Like what they are doing

... Un-"f-ing" believable what we continue to read about our fellow coastal denizens of the Southeast U.S.! I do believe that literally most of the homes in Florida have sustained, at least, rainwater intrusion and the mold, damage, and nastiness that involves.

From Texas to Pensacola, people well inland suffered damage greater than we in Florida, from corner to corner, almost can claim.

At worst, of course, their homes are gone right along with all the power lines, sewer lines, ROADS, and all the rest of it that make up their towns and memories.

No. We, here in Florida, truly cannot even imagine what is being experienced in the Gulf Coast and should not even pretent to.

I don't believe that this whole nation has yet to truly come to grips with what has happened to a huge percentage of our nation, as measured geographically and financially, not to mention from the most important "humanitarian" perspective.

We "charge it off to geography" when were were well enthused to go party in the "Big Easy". We charge it off to unacceptable racial divides although the survivors we saw on television were more probably described by their financial status than the color of their skin. (That relationship, of course, is a whole "nuther" web site at the very least!)

New Orleans cannot and will not go away. The most humble citizens grasp that and so it is time for the rest of America to revisit the situation WE have on one shore of our nation and all pull together to solve the short-term and longer-term objectives we all seek and require.

Rain is something that I need to feel alive. But today I wished for sunshine for the parade. Yet, I know that those that have come here to help us during these not so good days (OK, really horrible days)would understand how much we needed this rain to wash away the misery we feel. When they leave I hope they will always know how much they are loved. Please check out katrina.passchristian.net, femaforgotwaveland.com, operationeden.com, arloandjanis.com, sylentwitness.blogspot.com, for those concerned about out animal companions hssm.org, and for interesting photos operationeden.com. I will never forget you -----

Tomorrow I will check in to see if there is more to this story. There should be as these people deserve more than this short "good bye".

I have been to the Hippie tent. It was wonderful. They have provided good food and lifted the spirits of many. I thank them and am glad that I got to meet several of the volunteers. I hope the Chalmette residents enjoy the kindness and generosity.

That just shows that there are true Americans still out there!!

Peace and Love keep spreading it man! We need you guys here in the Congo, the drought is killing our people here

WHAT A GREAT BUNCH OF FOLKS!

They are the smiling faces of the world. Fortunately there are still some people giving "hope" to the rest of the world. With love...

These folks were great. We owe them a lot.

Move away from divers places! If you trust Christ, you know weather is going to continue to get weirder.
The corruption that took place in the area of substandard levie work, housing inspections and awarding people jobs based on their party affiliation must stop. FEMA, is a grand example of inefeciant beurocracy. Maybe it is time to start a new kind of DRAFT. The new draft, should cover options of military, enviromental (eg.forest fire fighting or waterways clean-up, hazardouse spills reponce teams etc...), medical (assisting in nursing homes and hospitals), daycare, education, and expand the Corp of Engineers, anything to serve a humbeling two years to the US goverment.
For decades enviromentalist have said it is a matter of "when" disaster will hit the new New Orleans, and not a matter of "if" it would be hit.
If I were a gambeling man I would bet that a large disaster will be hit again in the next year or the one following.

Warms the heart!!!

Standing Ovation, 2 thumbs up, 3 snaps, and the classiest "Bravo" to the hippies!

Toured Waveland and Bay St. Louis on Thanksgiving day. UN-BELIEVABLE!!! The sight would make any caring person want to cry.
We think we have it bad in New Orleans??? It's nothing compared to what those folks are facing.

i always perfered the term freak...now maybe some folks will just see good people...dont matter how you dress or the lengh of your hair...good people are just that because....everyone can't look the same can they?...just say thank you and ya'll come back now...ye here

we need more hippies! I was raised by 'em and trying to raise my daughter with the same peace, love and caring spirit.
thanks for turnin' us on to the story!

I have never met more loving people than the brothers
and sisters I served beside in Waveland Mississippi.
I am a South Mississippi local, and a Rainbow. They
were surprised when I showed up. My town suffered,
but returned to "normal" rather quickly. So I took the
van down to Waveland, to live the Rainbow way.

