Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

RNay, Charlotte, NC — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:32:10 GMT

There are some places on earth that should be left "wild" and Galveston Island is one of them.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Rebecca, Houston, TX — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:08:50 GMT

You don't have to go to Galveston, either. I'm in Houston near Hobby Airport, and the mosquitoes are vicious. Because of having no power, we can't circulate the water in the swimming pool and they're starting to breed there. However, I have hope. The dragon flies are multiplying to combat the mosquito forces.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

m, tahlequah, ok — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:29:48 GMT

That stinks! Mosquitos are the worst.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

PATRICIA DESILVA EMILEANE, TOOELE, UT — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:48:27 GMT

I no longer live in Louisiana but I grew up there and lived through several hurricanes: one in 1947 or 48 that had no name that I know of and Betsy and Camille. I remember the fear of living through the storm itself & worrying about my family. I also remember the misery after,s the lack of electricity, the muggy heat, not being able to flush the toilet, drinking water from the bathtub where we had stored it. Thank God I didn't have to put up with snakes and rats only the little, whining, aggrevating flying insects. Thanks for highlighting the ongoing misery - after the storm. Pat

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bill prry 222 driftwood surfside beach texas — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:50:53 GMT

Too bad getting motel vouchers from fema were as easy as getting mosquito bites in the Galveston area.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

CiCi, Dallas, TX — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:26:30 GMT

Rebecca I've dumped ordinary bleach in our pool for this reason and it worked.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Karl Schneider Boston , Ma — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:40:47 GMT

I live in Boston the rat Capital of the Northeast!

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IRENE EURE ELKO NV — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:50:44 GMT

I COULD NOT IMAGINE MYSELF DEALING WITH WHAT THE PEOPLE R DEALING WITH AFTER IKE. THE WORST I HAVE BEEN THROUGH IS AN EATHQUAKE.MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL OF YOU.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Barry, New York — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:04:12 GMT

Why in the world would anyone live in such a place...Ah, NYC is heaven!

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Sue Kronenberger — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:33:10 GMT

To Barry, I'm and ex New Yorker, now living in Houston. I'll take our hurricanes over the blizzards in New York any day of the week.

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Emery, Bedford TX — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:50:22 GMT

I thank God every day for people like BARRY, New York..... Barry keep your heaven I prefer my ladn of open spaces and people not every where I go for miles upon miles... I drive truck OTR and have had the mispleasure of delivering in NYC and heaven it is not..... As for Galveston it is a beautiful place and lets all agree in each of our own areas of "HOME" we have good and bad... some just seems to pop the ugly head up more often than not... Lets pray for recovery and healing in the aftermath of IKE.

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Melinda, St Croix USVI. — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:06:44 GMT

I live in te US Virgin Islands. I have lived through 4 Major Hurricaines, including Marilyn and "Wrong Way"
Lenny. I have never heard such whinning. After Marilyn I did not have power for 2 1/2 MONTHS!!! Not weeks or days, Months. People need to build better and smarter in a hurricane area.

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L. Kastar, L.A., Ca. — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:24:23 GMT

You are right #1 above. There are places on earth where humans should not be allowed to live. But until we get out of the cowboy vs. indian mentality that we OWN EVERYTHING, then these events will continue to turn out like this one.

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TASHA WASHINGTON COLUMBUS,OHIO — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:55:59 GMT

THERE IS NOTHING NO ONE CAN SAY TO EASE THE PAIN BUT LIKE THE SAYING SAY AFTER EVERY STORM THERE IS A RAINBOW THE STROM (WELL IKE ) HAS CAME NOW YOUR RAINBOW OF BLESSINGS WILL COME GOD IS WATCHING OVER ALL OF YOU GOD BLESS

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DVill, Houston, Texas — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:05:39 GMT

Melinda, My 10 little days without "juice" seem piddling compared to 2.5 months. But if I really want to feel blessed, I think about the people in New Orleans after Katrina or the folks in Haiti this summer getting wacked by 4 storms!

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

john doe, new york, new york — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:41:14 GMT

SNAKES, RATS AND MOSQUITOES? Sounds like Washington, D.C.!

