Evacuees adapt to Cenla (Rapides Parish Coliseum)

[DoYouEverWonder]

September 2, 2005

<snip>

Contrary to repeated images of frustrated, unruly evacuees in New Orleans, the picture was different at the coliseum. Though there was some sense of frustration, the atmosphere was a civil one.

Rapides Parish Sheriff's Deputy Randell Iles reported no incidents of disorder or violence.

Iles said he had also noticed an outpouring of community support.

"I've seen people off the streets just come in to bring food and toys for the kids," Iles said. "It's very encouraging."

Harlow said there was a sufficient number of cots to accommodate evacuees, and as of Thursday, the shelter was equipped to handle at least 100 more evacuees.

Cox Cable was busy setting up cable TV service. The facility was also equipped for Internet use. One corner of the hall was filled with donated toys, food, coffee and personal items.

http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050902/NEWS01/509020319/1002

Don't let the M$M control the message that most of the disaster victims are looters and criminals. Most of the victims are just human beings trying to survive. And most of them are behaving incredibly well under the circumstances.

[Eloriel]

1. AMEN -- not only that, SOME "looters" are Robin Hoods

Looters are distributing food to hungry at Superdome
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4568012
Link: http://www.kget.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=D4B8AFA3-3564-4FF8-B91D-74F18D488C69


Also see this:
Just found out one of my friends is a looter in New Orleans
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4576940&mesg_id=4576940
and the friend was involved in this:
A message from the French Quarter
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4575683

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Refugees endure the present, wonder about their future

Sept 2, 2005

<snip>

This is what Baton Rouge has become -- a sea of strangers. They are former renters in aluminum frame cots alongside former homeowners laid out in blankets and sleeping bags on the floor of the convention center-turned-refugee shelter.

Unlike the homes they left behind in Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Orleans parishes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the shelter is dry and air conditioned. But that's where the similarities end.

This isn't about comfort, and it isn't about home. It's about survival, existence and waiting day after day for a hopeful answer to the question "What's next?"

The shelter is awash in noise, a constant droning of New Orleans-accented voices occasionally interrupted by various announcements: "All dialysis patients, please go to the nurses' station," or "Jeff Schnoor, you are wanted at the main entrance."

Some sleep. Others watch television hoping to see footage of where their homes used to be. Most of the refugees have succumbed to a condition of eerie, resigned calm. Their eyes are locked in a Katrina-induced stare as they do the only thing they know to do -- wait.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050902/NEWS01/509020347/1060/NEWS01

The disaster is the story but BushCo would rather turn us again these people in their time of need.