Another Side of the Katrina Disaster

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Jack Tracey, Sep 16, 2005.

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  1. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    In my work I routinely deal with aspects of life that others would prefer not to see or hear. These are the very grisly stories that force you to switch channels, either to protect your children or perhaps your own sensibilities, when they come onto the TV news. I am referring to sex offenders.
    When New Orleans and the surrounding communities were evacuated, approximately 3,000 registered sex offenders fled the area and remain at large. Read it here:
    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168965,00.html
    I am happy to see the outpouring of compassion for the people who have been victimized by Katrina but I would urge people to be mindful of the fact that not all evacuees are nice people who can be safely welcomed into our homes. I am aware that there are people from all over the country reading this forum. I would ask that you sustain your compassion and keep a close eye on your kids.
    Along the same lines, it might be news to some that organizations charged with providing relief to foreign nations that have suffered natural disasters are often populated with workers who have sexual offender histories. They prey upon the displaced, orphaned children of the communities they are sent to help. There is such chaos and lack of oversight, they can do whatever they wish with little fear of being caught.
    http://www.lankalibrary.com/news/daniel.html
    Sorry for the reality slap, but I'd prefer that there be no more victims.
    Jack
    When I tried the second link, it didn't work. Her's another link to the same story.
    http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8007512
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 16, 2005
  2. qvatlanta

    qvatlanta New Member

    We have already had a case here in Atlanta. A woman was raped and robbed by a man who claimed he was a Katrina evacuee with his family dead and nothing to live for. A disaster like this does bring out the best and the worst in people, but overall I think it will not change basic adult nature that much. The evacuees I've encountered have all been polite, stoic and probably led very responsible lives in their home towns, but as you point out there is a very dangerous minority who left as well.

    The issue with welcoming people into homes has two sides. It is easy for people to be victimized by their guests, and we've also had a few cases of that here. On the other hand, it's also dangerous for the evacuees looking for hospitality. How would they know that their host is trustworthy? Also, what happens if they move into someone's house, but due to personality conflicts or a simple change of heart, they're kicked out onto the street again? These people are desperate for certainty and I've heard that's a major fear. It seems like the best situation for groups is to sponsor a family in their own quarters so that they can have both privacy and a sense of stability. I'm not at all against the housing offer websites -- especially the really ideal ones offering empty homes or apartments that would have been otherwise vacant -- but I think some potential hosts jump into it without a full understanding of the matter.
     
  3. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

    You bring up some helpful stuff.
     
  4. mcdirector

    mcdirector New Member

    We had a church here that had collected money and was going to house an evacuee. They did a background check first and found the applicant they'd chosen had a record a mile long. Now they have chosen another family.

    A sex offender running an orphanage makes me ill. Wonder what we'll find here in the long run.
     

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