This is the last time….
…I will post about this issue. It is tiring for me and I know it is more than tiring for any readers.
I was informed this morning that I do not qualify for FEMA help because my house didn’t suffer appreciable damage from Hurricane Katrina. Since my business was inundated in Mid-City, I may qualify for one or more SBA loans. But, being a new business, more debt is the last thing it needs, regardless of how low the interest rate might be. And, though we have a good place to stay until we can go back, I will not be reimbursed for any of the gasoline, food and other expenses we have incurred in nearly six weeks on the road. FEMA says I can submit copies of my hotel bills (totaling $150), but that will be all they will cover.
I called Sen. Mary Landrieu’s office this morning and was told there is little they can do so far to move the FEMA bureaucracy off dead-center. I was additionally told FEMA is moving away from the $2K emergency assistance grants (which we have not seen) into what amount to vouchers to pay for housing assistance, which we do not need. In the words of the sympathetic guy on othe phone, “I wish I could tell you your situation was unique, but I’ve heard it over and over. There are hundreds or thousands in your same situation.”
In other words, lots of us are being penalized for being honest, for being self-employed, for trying to play within the rules and for generally trying to get our lives back in order in as self-sufficient a manner as possible. We’re sorry we’re not dirt poor. We’re sorry we’re not filthy rich. We’re sorry for just trying to keep our heads low and be gracious and patient. We’re sorry we’re not trying to work the system. We don’t know how because we’ve never been here before. Dumb damn us.
Believe me — this is not a plea for sympathy. But it IS a confirmation that we’ve been lied to, manipulated, misled and otherwise bamboozled. This is the type of thing revolutions are made of. And I, for one, will be among the first to scale the wall.
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Yeah, I got the same thing. No property damage, no money.
It’s not like we’ll starve without FEMA cash, but damn it would have helped. What really doesn’t make sense is that nearly everyone we know got the money immediately.
Didn’t Bush say that all Katrina victims would get this?
I’ve heard similar stories from some evacuees here in Memphis as well. That must be so frustrating. Maybe there are private sources you could tap? I know the Presbyterian churches up here are setting up non-FEMA regulated funds to address situations like yours. Hey -when I win the Powerball Saturday, I’ll cover you! :-)
A.
I’m not from New Orleans. We have visited only twice. But your city left a permanent mark on my soul. The fucking bureaucrats should be hung by their feet over the 9th Ward and left to rot.
I really feel for you people getting screwed.
I’ll be right behind you when you go over that wall. I might need a little help getting over it, but I’ll make it.
wow. you said:
“lots of us are being penalized for being honest, for being self-employed, for trying to play within the rules and for generally trying to get our lives back in order in as self-sufficient a manner as possible.”
My entire family (Dads side) lives in New Orleans as did I till I went away to college, so I
Even in the best of situations, it would be at least another month before I could get my business up and going again. I haven’t lost that many clients (most are outside the New Orleans metro area), but cleaning or replacement of equipment and restoration of the (rented) physical plant is going to be a very slow process even if I won Powerball this weekend myself. I’m content with that and I have the skills to earn money lots of other ways once we’re back.
In the midst of all the devastation, this is the single largest opportunity to remake an entire major American city since the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. So much of what hobbled New Orleans is gone, but the opportunity for improvement is larger than at any time since the end of the Civil War. What torques me is the apparent failure of our supposed “emergency management” agency to aid and abet the very types of people who have the most to offer this rebuilding effort.
i feel for ya.. so many have talked about filing for bankruptcy but since the new bankruptcy laws have come in effect that won’t help them get relief from most of their regular debts.
you said a word that i’ve heard more and more in the past few months. “revolution”
i love this country but damn i’d love for it to be america again, where you can work hard and make it. theres just too much distance between the filthy rich and the rest of us. and we get taxation, they get representation.
“we get taxation, they get representation.” Can I use that? I think it will be a big hit in my history dept. cirlces!
I wish I could do more than what I am - it is frustrating. My aunt is back at work at the law firm she’s been with 20+ years. My uncle just retired so they’re good financially, but she’s concerned that the firm will relocate to Baton Rouge, which would be a hellish commute from LaPlace. My cousin, their son, is still employed, but he is pharm rep - with Charity et al. down for the count, his territory is limited now and he was in Lakeview. :(
I’d hate to see N.O. become fake. Its realness was always its draw for me. I hope all that is not plasticized and gentrified for the enrichment of the few.
Craig, welcome to the middle class! We’ve been getting screwed forever; could never understand how I always made too much money to qualify for any type of assistance (even made too much for my kids to get free school lunch), but didn’t quite make enough money to live in a house or drive a new car or go on a real vacation or go out to eat anywhere but McDonalds (thank god for the dollar menu)or stay in a hotel when the car broke down 200 miles from home or shop anywhere but Walmart or open an IRA for my retirement 99 years from now! I just keep paying my Taxes, sure that Death isn’t too far off!
