On 29 Aug 2005 05:02:40 -0700, Sandi wrote:

>
> jmcquown wrote:
> > Gabby wrote:
> > > "rosie" > wrote in message
> > > ups.com...
> > >> airlift people north ??? Are you kidding ? They can go north under
> > >> their own steam, there has been plenty of warning.
> > >>
> > >> Gasoline prices will no doubt be impacted, this is only one of many
> > >> thing driving the price of oil.
> > >>
> > >> I do hope all have gone to higher ground .
> > >
> > > Officials say there are tens of thousands who have no way of
> > > evacuating the area.
> > >
> > > Gabby
> >
> > No way? What, they don't know anyone with a car? Or does this mean they
> > are being stubborn, as in the wake of the 1980's Mt. St. Helens eruption, "I
> > won't leave, they can't make me".
>
> No Jill, it means many are poor and/or homeless urban inner-city
> dwellers who don't have cars or don't know people with cars. They are
> the elderly who don't drive and who don't have family members in the
> area who drive. They are the people with no choice but to stay. Your
> empathy, compassion, and respect for the elderly and poor who cannot
> evacuate on their own is overwhelming.
>
> Anyone else - like the tourists who think it's cool to stay - are fools
> who made the choice to commit suicide by hurricane. Because many
> Americans own cell phones, cars, have toilets, have electronics, they
> assume everyone in the world, including some of their fellow Americans,
> own the same. Too bad it isn't true.
>
> Sandi

Sandi - you're absolutely right. Those who could leave, did leave.
Those who stayed either couldn't leave or were fool hearty.