This smells funny. There are several renters I know
who have FEMA trailers post-storm.

Maybe President Bush can grant them a pardon. Hey, if they can pardon criminals, they should be able to handle this.............

Oh, I forgot this is President Bush! My mistake

father+ daughter in one house = father+daughter one trailer.

This is terrible. Who is keeping tract of the higher up in Fema? I think someone is getting rich on government monies and it isn't the people who need it.

this sound about right some idiot sit some where in aircondtion buliding making phones to earn there $$ so they go take long hot shower in jump in there king size bed man thoase people in washington so far out touch god cant to hear that from gulf coast I lived thur katrina post katrina or world will never be same ..why world would you have all other people need pick up why would go pick one up thatmake some old man fight cancer homeless..this stupid makes my blood boil..I have deal with fema and was rat race around around but will say the drc was nice and wonderful and work out ..they even did better insurance ..insurance ..insure that big company eat steaks ,,live billons homes ,,on the backs us little throw away people ..

I am aware of another war veteran who is being kicked out of his FEMA trailer (probably so it can sit in a vacant lot instead) while he is trying to finish rebuilding his home from another hurricane. The least the government should do is honor its veterans (especially war vets) and cut them some slack

I think that it is pathetic for FEMA to give someone a place to live and then take it away. The other thing that is pathetic is that thousands of trailers have sat, brand new, and FEMA refused to give them to people. Isn't FEMA suppose to be there to help people? Doesn't seem like they are doing much. if no one needs these trailers anymore why can't this poor old man stay there until he gets on his feet. These people lost everything and now you want to take the only roof he has over his head. As an American Citizen I am disgused by the way our government responded to this whole disaster. They are the ones who built the levees poorly and they are the ones who caused this whole thing. I think that the government should be paying for all these people to have new homes. We pay enough taxes that they should be able to afford this no problem at all. If the government didn't spend $10,000 on a toilet seat then maybe these people who don't even have a toilet to use could live a little bit better. Isn't helping people more important then money?? Maybe the government should ask themselves what would they do and how would they want to be treated. Oh ya that's right, they don't have a heart and are selfish and only care about the buck. Pathetic and disgusting.

Impeach Bush and put the rest of the money laundering lying thieves in jail!

FEMA has screwed up enough lives with their Keystone Police level antics, let the man keep his trailer!

Like so many other horrid FEMA stories from the Gulf Coast...

It might interfere with their vacations to actually look into some of these problems with a humane aspect.

So...shall we discuss the many, many Black citizens who didn't have anything before Katrina and to who the government is probably not willing to give a FEMA trailer? The story of a cancer ridden vet is romantic...the story of a Black mother on welfare is not. What does this tell us about this article, and about media representation in general? What does this tell us about our nation?

This is typical of the Bush government, see nothing, say nothing, go to war.

FEMA has nothing but morons working for it. Hopefully this article can spark things up under the lazy butts in charge of this man's life. He's got my prayers.

They can't keep track of half a billion dollars of wasted money; they trucked ice and other supplies everywhere around the country except the disaster area; they bought mobile homes that didn't meet their own standards; and any number of other ridiculous accomplishments. Yet we continue to hear how they are being extremely conscientous in denying as many people as they can for the flimsiest reasons. This and the story of the sheriff they planned to prosecute for "interfering with federal officials" when he appropriated two of their "lost" ice trucks so diabetics could save their insulin make one thing clear. As bad a job as Michael Brown did, it hasn't gotten any better since he left. Homeland Security can't secure our borders, inspect cargo at our ports, or actually handle the a mass casualty/destruction event (via FEMA). What is the purpose of their existence?

As a fellow Navy veteran who went to Biloxi Labor Day weekend to help friends and has since made six more working trips to the region, I plan to send a letter to Rep. Gene Taylor's office asking what it will take before they'll think they're "needed". Why does everything have to wait until it's down to the last minute.

Whether Mr. Lake is a renter or a home owner, he needs a place to live. Does FEMA ever do anything that makes sense?

