Katrina Live Thread XII

Various ^ | 31 August 2005 | Various

[Tree of Liberty]

They're on automatic pilot until around 5am EDT, like always.

[Diddle E. Squat]

To be clear, I in no way excuse the roving gangs. Methinks Operation Roach Stompout is rolling in as we speak, and that problem will soon be greatly reduced.

[warsaw44]

I'm not familiar with this NOLA board. I haven't read all of this thread so I don't know if there is a link.
Would you point me in the right direction to read the thread.
I'd really like to read whats going on from a first hand account.
I cant get that Childrens Hospital out of my mind.

[Prince Charles]

Good Lord. This is turning into "Dawn Of The Dead."

[buickmackane]

"Yes, but they are poor and the wrong color, er, culture for some here..."

I think you've hit the nail on the head.

I was reading some very interesting comments on the Housing thread. There are some sincere and kindhearted FReepers who have offered to take refugees into their homes in lieu of sending cash donations to the charities. The thread contains some debate back and forth about what sort of arrangements would have to be made with the prospective houseguests, such as laying down the groundrules of the house and finding out whether you would be comfortable having someone of, say, a different religion or smoking preference than yours staying in your home for an extending period of time.

I just shook my head because these posts revealed that these otherwise kind, generous and well-meaning people have absolutely no concept of who the refugees really are, for the most part. The chances of taking in someone who shares your political or philosophical or religious beliefs are next to none. Seriously, take a good look at those people standing on the I-10 ramp holding up the "HELP US!" signs to the TV cameras. Do they look like they voted for Bobby Jindal for Governor? What would you talk about over breakfast, David Vitter's "I-think-welfare-recipients-should-work-for-their-benefits" commercials?

I know I'm turning into a broken record, but there are so many other, more constructive ways to help the refugees directly that you don't need to have strangers who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and who have possibly contracted serious diseases from exposure to biohazards under your roof. However, I get the sense that a lot of people want to do it *their* way or not at all. Sort of, "I can't/won't send money and frankly can't really afford to put you up in the first place...BUT...you can stay in my house if you don't have any annoying habits and are willing to work off your room and board by doing such-and-such." Trying to lay down groundrules to someone who has virtually nothing in common with you and has just gone through a hysterical tragedy of unprecedented proportion is a recipe for disaster if you ask me.

Again, may I suggest that you think about the refugees' most basic needs and focus on them instead. In a typical family who has been on the road for a week, Mom might need tampons, Dad might need automotive supplies, a child might need school clothes/supplies, a baby might need diapers, Grandma might need insulin and Grandpa might need deodorant. They can't afford to dine out at Applebee's and Cracker Barrel any more, but they're probably sick of MREs at their shelter and would love a Big Mac right about now.

It's hard, but try to put yourself in the worn-out muddy shoes of one of these people, and then you'll get a better handle on the right thing to do.

[Revel]

Well if they were lying then that is uncalled for. They would not have been turned away for telling the truth. But the ones that ran are the ones that really bother me. They sound like the thugs that are terroizing NO. Where are they going to go? Where are they going to sleep? What are they going to eat? It sounds like the crime rate in Texas is about to go up.

[Diddle E. Squat]

She may indeed be right. Fog of war and all that.

[HairOfTheDog]

Oh, my God! Why isn't CNN and Fox reporting THIS!

They need confirmation, for one.... careful about these unconfirmed reports. It's plausible it's as crazy as that, but rumors are running wild.

[warsaw44]

"I prayed really hard Sunday night for a miracle for NO, and Monday morning I thought it had happened "

exactly the same here.

[LikeLight]

Also heard someone, a Parish official's wife, on WDSU tonight begging for food & water for St. Bernard - says rescuers, etc. have NOTHING . . . she was in tears on the set . . .

[B4Ranch]

Very well thought out and very well written. Thank you

[eternity]

Believe me it's turned into the haves against the have not. The media saw it coming and baled out. Hospital with drugs being over run. Very likely.

[HairOfTheDog]

Who were prisoners? The school bus?
Or are you talking about something else?


There were little kids with them.

[AggieMom x 3]

Hey USMA

[wardaddy]

it gets too crazy or Rwanda-ish and the media will whitewash it....just like they did the folks jumping from buildings at 9-11

they like sensationalism up to a point

[Revel]

But yes, I may have been to harsh. The ones who seem sincere should be taken in since appears that not all them are bad.

[bluepistolero]

I have to wonder how many SUV's left NO with room for one more.

bluepistolero

[Howlin]

Ahem, I seemed to have missed whatever happened that you all are talking about........what happened with the bus?

[publana]

i think im done here, im pretty much a lurker on the political side, a conservative who comes by to post some info on hurricanes from time to time. the partisan foolishness in a disaster followed by racist comments and assumptions about the most desperate people you can imagine while sitting in your nice warm house is nearly disgusting considering the circumstances. ive for fun from time to time browsed DUmmie land in situations and left sick.....i nearly feel the same way here now. its sad

I have to agree. I have come by here daily since the hurricne hit and have been sickened each time. I'd hoped my fellow freepers had dug within their souls and found them by now, but I now believe many on here do not have them.

How you people can sit in your cool, comfy, dare I say DRY? homes at your computers powered by electricity and state that people are high, thugs, and deserved to be imprisoned from viewing an interview of someone who has been to hell and survived, probably hasn't slept in 72 hours, and made it to Houston by the grace of God and some old-fashioned ingenuity, I cannot fathom.

Stopped at the Beer Barn? So what if he had? If I'd been through all that man has been through, I probably would have stopped too when I crossed the Texas border. Louisiana in my rear view mirror would have definitely been cause to celebrate. I think I might feel like getting downright snot-slinging drunk. :/ If anybody deserves to do so, it is he.

None of you know the facts, nor do I. We do know the bus had La plates; therefore he is a refugee and deserves common decency and respect as a refugee from hell. Not the derisiveness nor the hatefullness expressed on this thread.