Fuck it -- I'm leaving

[CornField]

I can no longer sit and watch my fellow American citizens die on television. I'm picking up my two at school and we are heading for Houston. My sister there will keep the kids and I'll head on down to see what I can do to help.

I've got several super coolers filled with ice and the rest of the back of the Jeep filled with water and canned fruit. I've got my tent and survival gear packed too.

Ironically, I thought I was paying taxes so that OUR GOVERNMENT could run rescue operations. There comes a time when ordinary citizens must stand up and say that enough is enough. God/Goddess/Allah/Whomever help us. We've reached that time.

Be well, DU.

[Blue_Roses]

1. be safe

:hug: I'm feeling the same way

[Catherine Vincent]

2. Bless you!

[phusion]

3. I've heard authorities are turning people away...

from NOLA.

I know how you feel though...

You are very brave...good luck to you!

[TornadoTN]

16. They are sealing routes in to NOLA

State Police and National Guard are sealing the routes into New Orleans and threatening arrest of anyone venturing into the "No Entry Zone".

FEMA told me personally,as well as the Red Cross, that they "have things under control" and that my assistance "wasn't needed". My response was, "Apparently, you haven't been keeping up".

[Pacifist Patriot]

40. Yes, but there are still hundreds of thousands of evacuees

who cannot return who need food, shelter and basic belongings. The Houston area is a major center of refugee activity.

[Lars39]

4. Vital information for those going....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4549108&mesg_id=4549108

[Nikki Stone 1]

13. YES, READ THE THREAD IN THE POST ABOVE

Don't go down without protecting yourself

[Lorien]

20. Thanks for the link!

our pet rescue group is going to drive as many vans of supplies as possible up to the area, then we'll bring home as many homeless pets as we can for the trip back. We're still raising funds and supplies for the effort, but we hope to leave on Sept. 24 (wish it were sooner).

[Libby2]

5. Stay safe

and be careful.

[RandomKoolzip]

6. Good luck with that....

Wow. Wish I could come help ya. :thumbsup:

[smurfygirl]

7. I was thinking the same thing

I'm feeling the same way. I just need gas money. Other than that I'm ready to go.

[G_j]

8. thank you!!!

bless you! :hug:

[SunDrop23]

9. I want to go too but can't figure out how to get there...

and who to coordinate with?

[mshasta]

10. be very careful this freaking idiots ...

May be planning something huge in order to clean up that area..that is why they had pullout...

[lpbk2713]

11. I'm proud of you.

Way to go.


:thumbsup:

[BeTheChange]

12. Stay safe.. think about checking in at the Astrodome first.

Im sure they need help there. They are turning folks away from NOLA.

Or look at Mississippi.. they water has atleast receeded there.

[Bluerthanblue]

34. They are turning anyone not in 'busses' away from the Astrodome-

... we're selling stuff this weekend and sending money to friends daughters who 'got out' and are in Tenn. and Houston, who know the neediest, and can be trusted to get tangible help to them.

I honor your putting yourself in the group of those who truly care-
Be of good courage-
go with peace-
blu

[elcondor]

14. Stay safe and try to keep in touch

I wish I could go, but unfortunately I'm a non-driver whose junior year in college just began

[understandinglife]

15. Skinner -- Please put this at the top of the DU Homepage!! Please.

My admiration for what you are doing cannot ever be placed adequately into words.


Peace.

[meganmonkey]

17. Red Cross is looking for volunteers

you may be able to get more done if you work with them - at least give them a call.

You are very brave. I salute you.

:patriot:

[spuddonna]

18. Please be safe... God bless you!!

We're praying for you and the people in NO... God, I can't believe this is happening...

[pointblank]

19. YES

Lets all organize. Strength in numbers.

If it was done for Cindy Sheehan, certainly it can be done for these poor people.

We dont have to go to NOLA...There are plenty ofother places to go and help out. MS for example. Getting by the cops may be a different story, but we cross that bridge when we come to it.


I have never been much of a leader/organizer type. Im more of a committee guy!

[Arkana]

21. Be safe, and (I can't believe I'm saying this) God bless you.

[titoresque]

22. you're a patriot!!!

thank you so much!

[Lars39]

23. Please try to go with a group of people.

:hug:

[Ron Mexico]

24. Wish I could afford to join you.

While my anti-looting stance hasn't won me friends lately, I really do want to help - and if I could, it might stop some of the looting I loathe so much (I've been on the wrong end of looting and am still angry about it years later).

Be careful down there.

[gauguin57]

25. For others: Check Red Cross. Local training sessions, and then

three-week stints helping.

The training sessions are filling up fast in my area. You have to sign a statement of health, and agree to be willing to leave within 24 hours of the completion of your training.

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/16725

"American Red Cross of the Susqeuhanna Valley was flooded with calls Tuesday after it announced it was seeking "spontaneous volunteers."

"By the end of the day Wednesday, 268 people had signed up for a four-hour disaster-training class to prepare for a three-week volunteer assignment. Volunteers could be dispatched within 24 hours of completing the class. ...

"Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, give consent for a background check, sign a statement of health and be able to leave for a three-week assignment within 24 hours of completing a training class.

"Volunteers must be willing to serve in areas that have no electricity, high humidity, limited communications, temperatures over 100 degrees, basic accommodations and exposure to a variety of reptiles. ..."
(I guess that means George Bush & Co!)

[Bouncy Ball]

26. Oh hon, be safe!!!

:hug:

[AbbyR]

27. Bless you, and be safe...

I'm lucky that I work a block away from a shelter in South Arkansas housing about 70 refugees, with more on the way. Yesterday we put a man in the hospital, today we are feeding again - three meals - and we are in it for the long haul.

It doesn't make things right, but being there to help does make things better.

Bless you, and thank you.

Abby

[mzmolly]

28. Very tempting.

:toast: BRAVO Cornfield!

[lonestarnot]

29. Here's to your American spirit!

:toast:

God bless and good luck!

[gulfcoastliberal]

30. Go to the MS Gulf Coast -

Waveland, Bay St Louids, Pass Christian, Longbeach all need help. Waveland is the most devastated.

[bribri16]

31. We're leaving tomorrow. Damn this Bush administration! Damn

these Freeper retards!

[Benbow]

32. Let us know how you get on, please n/t

[anarchy1999]

33. Bless you and GodSpeed.

Keep in touch with us and let us know how we can help. PM me for my cell number.

[kick-ass-bob]

35. you are a hero. I wish I could go too.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

36. Be well and be safe! Blessings! You are a hero.

There is no way on earth that I can do this now, but you have no idea how much I admire you. I am in a suburb of NYC and did my best during 9/11 to provide aid.

[frictionlessO]

37. I'm considering getting down there as well....

Just got back to Buffalo from Crawford 10 days ago, but Im big and strong and thinking of getting Red Cross training before I go so I can really help.

You are a damn hero, and I hope many others join you (hopefully us).

[Eloriel]

38. My heart goes with you

I so wish I could go too.

[Pacifist Patriot]

39. I wish I could be there with you. Good luck!

[momisold]

41. A way to help in Houston.

There is an organization which is helping with the Astrodome situation. You can see their website at http://www.harriscountycitizencorps.com/. The website is overwhelmed right now, but keep checking and you should be able to volunteer online. KHOU said on the noon news that they need lots of volunteers at the Astrodome.

Yes, the government is supposed to help with situations like this, but there is no way just government can handle all of this. And, if we just sit back and let the government do it all for us, that takes away our desire and instinct to help others. Why can't it be a collaboration between all of us: government, individuals, charity organizations, faith houses, business, etc?

Have a safe journey.

[Biased Liberal Media]

42. Thank you...

You are a true patriot!

[LibraLiz1973]

43. god bless you

As I wept I went in to my mother & told her that if my grandfather hadn't been hospitalized yesterday I would be out right now too.

It's that bad- the government is FAILING these people- god bless you for helping.

I wish you all the best

[Dr Fate]

44. God Bless you. n/t

n/t

[roguevalley]

45. Be well too, Cornfield. God bless you all.

[fleabert]

46. oh. I want to go too.

:cry:

[Swamp Rat]

47. THANK YOU!!!

:cry:

[Redstone]

48. Good for you. Call if you need me to wire you some $$.

Or PM me. I can'tgo there, but I'll help you if you need it.

Redstone

[expatriate]

49. Thank you, thank you

I only wish I could - I'm on the other side of the world.

Thank you for helping. Thank you.

[cilla4progress]

50. I share your passion

I didn't realize others were feeling this way. I keep breaking down - for all that this means. The people there - babies, mamas, elders, abandoned and desperate. The sentiment that does exist in our country of heartlessness (thank goddess there are those who do care). And certainly for the environment of the Gulf which has now for all time? been despoiled: not by Katrina, but by the folly of people who think they are more powerful than mother nature.

I'm with you in spirit, and will be calling the Red Cross in the morning to learn how I can help. Thank you for taking our spirit with you.

[AgadorSparticus]

51. god bless your generous and loving spirit

:hug:

[earth mom]

52. Good luck and all the best to you and all who decide to go.

It's been agony watching the people of NO go through such torture and countless times I've wanted to just get up and go and help them. But it's impossible, since I have no one to care for my child while I'm gone.

Sending good vibes to you all. :yourock:

[JackDragna]

53. On behalf of everyone in Louisiana and elsewhere..

thank you. Thank you. Thank you.