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YIKES! IKE... and the people who came with him..
- Sep 12, 2008 at 1:22 PM
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- Comments (11) Total Views (105) Everyone can see this journal post.
first, I want to say; to those who want to track Ike and find out progress, in real time, here's a great link
:http://blogs.pcworld.com/tipsandtweaks/archives/007735.html
wow. Yes, Ike is on his way, "bearing down on Houston", after possibly running over Galveston, TX..., a town that was destroyed in 1900. I suppose this Is the "hundred year storm" Texans often speak of. Guess I am old enough, now, to get it.
Now. One thing I do NOT get are the "visitors" we in Austin have, again, opened our doors to. Oh yes, they have been temporarily displaced, minimally. And, yes, we have closed some of our schools in order to make a home for these people. Just moments ago, I watched the news to hear what's going on with Ike and our related "company". Wouldn't you know it? They have been here less than twenty-four hours and are already complaining that Austin is not "doing enough". Hello? We promised you SHELTER; we are providing shelter.
These people were told, prior to their descent upon our open and extremely giving town, to pack (minimally) three days worth of bottled water, food, pet supplies (for those with pets), bedding, diapers (for those with babies), etc.. Most simply showed up, bringing seemingly nothing. I certainly do understand that many people in the south part of this state are poor. Many do get assistance in the way of food-stamps and monies for necessities. It is the beginning of the month. So, what have they done with that assistance? If not for the storm, what would they have done? Heck, we opened our doors less than two weeks ago, and the same procedures are being followed. What did you do then?
I am not sorry to say this; Hurricane Ike is NOT a BONANZA FOR REFUGEES. Yes, the Red Cross and many caring citizens of Austin and surrounding areas will go ahead and make their way to the MANY shelters we have open for our guests, and bring to these people what they say they are lacking. But, next time; heed the warnings and bring supplies for you to handle your own business! And, next time; try being just a bit appreciative.. or, go somewhere else.
Everyone knows that company does begin to stink, though it usually takes more than one day... yeesh.
Tags: austin, emergency supplies, galveston, houston, hurricane ike, preparedness, red cross, ungrateful people
Comments:
Oh, I know, Jes. Most of our company has been great-- everytime we have to open our shelters (and you know it happens a lot, esp since katrina and rita).
Hey; wondering, though; where are YOu? are you in Houston (in one of the supposedly "safer" zipcodes)? have you evacuated or what are your plans? It does look like Ike may remain cat-2, but looks more and more like Houston is going to bear the brunt of it. So, I hope YOU and your family are safe!
And, again; I know that most who have had to take advantage of shelter Austin provides are pretty great about it. Still it takes a few (and the ones down at Crocket High are something else)...to ruin it for us.
One of my friends who lives in New Orleans was telling me that as people were waiting for the FREE buses that were provided she overheard some woman complaining, "It's hot out here, ma child is burnin' up, how long do we have to wait?!?" Ungrateful people! I watched the news as many gave from their hearts to help Katrina victims, yet, you know what I didn't see or hear? People saying "Thank you." I just read a journal from a woman who said she didn't heed the evacuation orders, she's "excited" and looking forward to Ike, waiting with her baby daughter! WHAT???? How stoooooooopid is that?????
Oh, yeah, Brie. I just watched some more of the news and they said that half of Galveston Island did NOT leave- what an asinine thing to do. But what you mentioned is even worse! WHY would anyone place their child's life in danger?? -- for the excitement of it? THAT is nutts. I mean, I hope they make it, but these storms are not anything to fool with..
Anne, I'm not in Houston proper (though I do work downtown, so I was off work today!). I live about 40 miles north. It's supposed to be safer than in Houston, BUT, we're still expected to get hurricaine-strength winds. If I still had family in Killeen, I'd have gone there, but I don't know anyone there anymore. I've got my windows taped up, my bathtub full, my dishes and clothes washed, and lots of bottled water. All I can do is wait with my fingers crossed.
well, I am glad you're north of it But, yes, winds are going to be HIGH tomorrow where you are. Have you seen the people who are already being air-lifted to safety? I just don't get how anyone stays (at least on any of the islands).. I grew up in the norheast and hurricanes aren't anything to play with...
You should have told me you didn't have anywhere to go- I do have an extra room and only have one roommate--my bunny. Let me know next time and, for sure, let me know that you are safe as this continued, ok? I think you will be. it may be scary, but you should be okay. are your neighbors around??
Wow...how can people be so ungrateful when people are giving them stuff for FREE?
I think maybe they are frustrated... But, we're kind of frustrated, too; espcially when this is what we hear. They are warned and everyone who lives on the coast is aware of how it is supposed to work== guess they don't pay attention. Silly thing is that they end up mad at us, as a city, while we hold up our part of the agreement.
ugh- and the news is back on;; of course, someone is complaining that Austin has not provided water-- NOW, Austin does have some pretty-high-qualiy water that flows all over town. Are people just spolied over bottled water or what? Hell, they can use their food-stamps to buy water-- why they don't is beyond me. even the convenience stores carry this AND accept food-stamps. I happen to know there is one store across the street from that particular shelter so really am irritated over that complaint. Some people seem to not even try to do for themselves!
I'm from SW Louisiana and some of our neighbors in lower parishes were told to evacuate and went to Shreveport. The complaints you were hearing, our volunteers heard there too. Evacuees were angry because diapers and baby formula weren't provided. What would they have done if they were still at home? Gone without? Sometimes I think people have such a strong sense of entitlement that they miss the whole concept of independence.
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On behalf of Houstonians everywhere...we're not all like that. It bugged me when the New Orleanders came over here after Katrina with the same complaints. "Oh, sorry, did we forget your gift basket and complimentary Cadillac? Sorry..."