We evacuated from Wilma destruction

[Opusnone]

Hi, Everyone,

My wife, three dogs and I left Ft. Lauderdale Wednesday morning for DC after two days of cleaing up, scrounging, searching for gas, and checking in on family members in South Florida.

We spent the storm holding doors shut hoping our house would stand up to the violent winds. It did.

We lost power and water, but luckily we had bottled water, propane and a swimming pool to fetch water from to flush toilets. Our neighborhood suffered major damage, but thankfully, no deaths.

I just wanted to let DU'ers know that there could be desperate situations in South Florida if power is not restored soon. FPL estimates as long as a month to restore all customers, and that could be disastruous for the elderly, the sick and the working poor of the region.

Most distrubing, I've noticed a relative media blackout, thanks to Miers and CIA-gate, but I will post on DU as I get info from those still on the ground.

One happy story: My mother, who decided not to leave with us, was fed yesterday by members of a local mosque. This in a neighborhood with elderly Jewish residents who pooh-poohed during the construction of the mosque last year. Now they are feeding and caring for the same people who did not want them in their neighborhood. It made me feel good. Praise Allah!

[demnan]

1. That would make a nice juxposition of a news story

when played against all this Iran noise that has been made.

I hope your mother continues to do well and that South Florida gets back its power.

[Opusnone]

4. Mom is flying out tomorrow

She could have left with us, but then couldn't play the "guilt trip" card as easy. So she waited until yesterday, when we were in GA, to wish us a happy trip (sarcastically). We are bringing her to DC tomorrow. Thanks!

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. I just spoke to a friend in Miami

she said the gas situation is the biggest problem at the moment. It's creating a lot of tension and people are starting to get a bit crazy.

Keep in mind, Bush & Jeb are doing this on purpose. They want the situation to get out of control in order to distract from the scandals.

Hang in there and good luck. Glad you can get out of there for a few days.

[Opusnone]

3. Gas, food, water

No matter how much you have of one, you always need another. Jeb is trying to blame the victims (par for the course) but when you have millions of people trying to get limited supplies of commodities, ther will be problems. I think the media is not covering because they were smacked down due to Katrina coverage. You don't want to see Americans dying on your TV, right?

[rumpel]

5. Thanks for the info, and happy to hear you are ok. I was wondering

about the media not mentioning much on Florida, it almost makes one presume everything is more or less fine and well.
The younger * doing damage control. It may be necessary for Floridians to call and e-mail the situation to the news outlets...

Regarding your Mom I would like to share what the Dalai Lama said:

Since the situation in which we live is much changed but the attitude of people who are in that situation is at variance with the times, this is one of the causes of unnecessary pain, unnecessary problems. Therefore, education is needed to communicate that the concept of violence is counterproductive, that it is not a realistic way to solve problems, and that compromise is the only realistic way to solve problems. Right from the beginning, we have to make this reality clear to a child's mind -- the new generation. In this way, the whole attitude towards oneself, towards the world, towards others, can become more healthy. I usually call this "inner disarmament." Without inner disarmament, it is very difficult to achieve genuine, lasting world peace.

...Through inner disarmament we can develop a healthy mental attitude, which also is very beneficial for physical health. With peace of mind, a calm mind, your body elements become more balanced. Constant worry, constant fear, agitation of mind, are very bad for health. Therefore, peace of mind not only brings tranquility in our mind but also has good effects on our body.

With inner disarmament, now we need external disarmament. As I mentioned earlier, according to today's reality, there no longer is room for war, for destruction. From a compassionate viewpoint, destruction, killing others, and discriminating even against one's enemy are counterproductive. Today's enemy, if you treat them well, may become a good friend even the next day.

-- excerpt by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, edited by Jeffrey Hopkins from "The Art of Peace: Nobel Peace Laureates Discuss Human Rights, Conflict and Reconciliation", published by Snow Lion Publications

[Opusnone]

6. Thanks, Rumpel

Evacuated Floridians on DU should check in. Or have they already? I've been offline for five days, and am suffering DU withdrawal.

South Florida is a great place, but there are many desperate people there.

For example, I called my landlords (business) this morning. They are multi millionaires who have a beachfront mansion. They didn't sound good. No food, no water, no gas to get to an airport.

Some communities seem to be coming together to help each other, but there are many places where community just doesn't exist in normal terms. Many renters, transients, drug addicts, hard on their luck folks. They will become more and more desperate as the days go on, and rest assured, if FPL says four weeks for power, they mean it.
I can't stress enough my concern for the region.

We hope to return next week. We'll see.

[bluedog]

7. Jeb Vetoed $$$ for gas station generaTORS!

Gas station owners wanted the state to pay for the generators. Gov. Bush vetoed the bill.

By STEVE BOUSQUET, Times Staff Writer
Published October 28, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - Gas station owners in Florida persuaded the Legislature last May to spend $3-million to buy generators to keep their pumps running after hurricanes such as Wilma.

But Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed the money, saying it would have amounted to a taxpayer subsidy to a private industry and that there was no system to fairly distribute the coveted generators.

"The state should not be in the business of subsidizing petroleum companies," said Bush spokeswoman Alia Faraj. "It's a bottom-up approach. It's a partnership. That's why the governor vetoed the $3-million."

The industry argues that the generators would have served a legitimate public need, and would have come in handy this week. South Florida motorists are spending hours stranded in lines at the few stations with power, while stations without generators sit silent.
more at

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/28/State/Storm_renews_call_for.shtml

[MissMarple]

12. They can figure out a way to supply generators, they just didn't want to.

Maybe Jebby has had his perspective changed. There are different ways the state could help provide generators. The smaller stations could pay a portion of the cost, perhaps on a sliding scale, if they want to participate. Or the state could identify critical locations after a storm that need power to provide a legitimate public service. If there are objections, they can probablly be addressed in a reasonable way. These people are such unimaginative weenies.

The free market, fair competition, my Aunt Fannie's handbasket! What are they thinking? This is a disaster situation.

[donsu]

8. Key West still has parts with no elec. - feeding flood vict. - sleeping in

the highschool.

Wilma banged us up good and I didn't know much news until I discovered a TV chan. yesterday reporting KW storm news.

and because the car I get to drive was flooded, I took the bus to the grocery. wow, saw all the damage and the store was out of a lot of things, WinnDixie. guess the grocery trucks haven't made it down the road from the mainland yet.

the damage is worse then Georges, which was a damn bad hurricane for K.W.

the airport opened today (but closed at night). the road past the airport was mostly destroyed as it runs along the Atlantic side of the island.

Fantasy Fest was cancelled until some time in Nov.

[Opusnone]

9. Good luck, Donsu

I know the Keys residents are strong, proud and self-sufficient.
I hope to see you at Fantasy Fest this year, I need a long, alcohol-induced bender (and I don't even drink!).
The trucks should be able to make it through to the Keys, I think they stage in Homestead. Don't know much about gas, though. Hang in there.

[donsu]

13. thank you, luck to you too. I'm not complaining, K.W. has everything

under control.

we are OK

[Justyce]

10. Unfortunately, there are still people

without those things from Rita too. It could be a long haul for all involved. We've all been trying to pull together post-Rita and help each other out because outside help is slim-to-none. After it first happened, the people in our town were getting together, bringing what food they could spare, and cooking for everyone. All the churches have been great too. My best to all of you -- it will get better.

[Opusnone]

11. This is the result of Privatization

I was listening to Ed Schultz yesterday, or was it CNN? they talked about a little three-man logistics company (repuke contibutors) who, thanks to cronyism and privatizing, now handle logisitcs for FEMA. They couldn't even find these pricks!

The staging and distribution for FEMA and Wilma recovery is FUBAR in Florida. Trucks are sitting at staging areas with no instructions, being sent back and forth wasting fuel, and some unable to run because of lack of fuel.

I will say it loud and clear: YOU CAN'T RUN A GOVERNMENT LIKE COMPANY, BECAUSE COMPANIES GO OUT OF BUSINESS!

I charge the reupukes, the conservatives, and the corporatists with the destruction of my Country.

[MissMarple]

14. I heard that, as well. A trucker was on talking about the disorganization.

No one is in charge. Except maybe the power company, and I'm guessing they need more crews and trucks.

Also, if you run a government like a company, you run a directly into a concrete wall of conflict of interest.

There was an article about privatizing in Iraq and Afghanistan in a Palm Beach paper yesterday. I tried to link to it but I couldn't get in. It is posted in editorials without a link under "Errr America" by deHaiti.

I'm glad you guys are all OK. :hi: