We love to yap about everything from having a good time, to the weather, to politics here. But right in the heart of The South (Tripsmarter.com region) unfortunately a community got hit pretty hard.

The town of Enterprise, Alabama has an official fund that will help those affected directly. Details at
http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/6292062.html

I'll be by the pool this week where I live, many of you will be at the beach. But these affected have bigger issues on their plate.

I sent a check, and glad to help them. Even if you just stuff a few bucks in an envelope and put a stamp on it, you'll feel better and they can use the help.

Alas.....a knight from beyond...

Thanks Ted....they are definitely our very close neighbors to the north - lots of folks here in Bay Co have gone up to help! Suggest folks check out their local Red Cross, United Way, Catholic Charities and other agencies if you are leary of web-clicking for a charity....

That's part of being a great American - wouldn't you agree?

Enjoy your "pool" - I'll take the - come see us!

went up to Enterprise last week(its a 20 minute drive for me) and the place is a wreck. I read in the Sunday paper( I think, could have been sometime last week) that a high school in Panama City offered Enterprise to have their prom in PC, transportation, accomidations, etc... provided by the Bay County High school. Can't remember if it was Mosley or Bay High... now thats Southern Hospitality for ya...

Well??? Still nothing really being done to help these folks... Oh yeah that's right, they're poor...and predominantly black...

Since ThatGuyMoron loves to swipe at us conservatives who actually work hard and make big cash (that we can help others with):

I sent a nice check to the mission on PCB that was housing Katrina victims for weeks and weeks and weeks after Katrina, as well as some other specific Katrina funds. (With all due respect to the Red Cross, I prefer to specifically look for smaller organizations where I feel the help gets to people more quickly and directly).

Nancy Pelosi now holds the purse strings. I haven't exactly seen Katrina issues at or near the top of her "to do" list. She's too busy pitching a hissy fit because they won't give her a jet as big as the Vice President gets.

I'd love to be able to spend all day blogging and participating in political forums like the lazy libs do, but I've got to get back to work so I can pay those big taxes to the IRS that allow the lazy libs to be as lazy as they are.

After all... it is the job of us that work to give everyone who is too lazy to work a free ride, right? So you better let me get back to work instead of bogging my down with useless political arguments that won't change my mind on how I vote (nor will change my work ethic).

Because I work hard but still only make just over the national poverty line???

Because as compared to 20 years ago people in the middle class are making less and the top CEOs of companies are making 400% more???

Because the amount of skilled trades jobs available has steadily gone down because those companies that care about us have moved those jobs to India and China??? (I actually am a machinist that has seen this first hand.)


I'm supposed to believe that a man who doesn't want to give up his money to pay taxes to help the country run is going to give a significant amount of his money to charity???

It's a fact that people who have less, give more relatively. So you can take you're bantor and stick it.

Until ignorant people such as yourself are directly affected by these conditions you will never truly know what it is to suffer.

Sure you write your little check and feel all warm and fuzzy inside while you sip your fufu drinks by the pool. Have fun in that ivory tower.

There are over 16,000,000 poor in the US. 60% of those are children. Are you calling these children in need freeloaders?
Do these children not deserve a better life with more oppurtunities?

Extenuating circumstances are applicable to many of the situations that the poor face today. You obviously don't get that and only think the big bad poor folks just want to take your money. You're wrong. You know you're wrong and you sir are a fool for not admitting it.

This thread was started specifically to put aside other talk and bring attention to the Alabama disaster (read my post that started the thread). While Bay County and surrounding areas were very proactive in sending aid, I wanted to raise awareness for those of us outside the region.

What kind of bottom-feeding dreg would want to use a post devoted to the seriousness of the Alabama disaster and our communional and compassion for those people and use it bring up their personal politics? You can't set the bar much lower than that.

I will say this: ThatGuyMoron proved my point. Perhaps if he took the time spent surfing and contributing to political blogs/forums and instead took some night classes, upgraded his skills, and worked harder, he wouldn't have to spend his life barely living above the poverty level.

Side Note: Given that quite a segment of Detroit's former auto jobs are now in Tennessee, Mississippi, and ALABAMA, I can understand the guy not liking Alabama. But that is still no excuse for turning an Alabama disaster thread into a platform for his politics.

