Trying to get by in New Orleans

This a national disgrace!
People left homeless through no fault of their own, because there rental properties were destroyed and then the greedy profiteers move in and double the rents on the remaining livable homes.
It's the American way, the laws of supply and demand, justify profiting from the misery of others.
Where's the compassion in our society?
We had heard about the generosity of Americans in times of disaster, but should everything be left for charities to fix?

The left creates problems, then blames the right for them.

Sick thing is: The willingly ignorant believe the leftist propaganda.

It's always easier to blame others for your problems.

reza june wrote:

This a national disgrace!
People left homeless through no fault of their own, because there rental properties were destroyed and then the greedy profiteers move in and double the rents on the remaining livable homes.
It's the American way, the laws of supply and demand, justify profiting from the misery of others.
Where's the compassion in our society?
We had heard about the generosity of Americans in times of disaster, but should everything be left for charities to fix?

If your looking for compassion, it's a word in the Dictionary.

reza june wrote:

This a national disgrace!

Your reply is full of assumptions and wrong statements.

reza june wrote:

People left homeless through no fault of their own,

There is nothing in the article - or elsewhere - to support this. Indeed, the article says otherwise, talking about drug users and such. The fault of drug use problems, including resulting mental illness, lies with the user.

reza june wrote:

because there rental properties were destroyed and then the greedy profiteers move in and double the rents on the remaining livable homes.

First off, remember, New Orleans has been a Democrat stronghold as long as it has existed. The problems of the levees, the corruption and failings of it's politicians, AND the "greedy profiteers" who raised rents are ALL Democrat problems - created, or at least allowed, by liberal politicians and policies.

reza june wrote:

It's the American way, the laws of supply and demand, justify profiting from the misery of others.

The liberal socialist democrat way is to blame the conservative contitutionalist republican for their failures to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities for any individual to rise as high as their talents and desire will take them.

reza june wrote:

Where's the compassion in our society?

Where have you been? The Federal Government has spent over 200 BILLION dollars on Louisiana, and 2 Billion of that has been stolen - usually by the people we were trying to help.

reza june wrote:

We had heard about the generosity of Americans in times of disaster, but should everything be left for charities to fix?

It has been 2 years since Katrina struck. Alabama, Mississippi and Florida took care of themselves - Louisiana is the only one wallowing in their sorrows while proving the total failures of liberal policies.

And what have you PERSONALLY done to help? OR are you just another hypocrite?

I See wrote:

<quoted text>
Your reply is full of assumptions and wrong statements.
<quoted text>
There is nothing in the article - or elsewhere - to support this. Indeed, the article says otherwise, talking about drug users and such. The fault of drug use problems, including resulting mental illness, lies with the user.
<quoted text>
First off, remember, New Orleans has been a Democrat stronghold as long as it has existed. The problems of the levees, the corruption and failings of it's politicians, AND the "greedy profiteers" who raised rents are ALL Democrat problems - created, or at least allowed, by liberal politicians and policies.
<quoted text>
The liberal socialist democrat way is to blame the conservative contitutionalist republican for their failures to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities for any individual to rise as high as their talents and desire will take them.
<quoted text>
Where have you been? The Federal Government has spent over 200 BILLION dollars on Louisiana, and 2 Billion of that has been stolen - usually by the people we were trying to help.
<quoted text>
It has been 2 years since Katrina struck. Alabama, Mississippi and Florida took care of themselves - Louisiana is the only one wallowing in their sorrows while proving the total failures of liberal policies.
And what have you PERSONALLY done to help? OR are you just another hypocrite?

Personally, my family and I gave generously to the Red Cross at the time of the disaster.
What did YOU do?

You say, there is nothing in the article to support the fact that many were made homeless through no fault of their own.
"But not all of Katrina's homeless are lawbreakers.

Katrina blew out the rear of Beverlyn Landry's house in Gretna, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. Her husband, Wallace, a carpenter, turned the power back on and nailed up siding before he died of lung cancer in March. With her husband gone, no homeowner or life insurance, and family members struggling with their own Katrina recovery, Landry has stayed in the patched together dwelling.

With an intact front, it looks like any other house in the blue-collar neighborhood. But inside, conditions are abject. Electrical wires are exposed. A rotting floor bends underfoot. At night, Landry sees Louisiana stars framed by the two-by-fours supporting her tattered roof.