These people are special, and I am glad to walk amoung
the people of south mississippi, and smile when they call
me hippie.

you know im so tired of these so called "victums". they knew this type of thing could happen living down in thouse areas, plus i dont care if some rich family looses there home or dies, its my gods way of saying " there screw you", and i agree.

It is a multifaceted and overly complex issue. The lesson is not of the natural disaster; but in the disaster of bureaucracies filled with pork and potatoes. Where is Lincoln when you need him?

I applaud the work of the "hippies" and sincerely hope that others will step in to help on the Mississipi Gulf Coast now. The need for help is nowhere near the end at this time. I live about 40 miles inland from the Gulf Coast and our little town took a hard hit also. As bad as it has been here, though, I realize that those directly at the coast took a much harder hit and still have a great need for volunteers and funds. Those of you from other areas who still have homes and are able to help, please step up and take care of these hard working, good people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and help them to help themselves.

I just read a great article in the LA Times about these "hippies" and a group of Evangelical Christians from Texas, who ended up working side by side to help the people in Waveland. How they both learned a lot about eachother and grew from the experience.

Good people are good people, whether they're from the liberal left or religious right. They both just wanted to help their fellow man. More understanding like this may hopefully one day lead to the country coming together.

I attended the CNU event in Boloxi permitting me to get past the National Guard checkpoint and see what Katrina had done to that part of Mississippi. As a Louisiana resident now living in Florida (flooded twice), I now refuse to feel badly about my condition after seeing such destruction in N.O. and along the Gulf. We must work to higher standards and never, never, forget the lessons we have so bitterly learned.

Hooray for these "freaks" or "hippies." Just goes to show that human beings should be judged by their heart and actions, not by their skin color, ethnicity, religion, or clothing. Mucho kudos to these good folks and all the other volunteers who put other peoples' needs ahead of their own. Let's not forget the good people that will still need our help when the media circus has lost interest and moved on to a new "disaster of the week". Stay connected and volunteer if you can in the future. There is plenty more work that needs doing.

To all the many volunteers who just felt in their heart the need to leave their own families and the comfort of their homes to come to Mississippi with the devastation, we bless you and thank you. You came to an area of great sadness and loss and many times it was hard to show how thankful we were for your presence. But just know that each day we saw you and your efforts touched our hearts and we will never forget you. Thank You

The hippies are an example of what the Good Lord expects from all of us. Give and you shall receive!
They gave their time, energy, and compassion. The Lord will reward them all tenfold in heaven.

God bless them all!

It's nice to see the word "hippie" used in a good connotation ;-) This child of the 70's is smiling right now ;-) Peace and love!

hey, RH Henderson from Iowa - you said we should move away from diverse places where bad weather will strike again. Could you please tell use where to go? I guess you don't have tornadoes. How long have you lived in Bettendorf? My family didn't just move here last year, so do you think I should just pick a town and move because it has some good restaurants, maybe a nice hiking trail. There is a lot more involved in the reasons we live where we do. Don't give advice until you know what is really involved.

Wonderful people doing wonderful things....there should be more like them out there....then maybe the world would be a better place.

SO GLAD TO SEE MY GREAT NEPHEW (WITH BANDAGED HEAD). HIS MOTHER, CARMEN, EVEN JOINED THEM FOR A FEW DAYS. GOD BLESS THEM EVERYONE!

I was able to spend a week working at the New Waveland Cafe, and it was the greatest experience of my life. To see these people rising above the tragedy and finding happiness in despair is amazing. I wish I could have stayed longer.

How awesome is this group of people...and surprise, it never made it into any of the many news stations I watched. Thank God for all of you and Peace!

I worked with the American Red Cross in Gulfport. We brought food to Bay St Louis to the Hippies at the Magic Bus. They are a great group of people who worked hard to feed the people under extreme conditions. I want to say a special Thanks to Clovis. Keep up the great work.