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Terry Urbanis, Hines, OR — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:05:26 GMT

The entire country should be forced into a national disaster insurance program based on a percentage take of the property assessed valuation tied to a formula for disaster prone areas. Everytime we have a natural disaster, FEMA is there to pick up the cost which comes out of the federal budget. We have subsidized flood insurance; no reason the entire country cannot contribute to an insurance pool. Disaster prone areas should be identified and if you want to live on a sand dune on the coast, then brother, you need to be prepared to fork over some big bucks insurance money to Uncle Sam (or, forget about getting any federal/state/local financial relief). And, if the scientists are correct in all of their doomsday predictions, then all those living on the eastern and gulf coasts should either build tall tsunami weather proof housing or tow a trailer in for the summer. I'm getting tired of picking up the tab for people who want to live in known disaster areas and expect the rest of us to pay for their stupidity.

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Mike D. Texas Panhandle — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:50:43 GMT

Talk about "kicking a man when he's down". (Melinda St Croix and Terry, Hines, Or.) These good folks of the Gulf coast need our help and prayers not our criticism. As always God Bless America and God Bless John Wayne. God's speed to the victims of Ike.

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Tom, Omaha, NE — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:52:03 GMT

Chlorine in swimming pool kills mosquitoes!

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

jody albany newyork — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:08:57 GMT

Sorry to hear about the rat problem, but i can remember living in NYC and seeing them as big as cats and dogs!!!! God bless, you are all in my familys thoughts and prairs...

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sami kotkavaara sacramento — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:13:30 GMT

amen

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NY HAMMER, NY, NY — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:14:25 GMT

HEY TERRY, WHEN MT.HOOD, OR ST HELEN OR MT. WHATEVER EXPLODES IN YOUR BACKYARD, DON'T COME CRYING TO ME!BUT I KNOW YOU WILL.BUT GO TRAILBLAZERS, BEAT LAKERS!

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Willi, Happy Valley, Hong Kong — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:25:35 GMT

Dear Rebecca and CiCi, I'm sure the bleach works well on the mosquitoes. However, the secret to killing the mosquito larvi is to destroy the surface tension of the water. Diluted dishwashing detergent in a handspray does a great job for me. Obviously for a pool you would shoot straight from the bottle. Once the larvi can no longer cling to the surface of the warer, they eventually drown. Glad to see you still can appreciate the dragon flies, I like them too. Hope this email finds you both warm and dry. I'm in the midst of a typhoon signal #8, the worst of will be over in the next four hours.

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Urbis et Orbi, the Latin Quarter...of Rome — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:42:41 GMT

Terry Urbanis is absolutely correct. There is no justifiable reason why homeowners' insurance premiums for those who do NOT live in known, recurrent disaster areas should be used to subsidize those who wish to shoulder the consequences upon others.

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David Watson, Lebanon, ME — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:58:08 GMT

I'm tired of it too. If people want to live in
flood prone areas, fine. But the rest of us should
not have to pay for their bad choices.

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ERIC johnson, gonzales,la — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:29:04 GMT

terry!! what about the 700 billion dollar bailout the govt just did for the banks??? your worried about a couple of dollars on your income tax ?? These people lost EVERYTHING!!!sad what we have become,it used to be we went out of our way to help each other.this lady needs to have everything baby pics, family heirlooms, even pets destroyed then have someone 10000 miles away cast judgment and call her names.SAD SAD SAD

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George White,Bath,NY — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:39:01 GMT

Bail out the big banks,bail out the airlines,bail out the auto industry,bail out the storm victoms.I also am tired of footing the bills for these things.Why should my money be used to bail out those that live in these areas?Will you all buy me a new home if some thing happens to mine?(NOT) and (NOT) again..

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TxGerl, Houston, TX — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:11:14 GMT

What Terry Urbanis, we should all fly in from Oregon to provide you with all of the energy we produce here in disaster ridden Texas and Louisiana??? You think gasoline prices are high now?

