I knew the economic and political situation in Texas was dire, but I was completely unprepared for just how appalling conditions have become. As an emergency medical technician (EMT) from a large city, I volunteered to go to rural Bastrop, Texas, to assist the residents who are fleeing from the wildfires raging there; many of them have been injured. I was looking forward to working in a small community for a change. As an urban EMT, I have witnessed too many drug and alcohol overdoses, stabbings, beatings and shootings, along with vehicular fatalities.
Continued at link. I found this to be an excellent article. Here is a little more from the article.
Most Bastrop residents did not make the connection between Gov. Rick Perry's deep budget cuts to local police and fire departments and the chaos they were facing, or criticize the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) stripping of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of funding and staff to address national disasters (nor did they mention the ongoing wars around the globe sucking money from domestic programs).
Beliefnet Community Moderator ~ Peace Love Stardove
It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace. -Shenandoah proverb
Drawout, I was so happy your home was able to be saved. Knowing that was uplifting for my spirit as I said prayers knowing you and your wife also lived in the fire zone. We just returned from down south. It is a terrible situation to witnessed the power of fire and the destruction it caused for so many people.
My prayers go out to all those in grief including my daughter, son-in-law and some of their close friends who also lost everything. In the moment I know it is hard for the "young people" to be able to see into the future and have faith they can rebuild on solid ground.
Good news for my children is the mortgage is paid for so the land is free and clear even if they don't have a house on it. About three acres of their seven acres did not burn. To me that is also a blessing, although many more acres of forest around them is nothing but black trees standing.
Beliefnet Community Moderator ~ Peace Love Stardove
It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace. -Shenandoah proverb
Sorry to hear about your childrens home Stardove. I'm the member Merope mentioned,thank you all for your prayers. We got lucky but most of the people we know lost their homes. We saw alot of tears and its hard not burst into tears at the sight of so much suffering. Everyone was kicking themselves in the head for not bringing this or that ,some had no choice but to flee with nothing, one guy went back for his work tools and didnt come out. We had a lot of offers to stay with friends and family. The people here are wonderful and things were kept orderly. Every insurance company has trailers with satelite uplinks helping people get back on their feet along with all kinds of government agencies. The authorites should be saluted for the remarkably small loss of life from a fire that took 1600 homes.
The children got on their property yesterday. It was a hard experience for them. To hear and know your home, your dream is gone is one thing. To see it is another. They don't know today what they next move will be.
Beliefnet Community Moderator ~ Peace Love Stardove
It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace. -Shenandoah proverb
With the news of total loss of property our hearts are heavy for Jamaica and Rob. We know there are thorns among the roses, and yet there is always beauty to behold in the rose. May Creator give comfort to our children as they process the news and show them the way to rebuild and move forward in life.
Thanks for your concern and for those which pray many thanks. The children still need prayers of comfort and strength for the unknown future which lies ahead.
Star and Hank
Beliefnet Community Moderator ~ Peace Love Stardove
It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace. -Shenandoah proverb
Wish for all good for your family. Thanks for sharing Parker's photo, what a lil darlin.
At one time we had friends serving at the Federal Correctional I. in Bastrop. As did so many of us in the Federal Bureau of Prisons they have moved many times; we knew them first at Leavenworth when the Bastrop facility came on line.
May you and your family have many happy times with your grandson. My oldest grandson, Jeff, will turn twenty at MIT in a month. He can't be twenty--yikes. He's still a kick in the pants.