The Cuban missile crisis. Prostate cancer. Hurricane Katrina. This guy has been through enough.

The Fed can give this guy a trailer, for cryin' out loud. It isn't like there's a shortage of 'em.

Unless you call thousands of trailers sitting in a back lot doing nothing for no one in the middle of nowheresville a shortage.

Hope this gentleman wins his case.

Why isn't the VA getting more involved in this. Lincoln said that the VA exists to care for the veteran, his widow and his orphan. I think that a satisfactory living situation for one of our nation's finest isn't too much to ask. The social workers, benefits office and medical center need to start making some phone calls.

I live in Idaho and I have seen dozens and dozens of these FEMA trailers moving through the area - why are they up here and not where they are needed?

Have him get in touch with AARP- they have volunteers who can possibly intercede for him. Next, call the Veterans Administration for assistance. He should know the rep in his area. Call Molly's Militia in Aiken County, SC (rescues pets)

Even though he may not technically qualify for a trailer, what about the human aspect of it? Will FEMA really miss one trailer among the thousands it has rotting away unused at Purvis?

WHat the heck is wrong with FEMA and the government.... They give out to the wrong people but people who need it and deserve it they turn the other way.....

I don't care who thinks what of me.... but this man is a veteran....an American hero!....if our veterans are treated like this..........would ya'll expect our young people to enlist?....I think not!...we have to honor the men and women who have served our nation...PEOPLE cry out for what is right!!!..NOW

Bless your heart, Mr. Lake. I can't understand how our government could do this to you and your furry family. My prayers are with you.

After 23 years of serving our country, the government wants to toss this man and his family out on the street?! Are you KIDDING me?!

Oh Brother! Our daughter's family is living in front of their flooded house in the RV that they owned before Katrina. Also on their property is a FEMA trailer that a friend, who was a renter in a trailer park, had received and had placed in their yard since he had no where to go. He's since moved on, the FEMA trailer sits vacant in their yard and despite repeated calls and requests, they can't get anyone to remove it. Typical!

Standard S.O.P. for the federal government. How many mobile homes are our there in staging areas that will never be used and they want to take a travel trailer from him ? How many millions or billions have been wasted since the hurricane ? Maybe if the powers to be would hire people with experience to head agencys instead of giving out high ranking jobs to polical friends who contributed a lot of money to campaigns, our country might have had someone who knew how to run FEMA. But I guess they'll just keep taking away travel trailers from someone who really needs it. Typical government response.

People who rented at my mothers apartment got a trailor? why wouldn't this man?

Why are we surprised about this when there sits over 11,000 FEMA trlrs in Hope, ARK with no plans to distribute....why?.....because they can't be placed in an flood zone....duhhhh???? Didn't FEMA think trlrs would be headed to New Orleans which is almost all below sea level??? This gets even better...FEMA has ordered 5 million $$$$ of gravel for the Ark trlrs parking lot because the trlrs are sinking into the ground. Anyone want a trailer?

I would like to know if there is anything I can do to help Mr Lake?
If he needs help to rebuild he should try contacting one of the veteran groups like the DAV. The Dept. of Veterans Affairs may also be able to help. He should contact his local Dept. of Veterans Affairs regional office.

Thank You
Sgt Patrick O'Brien
US Army Retired

they're asking a senior citizen with cancer the second time around to go move into his daughters trailer with his nine cats because he doesn't deserve it.

jerks

FEMA management must have taken the Abbot and Costello Management 101 Course - Who's on First?

I am a renter and I have been living in a FEMA trailer since October. Trailers are legally provided to renters.

He should contact his state representative. I know there are rules to follow because people take advantage of government handouts...but this man is not one of those people. Government red tape... give this man a break!

Of all the stupid things FEMA has done since Katrina hit, this takes the cake. Someone should step up and take charge of this case and let this poor man have some peace and a place to live, other than in an already crowded trailer with his daughter's family.

As sad as this whole affair is, I cannot say that I am surprised at all. This is yet another shining example of the federal government's utter failure to protect and aid its own citizens in a time of great need.

As a native New Orlenian and a proud American, I am utterly disgusted and thoroughly dissapointed by the raw deal that the people of the gulf coast have received.

This is awful! First FEMA didn't do their job and now they are kicking people out of their trailers, which is the least that FEMA could do! Absolutely ridicolous

Once again FEMA is showing its true colors-depriving the sick and elderly of homes that no one else will use!

There is no decent excuse for Mr. Lake to be deprived of his trailer. If they do not leave him alone, it will prove that graft and greed rule at FEMA!

Well isn't that just grand of FEMA to treat one of our vets that way. "Thanks for serving your country, sorry about the Hurricane but you have to get out of the trailer we provided for you. Have a Nice Day" I don't think I could have stopped with calling that guy an SOB. FEMA has already screwed up enough, usually when someone screws up that bad they get fired. No wonder these hurricane victims are fed up.

As usual with the federal government and FEMA, the tail is wagging the dog. The man has cancer, and his daughter's small dwelling cannot accomodate him. We are doomed as a nation if they can't figure this one out! Argggghh!!!

My only questions is where is the executive branch of our government in exercising it's option to make "executive" decisions that bypass the Bureaucratic red tape that would further victimize this Vet?

FEMA clearly needs a 'boot in the pants' which has been proven time and time again. To threaten to take this gentlemean's housing away is not only idiotic, it is almost criminal. But unfortunately all too common with the way FEMA has handled or should I say mishandled things since Hurricane Katrina.

The goverment does not care about you. You are poor, if you were rich or had money it would be different. Look at Bush and Chaney. Money talk and bullshit walks. Guess where you are?

John Wakefield

My thought is when will the government stop hurting families and veterans? This guy obviously has served his country well and asks for one small, relatively cheap thing in return for all his service and loss, yet they wish to yank it from him? His daughter and her family is probably poor and suffering at the moment, yet they want to take her house from her or force him to live with her so they can keep a collection of empty trailors? Yet the government will spends hundreds for a single hammer and even more for even more for a toilet seat, yet they can not afford to let them keep their trailors after such a disaster? Sounds like political BS to me.

Clearly our President and his administration is unwilling or just not interested in looking out for our fellow Americans - particularly our good veterans (many Iraq War vets are paying their own hospital bills for injuries they incurred while on duty in Iraq).

If he cant take care of the situation then good Americans who respect both the elderly, veterans, and ill must. Collectively purchasing a trailer must be a reasonable option. I am glad to contribute $100, who's with me?

As an Congressional Constituent Liaison, I can assure you that the gentleman's congressman is capable of inquiring and helping to resolve this issue. I think that is the best option.

WE CAN GIVE BILLIONS TO CORPORATIONS, BUT CAN'T GIVE ONE OLE TRAILER TO ONE POOR OLD MAN. IF YOU DON'T GET A TRAILER, WE THE PEOPLE WILL PROVIDE...

this is so stupid.. there hardly is any way to put it into words.. he's sick.. needs a home and all those trailers just sit there.you all should be ashamed.

this isn't right at all!!but if the man has no place to live bottom line here is FEMA should grant the man a "wavier" if necessary until he can find a place to live. from the news we see there is not an overabundance of housing there. So relax the rules and you can still accomplish your overall mission it just might be a little late than expexcted.

See what happens when you trust the government to take care of you? Do you want the government to run your health care like this, too?

Do you think we'll have trouble getting military volunteers when they see how the government treats its aging vets?

I hear nothing but bad things about Fema in the news, seems to me they do not have thier priorities straight and will never have them straight.

More of BushCo Compassionate Conservatism! Maybe Halliburton could use some of its billions in profits and buy this vet a new home.

