Texas is a BIG state. We can take them all. Calm down, please.

[Bouncy Ball]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-5250022,00.html

Everyone, please. They knew today, possibly yesterday that Houston wasn't going to be able to handle them all.

So facilities in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas have been readied.

There are already evacuees in all those cities (except maybe San Antonio). They have hot showers, food, water, cots, blankets and medical attention.

The state of Texas is opening up its school districts to all school-aged children from LA. Buses will come to pick the kids up from the arenas in those cities, take them to area schools, and return them at the end of the day.

I don't know how the schools will handle the influx of all those extra kids, but somehow they will.

Again, it's a BIG freaking state. There are even medium sized cities taking them in: Victoria, Waco, and others.

Save being upset for the people who are STILL trapped in NO. The ones who got out to Texas are going to be fine. Oh and tons of people are volunteering to open up their homes, too.

Edited to add they would have to come through Houston anyway, no matter where they take them: Houston is ON I-10. Yes, they just took a very long bus ride, only to go on to other cities. But they are safe. They are fed. They will have hot showers, their kids will go to school, and they will have a safe place to sleep.

Snippet from that article:

The governor asked the state Department of Housing and Community Affairs to set aside all vacant low-income housing units for refugees. So far 7,000 units have been reserved for hurricane victims.

Texas will also open its schools and hospitals to some of the hurricane's most desperate refugees. The state Health and Human Services Department planned to extend office hours to help people with Medicaid, food stamps and prescription benefits.

[KitchenWitch]

1. Thank you for this Bouncy Ball!

Good to see you! :hi:

[xray s]

2. I am sure you all are helping out any way your can

Thank you!

[Bouncy Ball]

4. Thanks xray, Kitchen Witch, hi!

I've seen a few threads with people freaking out about people being turned away at the Astrodome. THat's a misleading phrase in this case. They just have to sit tight for another bus ride to another Texas city, that's all.

But from what I can tell, my state is working like mad to make sure we take care of these people, more than just food and water, too.

[juajen]

The people in Louisiana thank you very much for your generosity

Here in Lafayette, LA, we have probably around 20,000, all total. Our population can take that. We are also enrolling them in school, providing medical care, food, etc.

Our traffic is more of a problem now because a lot of upwardly mobile people moved here as well as people with no autos. We will do this graciously for our friends and neighbors.

Love you wonderful Texans with good hearts!!

[ohio_liberal]

3. That's not the point

The point is that they stuffed all these people on buses to go to the Astrodome. Now they can't get inside and have to drive somewhere else. How many of them left on the buses do you think are hungry and thirsty?

[Bouncy Ball]

11. Well, seeing as they are giving them food and water, not many of them.

Look, they are OUT OF NEW ORLEANS.

Don't you think they're happy to have food, water, and be out of danger now?

They are going to safe areas, safe cities with security, no flooding, food, water, medical attention. They can take hot showers, they can sleep on a cot with blankets.

The people who GOT to Texas are a damn sight better off than the poor souls still trapped in NO. They are NOT being turned away from Houston with nowhere to go. I can't imagine us doing that to them.

[ohio_liberal]

19. According to CNN, many of them were livid

These folks have been stretched to the breaking point. Being dragged to the Astrodome only to be told that there is no room at the inn is one more major fuckup in a string of major fuckups.

[Bouncy Ball]

25. Ok well I'd hate to take that indignation away from you.

But I'd say save it for the people still trapped in NO who will most likely die in the next day or two.

As for myself, I'd put up with another three hours as long as I had some food, water, and knew I was going to a place that was safe and had hot showers and beds. Hell, we're even taking the kids to our schools starting tomorrow or Tuesday!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

30. You've got a real interesting approach to this discussion. Maybe....

...you're the one that should calm down and count to ten.

IMHO, you should also quit presuming to think for others, particularly those that have escaped a disaster, and quit lecturing those of us with a different opinion.

[Bouncy Ball]

41. WTF?

Hi, I'm Bouncy Ball and you are?

I am perfectly calm. I am wondering why you and ohio_liberal are jumping down my throat for sharing the news that the overflow from Houston DOES have safe good places to go.

Personally I'm a bit more upset about the people STILL TRAPPED IN NO.