Oh, almost forgot - at least you’ve got your health! Good luck to you, hope everything works out for you…
As one of the many getting the shaft from FEMA I must echo the statements already made. We filed right after the hurricane (Katrina, that is) and have gotten nothing but red tape and runaround since then. I wouldn’t be so set upon it, but we had just drained the bank accounts paying to move uptown and paying off our (now postponed) wedding. With no vehicle AND no finances we have been in a bit of a bind.
Not being filthy rich has its drawbacks in the new feudalism. The Bourbon Bushes have turned this around and made it a wonderful opportunity to further the consolidation of powers and resources that have marked the neocon rule. I am terrified of what Halliburton will do to our city. My family has been there for 300+ years and now we get to see times like these rip the heart from our fair, if tawdry, city?
I am a french creole, I have worked for a living since the age of 14. I want o fight, but I feel moree overwhelmed every day. We must find a way to band together and make our voices count. I do not wish to entertain thoughts of leaving this country, but the modern US bears little to no resemblance to the nobel America of old.
Thank god for the net, at least we have a venue for discourse. It helps me to know that I am not the only one getting denied assistance. I say that we should all make an effort to network those who have gotten screwed and put toether something akin to a class action suit against FEMA. That should be possible since it was created by an executive order and so is not technically an arm of the government.
I sit here in NY waiting to return, trying to figure out how to transport the five cats back down without a car, and fear the future. I have been decrying this nepotistic oligarchy we have been given by BushCo since the first election he stole. Now I feel so awful to have been proven right…
http://humidcity.blogspot.com
“Revolution”? You idiot. You got wiped out. So do millions of Americans, for one reason or another, every single day. Is everybody guaranteed a pain free existence?
It’s called life you freaking whiners. STFU and get on with it or just die. Who the hell are any of you to expect a damn thing from a sugar daddy big government? If the dirt bags who ran your state weren’t self serving political whores, maybe your sewer city would have had a decent levee or two.
No one owes any of you a frigging thing so take your self pity and shove it where New Orleans whores are accustomed to receiving it.
Craig, I am a fellow entrepreneur whose small business was derailed by Katrina. Like you, the idea of taking on more debt through an SBA loan doesn’t work for me. Unlike you, I got FEMA money (for me, personally, not for my corp). And I am living with my brother in Richmond, so I don’t need to pay for hotels. So I’ll pay for yours. No kidding — just send your snail mail address (or paypal address) and I’ll drop $150 in the hat for your hotels. Your writing — and those of the other metrobloggers here — has been a lightline for many refugees. Thank you.
The sad truth of the response to Katrina is that the help *had* arrived — private help — entrepreneurial help — and FEMA blocked it. Many of us had to get around FEMA to administer aid. The good that comes next will mostly be private parties circumventing FEMA and the scoundrel politicians. We have to learn to accept the private aid we need and give the private aid we can. You can start by accepting my offer to help.
STEVE O’KEEFE
steve.okeefe@patronsaintpr.com
Steve…
Thanks, but we’re okay. The timing on all this worked out well, since we’re at my mother’s in Dallas. She just underwent some surgery so we’d be up here anyway. I was able to get out of New Orleans with all of my inventory, which I’ve been able to sell to clients along the way. That, a little Red Cross money and some help from friends and family have allowed us to keep things going to this point.
The point of my post was that, once again, those who are supposed to be (and actually are) the backbone of our economy and our so-called American Dream are the ones being left to twist in the wind. It has usually been this way anyway, but the gap has gotten larger and larger.
We’ve been screwed big-time and the guy left in the middle of the night without even leaving us cab fare to get back home. We either get a runaround or we get flamed by the gutless and faceless (see the post from fyou above).
It ain’t right and it can’t last.
Hey, Craig, here’s a copy of a previous post of yours:
“The positives are that we’re safe and the value of our house has likely doubled, since it remained dry and virtually undamaged. We also have friends who are returning to the neighborhood and will be staying at the house to give it that lived-in look until we can return. I have big orders waiting once I can get the business going again and, at least for the most part, my creditors remain understanding.”
Posted by Craig Giesecke at October 4, 2005 06:40 AM
Doesn’t sound like you’re in bad shape at all!
You are safe, you have instant equity in your house, clients waiting for merchandise, and understanding creditors! What more do you want?
After reading a number of comments on this metroblog, the one theme that struck me (besides the racism) is the lack of GRATITUDE! Stop the pretext of blame - whether it’s GWBush or FEMA or whatever! Suck it up, boy and get on with your life!
Did you expect to get some money from FEMA when you evidently had minimal damages? And you don’t want a low interest loan from SBA? And FEMA will pay $150 for your lodging?
How exactly have you been “screwed screwed big-time and the guy left in the middle of the night without even leaving us cab fare to get back home. We either get a runaround or we get flamed by the gutless and faceless” ?
The “gutless and faceless” are presenting you with a reality check!
You are a piece of work! And you consider yourself an entrepreneur - takes more guts and self-reliance than you have!