The entire response to this unmitigated disaster has been ludicrous. I live in NOLA, and was here for 8 days after the storm----- no support until 6 days out when Homeland showed up. I own a home in the “sliver by the river” so I’m OK- but so many I know are ruined. People that own homes and needed trailers waited with baited breath, while I saw others that rent and don’t contribute to society in any way, get them immediately. No real pattern- just an agency totally unprepared for an event of such scope. The first rain we had last Friday was VERY hot and humid for April. Hold on…… it may happen again. Good luck and god bless… this has not been an even distribution of assets.

Dear Larry,

I hope you get to keep your trailer. I bet if you
were an imigrant there wouldn't be an issue! Will keep you in my prayers.

The US government would rather spend money on the endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan than spend money to help our own people.

This is an excellent example of the primary reason FEMA (and the federal bureaucracy in general) is unable to respond quickly and sensibly virtually to anything that requires the least bit of common sense and basic initiative. Everything has devolved to point at which people simply cannot make decisions.

Instead of doing something practical in the best, easiest, and most cost effective way, federal bureaucrats and the political appointees who attempt to manage them rely nearly solely upon prepared scripts and convoluted series of procedures that were devised in an air-conditioned office by bored technical writers who have never actually been anywhere outside of their offices and cubicles.

Everything is a procedure and since nobody following the procedure has even the remotest clue about the purpose or intent of the procedure, independent thinking is prohibited, as is clearly explained in Rule 22: Elvis Has Left the Building!

For perhaps the greatest example of the real consequences of following procedures separately from thinking, consider that everyone in the world was fully aware of the fact that very soon after hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the Superdome was filled to capacity and completely out of control. FEMA and the rest of the federal government discovered this days later.

How did everyone in the world except FEMA and the federal government get a clue so early?

They turned-on the television and watched the live coverage on the news.

FEMA and everyone else in the federal government also could have turned-on the television and watched the live coverage on the news, except that there was no established procedure within FEMA and the federal government for operating a television and watching the news.

This is the reality, and since we elect all of our government except the judicial branch, it is our fault for electing people who have no clues. Not much anyone can do about it, really--until November.

Nevertheless, there is one stellar aspect of federal procedures, and it is the intrinsic ability to appeal virtually any decision made by a bureaucrat. In fact, this above all else is part and parcel of the original, lowest-level procedure (as noted in the sparse response from FEMA in this particular matter).

My suggestion is that Grandpa Lake should file several appeals--the more, the better. Additionally, no matter what the outcome of the appeals, he should appeal the appeals--because, all of this is fully covered in elaborate and quite official procedures for handling appeals.

Actually, the FEMA representatives are trying to help Grandpa Lake--but, they are limited in the way that they can help. It might be simpler to provide clues, but providing clues is not allowed under any of the rules that travel with the established procedures.

Hence, all the FEMA folks can do is provide the key information in a cryptic way (which for the slow readers is the strong suggestion from FEMA for Grandpa Lake to APPEAL).

A P P E A L !

One of the great aspects of an appeal is that it probably takes forever, since the people within FEMA who hear and decide appeals already are overwhelmed and have no time to have official appeal meetings.

It helps to be creative, but why let everything be so simple. Instead of filing a short appeal, begin by filing an intent to appeal with a request for additional time to collect and to organize evidence, which (of course) will take a while. If the request for additional time to prepare for the appeal is denied cursorily, then this is a great opportunity for yet another appeal (in this instance, an appeal of the denial of the request for additional time to collect and to organize evidence for the the original but entirely different appeal).

Stated succinctly, FEMA is yanking Grandpa Lake's chain, and Grandpa Lake needs to start yanking FEMA's chain. When and if it ever becomes completely insane, this will be the stellar time to contact the Congressional Representative.

As a bit of backup or a Plan B type of thing, Grandpa Lake also might want to remove the wheels from his travel trailer, along with the trailer hitch. It is not so difficult to find someone in Louisiana who not only knows how to use an acetylene welding torch but likes it. Getting to mess with the federal government makes it all the more fun.

And, why stop at removing the wheels and trailer hitch?

Consider doing some concrete work toward the goal of making it virtually impossible for anyone to move Grandpa Lake's travel trailer without heavy-duty, diesel-powered construction equipment.

