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Texans Helping Themselves and Others after Ike

Boats blocking I-45

The trucks? They’re actually traveling south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 45 heading into Galveston, TX the day after Hurricane Ike hit the island.

Those boats? They’re blocking the southbound lanes of I-45.

There has been extensive damage to Galveston, Seabrook, Orange, Port Arther, Clear Lake, and numerous other cities on the Texas Gulf coast.

I’ve been hearing from lots of friends, family, bloggers, and readers today about “the day after”.

And what I’m hearing the most of? People have already started cleaning up. They have started to repair leaking and damaged roofs. And once they’ve secured their own homes? They’re going next door to help their neighbors do the same.

What you’re not seeing?

  • People waiting around for FEMA, the Government, or somebody else to take care of them
  • Looting, raping, and rioting
  • Attacks against the police who are there to protect them
  • Police abandoning their posts and/or taking part in the looting
  • Corrupt politicians misusing valuable rescue resources for their own personal purposes

I’m proud of all my fellow Texans today.

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Saturday, September 13th, 2008 | Trackback |

22 Responses to “Texans Helping Themselves and Others after Ike”

Stop! Stop! You’re breaking euroweenie hearts.

Left by Anonymous on September 13th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

It’s good to see.
It was reported here that there was minimal looting in Kemah earlier in the day, although those looting where rounded up and taken into custody.

This made me think:

Officials said about a third of the people who dialed 911 for help spoke Spanish. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who appeared at the news conference with Perry, urged Spanish-speaking Texans — in their language — to contact local authorities for assistance.

Sounds like 911 isn’t ready for Spanish-Americans yet?

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 13th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

robbie, I’ve been volunteering at an area Red Cross Shelter and the response from the community - teachers, parents, scout troops, the neighbors… it’s been phenominal. I also have been encouraged by the spirits of the evacuees. Overwhelmingly, they’ve been great.

Is it a Texan thing? I think so.

Left by Patrick on September 13th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

I’ve been following your Twitter feed today, Patrick. Thank you and good on you for your volunteerism, helping others who really need it.

Left by Robbie Cooper on September 13th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

Robbie-
Up here in Hunstville, we had a pretty good part of the storm. Once the winds died down I was outside helping the same neighbors that I helped board up there windows on Friday. Since the city will be overwhelmed cleaning up much of the debris, we started loading up limbs on my trailer and taking them to a friends land and will have a bonfire by the lake later this month. My street, on my side, is only one of a few that have power, over 90% of the city and county are without power. So, I have a houseful cooking food and watching college football. Tomorrow, we will be back out on our street clearing some more debris and doing whatever we can to help our neighbors. I am proud to live in this community and of the way Texans are responding to this situation. I grew up in Houston and have spent alot of time in Galveston. It will be a while before we are back to “normal”, however, I look forward to how we will be closer because of all of this! I hope your hometown and your family members in the area are doing well!

Left by Ken on September 13th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

There is still a way to go, as so many people can’t even return to find what the storm did to their lives.
Those of us who know what we are talking about, knew before this how Texans would respond.
While we barely got two inches of rain here in Dallas, with the strongest winds around thirty mph, we are doing what we can to help out the tens of thousands of those who evacuated to our city.
I was relieved to learn the Houston ship channel didn’t the suffer the damage that was predicted, and all the refineries and petro-chemical plants were unharmed. Once folks have their housing situation under control, getting back to normal begins with having a job to go to.
God Blessed Texas, and does so every day.

Left by No2Liberals on September 13th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

God Blessed Texas, and does so every day

Ah, that’ probably where the trouble starts.
Maybe when people realise religion is a man made creation to keep no brainers in check, the world will be a better place.
I find it hilarious that some people think ‘god’ will step out of a black hole formed by the Hadron Collide.
I can’t believe I live in the same century as these people.
Quick confirmation there; god doesn’t exist.

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 14th, 2008 at 1:13 am

No one needs any further confirmation that you are a moron.

Left by Anonymous on September 14th, 2008 at 8:57 am

Why is it that godless people are the most rabid supporters of Barack Obama? What are they so scared of? Barack Obama says he believes in God..did you read his prayer? Why not attack Obama for his belief, Jonny?

My advice: Don’t worry about people who believe in God. Worry about yourself.

Left by dianne on September 14th, 2008 at 10:07 am

And to the people of Texas…The whole country (this country) is proud of you.

