Katrina Entitlements

[DEPUTYDAWG]

In the Polictical Forum there was some slight criticism of some members of Congress who voted no on the additional $50billion package. One of those members was my representative from NC. I called her office to find out about the no vote. She explained it to me that some members of Congress wanted more oversight on the money. Not that she wouldn't approve more money, but not at that big of a leap. She said she would have voted for another $10 mil this week and $10 mil next week and so on - but she wanted FEMA to come back each week and update what was going on and have more oversight on the money rather than just write a $50 bil blank check. Made complete sense to me. I was very satisfied with her answer on the no vote. I'm sure there will be so many criticisms on how the money is spent that maybe better oversight would have been a better idea.

That's very interesting, thanks for the info! Guess it just goes to show there's often more to the story than the little blurbs we see on TV.

 

[less0305]

Hi dani, thats wild if it's true. Who could lose everything they have and then buy a designer purse to make it better? :waitasec:

Someone really screwed up, thats who

If the story is true, I tend to believe it was someone who got the card fraudulently and wasn't a true Katrina survivor. But that's simply a wild guess on my part.

 

[less0305]

That's very interesting, thanks for the info! Guess it just goes to show there's often more to the story than the little blurbs we see on TV.

I like Virginia Fox. I've known her a long time. And I like the fact that I can call her up and talk to her. She's very accessible and she thinks through things carefully. I don't always agree with her 100%, but at least she takes the time and effort to give you her frame of mind and thought process and I respect that about her.

 

[HeartofTexas]

And here in Texas, where 240,000 evacuees are now residing, FEMA announced they will NOT be paying for textbooks, or new teachers, to educate the thousands of Katrina children. They'll pay for new computers and some other items, but NOT textbooks. The Texas school system is already drowning in debt and several special sessions in Congress have not brought answers to our financial problems. Now we have thousands and thousands of additional children we'll be educating, but FEMA doesn't consider textbooks for them to be a priority. There's something wrong with this picture.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

And here in Texas, where 240,000 evacuees are now residing, FEMA announced they will NOT be paying for textbooks, or new teachers, to educate the thousands of Katrina children. They'll pay for new computers and some other items, but NOT textbooks. The Texas school system is already drowning in debt and several special sessions in Congress have not brought answers to our financial problems. Now we have thousands and thousands of additional children we'll be educating, but FEMA doesn't consider textbooks for them to be a priority. There's something wrong with this picture.

Yes, I read that in our Waco paper this morning, as well.

 

[Buzz Mills]

If the story is true, I tend to believe it was someone who got the card fraudulently and wasn't a true Katrina survivor. But that's simply a wild guess on my part.

During the two days, or so, that FEMA was issuing the $2,000 debit cards, rest assured that even in that short period of time, abuse of the system took place. The criteria they were using to issue the cards was very unclear--I heard reports of one to a family, one for every person, one for every address; it didn't seem as if they established a valid criteria as to who was going to receive the cards. It was a very bad idea to begin with.

 

[jannuncutt]

And here in Texas, where 240,000 evacuees are now residing, FEMA announced they will NOT be paying for textbooks, or new teachers, to educate the thousands of Katrina children. They'll pay for new computers and some other items, but NOT textbooks. The Texas school system is already drowning in debt and several special sessions in Congress have not brought answers to our financial problems. Now we have thousands and thousands of additional children we'll be educating, but FEMA doesn't consider textbooks for them to be a priority. There's something wrong with this picture.

I just heard it on the news. There is definitely something wrong with this. Texas has stepped up to the plate and they shouldn't get screwed because of it. FEMA needs to start using some common sense and get its act together. I think that after more coverage is given to this outrageous FEMA determination, the decision will be reversed. I hope and pray that it will.

 

[tybee204]

I have heard several different stories on the cards as well. One being that those issued the cards couldnt get ATM cash with them only merchandise etc. They sold the cards at 50 cents on the $ for cash to pay deposits on apartments etc.

I have no idea if thats true so I just look at it as gossip unless its confirmed.

