Dennis Prager: Astrodome inadequate. Take the Katrina victims into your home

http://www.dennisprager.com/ ^

[EveningStar]

Dennis Prager has just suggested that folks open up their homes to Katrina victims. Invite them to stay there for a month. The Astromdome is not the place to house people. The state is not the proper entity to take care of these victims. The citizens should do it. Dennis himself is going to open up his home to a family.

Dennis is a great person.

[conservative cat]

Sounds like something my husband would offer up, too.

[elbucko]

Prager should have suggested utilizing closed military bases..they've got secure perimeters, barracks, messhalls, infirmaries.

Much, much better idea than private homes. Comfortable enough to be relief from the storm, yet not so comfortable as to become permanent (though some will try to make it so). A centralized place to deal with medical, psychological, and other storm related problems. Yeah, some would call them "Internment Camps", but if a cot of my own was home when I was in Uncle Sams Army, a cot of their own is better than the Astro-Turf of the Astrodome.

[wideawake]

I'm willing to put up four people for three months if NJ isn't too far away.

However, I can't take just any four people for the reasons I described.

[dfwgator]

How easy would it be to do background checks. I know that may sound callous, but sadly, that's what you have to do. Would I just need to get a SSN from the person? Or are their agencies that can do that work up front? I'm just trying to do some research.

[Major_Risktaker]

Dennis Prager has just suggested that folks open up their homes to Katrina victims. Invite them to stay there for a month.

I said the same thing before the hurricane to some of my wealth friends. They told my I was crazy and they pay taxes to the cover those problems.

I said the President and VP should set the example and invite a family into each of the peoples house for a while and the just didn't get it.

Dennis Prager is right!

If you have the room I endorse the idea and Jesse Jackson, Rev. Sharpton and the Black Caucus should open their homes, I'm sure their big enough.

[johnny7]

“ ...are you opening your home to a young mother and her two kids, or are you opening your home to an adult male drug addict who committed rape before he left the Superdome?

They'd slit all your throats and assume your identities... the libs call it 'self-determination'.

[EveningStar]

You're a good person. :)

[faithincowboys]

Dennis is nuts... Have you seen the people from New Orleans. I think Prager should lead the way on this....

[uncbob]

I hear John Kerry and Teddy Kennedy have several very large vacation homes
Maybe they will make them available

[CaptainK]

Don't mean to be a spoil sport, but here in NY, once an individual is given access to your home, it takes a stick of judicial dynamite to get them out when asked to leave. And there are tons of lawyers who would be panting to take the case, pro bono.

[uncbob]

And the residents could get some sort of Workfare maintaining the places.

You think that many will like that idea
That's slavery

[sinkspur]

BE CAREFUL

Inviting a stranger into your home puts you at risk for petty theft, violent crime and everything in between, experts say. Among the precautions they recommend for anyone considering doing so:

Formulate a series of questions to ask people, preferably ones that speak to their character. Where did they come from? Were they working? If so, where? Did they attend a church? Can anyone vouch for them?

Lay out your expectations. How long are you willing to house someone? Are any places in the home off-limits? Will they have access to all food? Will they be allowed to drink alcohol? Can they come and go as they please? Consider putting everything in writing, then signing it.

Make sure you are in a position to help before you offer anything. If your heart is bigger than your resources, it can frustrate those you try to help.

Know that not taking someone into your home doesn't eliminate your ability to help.

SOURCES: Jon Edmonds, former president and CEO of the Foundation for Community Empowerment; Omar Jahwar, executive director of the nonprofit youth group Vision Regeneration

[heartwood]

One problem is the young mother's boyfriend, brothers and cousins. If I lived close, I think we still would take in someone.

[dfwgator]

Roger that. And one requirement that I will make is just as I help them, while they stay with us, they help others who are not as fortunate. If everyone took this approach, we can whip this thing. Pay it Forward!

[szweig]

There is lots of room in N. California near Manzanar.

[wideawake]

Don't mean to be a spoil sport, but here in NY, once an individual is given access to your home, it takes a stick of judicial dynamite to get them out when asked to leave.

Ooh, I forgot about that, too.

A lot of nasty problems that's caused many good-hearted people.

[EveningStar]

Dennis is leading the way. He is opening up his own home.

I'm sure that most of the NO victims are decent people.

[verity]

You first, Dennis.

[dfwgator]

Thanks for the info. Damn lawyers. I suppose now I have to draw up some kind of contract and all that mumbo jumbo.

[Kokojmudd]

I'd rather donate to Samaritan's Purse or a similar organization plus I don't have much room. However, I would be willing to take in a low maintenance small pet like a hermit crab.