"In Washington, the Bush administration announced Wednesday that dispossessed victims of Hurricane Katrina will receive debit cards good for $2,000 to spend on clothing and other immediate needs. The plan was to quickly begin distributing the cards, starting with people in major evacuation centers such as the Houston Astrodome."

Seems to be floating around a few articles I’ve read. The link on this article didn't work without registration, so...

This system is doomed to fail into a cesspool of fraud, waste, and abuse. We just witness people stealing $2000 30lb plasma televisions without any means of electricity or market to sell them and now we’re giving them 2"X3" plastic cards worth $2000 a pop? Brilliant! I can picture people selling their cards for $500 ($1500 profit for buyer) just to get drugs. I wonder if they'll work like a regular ATM? If that's the case then it'll be very bad

 

Yea, I agree. Granted though, there are families that will use it wisely. Like all the smart people that did whatever it took to evacuate when they were told to. However, when you hand cash to a crack head, they just buy more crack and smoke themselves to death.

 

When I was in basic training we had AAFES cards worth a few hundred. They only worked at the AAFES clothing and sales for various hygiene products and necessities. Anywhere else they were worthless. Too bad they can't set-up something like that in conjunction with local stores.

 

10 bucks says it will take the russian mob a week to work an angle on this..

 

I'd probably want a couple forties after what happened too.

 

That reminds me... I need to call the cordova area recyclers for parts for my wife's car.

 

That is hilarious. Having lived in Sac, I know what you are talking about!

 

Program cancelled. Just broke on CNN.

 

What's even worse is the last time I was in D.C. not too long ago our Russian cab driver from the airport asked where I was from. I said Sacramento and the first thing he said was, "ohhhh... there's lots of Russian mafia over there." And like a jackass the first thing I say is, "Yeah, know any of them?"

 

If it wasnt cancelled can't you imagine the few families that would use the cards for good being mugged by thugs looking for a quick fix?

 

What kind of assinine statement is that?

Oh, a racist one....never mind.

 

I don't think he meant it quite like that. Besides, given the desperate times, those that were thought to be incapable of stooping to an all-time low pre-Katrina, are doing so to make ends now. Psychologists and doctors warned officials about this very fact who have already seen severe cases.

I do not think it's a racist comment given the facts. Every pharmacy was looted and so where the hospitals. Even a few medic convoys were taken by assault when they were helping innocent casualties. During the initial stages soldiers got into fire fights with numerous thugs. They even sent in Special Forces, PJ’s and Special Boat Units there that were capable of high security and rescue at the PA/Paramedic level. Guess who are among those that did the street thuggin’? The same people that were going to get these cards. Maj. General Bill Caldwell was quoted as saying, “be prepared… some of these people are as well equipped as you are.” Likewise, 82nd troopers were quoted as saying the inside of the SuperDome is the worst thing they have seen. We’re talking about a unit that’s been deployed to Iraq three times already.

And it wasn't just a few people here and there. Have you seen the pictures? They looted the draws and shelves of the pharmacies and hospitals CLEAN. Individuals walked out with shopping carts and their arms full of popular "urban apparel" and merchandise they couldn't possibly use. It was the 1/3 part of the NO population that was poor. That's a huge, factual figure. The Mayor even mentions how some of these poverty stricken people were desperate for drugs ("a quick fix" as he calls it) in that long radio interview last week. Take your PC sunglasses off for two seconds!

 

Yeah, it's bull****. I lost everything and they said I "wasn't eligible." Then I see other people who are unaffected checking online saying (they got approved) "I'm getting new wheels". Really pisses me off.

 

THANK YOU!

Also like to say i'm very sorry for your situation. Sorry I couldn't help you more earlier.

 

I wonder how many liquer stores/bars were looted?