"I'm living in a shell," said Landry, 60. "If the board of health were to see this, I think they would make me get out anyway."

But options for the post-Katrina homeless have not only been limited by government decisions."

This a direct statement from the article, seems as though you didn't read it through to the end.

And where in my comments do I mention or even hint at any of the political parties involved either pre-Katrina or post Katrina?

I really don't care about the politics, and I dare say that the homeless don't either, and I think that as a centralist, I know which side has the most compassion for their fellow Americans.

I See wrote:

<quoted text>
Your reply is full of assumptions and wrong statements.
<quoted text>
There is nothing in the article - or elsewhere - to support this. Indeed, the article says otherwise, talking about drug users and such. The fault of drug use problems, including resulting mental illness, lies with the user.
<quoted text>
First off, remember, New Orleans has been a Democrat stronghold as long as it has existed. The problems of the levees, the corruption and failings of it's politicians, AND the "greedy profiteers" who raised rents are ALL Democrat problems - created, or at least allowed, by liberal politicians and policies.
<quoted text>
The liberal socialist democrat way is to blame the conservative contitutionalist republican for their failures to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities for any individual to rise as high as their talents and desire will take them.
<quoted text>
Where have you been? The Federal Government has spent over 200 BILLION dollars on Louisiana, and 2 Billion of that has been stolen - usually by the people we were trying to help.
<quoted text>
It has been 2 years since Katrina struck. Alabama, Mississippi and Florida took care of themselves - Louisiana is the only one wallowing in their sorrows while proving the total failures of liberal policies.
And what have you PERSONALLY done to help? OR are you just another hypocrite?

well put. the mississippi gulf is doing so much better than new orleans.

Boy, don't you just love the compassion that a lot of our fellow Americans have for the poor people in New Orleans.

I've been there. I was there 1 day after Katrina hit. I have been back there at least 6 times since then. I am in the media. The first time I went down as part of a media group. It is the only time I can ever remember putting down my camera and helping folks.

These are Americans in dire straits. New Orleans will rise again.

Bubba Lost in America wrote:

Boy, don't you just love the compassion that a lot of our fellow Americans have for the poor people in New Orleans.
I've been there. I was there 1 day after Katrina hit. I have been back there at least 6 times since then. I am in the media. The first time I went down as part of a media group. It is the only time I can ever remember putting down my camera and helping folks.
These are Americans in dire straits. New Orleans will rise again.

Good to hear from a sane compassionate fellow human-being.
It would seem that the gentleman from Georgia lets his brand of politics get in the way of his compassion for the less fortunate.
There are many reasons why people become homeless and not all are self-inflicted.
The mentally ill probably constitute a large proportion of the homeless, even in New Orleans, and many were probably renting before Katrina hit, but now are homeless because they can't afford the soaring rents.
I somehow feel that these people are victims of a society that only helps those who help themselves, and because they can't (not won't) they are deemed worthless and are left to fend for themselves.
Their only redemption from there predicament is to commit a crime and be looked after by the Justice Department.
Glad someone understands without putting politics in the way!

I meant "their" predicament!

The truth is approx. $100 billion has gone towards hurricane relief since the '05 storms (let's not forget Rita). Mismanagement and corrupt politicians (local and state, primarily) have practically paralyzed recovery efforts in New Orleans. Millions were wasted and/or stolen as a result of poor oversight. NO just recently submitted a recovery plan and business conditions are such that many are hesitant to locate there. Let's not forget the insanity of the murder epidemic resulting mainly from turf wars between drug gangs. They are heading for a new record murder rate this year.

Reza june, in response to your comment about 'the only redemption from their predicament is to commit a crime', the New Orleans justice system is a complete failure (corruption as well as problems resulting from the storm). If someone is arrested, they probably will be released due to inadequate facilities to house them all.

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> Personally, my family and I gave generously to the Red Cross at the time of the disaster. What did YOU do?

Well, good for you. At least you are not a hypocrite, then.

Me? I work a lousy paying job and pay every cent of taxes and other money governments extort from me...with little to show for it...and I am not taking the position you are.

On the other hand, you said "...but should everything be left for charities to fix?" So, since you "help" consists of giving money to charities, are you implying the Federal government hasn't done enough?

Or are you saying the LOCAL people haven't done enough for themselves and the LOCAL government is still failing to do it's share?

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> You say, there is nothing in the article to support the fact that many were made homeless through no fault of their own.