I know the people who got to Texas are going to be ok now. I've seen the preparations made. We are going to take in a few people ourselves (however many we can). They'll be alright, THESE people.

But I can't say the same for those still there. And I wanted to ease the fears and worries of those who got so upset hearing that the Astrodome was full.

[ohio_liberal]

45. I didn't fucking jump down your throat

I responded to an open thread in general discussion. You took it fucking personally. I walked away from it when you got nasty, and now you've called me out. Not cool.

[Bouncy Ball]

47. Called you out?

LOL, you are on this thread. Hardly calling you out.

[ohio_liberal]

49. Yeah, ok, whatever

:eyes:

[nonconformist]

42. Nobody is saying it's WORSE or even AS BAD as the people left

They're just saying - wow, yet another fuck-up. These poor people have been through so much.

[Bouncy Ball]

44. ...

Why was the media saying Houston would take them all when Dallas, Austin and San Antonion knew YESTERDAY morning they'd have to take the overflow?

[nonconformist]

51. I don't know, but it's not just the media

The buses themselves went to Houston and were then turned away. They obviously had no idea that Houston changed it's mind from 25k to 5k either.

[Bouncy Ball]

53. 25K was WAY over-ambitious.

Someone should have known that.

Reunion Arena is only taking about 2K.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

65. You tell US...you seem to have all of the answers.

[Bouncy Ball]

68. Media.

I've posted with you in the past. Do you know me? Fancy me to be some kind of bushie freeper?

Why are you saying the things you are saying to me?

I understand you are pissed off on these people's behalf, I can't even begin to describe the emotional rollercoaster I've been on since Sunday. I can't work, can't eat, can't sleep.

So why are you acting like this? I was wanting to tell people that there are three other major cities in Texas that are fully prepared to take evacuees. I saw three threads with people REALLY upset about this and wanted to give them some reassurance.

So what the FUCK did I do wrong?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

73. I don't know who or what you are, but I'll tell you point-blank how....

...you're coming across in this thread. You are defensive, you act as if you have the only information that counts, and you're overbearing to say the least.

Don't take this as a personal attack...consider it constructive criticism.

One more point...I'm not the only one in this thread that is having problems swallowing the stuff you're slinging onto this board.

[Bouncy Ball]

78. Swallowing?

WHY do you refuse to read the links I've given you?

Why do you seem damned and determined to believe Texas is just luring these people here only to abandon them by the side of the road?

Why?

You might look around in this thread and see that a lot of people find this information comforting. There is no FLOODING in Texas. There is no ANARCHY here. There is food and clean water. Showers, places to sleep.

Why do you choose not to believe that this state can and IS ALREADY taking them in other cities and taking care of them?

Look here, you don't even have to click:

AUSTIN - With at least 75,000 Hurricane Katrina refugees coming to Texas, Republican Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday declared an emergency disaster for the state, freeing up money to provide services for the storm victims.

"Hurricane Katrina, a disaster for our neighboring states, has created emergency conditions in Texas that will require all available resources of both federal and state governments to overcome," Perry said. "We will do all we can as a state and a people to help our neighbors to the east who have lost so much."

Perry has asked the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to identify all vacant low-income housing units for use by refugees. So far 7,000 units have been identified east of Interstate 35.

The governor announced Thursday that along with the 23,000 people moving to the Astrodome in Houston from New Orleans, 25,000 refugees would relocate to the Joe Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio and Dallas would host 25,000 at Reunion Arena.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/state/12536823.htm

[Media_Lies_Daily]

81. Haven't you caught on yet?? People like Perry are NeoCon allies....

...and will SAY anything to cover for Herr Busch's ignorant decisions.

You believe Perry? You're welcome to him.

[Bouncy Ball]

83. ....

I don't believe Perry, I don't GIVE A RAT'S ASS about Perry, got NO use for him, none.

What I DO believe is that these facilities have already BEEN set up. I have seen it with my own eyes. I have BEEN to one of them myself.

I believe my own eyes, in other words. There are already have evacuees showing up in Dallas and Austin. And they have a place to go.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

88. LOL! Whatever you say. Whatever you say. Right. Sure.

[Bouncy Ball]

93. If that's all you've got, this subthread is over.

Yes, I believe my own eyes. Yes, I believe it when I saw there were already people there. Mostly they were just happy to have had hot showers for the first time in days. :-)

I'm baffled as to why the news of these other cities taking them in makes you so angry.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

97. It was over when you started accusing people of lying. Real nice.

[Bouncy Ball]

You're freaking me out.

This isn't you. Here's the post I wrote to you below. I never accused a single soul of lying.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4570245&mesg_id=4571468

[Media_Lies_Daily]

106. Backtracking again? Wow...I'm impressed!

[Bouncy Ball]

109. Explain how it's backtracking.

ALL of my words are right here on this thread. Anyone reading it can see I never accused a single person of lying. YOU accused ME of lying.

Go back and re-read and you'll see it.

I mean this with all sincerity: I've posted with you before and never seen this from you. I've always liked reading your posts. I'm going to assume emotions are running high and maybe you are as tired as I am. I want to assume the best.

[tedzbear]

48. Bullshit.

"As for myself, I'd put up with another three hours as long as I had some food, water, and knew I was going to a place that was safe and had hot showers and beds. Hell, we're even taking the kids to our schools starting tomorrow or Tuesday!"

Easy for you to say while you're sitting in your cushy leather chair in your air conditioned home. Why don't you ride for 7 hours in a bus without a bath for four days and then be told you have to move on. People like you tire my patience.

[Bouncy Ball]

52. This is an amazing response.

Really. I would not have predicted this in a million years.

So. You'd rather they just dump them by the side of I-10?

I'm QUITE SURE they are disappointed at having to go to ANOTHER CITY. Quite sure of it. Positive, my friend, positive.

But WHAT are the other options here? Dump them? Not take them on?

Shit, those three other cities have been preparing for over 24 hours, so I don't know WHY people have been saying Houston was going to take them all!

[Guaranteed]

Send them back to New Orleans, I guess. nt

[Media_Lies_Daily]

77. Now you're putting words in yet another person's post. Where did....

...you read that the poster wanted dump anyone on the side of I-10?

Those other cities have been preparing for over 24 hours? Right.

[Bouncy Ball]

82. No, you're right.

Dallas just decided five minutes ago to do this.

They're magic. They waved a wand and magically all these cots and blankets and bottled water appeared.

The story announcing that Reunion would be used is at least 24 hours old, so they had to have decided it before THAT.

http://www.dallascityhall.com/dallas/eng/NewsRoom/Katrina_Relief.html

City of Dallas Establishes Hurricane Shelter at Reunion Arena
Shelter expected to house 1600 refugees now in Park and Recreation Facilities and Dallas Hotels


(Dallas, August 31, 2005) – The City of Dallas announced today that it will establish a shelter for Hurricane Katrina refugees at downtown’s Reunion Arena. Dallas Mayor Laura Miller said the city is committed to applying all its available resources to assisting victims from this week’s tragedy.


“Our experts tell us that Reunion can safely house 1600 people at this city-owned building,” said Mayor Miller. “We will do everything we can to help these people to have some measure of comfort while they are here. It’s not a hotel, but it’s a better place to be than some of the alternatives.”


The mayor said that nearly every department of the city has been activated in support, and she emphasized that the Red Cross needs volunteers and money. She said there is no way for either the city or the Red Cross to take in bulk good such as clothes.


Mayor Miller and City Manager Mary Suhm said the following services are “in the works” for the hurricane victims:


On-site health facilities to be provided by Parkland
Security inside and outside the building
City is working with DART on transportation needs
The Red Cross will provide food and water
Communications services

[Guaranteed]

62. W T F?????? nt

[Media_Lies_Daily]

24. Why are you getting so defensive about this? Telling everyone that.....

...the Astrodome was capable of taking 20,000-25,000 people was just one more lie piled on top of way too many lies to count.

Yes, it's wonderful that those people have escaped New Orleans, but I want the lying to stop, and stop now.

[Bouncy Ball]

27. Don't accuse me of defending liars.

Who knows why they said it and why are you asking me?

I just saw a few threads where people were freaking out about this and I thought I'd reassure them that places are ALREADY SET UP in other big cities in Texas to take them in and these people are going to be ok, much more ok than the ones still trapped.

Sheesh, thought I'd offer a bit of good news in all of this. Fuck me for thinking that might be welcome.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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

[Bouncy Ball]

37. .....

You asked me "why are you getting so defensive about this?" and then said "I want the lying to stop, and stop now."

No I am NOT lying. I got the sense from your post and the tone of it that you thought I was somehow excusing or defending some kind of lies.

I'm not.

I'm trying to give the people on DU some reassurance. I know for a fact that these three other cities have LOTS of room and that all 75,000 evacuees that got out of NO to Texas are going to be sheltered, fed, taken care of, their children taken to school, all of that.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

56. When you stated that I was accusing you of lying, you were WAY....

...out of line, and I called you on it. Live with it.

How many people have actually been evacuated from New Orleans? 5,000 in the Astrodome, and another 5,000 currently in the buses? That's 10,000 people. TOTAL.

They weren't taking anybody else but those that were temporarily housed in the Superdome, and at last count, they're couldn't have been any more than 15,000 in that facility.

Where are you coming up with the figure of 75,000 people that you have just claimed were evacuated from New Orleans?

Where are the additional 60-000-65,000 people?

How many more people are still awaiting rescue in New Orleans?

And most importantly, how many are going to die because the totally inept way this rescue is being carried out?

[Bouncy Ball]

60. Oh don't EVEN ask me to defend the way this is being carried out.

I've been livid over this shit for days.

Have you read the link I gave in the very first post on this thread?

Texas will END UP taking a total of 75,000 evacuees.

They need to be getting them out faster, though.

I was saying we're ready and we have the room.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

69. Right. The authorities have been claiming for the last two days....

...that the Astrodome could hold 20,000-25,000 people. And that was a total lie.

How do YOU know that Texas is going to take 75,000 people? Because someone told you that and you believed it?

[Bouncy Ball]

71. ...

I have SEEN the preparations in one of those cities with my own fucking eyes.

I KNOW how fucking big these arenas and Air Force bases are.

I have seen the cots, the blankets, the food, the bottled water.

Have you clicked on a single link I've given you? Those are news stories about this, detailing what I am saying.

Ok no wait, nevermind. You're right. It's all a lie. Texas lured them here only to leave them to die in a cow pasture somewhere along I-45 near College Station.

There. Is that better?

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

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

[Bouncy Ball]

84. Well I'm happy you are entertained at fantastical, mythical

tales of imaginary places we are going to house the evacuees.

:eyes:

[Media_Lies_Daily]

92. I'm just considering the source. You lost credibility when you started...

...accusing other posters of lying.

[Bouncy Ball]

95. Actually I never accused anyone of lying. Not a single soul.

Post #27--subject header from me:

"Don't accuse me of defending liars."

I said don't ACCUSE me of DEFENDING liars.

Very different.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

101. Right. Whatever you say.

[Bouncy Ball]

103. Actually you accused ME of being a liar, right here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4570245&mesg_id=4570624

I said "don't accuse me of defending liars"

and you said "now YOU are lying."

How do you read that as me saying you are a liar?

[incapsulated]

5. I heard each city would take 25,000 (San Antonio and Dallas?) n/t

[Bouncy Ball]

12. Yes, and Austin will handle any overflow.

[nonconformist]

17. Houston said they'd take 25k but only took 5k. nt

[Media_Lies_Daily]

26. By the time some of those buses stop, they'll be in Seattle.

[Bouncy Ball]

28. Nice.

No they aren't going to have to go to Seattle, or even Oklahoma, thank God (ha! Joke you Okies!).

I understand being upset for these people, and I have no idea why Houston said they could house that many, but they WILL BE OK and they will be showered, fed, and sleeping in a safe place tonight.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

36. You don't know where ANY of these people are going to end up, do you?.....

Unless you've got some kind of connection that none of us know about, I doubt seriously that you have any more idea where these people are going to end up than we do.

You need to get off your pompous horse and put yourself in Time-Out.

[Bouncy Ball]

43. Why don't you hit google news

and look at the pictures of Reunion Arena, which already have some evacuees, yourself.

No here, I'll do it for you:

Story plus VIDEO: http://www.nbc5i.com/community/4922013/detail.html

[Media_Lies_Daily]

64. Why don't you tell me exactly how many have been evacuated....

...from New Orleans?

