I definitely will try. The local Red Cross in my city is seeking volunteers to go down to the affected areas ASAP (apparently we are short of volunteers). If anyone REALLY wants to help, I wonder could you try volunteering through another city's chapter?

I thought some of you might find this interesting. It's an excerpt of an email we got from my aunt who lives in Metairie. It seems not everyone has the "charitable" feeling.........


We evacuated on Sunday morning. They instituted contra flow which means the traffic went both ways out of the city north towards Mississippi. We stopped for gas in Amite, LA and we were able to get a hotel room there. However, we weren’t supposed to have a pet and I had my Dachshund, Maggie, with us. We sneaked her into the room but they found out and asked us to leave. We were packing our stuff when the Amite police knocked on the door to escort us out. The police were very apologetic and said they didn’t understand why the guy running the hotel was being such an ass. He was knocking on all the doors up and down the halls to see how many people were in each room. He was definitely looking for his pound of flesh. We left Amite and headed north and of course all the rooms thru Mississippi were filled everywhere we stopped. I had been to Starkville, MS a few times on college recruiting trips at Mississippi State so headed toward Starkville since it was off the beaten path and stayed there for a couple of nights. Then it was off to Denver.

Almost everyone they have interviewed on TV from the refugee camps here in San Antonio has said they plan to stay here. They dont plan on going back. San Antonio has two shelters up and running. The old Kelly AFB and the old Levi Strauss plant. They are opening up three more at two abandoned malls here in town and at the old Freeman Collesium.


I have also read that refugees are now headded to Corpus, & Lubbock, among other cities.

It was wierd driving through town today and seeing an Air Canada plane landing at Kelly. Air Canada dosent offer service to San Antonio.

That'd be the Air Bus acting as a shuttle for evacuees and relief workers... left from Toronto this morning with 4 air crews to maximize it's flight time and minimize turn around.

Personally I just spent the afternoon packing boxes upon boxes upon boxes of relief supplies and driving it out to the airport for the next supply flight - blankets, toiletries, basic medical supplies, camp food packets, and diapers. It feels good to be finally able to start helping those hurt by Katrina.

I'm not sure if this has been discussed or not but why are the victims being referred to as "refugees"?

What? Don't tell me you are surprised that the media is throwing around words without actually understanding them do you?

They should be called Evacuees or Displaced Persons, not refugees... because a refugee is one seeking refuge in ANOTHER COUNTRY from conditions in their home country.

Animals have arrived here in Austin from the area. I am going in tomorrow to help treat/vaccinate/whatever else is needed. I feel so bad for them and the people that have lost their pets. I heard horror stories of animals being thrown off the buses-how awful:(.

I do not like the fact that they called them refugees either...and I agree with you both of you. When I think of refugee I always think of individuals fleeing from one country to another for safety.

But on the otherhand Meriam-Webster defines refugee-

Main Entry: ref·u·gee
Pronunciation: "re-fyu-'jE, 're-fyu-"
Function: noun
Etymology: French réfugié, past participle of (se) réfugier to take refuge, from Latin refugium
: one that flees; especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution
- ref·u·gee·ism /-"i-z&m/ noun


If you notice it says "especially"....so they are not entirely wrong calling them refugees because they are considered fleeing from danger. Not trying to start an argument though because I do agree with everyone, but at the same time it is the proper usage of the term-- just not a tactful one!!

Its beginning already...
 

Mississippi Shelter Closed After Doctors Fear Tainted Water Gave Patients Dysentery

09-03-2005 9:52 PM

BILOXI, Miss. -- Officials closed a shelter Saturday because more than 20 people there fell ill, and doctors believe the patients may have contracted dysentery from tainted water.

Another 20 people in the area also were treated for vomiting and diarrhea.

The shelter at a Biloxi school had been without water and power since Katrina hit Monday. About 400 people had been staying there, and doctors said some may have ignored warnings to stay away from water.

http://centralkansas.cox.net/cci/new...e&id=D8CD62PG0

I don't like the term refugees either. I think that survivors or evacuees or storm victims would be better.

Perhaps because they're seeking refuge from danger.

Countries offer assistance...
 

I'm sorry...
 

I caught up with all the posts from pages 5/6 to last...

/vent

I am sorry, but I find the American Red Cross' statement to be a LAME EXCUSE for not doing the right thing... I dare the military to start shooting at them for at least providing basic services such as potable water--at least that.

And now disease is setting in!!!

And I am sorry, but the US government DID fail "those people"... Was it racist? I don't think so. But I know they did not vote for President Bush or make huge campaign contributions--so why should he help them? I have seen pictures of his response after the Airforce One fly over. He looked clueless. And it is my opinion that he only jumped to it when the ugliness was broadcasted worldwide... Just sheer insanity and humiliation of basic human rights and dignity. No one deserves to live in filth and squalor [sp?]--most especially in the Untied States.

There was a COMPLETE FAILURE of emergency services in the aftermath of Katrina and in the wake of failing levees in NOLA with the flooding.

Yes, I do think the rescue workers are doing the best they can do. And the service personnel on the ground are doing their best. And with the help from Texas as well as other surrounding states, it is slowly getting better. But powerful folks who CAN make a difference is people's lives, most especially the poor and disenfranchised, knew a category 5 hurricane was headed in their direction and it was not even a consideration that some folks will be unable to evacuate--forget their CHOOSING NOT to leave their homes--but completely DISABLED TO LEAVE BECAUSE THEY ARE THAT POOR!!!

And we did see a COMPLETE LACK OF LEADERSHIP by elected officials as well as the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT whose JOB it is for "equal protection under the law"...

Why did it take so long to meet the needs of the poor and disenfranchised in NOLA??? And I know that hindsight is always 20-20. But the fact that hurricane season has not ended and the possibility of more horrific storms ahead that might possibly hit another major US city, what FUTURE emergency preparedness organizational structures will be put in place?

I think the ENTIRE FEMA DIRECTORS MAY NEED TO RESIGN FOR THIS UTTER FAILURE!!!

I am just too angry right now... :mad:

/end vent

Re: Countries offer assistance...
 

This list is really incredible. Sri Lanka, Thailand? With all they've been through? Mexico is sending water (sorry, that struck me as ironic .. NEVER drink the water in Mexico.. Yeah, I know, it's bottled water and it's fine) and medical supplies. FIDEL CASTRO has offered to send doctors. Japan is offering aid, although they have a typhoon about to hit there. Qatar is offering 100 million. Wow! Read this article!

Re: I'm sorry...
 

There are many calling for the removal of Mike Brown (myself included).

Everyone, should take the time to contact your Congressmen to let them know how you feel about the response to a national tragedy.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/...ommand=congdir