Wow, JUST WOW, Things Have Gotten Really Bad Here...

[JeffreyWilliamson]

I just got home from the grocery store, Kroger. When I walked in a somewhat decently dressed man, around age 50 or so, was opening up the trash cans outside the front doors. In the first one he dug around for a minute and then pulled out an apple. He closed the lid, moved over to the next trash can and started rummaging through that trash can while EATING the apple from the first. Funny thing was, he kept holding the apple above his head while digging through the second can, as if he didn't want it to get dirty...

I know some people have seen this kind of thing before, but I've never seen it in Texas.

I wonder if this is just the beginning. If it is, God help us all.

(Edited for poor grammer.)

[Trajan]

1. Hah ... I thought you were talking about DU 'here' ...

I was thinking .... 'Yeah .... things got REALLY bad about lunch time ..."

[JeffreyWilliamson]

2. Really, lunchtime you say...

...what new Warren developments happened while I was at work today?

Seriously though, I have really never seen this here. Not sure if it's the hurricane or what, but I've really never seen this...

[Double T]

3. It's bad and it is going to get much worse.

When the 'somewhat decently dressed man' is george w. bush, justice will begin to be served.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

5. We'll be lucky if we see GWB like that anytime soon the way everyone talks...

I don't know why this freaked me out so much. I've seen it on television enough, just never directly.

It really impacted me somehow. I realize that too many people probably see this type of thing every day. But I was totally shocked...

[blues90]

10. I see it all the time here . I will NEVER get used to it

and it is just as shocking and depressing as it has always been. Instead of it becoming less common it is much more common.

[lib2DaBone]

4. Texas Supported G.W. Bush through all his incarnations. Just sain'

[Skittles]

7. please say "a lot of people in Texas", not Texas

a lot of us here did not, AND HAVE NEVER, supported GWB

[Maru Kitteh]

9. Obviously the man deserves to eat apples from the trash if he's from Texas, right?

:sarcasm:

Keeee - riist.

[girl gone mad]

38. There's always at least one.

They just can't help themselves, I guess.

[emilyg]

21. So they deserve to be hungry?

[AnneD]

6. Well, if you are still in Galveston......

buckle your seat belt. It will get worse here in Houston this next year and that will directly affect Galveston.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

8. Oh I know it...

They are saying that the high oil prices were what was keeping the Houston area out of the recession(depression). Now that they've fallen, we're in for it.

This probably should not have hit me the way it did. I was struck with pity, sorrow, and a profound feeling that this was a prelude to something coming, possibly a reflection in some future mirror.

With the hurricane and economy, my business is going under. It won't be long now for me. I give it two more weeks before we shut down. My partner makes less than me.

[Lisa0825]

15. I *think* I just snagged a new job in Sugar Land.

Long drive for me, but the pay is good. Anyway, I am in HR and would be happy to look at your resumes if you need any assistance. I also have a resource that possibly contains every online job site in the country/world, listed by location, industry, and specialty. It is about a 5MB file. If you want it, PM me your email addy.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

16. Will do, and I've been meaning to find you on here...

...I've gotten busy in recent weeks moving our offices back to the island. I remember speaking with you in other threads a little about the situation here and possibly meeting up for coffee sometime. I lost track of that with everything, and I owe you an apology for that.

I'd like to hear how you are doing when you have time. Expect that PM.

[lonestarnot]

26. Way cool!

:applause: I have heard that word "snagged" in a very long time. Brought back some good memories. Thanks and good luck on your new job!

[Lisa0825]

30. Thanks :-)

It's not in the bag yet, but they are checking references and background check, etc.

*fingers crossed*

[lonestarnot]

31. I will cross mine for you!

X

[JeffreyWilliamson]

12. And, to reply to you again...

...are you in the Houston area and have you been down here? Everyone's forgotten about Galveston. This place is a war zone, and looks like it did a week after the storm hit. I've been wanting to post a picture thread about it, but haven't had the time.

I think I'll make time tomorrow for that.