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Wayne Canant, Maryville, TN U.S.A. — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:23:40 GMT

I am visiting Ft Myers FL, As Ike passed close by it upset the sea life, much like the the Americans housing and retirement disaster to humans.
Being from the Smoky Mountains I know nothing of sea life, but I picked up a very beautiful shell, a piece of tissue was hanging out of it with a death grip on a flat oval shell. I walked down to the water and dipped it in to wash all the ants off of it. As I submerged the shell I felt a movement, pulled the shell out of the water to discover I had saved a life!
The flat oval shell was actually that creatures door.
I ran from one end of the beach to the other throwing all I could find back in, commanding them to LIVE AND NOT DIE!
Ladies and Gentleman, I look at a shell differently today! IT REPRESENTS A LIFE THAT HAS BEEN! A LIFE THAT WAS THROWN OUT OF ITS ENVIRONMENT BY FORCES BEYOND ITS CONTROL. So it is with many Americans today. If it is within your power, won't you pick one up and throw it back into life and command, "LIVE AND NOT DIE!"?

Respectfully,
Wayne Canant
Maryville,TN

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Barbara, Walla Walla, WA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:49:53 GMT

Terry,

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto!!!

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Joe Friesse, W VA — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:49:57 GMT

I have never seen more rats than in NYC and then there are the investment bankers wanting us to pay for their bailout !

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Marshall — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:22:26 GMT

Terry,

Now that we live in a facist country, your idea
actually has merit. Kind of like how Congress held
a secret meeting back in March to discuss FISA.
How far down the toilet are we when Congress uses
spying on it's own citizens as a cover for what
they really talked about in their little secret
session.

All you people crying about Katrina and Ike have no
clue of the REAL storm that's coming in the next few
months. This storm won't have wind or waves, but it
will be more devastating than anything this world
has ever seen. Melinda is right, you all better
toughen up, or you won't survive what's coming.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Tony Bess West End Galveston Texas — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:23:01 GMT

The more I read the more I wonder what people are thinking about.
R Nay wants me to leave Galeston but he lives in Charlotte where they are inpacted by hurricanes also.
L Kastar in LA CA is ok with living in earthquake zone, forrest fires and the land falling into the Pacfic but doen't want me to live on the Gulf Coast.
Terry Urbans in Or is ok with the land falling into ocean, forrest fires living close to a active Mt St Helen but I shouldn't live on my slice of heaven.
People your calling on us to leave but not yourself.
it's the pot calling the kettle black. We live where we want and deal with those realities.
Please stop telling other people what to do or where to live unless to want to start with yourself.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Dan, Coral Gables, FL — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:54:48 GMT

Terry Urbanis' comment is right on, although a little too harsh.

C'mon people, THINK! "What are the chances of something bad happening, if I live on a sand bar right on the edge of the ocean, where 100-mile-per-hour windstorms and flooding are possible every few years. Oh, and this place was destroyed by one such storm a hundred years ago."

Same with New Orleans - it just DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE to build (and rebuild) a major city in a bowl-shaped plain that lies 10-20 feet lower than the water that surrounds it on all sides, especially when you consider that it's likely to get brushed or hit directly by a hurricane at least once every 4 or 5 years.

In Miami, I rent a high-rise condo, and I know full well that when the "Big One" finally comes, I'll be forced to look for a new place to live.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Ed Stover, York, Pa — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:50:39 GMT

Right on Terry, I have my own bills to pay.

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Jim Sullivan, Palestine, Texas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:44:35 GMT

Shame on all of you who are down on those people who have just lost everything. First off Terry, I am also originally from Oregon and now live in Texas. Hmmm, live and dormant volcanoes sound like potential disaster areas too. Are you going to require all of the people of Puyallup and Tacoma to move away from Mt. Rainier because they are also in a known disaster area? How about the super wind storms of the Willamette Valley in Oregon? People on the San Andreas fault line? Granted those that move to the beach are tempting fate but a lot of the families who live near the coast have lived there for generations. They live there because that's their home. Has your family been in the Hines area for 150 years or more? My point is these people who are suffering don't need your criticism but your compassion. Even though I live closer to Dallas I was there with my mother in law and family when Ike struck. Be glad you never witness something of that magnitude. We got both sides and the eye. My mother in law and her area still are without power. Nothing to whine about just a fact. Let's just be a little more compassionate and help each other. A lot of people are putting their lives on hold to help others clean up and rebuild. If we all made a vow to help others and end their suffering what a place this would be. This isn't Texas vs. New York vs. LA, it's bigger than that. It's humanity.

