Katrina Entitlements

[Jules]

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.

My husband's aunt has worked for the Red Cross out of Savannah for years. She is here in Houston doing a 3-week rotation as well. She said it's been very tough - for all.

 

[deanws]

My husband's aunt has worked for the Red Cross out of Savannah for years. She is here in Houston doing a 3-week rotation as well. She said it's been very tough - for all.

Bless her heart. I admire those who serve to help. :angel: Little angel for her.:angel:

 

[Jules]

Bless here heart. I admire those who serve to help. :angel: Little angel for her.:angel:

Thanks. I'll pass that along to her. :blowkiss:

 

[deanws]

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?

Our schools are already in trouble in Texas!!!!! Not enough money to go around as it is! I am sure you know this as well by looking at the cost of your school taxes. I was a teacher for 20 years in Goose Creek ISD (Baytown). There are just so many ways to make that dollar stretch. Gosh!!!!!!!!!! This is a financial mess for us all.

 

[BillyGoatGruff]

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.

I'm just sending money direct to a couple of families who lost everything (house, car, belongings, jobs). But then I'm in a position where I actually physically KNOW the people. It's not an abstraction, as it is in many people's cases. I would recommend you simply donate your money to your local church, if they have set up a relief effort. More % of your money is apt to get to the people involved.

 

[deanws]

I'm just sending money direct to a couple of families who lost everything (house, car, belongings, jobs). But then I'm in a position where I actually physically KNOW the people. It's not an abstraction, as it is in many people's cases. I would recommend you simply donate your money to your local church, if they have set up a relief effort. More % of your money is apt to get to the people involved.

I agree. We have sorta adopted a family. They followed us down to our farm when we decided to get out of the Houston area for a while. They didn't let any grass grow under their feet through.:innocent: They all got out and got jobs. They are liking this farm life so much...they say they might stay. It is good for the children too!

 

[mysteriew]

The Louisiana agency responsible for doling out post-Katrina aid had problems spending money correctly, including the arrest of three senior officials.

FEMA disagrees and claims that the state hasn't made enough changes.

Three state officials have been charged in relation to the mismanagement of money and two have been identified as co-conspirators but have not been indicted.

Federal investigators and auditors are going to be placed throughout the gulf coast, including Louisiana, to ensure the relief funds are spent properly.

The Los Angeles Times reports that before Hurricane Katrina ravaged the state, the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness was being investigated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for misuse of funds.

FEMA claims the state owes them more than $30 million to recover such money.

Investigators are trying to locate an additional $60 million that was given to the state between 1998 and 2005.
http://pub2.bravenet.com/news/92920030/10923/1

 

[dani]

To add to our discussion of the Red Cross:

“It was absolutely an unbelievable response. People called with buses, food, clothes. We brought enough food to feed everybody in the Civic Center for two days, and we had enough medical supplies to treat at least 7,000 people,” David Rotter, chief operations officer of Patriot Emergency Medical Services, said.

The Ohio volunteers were caught off-guard when their good will was met with “hostility from the Red Cross,” Rotter said." (full story at the link)


http://epaper.americanpress.com/Rep...MDEwMg==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

dani

P.S. MysteryView~Thank you for posting that. I've been looking for info pertaining to what you shared! (We KNEW it was going to happen, didn't we?) :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[Buzz Mills]

Post deleted as the email was phony

 

[GonzoReiter]

I received the following in an email from a childhood friend:

Thought I might inform the few friends I have on my recent traumatic
experience. I am going to tell it straight, blunt, raw, and I don't give a
damn. Long read, I know but please do read!!!

I went to volunteer on Saturday at the George R. Brown Convention for two reasons:

A: I wanted to help people to get a warm fuzzy. B: Curiosity.

I've been watching the news lately and have seen scenes that have made me want to vomit. And no it wasn't dead bodies, the city under water, or the sludge everywhere. It was PEOPLE"S BEHAVIOR. The people on T. V. (99% being black) where DEMANDING help. They were not asking nicely but demanding as if society owed these people something. Well the honest truth is WE DON'T.

Help should be asked for in a kind manner and then appreciated. This is not what the press (FOX in particular) was showing. What I was seeing on T.V. was a group of people who are yelling, demanding, looting, killing, raping, and SHOOTING back at the demanded help!!!!! So I'm thinking this can't possibly be true can it???? So I decide to submit to the DEMAND for help out of SHOCK. I couldn't believe this to be true of the majority of the people who are the weakest of society. So I went to volunteer and help folks out and see the truth. I will tell the following story and you decide:

I arrived in New Orleans is discovered and went to the Astrodome only to find out that there are too many volunteers and that volunteers were needed in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center, so I continued on to Houston.

