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Poor evacuees... having to Spend fed cash on booze, strippers

N8 v2.0

Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Oct 18, 2002
11,003
149
The Cleft of Venus
Your tax dollars at work....

Evacuees binge on Cape: Spend fed cash on booze, strippers
By Maggie Mulvihill and Dave Wedge
Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - Updated: 12:17 AM EST


BOURNE – Hurricane Katrina evacuees hastily handed $2,000 in federal relief money last month have been living it up on Cape Cod, blowing cash on booze and strippers, a Herald investigation has found.


Hurricane Katrina evacuees drink alcohol in Falmouth.
(Staff photo by David Goldman)


Herald reporters witnessed blatant public drinking at a Falmouth strip mall by Katrina victims living at taxpayer expense at Camp Edwards on Otis Air Force Base. And strippers at Zachary's nightclub in Mashpee, a few miles from the Bourne base, report giving lap dances to several evacuees.

``They were tipping me $5 a pop,'' said a Zachary's dancer named Angel. ``I told them I felt bad taking their money. But I still took it.''

Another dancer said a large group from the military base was in Zachary's recently and she gave lap dances to several of the victims.

``Some spend good money, but others don't,'' she said.

An assistant club manager, who gave his name only as Michael, acknowledged yesterday that the strip joint is popular with people from Camp Edwards.

``It's no different for someone who lives at Camp Edwards or is stationed at Camp Edwards. As long as they have the proper ID they can go in,'' he said.

On Oct. 5, the Herald observed a virtual parade of evacuees from a bus stop in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Falmouth to nearby liquor stores. Some emerged and openly swilled from brown-bagged containers, while others poured booze into jugs or plastic cups and casually sipped drinks at the Wal-Mart bus stop.

The refugees have access to daily trolley service from Camp Edwards to the Falmouth Mall.

One elderly man poured a bottle of Ruble vodka into a water bottle and spent the afternoon sipping the liquor outside the Wal-Mart. Two other men were seen buying 32-ounce Coors Light cans at George's Liquors and drinking at the bus stop.

Last Tuesday, one 52-year-old evacuee, who told a reporter he was originally from Cuba, stood in the rain outside Wal-Mart for several hours drinking gin and orange juice from a thermos. The same day, a female evacuee bought ice at a supermarket and roughly $30 worth of hard liquor before being driven in a car back to Camp Edwards. Evacuees are banned from bringing booze onto the base.

One Camp Edwards source said evacuees swiped liquor off shelves at the U.S. Coast Guard store on the base and drank it in the aisles.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued more than $1.5 billion to 607,000 Katrina victims in the form of individual cash handouts of $2,000. There are no restrictions on how the money can be spent, FEMA officials said.

Gov. Mitt Romney and the Legislature approved a $25 million emergency aid package to feed and house 235 of the evacuees at Camp Edwards. As of mid-September, the Red Cross had doled out another $25,000 in debit cards for victims sent to the Bay State.

The Camp Edwards residents have been treated to Red Sox and New Orleans Saints games, Boston Duck Tours, a chowder fest, concerts, and free cell phone and Internet service, as well as cookouts sponsored by Romney and U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.).

Since the Sept. 8 arrival of the original 235 evacuees, a handful of unruly drunks have been taken into protective custody, according to law enforcement officials.

More than half the evacuees have left Camp Edwards for other housing, and 114 refugees remain at the encampment, which is slated for shutdown Thursday.

Falmouth police Chief David Cusolita said police cracked down on public drinking at the Wal-Mart after complaints last month but he reported no recent incidents.

Barnstable Sheriff Jim Cummings said some of the intoxicated refugees were taken into custody by state police, while others were escorted to their dorms.
 

N8 v2.0

Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Oct 18, 2002
11,003
149
The Cleft of Venus
DRB said:

I propose that we owe it to these people to teach them about how to work for a living.

If they are skilled works, then the fed/state should put them to work in their field. If they are unskilled, then put them to work picking up trash from the roads, digging ditches, etc...

