Poppinjay

First FEMA allows 22,000 people to be turned out to the streets by discontinuing their motel program while keeping almost the same number of trailers stuck empty in an Arkansas mud hole, now those lucky enough to get a trailer are being denied when they apply to various agencies for relief in dealing with the aftermath of Katrina.

Why?

Because these trailers, which people do have to pay to rent and which belong to FEMA and will be taken back eventually, are considered an asset to those renting them. Under this logic, if you take a cab to the airport, that cab is a financial asset you have to declare. Or if you take the subway to the welfare office, I guess you would have to claim the train.

And these trailers which are not much more than a box with basics are considered a $10,000 asset. So people are not getting aid because they "own" a $10k asset. They can't sell it. They can't even keep it, move it, paint it, or sublet it. But it's an asset.

This news comes on the heels of Mike Chertoff saying he would be releasing several FEMA "products" and other aid to help people. I feel incredulous that this screwed up agency continues to find new and innovative ways to make victims of Katrina its prison bitch.

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I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet