Annoying Katrina interview

[lulu71]

Same here lulu71 ...
Where ya't in New Orleans? Saying hello from Mid City!

Hey there! Lakeview here, well not at this minute but next summer if all goes well. Are you back in your house in Mid-City?

 

[janette]

I'm sure there are thousands of families that lost everything they own, their jobs, their cars, their kid's schools, their neighborhoods, etc., that are extremely grateful for the donations and help that they received.

I'm sure they far outnumber the ones picked for the interview discussed but that wouldn't support the viewpoint they were trying to convey.

Thanks to those of you in NO who are working to restore the city.

 

[Ms Marigny]

Hey there! Lakeview here, well not at this minute but next summer if all goes well. Are you back in your house in Mid-City?

Yes! We moved back in three weeks ago after a long, agonizing renovation- we had three feet in our RAISED house, so seven feet of water in the street. Even though my neighborhood still looks like Beirut, it feels sooo good to be back home! Don't worry, you'll get there!

 

[DisneyGirl]

Actually, if you want to place blame about the whole Katrina situation you need not look any further than Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin. Thier ineffectual leadership and decades of corruption have made New Orleans the place it is today (and what it was prior to Katrina).

Amen. I am so sick and tired of hearing those two (well, mostly Nagin) placing blame elsewhere and not taking any of the blame for himself. He was the one who could have done the most by bussing those people out of the city before time (thereby eliminating the problems in the Dome), but he chose to let the school busses sit in parking lots.

But really now, I believe that 90% (maybe even more) of the people that received aid are thankful and used it in a way that was necessary in their time of need. Unfortunately, we don't hear from any of them. We hear from the small minority who want to complain. And I think that these same people would have complained no matter what they were given-- short of giving them brand new tax free ocean view mansions and BMWs (and even that may not be enough-- they may need servants, too to clean the mansions). I try to ignore them, but it's tough-- I still remember, during the aftermath, the lady that was complaining because all they had for them to drink was water-- "not even any soda."

To the poster who said that it is "our fault." I agree that we could handle poverty a LOT better then with handouts-- it is clear that handouts like welfare do NOT work. But we keep it up. Why? Well, just sit back and picture the political ramifications of dissolving (or even limiting) the welfare program in exchange for education/ job placement/ alcohol abuse/ etc. programs. Part of the problem is that we are a free country, and we can't FORCE people into these programs. They have gotten so used to just getting handouts that they would revolt if it changed. It is very unfortunate, but how do we end it? I'm not sure anyone knows. It is so unfortunate that the percentage of people that benefit from programs like welfare, and better programs that are administered by other charitable organizations is such a small percentage.

It is not "our fault" for this aside from letting the people who take advantage of us do just that. People need to take responsibility for themselves, and these people would have to learn really quickly to do just that if the "aid" was taken away. They are taking advantage of the year anniversary to get even more "aid," though, and a lot of them really pull at your heartstrings, which will cause even more material goods/ money to go their way. Will the reall needy people get it? Some may, but I have a feeling that the people who take responsibility for themselves have already taken steps on their own, using the aid they got a year ago to start rebuilding their lives.

 

[TigerKat]

I'm surprised to hear this.. I've been listening to interviews of Hurricane Katrina victims all week long on the various cable channels and I've yet to hear anyone complain about what they "didn't" get.. All they have done is express their gratitude for the help they "did" get..

Don't let a few bad apples make the whole bunch look bad....

I too have been watching and biting my tongue - you really need to be here to understand!! Thanks

 

[angipoo]

When we recieved FEMA $, Red Cross $ and food assisstance we had no idea what the future was going to hold. We were told it could be 6-8 weeks or more before we got electricity back, phone service was "promised" by January (5 months), we were under boil water ordinances. We were in an unknown situation - this was a whole REGION that was devastated, not just one city or even a couple of cities.Our whole infrastructure was gone, we didn't know if we were going to have jobs or grocery stores or if life here was going to be liveable.

We took the money in good faith to buy a generator, replace lost food and to get us through the unknown future. I know the Good Lord provided for us through the generosity of so many people. Did we ever buy "fun" things with some of the money - yes we did. We needed some stability, some normalcy, some "fun" back in life. Do I feel bad about it - no.