Time to work for the cash.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
N8 said:
I propose that we owe it to these people to teach them about how to work for a living.
.

I suggest we hire a diabolical political advisor and make them president.

They were given an opportunity and they wasted it. But that in no way means that the people who aren't going to strip clubs didn't deserve help.

I know, I know....because of social programs in this country you are now poor and live a rough life instead of the basking in the vast wealth that would have otherwise been yours.

edit: thanks for actually putting up a post that's not just a cut and paste though :D
 

N8 v2.0

Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Oct 18, 2002
11,003
149
The Cleft of Venus
kidwoo said:
I suggest we hire a diabolical political advisor and make them president.

They were given an opportunity and they wasted it. But that in no way means that the people who aren't going to strip clubs didn't deserve help.

I know, I know....because of social programs in this country you are now poor and live a rough life instead of the basking in the vast wealth that would have otherwise been yours.

edit: thanks for actually putting up a post that's not just a cut and paste though :D
Here's a novel idea... link getting a check to going to work. No work, no check. Seems to work well enough for the rest of us.
 

blt2ride

Turbo Monkey
May 25, 2005
2,333
0
Chatsworth
N8 said:
I propose that we owe it to these people to teach them about how to work for a living.

If they are skilled works, then the fed/state should put them to work in their field. If they are unskilled, then put them to work picking up trash from the roads, digging ditches, etc...

Time to work for the cash

I agree...make them work for a living. The sad part is, I would imagine that a lot of them didn't have jobs before the hurricane. When I heard that $2000 debit cards were going to be handed out, I knew it would be a bad idea. Whose idea was it to give out these debit cards? It's scary to think that someone thought this was a good idea...
 

Echo

crooked smile
Jul 10, 2002
11,819
15
Slacking at work
I wonder if I just call the Red Cross and tell them I'm a Katrina evacuee, if they will just hand me a $2000 debit card?
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,938
13,133
Portland, OR
After spending 3 weeks there picking up trash, clearing streets, and rebuilding schools, it makes me pissed to read stuff like this. They should be the ones cleaning up where they lived, not a National Guard unit out of Oregon.

I should have been the one boozing and getting lap dances!!!
 

VTApe

Monkey
Feb 5, 2005
213
20
Vermont
I agree jimmy dean. This really is a shame, I have a good friend down in NO helping out right now also. It sucks people have to take advantage of the system like this.
 

blt2ride

Turbo Monkey
May 25, 2005
2,333
0
Chatsworth
Echo said:
I wonder if I just call the Red Cross and tell them I'm a Katrina evacuee, if they will just hand me a $2000 debit card?
Once they find out that you work, they'll know you're not telling them the truth...
 

Echo

crooked smile
Jul 10, 2002
11,819
15
Slacking at work
blt2ride said:
Once they find out that you work, they'll know you're not telling them the truth...
I don't suppose I could convince them that even though I'm "at work", I don't actually do any work?
 

MTB_Rob_NC

What do I have to do to get you in this car TODAY?
Nov 15, 2002
3,428
0
Charlotte, NC
you know someone right now is reading that article thinking...












So thats where that red sweatsuit I threw away ended up.
 

ohio

The Fresno Kid
Nov 26, 2001
6,649
23
SF, CA
Wow, you mean that of the thousands of dirt-poor refugees, some of them are alcoholics? I'm shocked. Shocked and awed, I tell you.

I like N8s solution, where we turn people who have lost their homes, limited belongings, limited livelihood, and in some cases their families into slave labor.
 

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
N8 said:
I propose that we owe it to these people to teach them about how to work for a living.

If they are skilled works, then the fed/state should put them to work in their field. If they are unskilled, then put them to work picking up trash from the roads, digging ditches, etc...

Time to work for the cash.
OK, everyone go to N8's house for job training. Post your address and I will forward it to friends in New Orleans.

