What Happens When Evacuees Become Public Menace #1??

[DemocracyInaction]

This isn't over by a long shot. Look down the road a few weeks.

Right now we have herded evacuees into football arenas, etc. with cots as far as the eye can see. Presently these people are recovering from their hell and grateful for food, water and place to sleep. But, of course, this isn't some place to camp for a couple weeks and then back on the bus heading home. There is no end in sight.

By human nature, these people in a few weeks are going to be angry, clawing the walls, going crazy living like this, and frustrated. You are going to start hearing from them as they begin to slam this government and what it has done to them.

In answer, you are going to have the Rush Limbaugh's telling their ignorant bigots that these people are "ingrates", "welfare queens/kings", "blew their $2,000 (like that will fix everything), etc. And there will be massive tension. Prediction: look for armed police, nat'l guard, etc. starting to mill around evacuation centers.

This will become a Bush propaganda nightmare. From what I've seen of these Rovarian scum, Bush will try to "play it" just the way Limbaugh calls it. In order to boost the base, he will try to make Americans detest these people. He will make them into a "menace" that should be scorned and not listened to. Like I said, this isn't over. I hope these people stick to their guns and end up making life a living hell for the boy at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

[grumpy old fart]

1. It's a genuine issue. Be honest, would you want 30,000 poor people moving

into your city? Isn't poverty already a problem in many cities, where at least they have homes to live in, and a safety net to somewhat rely on? What happens now when you drop another 30,000 into the system, with no housing, etc????

[DemocracyInaction]

2. I'm not talking about a "city". I'm talking about all those evacuees

living together in "cot city". People can take that only so long. They can't be penned up in there for years. So, there is going to come the breaking point as they sit and wait and sit and wait. That's what going to start being the sequel to the original disaster. These people are not going to just go away quietly and they shouldn't. Hopefully, after thinking a bit they will start reminding this country of what the government failed to do. Right now they are in a holding pen and the Bush criminals you can bet are wondering how they can keep these people quiet. That will take getting them out of these places fast. But, there just isn't small, seperate places for them. There's a mess coming in a few weeks and it could turn ugly when, like I said, the Limbaugh's start dumping on any of them that dare ask questions or complain.

[grumpy old fart]

4. that's what I'm saying...you can't keep them in "cot city". ....

So what do you do??? I guarantee Houston is not looking for an extra 30,000 poor people moving into the community at large....

[SmokingJacket]

3. Of course I wouldn't. But I would accept it as necessary.

I would say to myself, Well, I'm lucky it wasn't MY city that was washed away, so now I have a duty to share what I have.

We ALL have to share what we have now. That's all.

[grumpy old fart]

5. Easily said now....but not down the road. The poor folks moving into

YOUR neighborhood? Thousands of 'em? They are poor evacuees now...they will soon become the dreaded "other" of the ghettos we largely ignore and fear already....

[SmokingJacket]

10. But what's the alternative?

They must be helped to settle into existing cities until (and if) NO is rebuilt.

I hate the Not In My Backyard Shit.

[grumpy old fart]

11. I hear you on the "not in my backyard shit", but it's human nature...

and a reality. It's gonna be a real test on many levels....

[DemocracyInaction]

6. Again--I'm not talking about any city's problem. I'm talking about

the physical manifestation of a whole bunch of people living together like that for weeks. It will blow. And you can bet Bush knows it. They have another problem on their hands waiting right around the corner. These people are going to get mad at what this government did to them by neglect. They are not just going to sit on those cots for the next few years and quietly get out of society's way. Bush is going to have to answer to them. Our Dems are demanding "answers" but in a few weeks, I guarantee you, this issue will be flowing out of relief centers all over the place as these people demand answers.

[grumpy old fart]

7. I understand, I'm just going a step beyond...It's the current hood on.....

on steroids. It's gonna get real ugly.....

[SmokingJacket]

9. I was answering the other poster, but yeah, you're right.

You can't keep thousands of people sleeping on cots -- they must be helped to resettle elsewhere, or else the country is going to have to send them to CAMPS.

I think the first option is just a MITE preferable, though difficult to implement, yes.

It'll will be interesting to watch.

[mattclearing]

8. Internment camps! n/t