I was told by FEMA, Red Cross and food assisstance to spend it for our family and that is what I did. We even bought for my parents who were busy working for the state of Missississippi in Disaster Releif and couldn't go stand in a line for 4 hours or stay on the phone for hours answering questions.

Did I get plastic surgery or an expensive purse with the money? No. Did I treat my family to steaks and seafood sometimes? Yes.

Just a point of view from someone who "went through it"

 

[lucas]

Don't let a few bad apples make the whole bunch look bad....

You just hit on the major point!

 

[drakethib]

I was listening on public radio to a group of interviews of Katrina survivors. The whole situation angered me. I will try to condense it a bit.
The first part was on how these survivors felt treated. They described how after the hurricane nobody could house their entire family together. They had to watch as people said, I can take one, I can take two, etc. They likened it to being slaves on the auction block. Excuse me. These people were offering to house and feed your family members. I'm sorry if nobody could take in an extra six people. And apparently the family remained spread out like this for a very long time, perhaps still are.
Then they talked about how it had changed their outlook on life. They were not expressing joy or gratitude for life. Rather they said I learned never to save anything. I will never accumulate a savings of money again. If I am in the store and see something I will buy it. I'm going to Vegas this month. Over and over they emphasized that they will never save any money again. OK, you had no insurance on your home, you had no savings to even obtain temporary housing, etc. And your lesson is to not save any money.
This wasn't along the lines of I had a near death experience, I"m going to live more. I can understand thinking rather then hoarding all my money I'm going to take my kids to Disney, or get that nice haircut or buy my neice the pretty dress she loves. I'm doing a poor job of describing the whole interview, and I didn't hear everything, but this section of the interview on not saving money floored me. If anything you think you would say I will never be un-prepared for something like this again.

Just Understand that much like the media always does, they play the interviews that they know will get ratings.

It does no good to play the people who are thanking all for the help.

All of the people affected by Katrina are not jerks. (You know that already )

I do understand your anger though.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Does it matter whether some of the victims of hurricane Katrina don't seem "grateful" or took "advantage" of other's generosity? They went through h*ll. I would never want to trade places with them. I will not judge their behavior. I'm proud of those that have rebuilt and are still rebuilding--what perseverance! I long to return to the great city of New Orleans and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

 

[Holly]

Does it matter whether some of the victims of hurricane Katrina don't seem "grateful" or took "advantage" of other's generosity? They went through h*ll. I would never want to trade places with them. I will not judge their behavior. I'm proud of those that have rebuilt and are still rebuilding--what perseverance! I long to return to the great city of New Orleans and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Good post!

This thread shows typical attitudes toward those living in poverty in this country. They aren't grateful enough, they aren't humble enough, and how dare they complain. They were poor anyway so who cares if they are unhappy about the help they've received? It's no worse than what they had before Katrina, right?

I'm sure that most of them are grateful, but the unhappy ones make better news.

 

[Charade]

Does it matter whether some of the victims of hurricane Katrina don't seem "grateful" or took "advantage" of other's generosity?

Quite honestly, yes, it does. It taints the system and could possibly lead to less people offering assistance.

They went through h*ll. I would never want to trade places with them. I will not judge their behavior. I'm proud of those that have rebuilt and are still rebuilding--what perseverance! I long to return to the great city of New Orleans and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

I doubt you'd find anyone that would trade places with them.

 

[dixipixi]

Just another Louisiana resident here....

We live about 65 miles or so north of New Orleans. Way out in the woods. We didn't have tidal surge of course, but Katrina turned our lives upside down.

Our home was destroyed by my big, beautiful (some of them 200 yrs old) oak trees. We're very lucky because our family and all our pets and livestock made it through the storm.

We received $2,500.00 from FEMA. We also picked up some free ice, water, and MRE's from the Red Cross and the military. We never signed up for food stamps and I "redonated" our Red Cross money to the Hurricane Rita fund.

One year later and we're back in our house. We did get an insurance payment, but everything else has been out of our own pockets. At least $60,000.00 or so at this point.

BTW, the FEMA money went toward removing trees from our house and buying diesel to run a generator for a few hours at my parents home in the evenings. No trips, gambling, new cars, or plastic surgery here.

Until you've spent at least a couple of weeks with no electricity (in sweltering heat), no fuel, nowhere within driving distance to get it, and no phones (land line or cell), then you don't understand.

