Learning from Hurricane Katrina - not repeat the errors or what was lacking

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

This week marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina forged a path of destruction along the Gulf Coast.

(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #1: The storm's sustained winds reached 175 miles per hour, making it a Category 5 hurricane.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #2: The famous Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. That's where there was a big breach in the levee.

RUSSEL HONORE: I don't think the storm was discriminating in any way.

MARTÍNEZ: That last voice was then-Army Lieutenant General Russel Honore. He became well-known in 2005 when he led the military response to Hurricane Katrina and has become a go-to crisis leader for the last 20 years. Our co-host Michel Martin spoke with the now-retired General Honore from his home in Baton Rouge.

MICHEL MARTIN, BYLINE: You got there two days after the storm made landfall in Louisiana. That was actually the second landfall. What stands out to you just when you first arrived in New Orleans?

HONORE: Well, I was the - flying in on the helicopter on Wednesday morning and then landed next to the Superdome. That was a sight to behold. Imagine 15,000 or so people standing outside the Superdome, then getting off that helicopter and making eye contact with people, and that look of desperation in their eyes to get out of there. And it broke my heart when I saw a lady with a toddler in a shopping basket, pushing that baby in the water. The water was up to the baby's chest, and she was trying to get into the Superdome to save her baby and herself. And I said, we got to get these people out of here. I walked in and saw the mayor, and he said, my priority is evacuation.

MARTIN: Had you ever seen anything like this?

HONORE: Nothing of this magnitude. Over 240,000 homes flooded in and around New Orleans.

MARTIN: How did you decide what to do first?

HONORE: Well, I listened to the priority of the mayor. And I left the mayor and went to see the governor, Blanco. Her priority was evacuation, provide food and water for people. This obviously was a logistics issue. The talking point on - most of the major media was covering alleged looting. It led the governor to a point to say, hey, the priority is to prevent the looting, where in essence, people went into the survival mode. But somehow it got portrayed in the national media as looting.

MARTIN: But isn't it also true that there were law enforcement agencies in the area who were also treating people like they were looting?

HONORE: Yeah. That was the assumption, in my observation, that - this prenotion that the poor is going to loot. It's a sad commentary, but it's built into our culture. And in some cases, adjacent parishes and municipalities blocked people from coming in because they said, well, these people are going to come loot our stuff. And, you know, 80% of the area did evacuate. And it was this big fear that the people who were left behind were going to go loot people's stuff, whereas in essence, what they were doing was going in to try to get food and water.

MARTIN: The memory that a lot of people have is that there were too many people in leadership positions that were seen as incompetent. In hindsight, is that fair?

HONORE: We have to take into account, when you have a major disaster, first of all, all your first responders are survivors. The storm overmatched the infrastructure. And it overmatched the ability for them to deal with it 'cause in a real crisis, the local leaders lose control because it's beyond their ability to immediately respond to. That's why we got these levels of government and federal organizations that need to be prepared to go in and help people.

MARTIN: Is there something that you think emergency response leaders have learned from Katrina or should have learned?

HONORE: Yeah, that you can't skip the preparedness phase. In the preparedness phase, if you're going to put people in a shelter, they have prepositioned food and water. But what changed their entire quick response to create those shelters was the fact, when the levees broke, people couldn't leave. And they were run out of their homes, and they were on the top of the interstate. And some of them were still on their roofs days later. And the people on the ground - there were people working their you-know-what off, trying to save lives.

MARTIN: Look, I know in the past when we've talked, you've emphasized that people also need to take care of themselves. They need to have a plan. They need to be able to get ahold of their important documents, for example. Do you think that people have taken that in?

HONORE: Let me tell you, Michel, we spend more time here getting ready for football season than we do hurricane season (laughter). Now, obviously, that 80% that evacuated - they may have - not have started off with a plan. But the alert system, I can't overemphasize, that came from the National Weather Service was significant in getting people to evacuate. And the 80% that evacuate, I will tell you, could evacuate. That 20% that didn't evacuate - most of those were poor people that - many of them didn't have cars, and the majority of them didn't have the means, Michel. Or, in the case of those that we took out of their homes, they didn't have the information or the means. And remember, most of them were elderly, disabled and poor, and most of them were by themselves. And when you're elderly, you don't want to leave your home.

MARTIN: Yeah.