I didn't see any statement that anyone was "homeless through no fault of their own."

It is a sad situation for the old woman, but you are still assuming. For all you know, they may have not applied for assistance, or something.

Point is: You are making an emotional judgment to portray all of New Orleans as victims of someone other than themselves and the representatives they elected.

I do see this "...the legislation will stay there until Louisiana's slow-moving Road Home recovery program reports how many people it can help first."

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> But options for the post-Katrina homeless have not only been limited by government decisions." This a direct statement from the article, seems as though you didn't read it through to the end.

I read it all to the end, including this "The faith-based group that ran the largest homeless shelter in the state, the Brantley Baptist Center in New Orleans, said that the facility, shut down by Katrina, will not reopen. Operated by the North American Mission Board, Brantley received the homeless for 77 years and recorded 77,984 sign-ins for food, counseling and shelter in 2003 alone."

Which shows New Orleans was a wreck before Katrina, and I read the rest about the crack-heads, too.

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> And where in my comments do I mention or even hint at any of the political parties involved either pre-Katrina or post Katrina?

You started off stating "This a national disgrace!" - making it clear you don't consider this to be a local or even regional issue.

Then you started accusing and insulting landlords followed up with "It's the American way, the laws of supply and demand, justify profiting from the misery of others." - which makes it clear you don't think capitalism is good and want government to take care of the evil people who have earned a little money. Apparently you also think anyone who practices good economic policies always profit "from the misery of others."

Considering these things, I think it is safe to say you don't vote Republican.

If the laws of supply and demand were being followed in New Orleans, there would be a boom going on there, because there is far more demand than there is supply.

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> I really don't care about the politics, and I dare say that the homeless don't either, and I think that as a centralist,

Of COURSE you don't care about politics! That would mean you would have to learn about things, make decisions and take a position. It is MUCH safer - and easier - to claim to be a "centralist" and condemn people in the name of compassion and fairness!

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> I know which side has the most compassion for their fellow Americans.

And that would be...? Democrats??? If so, please explain to me how their "compassion" led them to be so crooked and irresponsible to lead to the massive failures before, during and after Katrina?

And what about the crooked levee boards with their kickbacks and payoffs that resulting in shoddy levee work that failed when tested by the forces they were designed to stand against?

Please explain to me how decades of Liberal policy lead to poverty, outrageous murder rate and some of the most crooked cops in the nation? The Democrats are supposed to be making things better with their constant promises to look out for you.

What you don't see is they want you dependent. If liberals - especially black liberals - ever realize the "you can't do for yourself" preachings of the left are mental slavery to keep them down on the Liberal plantation, the Democrats are finished. Democrats HATE strong independent individuals, because they don't need Democrats and their empty promises.

Perhaps the Democrats can smooze you with smooth talk, but my momma raised me to judge the tree by the fruit it bears.

Besides, what good is "compassion" from incompetent people who are large part of the problem?

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> I somehow feel that these people are victims of a society that only helps those who help themselves

Which is what built this country into the greatest nation in the world. A place people LITERALLY risk their lives to get to and then make the most of their new freedom to rise as far as they can.

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> I somehow feel that these people are victims

As a rule, people rise to the level of expectation place upon them. The people you speak of are victims of the "Don't even think you can 'cause whitey and himey won't let you" crap that Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and other liberal powerbrokers spew.

Truth is:
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." - Chinese Proverb

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> and because they can't (not won't) they are deemed worthless and are left to fend for themselves.

They choose their own path, and most won't change no matter how much you give them.

reza june wrote:

<quoted text> Their only redemption from there predicament is to commit a crime and be looked after by the Justice Department.

Hold 'em down with low and no evpectations. Excuse them for their choices and convince them it is someone elses fault...now, THAT'S compassion.

reza june wrote:

This a national disgrace!
People left homeless through no fault of their own, because there rental properties were destroyed and then the greedy profiteers move in and double the rents on the remaining livable homes.
It's the American way, the laws of supply and demand, justify profiting from the misery of others.
Where's the compassion in our society?
We had heard about the generosity of Americans in times of disaster, but should everything be left for charities to fix?