I'm just writing this because I feel like the people who have dug in, asked for (and gotten) very little are overlooked. We just don't make the news exciting I guess.

I've also seen a lot of abuse of the system. There are lots of people in our little town who had no damage at all and raked in thousands from FEMA and the Red Cross. What did they spend it on? gambling, cars, clothes, and cell phones. Makes me sick. You can't get any of these people to work. They're just living as long as they can on the take.

I just wanted to let everyone know that we're not all bad. I'm very grateful. I even posted on a "thank you" thread here on this site. I cried when the first trucks pulled into our town with relief supplies. And those supplies were from other Americans...not the gov't or any big organizations. All summer I've watched church buses and vans full of people come through our town on their way to help out in NO and on the coast. Trust me, the majority of us are EXTREMELY GRATEFUL. There are no words to express how we feel about everyone who gave.

Just don't judge us all by the few bad apples. The majority of us are hard working, honest people.

 

[Uncle Remus]

This thread shows typical attitudes toward those living in poverty in this country. They aren't grateful enough, they aren't humble enough, and how dare they complain. They were poor anyway so who cares if they are unhappy about the help they've received? It's no worse than what they had before Katrina, right?

I'm sure that most of them are grateful, but the unhappy ones make better news.

Tell it,Sister!
I'd really hate to hear the whining of some of these posters
if THEY had actually lived the experience of Katrina.

 

[lindalinda]

They have always been, and will always be, people who can "scam" the system. Focusing on these people and saying that our generosity has not been appreciated is more harmful than the scammers themselves, in my mind. If it happens again, God forbid, we will open our hearts and our pocketbooks and give as much as we can. One of the men killed in the plane crash in kentucky today was on his way to work in mississippi for habitat for humanity. I feel sure he knew he was doing the right thing.

 

[Charade]

Good post!

This thread shows typical attitudes toward those living in poverty in this country. They aren't grateful enough, they aren't humble enough, and how dare they complain. They were poor anyway so who cares if they are unhappy about the help they've received? It's no worse than what they had before Katrina, right?

I'm sure that most of them are grateful, but the unhappy ones make better news.

No, it shows the typical attiude towards people who take advantage of the good nature of those willing to offer help to someone in dire need.

 

[Planogirl]

No, it shows the typical attiude towards people who take advantage of the good nature of those willing to offer help to someone in dire need.

There have ALWAYS been people who would take advantage. I don't recall people ever refusing to give fully aware that there might be con artists and ungrateful people out there. To me it's a given and therefore irrelevant.

I'm SO glad to see people rebuilding New Orleans! I worry a bit about the coastal areas all along the gulf that were hit so hard but I'm always happy to see people persevere.

 

[Holly]

No, it shows the typical attiude towards people who take advantage of the good nature of those willing to offer help to someone in dire need.

Are you saying that all of those who received help were taking advantage? Some people seemed to think so.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I'm surprised to hear this.. I've been listening to interviews of Hurricane Katrina victims all week long on the various cable channels and I've yet to hear anyone complain about what they "didn't" get.. All they have done is express their gratitude for the help they "did" get..

Don't let a few bad apples make the whole bunch look bad....
__________________

I agree. To NO residents, i'm very sorry to offend you. Those who are working hard to rebuild deserve every bit of help available and my utmost respect. I'm sure it's the majority. I shouldn't judge based on a couple interviews. I hope you have life back to normal soon and my prayers are with you.

 

[Charade]

Are you saying that all of those who received help were taking advantage? Some people seemed to think so.

No, I wasn't. I know (and we've read here firsthand) they were many that didn't. But it's the bad eggs (just watched POTC!) that taint the system and the ones that are "news"worthy.

 

[Charade]

There have ALWAYS been people who would take advantage. I don't recall people ever refusing to give fully aware that there might be con artists and ungrateful people out there. To me it's a given and therefore irrelevant.

It might be a given to you but to many that see these reports on the news might think otherwise. Just because you can get past it doesn't mean others will be able to.

I'm SO glad to see people rebuilding New Orleans! I worry a bit about the coastal areas all along the gulf that were hit so hard but I'm always happy to see people persevere.

Same here. But I have mixed feelings about the 9th ward. Unless they can assure us that the levies will hold up under a Cat 5, I think it's foolish to build homes well below the water level and right next to it.