Your greed astounds me. Your empathy definitely has limits. Poverty is a reality. Is it political to try to bring to light the problems of impoverished people? I think not. Alabama has it's share of impoverished folks just like anywhere else. A lot of people affected by the tornadoes are poor. They could use help from our tax dollars. According to you though, the poor freeloaders don't deserve it. Selfish. Selfish. Selfish.

All I wanted to do was let people know that there are still unresolved issues elsewhere. If you think that's wrong, then I don't want to be right.

www.helpstophunger.org
www.give.org
www.directrelief.org
www.savedarfur.org
www.gatesfoundation.org

Peace!!!

A driver is stuck in a traffic jam on US 95 south, just outside of Washington, D.C. Nothing is moving north or south. Suddenly a man knocks on his window.

The driver rolls down his window and asks, "What happened? What's the hold up?"

"Terrorists have kidnapped Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and John Kerry. They are asking for a $10 million ransom. Otherwise, they are going to douse them with gasoline and set them on fire. We are going from car to car, taking up a collection."


The driver asks, "On average how much is everyone giving?"



"About a gallon."

TOO FUNNY Swn5363

ThatGuyMoron hasn't even indicated sending one thin dime to any cause at all... and yet it is my job to end poverty?

Funny how "The Lounge" here was up and going strong (and a hell of a great idea)... right up until when ThatGuyMoron decided to copy/paste 20 posts a day from left wing blogs into here. The Lounge pretty much died and has never come back. I make one new post of sympathy for Alabama, and he is back trying to simply kill all conversation.

Congrats Guy Moron... that "prowess" is probably what hinders your success in work and all other social aspects of life. Boy, you are sure showing the world how powerful you are. How is that working out for you?

Regarding the joke:

SWN; count me in for 100 gallons. That was funny!

Junior #8 Bud Car; Be happy to watch you light the ceremonial flame!

Bottom Line: ThatGuy seemed out to kill The Lounge... and it looks like he got the job done.

In Ted's defense (thatguy), I encouraged him to post in the Lounge about anything he wanted.

Vegas, I was taught by my parents to do good deeds for others, for the sake others. Not for acclaim of praise of myself. I do not feel the need to fish for praise for my deeds. Obviously you do. I am sorry for the way you feel and hope that your life continues to be enriched in every way. I have taught myself that ignorance is no reason to dislike someone. I'm sure that you are a nice person and you have a great life. I just wish that money didn't skew your view on matters of human decency. I think that the well being and value of Human life greatly exceeds the value of money and material things. Sure I would like to make a little more money for comfort, but I am just as happy without it. Anyway...

Peace...

PS - Who are the insults supposed to help? You? Me? I thank my parents for teaching me to respect the opinions of others and for teaching me that insults only degrade the insulter and not the insulted.

SWN... I understand and know you did. It is your lounge. I just have to think that every time I now make a post, That Guy will be turning it into a political discussion.

Politics are great to discuss, but would be a lot more interesting if That Guy's long posts weren't simply copy/paste jobs from somewhere else.

To That Guy:

If I wanted to put myself on the spotlight for my giving, there are many things I could cite. Doing what I do and making what I make allows me to be generous in ways you can't imagine. Everything from big checks to worthy organizations (that I personall scope out) to the simple fact of helping friends and family when they are in tough spots.

This was about Enterprise, Alabama. Talking about what happened there. Posting a link to a news story that talked about a relief fund, and saying "Hey... if one feels so inclined, send a couple of bucks." PERIOD.

You better believe that when someone like you tries to hijack a well-meaning and heartfelt post like that to prove some political point, I come out with a baseball bat and swing at your knees. It was uncalled for. Period.

Vegas, you're rich and I'm not. Thank you for telling me once again. I really needed to be reminded. You keep reenforcing my point that you lack empathy. Sure you may be sympathetic, but empathy is what is needed in this day and age.(You can look up the difference in the dictionary.)

I'm through with this subject. I think I'm gonna be sick if I have to listen to you tell me one more time about your money, or how the poor are all out to get your hard earned money.

Have a good life living in your little bubble.

I promise not to pick on you any more.

Peace

PS I did not copy and paste this message. Nor did I during this whole debate.