Of course, one cannot do all this stuff to interfere with FEMA--because, it would probably be a crime. However, one cannot help but observe that the 2007 hurricane season begins in just over 30 days.

Hence, what better time to prepare for the next category 5 hurricane that will soon appear by reinforcing the bunker!

Why did you remove the wheels, trailer hitch, and then encase the undercarriage in solid concrete, Grandpa Lake?

Well, your honor, I was afraid another hurricane might hit, and I didn't want to get blown away. Duh!

This is called "plausible deniability"--and, it is fully covered in every federal procedure.

And, from yet another perspective, since the 2007 hurricane season is going to be even more gnarly than the 2006 hurricane season, file the appeal and let it get lost in the maze of confused bureaucracy when FEMA, once again, wanders into nowwhere land trying to respond to new hurricanes.

The federal government does its part--and, you do your part. It is a system, and it works marvelously--especially when everyone follows the clearly documented procedures.

I don't understand how a person, who's been in such a devestating position as this, cannot be given a trailer. It's ridiculous what this country is coming to!

My dad just died from bladder cancer at age 71. Can we please help the elderly to live the golden years in peace. They say rest in peace but I thought that encluded your retirement years. All my love to Larry. You hang in there buddy.

This is just crazy. This is an elderly gentleman he served our country. He was good enough to put his life on the line for our country but not good enough for a FEMA trailer what is wrong with this picture. And he has cancer on top of it all. I think this country should be giving him more then just a trailer. If you take that mans trailer away you have no heart FEMA. This man deserves the utmost respect. You have lost all trust in the american people if you do this to him. If I could do it I would put him in my apartment and live on the street if it was possible. You need to have respect for this man. How dare you treat him like this. I would say more but you wouldnt print it. Leave this man alone. He filled out your papers you should have told him then he didnt qualify. FEMA I hope you end up in a heap of trouble over all of this.

The Federal Government has to realize...that was goes around comes around.....how can they expect Americans to pay higher taxes, tolerate constant military losses, all in the name of democracy and what is ethical and just....when they (the government themselves) can't practice these virtues themselves. Shame on the Federal Government!

I think that FEMA is being ridiculous in this case. With trailers sitting idle, they really need to look carefully at this case (and many others, I'm sure) and allow Mr. Lake to keep this trailer. FEMA is, unfortunately, showing another prime example of bureaucratic stupidity.

Simple human kindness could play a role. Does FEMA know what common sense is or not? How much does FEMA gain by having to relocate this trailer? Of what good is the trailed when relocated?

When the time comes I will be astonished if there is anyone who lives in the Katrina damaged area that would vote for any swindeling Republican...

It is not like they need to put the trailers somewhere else. Heck right here outside of Nashville, the tornado victims that lost their homes in Gallatin, TN inquired about the Fleetwood Trailers that are brand new, sitting empty and ordered by FEMA. They advised the tornado victims can't have them because they are for Kathrina vicitms. But FEMA is taking housing away from the Katrina victims? This is a 3 ring circus if you ask me.

My heart goes out to you but if you had nothing before the hurricane, what makes you think you should get a free home after? Did your daughter get insurance money for the loss of her place and if so, why didn't they clean up the place they had in the past months or get a bigger place to include room for you? I think too many people thought that FEMA was responsible for their well-being and did not try to
use their resources to help themselves out of the temporary fix that FEMA tried to help with. I know that when there is disaster it is hard to focus on what to do but FEMA was not to provide a permanent fix. Most people have been given ample time to make other arrangements. Just because relatives qualified and did not need a trailer does not mean that someone who did not qualify should get it instead because they were family. This trailer should be available to the next disaster when someone truly needs it that is qualified.

Moving Mr. Lake out of his trailer is shear stupidity on the part of the government - even if he didn't have a home in his name he had a home - and he needs one now also. FEMA has turned the government into one big joke.