Left by dianne on September 14th, 2008 at 10:08 am

Why is it that godless people are the most rabid supporters of Barack Obama? What are they so scared of? Barack Obama says he believes in God..did you read his prayer? Why not attack Obama for his belief, Jonny?

I’m not ‘attacking’ anyone Dianne. Just pointing out that if we didn’t have religion, we wouldn’t have the problems we today. Think about it, how many wars or violent crimes are committed in the world because of religion.
“My god’s better than you’re god, and to prove it I’m gonna ram a couple of planes into WTC”
It’s bollox.
I’ll tell anyone the same; Obama, Clinton, McCain and even our beloved Tony Blair.

So much time is wasted by adoring this man made creation, we forget what we’re actually here for.

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 14th, 2008 at 10:30 am

Jackass: Look at the topic of this thread. It’s about people who are self reliant after a disaster and who are thankful for what they have been blessed with. No body gives a shit about your opinion on religion. You try to make every thread about you. If you are so effin’ lonely and in need of attention get a dog or find a fiance you don’t have to blow up.

Left by Anonymous on September 14th, 2008 at 11:31 am

Just checked the thread - it seems some half-brain redneck was the first to post with a dig at Europe, followed by a European who was happy to see a working ethic in rebuilding Texas already.

Taking things off topic?
You’re a child - a redneck one at that.

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

Call it a preemptive strike based on your track record followed by some dumbass euroweenie’s comment about 911.

Left by Anonymous on September 14th, 2008 at 12:38 pm

The fact that a third of calls to 911 during Ike where from Hispanic Americans isn’t a euroweenie comment.

It highlights the fact that America/Texas is innately racist.
Or simply ignorant of whom it’s residents are?

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

Sure it’s your typical stupid euroweenie comment from your typical stupid euroweenie.

Overall, what percentage of 911 calls are in spanish? What is the percentage of spanish speaking operators? You don’t know this and you don’t care. Instead you fashion some bizarre scenario that they are suppose to round up a bunch of spanish speakers and train them to operate the 911 system in a moments notice in the middle of a major natural disaster just to fit your arrogant and ignorant rube-view that everyone is a racist.

A monkey can be trained to sell t-shirts. But, it takes education, training, and experience to be a 911 operator.

Left by Anonymous on September 14th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

Overall, what percentage of 911 calls are in spanish?

In this case it was 33.3% (that’s what ‘a third’ means) ;-)

What is the percentage of spanish speaking operators?

This is my point. Well done.

Instead you fashion some bizarre scenario that they are suppose to round up a bunch of spanish speakers and train them to operate the 911 system in a moments notice in the middle of a major natural disaster just to fit your arrogant and ignorant rube-view that everyone is a racist.

Nope. It would have been logical to have preempted the scenario - pretty much like you preempted this thread. ;-)

A monkey can be trained to sell t-shirts. But, it takes education, training, and experience to be a 911 operator

Education, training and experience but no need to be bilingual in order to deal with a third of incoming calls? I think you’ve made my point better than I did. Thanks.

And selling t-shirts is about 1% of my business.
Are you keeping up with this talk of percentages?

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 14th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

As usual you don’t know what the eff you’re talking about. I said OVERALL. The hurricane was a one time event.

Almost all, if not all, bilingual 911 operators are native speakers and do not need education, training, or experience in speaking spanish, dumbass. You just made my point that you are a dumbass.

Left by Anonymous on September 14th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

Ok redneck, whatever you say.

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 15th, 2008 at 2:49 am

That’s right, dhimmi, defer to your betters.

Left by Anonymous on September 15th, 2008 at 8:07 am

Yes Anon, I am defering to you, my better.

Jonny

Left by Jonny on September 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am

The above comments are an embarrassment.

This was a great and true story. I am very political, but the GOD & POLITICAL comments are totally off-topic & just exacerbate the obviousness of your ignorance.

Today is merely a day to revel in The Spirit of Texas!! Our political shenanigans, “finest form of free entertainment”, aside this is THE Great State. I am proud of our leaders, who out partisanship aside & have done an excellent job (uh..Lyda notwithstanding) and I am proud of our citizens!

Texans Helping Texans!!!! I see it everywhere - especially in the most ravaged areas!

Left by ihearttexas on September 18th, 2008 at 9:55 pm

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