Start with the 5,000 in the Astrodome, and feel free to add the 2,000 you just mentioned. Let's also throw in the 5,000 that are currently on the buses.

Go ahead...I'm interested in how you arrived at the figure of 75,000 that you claimed in another post that had already been evacuated.

Ball's in your court.

[Bouncy Ball]

70. Sigh.

READ THE LINK IN THE OPENING POST TO THIS THREAD. It says there WILL BE A total of 75K evacuees.

I never said there were ALREADY 75K here.

Please. I am not your enemy. I am a DUer of a long ass time. I was simply trying to reassure people that the people in Houston are not fucked, they are being taken to other cities and they are AWAY from the shitty water, the anarchy, the lack of food, water and safety.

I sincerely apologize for posting that three other cities in Texas are taking these people in, it was obviously a mistake to ever mention it.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

86. From your post #32..........

"I know for a fact that these three other cities have LOTS of room and that all 75,000 evacuees that got out of NO to Texas are going to be sheltered, fed, taken care of, their children taken to school, all of that."

"all 75,000 evacuees that got out of NO to Texas"

You wrote the phrase above, did you not? What does it say?

[Bouncy Ball]

91. Well seeing as it's past midnight and I got

TWO hours of sleep last night, it looks like I typed that wrong.

Texas is taking a total of 75K. Is that statement ok by you?

Well, I mean of course you don't believe we are really taking them, but whatever.

BTW, Perry isn't taking a single soul in personally, I can promise you that. EVERYDAY people are. Thus I said I don't give a shit about him or what he's saying or doing. I am talking about what the rest of us are doing.

I'm going to one of those facilities tomorrow. Would you like to find out when I get back in the evening how things are there?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

94. Okay. I'll accept that as a backtrack. Additionally, I really....

...don't care where you're stating that you're going to go, or what you believe you'll be doing when you get there.

[WildEyedLiberal]

100. Are you just in this thread to stir up shit for no reason? nt

[Media_Lies_Daily]

104. This is your 2nd post in this entire thread, and you're....

...asking ME why I'm here??

Interesting approach.

[Name removed]

111. Deleted message

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

[nonconformist]

114. Texas is taking in 75k. But they said

hey, send 25k to the Houston Astrodome.

Then, after only 5k, they said no more.

So it's difficult for us to believe that they'll take in 75k and treat them like their granny when the operation appears already fucked up when it comes to estimating how many people can be housed where. And let's face it, this has been a cluterfuck of monumental proportions all around.

I think that's the main point here. Your staunch defense of that, and the condescending tone with which is it delivered, I think is what is causing arguments.

It might interest you to know that on CNN they reported that not all the buses have A/C and people were fainting on the buses and having to be carried off. Before being put right back on the bus, that is.

There is massive suffering going on in this country right now. One can be concerned for all that suffer - to address your argument about how others are suffering worse right now.

[Bouncy Ball]

117. Again, I am not defending clusterfucks here.

The original point of my post was simply to reassure those who were concerned. I saw threads about buses in Houston being "turned away." That implies that there was nowhere else for them to go and three other cities have been preparing for more than 24 hours for evacuees, so I thought I would post this to at least let them know that.

Those cities already have evacuees showing up and I've seen one facility with my own eyes.

I have no doubt the buses are hard to be on.

I certainly don't mean to post in a condescening tone. Maybe I'll link to the other threads where there was such a high level of upset about the buses in Houston. No one should have said they were taking 25K if they couldn't and I have no idea whose fault that is. Dallas knew from the get-go that Reunion couldn't take more than 2K, so I don't know where they got 25K in the Astrodome.

Of course we can be concerned for all who suffer. Those who got out still have a long hard road ahead of them. But I wanted to ease the minds of those upset about buses being turned away in Houston.

[tedzbear]

55. Bullshit.

"I understand being upset for these people, and I have no idea why Houston said they could house that many, but they WILL BE OK and they will be showered, fed, and sleeping in a safe place tonight."

They said that two days ago.

[Bouncy Ball]

63. Bullshit is like your favorite word, right?

I'm not your enemy here. Don't take our your anger about this situation on me.