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Ralph Holle, Houston, Texas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:18:32 GMT

I cannot imagine how bad things would be w/o many of our local leaders. In Harris County and Houston, Mayor Bill White (a Democrat) and County Judge Ed Emmett (a Republician) have done a great job. It's too bad one is not the Governor of Texas and the other the President.

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M Dog Level Plains AL — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:55:28 GMT

people in this country have forgotten how to take care of themself, they want the goverment to take care of everything. FEMA is blamed,State and Federal Goverment is blamed,the fact is if you own a home on the beach or live near the beach you aint poor so learn to take care of yourself. Quit blaming everything on everyone else and learn to take care of your own. People need to start thinking What will I do if the light go out for good and Uncle Sam cant help. We've had it good for so long we freak at every little bump.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

landon kelsey,coldspring,texas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:20:28 GMT

oil (vegetable or mineral) floats on water and stops the mosquito from breathing

there are also large gray tablets (3" in diameter) one can buy and throw into smaller pools

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

KEITHWELP2@MSN.COM — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:21:40 GMT

TO JOHN DOE YOU RIGHT ABOUT "SNAKES, RATS AND MOSQUITOES? Sounds like Washington, D.C.! THE PROBLEM IS THE SNAKES,RATS MOSQUITOES HAVE TWO LEGS HE HE THIS INCLUDES ALL STATES CAPACITIES AND CITY HALLS ALL OVER THE USA

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Stacey Castolenia, Beaumont, TX — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:02:15 GMT

It seems to me that there are a number of you who are extremely negative about the gulf coast area. It's very sad to read your comments about our home. My family and friends have lost businesses and homes yet we stay positive and know we can recover. How dare you call our choice of home our stupidity! Have you ever visited the people on the coast or enjoyed any of the cultures? I feel sorry for small minded poeple like you who can not appreciate past their own backyard. I have lived along the Louisiana and Texas gulf coast for 40 years and it has only been in the last few years that I have experienced and recovered from these storms. Nature is all around you and will follow where ever you choose to live!

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Alymac — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:12:05 GMT

We have monster black mosquitos like I've never seen 60 miles from Galveston. You just cover your head and run as fast as you can from the car to the house. They are fast and mean. For those of you commenting on people living in disaster zones, you need to check your attitude and look at the facts. Galveston is and has been a thriving island that brings great joy to many, many people. It has not experienced a hurricane of this nature in over 100 years. I think its pretty easy for people in Montana and Oregon to cast their judgement but the people in Galveston are strong and will pull themselves out of this. There are many, many families who live there who are living in their great-grandparents home where they came after they immigrated. So rather than being crass and rude about it, stand up and be an American and support other Americans who are truly, truly hurting right now! These people have lost absolutely everything and deserve your prayers and support. The next time someone you knows loses their house to a fire, tell them you're sorry they built a house out of wood or near a tree. That's about the same logic as you are using casting your high and mighty judgement on these people.

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Christopher, San Diego, CA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:25:45 GMT

Everywhere is a disaster area at some point or another... around 2/3's of San Diego county (which is HUGE) got burned in the Fire Storms... should all the people who lost their homes NOT rebuild because a disaster happened? We're talking SAN DIEGO, people, you know, the supposed "perfect weather capital of the world"? If we didn't rebuild every time a disaster happened somewhere, there would be no where left to live... duh?!

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Louis J — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:45:03 GMT

I agree: "I'm getting tired of picking up the tab for people who want to live in known disaster areas and expect the rest of us to pay for their stupidity."

Why don't we just set up oil rigs on this island and pump up some Texas Tea! Hello?

