3 Quadrillion dollars !!! ( use your best Dr. Evil Voice)

[EE-BO]

I just deleted a long post since it served no purpose.

DSTCHAOS- thank you for your wise words. That is the attitude I try to take, and I try to remember there are a LOT of people who were evacuated and were thankful for all the things Houston and many citizens did for them.

I will resist the urge to write more because I was witness to things in Houston that were unforgivable and glossed over for political reasons- but also because for a year every crime committed and reported in the news included a note about whether it was someone from New Orleans or not. The media really did a great job of getting everyone angry and worked up- leaving little chance for Houston's generosity and New Orlean's gratitude to end on a positive note.

[UGAalum94]

It was a category five hurricane. Who is really responsible?

I think it's crazy to sue anyone other than your insurance company. Well, not crazy, since no doubt some jury may award money, but the government can't protect us from everything, especially the federal government when the city and state government fail to act.

[Beryana]

Originally Posted by Kevin

How do you know that's not what his damages were? That he chose to move instead of repair the damage isn't his insurance company's fault.

I tend to think that insurance companies are categorically a bunch of scumbags (except perhaps Chubb, Amica, Allianz, etc.).

That said though, I don't have enough to go on to know that your friend is getting screwed by this tiny offer.

Also, as to the picture, I might feel sympathy for someone who was looting food or something, but Heineken?

To put the insurance claim into perspective, my hail damage claim (softball sized hail this past June) for my roofs, siding, and screens was for about $8000. That included the replacement of the roof on the house and the garage as well as replacing two sides of steel siding (which the estimate was about $3000 less than actual cost!) - on a 1000 square foot house. Tack costs for a larger house, interior damages, possible structural damages, etc and $12,000 is REALLY low. Also taking into consideration most insurance companies give you 12 months to complete repairs the costs would be a LOT higher due to the market.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I'm pretty light, thanks.



Oh well now that you've explained the photo, it's utterly hillarious. Yeah. I guess the visual wasn't funny enough for me.

Hilarious has one "l".

I'm glad you understood the hilarity. Sometimes all you need is a helping hand.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

when the city and state government fail to act.

Even when the city and state government are either under water or overwhelmed by devastation and human need all around them?

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

It's always unfortunate when the stupidity of a relative few overshadows those who do what they're supposed to do.

Exactly. We never heard of the stories of where the money went to good, so I'm curious as to where that money went.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Hilarious has one "l".

I'm glad you understood the hilarity. Sometimes all you need is a helping hand.

I also understand sarcasm. As do you. And that's also hillarious.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Exactly. We never heard of the stories of where the money went to good, so I'm curious as to where that money went.

Some media outlets reported those stories as "sidebars."

Like "these people are squandering money and it's all going to waste...


.....and oh yeah...there are people who are doing what they're supposed to be going with it...."

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Exactly. We never heard of the stories of where the money went to good, so I'm curious as to where that money went.

Can you imagine the AP doing a press release about some Katrina victim buying bread and milk at the store with their gov't card? Yeah. Not newsworthy.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Can you imagine the AP doing a press release about some Katrina victim buying bread and milk at the store with their gov't card? Yeah. Not newsworthy.

Imagine if the media reported the rule rather than the exceptions. Boring news without homicides, kidnappings, squandered Hurricane Katrina money........

[AKA2D '91]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

Many (but not all) of those people were treated like worthless animals. I think they are probably asking for something ridiculous fir the purpose of getting something that is substantial for all their pain, suffering, and loss. While I may not agree with everything they ask/say, I saw first hand the wreckless abandon that citizens of the US received at the hands of the government, we all did. The US even denied foreign aid to supplement the supplies that were being given and many of these people are still living in a squalor no better than the ones they left. People were raped, people died in the streets like animals, elderly and mentally ill sat in forgotten hospitals and half-way homes crapping on themselves until help arrived. I don't feel anger, just a lot of sadness. I'd never wish that on my worst enemy and I'd most certainly never laugh or scoff at what they've been through. The worst thing about this lawsuit though is that even if they won something, they'd probably never get it.

Many here are wondering why the Republicans snubbed NOLA for one of its debates. "Their" rationale was that NOLA could not host such an event. (WTF?) It's a debate, not they Olympics. I guess that the area hosted Essence, Jazz Fest, 2 BCS Football games in ONE week of each other, and other conventions, including our own, that it can't support a FRIGGIN DEBATE? Yeah right!

The amount Quadrillion may seem asinine or stupid, but until you have gone through what they have, you have NO idea! I was at the figure. I was able to do the Road Home process for a Soror I have POA for. She moved out of state leaving behind 2 homes that have yet to be renovated, but still has to keep insurance on them AND pay the monthly mortgage. It's daunting to say the least.


However, everyone has to believe and have faith that there is hope.

Katrina was a Cat 3 when it hit. The hurricane did not cause the problems, the breach in the LEVEES caused the problems.

[PiKA2001]

While FEMA did drop the ball BIG time, Katrina didn't exactly slip in like a thief in the night. The people were told to evacuate, there were buses shipping people out that couldn't procure their own transportation, the National Guard and Sean Penn were deployed right after ( I personally helped load a C-130 with bottled water and MRE's the day after the levee's broke) and as far as I know, there are still people today living on FEMA's dime. I feel for the people that had to go through all of this, but how many of them were the ones that thought the storm would be no big deal, easier to ride it out than pack up and leave for a few days?

[AKA2D '91]

Yes. There are many still living off FEMAs dime. However, those days are numbered, as I understand it. How many? Who knows? Did they remain in the city to "ride out the storm"? I don't know. There are some I know who left the city, but since their home/apartment was destroyed, they had no place to live. Some have relocated. Some came back to the area. Some have bought other homes in the new city; some are renting in other areas.


I hear PROFESSIONAL people saying that if another storm came, they would still stay. It's a personal decision. All I can tell you is that AKA2D' 91 will NOT "ride out a hurricane." I can't speak or judge anyone else and his or her decision.

Originally Posted by EE-BO

I will resist the urge to write more because I was witness to things in Houston that were unforgivable and glossed over for political reasons- but also because for a year every crime committed and reported in the news included a note about whether it was someone from New Orleans or not. The media really did a great job of getting everyone angry and worked up- leaving little chance for Houston's generosity and New Orlean's gratitude to end on a positive note.

HA! I wonder how this factors in with Harris County's (TX) DA's problems found in those emails?

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

Yes. There are many still living off FEMAs dime. However, those days are numbered, as I understand it. How many? Who knows? Did they remain in the city to "ride out the storm"? I don't know. There are some I know who left the city, but since their home/apartment was destroyed, they had no place to live. Some have relocated. Some came back to the area. Some have bought other homes in the new city; some are renting in other areas.


I hear PROFESSIONAL people saying that if another storm came, they would still stay. It's a personal decision. All I can tell you is that AKA2D' 91 will NOT "ride out a hurricane." I can't speak or judge anyone else and his or her decision.



HA! I wonder how this factors in with Harris County's (TX) DA's problems found in those emails?

Look who retires today:

http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,...701591,00.html

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Even when the city and state government are either under water or overwhelmed by devastation and human need all around them?

I really had in mind any of the years or decades leading up to it in terms of reworking the levees. New Orleans knew it had a huge potential problem on its hand for a long time, but seems to take a put it off until another day or see if the state or feds will pay for it outlook.

Camille hit the Gulf Coast of Mississippi in 1969. It should have been a wake up call that didn't take 36 years to answer.

ETA: And it's probably worth noting that Katrina destroyed the MS gulf coast too. No breached levees were required. It was a hell of a hurricane. I think that rather than blaming the feds, it might make more sense to regard it as what's generally referred to as an Act of God. We do what we can to protect ourself. We try to insure ourselves and ideally we get fair and speedy payment. But when a tornado takes out the trailer park, it's not the President's fault. Nor was Hurricane Katrina.