Looks like I will have some new neighbors shortly:
Louisiana and Texas have accepted West Virginia’s offer to help relocate displaced Louisiana residents in need of assistance, Gov. Joe Manchin announced Saturday.
At about 11:30 a.m. Saturday, six West Virginia Air National Guard C-130s left Charleston’s Yeager Airport for New Orleans Airport to pick up approximately 500 Louisiana residents “looking for a safe and friendly place to lay their heads,” Manchin said.
The first plane was to arrive Saturday evening back at Yeager, where the passengers would be given food, water, showers, blankets and medical attention, he said. From there, they were to be flown to Morgantown and bused to Camp Dawson in Preston County, where they will be temporarily housed.
“We will welcome these fellow Americans with open arms and I am confident that our residents will quickly rise to the challenge of helping our new neighbors rebuild their lives,” the governor said…
Manchin issued a challenge Saturday to every other governor in the continental United States to join West Virginia in the effort to relocate Gulf Coast refugees.
“If a small state like ours can make this happen, then others can too,” he said. “Because we all must do our part to help – it is our duty as Americans – and it is nothing less than what we would hope others would do for us if the roles were reversed.”
My mother and I were joking that since West Virginia gets a lot of bad publicity, the evacuees are probably fighting not to come here. But, like most people, they will not want to come here, and once they get here and realize how good we have it, they will not want to leave.
And these poor people have no idea what is about to hit them. If it is possible to be suffocated with charity and goodwill, it will happen here.
FYI- Camp Dawson is where my I used to be stationed, and is a perfect facility for this.
Have I mentioned how much I like Governor Manchin? This guy is going to be a national leader in a few years.
*** Update ***
LOL. According to this map, WV is one of the only safe places in the country.
StupidityRules
West Virigina seems to be one of the few safe states to live in.
linda
honestly, the outpouring of goodwill of the people of this country has been about the only bright spot in this horror. the houston chronicle had an article that the astrodome were swamped, actually had to turn volunteers away — doctors, not just people handing out necessities. evacuees staying in hotels that were booked for a college football game were in fear of again being displaced, but all the prepaid rooms were given over and some even gave up their game tickets. the leadership of this country has failed, but the basic generosity of the people remains intact. i’m content to build on that.
Davebo
It is truly amazing what’s happening in Houston right now. People are practically clamoring over each other trying to help.
I have some concerns about where attitudes will be in a month or so from now, but I can’t help but be proud of how my city has reacted to date.
I would love to see them open up Astroworld right across from the dome and let the kids and their parents enjoy a day of fun and rides to take their minds off this tragedy.
Stormy70
Fort Worth had to stop taking material donations, they can’t even store it all. Donations are coming in non-stop. It is heartening. I will go back later today to a shelter, and our church is slated to feed 700 people for a week. Our church is also outfitting 60 apartments for families displaced. I understand this is going on all over the country, which proves Americans will always get the job done. Usually while bitching the whole time about politics. This is just what we all do. :)
jobiuspublius
Saw on TV yesterday that gun sales in L.A., IIRC, are up. Forgot the percentage, but, it was significant. Apparently, people fear the “refugees” will be desparate. Sad to see the contrast.
capelza
That map is hilarious. I remember when St. Helen’s blew in 1980. My little hillbilly Grandma called me from the Ozarks all worried about me. Other than a light dusting of ash, my area was fine. I told her I was fine and then asked her when was it that a tornado had ripped the roof off her barn…”Oh that was last year” she said very cheerfully. And yet to this day, she still thinks I live at the foot of dangerous spewing volcanoes. I don’t EVER want to let her know about tsunamis…
Glen
Very funny. Snow and blizzards, I can deal with (I’m an ex-Ohioan). I haven’t gone through a tornado alert in a bunch of years. Quakes and volcanos aren’t too common in NYC. Nukes will vaporize me instantly; your point? I’m not sure about the Mormon threat; I’ll get back to you.
Sorry, John, I’m not moving.
docG
I can see it now. The Robert Byrd Memorial Hurricane Refugee Camp in Bug Tussle, WV, complete with the Robert Byrd Memorial Highway (version 85.0) to connect the camp with, well, nowhere. But 35 miles of the best damn road federal pork can buy!
Sojourner
But a whole lot cheaper than that Republican bridge they’re going to build in Alaska. And certainly a lot more likely to be used.
Emma Zahn
I dunno. I’ve thought a lot more about buying a gun recently but not because of refugees. Just a generalized loss of confidence in civic leaders.
I have been unwhelmed across the board: Local, State, Federal, Military, Civilian, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green, Religous, Secular.
linda
sorry donny boy: the don young (R) memorial boondoggle trumps everything:
Alaska’s Gravina Island (population less than 50) will soon be connected to the megalopolis of Ketchikan (pop. 8,000) by a bridge nearly as long as the Golden Gate and higher than the Brooklyn Bridge. Alaska residents can thank Rep. Don Young, who just brought home $941 million worth of bacon.
Don Surber
You missed the irony, John. Camp Dawson was built up into a major National Guard facility thanks to the 85 flood. Arch Moore slipped some of the rebuild money to build up Camp Dawson.
Dave Schuler
Safe except from the West Virginians, that is.
Davebo
Sojourner Says
No doubt the bridge is pork. But it will get a heck of a lot of use.
It joins Ketchikan with the Ketchikan airport. Granted the airport only gets six flights a day… but still.
goonie bird
WV at least they wont get a hurricane there
Sojourner
I’ve been to Ketchikan and flew out of the airport. A pleasant boat ride worked just fine. No need for a mega-million dollar bridge.