HONORE: They want to stay 'cause they know where their medicine is. Many of them lived alone, as I said, and they'd got left out of the information system. And in some cases, the system failed them. The city did send people to pick them up, but at that time, you couldn't take a animal in a ambulance. And the elderly people said, well, I'm not leaving if I can't take my dog with me. We changed the law after that - a federal law that says if you're doing an evacuation, you have to have a shelter in place for the animals.

MARTIN: Wow.

HONORE: And that has been fixed.

MARTIN: If there's a lasting legacy of Katrina, what do you think the lasting legacy is?

HONORE: It's a reminder that on any given day, Mother Nature can break anything built by man. And when we get proper warning, we need to evacuate, and we need to be prepared to evacuate.

MARTIN: That is retired Lieutenant General Russel Honore. He coordinated the country's military response to Hurricane Katrina as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina. General, thank you so much for talking with us once again.

HONORE: Thank you, Michel, and be prepared to evacuate. I know you live in D.C. Be prepared to evacuate, 'cause you can flood up there, too.

MARTIN: OK.

HONORE: Get your checklist together and get ready.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

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Pions in the cog of society

 Pions in the cog of society. But we are not supposed to compare........neither we are simple statistics. - A.T. Yoda Brooks

 

 

Artist source: dreamstime.com 

Plugging a Name to get a Job or Position: Not feeling it today

 Plugging a Name to get a Job or Position: Not feeling that approach today. Name to get a Job or Position: Not feeling it today. Sometimes you want to stand independently...straight up!!! If we must conform to the system so be it but required too? My thoughts on this might sound disrespectful or ungrateful which is baloney! Defeatism and quitting in this economic race might back firer. The Right "too"...in the America we desire has many rights. Free and independently if we chose to!!! - A.T. Yoda Brooks

Job Market/Front Advice

 When receiving messages about jobs/recruiters …... First, I ask are the foreign based recruiters always legit?

Searching crypto currently. Not just yet ready to rebuild my portfolio. For example, the USDC is same value as the U.S. dollar but in crypto form? Then I question the value of it. What is the best crypto for someone to enter into to turn a profit in 30 to 90 days with a small investment?

Peace, love and prosperity.

On the Edge: Starting a business or launching this blog into an organization

Recently send this feed back to Google for information; Easier instruction on monetizing the blog including add sense would be helpful. My goal s to develop the site into an organization not necessarily political leaning giving back & coordinating projects within to the community also offline. Wanting to get this idea off the ground. The below is information which may provide clarity; personally awaiting input from the partner. Thank you!

 

In Florida, a sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure, offering no liability protection, while an LLC (Limited Liability Company) provides liability protection and flexibility, and a nonprofit is designed for organizations pursuing public or private charitable interests. Each has distinct characteristics in terms of liability, taxation, and operational requirements. [1, 2, 3]

 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

 

Sole Proprietorship:

• Definition: A business owned and run by one person with no legal distinction between the owner and the business. [4]
• Liability: The owner is personally liable for all business debts and obligations. [1, 5, 6]
• Taxation: Profits are taxed at the owner's individual income tax rate, with potential self-employment taxes. [7, 8]
• Formation: Simple and inexpensive to establish, often requiring only a fictitious name registration if operating under a name other than the owner's. [4, 6]
• Flexibility: High degree of flexibility in decision-making and operations as the owner has full control. [5, 6]
• Limitations: Lack of liability protection is a major drawback, and it can be challenging to raise capital or expand. [5, 6]

Limited Liability Company (LLC):

• Definition: A business structure that combines the pass-through taxation of a partnership or sole proprietorship with the limited liability of a corporation. [1, 9]
• Liability: Offers liability protection, shielding the owner's personal assets from business debts and lawsuits. [2, 10]
• Taxation: Can choose to be taxed as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation (C-corp or S-corp). [9, 11]
• Formation: Requires filing Articles of Organization with the Florida Department of State and appointing a registered agent. [12, 13, 14, 15]
• Flexibility: Offers flexibility in management and operations, including the ability to have multiple members. [10, 16]
• Advantages: Provides liability protection, potential tax benefits, and greater credibility with investors and clients. [2, 10]

Nonprofit:

