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Katherine Kersten: Gratitude, not anger, comes from Astrodome
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune ^ | September 15, 2005 | Katherine Kersten

Posted on 09/16/2005 5:34:51 AM PDT by slowhandluke

Jim Lodoen shakes his head at some of the news reports out of Houston. They feature angry Hurricane Katrina victims lodged at the Astrodome who insist they are receiving insufficient assistance. Lodoen, a Minneapolis attorney with the Lindquist & Vennum law firm, just got back from a week as a volunteer at the Astrodome complex.

"That's not what I saw," he says.

Lodoen didn't plan his Houston trip with hurricane victims in mind. He went to visit his sick mother. But before he left, he mentioned to two colleagues that he would be staying at the Holiday Inn, temporary home to dozens of victims. "I told them I planned to make contact with a few families, take them to Target or to a restaurant," he says.

The two eagerly asked to contribute, and pressed cash donations on him. The next day, as others at the firm heard about Lodoen's plans, donations poured in. An amazed Lodoen left on Sunday with $3,700, which swelled to almost $8,000 as the week wore on. He used the money to buy $50 and $100 Target gift cards to distribute to displaced families.

...snip...

Lodoen circulated among residents' cots, striking up conversations. "Everyone has lost their possessions, their jobs, many friends and perhaps some family. No one knows what tomorrow holds."

But to his surprise, he saw no resentment. People were eager to talk, he says -- not about grievance, but about hope and gratitude.

(end of excerpt)

(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: katrina; nola
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A little ray of sunshine in a very commie newspaper.
1 posted on 09/16/2005 5:34:51 AM PDT by slowhandluke
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To: slowhandluke

A great read and post. Thank you.


2 posted on 09/16/2005 5:36:53 AM PDT by Coop (FR= a lotta talk, but little action)
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To: slowhandluke
And this morning WABC radio is broadcasting a woman in Atlanta. She was relocated due to Katrina.

Her comment about the President's speech.

All this rebuilding is too late, he should have brought us food and water.

There are those who find themselves in dire straits....through every fault of their own.

For them I have no sympathy at all.

3 posted on 09/16/2005 5:38:01 AM PDT by OldFriend (MAJ. TAMMY DUCKWORTH ~ A NATIONAL TREASURE)
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To: slowhandluke

If I had the goose that laid the golden egg and were getting a free home, free land I wouldn't complain either would you?

We poor working slobs will pick up the bill for all this for generations to come so you people in the astrodome don't worry a bit and just keep thanking all the fools out there working to support you.

Heck, what was I thinking on second thought maybe we all should quit our jobs and go on welfare too, this administration is very very generous when it comes to welfare.

Okay flame away!


4 posted on 09/16/2005 5:41:14 AM PDT by stopem
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To: stopem
I amost puked after watching Channel 13 last night. They started by showcasing a family who had taken in a bunch of refugees, all of whom were pissed at Bush and blaming him for their plight. It was such an orchestrated event...right down to Dave Ward's look of hatred when the little slack-jawed faggot reporter brought it back to the Studio talking-heads.

Channel 13 used to have half-way decent news. Now they have the stupid sound effects and even more stupid news people. It's just all tabliod television now.

5 posted on 09/16/2005 5:49:04 AM PDT by Buffalo Bob
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To: stopem

I'll be glad to flame away. You're a self-centered jerk who doesn't have a clue how good he/she has it.


6 posted on 09/16/2005 5:53:19 AM PDT by Coop (FR= a lotta talk, but little action)
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To: OldFriend
"All this rebuilding is too late, he should have brought us food and water."

I'm sorry. No sympathy here. You stock up on water and non perishables PRIOR to the hurricane, plan A. Plan B, if hurricane is Cat 3 or over, EVACUATE with water and non perishables. Plan C, don't wait for the local or federal officials to come to your rescue if you don't evacuate or you are SOL. 47 years in Florida will give you a little wisdom and a little less sympathy for these complainers.

My 2 cents.
7 posted on 09/16/2005 5:56:34 AM PDT by poobear (Imagine a world of liberal silence.)
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To: Coop; Admin Moderator

Personal attack!


8 posted on 09/16/2005 5:56:38 AM PDT by stopem
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To: stopem

"Personal attack!"

CRYBABY...


9 posted on 09/16/2005 6:06:17 AM PDT by Shadow Deamon
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To: slowhandluke
But to his surprise, he saw no resentment. People were eager to talk, he says -- not about grievance, but about hope and gratitude.

Thanks for this article

We don't usually get to hear nice news from the media these days

10 posted on 09/16/2005 6:06:24 AM PDT by Mo1
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To: stopem

What makes you think ALL the evacuees were on welfare? There were some that actually had jobs, you know. Ever heard of the WORKING POOR. They acutally exist. Lets hope that these folk will learn to become self sufficient. Teach a man to fish........ you know the rest.


11 posted on 09/16/2005 6:11:55 AM PDT by brwnsuga (Proud, Black, Conservative!)
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To: slowhandluke

It is SO good to see views that are contrary to the MSM template making their way into local newpapers and broadcasts.


12 posted on 09/16/2005 6:19:05 AM PDT by SuziQ
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To: stopem; Admin Moderator
An invited personal attack.
13 posted on 09/16/2005 6:21:17 AM PDT by Coop (FR= a lotta talk, but little action)
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To: stopem
You, sir, or madam are totally clueless! It's likely that a good number of these people who were interviewed are NOT on welfare. If they are homeowners, it's even less likely. They are people who were caught in a bad situation. New Orleans was spared the fury of the winds and the direct storm surge, but the levee was damaged, it is now known, by a loose barge that rammed it, and it caused widespread flooding in areas populated by the poor AND the wealthy.

As far as the people who lost their homes being 'not worthy of our help', I'd like for you to tell that to two of my siblings, both in their 60's, who happened to lose their homes to the 35' storm surge on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. They are not looking to be 'taken care of' but I'm sure they'd appreciate the loan of a FEMA trailer so they can have a place to live while they build back what the storm took away. No one needs to give them any land; they own theirs. They never expected to have to start over with nothing at this age, but they're not planning for anyone to give them anything.

I guess you must live in an area of the country in which there is no possible threat from the vagaries of nature. Aren't you lucky?

14 posted on 09/16/2005 6:31:23 AM PDT by SuziQ
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To: slowhandluke

Posted by Peach to saveliberty; Tony Snow
On News/Activism 09/16/2005 9:32:53 AM EDT · 105 of 105


For those interested, this is the most comprehensive analysis of what happened in New Orleans and a timeline.

I've been close attention to this matter, as a lot of us have, and there is a lot of information in here that I did not know.

It also explains, specifically, why the feds were PROHIBITED by law, from acting in New Orleans, until the Governor signed a specific request for help.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1485619/posts


15 posted on 09/16/2005 6:35:24 AM PDT by Peach (South Carolina is praying for our Gulf coast citizens.)
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To: stopem

No flame from me! But I do think we will be spending more money on building roads,factories,bridges,sewers,that type of stuff for commerce. I think most people will find their way to a home,work,school.

There will be a low fraction of population that we will continue to support no matter what.

I think the next election will show how much (little?) people actually think of these race-baiters. I work in the food industry and our business boomed over the past 2 weeks. It NEVER let up.

America is full of hope and people making decisions. If our fed money goes to rebuilding factories it will be returned in renuewed tax base. (i very seriously hope anyway).


16 posted on 09/16/2005 6:35:36 AM PDT by Mrs. Shawnlaw (Rock beats scissors. Don't run with rocks. NRA)
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To: poobear

Did you read my comment in full?


17 posted on 09/16/2005 6:50:10 AM PDT by OldFriend (MAJ. TAMMY DUCKWORTH ~ A NATIONAL TREASURE)
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To: SuziQ

And it's people like your siblings, who have worked all their lives and at age 60+ lost their homes in MS definitely deserve help, I have absolutely no quarrel with that at all.

In fact thruout many threads I have mentioned that it was a disgrace that the MSM have totally ignored the good people of MS. So I apologize to you and your siblings, this was definitely not meant at folks in MS, they are being ignored,
I am praying for folks like you and yours at age 60 having to pick up the pieces. Lets hope all this good stuff promised to what appears to be just NO will be given to you and yours in MS. God Bless. It's people like you all who don't demand they be taken care of and are grateful for help when they absolutely need it. And have not been on welfare all their lives.

I can relate to that, I too have worked all my life and still am working to get what little I may have and have given to my family, but I still believe that taxpayers money is not to be spent as if it were a charitable donation, our generation and generations to come will have to pay for the government wasting money or being overly generous with taxpayers money.

We all live in areas where we are at the mercy of nature, we live in an area where there are tornadoes. We are all at risk, and we like you have never looked for a handout we are those few that work and work, pay taxes and believe in less government, stop government waste, and are fiscally conservative Republicans. And what the President proposed is wasteful spending pure and simple!


18 posted on 09/16/2005 6:50:46 AM PDT by stopem
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To: Mrs. Shawnlaw

Thank you, great post!


19 posted on 09/16/2005 6:51:44 AM PDT by stopem
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To: slowhandluke

ABC "uncovered" the same by accident.


20 posted on 09/16/2005 7:00:10 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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