 

[Details]

I also heard, again on TV news, that there has been enough money donated to give over $67,000 to every man, woman, and child affected by Katrina. Somethings terribly wrong with this picture.

That's why I love the Red Cross's policy of using donated money where it is needed - not always on the same disaster that was going on when the money was donated. A big, emotional disaster like this often gets more money than is needed, while a fire that destroys a bunch of houses gets less money that is needed to help the people hurt there.

 

[Details]

I just heard it on the news. There is definitely something wrong with this. Texas has stepped up to the plate and they shouldn't get screwed because of it. FEMA needs to start using some common sense and get its act together. I think that after more coverage is given to this outrageous FEMA determination, the decision will be reversed. I hope and pray that it will.

Hopefully the new FEMA head will start reversing some of these dumb decisions - too much money untracked, and too little given where it is needed.

 

[dani]

That's why I love the Red Cross's policy of using donated money where it is needed - not always on the same disaster that was going on when the money was donated. A big, emotional disaster like this often gets more money than is needed, while a fire that destroys a bunch of houses gets less money that is needed to help the people hurt there.

Hi Details!

I really have never researched the Red Cross policies and methods, but when my husband was in the Navy during the Korean conflict he and his shipmates developed a bad taste for the Red Cross and he won't donate to them. One of his shipmates mother became seriously ill and not expected to live. He got an emergency leave to go be with her, but he didn't have the money to fly home. The commander contacted the Red Cross to help him out. He had to sign a bunch of paperwork then they gave him the money and he flew home and got there just before his mother died.

However, upon his return to the ship and receiving his next paycheck he learned that the Red Cross had merely *loaned* him the money and they left him with only $5.00 from each of his paychecks for the next several months. (His fellow sailors took up a collection each pay period and gave it to him during this period.) This bothers me because the money the Red Cross receives is donated. It's not their money. It's for emergency situations.

After typing the above I did a google search and found this: http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/donations2.html I guess things haven't changed. Sounds like the Red Cross is still in the *loan business*. I'll have to do some more research though.

dani

 

[kato]

And here in Texas, where 240,000 evacuees are now residing, FEMA announced they will NOT be paying for textbooks, or new teachers, to educate the thousands of Katrina children. They'll pay for new computers and some other items, but NOT textbooks. The Texas school system is already drowning in debt and several special sessions in Congress have not brought answers to our financial problems. Now we have thousands and thousands of additional children we'll be educating, but FEMA doesn't consider textbooks for them to be a priority. There's something wrong with this picture.

Also, the taxpayers of Harris County will most likely be paying for the evacuees expenses incurred by the city. Mayor White said he didn't/hasn't asked for government help yet as his 1st priority is getting the evacuees settled in long term places. The state/fed. government will probably not foot the whole bill. Oh well, what's new?

 

[less0305]

Hi Details!

I really have never researched the Red Cross policies and methods, but when my husband was in the Navy during the Korean conflict he and his shipmates developed a bad taste for the Red Cross and he won't donate to them. One of his shipmates mother became seriously ill and not expected to live. He got an emergency leave to go be with her, but he didn't have the money to fly home. The commander contacted the Red Cross to help him out. He had to sign a bunch of paperwork then they gave him the money and he flew home and got there just before his mother died.

However, upon his return to the ship and receiving his next paycheck he learned that the Red Cross had merely *loaned* him the money and they left him with only $5.00 from each of his paychecks for the next several months. (His fellow sailors took up a collection each pay period and gave it to him during this period.) This bothers me because the money the Red Cross receives is donated. It's not their money. It's for emergency situations.

After typing the above I did a google search and found this: http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/donations2.html I guess things haven't changed. Sounds like the Red Cross is still in the *loan business*. I'll have to do some more research though.

dani

dani,

This happened to my husband and I when his mother was in a cardiac care unit after suffering a heart attack and not expected to live - we were in the Air Force - dirt poor!! We got funds from the Red Cross to fly home - and maybe in the heat of being upset and all we didn't understand it was a "loan." But once we were back and settled down and pay time rolled around - deduction for the "loan" started coming out of hubby's A.F. check. I imagine we were told it was a loan, but being young, being upset, it wasn't what we understood at the time and was kind of surprise later.