Thanks be to everyone at the New Waveland Cafe! Your untiring service and love to the people of Waveland was obvious and appreciated by myself and my fellow volunteers during our week in Waveland over the Thanksgiving holiday. You filled our hearts and our stomachs (with awesome food!), and we are forever grateful for your commitment to humanity. May God bless your efforts in New Orleans while you are there!

Love from your friends and fellow servants,

The Operation Safeplace/Project KID volunteers

God Bless the Hippies and others who came to help the people when they needed it! What an UNSELFISH act of love and kindness. Awesome!! Continue to do what you do, what a Blessing!

The bright spot in the dreary vista that is now Waveland has been the Rainbow people. It was such a joy to go to their tents and see these dedicated "hippies" caring enough to come and help us. They provided so much more than food. I am sorry that more people did not come out for the parade, despite the rain. We do all appreciate everything you have done. There is now a hole in the sky where their domed tent was. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Peace and love to you all.

To bad the rest of the world just doesn't get it like these "hippies". Thank goodness someone finally figured out why we were put here on this earth and that is to serve one another with love and peace. These hippies should be examples to all of us as how to love one another. It is one thing to talk about it, it is quite another to do it. Hooray to these folks! We need more of them!

God bless you Alex Wooldrige from Maryland. With an attitude like yours, you are going to need lots of blessings.

Now, will people please stop downing the hippies. You can't get anyone that is more caring and loving than a hippie!! Great job.

All I have to say is more hippies
and less Alex Woodridge's from Hagerstown, MD.
Mr Woodridge... foreshame! To not feel compassion is one thing but to welcomly invite the deaths of others is nothing your god or any god would condone. You make me ashamed to be from Hagerstown.

What a great story, albeit far too short. It's really refreshing to find these positive stories in the news and I really hope that MSNBC will compile a much more extensive story on these "Hippies", their efforts, and the communities they helped.

Well these are your draft dodging, peace loving, organic food growing, forever grateful, forever rainbow family parading in the streets after working like slaves for 3 months for no pay, living in tents, eating what they serve to others, and recreating as much as their bodies and wallets will allow. Think about it~ this is the new generation~ FIND YOUR FAMILY~ They will love you right and teach the world invaluable lessons.

This exemplifies what we are capable of...and need to be...the rest is politics and a waste of time. The hippies were right all along!!

I can't believe I hadn't heard of the Hippie Tent in all my readings. They sound like a great group of people doing and outstanding job in all this turmoil.
God bless them, and I can only wish them well and hope people show them the respect they so richly deserve. What a great group of people, love and peace to them, always.

I can't believe I hadn't heard of the Hippie Tent in all my readings. They sound like a great group of people doing and outstanding job in all this turmoil.
God bless them, and I can only wish them well and hope people show them the respect they so richly deserve. What a great group of people, love and peace to them, always.

We're all feeding each other man! The Woodstock nation was raised on unselfish acts of beauty and protest against stereotypes; like a bunch of gnomes, not getting too crazy over what the media shoves our way and knowing that goodness and love is not a party line, rather a way of life and adopting the mindset of the divine.Just as Katrina was nature like a bull in a china shop (ying); the Rainbow mentality is nature healing (yang). Life is so beautiful.

Good Job Arjay,
And the rest of your crew, your sister stopped by with the news of Waveland. I wish you all the best in Chalmette you are all doing a wonderful thing out there. Peace and love...your neighbor in Crystal Beach.

Wow ... I like to consider myself pretty well informed but this is the first I have heard of this group and the great things they are doing in the Gulf Coast region. Hats off to all of them. I hope the media gives the entire region more coverage as these stories are far from over and the government blunders are still having cascading effects. Good job to fellow citizens helping fellow citizens.

Perhaps, in the future, events like these will occasion a reexamination of "hippies", and lead to the realiztion that persons who choose this lifestyle (yes, it does include drugs) are not a scourge, but rather are precisely the sort of persons we urgently require to save this planet, and bring sanity back to humanity.

So great to see a group of people so unselfish and willing to give to those less fortunate. Great to see my niece...we are so proud of her!!!!

Please tell us more about these wonderful people who dedicated so much of their personal time to help those in need. Who are they? Who organized them? Where did all the food come from? What an uplifting story in these dark times. Peace and love - indeed!!!

