I came up with an idea . Input please.

[Contrary1]

I was just watching MSNBC. A woman at the Astrodome in Texas was saying she wanted to get to Atlanta with her elderly parents to begin a new life, but had no money to travel. She had relatives there that could help once she reached Atlanta. There has to be thousands more, just like her.

Here's my thought: Would it be feasible for us to form a "Pony Express" of sorts to move these people around the country?

Driver A: Pickup in Texas, take to northern Louisiana. Driver B: Drives them to Mississippi. Driver C: takes them to Alabama, etc.

What do you think? So many of us want to help these people directly, and this may be a way to do it.

[calimary]

1. That is TRULY innovative - VERY clever, I think. And it might work

for some people.

What is most important is that people have strapped on their thinking caps around here, and elsewhere, too. We HAVE to think outside the box, outside the old stale cheapskate thinking where saving a buck is God, and cutting corners is the Mother of God.

[tk2kewl]

2. I think its a great idea

:thumbsup:

[oldtime dfl_er]

3. Excellent idea

A kind of constant shuttle.


http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/801334

[shireen]

4. we need a database

of people with their location, distance they're willing to drive, etc....

where to house this database? Or maybe you could suggest this to MoveOn, and they could set up a system like the one used for their lodging match-up.

[Roland99]

5. Count me in!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

6. Great idea. I just checked...

http://www.hurricanehousing.org/ and found Katrina Caravan Rescue (katrinacaravan.com):

"Toll Free Transportation Hotline 888-MoveOn1

Please send volunteer inquiries to [e-mail]

For questions about Katrina Caravan Rescue, please try Live Help

For housing needs please contact our affiliate site
KATRINAHOUSING.org @ 800-917-3490"

It was buried three pages down though - should be front and center IMO.

"Donate Housing - Find Shelter - Find/Offer Rides"

[AmBlue]

7. I'm a Regional Coordinator w/ MoveOn

and will pass this on to the people in charge. This is a great idea.

btw, many people offering temporary housing on the hurricanehousing.org site are offering to drive to wherever people are and transport them back to their homes.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

13. That's very good to hear. I really like the sound of...

"DUnderground Railroad" as Contrary1 posted in #10 below.

[Mythsaje]

8. Actually this is the way canine rescue

gets dogs shipped across country. It works pretty darn well.

[In Truth We Trust]

9. I got a name for it for you: The Underground Railroad. Btw put me down as

a volunteer if it comes to pass.

[Contrary1]

10. Or maybe the DUnderground Railroad?

Thanks!!!

[Barack_America]

20. Ummm, might have to change that name...

Many people were already referring to the Superdome as the middle passage. Might be a little insensitive??? (although the comparison is unfortunately obvious)

[Contrary1]

22. You are right...

I had not even thought about that aspect. I wouldn't want to
offend anyone. Maybe something like "Operation New Beginning"
would be more appropriate.

Actually, it doesn't even matter if it has a name put to it.

Thanks! :hi:

[titoresque]

11. Count me in!

I'm willing to drive from Phoenix Arizona atleast a 200 mile radius to wherever Im needed.

[titoresque]

12. p.s.

Awesome idea you came up with!!!!!!! :party: :toast: :bounce: :hi: :pals:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. Why not demand that the airlines fly her there free?

We've subsidized them since 9/11. They can give up a few friggen seats,.

[titoresque]

15. I think that's a good idea too but

what I'm seeing from regular joes is that we are willing to work together as a team...not rely on Corporate America to get the job done. Just neighbor helping neighbor. And when people directly involve themselves bigger things happen......a shift in mentality and strength that will prove beneficial in the long run.

"We The People!"

[titoresque]

16. keep kicked

:kick:

[Mnemosyne]

17. You are brilliant Contrary1!

I'm in.

[thethinker]

18. My friends were saying at dinner tonight

that there will be a lot of construction jobs in NO rebuilding homes. Those jobs should go to the people of NO and they probably won't go to the people. The people are shattered all over the country on One Way Tickets. I am willing to give them lifts home when there is work there for them, if they want to go home.

I am also willing to drive to re-unite families. So count me in on this Underground Railroad. I like this idea.

[Barack_America]

19. I would certainly be willing...with pets too!!

Except you would have to extend it all the way up to Philly!!

[Contrary1]

21. If we could get it going,

it would most likely end up including many DUers all over the country. Volunteer drivers may have to arrange for meals and overnight accommodations in some cases, but I think we could do it.

We need someone to set up a database. And someone else at the Astrodome to help organize. I am pretty ignorant with computers, except when it comes to the "internets".

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

23. As mentioned up thread, this is the way

rescue groups transport dogs from one point to another. Go into yahoogroups and look for rescue transport lists - you'll find a ready made network of people out there. Also www.cur-central.net. I'm sure there will be transport coordinators willing to share their expertise