Re: the FEMA dance
Re: the FEMA dance
After Charley hit here neighbors were out helping each other clean up, cut, move, rebuild or whatever. Including getting supplies for those who couldn't. I dont know of anybody around here that EXPECTED the government to step in and do anything. We all signed our insurance forms for claims and registered with FEMA like we were asked to. <br /><br />One day the FEMA guy showed up here and I filled out what he had. He asked a lot of questions about lost food, generators, hotel rentals (didnt ask for receipts but I had them), lost work etc. I never expected anything -- after all, there were those a lot worse off than we were. However, one day I did get a check that just about covered the cost of the generator. Cool!<br /><br />Overall everybody continued to help each other. That storm brought out the best and worst of the community. I think the outside scum bags were the worst. I dont want to get started on those low lifes.<br /><br />The point is, all we saw on TV after Katrina was people walking around N.O. looting and complaining. We'd see pictures of a dozen people walking down a street past a body. And no one made a move to cover up the poor guy or even move him. There were pictures of people in neighborhoods walking around and making no attempt to move debris or clean up anything to help get emergency vehicles on roads. Nothing!<br /><br />I'm sure there were lots of folks who were helping. But all we saw were the ones complaning and wanting the government to come "save" them. Baloney!!<br /><br />When this stuff happens you depend on one person. Yourself. We got our family squared away as best we could as quick as we could and then turned to help others. You do for yourself. If the government comes thru, then thats a bonus. <br /><br />There were folks here that had nobody. FEMA put up the trailers and got folks in there that needed it. Monday the 13th will be 18 months and most of them in FEMA village have no plan or clue where they're going. Most havent even looked into it. FEMA said all they had to do to get an extension was to show proof they were trying to find a place. They still won't look. <br /><br />Theres even a plan for assistance that the government will give them something like 50-60,000 to buy a house and if they live there something like 5 years, they don't have to pay it back. But they were upset because the money HAD to be spent on a house. It was a credit, not cash handed to them.<br /><br />Most of the people in FEMA village were folks who could do for themselves but refused. Now the 18 months are up and they're screaming. I wish someone would give me 18 months of no house payment. Heck -- 18 weeks! 18 days!!!<br /><br />The funny (sad) thing is there was so much crime in FEMA village that the cops put up a huge fence with razor wire all around the place. And armed guards at the entrance. Get this -- FEMA village is right next to the county jail / sheriff's office! Right next to it! And they still had more crime in there than anywhere else.<br /><br />The other thing is that when I worked in New Orleans everybody there told me that yes, we're below seal level. Yes, we're below the lake level. And no, there is no plan in place in case a levy breaks. Let alone 3 breaking.<br /><br />Its real hard for me to bring myself to blame everything on FEMA or the Feds when the locals didn't have a plan.<br /><br />At least Bourbon Street finally got washed. I bet it still stinks though.
