Black mayors call for long-term assistance for hurricane victims

[struggle4progress]

ATLANTA -- The nation's black mayors want to know what happens when relief agencies leave the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast.

At a meeting Saturday, they voiced concern about how to deal with the long-term housing and employment needs of residents affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, especially those who don't plan to return home.

"What do they do afterward?" asked Jack Ellis, the mayor of Macon, Ga. "Do they go out and beg with a tin can? Only the federal government can do this work." <snip>

http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=3954175

[Neil Lisst]

1. Guess who didn't leave Houston for Rita?

The same people who didn't leave in New Orleans didn't leave for Rita.

They heralded the Rita response, but it was an unmitigated disaster.

The poor, inner city folks still got left behind. School buses didn't get used to move people.

Black leaders should be worried. Part of the horror of New Orleans was white people who were afraid to go in, and knowing it will happen again.


------
Neil Lisst progressive comic
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst/

[Igel]

6. I was one of the people that didn't leave Houston for Rita.

One of the couple million people in no real danger of flooding. Not especially poor, and certainly not inner city (we live outside the loop), but still "folks."

On the way to the airport Thursday afternoon (Rita made landfall some 33 hours later), we passed a convoy of 20 or so school buses. They had transported people without transportation from the mandatory evacuation areas to shelters and were returning for another run.

Those particular school buses were just one of the convoys; the various convoys left at different times, and returned at different times. School buses did get used to move people: Those that needed to be evacuated; not those that simply wanted to be evacuated.

The difference between "need" and "want" in this case is crucial.

[DemoTex]

2. "Black mayors call for long-term assistance for hurricane victims .."

As well they should. Bare the fists, guys. Get ready to fight whitey on the righty.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DemoTex]

5. Your point being, what?

I don't think Madison addressed Katrina, per se. In what context do you quote Madison?

Mac

[bluestateguy]

4. The government is going to have to take care of some people for many years

I know that may bother the Grover Norquists of the world, but I really don't give a shit.

[whatelseisnew]

7. Mayor Bowser: "...racial and economic disparity"

"This disaster certainly took the covers off what's been racial and economic disparity," said Robert Bowser, the mayor of East Orange, N.J.