Jackson Free Press

At first reluctant to talk, a dark-skinned 60-something man stands outside his white FEMA trailer. Waving around his cigarette, he begins to open up to the young people on camera. A native of New Orleans and second-line expert, he explains to the young videographer that his home in New Orleans didn't flood at first. "The water was only about that deep to my second step," he says, gesturing to half-way down his forearm." Not concerned with any threat of flooding, he and a buddy walked down the street to grab some beers.

"That night, that water was up in the house," he says flinging his arm to the sky. "That water had gotten to about 20 feet deep."

He and his stepdaughter were the only ones in the house at the time. "She couldn't swim," he says. "She jumped on my neck and (ended up pulling) me under the water. … I'm telling you like it is; it was rough." A helicopter came and rescued his stepdaughter, leaving him behind. She ended up in Texas, and he in Arkansas. "I didn't know where none of my people were," he says, pausing to take a drag from his cigarette.

He continues to tell the story of how he ended up in Little Rock and how he lost everything, only to find little help from the government when he tried to reap unemployment pay. "It's hard on us," he says turning away from the camera slightly. "I worked 27 years on my job. Why should I have to suffer for somebody else?"

Previous Comments

ID

82147

Comment

Thanks Maggie for posting this. I feel his pain!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-12-21T08:54:02-06:00

ID

82148

Comment

"Why should I have to suffer for somebody else?” You should'nt. No one should. Maybe he could have effected an escape while the water was low instead of making a beer run?

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-12-21T11:12:27-06:00

ID

82149

Comment

Our mothers pained as they bore us. If we're unwilling to help others in dire need, no matter the situation, what does that say about us, and shouldn't we suffer the same fate when down and out, in desperate need, sick, crippled or disable. To quote my favorite prosecutor, who finally retired, " I pray and hope for mercy. I neither want or expect what I deserve or have earned." This prosecutor was a fair and honorable man! How many of us could withstand what our deeds or actions bring forth? I don't drink alcohol, but if a beer gave comfort to this situation then that's fine with me. After all, he worked for 27 years on his job - proof he isn't lazy or looking for handouts.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-12-21T11:24:59-06:00

ID

82150

Comment

...and maybe he could have spent 27 years on welfare/robbing/stabbing/husling/pimping/doping or any of those wonderful professions, thought of by some, to be an "expected way of life." This man had no experience to compare this to. If Bush and his Arabian Horse Trainer could not figure out a strategy, why is so much blame put of this VICTIM?

Author

justjess

Date

2007-12-21T12:48:20-06:00

ID

82151

Comment

"If we're unwilling to help others in dire need, no matter the situation, what does that say about us, and shouldn't we suffer the same fate when down and out, in desperate need, sick, crippled or disable." What??? Who was unwilling? You need to check your facts before you pop off at the mouth. TONS of money went to these "suffering" people. TONS. Sorry that their democrat government couldn't deal with it like our republican governor did on the coast here. Apparently he wasn't down and out enough to not go buy beer, and now has enough money to buy smokes. What does it say about us Ray? How many of us gave our time and even money to the Katrina evacuees? I couldn't have driven down there to help out, but I did what I could. " After all, he worked for 27 years on his job - proof he isn't lazy or looking for handouts." Really? At 60, 27 years meant he started work at 33? Or perhaps 18, then quit at 45? My granddad worked till he was 83. I'm so sick of people complaining that the Government isn't doing enough for them. Clearly, this guy had enough time to walk to the store, buy some beer (and probably more smokes) and come back to his house to drink. He had time to leave, but CHOSE to stay.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-12-21T19:40:54-06:00

ID

82152

Comment

Well, Law Clerk! You do know don't you, that misfortune can befall us all, whether we caused or contributed to it or not. No one is so well off that they can prevent all kinds of misfortune. And none of us are so smart and responsible so as to do the right thing at all time. Except maybe you. Hopefully, nothing dreadful will ever happen to you so as to make you change your mind or see things differently. I'm happy to know that you wouldn't accept any government aid of any sort, for any reason, including the following: medicare, medicaid, unemployment insurance, veteran adinistration benefits, aids to dependent children or the disabled even if you were disabled, welfare, benevolence from a good samaritan if stranded on the side of the road, a pass on a speeding ticket from a police officer or a Christmas card from me. I bet you would have turned down benefits from the New Deal after the stock market crash of 1929. You write with such power and clarity when pissed off. Merry Christmas and thanks for the verbal exchange, friend. I hope no one spoils your Christmas by giving you things you don't deserve, didn't earn or didn't purchase yourself - welfare! It's almost Christmas so be nice if you must respond.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-12-22T10:58:13-06:00

ID

82153

Comment

When the tornados came through the other day, I'm wondering if Law Clerk chose to stay or if he spent the time in a storm shelter somewhere...

Author

Rico

Date

2007-12-22T12:25:36-06:00