I challenge everyone in Texas who can

[Horse with no Name]

Find one of these displaced families and help them get started.
I enough furniture in my garage to furnish almost a full house, I have dishes, silverware, tons of clothes, toys, etc.
I don't have alot of money available, but I can surely help this way

[wellstone_democrat]

1. Yes, as the nearest neighbors to Lousiana

I feel it is our immediate obligation to do all we can and we have been *slow* but now that our dopey governor has kibbutzed with Bush* and his dopey brother in Florida we are doing something. I've been calling Austin for three days demanding that the state of Texas do something. The statehouse response: "You should call your church"

Explaining that this Jew doesn't have a church got silence and then a "well, maybe your mosque could help"

Reason #100 why I love Texas....calling the statehouse about *anything*---always a mistake.

[Horse with no Name]

4. I have a call in to my mayor right now

Our town is poor--so a few more poor folks won't matter.
We have empty houses, empty apartments, empty motel.
I believe that the poor folk in our community will understand EXACTLY how it is and rally to the cause.
We need to make sure they bring some of those people here at least in the interim.
For everything they have gone through, they don't need to be taken somewhere that is going to fight them being there.
They need a respite.

[intheflow]

2. I'm in Colorado, but

have been trying to call the Houston Red Cross all morning to volunteer at a shelter (refugee camp) down there. Their lines sound completely blown. Not a busy signal, but that fast "phone problems" signal. It's so frustrating to be unemployed and have no money to contribute, and even more frustrating when told by my local Red Cross that they aren't taking volunteers who aren't trained. I understand the need for training, but I really think there's a level of denial happening. I mean, a million displaced people? How much training do you need to hand out food and comfort someone who's lost everything?

Sorry, not meant to be a rant against the good work of the Red Cross. Just frustrated I can't do more.

[uppityperson]

3. NW WA is nice this time of year, anyone want to come visit for a while?

We've space for several, if you get up here let me know because you'd be welcome.