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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Terry, Kevin,
Mississippi can’t thank the folks like you enough for coming in and helping out. Your kindness will never be forgotten and will always be a part in Katrina history. I’m a little less than a hundred miles from the gulf coast but I’m one of the lucky (blessed) ones that didn’t have a lot of damage. There were houses right around me that didn’t make out so good oh. I rode it out and found out it’s true what they say about the center of the eye being very calm. As the eye passed over for nearly half an hour it was very quite and really weird looking outside. Having made it through Camille I never expected to see anything like that again in my lifetime. I was wrong. The days following a big storm can make you really appreciate the little things. Being without power for a couple of weeks and having no lights, phone, tv, computer, gas, etc, gives you time to think about the simple things in life and how much we take them for granted. It also gives you time to get to know your neighbors better. Speaking for many, Mississippi thanks you all for your help, thoughts, and prayers. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
Hmm..there ya go! From a couple of people still there and knowing what they speak of.
And as for you Mr. Kevin! Hehehehe...you and your team have always done for others all you could and then some. This quality of Living Illusions has, as long as I've known about you folks, been a way of life for you. Whether a message in your magic or rolling up your sleeves to do the dirty work few would, you've set the example and walked the walk leaving it to others to talk the talk. Thank You! |
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
While your words have been taken into my heart and warmed it, please believe and remember:
Thanks are NOT necessary...Ever. I did what I did because I am an American Citizen who cares about his brothers and sisters.... It saddens the H#LL outta me that so many others don't feel the same way...This would be a MUCH better country if we all did our small part. I cannot tell you the number of times, while down in Miss., that I was hugged, thanked, kissed on the cheek by little old ladys... I have NEVER met more Faithful, STRONG, determined, or resourceful people than I did on the Gulf Coast.... The folks who have survived Katrina and carry on....The ones that will NEVER let ANYTHING get them down or prevent them from living the dream of, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness", while living in a pile of RUBLE... You want to find strength? You want to find Faith? You want to find AMERICA????? Go the the Coast! Sincerely, Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-27 23:33, Professor Piper wrote: Do I know of some age-old political and social effects causing some of today's problems? You bet I do! Does this awareness help me or current "victims" in any way? You bet it doesn't! In extreme catastrophic events such as this, a call to action is all we can do despite being aware of political and economic apathy. This could of been minimized had the right action been taken long long ago but this is not why many were there to help. They were there for reasons that went beyond the politics and money - it was about people in the most desperate conditions - assuming they were alive when the help arrived. Terry and all, we'll leave religion out of this as we're supposed to do but I will skim the surface with a brief story. When I was in college and a couple of years after, my friend Fred, a philosophy major (that was probably the problem) was on a search for "God" as long as I knew him. A couple of years after his graduation from UT he was involved in some sect and a couple of years after that I bumped into him and he was Muslim! I had just about had enough of his philosophies and theories as he explained he was getting more and more doubtful regarding his search. I told him I'd had enough of his theorizing and exhasperating talk on the subject. This coming from me, a humble Cahtolic, is a strong statement! I had already occasionally put up with several years of this and lost my temper. I said "Fred, put the *** books down, drop the philosophy, stop hashing political hot air finding blame (it's true that many of these catastrophes occurred, in major part, to political apathy but the victims are needing help and NOW!) so come with me, during our off time, and volunteer to feed the hungry if you don't travel to such sites to render aid." He questioned it all again. I finally told him the day you find yourself saying "Sir/Man did you want more gravy with that" to a person who can do NOTHING for you, God will come to you and not the other way around. It's not that some people won't or can't get it as much as it's just not for everyone. Some will never take up the effort as they were not designed to do so? It's part of a diverse world. Likewise, not all great things and experiences are to be experienced by everyone who comes to exist, at any time, in this wonderful world. Yes, some luckier than others, and I'm not talking about those receiving the help as much as those giving it. Fred died several years ago in a fatal car crash. With the energy and intelligence he invested in his "pursuit", he would have been a great asset to relief efforts. There was a lot of incredible energy there. |
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Randy...
Thank you for sharing your story of 'Fred'...it brings to light many issues... Apathy and excuses are top most amoungst them. In my view? It is an old sentiment and it rings true more today than when it was originally coined.... "It is better to give than to recieve.... When you give you gain something more valuable than anything you could ever recieve... You find out who YOU are... On the inside. I like who I am. How about you? Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
Ok, today is the one year mark and events are in full swing around the coastline. We are having one here at Hope City as well. About 200 families affected by Katrina are coming to share some great food and entertainment.
The thing that I couldn't announce the other day is that one of the volunteers with Hope Crisis Response Network was nominated and awarded the Presidential Service Award. It is basically the U.S. Volunteer of the Year. His name is Ken Wetzle and he is an amazing man with an incredible family backing him. The video of him standing outside Air Force 1 meeting the President Bush and receiving the award can be seen here. http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/glnk/1887/play.asx The story of Ken can be seen here. http://www.fox10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5336370 Ken is the first to say this is not about him, but the people who have helped him with the relief efforts and especially God. The group we are with done here is HCRN and here is their site with pictures http://www.hcrn.info Thanks to those that have helped support us and to all who have given their time and resources. There is still much to be done, but the people here are strong. Kevin P.S. Randy, thank you for the kind words, very nice of you to say.
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
God Bless Mr. Wetzle...
A true American Hero! Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Thanks for the links Kevin. Great story.
There can always be Hope as long as we have folks like Ken and you all around to keep it alive. No brag, just fact, I give away more money each year than a lot of people make. But one of the most important, and most welcomed gifts I’ve ever gave was last year right after Katrina. It was to a lady with a crying baby, the gift was a gallon of cold milk and a few minutes of my time sitting and talking to her. One of the greatest gifts we have to offer is that of time, for time is the stuff life is made of. It’s something we can’t make more of, it is precious. But what greater way of expressing love than by devoting time to those we care about and those in need. People may not always remember exactly what you say or what you do, but they will Never forget how you make them feel. When we all are dead and gone, how will folks remember us? Not, "How did they die?" But, How did they live? Not, What did they gain? But, What did they give? I think Churchill said it well: “We make a living out of what we get, we make a life out of what we give.” Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-29 14:03, TomBoleware wrote: Probably the most appropriate quote that could be presented in regards to this situation Tom, Thank you! Why do we remember Ghandi? Mother Teresa? Get the idea? GIVE till it hurts! Pain, this kinda pain is GOOD! Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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Comedy Writer Special user 594 Posts |
Regarding Katrina, did they ever determine who was in charge of the fiasco at the dome and the convention center?
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
The city of New Orleans and the state of Louisianna were responsible. The feds cannot just roll in and say "hi, we are taking over", they have to be asked. Some other fun facts about NO. There were busses sent to take people out, school busses, to take them a couple hours outside of the low lying parts of the city (remember, only a blazing moron that is familiar with NO doesn't realize that it is basically a lake bed waiting to be filled with water). Civil Rights (?) leaders (?) complained that the busses were not air conditioned and didn't have restrooms on them so they advised everyone to wait until better busses were provided and better this and better that. So folks stayed. Others stayed so they could carry on criminal enterprises. The busses were sent by the state of LA. The levees were not repaired by the state or the city even though funds were given over a period of four decades. In all honesty I believe that taking Spike Lee's version of anything is like accepting whatzhizname Moores version of anything anti Bush....it is slanted.
Oh, as an added note, because of the actions in NO by the state and city there was a proposal that the Feds can take over the National Guard when things like this are coming and it was flat out rejected by congress. Trivia: What is now the mafia was started in New Orleans and was called The Black Hand. Steve V |
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Steve V....
Obviously you have entirely missed the entire point of my post... Yes, it's true that watching the Spike Lee HBO special is what spurred this posting/thread... But that is secondary to the threads intent and drive... For the record: I don't give one flying f@@@@ about the politics/he said-she said/FEMA/Bush/Brown/Nagin/Lousiana Gov./etc/etc/etc... I give a dam about the People that are STILL living in Coleman tents... The ones that, a year later are suffering.... You can point the finger all day long, you end up with four of those fingers pointing right back at yourself... I wanted to bring to light the human tragedy...To spotlight that, even if what you have to offer is very, very little.... That doesn't matter...Because no matter what you give, it is SOMETHING! Offer a prayer, good thought, donation to a verified charity...Whatever you are comfy with doing.... Leave the Political B.S. to Late Night comics... Let us focus and remember our BROTHERS and SISTERS that are STILL living in filth and rubble... Let us remember our fellow citizens.... Ok? Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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Markymark Inner circle 1686 Posts |
Good points Prof.Piper.
Steve v,in the speech Pres.Bush made[in New Orleans] he admitted mistakes had been made.
''In memory of a once fluid man,crammed and distorted by the classical mess'' -Bruce Lee
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Of course mistakes were made and they are still being made, but I agree, pointing fingers doesn’t help rebuild a house, get the clothes out of the trees, or comfort a child. Only real people can do that.
Folks, this ole world ain’t like it use to be. Everybody is in such a rush today that we no longer have time for each other. And the sad part is we can’t slow down long enough to see it happening. It's become too easy to just blame "them" and keep on going. And you know what, we really can’t blame the government because we are the government. We The People make up this nation. But to be honest, there are times today when I think about our government that I do wonder whatever happened to the “United We Stand.” But then when I see groups like the one Kevin is with, and caring individuals like Terry, I say yes we are still in good hands. There is hope for the needy. If only there were a lot more like this scattered around the world. It also helps to see some elected officials like this: While waiting to get orders from the higher ups, Fema refused to let go of two truck loads of ice that had no destination. Our local Sheriff seeing a need for the ice in a nearby community said time was running out, and instead of playing politics he slapped handcuffs on the authority guarding the trucks and then delivered the needed ice. You can read more about him here: http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson......ace.html Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Tom...
Thank you for your very kind words... I am, but one man...I did my bit, the most I could do, and it ended up costing me a great deal of my own money... Do I begrudge it? No. I helped...I did what I could and then came home, where I am needed to keep my own house in order. BUT, if my words can motivate more to do THEIR part...Then maybe, just maybe, things can get done and progress made... Not a day goes by now that I'm back home, that I don't think about what I saw down there in Mississippi and New Orleans...The destruction, the tragedy... The loss. Just as we remember what happened to this country on 9-11.... Let us NEVER forget our fellow country men and women whose lives were turned upside down and backwards by Katrina... It is up to us the citizens of the USA to help our brothers and sisters...If we left things to the Govt. we'd all be dead by now... Keep that in mind. Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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