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Jason, Austin, TX — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:45:12 GMT

Terry, there's no way people who live in a low-likelihood disaster area should be forced to pay for areas where others choose to live that are in tornado alley or hurricane paths. That's subsidizing stupid decisions. The American public are very giving people, and it's wonderful that we as a collective take care of our own. But mandating anything so that the voice of the government forces the hands of the people is not sensible, just, or altruistic--it's communism. Once, people took responsibility for their choices. Today, people like you want everyone else to take responsibility for your choices.

I have lots of family in Houston, and I have vacationed in Galveston many times. Why should anyone (FEMA included) be footing the cost for damage that comes from nature? Such short sighted, open hearted and empty headed notions are why our country is in debt up to its eyeballs and the economy is failing. Thanks, but no thanks.

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martin turnbull,fortine ,mt — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:27:14 GMT

I tend to agree ...why should we constantly have to pay for the descisions of those who choose to live in natural disaster areas? Those who choose to live in these areas need to be responsible for themselves(oops ..I suppose they are smart they get us to pay for their foly time after time ) Sure would like some of that free money here for a new hot tub or sea doo.

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GEORGE, HOUSTON, TX — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:42:57 GMT

SNAKES,RATS AND MOSQUITOES. IF YOU THINK THATS BAD,
HOW ABOUT ALL THOSE PEOPLE IN HIGH ISLAND, CRYSTAL BEACH AND BOLIVAR WHO TRIED TO RIDE OUT THE STORM AND WERE WASHED OUT TO SEA DURING HURRICANE IKE. FOR SOME REASON THE MEDIA IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT OR DOES NOT WANT TALK ABOUT THIS!

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Ralf, L.A., CA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:39:20 GMT

Barry, don't forget that the east coast including NYC is overdue for a hurricane.
Earthquakes have the advantage that they're over in 30 seconds and don't leave a soggy mess :)

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Chris, Texas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:10:16 GMT

Terry, your comment is a circular argument. First you say everyone should have to pay into an insurance program, then you say you're tired of picking up the tab. I guess when you're on such a high horse you forget these things? See if your tune is the same next time Oregon has a volcano erupt, or a severe blizzard.

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Tina, Liberty, Texas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:02:18 GMT

There is no place in the world that is not susceptible to some sort of natural disaster, be it hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornados, mudslides, ice storms, avalanches, tsunamis, drought, etc. So, we should all try to build the most durable home possible to withstand the wonders of nature that come our way. Isn't that a given?!! Lets remember, though, that it isn't stupidity that keeps us from having these "destruction-proof" homes. It's good old money and lack there-of. So, if you haven't suffered yet, your turn is coming.....so a little compassion for your fellow man/woman, please.

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EddietheKid — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:45:51 GMT

Gee, I thought we had it bad in Chicago, but about all
we get from these hurricanes is the leftover rain, and
we complain about that.

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deb bloomsburg, PA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:53:40 GMT

Re: Mosquitos breeding in the pool. Float something on the top of the water like plastic sheeting (leaving no air space for them to breathe - like at the edges), or pour something like cooking oil on the surface. The hatchlings will suffocate and adults won't be able to lay eggs through it. But if you use oil it'll be a royal mess to clean up later (BEFORE you turn on the pump!). Best of luck to you!

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Philip Karas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:15:11 GMT

"Snakes, rats and mosquitoes..."?? I thought it was an article about the Republican deregulation of Wall Street !!

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Cyril Beck Pentney Norfolk UK(age 83) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:38:36 GMT

From a british person.We have been to Galveston and have lived 2 weeks in Houston and in both places we found coutesy and willingness to help if we were lost. We have seen the davastation in both places and feel for you. lets hope your misery is short lived.Cyril beck Norfolk england

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Ben Alexander, Old Bridge, NJ — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:23:38 GMT

Great! Now the government's dousing everything with poison, as if the other problems weren't bad enough already. They shouldn't be allowed to rebuild there.

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Cash, Omaha, Nebraska — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:24:33 GMT

In the aftermath of Katrina, we received some of the Earth's lowliest creatures seeking higher ground as well All the way up from New Orleans to Omaha, in the form of thieves, robbers, and drug addicts. To be fair, I'm certain that the great majority of N.O. 'refugees' that came up here are very good people and are welcome to stay. The bad people simply stand-out by making the police blotter in the local newspaper.