Kudos to those wonderful "Hippies" who helped! It's truly heatwarming to know that we have so many great folks willing to go the extra mile, reaching out to those in need. Thank you!

I went to the Waveland Cafe' once with my sister who lives in Waveland. The food, the people, and the whole operation was fabulous, amazing! In times like these, you find bright spots where you can, and they were definitely a bright spot. Thanks "hippies" for being here.

May God Bless all whom helped with everything and everyone! From all over you were there to help with your love and kindness. Blessed are you all, most of all in Gods Eyes. Thank You!

For Rob G.:

Right! New Orleans cannot and will not go away. Waveland and Bay St. Louis could, and might. They are not the "big city." They are two tiny towns in a different STATE from New Orleans, in more ways than you (obviously) realize!

Frankly, I believe that they will rise again, in better shape than before, with much of their old personalities intact. New Orleans had a different kind of citizen. Chalmette, which is NOT New Orleans, either, has an attitude much more closely aligned with Bay-Waveland, than does New Orleans proper. I think the New Waveland Cafe has is making a good move.

But... I thought hippies were evil and hated freedom and America?

(Great job guys, and thanks a million)

God Bless America! As a prodigy of the 60's, there were many Christians, Jews, and Muslim that were and some forever "hippies". People in America are here because of our heritage which includes the 60's, and yes even the 90's.
Good or bad weather we have a right to live where we want. Protect the constitution and the Bill of Rights to keep our liberties. A famous Chinese proverb paraphrased. The more laws we create the more criminals are created. One more, Those who choose not to become part of government often choose to be governed by those of lesser qualification. God Bless America and forive me for not getting exact quotes.Go Waveland!! Hawk

There may be a time for these people who are accustomed to hunger and poverty. For some, every day is a disaster recovery effort. When the world is upside down we see that the first will be last and the last will be first. The ones who are shunned by society will be the strongest leaders. And the high and mighty will be shivering in their hush puppies and waiting for scraps at the feet of those who are accustomed to suffering. There is much that can be learned from these warriors that know how to smile and share and still be grateful for each day.

Hey Alex Woodridge of Hagerstown Maryland (Nov 27)
Shame on you for being pleased with the deaths of the "rich people". First your comment had nothing to do with the kindness of the Hippies. I believe all religions teach to help your fellow man; except maybe Satanist. Also, my family lost people we loved and they were not rich. They WORKED for what they had. Many families lost everything, but not the will to overcome this and WE WILL. When a snow storm or a Noreaster blows through where you live, we in South MS will pray for your safety and send help if needed. Even if we have little to send. i hope you neighbors see what you wrote. SHAME ON YOU!!

And how are they going to help ? Just get in the way of the military I suppose. They will end up in crying for help in the end themselves.

HIPPIES ROCK! Never doubt it.

This is something that should be on the front page of newspapers and heard about on T.V. With all the "bad" news this would be so heartwarming. I also, am a child of the 70's, what a wonderful time in my life....

Hey Big Brother! Arjay, I couldn't be more proud of all the hard work you did at Waveland and I can't wait to join you at the next destination. You and the Rainbow family are making the difference. These are the details of our lives that matter. I love ya!

Mr. Woodridge from Maryland. I read your comment about the folks who live down here that were affected by Katrina and your "not caring if some rich family dies" and it is Your God's way of saying "there screw you" and you agree. How kind and generous of you. And just what God do you worship may I ask? I'm glad mine does not feel that way about you. I will pray to him that you are not caught in a Blizzard up there in Yankeeville, or that you and your family are not blown away by a Tornado or die in some other type of disaster. Why don't you come down here and see for yourself just who all was affected. Hurricanes make no distinction between, Rich, Poor, Young or Old. They destroy every thing that gets in their way. And if you think you won't have to eat those cruel words, You are either very naive or a very mean spirited person. The day will come when every neck will bow. Every word spoken and every deed done will be answered for. May my God forgive you for your crass and cruel comments. May he also bless and keep you and yours safely in his hand, that you never have to face the loss that some of us have down here. Have a very merry Christmas. Mike Nobles, Hattiesburg, Ms.