As I was walking up to the Convention Center I noticed a line of cars that wrapped around blocks filled with donations. These where ordinary Houstonians coming with truckloads and trunks full of water,
diapers, clothes, blankets, food, all types of good stuff. And lots of it
was NEW. I felt that warm fuzzy while helping unload these vehicles of
these wonderful human beings. I then went inside the building and noticed approximately 100,000 sq. ft. of clothes, shoes, jackets, toys and all types of goodies all organized and ready for the people in need. I signed up, received a name badge and was on my merry way excited to be useful.

I toured the place to get familiar with my surrounding; the entire place is probably around 2 million sq. ft. I noticed rows and rows of mattresses, not cots, BLOW UP MATTRESSES!!! All of which had nice
pillows and plenty of blankets. 2 to 3 bottles of water lay on every bed.
These full size to queen size beds by the way were comfortable, I laid in one to see for myself. I went to look at the medical area. I couldn't
believe what my eyes were seeing!!! A makeshift hospital created in 24
hours!!!

It was unbelievable, they even had a pharmacy. I also noticed that they created showers, which would also have hot water. I went upstairs to
the third floor to find a HUGE cafeteria created in under 24 hours! Rows of tables, chairs and food everywhere - enough to feed an army! I'm not talking about crap food either. They had Jason's deli food, apples, oranges, coke, diet coke, lemonade, orange juice, cookies, all types of chips and sandwiches. All the beverages by the way was put on ice and chilled!!!! In a matter of about 24 hours or less an entire mini-city was erected by volunteers for the poor evacuees. This was not your rundown crap shelter, it was BUM HEAVEN.

So that was the layout: great food, comfy beds, clean showers, free medicalhelp. By the way there was a library and a theater room I forgot to mention.

Great stuff right????

Well here is what happened on my journey -

I started by handing out COLD water bottles to evacuees as they got off the bus. Many would take them and only 20% or less said thank you. Lots of them would shake their heads and ask for sodas! So this went on for about 20-30 minutes until I was sick of being an unappreciated servant. I figured certainly these folks would appreciate some food!!! So I went upstairs to serve these beloved evacuees some GOOD food that I wish I could have at the moment!

***The following statements are graphic, truthful, and discuss IRRATIONAL behavior***

Evacuees come slowly to receive this mountain of food that is worth serving to a king! I tell them that we have 2 types of great deli sandwiches to choose from - ham and turkey. Many look at the food in disgust and DEMAND burgers, pizza, and even McDonalds!!!! Jason's deli is better than McDonalds!!!! Only 1 out of ten people who took something would say "Thank you," the rest took items as if it was their God given right to be served without a shred of appreciation!!!

They would ask for beer and liquor. They complained that we didn't have good enough food. They refused food and laughed at us. They treated us volunteers as if we where SLAVES. No, not all of them of course, but 70% did!!!!!! 20% were appreciative, 10% took the food without any comment and the other 70% had some disgusting comment to say. Some had the nerve to laugh at us. And when I snapped back at them for being mean, they would curse at me!!! Needless to say I was in utter shock.

They would eat their food and leave their mess on the table. Some would pick up their stuff; many would leave it for the volunteers to pick up. I left that real quick to go down and help set up some more beds. I saw many young ladies carrying mattresses, and I helped for a while. Then I realized something. There were hundreds of able bodied young men who could help!! I asked a group of young evacuees in their teens and early twenties to help.

I got cursed at for asking them to help!!! One said "We just lost our
f**king homes and you want us to work!!"

The next said "Ya Cracker, you got a home we don't".

I looked at them in disbelief. Here are women walking by carrying THEIR BEDS and they can't lift a finger and help themselves!!

WHY SHOULD I HELP PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO HELP THEMSELVES!!!!

I waved them off and turned away and was laughed at and more. "White boy jokes" were made at me. I felt no need to waste my breath on a bunch of pitiful losers. I went to a nearby restroom where I noticed a man shaving. I used the restroom, washed my hands and saw this man throw his razor towards the trash can... he missed. He walked out leaving his disgusting razor on the floor for some "cracker" to pick up.

Even the little kids were demanding. I saw only ONE white family and only TWO Hispanic families. The rest were blacks. Sorry, 20% to 30% decent blacks and 70% LOSERS!!!!!

