# New weird rumor- N.O. Jews got out sooner than most. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 4, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087 "2005-09-04T20:16:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/21 "2005-09-05T18:04:22Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > The pagans are probably still there arguing over which way is East and who’s got the corkscrew for the ceremonial mead… The agnostics are probably arguing about whether or not there really is a flood, and if it’s possible to know one way or the other… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/22 "2005-09-06T12:38:47Z")
**It wasn’t us this time!** Everybody knows hurricanes are caused by butterflies in China flapping their wings… and there are hardly any Jews in China – blame the Chinese for egging all those butterflies into flapping! As a bonus, please note that there is a gorwing Muslim population in China. More muslims -\> More butterflies flapping -\> worse hurricanes… coincidence? I don’t think so! :rolleyes: Dani (disclaimer for the Black-Humor impaired: This is Black Humor. Deal with it) ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/23 "2005-09-06T12:49:18Z")
The Baptists are rejoicing that so many people were baptised at once. The Catholic priests are setting up homes for young boys. The Mormons are distributing food from their pantries. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/24 "2005-09-06T12:57:17Z")
There was this guy named Moses, and they walked out of N.O. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/25 "2005-09-06T13:02:24Z")
In all seriousness, in my experience up here in Saint Paul, there is more of a sense of a jewish “Community”. My son goes to the JCC (Jewish Community Center) for daycare, and there are old jewish ladies in my neighborhood that know who I am because he goes there. I suspect that the same is true in NO, and because of that they knew who was without transport and who needed help. So I could believe that rumor. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/26 "2005-09-06T13:11:05Z")
I don’t see this one making sense or having any staying power even as a rumor. The WTC thing could convince a small number of people because the stakes were so high and the outcome so unexpected: Stay at home, all’s cool, but go to work like 90% of your fellow building tenants, you’re facing a completely unexpected calamity that puts you at sudden and significant threat of death. If anyone **had** had insider knowledge of this human-caused deathtrap, it’d have been extremely valuable. Katrina: (1) Was not human caused (even most fringe types would agree); (2) Because not the result of any demonstrable secret plotting, provides little opportunity to plausibly theorize that some “insider” was privy to an preferentially used information about the plot (unlike the 9/11 story, where we know for sure there were at least 19 secret plotters, so the additional hypothesis that the Mossad or whatever got wind of that plot is within the realm of spy novel implausibility). As far as we know, everyone had equal access to NOAA and the Weather Channel, and made their own call. (3) Most importantly, I think, was not a catastrophe in which “secret advance notice” was some sort of life-and-death advantage. Everyone knew things could get ugly in a direct hit. [http://www.xs4all.nl/~egbg/counterscript.html](http://www.xs4all.nl/~egbg/counterscript.html) The government told everyone to evacuate. They had 36 hours to do so. _And almost everyone who wanted to did_. Not too many photos came out of the last Hebrew-laden helicopters departing a desperate N.O. while Gentiles clutched at the landing struts. So, I don’t get it. Even if some Jewish guy got his theoretical secret tip-off, it didn’t give him much meaningful advantage (except maybe getting a nicer room by arriving at the Memphis Motel 6 earlier?) over the Aryans ‘left behind,’ because not many were. The small number of people who didn’t evacuate when repeatedly told to do were the sick and decrepit and utterly poor (and, let’s face it, the stupid and venal), who probably had and have far worse immediate problems than a (remarkably pointless) Zionist conspiracy. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/27 "2005-09-06T13:14:27Z")
Er, for the hyperlink to make a little (no, a lot) more sense, substitute: [http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3kt.htm](http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3kt.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/28 "2005-09-06T13:21:51Z")
This is ironic to me. The one person I actually know who’s been holing up in NO is Jewish. He’s a musician and instrument dealer who’s apparently a bit of a survivalist – he’d stocked food, water and such and claimed to be packing heat to guard his shop… ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/29 "2005-09-06T17:38:22Z")
> [@Noone Special](#): > > **It wasn’t us this time!** Everybody knows hurricanes are caused by butterflies in China flapping their wings… and there are hardly any Jews in China – blame the Chinese for egging all those butterflies into flapping! > > As a bonus, please note that there is a gorwing Muslim population in China. More muslims -\> More butterflies flapping -\> worse hurricanes… coincidence? I don’t think so! :rolleyes: Pfft. Nice straw man y’got there. Everyone knows that hurricanes are caused by butterflies in BRAZIL. Which, as everyone knows, has a thriving Jewish population. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/30 "2005-09-06T22:38:00Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > (1) [Hurricane Katrina] was not human caused (even most fringe types would agree) Of course it wasn’t. Everyone knows Dick Cheney isn’t human! > [@FriarTed](#): > > (For all the complaints about C’tian Zionism not caring about them except as pawns in the End Times drama, there does exist among many Fundist C’tians a near-superstitious awe & favor towards them.) The first thing I thought of when I read the OP was the twelve plagues of Egypt. (It was twelve, right? I can never remember if it was twelve plagues and seven dwarves, or seven plagues and twelve dwarves. I can never keep my plagues and dwarves straight.) I’m wondering if this rumor got started as one of those “Katrina was God’s Righteous Judgement on the Wicked” stories going around, with “The Jews got out early” tacked on as proof that God tipped a wink about the coming catastrophe to his chosen people. The other thing I’m thinking is that, of all the religious groups out there, the Jews are probably the least likely to stay put and expect God to keep them safe. From previous experience, I expect they’d know better by now. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/31 "2005-09-07T00:07:19Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The first thing I thought of when I read the OP was the twelve plagues of Egypt. (It was twelve, right? I can never remember if it was twelve plagues and seven dwarves, or seven plagues and twelve dwarves. I can never keep my plagues and dwarves straight.) I’m pretty sure it was ten plagues. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/32 "2005-09-07T02:14:42Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m pretty sure it was ten plagues. For you, we have a special deal…2 extra for the same price! What’s not to like!!! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/33 "2005-09-07T02:17:41Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > For you, we have a special deal…2 extra for the same price! What’s not to like!!! What great timing! I know exactly who I’d like to hit with two plagues right about now. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/34 "2005-09-07T04:21:24Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > Pfft. Nice straw man y’got there. Everyone knows that hurricanes are caused by butterflies in BRAZIL. Which, as everyone knows, has a thriving Jewish population. As well as escaped Nazi war criminals. The plot thickens. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/35 "2005-09-07T04:41:43Z")
**You** try staying in the path of an oncoming hurricane when your Jewish mother has your phone number. ---
**Author:** ![OliverTwistofLime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b487fb/32.png) [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/36 "2005-09-07T06:32:29Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > One of the threads on this board actually had an assertion that one particular community of N.O. Jews chose to stay. I have found nothing on Google News and do not know what prompted that remark. Dear Friends, Like all of you, I have watched on television the devastation Hurricane Katrina has caused in New Orleans and the communities along the Gulf Coast. Although the full scope of its impact is only now being assessed, in addition to significant loss of life, literally everyone in the region has been somehow affected. United Jewish Communities, our umbrella organization, has been active in working closely with the Jewish Federation in New Orleans, which has set up temporary headquarters at the Houston Federation. Miraculously, they are already offering immediate relief services to those along the Gulf Coast, as well as planning for the long-term rehabilitation of these communities. There are almost 10,000 full-time Jewish residents in New Orleans, not to mention a large population of Jewish students attending colleges in the area. Approximate! ly half of the full time residents evacuated their homes in advance of the storm, but not everyone was able to leave. The vast majority of the homes of members of the Jewish community have been destroyed. As of today, 300 residents of the Jewish Home for the Aging need emergency evacuation. At least one synagogue in New Orleans, Shaar Hadash, is under water, and another is heavily damaged. The JCC and communal services building has been destroyed. The need for cash assistance, temporary housing, access to health care and personal counseling are enormous. Beyond New Orleans, the Jewish communities in Mobile, Biloxi and throughout the region also have similar needs. As a Jewish community that has experienced our own share of natural disasters, we are all well aware of the importance of assistance from the broader American Jewish community. Today, I have in consultation with other senior lay leaders, instructed our President to disburse $100,000 from ! monies approved for allocation by the JFC Board. These funds were part of the contingency reserve, set aside for unexpected needs such as this disaster. The funds have been sent to the United Jewish Communities to be utilized in the most effective way possible as they begin to address the highest-priority needs. We have also opened up a special relief fund so that members of the Los Angeles Jewish community can assist our fellow Jewish communities in the Gulf Coast. I am happy to report that we have already received some generous unsolicited donations. To make an online donation please click here and specify “UJF-Hurricane Relief Fund” in the pull-down menu on the New Pledge and Payment screen. In addition, donations can also be made by calling 323-761-8200 or sending a check to The Jewish Federation, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90048, made payable to “The Jewish Federation” with the words “Hurricane Relief Fund” in the memo line. All contributions will be solely used for this purpose. We hope you will share this information with your family friends and colleagues. I know that our Jewish community will respond to this disaster with compassion and generosity. Thank you. Harriet Hochman Chair of the Board The Jewish Federation ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/37 "2005-09-14T17:36:56Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > As well as escaped Nazi war criminals. > > The plot thickens. :rolleyes: The escaped Nazis are in Argentina, you…you… olive loaf! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/38 "2005-09-14T18:16:03Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > :rolleyes: The escaped Nazis are in Argentina, you…you… olive loaf! Not just Argentina, though. ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/39 "2005-09-15T15:19:31Z")
> [@LaurAnge](#): > > **You** try staying in the path of an oncoming hurricane when your Jewish mother has your phone number. OK, I declare this the funniest post in a thread chock full of funny posts. Sua ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087/40 "2005-09-15T17:18:12Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m pretty sure it was ten plagues. That’s all well and good, but what about the dwarves? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-weird-rumor-n-o-jews-got-out-sooner-than-most/320087.md?page=3)