Maybe re-read my opening post. I was simply reassuring those who were so upset about Houston that they DO have facilities in three other major cities in Texas already set up and ready to go.

We aren't experiencing flooding or anarchy in Texas, currently, though all bets are off on that in the spring. Ha.

That's what I meant when I said they would be safe. They aren't in the horrible conditions they were in.

[Horse with no Name]

89. They only took 5k in the Astrodome

There are additional shelters in the city. From what I read the people coming in from the Superdome tonight would stay in Houston somewhere.
However--I think it is tenuous at best where the rest of them will be.

[Bouncy Ball]

102. That was highly disappointing.

What a cock up to say you can take 25K and then take 5K.

But the odd thing is, these other cities were already prepared.

So I wonder where the cock up occured along the lines.

[RoyGBiv]

6. Some arrived in OKC today ...

I heard this on the news tonight. It wasn't a lot of people at the moment, but there are more coming apparently. They need supplies, so I'm going down there tomorrow to find out exactly what.

[Lars39]

7. I'm almost afraid to ask...

but how is it they have 7,000 empty low-income housing units in this economy?

[nonconformist]

Duh, it's Texas. They're in jail.

I jest, I jest.

[Kenroy]

8. Thank you Bouncy...

we just feel awful for the people who spent 12 hours on a bus after FINALLY getting on one, then being turned away.

We all appreciate what Texans are doing - but this is another colossal fuckup. Not knowing how many people they can fit in the Astrodome? It's insanity.

[Not_Giving_Up]

9. Absolutely! We've got plenty of room...

Somebody at FEMA just needs to learn how to count!

Hey Bouncy - Did you get moved??

[wellstone_democrat]

10. They knew and still drove to the Astrodome?

This is a bigger fucking mess than I thought it was.
As I said on another thread: Reese AFB near Lubbock has good base housing that is empty. I'd like to see the government start opening that up---family houses, barracks, kitches

[Bouncy Ball]

18. Communication is muddled right now, at best.

I really don't think, in this case, there was any evil intent. Houston is the base of operations for all of this anyway. I-10 runs RIGHT TO Houston, so why wouldn't they come to Houston first? It's sort of a port of entry, if you will.

Then from there, it's easy to hop on 45 north to Dallas, or get up to Austin. From Austin to San Antonio is pretty easy, too.

Lubbock is a much much further drive. The major cities I listed can and will take them all, don't worry.

[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

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

[Bouncy Ball]

66. I deleted what I said in response to your last sentece.

I think Goodhair is a motherfucker who can pucker up and kiss my ass.

And right now I couldn't give a good SHIT about him.

If they want to take them on to Lubbock, that's fine, whatever. I was just pointing out they have the facilities ready in three cities that are closer. Lubbock may indeed end up taking some, who knows?

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. San Antonio plans on housing them until Dec.

[bpilgrim]

14. CALM DOWN?!? there are 10's of thousands yet to see a bus let alone TEXAS!

we need the NOISY WHEELS now more than ever :bounce:

thanks for sharing the good news though :toast:

peace

[Bouncy Ball]

20. DON'T CALM DOWN about the poor souls still trapped in NO!!!

Don't calm down about them at all!!!

But the ones who got to Texas, I am trying to tell people, will be fine!! We will not let them just flap in the wind, I can assure you.

[bpilgrim]

75. ok

thanks again for pass'n the word :toast:

peace

[autorank]

15. I think the mayor of San Antonio is an amazing man..

He said they'd take everyone that they could. He said they were opening up because people needed help and that THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO DO THIS. Wow! That's just great.

I think people are reacting to the stupidity of the FEMA people who should be on top of all of this.

But TX is looking good.

[Bouncy Ball]

22. Mayor of Dallas, though I think she is a nutcase, did the same thing.

She said hey we aren't using Reunion Arena, get it ready!

[Horse with no Name]

16. They are also being housed

in Longview, Texarkana, Paris, and Bonham.
Camp Maxey will be opening up in the next day or two.

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. We can take them all in.

:woohoo:

[Rainscents]

23. Thank you Texas!!!

However, the point is, these buses were on the road for 12 hours and than told they need to go else where. This is the point!

[Bouncy Ball]

29. Well what the fuck do you want them to do?

Just say "well get off, sorry, the inn's full, no we're not taking your asses to Dallas, get out here and just make it."