These people were not ignorant.. they where ARROGANT. The majority of which are thugs and lifetime lazy welfare recipients. We are inviting the lowest of the low to Houston. And like idiots we are serving the people who will soon steal our cars, rape, murder, and destroy our city while stealing from our pockets on a daily basis through the welfare checks they take. We will fund our own destruction.

By "US" I don't mean a specific race, I mean the people who work hard, work smart, have values and morals. Only people who want to help themselves should be helped, the others should be allowed to destroy themselves. I do not want to work hard, give the government close to half the money I earn so they can in turn give it to a bunch of losers.

I don't believe in being poor for life. My family immigrated here, we came here poor, and now thank God, and due to HARD WORK we are doing fine. If immigrants, who come here, don't know the language, can work and become successful... WHY CAN'T THE MAJORITY OF THE HOMEGROWN DO IT!!! If we continue to reward these losers then we will soon destroy our great country.

I just witnessed selfish, arrogant, unappreciative behavior by the very people who need help the most. Now these same people who cursed me, refused my city's generosity, who refuse to help themselves are DEMANDING handouts on their own terms!!!!!!! They prance around as if they are owed something, and when they do receive a handout, they say it's not good enough! Well you know what.. these types of people can go to hell for all I care!

Richard L. Johnston, M. D.
University of Mississippi Medical Center
3805 Crane Blvd.
Jackson, MS 39216
601-981-3896 (home)
601-573-0472 (cell)
601-984-0214 (pager)

Urban Legends

 

[dani]

Wow, Buzz! Thank you for sharing the email. I'm stunned…and don't quite know what to say. But I'm printing it out for my DH to read.

To think the American taxpayer will be footing the bill for these ingrates for years to come is disturbing. It sure makes it hard to "Love Thy Neighbor" when people behave this way and mistreat those that volunteer their time and money to help them.

Perhaps the good people of Houston should look at "Rita" as a blessing in disguise. I read that about 40% to 50% had planned on staying in Houston. Maybe they will just stay wherever they land during this 2nd evacuation. Of course that just makes them someone else's problem.

I'm sorry for your friend.

dani

 

[GonzoReiter]

My name is Richard L. Johnston. I'm the physician who allegedly wrote the long email about my experience at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston where Katrina evacuees from New Orleans were housed.

I've never been to the George R. Brown Convention Center, and I have not been to Houston in more than 10 years. During the crisis of the last two weeks, I've been here in Jackson, Mississippi, taking care of evacuees from the Gulf Coast transferred to our VA Medical Center here where I'm the chief medical resident.

I did not write the email about the Brown Convention Center, but I did receive it and did forward it to several friends. The forwarded message included my signature block and that's why it was assumed that I wrote the email. However, in forwarding the message, I made a very bad error in judgment, and I deeply apologize for any hurt or discomfort I've caused others by doing so.

I've learned a hard and difficult lesson and I hope those of you who read this have also. Too much of what we all mindlessly forward through cyberspace can only be termed fictious, unsubstantiated trash. The appropriate receptacle is a garbage can.

http://www.snopes.com/katrina/personal/volunteer.asp

 

[Buzz Mills]

http://www.snopes.com/katrina/personal/volunteer.asp

Gonzo, thanks for finding that. I probably should have known better, being that it is a widely circulated email. Got sucked in, yet again.

 

[GonzoReiter]

thanks, Buzz

I was hoping to clear that one up before it got out of hand here. Those bogus e-mails are EZ to spot, tho...

I'm sorry to report the theme of that e-mail seems to be uppermost in some poster's minds these days... and they're not limited to just this Forum.

 

[jannuncutt]

I received the following in an email from a childhood friend:

Thought I might inform the few friends I have on my recent traumatic
experience. I am going to tell it straight, blunt, raw, and I don't give a
damn. Long read, I know but please do read!!!

I went to volunteer on Saturday at the George R. Brown Convention for two reasons:

A: I wanted to help people to get a warm fuzzy. B: Curiosity.

I've been watching the news lately and have seen scenes that have made me want to vomit. And no it wasn't dead bodies, the city under water, or the sludge everywhere. It was PEOPLE"S BEHAVIOR. The people on T. V. (99% being black) where DEMANDING help. They were not asking nicely but demanding as if society owed these people something. Well the honest truth is WE DON'T.

Help should be asked for in a kind manner and then appreciated. This is not what the press (FOX in particular) was showing. What I was seeing on T.V. was a group of people who are yelling, demanding, looting, killing, raping, and SHOOTING back at the demanded help!!!!! So I'm thinking this can't possibly be true can it???? So I decide to submit to the DEMAND for help out of SHOCK. I couldn't believe this to be true of the majority of the people who are the weakest of society. So I went to volunteer and help folks out and see the truth. I will tell the following story and you decide:

I arrived in New Orleans is discovered and went to the Astrodome only to find out that there are too many volunteers and that volunteers were needed in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center, so I continued on to Houston.

As I was walking up to the Convention Center I noticed a line of cars that wrapped around blocks filled with donations. These where ordinary Houstonians coming with truckloads and trunks full of water,
diapers, clothes, blankets, food, all types of good stuff. And lots of it
was NEW. I felt that warm fuzzy while helping unload these vehicles of
these wonderful human beings. I then went inside the building and noticed approximately 100,000 sq. ft. of clothes, shoes, jackets, toys and all types of goodies all organized and ready for the people in need. I signed up, received a name badge and was on my merry way excited to be useful.

I toured the place to get familiar with my surrounding; the entire place is probably around 2 million sq. ft. I noticed rows and rows of mattresses, not cots, BLOW UP MATTRESSES!!! All of which had nice
pillows and plenty of blankets. 2 to 3 bottles of water lay on every bed.
These full size to queen size beds by the way were comfortable, I laid in one to see for myself. I went to look at the medical area. I couldn't
believe what my eyes were seeing!!! A makeshift hospital created in 24
hours!!!

It was unbelievable, they even had a pharmacy. I also noticed that they created showers, which would also have hot water. I went upstairs to
the third floor to find a HUGE cafeteria created in under 24 hours! Rows of tables, chairs and food everywhere - enough to feed an army! I'm not talking about crap food either. They had Jason's deli food, apples, oranges, coke, diet coke, lemonade, orange juice, cookies, all types of chips and sandwiches. All the beverages by the way was put on ice and chilled!!!! In a matter of about 24 hours or less an entire mini-city was erected by volunteers for the poor evacuees. This was not your rundown crap shelter, it was BUM HEAVEN.

So that was the layout: great food, comfy beds, clean showers, free medicalhelp. By the way there was a library and a theater room I forgot to mention.

Great stuff right????

Well here is what happened on my journey -

I started by handing out COLD water bottles to evacuees as they got off the bus. Many would take them and only 20% or less said thank you. Lots of them would shake their heads and ask for sodas! So this went on for about 20-30 minutes until I was sick of being an unappreciated servant. I figured certainly these folks would appreciate some food!!! So I went upstairs to serve these beloved evacuees some GOOD food that I wish I could have at the moment!

***The following statements are graphic, truthful, and discuss IRRATIONAL behavior***

Evacuees come slowly to receive this mountain of food that is worth serving to a king! I tell them that we have 2 types of great deli sandwiches to choose from - ham and turkey. Many look at the food in disgust and DEMAND burgers, pizza, and even McDonalds!!!! Jason's deli is better than McDonalds!!!! Only 1 out of ten people who took something would say "Thank you," the rest took items as if it was their God given right to be served without a shred of appreciation!!!

They would ask for beer and liquor. They complained that we didn't have good enough food. They refused food and laughed at us. They treated us volunteers as if we where SLAVES. No, not all of them of course, but 70% did!!!!!! 20% were appreciative, 10% took the food without any comment and the other 70% had some disgusting comment to say. Some had the nerve to laugh at us. And when I snapped back at them for being mean, they would curse at me!!! Needless to say I was in utter shock.

They would eat their food and leave their mess on the table. Some would pick up their stuff; many would leave it for the volunteers to pick up. I left that real quick to go down and help set up some more beds. I saw many young ladies carrying mattresses, and I helped for a while. Then I realized something. There were hundreds of able bodied young men who could help!! I asked a group of young evacuees in their teens and early twenties to help.

I got cursed at for asking them to help!!! One said "We just lost our
f**king homes and you want us to work!!"

The next said "Ya Cracker, you got a home we don't".

I looked at them in disbelief. Here are women walking by carrying THEIR BEDS and they can't lift a finger and help themselves!!

WHY SHOULD I HELP PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO HELP THEMSELVES!!!!

I waved them off and turned away and was laughed at and more. "White boy jokes" were made at me. I felt no need to waste my breath on a bunch of pitiful losers. I went to a nearby restroom where I noticed a man shaving. I used the restroom, washed my hands and saw this man throw his razor towards the trash can... he missed. He walked out leaving his disgusting razor on the floor for some "cracker" to pick up.

