What can we do about this?
From my old stomping grounds in Memphis TN. A church in Memphis decided to really do the Christian thing after Katrina. They donated a house to a family that lost everything from New Orleans and had re-located to Memphis. Over 1000 families were up for this house but the church decided on a certain family. The church picked this family, gave them a house at no cost. No requirements didn’t need to join the church or anything like that. Just that the family wanted to begin their lives anew in Memphis. I’m sure many of us would have been thrilled to even be considered for such an unbelievable gift.
Well maybe not everyone. Or at least the family that was actually given the home. The family that received the donated home never actually moved in. They never even lived in the place. A 80,000 dollar home. Okay, this is America, you don’t want to live somewhere or in something that was given to you? No problem, thousands of other Katrina Evacuees who would love to live there.
Yeah that’s not happening either. This family (I have the names but I’m not going there), sold the house. And kept the cash. And blamed the church. Here’s the link: Donated House Never Occupied by Recipients
So the family gets a free home, never lives there, keeps it from other families that could really really use it, sells it for a PROFIT and now says their moving back to New Orleans.
I’m not angry. Not really sure of my feelings other than being devastated at the attitude of this family. And the shame that it makes me feel to be a New Orleanian.
You may not share my feelings, that’s okay. But I am embarrassed to have these people associated with this great wonderful city. My first and only thought really is that we as a city need to give this church their money back. Are we responsible for every LOSER that was forced out after Katrina? No we are not. But if you love this city, then you should want that church’s generosity to not die on the vine like this.
If we could get 1 dollar from everyone who’s worth a shit in this area, we could reach the 75k to affirm these people’s faith in others. Or maybe I’m looking for a way to re-affirm my own faith in not only human beings, but in New Orleanians in particular.
On another note, I’ve taken some heat for saying more than once on this blog that I do not want some people to return to this city. This family is at the top of the list.
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Yo! You most definately have my dollar and more if needed. This is the kind of thing that gives Nolans a bad name. This is crap! I am outraged!
I saw this and was just too disgusted to even write about it. It’s like everything that’s wrong with New Orleans personified in a context where anything good about New Orleans is not represented. Foulness in isolation. I too am of the opinion that certain dregs shouldn’t come back - leave them spread out and diluted. So what’s the problem if this family of ungrateful fucks stays away?
Suggestion: set up a Pay Pal donation site if you’re serious about trying to raise some money for the church.
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
I can’t believe those ungrateful shits! Count me in for a few dollars on this one. (I’m thinking of Blogging this WITH their names… they belong in the NOLA Hall of Shame for all time.)
We could hold a small fundraiser to get some of the monies for a start, get our news to cover it, and then let those church folks know that the good folks here in New Orleans are appalled by the actions of that beastly woman.
Damn this makes me mad.
Those people are not worth their weight in monkey shit! If you decided to do this I’d give a few bucks.
I find it very difficult to send money to any Faith based operation. They make tons of money and it is tax free. Let the giver beware. I guarantee half the houses in Oprahville, Texas will be sold off in the next couple of years.
Okay, I’ll send them a fruit basket and some gay porn. I wouldn’t want to live in Memphis either. Of course, I would have given the house back and not sold it if I were returning to New Orleans…….or would I?
Who knows man, when opportunity knocks, take it. These people may have been dirt ass poor and had never seen $75,000 in their lifetime. This may have been the catalyst for a better life here, or maybe it was a down payment for the 07′ lime green Escalade at Sewell Cadillac. I don’t know.
Peace out suckas!
Okay, I take it back. I just watched the video. They are truly not of moral fiber. Perhaps the husband will buy more sweaters as to finish off his Billy Dee Williams ensemble. That guy was a real douche.
I still can’t give any money to the Christians because they worship the Nazarean. I worship Balder, overlord of the ninth plane of Yubonikus Minor.
I think a public flogging for these people if they ever return to New Orleans would be more effective than returning the money to the church. Or we could just rob them blind and send their belongings to the church.
“I worship Balder, overlord of the ninth plane of Yubonikus Minor.”
i want to have your children.
We are hashing it out at the radio station about raising cash too.
I haven’t stepped in a church in years so obviously I’m far from a “thumper” or someone who buys into any type of religion, more of the spiritual kinda cat.
The story has gone national like I thought it would- I’m just sick and tired of the rest of the nation thinking that everyone from here acts like this. If we open an account at a local bank or something I’ll let everyone know.
scumbags!
Count me in on making a donation to that church. Keep us posted.
Thanks.
While the people who sold the house are cretins of the lowest magnitude, don’t feel too badly for COGIC, the demonination of the church that donated the house. COGIC has their international headquarters here in Memphis. Temple of Deliverance is a mini-mega church that is the premiere COGIC venue. (It hosted Brother Bill Clinton and Jr. a few days before the elections this year.) Their minister, Rev. G.E. Patterson, has a street named after him in the area around the church. Every November, COGIC holds their annual convocation here. Every December, they threaten to move it to Dallas or Atlanta unless the CVB gurantees them room rates for the next year at incredibly deep discounts (like 50% off standard, in downtown rooms) even though the COGIC guests are notorious for leaving unpaid bills and hot checks. The attendees do keep the limo services hopping - they take limos from the Peabody to the Convention Center - 5 blocks away. The women of COGIC do have fabulous hats, however.
International House of COGIC owns swaths of property downtown that are blights on an otherwise vibrant and revitalized urban district. One property in particular, the former Chicsa Motel, is an architectual gem that is now home to the homeless, including junkies, virtually across the street from the Civil Rights Museum/Lorraine Motel and the FedEx Forum. They control parking use at the empty lots adjacent to the Chicsa during big events downtown at $20 a car. They have recevied countless tax breaks on the property and have promised to renovate the property for the last 15 years. So far - nada. They tried to unload it on the city for almost double the market value at one point, but the city declined.
So, while I deplore what the family did, I really can’t feel too sorry for COGIC/Temple of Deliverance. I think it’s a bit karma coming round.
A.
Thanks for the info Ann, very informative. I knew Jesus, and he didn’t own property. He did have a bad ass 66′ Ford Falcon though. We used to go cruising for ho’s in Magdalea. Then we would kick out on the beach in Gaza and levitate rocks over the water. We never ran out of wine. Good times…..Good times.
Sadly many Katrina Evacuees have touched peoples lives all over the country. Although most are good people who got caught in a terrible situation there are also many bad apples out there.
I live outside Baton Rouge which is forever changed, higher crime and more crowding have made it a less friendly city. The Katrina evacuees have really made a mess of things here. LEO’s are really concerned with the next 6 months when FEMA money will start to dry up. The evacuees will start being evicted from trailer parks. It’s going to get very ugly.