FEMA can overpay contractors by the hundreds of millions, but they can't let this man keep his trailer? What is wrong with FEMA that makes them so stupid and uncaring and have so little common sense? It would be so much easier to allow Larry to keep this trailer and count it as the one his other family member was entitled to. But easy and common sense are not in FEMA's vocabulary. Larry, my brother was on a nuclear sub during the 60's and, like you, he didn't take anything from anybody either. I admire you and wish you the best. Keep in touch with Gene Taylor.

This is insanity. Obviously nothing has changed with FEMA. Will the mishandling of Katrina victims never end? We have billions to waste on a senseless war but we can't allow such a deserving, kind person to have a cheap trailer? This is beyond outrageous.
I want to know what we can do to help. Where do we write?

If he had lived in another country he probably would have had help from the US government a lot faster. Oh, and had he been on section 8 and welfare his FEMA case would have been expedited, as it is assumed people that could not take care of themselves before the hurricane had greater "immediate needs". Any and I stress ANY body that served our country their needs should be met. Food, clothing and shelter should never be an issue. There are people out there that are second and third generation welfare recipients that never worked or served our country and they are given free food and a place to live. Something is wrong with this picture.

We as Americans, do not deserve the freedom and comfortable lifestyle Mr.Like has given us all.
FEMA has the compassion of the same government workers you buy your tag from.
And yes, we pay for it all.

Julie, maybe they didn't just clean up their place and get it fixed because they have cleaned it up and are on a contractor's "list" waiting for their home to be rebuilt. Since most of the homes on the coast are only cement slabs now, I'd say that is a good bet. Even if you have received insurance money, unless you are blessed to be a contractor or carpenter, you are waiting.
Julie, you say that your heart goes out to them, but your words don't really reflect that. What are you talking about that most people have had ample time to make other arrangements? Larry did make other arrangements. And getting a letter from FEMA that says you don't qualify is like breathing down here, even if your house is gone. Do you have a magic mirror, like Romper Room, that you look in and see that this family did not use their own resources at all? Can you magically see and know what most people are experiencing down here from Virginia?Would you begrudge this 71-year old veteran who is battling cancer a tiny FEMA trailer because there might be someone else who might truly need it later on? I don't speak for everyone, but as for me, keep your heart. We don't need it.

I have lived through the second world war and all that has followed. Our geneeration was brought up on what our obligations were, and also that what we did to the least fortunate, we do unto Christ. If this last statement was true, these people are doing a terrible thing to this man that should mar them in Christ's eyes forever. However they are probably too ruthless to 'get it'.

Christ forever.

I think we may need to vote out or better yet impeach the one really responsible for this major mess. To the ones that are against Larry having the trailer, I bet your rich. I can smell the stink coming from your words. To the ones that do care, we need to stop talking and show some action. The pen is mightier than the sword if they are in numbers. And to think we are proud americans. What are we proud of??

Why is it the Government's fault this man is without a home? What ever happened to taking care of yourself and your family?

FEMA is sooooooo inept. Maybe we should just trash the entire agency and have a private (non-government) agency take care of disaster relief. We know we can't believe the government!!! They can't even bother to take care of those who served their government and nation voluntarily!

At what point in the wake of this horrible disaster do we look on a say, enough with waiting for the government, how can we help. Seriously, what can we around the nation do to help people like Larry to get back to a place of his own? Or is it the government's responsibility to help?

It occurs to me that this gentleman must not be a Republican, tax payer or productive member of society. Elsewise he would not be having a problem.

Who has the answers for the ineptness of FEMA. You can't mandate common sense. I salute Larry's service to his country. If he is a member of the VFW, then his Post, his District, his Department, and the National VFW organization should be immediately intercediing on his behalf with FEMA and if they can't nudge them to their senses, then the VFW certainly has the resources to help Larry whether he is a member or not. Come on VFW...do what you profess you do on a daily basis!

These so called FEMA people are just people off the street and don't have a clue, these guys are given between $40.00 to $60.00 per hour not paid because they don't work I know alot of them, call Trent Lott he can handle this very easy

This story does not sound right and conflicts with your "FEMA seeking recovery aid payback" story. Thousands of renters have trailers. If there was a problem, he would hear about it in writing.