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Ot , Uniohtown, PA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:35:57 GMT

VERY well said Terry!

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Neal, Lakeland, FL — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:46:08 GMT

Trust me Terry, those of us who live in "disaster prone" areas have been identified and we do pay out the nose for homeowner insurance. I live 90 miles from the nearest coastline but my homeowners insurance has gone up 300% in the last three years. I can't even imagine how much those right on the coast are paying, if they can even get insurance.
Also, FEMA is not the only game in town when it comes to a disaster. The American Red Cross, countless churches and other charity groups are there in the trenches helping the victims of these disasters. Unless you are donating to one of these, your pocketbook probably did not feel much pain.

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Fanci, Dallas, TX — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:04:50 GMT

This is the first MAJOR hurricane that Galveston has seen for a long time. Katrina was the worst to ever hit New Orleans. I don't see that it is stupid to live there...what about people that live in California and uh Oregon where they have earthquakes and volcanic eruptions every now and then? Or people that live anywhere across the country where a tornado might strike? Mother Nature is and always will be more powerful than humanity and deals some blows no matter where you are and the federal government does step in to offer relief. That's a fact...if you're tired of footing the bill, I'm sure there's a third world country that doesn't pick up the bill for anything you could retire to.

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Alex, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:05:43 GMT

Melissa, Please remember, these folks in TX, LA, and other states typically have homes that aren't as storm resilient as those of us here. It's easy to bash them for complaining, but it's counter-productive. If anything, we should share our knowledge of how to better prepare for (God forbid) any other storms in the future. My heart goes out to the people of the Gulf states. You have an enormous task ahead, and we wish you every success in rebuilding your communities.

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Bonny, Williamsburg, Virginia — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:07:32 GMT

Try living in the "bush area" of Alaska, if you want to see real mosquitoes... For those of you that aren't savvy to ways of keeping your blood to yourself, take a GARLIC tablet EVERY day... The tablets don't have a bad taste, and they do work! I used them for a number of years while working in remote areas that had no electricy or running water, and mosquitoes in numbers to take down a small caribou. No the garlic did not keep every misquoto away, too many for that, but in areas like galveston where there are a lot of them, not hordes, I know the tablet a day, will keep the mosquito away!

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Mike, Philadelphia PA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:16:07 GMT

You know what makes me angry with this Gov't and the Republicans.
Katrina happened under the watch of a Republican President and Republican Controlled Congress.

But this president would rather spend 1 Trillion dollars to bail out investment banks but after 3 years still allow millions of people to live in horrible conditions in parts of Louisiana,Mobil Alabama. How come they could not get 700 Billion allocated to rebuild the homes and cites in New Orleans & Mobil Al?

My heart goes out for the people in Galveston & Houston. Your most famous governor/president thinks saving the pockets of rich people is more important than restoring your cities and homes.

The Reagonomic Policy that the Rich will take care of the Poor is the Bush Approach and also John McCain philosophy. I can't even remember the last Republican that wanted to help bring people out of the poverty level. Deregulations and Outsourcing of Jobs is what got our Economy in this MESS. What puzzled me is Through Out World History warfare was always paid by Taxes, but we have a President who belived foreign allies would help us foot this bill so we went into war with No Way of FINANCING it except by using up the Surplus President Clinton leadership created. Now we been spending 10 Billion a Month and John McCain wants us stay longer in Iraq. THE TRUTH...We Went in UNDER A LIE and Should Never Have Been there in the 1st Place. So Do the Math 10Billion a Month X 60Months Plus?

