On 29 Aug 2005 14:25:59 +0200, Wayne Boatwright > wrote:

> Sandi, while all of those conditions exist and there are people in that
> predicament, there is also an element who want to "brave it out" and an
> element who want to have hurricane "parties". Examples of that are
> reported during/after every major hurricane. I feel very sorry for those
> who, for whatever reason, cannot leave, but I don't give a damn about those
> who are too stupid to leave.
>


Erik and I were fortunate enough to visit New Orleans last year, it's
a lovely city and (of course!) it has fantastic food. A lovely lady who ran a
B&B and several other properties there was a gracious host, and couldn't have
been more friendly. Unlike many in NOLA, she does have a car and the
resources to leave... but if she had stranded guests, I'm sure she would not
want to leave them behind, and she doesn't have a vehicle that can transport
that many and their belongings. Erik also has distant relations who live
in the area who are older, and may or may not have their own transportation
or the good health to make possible an evacuation. As of yet, we have no
news.


I don't really have a problem with when people have less empathy for
people who could leave but don't, for the reasons you stated above. The
problem occurs when people imply that those are the ONLY reasons why people
wouldn't leave New Orleans. That assumption is just plain ignorant and could
be easily avoided by thinking before one speaks. You would not dream of doing
such a thing, I know, but others don't always offer the same courtesy.

Ariane
--
Incompetence: When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of
skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/incompetence.html