Even the little kids were demanding. I saw only ONE white family and only TWO Hispanic families. The rest were blacks. Sorry, 20% to 30% decent blacks and 70% LOSERS!!!!!

These people were not ignorant.. they where ARROGANT. The majority of which are thugs and lifetime lazy welfare recipients. We are inviting the lowest of the low to Houston. And like idiots we are serving the people who will soon steal our cars, rape, murder, and destroy our city while stealing from our pockets on a daily basis through the welfare checks they take. We will fund our own destruction.

By "US" I don't mean a specific race, I mean the people who work hard, work smart, have values and morals. Only people who want to help themselves should be helped, the others should be allowed to destroy themselves. I do not want to work hard, give the government close to half the money I earn so they can in turn give it to a bunch of losers.

I don't believe in being poor for life. My family immigrated here, we came here poor, and now thank God, and due to HARD WORK we are doing fine. If immigrants, who come here, don't know the language, can work and become successful... WHY CAN'T THE MAJORITY OF THE HOMEGROWN DO IT!!! If we continue to reward these losers then we will soon destroy our great country.

I just witnessed selfish, arrogant, unappreciative behavior by the very people who need help the most. Now these same people who cursed me, refused my city's generosity, who refuse to help themselves are DEMANDING handouts on their own terms!!!!!!! They prance around as if they are owed something, and when they do receive a handout, they say it's not good enough! Well you know what.. these types of people can go to hell for all I care!

Richard L. Johnston, M. D.
University of Mississippi Medical Center
3805 Crane Blvd.
Jackson, MS 39216
601-981-3896 (home)
601-573-0472 (cell)
601-984-0214 (pager)

I think that this is a bunch of crap - I don't believe it!

 

[jannuncutt]

I've just finished reading the rest of this thread. I knew that this was bogus from the beginning. It is against what we have seen and heard from the evacuees - to the volunteers. What do you think was intent of the e-mail and, how many people do you think jumped on its bandwagon? And,....why?

 

[tybee204]

This type of fear based/hate based propaganda surfaces everytime people are rattled out of their comfort zones.

 

[Amraann]

Tybee I agree.
The White supreemies are probably having a field day.
I just can't imagine buying into anything that even hints at racism.
Have none of us seen whites on Welfare or rude or messy?

TO me this issue isn't about skin color its about thousands of people being left homeless.
And the problems arising out of that would have arisen with any demographic group so why race is being brought into it I don't understand.

When Andrew hit Homestead there were plenty of rude white people. Many poor White people, Many on Drugs and many who screwed the system.
The same problems with the mentally ill occured. SO skin color is not the issue except for those who wish to buy into such thinking.

These people are under extreme stress regardless of their skin color.

I can't believe that in this day and age people still think such things.

 

[deanws]

Tybee I agree.
The White supreemies are probably having a field day.
I just can't imagine buying into anything that even hints at racism.
Have none of us seen whites on Welfare or rude or messy?

TO me this issue isn't about skin color its about thousands of people being left homeless.
And the problems arising out of that would have arisen with any demographic group so why race is being brought into it I don't understand.

When Andrew hit Homestead there were plenty of rude white people. Many poor White people, Many on Drugs and many who screwed the system.
The same problems with the mentally ill occured. SO skin color is not the issue except for those who wish to buy into such thinking.

These people are under extreme stress regardless of their skin color.

I can't believe that in this day and age people still think such things.

OK...now why does everyone seem to think that a person is racist just because they are upset and horrified concerning the behavior of the Katrina victims!?!?! There were other races besides blacks that lived in NO. I am VERY upset with what I have witnessed in regard to their behavior. BUT....why do many assume it has to do with the color of their skin? Last time I checked, laziness, rudeness, and just a low morality factor comes in ALL races, genders, regions. I find it a bit troubling when the race card is played so often. A person can have feelings of anger without them being tied to a racial point of view. Believe me, no one race or gender has the market covered on acting" trashy"! We all share it equally.

 

[jannuncutt]

OK...now why does everyone seem to think that a person is racist just because they are upset and horrified concerning the behavior of the Katrina victims!?!?! There were other races besides blacks that lived in NO. I am VERY upset with what I have witnessed in regard to their behavior. BUT....why do many assume it has to do with the color of their skin? Last time I checked, laziness, rudeness, and just a low morality factor comes in ALL races, genders, regions. I find it a bit troubling when the race card is played so often. A person can have feelings of anger without them being tied to a racial point of view. Believe me, no one race or gender has the market covered on acting" trashy"! We all share it equally.

You don't think that the e-mail we are referring to is racist? :doh: