane survivors and only waiting the permission of the President, but Bush didn't give the order. 

The USS Bataan has the ability to make up to 100,000 gallons of fresh water a day. It has helicopters, doctors, 6 operating rooms, 600 hospital beds, food, and 1,200 sailors. It followed the hurricane towards New Orleans and was sitting there waiting to help immediately after the storm struck the coast. The Tribune reported, "By Friday evening the sizeable medical staff on board the Bataan also hadn't been given its mission."

Democracy Now! reported that Lt. Commander Sean Kelly told the BBC, "We had things ready. The only caveat is: we have to wait until the president authorizes us ..." 

Posted: Tuesday - September 06, 2005 at 11:26 AM          


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