No. They are taking them on to cities well prepared to take care of them.

Look, they'd HAVE to go through Houston anyway, it's ON I-10.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

38. Right. Keep believing that.

[Bouncy Ball]

50. Here you are.

A story plus a VIDEO so you can see Reunion Arena with your own eyes:

http://www.nbc5i.com/community/4922013/detail.html

Or hey drive on down here and check it out yourself.

[RosaP]

40. Way to go Texas...

I was disapointed that it took Dallas an extra half-day to volunteer, but glad that they stepped up to the plate.

Also, what if we have a rule here that says if you haven't already given a donation to the Red Cross you should refrain from complaining about what others are doing.

Amazon finally got the 'one click' donation form posted on their front page so ya'll could make your donations and be back bitching about rescue workers and the National Guard in less than five minutes.

[blue northern]

90. Put up or shut up huh?

and for the record you've done exactly what?
It's Little Lord Pissypants (love that name too)that is bearing the brunt of the brick-bats here.
He's supposed to be in charge, no? (though he definitely is a mere sock puppet), and his brother J.E.B. is a self-proclaimed 'hurricane expert'.
But yes WTG Texas.
You have much more integrety with me than the spoiled & failed Ivy Leaguer who claims to be a Texan.

edited to add that I've set up a donation fund @ work and we have collected $282 so far to donate to the American Red Cross. Not bad considering we work for not much above above minimum wage and get paid bi-weekly with this being an off-pay week.

[crispini]

108. Dallas has had evacuees here since Tuesday.

They were at neighborhood shelters. They just opened Reunion today, but we've had people here since Tuesday. One was a block from my house.

[Bouncy Ball]

110. Thank you for mentioning this.

:hi:

[crispini]

113. Hey girl!

nice post, don't know exactly what they were on about up top. :eyes:

how you finding Htown?

[Bouncy Ball]

115. Good, good.

How are you doing?

(I had no idea saying that three other cities were prepared to take them would cause such anger.)

[crispini]

124. I'm doing much better now I heard from my family.

(some people will fight about anything.)

[Bouncy Ball]

125. I didn't know you had family there.

Thank GOD. :hug:

[Ms. Toad]

33. And families have been split up

If the first bus with part of the family stops at the Astrodome, and the second bus with the rest of the family heads elsewhere that's a lot of added stress - particularly for the mom who handed her baby to someone on the bus so she could get on, then was shoved off and had to catch a later bus.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9148014/#050901c

[Horse with no Name]

31. Also for those who asked last night about their social security checks

Any flood affected resident can go to the closest SS office and ask for an emergency replacement check. They can also arrange for the checks to be delivered to the shelter.

[KamaAina]

34. Now that's the real Texas! On behalf of La., much obliged.

I'll remember this next time a Texas-bashing thread should crop up, not that that would ever happen at DU :-)

[Horse with no Name]

35. Also in my poor little town (and they are poor)

They opened a fund at the bank for the displaced hurricane victims.
:applause:

[tedzbear]

39. Bullshit.

"The governor asked the state Department of Housing and Community Affairs to set aside all vacant low-income housing units for refugees. So far 7,000 units have been reserved for hurricane victims."

You're telling me TX just happens to have 7,000 VACANT low-income housing units that are ready for occupancy as we speak???

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! What kind of units are they? Cardboard boxes?

[Bouncy Ball]

57. ALL vacant.

As in all over the state. That seems to be for short term housing, not just shelter in an arena.

It doesn't matter, from what I've been hearing about the response of private individuals and families, they are going to have places to go. People are chomping at the bit to host them.

[Barack_America]

46. Yeah you can handle them now, but not for the next year...

These refugees need to be relocated across the country, preferably with or near family.

[Bouncy Ball]

87. Oh yeah, I know.

[Guaranteed]

54. Another totally reasonable post turned into a flamefest. nt

[Bouncy Ball]

85. I am gobsmacked.

Do you have any insight as to what happened here? Care to PM me?

[Justitia]

58. I hear ya Bouncy. I just wanted them to get over the State Line.

I knew once they made it into Texas, we would ultimately get them taken care of - all of them.

