Of Fish and Company
Six months. That’s how long it’s been since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Six months since Houston stepped up to the plate and provided shelter to many refugees who needed that shelter. Many Houstonians opened up their homes, their hearts, and their wallets without asking for anything in return.
Six months have passed, and some of the evacuees have moved on; they’ve gotten new jobs, new homes, and new lives here in our fair city. Some have even moved on to other cities to be with family, and have made new lives for themselves there. However, there are still a large number of evacuees who are looking to play the victim and get others to keep paying for their government-funded apartments and lifestyles. Quite a few times, I’ve heard the phrase “but I’m from New Orleans” come from the mouths of those trying to get something for nothing, and it annoys me. And I’m not the only one. There are many Houstonians who are starting to feel that our hospitality is being abused.
Since September, jobless claims in Houston have skyrocketed, and the vast majority of those claims are from refugees who have chosen to remain in Houston instead of returning to New Orleans and rebuilding their homes. In addition to the rising jobless claims, crime has skyrocketed as well. In the last quarter of 2005, violent crime rose so sharply that it pushed the annual average up by 23%.
Houston is a wealthy city with plenty of opportunities for those who need work. We have one of the largest seaports and international trade hubs in the United States. We have oil refineries that need workers. We even have a booming tech industry that is hungry for new talent and new workers. Houston is quite literally the Land Of Plenty for those with the desire to earn a descent lifestyle.
It’s been said, quite accurately, that fish and company start to stink after three days. It’s time for New Orleans refugees in Houston to start to earn their own keep, or to move on. Our patience is waning.
Six months have passed, and some of the evacuees have moved on; they’ve gotten new jobs, new homes, and new lives here in our fair city. Some have even moved on to other cities to be with family, and have made new lives for themselves there. However, there are still a large number of evacuees who are looking to play the victim and get others to keep paying for their government-funded apartments and lifestyles. Quite a few times, I’ve heard the phrase “but I’m from New Orleans” come from the mouths of those trying to get something for nothing, and it annoys me. And I’m not the only one. There are many Houstonians who are starting to feel that our hospitality is being abused.
Since September, jobless claims in Houston have skyrocketed, and the vast majority of those claims are from refugees who have chosen to remain in Houston instead of returning to New Orleans and rebuilding their homes. In addition to the rising jobless claims, crime has skyrocketed as well. In the last quarter of 2005, violent crime rose so sharply that it pushed the annual average up by 23%.
Houston is a wealthy city with plenty of opportunities for those who need work. We have one of the largest seaports and international trade hubs in the United States. We have oil refineries that need workers. We even have a booming tech industry that is hungry for new talent and new workers. Houston is quite literally the Land Of Plenty for those with the desire to earn a descent lifestyle.
It’s been said, quite accurately, that fish and company start to stink after three days. It’s time for New Orleans refugees in Houston to start to earn their own keep, or to move on. Our patience is waning.
posted by Vic at 8:43 AM
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