I can understand why one might think strippers and booze might be a bad way to spend relief money. I have to agree, but after living in NO for 6 years, I am not very surprised.
 

Silver

find me a tampon
Jul 20, 2002
10,840
1
Orange County, CA
ohio said:
Wow, you mean that of the thousands of dirt-poor refugees, some of them are alcoholics? I'm shocked. Shocked and awed, I tell you.

I like N8s solution, where we turn people who have lost their homes, limited belongings, limited livelihood, and in some cases their families into slave labor.
I just find it amazing that suddenly N8 turns into a communist who wants to tell people what to do with their money...

Actually, no, wait. I don't find it amazing at all. Finding out that N8 don't like the niggers spending money on booze and women...it's too easy, isn't it?
 

N8 v2.0

Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Oct 18, 2002
11,003
149
The Cleft of Venus
Silver said:
I just find it amazing that suddenly N8 turns into a communist who wants to tell people what to do with their money...
Actually it is the tax payer's money... and I pay taxes. So yes, I should have a say in the matter. When you depend on freebie hand outs from someone, you should have to play by their rules, if you don't like it, then support yourself like the rest of us do.

Silver said:
Actually, no, wait. I don't find it amazing at all. Finding out that N8 don't like the niggers spending money on booze and women...it's too easy, isn't it?
Look sh1thead... don't being your closeted racicist biggotry/buggery in here. :angry:
 

MTB_Rob_NC

What do I have to do to get you in this car TODAY?
Nov 15, 2002
3,428
0
Charlotte, NC
ohio said:
I like N8s solution, where we turn people who have lost their homes, limited belongings, limited livelihood, and in some cases their families into slave labor.
Ya really, we should spend MORE money and turn them all into rocket scientists, that would be a better idea. :nopity: :nuts:
 

N8 v2.0

Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Oct 18, 2002
11,003
149
The Cleft of Venus
ohio said:
I like N8s solution, where we turn people who have lost their homes, limited belongings, limited livelihood, and in some cases their families into slave labor.

Did you miss the part where they work for PAY?

Or are you that flamingly liberal?
 

ridetoofast

scarred, broken and drunk
Mar 31, 2002
2,095
5
crashing at a trail near you...
Silver said:
I just find it amazing that suddenly N8 turns into a communist who wants to tell people what to do with their money...

Actually, no, wait. I don't find it amazing at all. Finding out that N8 don't like the niggers spending money on booze and women...it's too easy, isn't it?
despite your idealogical differencs, you honestly DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM with what they are doing, whether it is a N8 post or not?

edit
so...once they are broke again, after spending their money in such an unwise fashion, is one to be viewed as thoughtless, cold, selfish 'frother' as you dims like to say, for saying tough **** when they stick out their hand for MORE money?
 

fluff

Monkey Turbo
Sep 8, 2001
5,673
2
Feeling the lag
N8 said:
Actually it is the tax payer's money... and I pay taxes. So yes, I should have a say in the matter. When you depend on freebie hand outs from someone, you should have to play by their rules, if you don't like it, then support yourself like the rest of us do.



Look sh1thead... don't being your closeted racicist biggotry/buggery in here. :angry:
You do have a say - each and every election. As I understand it you should be quite happy with the way things are at present, your man's calling the shots.

Insults work much better when spelt correctly.
 

valve bouncer

Master Dildoist
Feb 11, 2002
7,843
114
Japan
By far the majority of that money went to people who needed it and used it properly but you don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to work out that a few people were going to spend some of it on things they shouldn't. It still needed to be done. I can guarantee far more money is going to be wasted in far more wildly ludicrous ways than this. Iraq for instance.
And be honest, if you were given that money and there was a little left over after you'd got everything you needed, wouldn't you be just a little bit tempted to spend the rest on bike parts?;)
 

Echo

crooked smile
Jul 10, 2002
11,819
15
Slacking at work
fluff said:
You do have a say - each and every election.
Although this is an entirely different can of worms, the fact is my vote means NOTHING. People in upstate NY's votes don't count for anything, NYC votes for the whole state. Candidates don't even bother campaigning here because the state always goes to the democrat, no matter who it is. The only way it could be worse is if it went republican every time.
 

ohio

The Fresno Kid
Nov 26, 2001
6,649
23
SF, CA
N8 said:
Did you miss the part where they work for PAY?
So did sharecroppers.

