[cgk]

People Don't Listen

Problem #1 - People Don't Listen

You want to know why "plans fail"? You want to understand why government officials can't guarantee a 100% effective emergency plan? It's because there will always be a segment of the population that just doesn't cooperate.

"Please stay where you are," said Gov. Rick Perry. "Be patient, stay put." Despite the governor's urging people to stay off the roads while search-and-rescue crews assessed the damage, state officials said gridlock was starting again as people began to return to the densely populated Houston area.

And it's usually these same people who ignore the government officials that wind up criticizing the same government officials for not doing more.

Not only are many of these people returning to homes without power, but they'll also be low on, or out of gas when they get there with no way to refuel. Why? Because of the gridlock they're creating, gas tankers can't get into the Houston area to restock gas stations and emergency workers can't reach coastal communities flooded by the storm. Estimates are showing that it may take as long or longer to get into Houston as it did for folks to leave. So why in the hell would you want to endure that again, only to return home and live like an outdoor camper?

Now I am a big fan of self-determination, so don't get me wrong. It's well within their rights to leave, stay, return or whatever the hell they want to do. But for the sake of sanity, remember the government officials are giving you the information and directions... if you don't want to listen, then stop complaining and blaming and figure out yourself how to get out of the mess you put yourself in!

[cgk]

One more, same source:

Schedule for Return of Refugees Displaced-Texan-Americans

State and local leaders have developed a plan to stagger the return of more than 2.5 million Hurricane Rita evacuees over at least three days to ensure that the affected areas are safe, fuel supplies are adequate and traffic keeps moving.

Sunday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and north of I-10, including residents of Tomball, The Woodlands, Waller, Hockley, Katy, Brookshire and surrounding communities.

Monday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and south of I-10, including residents of Richmond, Stafford, Rosenberg, Sugarland, Pearland and surrounding communities, plus all Houston residents inside Loop I-610.

Tuesday: Residents may return to all remaining areas east of I-45 and north of I-10 up to the Liberty and Chamber county lines.

State and local emergency officials continue to develop a plan for the safe return of evacuees to communities east of the Houston area that sustained the most damage from Hurricane Rita.

The Governor cautioned that evacuees should not begin returning to the affected areas ahead of the state schedule. Anyone doing so ought to be tagged like cattle, so we can easily recognize the idiots in our neighborhoods.

Update: Texans who evacuated their homes because of Hurricane Rita may claim an exemption from state and local hotel tax by signing an exemption certificate stating that they're stay is due to Rita.

[MAWG]

" Problem number 1, people dont listen."

You really dont know what you are talking about. These people who " evacuated" were forced outa their homes by a very slick and organized media blitz that focused on their fears and ignorance. The mantra here in Houston for 4 days prior to landfall was " get outa town or you'll die." Well, 1.8 million did just that and many more died on the road than did here in Houston. As a matter of fact, I haven't heard yet that any ones' death has been blamed on the storm. Most of them are very angry because they now know that they were duped and used in a political shell game called " cover your ass."

You bet they are coming home and mad as hell. They are outa patience and outa money. Let's see if they get a FEMA card worth 2k.though I seriously doubt it, most of them are white.