God, my city is just dying...

[JeffreyWilliamson]

Every day it seems like there's more bad news.

http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7a289c368fa4f569

GALVESTON — Some walked out crying; others carried boxes of stuff.

Still others had anger in their voices when they left a meeting, closed to the media and general public, in which executives officially announced to staff that Shriners Hospital for Children in Galveston would close indefinitely as it struggles with a nearly $3 billion shortfall in an endowment that funds it and other pediatric centers.

Closing the 30-bed hospital would save the Tampa, Fla.-based philanthropic organization as much as $30 million in yearly operating expenses, officials said in a confidential letter to employees. But employees wondered what it would mean for children and burn research. The island has been home to Shriners for years.

Back in 1996 I was a waiter at a local restaurant, and I remember the Shriners always brought in the kids for food. Nicest old coots you'll ever meet. We always went out of our way to make sure those kids had the best time.

The Shriner's used to book one of the party rooms at the restaurant every year around Mardi Gras, and they would all show up in full clown attire. They used to walk around the restaurant and surprise the kids.

It's getting hard to stomach seeing stuff like this every day.

[midnight]

1. This is awful. We have a shriners here in the midwest in Chicago.

We were only in there twice. A very busy place. They do amazing work for the children.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

3. They're located here in a nice building.

I'm wondering what's going to happen to all of those nice buildings down there since they all seem to be closing.

[midnight]

5. Maybe they can be turned into low rental units for all those

people who lost their homes in the hurrican.

[grannie4peace]

2. i'm so sorry- my sister's live in lake jackson & i visit them sometimes

they told me the same thing. i'll pray for you-- remember "change IS the only constant":hug:

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Hang in there!!!

After Katrina, NOLA was dying. We were FINALLY getting back on our feet before the gruesome twosome came though (Gustav and Ike). We are slumping again. I wish I had more than platitudes and well-wishes to help, but that is all I have...so, be well, strong, and don't give up hope!

[Loki]

6. What is happening in Galveston is nothing less than criminal

I'm in Houston and my husband went to UTMB in Galveston, we have friends who lost everything on that island and yet our governor and our two worthless pieces of shit senators do nothing. Folks this is what Republican representation gives you. I'm sorry JW, we can't get rid of these criminals fast enough.

[snot]

7. seconded.

[nichomachus]

8. Sorry to hear it, but it's happening all over the country

and it has been for years. While everyone was breathless over yellowcake or Valerie Plame or whatever (all important in their own right, I agree), the country was slowly being eaten from within. It's Grover Norquist's grand design.

I've been tracking this for years in city after city after city, as budgets at all level are starved of the money they need to operate. The goal is that eventually all public services will have to be cut, at which time they destroy Medicare and Social Security. It's called "Starve the Beast." Unfortunately, we are the "The Beast."

All of this is planned. I call it the "We Had No Choice" attack, because every time some school is closed, teachers are laid off, a hospital is closed, salaries are cut, parks are abandoned, etc., the city officials use the same line -- "We had no choice."

A city near us finally just shut down some traffic lights because they couldn't afford to pay the electric bill for them. They stopped watering grass and plantings in the parks and allowed them to die.

This all goes back to Ronald Reagan and the gang that convinced the American idiots -- many of whom still believe it -- that you can run a 21st Century enterprise with 18th Century revenue.

America is dying. I'm still waiting for Obama to address this problem, but haven't seen any signs. I really like a lot of the things he's doing, but the problem is more fundamental -- most cities and towns are starving to death and, in many cases, are prevented by idiotic laws from raising taxes to meet their needs.

[deaniac21]

9. I think UT is going to move the medical school to Austin. My

nephew is a resident at that hospital and that is what he is being told.

[dysfunctional press]

10. some places aren't meant to be populated...

what's gonna happen as the ice continues to melt, and the oceans rise up?

[buzzycrumbhunger]

11. I don't know Galveston,

but I know Shriner's. Their hospital in Tampa took care of us when my son lost his leg, including putting me up in a hotel-type room for the three weeks while he was there. These are not just goofy old coots on tiny motorcycles, but one of the truly honorable charities that really does volunteer everything possible so the maximum amount of donations can go to the kids (free care until they turn 21). Definitely one to keep in mind if you're in a giving mood.

[AwakeAtLast]

12. My Grandfather was a 50 year Shriner

Rode the motorcycles in the parades, cooked chicken for the chicken frys, did everything he could to raise money for the hospital.

He loved being a Shriner. I am afraid they are a dying breed.

[diane in sf]

13. Sadly, Galveston is going to go underwater any time there's a bad hurricane.

Buildings will be destroyed and people will die. People are making rational decisions not to make large capital investments there. This is going to be happening in many coastal places as the oceans rise. Many places we know and love are going to be underwater or uninhabitable even if we halt all our global warming activities next week.