If Fed EX and UPS can get their goods delivered right into my neighborhood

[fed_up_mother]

as evidenced by the two trucks that just went by, why in the hell can't FEMA get some food and water into the city of Houston!

[Vincardog]

1. Because FEMA is run by MORANS who believe that "GUBMINT don't work" and want to privatize everything

for their own profit

[BOSSHOG]

3. Tragically

that's how conservatives get elected (over and over again) They tell their lunatic base that government does not work, put us in charge and we will prove, then every election they can say we told you so. And the lemmings haul their values to the voting polls and vote against their own best interests (over and over again.)

[Vincardog]

18. This time the reagan revolution's intellectual bankruptcy and lack of moral compass is exposed. ES&S...

and Diebold are the ONLY hope the Greedy Oil Party has left.

[EFerrari]

2. Maybe you should order some water and food from Amazon.

:crazy:

[fed_up_mother]

4. Good one!

Actually, we're doing ok. We were heavily stocked up, and my husband just found some more ice at a local supermarket. This area is recovering ok, although we don't have electricity yet. (I'm using some of my neighbor's power.)

[EFerrari]

6. It's good to hear you have most of what you need.

:grouphug:

[fed_up_mother]

8. It's amazing what you can cook on a gas grill. :)

[Dreamer Tatum]

5. Because Houston doesn't have their distribution networks?

Apples and oranges. Would you be OK with FEMA contracting with UPS, FedEx, and DHL to distribute food at the ZIP+5 level?
It's an interesting concept.

[EFerrari]

7. At least those companies have a track record.

I can only imagine the corruption in the contracting process as it is now in Bush's FEMA.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

10. UPS has a track record of fucking up every shipment I make.

On the other hand, I'd have no problem handing over the reins of the entire federal government to FedEx. You can set your watch by their deliveries and pickups.

[fed_up_mother]

9. They don't need their distribution networks. They just need to bring some

damn trucks in, and the local food banks can do the distributing, for starters.

[Dreamer Tatum]

11. That's how it's working now

Reliant is the distribution center for the PODs, and the municipalities are responsible for trucking their own supplies from there.

I know it's hard, though. I mean, about 2 million people are essentially living in a cross between the early 1900's and Soviet Russia. Completely changing resource allocation mechanisms overnight for ahuge area is extremely difficult.

[Lars39]

13. And who trucks the supplies in if the municipalities have been hard hit?

No trucks, no drivers? Major flaw to that plan.

[fed_up_mother]

14. The municipalities are supposed to be smart enough to move their trucks, etc.

out of harm's way, so that they can get about the business of doing the work they're supposed to be doing.

[Dreamer Tatum]

15. Not sure how else you design allocation of free emergency goods so quickly

They have to come from somewhere, and they have to get distributed somewhere, as soon as possible. Shit's going to fuck up when you have to feed 2 million or so people thrice daily when they have to come to you, and you have to get the supplies where they need to be. It's hideous. KHOU is streaming now and they're talking all about the snags...people on the ground seem to think it's easing a little, but it's still a hell of a problem.

[fed_up_mother]

16. They don't need to feed 2 million - just the poor folks and stupid folks

Most people around here have plenty of food in their pantries. Sure, we might not like to eat cold beans out of a can, but it beats starving.

[Dreamer Tatum]

17. I think there are more people in need right now than just the "poor" or the "stupid" eom

[fed_up_mother]

19. I'm talking about folks in Houston.

Most of the people in dire circumstances are either poor, disabled, or just plain stupid. Ok, maybe reckless instead of stupid for some folks.

I'm talking about people who safely sheltered in their own homes here in Houston and the 'burbs.

[Dreamer Tatum]

20. That's who I mean, too

But there are a lot of people who are simply in a shitty position. Having lived through major storms there, I can
only imagine how hot and sticky and isolated it must feel for people who have no power. I'm hoping things continue
to improve vis a vis getting food, water, and even a shower and fresh clothes.

[fed_up_mother]

22. Most of us have water, and the weather is glorious.

A cool front came in Monday morning.

Mind you, before the weather cooled off I was a very unhappy camper. :)

[ColbertWatcher]

12. Good question. Take some pictures! n/t

[Javaman]

21. It works like this...

if they repukes could find a way to make money off of food and water distribution, you would have food and water there in no time flat.

Humanitarianism and repukism just don't go well together. I thought Hurricane Katrina taught us that, I guess we all forgot...again.