My mom on the other hand - she was in the W.A.F. (Women's Air Force) back when it was sort of a separate entity - was dirt poor and had to get back home for an emergency. Salvation Army gave her the funds to go home and back, a winter coat (civilian one - cuz she didn't have one and it was in the middle of winter), and money for food. Never asked for a single dime back. So the Salvation Army was always the charitable organization that my mom and dad gave to when we were young'uns and I continue that now as an adult. That and the United Way, Disabled American Veterans, the local animal shelter, and our local Hospice.

 

[LadyLuck]

I have had my doubts about Red Cross for a long time. They take in a lot of money when things like this happen. They have been running full page ads in the local paper asking for money. I received a letter in the mail this week asking for money. I am giving to individual churchs that have made a difference. When you read the articles you hear of indivduals making a difference. Business men renting trucks and getting the first water and food to areas (that have not s een the RC) You read of churchs taking food, water clothes and setting up camps to help. 3 local businessmen have already made 3 runs down to the area. the last one was to take socks and underware. Red cross set up a center here for you to apply for disaster relief and ran out of cards and shut down for several days.

 

[HeartofTexas]

I've been afraid to bring up this topic for fear of everyone pouncing on me! But I've heard stories for years about some pretty ruthless practices by the Red Cross. I gave a small amount to the Red Cross for Katrina's evacuees, but gave larger amounts to individual charities that are helping. I think in this particular instance the Red Cross has to do good work or the publicity they receive will be horrific... and from everything I've read, they are doing good work. I've read some odd things in the Dallas paper, though. They had asked for new volunteers, and 5,000 new ones were signed up and were trained... but not one of them had been called to serve yet. The very next day, however, the news was showing how the Dallas chapter of RC was requesting 40,000 more volunteers. If you haven't yet used the first 5,000 new volunteers, why would you need 40,000 more? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that but just that it's confusing to understand.

 

[tybee204]

The way I understand it is they need 40,000 new trained volunteers to be ready to go. There are 20,000 Red Cross Volunteers serving in the Gulf Region. Every 3 weeks they need to rotate them out and more in. The ones they are training now will likely rotate in to the Gulf in about 2-4 weeks for a 3 week service.

My youngest son is going threw the training now and will likely be sent in 3 weeks for a 3 week service.

 

[kato]

Not the right thread I'm sure.

Anyway, we have a new radio station in town here. They showed them broadcasting live from the Astrodome. They said they established it to help the evacuees have a taste of home by playing music from their region. It will also be broadcasting info. for people telling them where, how, etc. to get help.

 

[j2mirish]

And here in Texas, where 240,000 evacuees are now residing, FEMA announced they will NOT be paying for textbooks, or new teachers, to educate the thousands of Katrina children. They'll pay for new computers and some other items, but NOT textbooks. The Texas school system is already drowning in debt and several special sessions in Congress have not brought answers to our financial problems. Now we have thousands and thousands of additional children we'll be educating, but FEMA doesn't consider textbooks for them to be a priority. There's something wrong with this picture.

VERY VERY WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE:doh:

Its is bad enough we have to watch the horrors on the streets- then listen to how the govt is ( or isnt) going to handle it--but- if they get 2 million dollar settlements as has been throw out there....guess they wont need to school the children....:banghead:

 

[Shadow205]

Do you have a legitimate news site reporting this?

Cass, I saw this story on CNN, FOX or one of those the other night but when I went looking for it online couldn't find it. Sorry that I posted from the source that I did, it was the only place that I could find it again.

 

[deanws]

Maybe we should garnish the wages of those in congress who voted for this. The U.S. government should NOT be responsible for paying victims of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, etc.!! Of course they've always been generous with *our* money.

Exactly Ntegrity! :clap: :clap: