Dang, why are you getting out of boating. Is it the crazy price of gas?

for what it's worth.........my $.02

I'm hoping the govt. is feeling this sense of urgency that all of you have expressed.
After hurricane Andrew many of us in the Keys felt the same way and made many trips to Homestead with supplies.
But like those people, the victims of this hurricane will be without EVERYTHING they knew for a very long time.
We found that weeks after the hurricane hit, items were needed and as much appreciated as ever.
We took strollers, clothes, toys, household items, clean linens, toiletries, batteries, tools etc etc etc - many 2nd hand items - to the tent cities and temporary housing units.
We had local groups donate.........volunteers drove it up and gave stuff out.
The planning and organizing helped us feel like we were at least doing something. And the needs today will go on for a very long time. Think what Xmas will be like for all those kids this year.
Sorry to go on, but this one is bringing back a lot of the old Andrew memories.
Just some thoughts............

sorry......had to add one more thing

along with the medical units there will be mess kitchens set up by the Nat'l Guard............my husband worked for an institutional chemical company that supplies all warewashing and sanitizing products.........his company donated TRUCKLOADS of products to these units.
I think no matter what business your in, there will be a need from someone of what you have or come in contact with.

I guess that's part of it. Plus... I don't make much money and all other aspects of my life have been put on the back burner because of the boat. It has taken all of my time, resources, money, energy.
Instead of a positive distraction, it has become a negative distraction.

I can't get rid of it fast enough.

Maybe someday I will get something small and cheap.
I do love the water. There are plenty of places around here to use a canoe. That would get me on the water.

It was never about the speed or being cool.
It made me happy. But that has changed.

take a break...you'll be back

At the risk of sounding cold, should we not go on living our lives? Keep the economy going? We don't stop for terrorists, why stop for a natural disaster?

Unfortunate? yes

A bump in the economy? yes

Tragic for those involved? yes

Part of life? yes

so let's deal with it.

Our govt forces and tax dollars are at it as are the worthy causes we give to yr round.

Something to be learned here, building a city (in a known hurrican region) below sea level and or choosing to live in it- tick, tick, tick,

Sorry if my dose of reality is offensive to anyone

Fund,

I used to work at Mercy ... the real one. I'm relieved to hear they are sending staff and helos. There are way too many of them (helos) to serve the needs in our area anyways. It restores my faith in the "Mercy" I once knew.

It seems there is a major corporate battle between Mercy and "the other guys" in green. Millions and millions of $$$ being spent just to compete against each other without making the care any better.

How many staff and helos is Promedica sending? They are, after all, (according to them) the second "most integrated" health care system in the country, right? How much of the CEO's $1.4 million/year salary is he donating to the relief effort and disaster victims?

Chris

I pay taxes, give at church, donate to multiple charities, and am sending money to the Red Cross for relief efforts down south. Will I use my boat this weekend? See you in Muscamoot Bay !!!

AHHHHH....Mr. Fred Cecil, the "voice of reason"
How do you, always, always, always know what to say???