I'm am somewhat for new deal type public works projects, but those are designed to help us ride out depressions. If you use them in situations like this, you have several problems.

1) How do you help these folks find sustainable living situations (housing and real jobs) when they're stuck digging ditches all day?
2) If you pay them market rates for unskilled labor, they can't support their families while doing the work. If you pay above market rates, people scream PORK!
3) How do you insure you can find work in the same places where we've set up refugee camps

This was just $2000. It was meant to be a kick start, to float a family for a month or two while they relocated and found new work. Think about your monthly expenses, and how far that will get you if you suddenly lost everything and had no savings AND had to move.

Now I'm HAPPY to also find public works projects where they are necessary and encourage these people to pursue them, but the $2000 gives them the freedom to do that, or find something better for their family.

It doesn't make me happy to see people abuse that hand out. I wish we could stop them. I wish we could put them into AA, clean them up, and make them productive members of society... unfortunately, programs like that cost money and don't seem to get much funding.
 

MTB_Rob_NC

What do I have to do to get you in this car TODAY?
Nov 15, 2002
3,428
0
Charlotte, NC
ohio said:
I wish we could stop them. I wish we could put them into AA, clean them up, and make them productive members of society... unfortunately, programs like that cost money and don't seem to get much funding.
They didnt want that help before, what makes you think they want it now?

Id be willing to bet the farm that the same people abusing the system(s) in the refugee (or whatever PC term you want to give them) camps are the same people that were abusing the system in the section 8 housing in NO's.
 

punkassean

Turbo Monkey
Feb 3, 2002
4,561
0
SC, CA
N8 said:
Did you miss the part where they work for PAY?

Or are you that flamingly liberal?
Apparantly you missed the part where this money isn't PAY! It is supposed to be some sort of retribution/temporary assistance from the govt for the terrible things that happened to these folks. They have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and have been forced from their homes. Once the govt hands the money over it is theirs to do with it as they see fit. When it's gone it's gone and they will get no more. The premise is that it will help them get back on their feet, or if nothing else at least give them something to feel good about. I don't know about you but I feel pretty darn warm inside when I think of strippers and booze. Sometimes when people are in a bad spot they are not too wirried about making the best long term decisions, they are more concerned with finding something that will take the pain away even if only for a few minutes. It is THEIR choice what to do with it.
 

MTB_Rob_NC

What do I have to do to get you in this car TODAY?
Nov 15, 2002
3,428
0
Charlotte, NC
punkassean said:
The premise is that it will help them get back on their feet, or if nothing else at least give them something to feel good about. I don't know about you but I feel pretty darn warm inside when I think of strippers and booze.
I am not so sure I agree with the premise of the govt giving cash so they can feel warm and fuzzy but...

Dang the rest is well put. :thumb:
 

ohio

The Fresno Kid
Nov 26, 2001
6,649
23
SF, CA
Mtb_Rob_FL said:
They didnt want that help before, what makes you think they want it now?

Id be willing to bet the farm that the same people abusing the system(s) in the refugee (or whatever PC term you want to give them) camps are the same people that were abusing the system in the section 8 housing in NO's.
What makes you think they didn't want that help before. Was is even available? If it was available was there a mechanism to make sure they KNEW it was available?

What would YOU propose be done with these people?
 

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
Let's take this for face value: the people in story got FEMA relief money and are now blowing it on booze and strippers.

I have friends who are applying for FEMA money and they are spending it on housing, food, and saving whats left for when they return.

These people are blowing it, and will return to the lousy lives they had before they left.