(no subject)

I'm finding a lot of racism and classism in a lot of the reactions with regard to the people who stayed as Katrina bore down on them. As someone who has lived under the poverty line and is still not that far above it, I get livid at these people's blind assumption that "of COURSE only idiots and fuckheads would stay behind!" (paraphrased) Unfortunately, this is one of those occasions where my rage is so severe that I can write either coherently or politely, but not both. Luckily, there are people who can keep cooler heads than I.

They stayed because they could not run, and now they might die because they cannot swim.

Lessons that Katrina is teaching us.

The economics of disaster

EDIT: I know that a lot of you want to help but may not be able to physically get there. I also know that the Red Cross website is flickering on-and-off due to the high traffic. I also know that some of you have philosophical disagreements with the Red Cross. So here's an alternative: Direct Relief International.

EDIT 2: Los Bastardos, a Rocky Horror troupe based in Dallas, is taking donations for Katrina relief in lieu of payment for its prop packs. They're going to be doing this through the end of Septemper, so check it out if you're in the area and thinking about doing Rocky Horror.

Also, some news: the breaks in the Lake Pontchartrain levies are flooding massive areas of NO and keeping them flooded. This includes the Superdome, which was housing approximately 30,000 refugees. Since the Superdome was no longer safe, Houston offered the Astrodome and refugees are becoming evacuees as we speak.

(no subject)

Over the past few days, the dogs in the apartment above me have been running around like, well, like a pack of wild dogs. They've been doing it randomly at all times of day and evening and it sounds like I live underneath a bowling alley.

Well, after a particularly loud "scamper" around the apartment just a few minutes ago, I went up to complain about the noise. Again. First, I knocked politely, but the resident didn't answer the door. I know he's there, because the lights are on and it's 8PM after all. So, after about a minute and a half, I knock harder. THIS time, he starts off by yelling obscenities through the door at me as he comes to open the door, then continues to yell at me about "[me] keep coming up and bothering him!!" He ALSO said, and I quote, "I'm gonna fuckin' kick yer ass the next time you come up here!" As this was happening, my roommate was getting home from his job and walking up, and the guy spots him and threatens HIM, TOO!

Well. Being a prick neighbor is one thing. Physically threatening me is another. I immediately called the apartment office and left a message about the interchange and I'm going to go in tomorrow during lunch to corrorborate it and leave a paper complaint, if necessary.

When I complained to the apartment managers about this guy's dogs and their noise before, I was told that mine was far from the first complaint they'd received. After threatening me, I hope they kick the fucker out, or I'll investigate the feasability of calling the police on him.

God, I'm still shaking. I absolutely hate confrontations, especially physical ones.

EDIT: And yes, this is the same prick who stole our cable a while back. And no, I haven't heard anything from the police about that.