'Not in my back yard' cry holding up FEMA trailers

NOLA ^ | 12/26/05 | Rob Nelson

[Pikamax]

'Not in my back yard' cry holding up FEMA trailers Emotional tone of opposition hints at role of stereotypes of race, class Monday, December 26, 2005 By Rob Nelson and James Varney%%par%%Staff writers As officials desperately seek temporary housing locations for New Orleans families whose homes were shattered months ago by Hurricane Katrina, the best site in the minds of many residents is clear: somewhere else.

In one of the post-Katrina era's ironic role reversals, the same local officials and residents who once screamed at FEMA to get trailers to New Orleans quickly are now fending off the 17,777 trailers that FEMA has on hand in Louisiana and says it can deliver immediately.

[caryatid]

they are not spread out   =  they are now spread out ...

[caryatid]

Nobody with half a heart could condemn the whole state for a few bad apples that get the press.

 

Amen to that.

[CajunConservative]

Why is it that the people who are most "tired" of the people affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita seem to be the ones who have done the least to help?

I don't think a lot of people truly grasp the vast area of devastation. They haven't heard about the mandatory evacuations keeping people out of their homes for several weeks to months making the recovery take longer. Some areas are still closed to home owners.

Many don't understand that there are many people who have insurance being screwed over by the insurance companies.

Some people have lost their jobs simply because their jobs are no longer there. More will lose their jobs if we don't get the workers back so that businesses can open and operate normally instead of on a modified shortened schedule.

I could go on and on. There are some really good things going on too. People are more open and talking to their neighbors. Most people here have a good sense of humor about things and are laughing instead of crying. They decorated the debris piles and stumps for Christmas.

[caryatid]

Most people here have a good sense of humor about things and are laughing instead of crying ...

... the indomitable spirit of good folks triumphing over adversity.

I wish that some FReepers would take their blinders off so that they would be able to understand what is going on and to see how much good is going on along the Gulf Coast right now.

[teenyelliott]

I am not complaining. I am saying that for all the people about whom you are referring, I don't care what happens to them.

Heartless? Probably. But I have no pity for those who sit on their butts. I don't care how many generations they have been on welfare.

With an attitude like yours, "Well, they must be given more free crap because they can't live any other way", they will never get any better.

At some point, the generational welfare cases must sink or swim, or it will just get worse. This is a perfect time.

[caryatid]

With an attitude like yours, "Well, they must be given more free crap because they can't live any other way", they will never get any better.

Not so fast, teeny. You haven't the slightest comprehension of what my attitude is. Don't make the mistake of putting your words in my mouth!

This country has a real problem on our hands with this mess and it will not be solved by merely kicking these folks out of hotels ... even though I did not believe they should have been there in the first place.

The problem is much larger than just indigent people. You would have us believe that simply letting them starve to death would be a solution. It would not. They would get up to a great deal of mischief and prey on everyone in sight before they would starve to death.

You still have not presented any sort of solution ... all you have done is attack me. I am not the problem.

[CajunConservative]

This country has a real problem on our hands with this mess and it will not be solved by merely kicking these folks out of hotels ... even though I did not believe they should have been there in the first place.

It's not just in the city of New Orleans either. What Katrina exposed is the decay in every inner city ghetto. That is this country's weak spot.

[caryatid]

What Katrina exposed is the decay in every inner city ghetto. That is this country's weak spot.

Right you are, CajunConservative. Most people who have never lived in a large city have no comprehension of just how volatile the situation could become ... or how difficult it would be to solve.

[teenyelliott]

Calm down. I did not attack you.

And stop yelling. That is silly.

They would get up to a great deal of mischief and prey on everyone in sight before they would starve to death.

That is what guns are for. How's that for a solution? How bout we let them show their true colors, then cull the herd?

Thanks for the argument. Goodnight.

[billhilly]

Once the rebuilding is done the naysayers will flock back to enjoy that american jewel, just as they always did. I hope all of New Orleaneans and the rest of the Gulf Coast residents find peace and fulfillment as they repair their tattered lives.

