Concentration Camps?

Yesterday, a number of people from New Orleans testified before Congress. They were there to testify about whether racism played a role in the disaster that befell New Orleans.

Among the more astonishing comments was that the people on the various causeways seeking higher grounds were essentially in a concentration camp. The exact quote was:

"When the buses finally arrived, blacks and much of the poor were taken to so-called shelters and placed in concentration camp-like conditions at gunpoint. Whites and the more affluent were transported to white churches and other facilities and shelters."

Sorry to disappoint, but this is a concentration camp:



So is this:


This is not a concentration camp:



Just because you're not treated in the most optimal manner you deem sufficient doesn't mean that you're in a concentration camp. The fact that there were armed law enforcement and military troops around doesn't mean that you're in a concentration camp. Those military officers were there because of the consistent and pervasive reports of violence and were there to protect those who were trying to flee New Orleans. They weren't there to kill the residents of New Orleans.

But those kinds of distinctions are lost on those who have only demogogery to fall back upon. They have nothing of substance to offer those who want to come back to New Orleans.

UPDATE:
Submitted to Basil's Blog

UPDATE:
Newsbusters has more on the background of some of the people who testified at yesterday's hearings. It isn't pretty.

UPDATE 12/10/2005:
I missed Six Meat Buffet's comments on the 'concentration camp' comments by the loons who testified before Congress. He's also up for a Weblog award, so show him some love.