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."
SHEESH, I can't stand that man!! Instead of flapping those lips MR. jackass, why aren't you down in N.O like Sean Penn and boating through the streets to help your fellow community brother to safer grounds.....YOU SOB!!
By his logic, I am lucky to survive. Born and raised in Iowa. but now living in California. My god how did I survive the culture shock.
Jesse Jackson is nothing but a poverty pimp.
He disgusts me.
This could well be the event that tips the political tide in Louisiana.
Hallelujah!
I just heard on CNN that Donna Brazile has relatives now taking refuge in Texas, as well as a sister, mentally disabled, who she cannot find. This sister was living, according to Brazile, in a YWCA assisted living facility, and her father was of very little means, no credit card, etc.
Does anyone know what Donna Brazile is worth? How could she let her own 75 year old father be placed in a refugee facility? And let her poor 46 year old sister possibly die in the flood? I am beginning to suspect that Donna Brazile is a selfish, uncaring thoughtless woman.
I wonder what she earns?
He's a real prince, isn't he?
(in my best Foghorn voice)
"thisa here lady Jackson Lee, is about as sharp as a bag full of wet mice"
Doogle
Liberals, democRATS, socialists, professional victims on the lookout for the next opportunity to file lawsuits / demand reparations, ad nauseam...
God knows, we don't want anyone to know conservatives are good, caring people. No no, can't have that!
I do not know but if I earned $25,000 per year I would give it to those in my family less physically able to care for themselves and I WOULD DO WITOUT.
Right, just like it's racist to call somebody niggardly. What an ignorant jacka$$.
Don't underestimate socialism. There is a method to their madness. I suspect their true intentions are much more heinous than the public considers. Socialism isn't simply an alternate political persuasion, it's an arrogant sickness.
Translation: Jesse is worried about the loss of the democrat voter base in New Orleans.
I'm shocked!
No I'm not. Just sick to my stomach.
Well that's Jesse Jackson for ya.
In the midst of a National Emergency, he has to go and make fun of the way the president speaks.
It is the only civilized thing I can say for that man.
It's a long ways from home," he said. "It's a long way from where they have lived, where they were acculturated."
Who knows, once they get away from that welfare cesspool the Jacksons like to keep their constituents in they may actually make a better life for themselves. As for being "acculturated" maybe they can reculturate and have a better quality of life than they had before.
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