For any folks who wonder where the Rainbow Tribe comes from visit the "un-official" home page of the tribe at http://www.welcomehome.org and consider joining 20K+ of us for the first week of July 06 in Colorado for the annual North American Rainbow Gathering (there are International Gatherings too, from Austrailia to Brazil as well as an annual European Rainbow Gathering that happens in August)

Remember we are all family, some of us just don't know it yet (like my misguided brother Todd Jillmik)

Peace and Love

Hey, Todd from Detroit. It is rather sad that you are incapable of believing that people that do not think like you or look like you can still recognize the humanity of others and offer love to world. It is a small brain that thinks in rigid stereotypes.

I PROMISE YOU THAT A NEVER ENDING FEELING OF PEACE AND EVERLASTING HAPPINESS SHALL FILTER YOUR LIVES
THRU YOUR YEARS UPON THIS GREAT PLANET OF OURS
THE GOOD LORD CARES FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR OTHERS
INCLUDING HIPPIES,AND PEOPLE ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY
TO WHICH IS THE GREARTEST NATION ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH

I was the in Bay St. Louis area working as a volunteer with the American Red Cross. I personally wittness the awesome job this group did (Hippies). They provided needed help and assistance to the brave people who were doing so much with so little. I must mention that the American Red Cross help by delivering hundreds of meals each day to this group to assist them in provided meals to the area residents. A huge thanks must be given to both groups.

Sending out a huge W-E L-O-V-E Y-O-U to the brothers and sisters who've given so much to help out in Waveland.

I spent a week helping the folks at Metairie, Chalmette and New Orleans. This was a life-changing week. Thank God for St. Matthews UMC in Metairie where our group from PA stayed. So many homes were affected there; yet, they were still reaching out to others. UMCOR was there from the first evening!

I just want to say thanks to all of you not from this area who comment on this Blog...send your prayers, time, money, peace and love to our beautiful Gulf Coast. God Bless YOU all!

How are they going to help? By getting in the way of the military??? WHAT MILITARY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?

In the week I spent there, I think I only saw 2 government workers, and they were FEMA officers. What I saw in Waveland were volunteers and private contractors amongst the citizens left there.

Getting in the way of the military!!! HA!

Although the media coverage is all geared toward New Orleans, the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast still need help, and these fine people are doing just that. God bless them, you, and all who have helped Katrina victims. Don't let the media tell you that only bad people were affected by this horrible storm. VERY good, Christian people were affected by this storm and still need your help! God bless you all.

VERY good non-christian people were affected too, and
you should share your compassion with them as well.

Shame on you.

Again yeah for the hippies!!!!
Beware of who you disagree with on this site; you might receive a nasty email full of profanity and insults; even if you were polite. Mr. Woodridge apparently knows no other vocabulary or spelling rules.

Joshua from Wiggins, his post wasn't meant for you to interpret it that way. Maybe you should keep trying to collect a FEMA check like everyone else in Wiggins who wasn't really affected by Katrina.

I miss the Rainbow people ("Old Hippies", dome people, folks in the Waveland parking lot) an awful lot. They not only served real balanced fresh food, but there was also a P.O.D.(Point of Distribution for you outsiders), a medical clinic, a free clothing tent and an alternative healing tent that had massage and talk therapy. This was all in a corner of a large strip mall parking lot. There were wonderfully colorful buses and the kids dressed in a thrift-store-eclectic
style. Sometimes when I went to eat there, a "kid"(I am 50) would be off to one side of the line doing the hula hoop. I ate with all kinds of people there and that was also great! I didn't know who I was going to sit next to and talk with.
I drove by the site today and cried. I miss their diverse non-judgemental light.
I hope that some day I can do for others what they did for us in the Bay/Waveland area.
Bless you. You are true warriors, one and all.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK MY MOTHER PERSOALLY WHOM DOES NOT KNOW I'AM METIONING HER NAME. SHE HAD HER 80TH BIRTHDAY WHILE WORKING BESIDE GENEROUS,CARING,KIND,LOVABLE PEOPLE AND I KNOW SHE WOULD NOT CHANGE ONE MOMENT FROM HAVING THAT GREAT OPPORTUNITY.HER NAME IS ALVINA NCHOLS OF BAY ST LOUIS,MS. WELL DONE ,YOUR DAUGHTER LYLIE

Hey Mindyo, first, many in wiggins were affected. I for one lost my job a month before my daughter was due. Second, i am one of those hippies that was there feeding those people.