I know many wished Hillery would have won but she did not, but I do know Ms Clinton & Mr. Obama ideaology for our country were very similar and both of them would stand more for the working class than

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Fanci, Dallas, TX — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:18:26 GMT

Its sad and a rough time for all the people affected. I visited some family in a town well north probably 200 miles of Houston and they also are over run with mosquitos and some kind of little black flying bugs (they call them love bugs) to the point the air is black with them. They had been without power for over a week before it was fixed. Ike reached much farther than just Galveston and Houston. Obviously they suffered the worst and they are what the media covered but there are many others. I doubt any of them received benefits from FEMA or anyone else if they didn't have insurance because it wasn't as bad but there was damage in these places to. FEMA is there to do what they are doing...no they can't help everyone only those affected the worst. Its wrong to slam people for accepting help from an agency that is there to help. They didn't control mother nature just as California, Oregon, and Washington don't ask for earthquakes when they happen. Give them a break.

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T J Clement, Gilbert AZ — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:54:25 GMT

I am so sorry to hear about the hurricane that did all this damage in Texas Gulf this year. I have fond memories of the entire area during my business travels in the 80's and 90's. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered. It is never good to criticize those who chose to live where they do. We all are at risk for disasters, just some seem to be more prone. I wish you all fast recovery.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Russell, La Porte, TX — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:24:47 GMT

To the main who said he wouldn't live in the Galveston area and that NYC is heaven, I have two thoughts: 1. a severe east coast hurricane is more than possible and could easily swamp New York and surrounding areas (watch "It Could Happen Tomorrow" on the Weather Channel)and 2. 9-11. I'm absolutely certain that Al-Qaeda did not consider launching its attack on Galveston. NYC is one of the world's great cities, but like most places, it's not without problems and risks.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Kristin, Bridge City, Texas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:35:23 GMT

Me and my family did not evacuate and our house.... Our house got 9 ft of water.... we stayed in the attict we were all scared.........///////

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Paul, San Francisco — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:55:29 GMT

Mosquitos don't like garlic, so if you start putting garlic in your food, they'll go bite the neighbors. It takes about a week. If you put garlic juice on your skin, the mosquitos will leave right away.

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Jeffrey, Houston — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:25:03 GMT

To all of you ignorant to the way insurance actually works, versus the way you perceive it works. You need to have a talk to your local agent. Insurance does not work on a regional basis. It works on a national basis and the law of large numbers. A company collects its premiums from all of its members; not just those from a few.

Insurance works because a large amount of people pay a small amount of premium, to specifically cover the large losses that occur to members within that subset. This means, premiums paid to a company by people in the non-Gulf Coast area help pay for disasters in the Gulf Coast area and vice-versa.

Some of you need to check the facts and stop making some of these ridiculous statements, as they do nothing but evidence your ignorance of insurance reality. BTW, I am an insurance agent and I know what I am talking about!

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Razz P.G. B.C. — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:33:40 GMT

OK no posting! I felt my comment was a little strong and pointing,and I apologize Mr. Editor My meaning was more to the fact that as we over Populate this Planet there will come a time when we are spread into every corner of the Planet and forced to suffer and make do with every type and form of weather conditions
that get thrwn at us.Those who are in moderate climates at this moment may find the climate changes that are expected could very easily make there little spot of heaven into a freezing blizzard from H---. But the resiliance of the Human form is utterly profound and impressive.Hang in there Ike victims and good luck

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Kimberly Crayton, Baton Rouge, LA — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:46:29 GMT

I THINK BARRY FROM NEW YORK NEEDS TO COUNT HIS BLESSING, WHEN 9/11 HAPPENED EACH ONE OF THE VICTIMS RECEIVED UNLIMITED HELP INCLUDING OVER $800,000.00 EACH FOR AS FINANCIAL HELP, HERE IN THE GULF COAST WE HAVE TO PULL TEETH TO GET ANY KIND OF ASSISTANCE, AN I WAS A KATRINA EVACUATEE, SO THE GOVENMENT IN MY OPINION HELPS WHO THEY WANT TO HELP, AN THE OTHER PEOPLE GET PLACED ON THE BACK BURNER

Sharing space with snakes, rats and mosquitoes

Tim Ocean Springs,MS — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:58:12 GMT

Lets close all of our ports, petro plants, etc. and all move to KS!

Terry, and everyone else who has posted along his thought process, you have to realize that for us to be a world power you need New Orleans, Galveston, etc.