I'm just damn glad they are getting here.

[melody]

59. Thank heavens for REAL Texans

And not the faux kind that vote for Neo-Republicans.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

67. Thanks but How do we get them there - THAT'S the real problem....

n/t

[Bouncy Ball]

74. The buses will go on to those cities.

They have already done it, there are already evacuees in Dallas.

They have showered, are fed, and are sleeping in Reunion now.

[Justitia]

76. Just heard on CNN - Huntsville, too. -eom

[U4ikLefty]

72. Isn''t there a big ranch in Crawford with a lot of food & water???

he he

[Fleshdancer]

80. We Texans are taking this VERY seriously

I was planning on making the trip down to Houston, but if refugees are going to make more use of the stadium here in Austin (which has already been prepared btw) then I'll try to volunteer there first. If they don't need me, then I'm going where I am needed. This is too damn important to not help out.

[WildEyedLiberal]

96. Bouncy, I'm sorry the shitkickers pissed all over your nice thread

I am glad that the refugees from New Orleans will be provided for once they reach Texas.

[Bouncy Ball]

105. Thanks.

(WTF was that about up there? Whew.)

[fleabert]

98. Hi Bouncy! Great post, it is times like these that I am so proud to be

a Texan! yee haw!

thanks and love from a displaced Texan. :hug:

[babylonsister]

99. Thanks, BB. You are correct.

There are also other states taking up the slack now.
Despite Homeland Security, the people are doing something.

[Horse with no Name]

107. I think a point that many people are missing is

That not only are the evacuees coming to Texas--there are probably ALREADY 300,000-400,000 people that came here to ride the storm out.
Now these people are stuck here.
It doesn't matter if they have a car or a credit card--they still don't have homes and they still don't have jobs.
I guarantee you that Texans are not bad people.
There are shelters and there are hotels taking these people.
The Red Cross is heavily involved.
However, everyone just needs to give to whatever charitable organization they feel comfortable with.
I am not a fan of Perry's. But he is handling this situation in a manner I approve of.:shrug:

[Bouncy Ball]

112. Ruh-roh.

You are going to be ROASTED now! LOL!

I am far from a fan of Perry's and I'll reseerve judgement on him on this issue for now. Time will tell.

Mostly I was talking about the PEOPLE of Texas, not Perry, something I don't think some people higher up in the thread got.

Thanks. Yeah, they will need a LOT of help in the days to come.

[Beausoir]

116. Calm Down?

Yeah. Right. People are drowning. People are being bussed to locations only to be turned away.

Tell them to calm down. You need to edit your title.

And Texas, quite frankly, has MORE than enough difficulty taking care of Texans..especially young Texans, without the blanket statement that "We" can handle all comers.

[Bouncy Ball]

119. I would edit it, but the time had expired.

I even tried to a few minutes ago.

You know what?

I apologize. I apologize for just for a second, feeling happy that there are three other cities already prepared for these people. Sorry for feeling happy that regular everyday Texans are opening up their homes to the evacuees.

I was saying calm down in response to some threads with a lot of panic about the buses being turned away in Houston. They are being diverted to other cities and I have seen the preparation in one and google searches can show you photographs of them, too.

I never said Texas was perfect. But I WAS happy three other cities are available and ready. That's all. I wanted to reassure those who were very upset, thinking the people turned away in Houston would just be abandoned...they will not be.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

118. The Great Governor Perry.

[Bouncy Ball]

120. The Shitty Governor Perry, more like.

It's going to be everyday Texans helping, not him.

If he opens up the Governor's Mansion, I'll eat my shoe. No, both of them.

[Justitia]

122. I think he should lend them some of his fabu hair products - LOL

Perry was definitely shamed into doing it (I believe Gov Blanco had to call and ASK), but as long as they get here, I won't make fun of Gov Goodhair (for a day or so).

I do reserve the right to box him about the ears over his homophobe crap, however.

[Bouncy Ball]

123. Oh he's an asshole of the nth degree.

:grr:

But I don't think of this as Perry's doing, because it's going to be regular people who do all the work, he won't get his hands dirty, believe you me.

[Bouncy Ball]

121. Link: Houston is now taking all buses.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4571519

[The Magistrate]

126. Locking

No good can come of continuing this.