Karl Malone: "FEMA didn't approve, but we did it for the people"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

April 1st, 2006 3:04 pm
Malone Bulldozes over Katrina red tape

NBA star brings trucks to haul away debris despite resistance from FEMA

Birmingham Times

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=6389

''There was a lot of red tape, and I ain't got time for that,'' he told AP. ''I found out that if you're going to do something good, just go ahead and do it. Once I get in my machine, no one is going to get me out. We just said 'the hell with it.' FEMA didn't approve, but we did it for the people.''

Malone, an experienced truck driver and logger born in Bernice, La., spent 12 hours a day behind the wheel of his heavy machinery clearing 114 lots via the 18 vehicles he brought into Pascagoula, including a backhoe, three bulldozers and several RVs for him and his crew. ''We were totally self-contained with our own food and everything,'' said Malone. ''We didn't want to take even one bottle of water away from these people. When we told them we were doing this for free, they looked at us like we were crazy or something.''

Malone said landowners were told that debris had to be moved out to the street before it could be hauled away. ''How is a landowner who just lost everything going to pay $15,000 or $20,000 to have a lot cleared?'' he asked. ''I mean, there were two or three houses on top of one another in some places.''

The one-time power-forward, who spent 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz and one with the Los Angeles Lakers, said he was moved by the indomitable spirit of the people who vowed to rebuild. ''Everything about this just felt right,'' the NBA vet tells AP. ''My mom died two years ago, and in our last conversation, she told me that one day I would have to step up on a grand scale and help people. I knew this was it.''

[stevedeshazer]

1. I gotta give it up for the Mailman

I despised him as a player, but taking direct action to help people in need is beyond reproach.

Good on him.

[acmejack]

6. Would you have liked him if he was on your team?

Just checking, there are players I hate but I would like if they played for my team, since they always kill us. Then there are players I would hate no matter where they played.

[stevedeshazer]

8. Probably

:)

[WhiteTara]

2. Karl Malone is an American Hero

When the people lead, the leaders will follow (sorry, can't remember the author)

[FARAFIELD]

3. I knew there was a reason i always liked him

I never followed the JAzz and i hate the lakers, but i liked how he was loyal to teammates and that everyone said he was a good guy. I know what he means about FEMA, i was down there after the storm helping out, and the most popular saying was "WHERES FEMA" and the most popular saying for graffiti was "fuck fema" so good for KaRL

[Quakerfriend]

4. What a wonderful story! I wonder if they are going to bring

charges against him like they did to the mayor who 'commandeered' the ice truck.

[merh]

5. Thank God for folks like Malone

If it weren't for Malone and thousands of other volunteers that have been coming here over the last 7 months, we would be lost.

Malone :yourock:

[madrchsod]

7. that is how things get done

you have to do it yourself. this government isn`t going to do jack shit for new orleans. the government would just as soon watch new orleans sink into the mud than to spend a dime. good job karl and we need hundreds more like you!

[jus_the_facts]

9. Despite Karl havin' some conservative leanings...he's a helluva guy....

...just misguided because of all the *help* he's received from rich white people since he was very young. I've been a fan of his for years...he's donated millions to Louisiana Tech...his alma mater...and he never fails to say hello to my friend's Dad who's also a die-hard La. Tech alumni who lives and breathes Tech BB. :applause:

[LA lady]

10. good guy

He is really a good guy. Yes, he has some conservative leaning but he puts his money where his mouth is. He does basketball camps for the kids up here (ALL the kids), built a wet yard to harvest pulpwood and donates BIGTIME to the local Boys and Girls club.
I actually knew his Mom, she was a real old timey momma and he did what she said. It was funny to see!

[aquart]

11. His momma raised him well.

God bless him and his family.

Where are the other rich men?

[Hekate]

12. That practically brings tears to my eyes. May he be abundantly blessed.

Additional words are unnecessary...

Hekate

[shenmue]

13. Good for him

A wonderful thing he did to help people.

[1monster]

14. Standing O for Karl Malone!!!

:loveya: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :loveya:

[fooj]

15. Kick!

Peace.

[Carla in Ca]

16. Bravo, Karl Malone

A good man, a wonderful thing to do.

[Coexist]

17. Oops - I posted a dupe in GD

I will knr this one. Sorry.

[Brazenly Liberal]

18. Wow, now that's a truly decent human being.

I had heard he was supposed to be a great guy and now I believe it.