Four days of funds spent on the Iraq war would go a long way towards putting the City that George Forgot to rights, but the government has other priorities. Corruption, negligence and land grab in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are ongoing. Will we later say, BushCo turned New Orleans into Six Flags Exxon and we did nothing to stop it?
Read this and weep: http://www.commongroundrelief.org/
More NOLA info here: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Kossacks can get behind NOLA relief projects that exist. We can put pressure on the government to do right, and keep it on. And Kossacks can create a challenge for our Dem candidates. Let's brainstorm this and figure out a way that eliminates wiggle room.
You want our vote, Ms/Mr. Candidate. So spend your campaign time - and campaign funds - on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Lead the people of New Orleans home, and SHOW how you are going to help the American people, and that you deserve the opportunity to lead.
I hope I've done this justice - I'm a new diarist. Scout Finch suggested a daily Daily Kos Katrina diary - sounds like a great idea to me. TT/Nathan, NPK, can we do this?
"Common Ground needs your support immediately to continue critical relief and recovery work in New Orleans and the city's surrounding areas.
The City of New Orleans has iniatiated a “Good Neighbor” Program. Thousands of residents—many of whom are elderly and disabled--are now facing the possibility of having their homes repossed by the City, if their properties are not gutted, mold abated, and boarded up. Instead of providing the needed resources to those who need assistance, the local government is referring residents to non-profit organizations like Common Ground.
In response, Common Ground is currently organizing another demonstration of national solidarity and civic responsibility. It is again Spring Break Season, and over the next month, close to 1500 volunteers (mostly students) will be supporting New Orleans' residents through Common Ground relief efforts. Consequently, our organization now faces the challenge of funding their meals, basic accomodations, safety equipment, demolition supplies, and transportation to work sites.
Since September 2005, Common Ground has housed, fed and supplied over 12,000 volunteers so that they can to gut houses and clean communities in New Orleans. Those 12,000 volunteers have spent an average of $250 each during their stay in New Orleans, pumping over $2,750,000 into New Orleans economy.
Common Ground receives not one cent of local, state or federal funding for attempting to control and support the many volunteers that come to New Orleans to help. Although Common Ground receives funds for specific projects, such as medical clinics and enviornmental cleanup, we have fallen short on funds to support our volunteer center in the Upper Ninth Ward.
We're hoping that a broad grassroots call for small donations will help us provide the support for the many eager volunteers that want so much to make a difference, but need some basic services while they volunteer. Even a small contribution at this time will help provide volunteers their basic needs for the upcoming spring break."