• Definition: An organization formed for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes, not for generating profit. [1, 1, 17, 17, 18, 19]
• Liability: Offers liability protection, similar to an LLC, for its members and directors, provided it operates within the legal framework. [3, 3, 20, 20]
• Taxation: Can apply for tax-exempt status with the IRS (501(c)(3)), meaning it's exempt from federal income tax on income related to its exempt purpose. [17, 17, 20, 20]
• Formation: Requires filing Articles of Incorporation with the Florida Department of State and applying for federal tax-exempt status. [13, 14, 15, 20, 20]
• Operational Limitations: Subject to regulations regarding its activities, fundraising, and distribution of funds, with restrictions on using income for private benefit. [3, 3, 17, 17, 21, 21]
• Funding: Primarily relies on donations, grants, and fundraising activities to support its mission. [17, 17, 20, 20]

 

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.capecoral.gov/entrepreneur_guide/legal_structure.php

[2] https://www.zenbusiness.com/sole-proprietorship-vs-llc/

[3] https://www.upcounsel.com/llc-vs-nonprofit

[4] https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/start-business/corporate-structure/

[5] https://www.virtualpostmail.com/blog/article/sole-proprietorship-vs-llc-everything-you-need-to-know/

[6] https://boyerlawfirm.com/blog/single-member-llc-sole-proprietorship/

[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMoHLb3U6Sw

[8] https://gusto.com/resources/articles/taxes/florida-small-business-taxes

[9] https://nchinc.com/blog/business-funding-tip/do-i-incorporate-or-form-an-llc-in-florida/

[10] https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/llc-vs-sole-proprietorship

[11] https://www.findlaw.com/smallbusiness/starting-a-business/sole-proprietorship-vs-llc.html

[12] https://cindysfloridallc.com/FL-LLC-Benefits/LLC-vs-Sole-Proprietorship

[13] https://tremblylaw.com/blog/florida-llc-rules-everything-you-need-to-know/

[14] https://ceriniandassociates.com/florida-nonprofit-requirements/

[15] https://www.flpatellaw.com/sole-proprietorship-in-florida/

[16] https://wyomingllcattorney.com/Blog/Florida-LLC-vs-Sole-Proprietorship

[17] https://www.resilia.com/blog/nonprofit-vs-llc-which-one-is-right-for-you

[18] https://www.gibperk.com/understanding-pennsylvanias-business-entity-options-legal-considerations-for-entrepreneurs/

[19] https://incfile.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001775031-Forming-a-Nonprofit-Corporation

[20] https://www.zenbusiness.com/nonprofit-llc-vs-nonprofit-corporation/

[21] https://www.upcounsel.com/should-a-nonprofit-be-an-llc-or-corporation

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How to Start a Sole Proprietorship in Florida

by Chamber of Commerce Team

We might receive compensation from the companies whose products we review. We are independently owned and the opinions here are our own.

• What is a sole proprietorship?
• How to set up a sole proprietorship in Florida
• How is a sole proprietorship different from an LLC?
• Best LLC services
• What are the benefits of being a sole proprietor in Florida?
• How are sole proprietors taxed in Florida?
• FAQs

Once you’ve decided to start a business, you have a series of other important decisions to make, including what the structure will be. As a sole proprietor, you are the sole person affiliated with your business. While this is a simple structure, there are still formal processes you must follow to get your business set up in Florida.

This guide will explain what a sole proprietorship is, how it differs from other business structures, and provide instructions for business owners to set one up in the Sunshine State.

What is a sole proprietorship?

A sole proprietorship is a business entity that refers to a business that is unincorporated and has a single owner. This is the simplest possible structure to set up a business. While there can only be one owner, a sole proprietorship can have employees and obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

As a sole proprietor, your business profits are taxed as a part of your personal income. This makes the process simple, but can also expose you to personal liability in some cases.

How to set up a sole proprietorship in Florida

1. Choose your business name

Florida law allows you to operate a sole proprietorship under a name other than your own. While you can use your name, most people choose a specific business name. If you want to do this, you should first search the Florida Department of State’s website to see if the name you chose is taken or if something similar exists.

State laws require the name of your business to be unique, and you may want to check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s website to ensure you don’t face trademark infringement issues.

2. File a trade name

If you do use a name that is different from your legal name, Florida requires you to register the trade name. You can do this by mailing the Trade Name Form to the Department of State or using the Online Fictitious Name Registration form.