[Cementjungle]

Well considering trailer houses drop property values near where they are parked and the trailer houses may violate local Housing Covenants/Agreements, I can see that the homeowners have a leg to stand on this issue.

Plus, trailers attract too manu tornados.

[WasDougsLamb]

CajunConservative


---I hope that everyone who has suffred has a better year in 2006. My prayers go out to you all.

Luaranne

[caryatid]

I hope all of New Orleaneans and the rest of the Gulf Coast residents find peace and fulfillment as they repair their tattered lives.

We all share your hope, billhilly.

One would never suspect from the reporting of the MSM that the indomitable spirit of faith and renewal, and courage to face adversity, that made American what it is, are alive and well in most, if not all, of our citizens as we begin the New Year with hopes of brighter days ahead.

May God bless all who are afflicted with despair, and challenged by new beginnings. May God soften the hard hearts of those who neither feel charity nor show mercy toward their stricken brethren.

---

To all on the Louisiana * PING * List, and others, our best wishes for good health and peace of mind in 2006.

---

  ** Louisiana PING **

---

[ If you would like on/off the LA Ping List please FReepmail
me and your name will be added to or taken off of the list. ]

[Howlin]

I would never ever complain about them parking and living out of a travel trailer while they wait on their house to be repaired.

I don't think that is what Mrs. Shawnlaw is saying at all; it's one thing to put a trailer on YOUR own property; it's quite another to put hundreds of trailers in the lot next door to people.

[Howlin]

August 2002:
Thirty families are asked to leave their FEMA trailers near Tarboro, almost three years after Hurricane Floyd forced them from their homes. The government-funded trailers were initially intended to house flood victims for up to eighteen months, but the deadline for ending the program was extended several times.

[Howlin]

Why is it that the people who are most "tired" of the people affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita seem to be the ones who have done the least to help?

Do you mind telling me HOW you know that?

[caryatid]

Do you mind telling me HOW you know that?

One has only to read their posts to understand that they are not predisposed to come to the aid of their fellow man.

My remark really was not directed at you specifically ... as I have no way of knowing what, if anything, you have done ... or would do to help anyone out. Surely, you will admit that many on these Katrina threads have not exhibited one drop of the milk of human kindness toward the folks affected by Hurricane Katrina.

I suspect that part of the problem is that the Hurricanes of 2005 have ripped the scab off of a festering sore ... the reality of what a failed welfare society has wrought over the past half century. Many people who have never lived in a major city have no idea of the problems that exist. And, if they did have an inkling before, they have no doubt now ... and that has resulted in the NIMBY attitude which is a result of fear and loathing.

The problems are not going to evaporate ... they must be dealt with. As a lifelong Republican, I have been a vocal opponent of all that has gone on in the welfare society from its inception ... but, there were not many like me. Now the ol' chickens have come home to roost ... and I am realistic enough to realize that something must be done .

[Lancey Howard]

Thanks for that!

[Howlin]

One has only to read their posts to understand that they are not predisposed to come to the aid of their fellow man.

What a stupid thing to say; just because they aren't doing and saying things YOU agree with doesn't meant they aren't "predisposed" to come to the aid of their fellow man.

Ridiculous comment on your part.

Surely, you will admit that many on these Katrina threads have not exhibited one drop of the milk of human kindness toward the folks affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Yet another ridiculous remark; I'd admit no such thing, EVER. This forum has been filled with empathy and ACTION by the people of this forum since BEFORE this storm struck.

I, for one, am sick of the moralizing and snotty attitude a lot of you all have projected onto this forum.

In case you don't know it, you're not the first people to ever get hit by a hurricane; the rest of us just take care of our OWN states and don't make a national case out of it.

And if you want to talk about how awful it is in New Orleans, we'll all talk about why is it that the people of the state of Louisiana sat back for YEARS and let your own state be pillaged and ravaged by POLITICIANS.

Now that you have a problem, you're striking out at others; it pretty much sucks, IMO.

And, no, I don't want the malcontents and criminals you all have created in MY backyard either.

[Howlin]

I'm getting really tired of this attitude from some of these people.

And I swear I've heard something else about those trailers in the last year......but I can't find it right now. I mean, they were there FOREVER.