[Lisa0825]

17. I live in Texas City.... used to work on the island....

but now I am in League City at the UTMB Help Center, at least until, 1/17. That's the tentative end date.

The Obama team scheduled a health care forum in Galveston today. I hope it had a good turnout, and I hope the extent of the problems in Galveston got through... because Galveston and UTMB are both on life support together. With the layoffs at UTMB, many local businesses are hurt, for example. It's not just jobs... it's cutting the wrist of the community.

Anyway, I am sure you know all about that. I'm still hoping that 2009 will be a better year eventually... it may get worse first, but I really hope the recovery will begin midyear or so.

Good luck to Barack Obama.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

18. Good luck to Barack Obama, agreed...

I just replied to your PM, btw. I was at UTMB's ER a week ago this past Thursday at about 9pm. I have been helping my boss fix up his rental houses while business is slow, and due to my own clumsiness broke the toes on my left foot. I got to the ER and it was empty. I've been there before a few times, and it's usually a loooooooooong wait. I was the only patient there that I saw for the entire 3 hours, and was in and out in a breeze. UTMB has an excellent reputation but that ER has always been a pain. It was an unusual experience, and probably a testament to the fact that so many people have left the island.

[AnneD]

20. I am so upset over them closing UTMB........

Shortly after they were talking about what to do and before they made an announcement-I remember them floating some nonsense about opening some casinos. All I could think about was disaster capitalism and NOLA. What ever it takes-they need to rebuild UTMB first. With UTMB Galveston has good paying careers for residents, with a casinos-you get a minimum wage jobs. I wish the two of you good luck. I am in Houston and feel free to e-mail me. I am happy to keep an ear to the ground. I am a Nurse with HISD and have contacts all around.

Edited to add that I haven't been there. Last time I went was the 2nd week of August for the Titanic Exhibit at Moody's. I am glad we went. Took hubby though the grand tour. I know it like the back of my hand-dated a med student for a while. Wish I had taken more pictures:( . I think I'll take a weekend trip and do my bit. I go out on a charter boat and fish a lot.

[Lisa0825]

22. It's not closing, but open at a reduced capacity....

Here is the letter sent out today... take it with a grain of salt....

From: UTMB Broadcast Account
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 12:04 PM
Subject: The Truth About UTMB: A Special Message from the Chancellor


A Special Message to The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Community


Dear Colleagues:

I want to take this opportunity to express the University of Texas System’s gratitude and sincere appreciation to each of you for your hard work over the last several months as efforts continue to rebuild UTMB. Without your support and the assistance of other organizations and colleagues from across the state and nation, the institution would not be making such tremendous strides in restoring the education, research and clinical activities in the wake of such devastation and turmoil. President David Callender and his leadership team should also be commended for their tireless efforts during this difficult time.

I would also like to use this opportunity to emphatically state the UT System’s commitment to the health and longevity of UTMB.

Given the tremendous efforts and hard work during the recovery process over the last several months, and after repeated public statements by UT System officials supporting UTMB, it is extremely unfortunate that some in the news media repeat and attempt to give credibility to unfounded rumors and absolutely incorrect statements about the future of UTMB. Such actions and statements are not helpful for the institution and Galveston community and in fact undermine our joint recovery efforts. I feel compelled to set the record straight with each of you.

* At the October 7 UTMB Town Hall Meeting, I stated unequivocally that there were no plans to move UTMB to Austin. That is the case now, and there has at no time been any such plan. Additionally, there has been no diversion of resources from UTMB to other UT System institutions; on the contrary, other campuses have been helping to support UTMB in many ways, for which we are grateful.
* There is no plan to dismantle or systematically move UTMB elsewhere. As I stated publicly at the town hall meeting, at the dedication of the Galveston National Laboratory, and at a special legislative hearing on December 3 (see my testimony and that of President Callender here http://www.utsystem.edu/news/2008/UTS-KIS-UTMB-IKE-Testimony-12-03-08.html ), the Board of Regents and UT System are committed to rebuilding a strong and financially-sound academic health center at UTMB.
* Neither the UT System nor UTMB have declined any offers of operating resources from any source. As is customary in disaster recovery efforts, the UT System is working diligently with FEMA to procure federal assistance. The UT System endowments are devoted by law to specific uses and cannot be used for wages and benefits at UTMB. Furthermore, State funds are not channeled through the UT System; the Legislature appropriates funds directly to each individual component institution within the system.

The research and educational programs on the campus have been largely restored, albeit with some off-island rotations by students and residents. Such rotations have long been the case for students, and with the restoration of hospital facilities on the island, both students and residents will have future opportunities there.

UTMB and the UT System are committed to operating a hospital facility on Galveston Island. The principal controversial issue has been the size and the program for that hospital. The immediate goal is to restore 300 beds, including 100 correctional managed care beds, as soon as possible. There will also be a trauma center on the island, though this will take additional time and resources to open. The commitment is to sustain the scope of clinical activities necessary to support first class medical education and research.

Kurt Salmon and Associates, an Atlanta-based consulting firm, is currently evaluating the overall patient care enterprise of UTMB. The firm is expected to finalize its report by the end of January. Ultimately, there is a goal of restoring an additional 200 - 300 beds, for a total of 500 - 600 beds, but it is very unclear where these beds should be located (either on the island or on the mainland). That is the principal question being asked of our consultants.

That said, given the level of devastation at the current hospital, there is no possibility of opening a 500- to 600-bed hospital in the near future on the island. The restoration of 200 beds continues to be challenging, but we hope the process will be expedited with the temporary kitchen and other infrastructure support.

In the interim, the campus can take great pride in the delivery of more than 1,000 babies since Hurricane Ike made landfall.

The reduction in force on the campus has been very painful, but necessary if UTMB is to survive. UTMB employees involved in the reduction in force will have been compensated continuously for at least four months since Hurricane Ike at a time when there was insufficient income to cover that payroll. The necessity to conduct this reduction in force was done precisely to avoid the bankruptcy of the campus and so that it can be restored to fiscal stability for the future.

We will be seeking substantial emergency funding from the State to compensate for the huge losses incurred since the hurricane and additional funds to prepare for the future. A credible long term plan for the hospital will be needed to plan for that future.

In any case, the goal has been and will continue to be to rebuild UTMB so that it can reach its full potential. The dissemination of falsehoods and inaccurate statements can only serve to demoralize those who are working tirelessly for the future to which we all aspire.

The UT System Board of Regents and UT System leadership remain resolute in our commitment to rebuilding UTMB so that it will have a vibrant future. We know many of you share that vision and we look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

If you have questions, you may contact me via [e-mail]<mailto:[e-mail]>.


Sincerely,
Kenneth I. Shine, M.D.
Interim Chancellor and Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
The University of Texas System

[AnneD]

27. Thanks ....

It would be devastating to lose UTMB. It has produced so many good Doc's and Nurses and provides excellent care for the area. It is bad enough in it's reduced state-but it will come back in it's full glory.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

23. Ah, casinos...

...the casino debate has reached its apex here. I suspect we will be getting them. Every day the Galveston Daily News is filled with letters in favor of it. They've crowed about bringing it here for years, but this is the first time I have seen it pushed so hard. It's coming, I think. And with it the crime rate.

What I worry about the most is the often floated idea that it will inject cash into the local economy, when it may really just inject a lot of cash into the casino owners' pockets--and they always seem to live elsewhere. I really, really worry about the poor here, and how they may take the few dollars they have and blow them on slots thinking they will win big--when they won't. Ever.

More lives ruined...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Last time I saw it was during Poppy's regime...

It was a pretty well-dressed woman...I'm guessing in her 70s...digging through a dumpster in back of a theater in Hagerstown, MD. I gave her some chips I had in the back of my car; and I wondered why there weren't resources for her, so she didn't have to humiliate herself that way. It sucks.