I know people who were told unless they agreed to stay in crowded shelter, rather than with family or friends, then accept a ONE WAY ticket to a place not of their choosing with no support network, no guarantee of housing or job, they would not receive ANY assitance either from FEMA or the Red Cross. These are middle-class, college educated professionals who need a little cash to tide them over until they could get access to their assests, liquid and otherwise. If they do not agree to get shafted by the system, they are ungrateful?
The president said ALL victims of Katrina would receive $2000 for living expenses etc. REGARDLESS of damage to home and/or property. He said it. Then, magically, that program diasappeared, with no explanation or replacement.
The true “pieces of work” are the receipents of the no-bid contracts for clean-up that are bringing in illegals, paying them sub-minimum wages for dangerous work while providing no safety equipment and firing Louisiana workers and companies that abide by the few remaining OSHA and EPA regulations.
A.
p.s. I quote here:
“Believe me — this is not a plea for sympathy.”
Craig is voicing his frustration at the situation and the hypocrisy, not asking for a handout or pity. Just thought I’d remind some of y’all of that.
I always like to see how much everyone honks and beeps and pontificates about how things oughta be when they know they have a paycheck coming next week. I’m surprised someone hasn’t told me to Sit Up Straight, Young Man.
Excuse me, but I won’t get a paycheck until I get my business going again. If everything falls into place, the moon is in the right phase, pigs learn to fly and all four Beatles reunite at Shea Stadium, that could be in 30-45 days. The reality will more likely be early in 2006. This means I’ll have to find some other stuff to do to earn some money once we get back to New Orleans. Hey — that’s just life in the self-employed lane. We’ll get the bills paid and I can guarantee you we’ll have a grand time doing it.
The fact remains that the very administration that is accused of, campaigned about and readily admits to siding with business interests has been all hat and no cattle to this point (unless you’re a multinational or some other Halliburtonesque entity). Big snake, no rattle, as it were. Big boat, no paddle (thank you Randy Newman). It promised to help (HELP — not cover) those whose bank accounts have been literally drained to zero by road expenses in the wake of the hurricane(s). In my case and in the cases of many others, it has failed to deliver so much as a gesture. Period.
I can reestablish my own business. I can find another job in the meantime. This too shall pass and everything gets back to normal after some time and effort. But, in the meantime, forgive me when I point out bald-faced lies.
“But, in the meantime, forgive me when I point out bald-faced lies.”
“In my case and in the cases of many others, it has failed to deliver so much as a gesture. Period.”
I don’t believe anyone (ever) has suggested that government (or life) is perfect, but WHERE ARE THE BALD-FACED LIES? How has the government failed to deliver? $2000 payments have been made by a federal agency; low interest loans are being offered by a federal agency - assistance IS being offered. Under “normal” circumstances, stuff falls through the cracks; I can’t imagine what can happen in a crisis of this magnitude. Maybe you haven’t received your $2000, but others certainly have. Others are taking advantage of the SBA low interest loans. And, you have an offer from FEMA to pay your housing bill. So, I don’t get it - what exactly is your problem? Are you pissed at yourself for not being in a better financial position to cover the 30-45 days before a paycheck comes in? After reading a number of your posts I realize that other circumstances besides the Katrina situation are having an effect on you, but, come on, stop putting the blame on everything else for your own situation! Despite all your protests to the contrary, you, like many on this board, really appear to be ungrateful for any assistance that has been given.
From reading your bio, YOU shouldn’t have too much of a problem finding a job anywhere. Good luck to you - with your lousy attitude you need lottsa luck! Remember, Karma is a bitch.
Gee — given the reasoning seen on this board, maybe we should say it’s a soldier’s own fault if he/she gets killed in Iraq. They joined the military as volunteers, didn’t they? Life’s tough. Lots of other soldiers aren’t getting killed, so what’s wrong with you? There are no guarantees, you ungrateful jerk, so stop whining about the lack of armor. Etc., etc.
We have plenty of people to thank and may never be able to adequately repay– the Red Cross, our families, our friends and plenty of wonderful, helpful folks whose names we’ll never know. This has been made clear in my writing over and over since Aug. 29th.
As of late last week, according to the Times-Picayune, the SBA had approved only three loan applications from the hurricane zone. And it’s not known if any of those were were actually in New Orleans.
…but I’m wasting space, time and effort trying to argue this point with those who simply can’t or won’t get it. All I can do is invite you to our wonderful city to help us rebuild. Maybe then things will come more into focus for you.
For now, my heart goes out to those poor folks in Pakistan and other areas devasted by the weekend earthquakes. I look at such situations entirely differently now. They’re the ones who really need the help now.
According to this MSNBC article, every family in the affected area should get the $2000. Maybe you should appeal again. That’s what I’m going to do.
Good luck, but I’m afraid it’s just wasted effort.
The impression I’ve gotten is that I should have been non-commital about potential damage from the storm and said I simply didn’t know how my home was. As for the business, the only thing being offered is more loans.
With this being the case, plans now are to simply handle it all on our own.
hi, how are you!
hi, how are you!
carls levis
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