After volunteering with Red Cross until Wiggins was "normal"
and getting my family squared away, i hit it for waveland where I put in as much time as I could between trips home to check on my family.

And you flame me for saying we should care for all religions, why would you do that?

MR ALEX WOOLDRIDGE , I CAN NOT SAY I ARGEE WITH YOU AN I AM FROM HAGERSTOWN AN YOU KNOW ME AND I CAN NOT BELIVE THAT YOU WOULD SAY THAT THE ALEX I KNEW HAD COMPASION FOR OTHERS THERE WERE KIDS AN BABIES THE WITH NOTHING TO EAT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG GOD LOVES ALL EXPECALLY CHILDERN AN HE DID NOT DO THIS MORE LIKE THE DEVIL DID AN I AM GLAD TO SEE EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER ALEX YOU'RE MOTHER WOULD NEVER EVER SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT I HOPE SEE DONT SEE IT

My name is Kim and my boyfriend and I arrived in Waveland from Katy, TX about a week after the storm. We did't know where we were going when we left Texas but somehow ended up in Waveland. We landed on Fred's corner before The Rainbow Family arrived. My life is forever changed by meating the people of Waveland and by the humanity of The Rainbow Family. We camped in Fred's parking lot for almost 4 months. We are back home now but part of my heart will always be with all that I have met.

Hey there, I am an ex-New Waveland Cafe-er, and I wanted to tell you that a bunch of us are still down here, along with fresh blood from around the country, running a relief kitchen in St. Bernard Parish under the banner of Emergency Communities. Anyone who is interested should check out our web-site- www.emergencycommunities.org -
Waveland, we love you and miss you. I will never forget my time in the Fred's parking lot. Stay strong, and if you head out our way, stop and grab a hot meal. We are at 7718 W. Jidge Perez
Arabi, LA 70032

Our feckless government leaders could take a good lesson from those fearless Warriors of the Rainbow Family of Living Light who selflessly assisted those who had no help in Waveland, and who have gone on since to other areas to continue their help. I have attended many Rainbow Family Gatherings, being a product of the '60s myself, and can see how the expertise of the Rainbow Family in logistics and feeding the masses could be a good lesson for all in disaster recovery. Every year in June at the National Gathering, a tent and tepee city of 20,000 to 45,000 people emerges in a National Forest, complete with primitive kitchens and sanitary facilities. All the people there are fed on a daily basis, and no one goes hungry. There are no government funds spent to host this event, other than the $800,000.00 alloted to the Forest Service Incident Command Team to harass and intimidate the hippies in attendance. These are the same hippies who set up the field kitchens in Waveland, New Orleans, and other flood ravaged places to feed the homeless and assist them in any way they could. It is a lesson in which less is certainly more. I am proud to be associated with these fine people. There are no finer walking the face of the earth. I am only sorry that my physical infirmaties prevented me from joining them.

Nigel from Pass Christian, you are wonderful; people from Bay St. Louis are pretty cool, too! My family all live in the Pass Christian area, as well as the Bay St. area, while I live in Colorado....I've not been to visit them yet, but will later this year, and read this story because I, too, am considered a 'hippie', and thought, 'Finally, a positive story about us!'; It was wonderful to read the great comments on the great job that group did there, (I will have to ask my Mom about Fred's...), and it's so great to read good comments and blessings from all the great people who didn't pass negative judgement on those of us who wear tie dyes and beads...Sounds like a great community you've got down there, and it sounds like it's all going to continue being great! God bless us all for the love that was shown from all that were there!