[notesdev]

13. Ever hear of "freegans"

aka "dumpster divers"

They rummage through other peoples' trash to find food, not for economic reasons but as some sort of misguided idealism that food shouldn't go to waste. I remember the first time I heard about this, the girl describing it talked about it like she was proud of it, and cool for doing so.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

14. I've actually heard about that. n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

19. It's not a practice I would take up voluntarily, but if she was careful and knowledgable

why shouldn't she be proud of it? She's made a conscious decision to utilize a resource that otherwise would have gone completely to waste. It reduces her carbon footprint. It is cool to find unique ways to benefit the environment and cut back on waste.

Done poorly, dumpster diving can get you dead, but then so can most of the meat you buy IN the store.

[roamer65]

24. Come to Detroit for a visit, no offense.

They beg you for your extra food when you leave restaurants, along with picking it out of trash cans.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

25. No offense taken.

It just shocked me is all. I have known for a long time that this is common in many--too many--places. But knowing it and seeing it are really different things. He walked out of the store before opening the trash cans. I walked into the store and was pissed because the bread I wanted was $2.00. It makes you think. It made me think, "How petty of me".

I fear we will all be living in Detroit soon...

[Lisa0825]

29. How sad :-(

I'd never make it home with my leftovers. I'd probably end up buying an extra entree just to walk out with and give away.

I have a question for you.... I have been laid off effective 1/17, but am hoping I will be starting another job 1/12 if the offer works out. I have not been able to spend money on gifts of donate to causes due to uncertainty about my situation. But I have plans for a few specific gifts to make once I know for certain that I will have a job. Considering how much harder Detroit has been hit, is there a specific charity there with which you are familiar, so I can direct a small gift that way?

[roamer65]

34. I would give to a Detroit food bank.

I don't know of any there, but Google should be able to find one. I give to a local church in my hometown area of MI. Unemployment there is really bad and for each dollar given the church thru a network is able to get around $14 worth of food.

I have my fingers crossed and am hoping your new job offer comes through for you!

[RoyGBiv]

28. Seems about the same to me ...

The area around Shepard and Richmond seems to be a fairly popular spot, I imagine because there's several fast food places nearby.

I also see a lot of people digging in dumpsters off Montrose and Richmond.

I've been in this area about a year, and doesn't seem to have decreased or increased during that time. I got several meals for people on Christmas Eve. It's difficult to get some people to take food, whether out of pride or what I have never known. None of my business really.

There's a woman with a young daughter I see occasionally that really tears me up. I couldn't find her Christmas Eve. I dunno if she has a home or not. She's very shy and doesn't panhandle, but I've seen her and her kid digging for food more than once.

[bertman]

32. God, this is so fucking depressing to read about. I hate you George W. Bush and

Dick Cheney.

I wish all of you Texans who are facing this good luck and good fortune.

[Golden Raisin]

33. I live in Manhattan

and see this (and much worse) all the time. I'm not young anymore and it still never ceases to shock, sadden and anger me. Hundreds of millions are blithely spent per each new souped-up submarine, fighter jet or tank; it costs billions per month to occupy Iraq and Afghanistan; billions are being spent to "bailout" huge financial institutions. The black hole of our tax money has many rivers of staggering amounts of money feeding into it, but citizens, including children and veterans, in probably the richest country the world has ever seen go hungry and sleep in the streets every night.

[juno jones]

35. In a relatively proseperous city in WA state

We have a growing colony of people camping in a wooded area next to a couple of grocery stores and a freeway ramp. It was a stable community of a couple of dozen panhandlers for years but there are new people setting up camp there, there's probably close to a hundred now and the number is including many more children, older people and others who don't look like they've been 'kings of the road' for very long. I'm sure they're surviving to a certain extent off of discarded food from supermarkets and restaurants.

It's been disturbing to see how quickly their tent city is growing. And with killer temps below freezing the situation can only be described as tragic and inhumane.

And so many foreclosed houses are sitting empty.

[defendandprotect]

36. The beginning was with Reagan or even earlier ... Nixon ---

[defendandprotect]

37. ...and I think any Single Payer Health Plan should include food ---

no one can be healthy without it!!