I don't "know" it for a fact...I said "I think" indicating that it was my opinion. And I have never lived through a disaster, but I have lived through times where money has been tight and there was no extra to spend, (i. e. losing a job) and my respone was not to go out and get drunk or buy something ridculous like an over-priced handbag. I made a tight budget and stuck to it. I realize that this would not have been everyone's response, but then again, America is not know for it's people being logical and responsible.

I didn't say that I thought that I should determine what they spend...they can spend it however they want to, but then in a month when it's gone and they still have nothing to show for it, I will have absolutely no pity for them. People who used their money to try to put their lives together, but are still lacking, I will have pity for.

And I think the WIC program is excellent. I like the fact that moms must use the assistance for the basic needs of their child. I used it and it got me through losing a job, and now that I have a good job, I've stopped using it (athough I probably still qualify as it takes a good bit of income not to qualify).

I have to be honest, I think that spending the money at a strip club is somewhat wrong b/c there are others that could use it for food, water, diapers, etc.

That being said, I also think of it like I think of many asking for change on the street. If that drink is going to make them happy, then why can't they have it? It is a tough call.

Here is a website that has some very emotional images...

http://www.watchingkatrina.com/

First off, it's ridiculous that people are spending money that was donated to help them start over on strippers and designer fashion wear.

I really hope FEMA is only giving out XX amount of money and once it's gone, it's gone. Of course then we will still have all these poor bastards running around crying how poor they are and they lost everything to the Katrina....while they are wearing designer clothes I'm sure.:rolleyes:

I don't see why the gov't can't keep a tighter leash on thes idiots. In the military we have debit cards for certain expenses. For instance gas. When I fill up a gov't vehicle I can only use low grade gas and I have to make record of what the mileage is so they can determine if I'm getting the proper mile/gal and not just stealing gas for my own vehicle. If you get caught filling up with premium you have to pay the difference, and if you get caught stealing you get charged with an article 15 and have to pay all the money back (the entire credit card charge) plus interest. Fair in my opinion.

There are a number of refugee's about a half hour where I'm from. Needless to say I don't want the staying here b/c of the trouble they bring.

I have a few brothers and friends that got called up to help with base security. They confiscated guns, drugs, knives, etc. They also had to keep all the single women in a seperate barracks so they wouldn't be harrassed/raped at night. Additionally the MP's had to constantly patrol to keep them from fighting/stealing/destroying property. Needless to say I don't want people like that living in my area. Send them back down to the slums.

Such compassion!

Well, I may be incorrect, but I believe FEMA money comes from the government -- not donations. So, it is entirely possible that these folks are using money they paid in taxes in some cases.

I have trouble believing the last comment.

SMH

:(

Lord have mercy......

Ignoring any other concerns, why is this some sort of surprise to anyone?

Since the dawn of time, people have been coping with rough times by blowing cash on booze, hookers, gambling, luxury items, and etc. Instead of being scented oils or whatever shit Odysseus would buy as a beggar, it's a strip club in yeehaw, Arkansas.

I like to get drunk. I'd imagine Coramoor, even in his temple of wisdom, has said the words "I need a drink" at some point in his life - and I also doubt he's needed the assistance of others to get it.

So why do we have a dilemma at the intersection of "I Need Help Blvd." and "I Could Use a Drink Way"?

Also, think about buying a Vuitton handbag with your Red Cross funds - if you want to be all beligerent about it, word up, do just that . . . but why be outraged? Instead, this is the ultimate form of social Darwinism, if in fact your rampant classist/xenophobic fear of the poor is justified. Right?

If we're being judgemental here...I'm not really sure how I feel about this.

On one hand, I feel it is wrong for people to be spending their money on strip clubs and frivolous things like LV purses. That money was given to them with the intention that they would use it on food and clothes and necessities to survive. I almost feel that a restriction should be imposed on where they can spend their money.

On the other hand...these people just lost everything. Some have lost their loved ones, their houses and everything they've ever owned...are you really going to deny them a drink or one day away from all the pain they're feeling? I know that I go shopping sometimes when I'm feeling down; perhaps these women buying the LVs are merely trying to preserve their very last shreds of dignity.

If people want to spend their money in this fashion, let them. I can't really say I approve, but I just don't feel like I should be one to judge them.

The problem isn't the act of how you spend it. Poor people are generally stupid. It's why they are poor and will always be poor and will die facing hardships.

The problem is the intention of people giving the money, prior to the act, - whether it is through FEMA or private donations.

In a sense, it's almost like false advertising.

-Rudey

I'm not against helping them get back on their feet. For one, if we don't give them anything they will more than likely just turn to crime and make things even worse.

However, spending hundreds/thousands of dollars on a purse or on alcohol is extremely excessive. If that view makes me 'uncompassionate' so be it.

There has to be a limit. Yeah, they lost their worldy possesions, but they are alive. I don't see why living through a hurricane gives people a reason to cash in on other's charity or gov't money.

Oh, I totally agree - I think we can see that in this thread. "That's not what MY donation went towards!"

Surprise! There's no real restriction on how to use the funding. It's at their discretion - and they don't have to call and ask how to use your twenty bucks.

Here's my real question - is the true onus on the people spending the money, the organizations giving it to them sans restrictions, or the people donating for having essentially unwarranted expectations as to its use?

I specifically read that they were providing necessities in the charities I donated to. I also specifically read that 100% of my donation would go to the hurricane victims without one cent going towards administrative costs. And it would only be used for hurricane victims, not starving dogs in Seoul.

If I had a 9-5 job, and had proof that someone used that charity's proceeds for a strip club, I would file a lawsuit or at least make enough of a racket to get on tv.

The poor are uneducated enough to squander money like this but if someone that isn't poor somehow is OK with them doing this, I don't even know what to say for their reasoning.

-Rudey

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but on a morning radio show, a lady called in who worked at a jewelry store. She was furious b/c some other lady came in to the store she worked at to buy DIAMONDS with her FEMA card.

WTF? :eek:

This is about the funniest chit I've read on this topic in a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggttttttttttttttimmm mmmmmmmeeeee...

And y'all a bunch a cheap-assed bastards... Such turncoats and tightwads... Miserly or curmudgeons like the dudes in Voltaire's Candide...

And y'all really think that the NOLA evacuees can go into Neiman's an purchase a $$$$bling bling LV??? :rolleyes: without mall security jacking chit up???

You know that LV was bootlegged from jump... Ya outta be happy they gotta deal!!!

Since SOME people are worried that the evacuees are dangerous...
 

Seems like there are those that choose to prey on the evacuees, as opposed to the other way around.

Katrina refugee gunned down in Tennessee

Police investigating whether robbery was the motive

Friday, September 23, 2005; Posted: 11:29 a.m. EDT (15:29 GMT)

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (AP) -- A man who sought safety from Hurricane Katrina in Tennessee was gunned down in the street and died, possibly during a robbery of his Red Cross relief money.

Don Maurice Airline, 24, of Metairie, Louisiana, was found on a secluded road with five gunshots to his head. Days before he was killed last week, the Red Cross gave him a debit card worth several hundred dollars.

Investigators found five handgun shell casings with Airline's body, less than a mile from a Red Cross shelter where he had stayed. Police were investigating whether robbery was the motive; no one has been charged.


http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/23/ref....ap/index.html