There is a $50 filing fee if you decide to operate under a trade name. You will also be required to publish the name in a local newspaper within the county where your business will operate as a “legal notice of intent to file a fictitious business name”. This newspaper must meet certain requirements such as being at least 25% in English and published at least once per week.

3. Obtain licenses, permits, and zoning clearance if needed

Depending on the industry of your business, you may need to obtain a variety of business licenses or permits. This is managed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), though some areas like health care are licensed by independent areas.

You should also explore local regulations like building permits and zoning clearances where appropriate.

4. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

If you’re planning a new hire, you need to obtain an EIN. This nine-digit number is issued by the IRS and used for tax purposes when you need to report wages. You can file for an EIN online through the IRS website.

If you do not have employees, you can use your Social Security Number to file taxes and are not required to have an EIN. However, some banks will require new business owners to have an EIN to open a business bank account, so you may want one anyway.

How is a sole proprietorship different from an LLC?

A Florida LLC is a limited liability company that can be formed by one or multiple people. The primary difference in an LLC is that it is a separate legal entity from the owner. In other words, your business and your personal assets are separate. With an LLC, taxes are filed separately and the business’ liability does not translate to the owner.

Setting up a sole proprietorship is simpler than setting up an LLC because it does not have the same business tax implications.

If you’re freelancing, you might wonder if you need to set up a sole prop. If you plan to hire freelancers, then yes. To hire others, you need a business structure like a sole proprietorship.

If you don’t plan to hire anyone, you can continue to freelance and pay taxes on the income without setting up a sole prop.

Best LLC services

Our picks for LLC formation services

https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/sole-proprietorship/florida

A Saying from Moms "Don't count your chickens before the eggs hatch"

 A Saying A Saying from Moms "Don't count your chickens before the eggs hatch" from Moms "Don't count your chickens before the eggs hatch". Mindful of this on the front.

Anti-Trump No Kings protests flood American streets ahead of military parade

    This is a national movement Checks & Balances blogspot unapologetically supports. I attended the peaceful rally in St. Petersburg , FL on June 14, 2025. What was lost was not diversity which was sufficiently represented but this was historically already USA Flag Day! I am not offended by persons who fly the Trump Country flags when they do such asserting that above the stars & strips the official flag of the United States of America that goes beyond politics. Fly them together is they must!  Proudly supporting democracy freedom while opposing extremism and damn politicly zealots. A lengthy video of the event can be found under not just my instagram but that of other peaceful activists. Peace, love and unity. - A. T. Yoda Brooks

"No Kings protests rippled peacefully across dozens of cities, both in the U.S. and overseas, to stand against the Trump administration's large-scale military parade on Saturday. But they came against the backdrop of apparent political violence in Minnesota, where a state lawmaker was killed in her home.

Organizers estimated that more than 5 million people participated in more 2,000 planned protests, according to spokesperson Eunic Ortiz. Events were also held in Germany and France, according to the AP. While protests were peaceful, police in Culpeper, Va., arrested a man who "intentionally accelerated his vehicle into the dispersing crowd," at the end of a protest. One person was hit, but no one was hurt, police said." 

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/14/nx-s1-5432708/no-kings-protests-military-parade

Shiny Star - Always Loyal

“ The theory that observing a system or phenomenon can alter it is known as the observer effect, particularly prominent in quantum mechanics, where the act of measurement inherently influences the system being observed. “

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Quantum Mechanics:

  In quantum mechanics, the observer effect arises because the act of observation, or measurement, is an interaction that can disturb the quantum system, causing it to change its state. 
• Examples:

  • Double-Slit Experiment: A classic example is the double-slit experiment, where observing the path of an electron through the slits causes it to behave as a particle, while not observing it allows it to behave as a wave. 
  • Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle: This principle states that the more precisely you know the position of a particle, the less precisely you know its momentum (and vice versa), and vice versa. 
• Beyond Physics:

  The concept of the observer effect extends beyond physics, influencing fields like sociology, psychology, and linguistics, where the act of observing can alter the behavior of the subjects being studied. 
• Mitigation:

  In behavioral studies, researchers use strategies like physiological measures, habituation, naturalistic observation, blinding, computer-based testing, and pilot testing to mitigate the observer effec

Generative AI is experimental.