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, hee, ho, heha, ha, ha, ha, ha, hee. Uncontrolable laughter. There is no compassion for New Orleans, Philadelphia, Detroit, or Camden. Now be a good sheep and wait to be slaughtered. I'm sure the government or the good-people will be along shortly to save you. Ha, ha, ha, hee, ha.

reza june wrote:

This a national disgrace!
People left homeless through no fault of their own, because there rental properties were destroyed and then the greedy profiteers move in and double the rents on the remaining livable homes.
It's the American way, the laws of supply and demand, justify profiting from the misery of others.
Where's the compassion in our society?
We had heard about the generosity of Americans in times of disaster, but should everything be left for charities to fix?

Yes, let's just switch out capitalism for compassion.

Oh, so are you willing to give all of your money? It's the same comparison.

Supply and demand, baby!!!

reza june wrote:

<quoted text>
Personally, my family and I gave generously to the Red Cross at the time of the disaster.
What did YOU do?
You say, there is nothing in the article to support the fact that many were made homeless through no fault of their own.
"But not all of Katrina's homeless are lawbreakers.
Katrina blew out the rear of Beverlyn Landry's house in Gretna, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. Her husband, Wallace, a carpenter, turned the power back on and nailed up siding before he died of lung cancer in March. With her husband gone, no homeowner or life insurance, and family members struggling with their own Katrina recovery, Landry has stayed in the patched together dwelling.
With an intact front, it looks like any other house in the blue-collar neighborhood. But inside, conditions are abject. Electrical wires are exposed. A rotting floor bends underfoot. At night, Landry sees Louisiana stars framed by the two-by-fours supporting her tattered roof.
"I'm living in a shell," said Landry, 60. "If the board of health were to see this, I think they would make me get out anyway."
But options for the post-Katrina homeless have not only been limited by government decisions."
This a direct statement from the article, seems as though you didn't read it through to the end.
And where in my comments do I mention or even hint at any of the political parties involved either pre-Katrina or post Katrina?
I really don't care about the politics, and I dare say that the homeless don't either, and I think that as a centralist, I know which side has the most compassion for their fellow Americans.

Everyone is in the middle. My opinion, you people in the middle are people who can't take a stance.

I'm sorry, Reza, but compassion doesn't pay the bills. What do you want those who are at least bringing business back to N.O. to do? The market dictates.

For Heaven's sake, did you take an economics class in high school? college?

Do some reading.

I live in NO before the storm and we went back afterwards. We only moved about two month ago because of the increasing violence. We rented a house and were not home owners without insurance. What the looters didn't take the water/mold did. Since we rented we were told we did not qualify for assistance. The co we both worked for was completely destroyed so we had also lost our jobs. I was 4 month pregnant at the time of the hurricane. I went to a temp agency and got a job. I went to work every day and worked till I went into labor then waited till lunch time to leave. People have to take care of themselves. You can't expect anyone else to do it for you. That is where the problem is. Stop looking for a handout and do what ever you have to do to make a better life for yourself. If you are in a crappy situation you can either do something about it or sit with your hand out and complain. I have no use for all these people who want my sympathy, people are a lot more likely to get some assistance if others see them genuinely trying and not just bitching.

Viper Pilot wrote:

I live in NO before the storm and we went back afterwards. We only moved about two month ago because of the increasing violence. We rented a house and were not home owners without insurance. What the looters didn't take the water/mold did. Since we rented we were told we did not qualify for assistance. The co we both worked for was completely destroyed so we had also lost our jobs. I was 4 month pregnant at the time of the hurricane. I went to a temp agency and got a job. I went to work every day and worked till I went into labor then waited till lunch time to leave. People have to take care of themselves. You can't expect anyone else to do it for you. That is where the problem is. Stop looking for a handout and do what ever you have to do to make a better life for yourself. If you are in a crappy situation you can either do something about it or sit with your hand out and complain. I have no use for all these people who want my sympathy, people are a lot more likely to get some assistance if others see them genuinely trying and not just bitching.

You are, in my opinion, a true American. You are not waiting months for the government and doing it yourself.

Congrats and I know, as I'm sure you do, that you will be back on top, while the others still have their hands out.

Devil Dog wrote:

<quoted text>
You are, in my opinion, a true American. You are not waiting months for the government and doing it yourself.
Congrats and I know, as I'm sure you do, that you will be back on top, while the others still have their hands out.

That used to be a true American! Now she is in the minority. "Do it yourself" has been replaced by "Do it for me, now!" Kinda funny watching the water rise in New Orleans and all the sheep looking at eachother while the water kept on risin. A beautiful lesson in humanity, humility, and self-reliance.