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Ronin
08-29-2010, 05:28 PM
Like so many in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, our friends and family stood together in the face of death, destruction and personal despair.

After our home was torn open early that morning we were immediately shown the kindness of so many from all walks of life. Our neighbors, Roberto and Luz, took us into their home...where we watched our own fall apart over several hours.

As we look back five years later, it becomes obvious that we all came together for a common cause and for the greater good.

Families shared their homes with the displaced and we all seemed to understand that getting back up was the only option.

Over the long days and nights following this catastrophic storm, many people from other states and other countries (some we knew and some we had never met) arrived with much-needed cleaning supplies, clothing, food, fuel and their hard-working hands to help us put the pieces back together again.

As a first responder when Katrina struck I was truly amazed at the diversity of those arriving. During that time I met at least one representative from each of the world’s faiths along with an equally dedicated and wonderful group of non-religious folks who were motivated by their own hearts and minds and a pragmatic sense of ethics to help others.

We were all united as one human family expressing our inherent empathy and service in time of need.

As the five-year anniversary of this devastating natural event arrives, I am still so very thankful for all of those who showed us basic human care and compassion.

John, Becky, Brandi, Frank, Diana, Michelle, Raven, Joe, Blair, Annie, Dan, Margaret, Roy, Fred, George and all of the anonymous infidels and heathens who helped...y’all are truly the best.

A Tribute

lisarea
08-29-2010, 11:23 PM
This blog (http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/) is doing a retrospective and updating of Hurricane Katrina stories. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have Katrina as a tag, but if you look today, the past five or so are Hurricane Katrina stories--all of which are worth reading.

Also, Frontline just did a special for the five year anniversary of Katrina, following up on some of the ongoing stories about police violence in the wake of Katrina, and where the investigations stand now. You can watch it online here (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/law-disorder/).

Ronin
08-30-2010, 02:01 PM
Body recovered here:

http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/files/2010/08/127.jpg

And just south and east of here:

http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/files/2010/08/310.jpg

My friend, Coroner Gary Hargrove spent days going door to door trying to get folks to evacuate, requesting that at least they leave him their next of kin information if they declined to go.

In the aftermath, as we transitioned from rescue to recovery we secured and documented the bodies of the men, women and children we found...many of them we knew personally.

http://media.sunherald.com/smedia/2010/08/29/22/20100829-230946-pic-569990953.embedded.prod_affiliate.77.jpg

We stopped for a time yesterday, to again remember the value of all life lost.

Watser?
08-30-2010, 02:13 PM
Sheesh, it looks like model cars at first glance.

I was in New Orleans a few months ago and I was amazed to hear how much of it has still not been rebuilt. Also in some shops people were still very surprised and happy to see foreign tourists.

Ronin
08-30-2010, 06:59 PM
Waveland, Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian Mississippi are still languishing as well.

Gov. Barbour redirected money meant for rebuilding homes and neighborhoods to the port of Gulfport and big business interests and so everything just stopped and we've been working to get help ever since.

I'll post more later.

Ronin
09-01-2010, 12:44 AM
Sorry for the delay, busy work week.

Here are the basics regarding Gov. Barbour and diverting funds meant for low income folks displaced and still homeless as a result of the storm:

Feds OK Mississippi's Katrina grant diversion - $600 million from housing program approved for huge port expansion (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22805282/)

We continue to fight the good fight and do what we can within the context of an attention deficit disorder by the media and the power of the wealthy elite.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/gallery/showimage.php?i=7042&original=1&c=87

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/gallery/files/4/9/2/1/katrina_homeless_radiothon4.jpg

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/gallery/files/4/9/2/1/katrina_homeless_radiothon6.jpg

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/gallery/files/4/9/2/1/katrina_homeless_radiothon3.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTIhZH6U-Jc

Abby, Jeremy and my good friend Mims are the best, my personal heroes.

Homelessness (http://homelessnessmarathon.org/index.html)