Ben DeSoto/Houston Chronicle Jesse Jackson, center, U.S. Rep. Al Green left, and U.S. Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee hold a press conference before touring the Astrodome.
Posted on 09/05/2005 2:04:37 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Ben DeSoto/Houston Chronicle Jesse Jackson, center, U.S. Rep. Al Green left, and U.S. Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee hold a press conference before touring the Astrodome.
Joining two of Houston's most prominent black legislators in slamming the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said today that evacuees shouldn't be shipped to distant states and shouldn't be referred to as "refugees."
Jackson said he appreciated the willingness of states as far away as Utah and Minnesota to take in evacuees but suggested such plans take them too far from their families and the homes that must be rebuilt.
"It's a long ways from home," he said. "It's a long way from where they have lived, where they were acculturated."
If evacuees are living thousands of miles away, he said, they can't be in on the jobs and economic opportunities that will arise as their communities are rebuilt. He proposed using military bases in Louisiana, such as the mothballed England Air Force Base in Alexandria. Evacuees could live in dorms and tent cities.
Jackson said evacuees from the Gulf Coast are not refugees, a word he believes suggests subhumans or criminals.
"It is racist to call American citizens refugees,'' he said.
After touring the Reliant Astrodome today, Jackson blamed the federal government for many of the problems evacuees now face. The government should have assisted New Orleans with evacuation efforts before the storm struck and has been far to slow in its wake to rescue those left in the city and provide aid, he said.
"As the waters subside, the death toll could be astronomical, of frightening dimensions, because we've been so slow to act," Jackson said
U.S. Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, D-Houston and U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency left New Orleans unprotected.
"This was a test case, and we failed," Jackson Lee said.
Jackson also lambasted the Louisiana office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, saying it should have let the Red Cross into New Orleans immediately after the hurricane passed one week ago.
Homeland security officials told the Red Cross not to enter the city because they were trying to get residents out, not encourage them to stay, because most of the city was still under water, and because armed gangs of looters were in the streets.
Marsha Evans, president of the American Red Cross, said today the agency was ready to go in. Its volunteers understood the danger and were willing to do their jobs, she said.
"The decision not to let them in was not sound," Jackson said. "The danger was exaggerated."
The federal government has been taking criticism from all quarters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune, in an open letter, called upon Bush to fire every official at FEMA.
"We're angry, Mr. President,'' the newspaper said in an open letter.
If criticism of the federal government has been sharp, Jackson and other political leaders were happy to praise the efforts of Houston and the state of Texas, where one quarter of a million of Louisiana's refugees have landed.
"I'm so proud of Houston," Jackson Lee said. "This city has done a wonderful job."
Says something about Mr. (I refuse to sully the name of "Reverend" by associating it with him) Jackson when he thinks that "refugee" equals "subhuman" or "criminal". Does he seriously think that all "refugees" in Africa are subhuman?
He's calculating.
Well said Suzie!
Perhaps some may come to the realization that self determination is a much faster route to prominence than the direction given by a bureaucracy.
Great point!
Jesse, you need to get a full time job so you can make those child support payments on your love child.
> Have these people asked these FOOLS to speak for them?
When the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer (J Jackson), then every problem has the appearance of needing a nail (the race card).
Does he even think?
Don't worry Jesse. More white folks than black folks will decamp, never to come back. When the jobs go, folks go. That is the American way.
"People of all races were displaced because of Katrina. This man gets more idiotic every day."
People of all races and genders have been displaced since the beginning of mankind. Life, it happens. Jackson should know this since he's had his own life altering mishaps(illegitmate children) while he's a married man.
J. Jackson exposes more of his ignorance. He needs to put up(his own shelter(s)) or shut up and stop being a hindrance to survivors. If Jackson thinks it's so easy to rescue, feed and shelter 200,000 to 500,000 people inside one week let the fool try. Oh yeah, he knows better.
Only if one doesn't consider "extortionist" a job.
Note to Je$$E, when I see you pledge 20% of your networth to help the REFUGEES then I'll listen OTW stay in Chicago you carpetbagger....
Translation: "Make sure they are put back in the ghetto where they belong!"
Jackson whines, "I can't donate to the Katrina survivors man! I got too many (illegitimate)babies of my own to feed and diaper. There's only enough cash to siphon off for my needs from the Rainbow Coalition man!"
Dear Rev. Jackson,
I was "acculturated" in Los Angeles. And currently reside in Jacksonville. I have done fine. These people will do fine, but then you being a liberal don't think these folks can think on thier own without you telling them what to think. So my suggestion to you is go back to Chicago where you were "acculturated." and SHUT UP!
Gee, I wonder how that happened? Perhaps the same way terrorists from all over the Middle East are referred to as Iraqi "insurgents" as if they are natives?
By all means, let's cater to ignorance...
Actually, I replied before post #72 showed up. The posts were flying ("fast and furious").
By the way, since you responded to my "rudeness" rather than my advice, you'll probably continue to make similar mistakes.
I learned, several decades ago, to respond to the substance of criticism, rather than my perception of its tone. Some people never learn.
Refugees can seek relief in their own country if they are being persecuted or if there is a civil war or other unrest.
Jesse claimed that the term is "racist" and that it implies they are "criminals" or "subhuman". He's a bigot based on his perceptions of what a refugee is.
These same leftists are also saying (not implying) that the government deliberately withheld aid and rescue efforts becuase (A)they were predominately poor, (B) they were predominately black, and (C) they predominately voted for Kerry.
They ignore the skin color of the mayor who now sits in office figuring out what to do with flooded buses that could have been used to evacuate people.
Landrieu will have a hard time winning the next election if her base is moved out. She only won by 40,000 votes.
Oh shut up and get off your high horse idiot.
Yes they have, however never in a political atmosphere as we have to contemplate today.
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