Yes, but they are poor and the wrong color, er, culture for some here...
Yeah I am getting the feeling some on here think that all those left behind in NO and any Fox reporters deserve what they get now.
I wonder sometimes how these people with such views like this survive on their own without dying of stupidity.
"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.