Posted on 09/03/2005 8:49:17 PM PDT by SolidSupplySide
HOUSTON With more than 220,000 hurricane refugees camped out in Texas and more coming, Gov. Rick Perry warned today that his enormous state was running out of room.
"Texas is committed to doing everything it can to help our neighbors from Louisiana, but we want to make certain that we can provide them with the medical care, food, shelter, safety, education and other services they need to start getting their lives back together," Perry said in a statement. "Local officials are beginning to notify us that they are quickly approaching capacity in the number of evacuees they believe they can assist."
About 18,500 survivors were housed in Houston's Astrodome and an adjacent meeting hall. More than 120,000 refugees were in 97 shelters in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and dozens of smaller cities across the vast state, Perry's office said, with another 100,000 in hotels and motels. Uncounted more were in churches or private homes.
Buses continued to arrive at the Astrodome, where many were redirected to other evacuation centers after people were processed and evaluated for medical conditions.
"We have notified FEMA and Louisiana officials that we are nearing capacity," said Robert Black, a spokesman for Perry.
More than 50 military and commercial flights deposited more than 7,000 evacuees at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. At Dallas' luxurious Wyndham Anatole hotel, a few guests looked forward to a quieter evening, compliments of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, after spending Friday night on the roof of New Orleans' Baptist Memorial Hospital ferrying patients to safety.
Hospital worker James Bell felt guilty.
"I could be down (at a shelter) and have a couple families here," he said.
Evacuees also were housed at Reunion Arena in Dallas. As a few people smoked cigarettes outside, a plane emerged overhead trailing a sign that read, "Shame on You George Bush."
Very well said Flightdeck. Thank you.
I don't think Rick Perry's religion has anything to do with his politics or with his support, and I think your liberal/conservative tags are pretty messed up.
As I recall, Perry got in big trouble twice recently, one for some public prayer he led in East Texas, another for a bill he signed at a Christian school in Fort Worth -- don't remember the issue, but it was religion-related.
I've always considered him to be pretty conservative.
For what it's worth, I'm neither Southern Baptist nor Methodist, but I am a conservative Christian, and I DO NOT LIKE RICK PERRY, but it has nothing to do with his faith.
It has to do with his ineffectiveness and his hairbrained ideas.
My thoughts also.
http://www.minneapolismeetings.com/aboutminneapolis/doingbusiness.asp
Minneapolis is home to the largest Somalian population in the U.S., the largest Hmong population outside Laos, the 2nd-largest Vietnamese and Ethiopian populations and one of the fastest-growing Latino/Hispanic populations
I'm sure you did not mean to paint all of these refugees in this way even though LA leans toward socialism. Some of these refugees did have jobs and are anxious to get back to work.
The office of the Governor of Texas is the weakest of all 50 states.
Big shock that no Blue State bastions have agreed to take on Katrina refugees. (NOT)
The "ultra-caring" Left should put their money where their mouths are. Here are a few suggestions for Katrina re-settlement options:
1. Walter Cronkite and Mike Wallaces' Summer homes on Martha's Vineyard.
2. Barbara Streisand's compound in Malibu.
3. West Hollywood.
4. Greenwich Village.
5. John and Thereza's townhouse on Beacon Hill.
6. Michael Moore's Upper West Side digs.
7. Don Imus' ranch.
8. The Kennedy compound in Hyannisport, MA.
9. Oprah's mansion.
10. CNN Center.
11. Pinch Sulzberger's Park Avenue penthouse.
12. Maureen Dowd's empty vodka bottle-littered apartment.
So they just decided it was better to DISREGARD a MANDATORY evacuation order. Not very smart workers, eh?
Please, PLEASE, tell me you meant "Perry."
By this time after 911 there were billions already raised and candle light vigils all over the country. But hell this happened in the south so we deserved it.
Good point!!
Not much here between the major cities.
Difference is, all they had to provide was a check. No homes were lost...
Talk here in Grants Pass OR is that there is a convoy of buses being organized in Oregon to transport people here. Talk is 20k people over the next few months. Drivers are being lined up for the next few months.
Not sure on the destination of buses back to OR at this time. I would assume the larger cities with more jobs and housing available.
These people will be scattered all over the country eventually, it is just not workable to keep them all near their homes.
That SOB should be wrapped in that banner and sent to Gitmo.
Thank you for the information. When I said "neighboring" I didn't mean the states that had also been devastated. Should have specified.
I am hoping some states more northerly will get rolling on this.
I believe the US raised 9 billion before a months' time had elapsed for the Tsunami.
LOL!
You know how when you scan in your reading it makes for a heartstopping moment at times?
I starting reading your post in a three-word gobble and got this:
"Kerry is dead."
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