Just like oil companies FEMA has gotten out of control. And just like oil companies, nobody is watching the store. Where are our elected officials?

FEMA should do the right thing and let him continue to live in the trailer. Where else does he have to go? Home is home no matter where you live or what you live in.

unbelievable! FEMA is an embarrasment today still! Real winners we have on board! lets take out a serviceman with cancer and make him homeless. Thanks Bush! This is where I had some cash to help this guy out.

FEMA is, was, and will continue to be, one of the most expensive boondoggles that we the taxpayers fund. Nothing of any real substance happened on the Gulf Coast until the Army and the National Guard got involved. That's who really needs to have full control of this mission - the National Guard. FEMA needs to keep their pencil necks in Washington where they can commiserate with all the other cretins.

Our government sends millions of dollars for disaster relief overseas and it can't help one of our own with letting him live in a tin can? How pathetic.

SL - thanks for turning this story about Government ineptitude toward the economically disadvantaged into a race issue. Good show. You must be proud.

FEMA has 3,200 or more reclaimed trailers. Why not let Mr Lake keep his trailer and reissue these 3,200 trailers to others who never received shelter and still needs help. Another typically government mess.

After seeing how things were handled before, during and after Katrina, I have done everything in my power to be self-sufficient in an emergency. I now know that my seemingly benevolent Government will not be there for me. I try to be a good citizen of this country, but I have to consider other options when it treats its citizens and Veterans like bugs under their shoes. I own my home, but not the property it sits on. In a disaster, I will be told that no help is available to me by our fair government, and my insurance company will drop me like a hot rock, saying "acts of God are not covered..." Where does that leave me!?! Let this man have his trailer, and his pets. The stress will get him before the cancer does...

You have got to be kidding me...what is wrong with this picture! We, as a country owe this man more than we could ever re-pay. FEMA is a failure all the way around. As an American, I am embarassed by the treatment of this VET!

This is so scarey. Hurricane season is upon us again and FEMA hasn't resolved problems from Katrina. I shudder to think what will happen in the months to come. Personally, I think people that need homes should find someone to go get those vacant FEMA trailers for them and use them. How does FEMA explain why all these trailers are sitting vacant on lots in numerous states? What is the purpose of spending millions on trailers that they refuse to distribute? Has this whole country gone crazy? As a middle aged divorcee who's raised a son alone and taken care of myself alone for 30 something years, I could do a better job helping Katrina survivors than what FEMA has done.

This sounds like the typical Keystone Cops(aka FEMA) scenario that goes on daily. I urge Larry to stay in the trailer and don't worry, care for yourself and the cats. The records show that FEMA will lose the paperwork and move on to the next debacle.

It's no wonder that "John Doe" is ashamed to sign his name to his comments.

Here's hoping that someday "John" finds himself in Mr. Lake's situation, so that self-righteous twits can lecture him about personal responsibility and self-reliance as he sits terminally ill, having lost all his possessions, waiting to be kicked out onto the street.

That would certainly be rough justice, but justice nonetheless.

In our area, Mobile and Baldwin Counties of Alabama, FEMA is moving everyone out of FEMA trailers in the area within the next 3 weeks, regardless of whether they have anywhere else to go. The reason for this is they don't want anyone in trailers after the start of hurricane season.

It would be a miracle if FEMA could manage to mobilize enough manpower to both deliver and repossess one citizen's trailer! Experience with FEMA tells all of us that what necessarily is on paper isn't what is necessarily going to happen. There are thousands still waiting for initial responses to requests, and this one guy gets a spotlight on him from some paper pusher at FEMA? Larry needs to make a few calls to some Veteran's groups reps. Seems like good old Uncle Sam could spare a vet a FEMA trailer. Have you been in one of these? We're not talking luxury living here, and they will deteriorate and be scrap in about 5 years anyway. Give 'em hell, Larry.

Hey SL, join the military....they will get you off welfare...take care of your children...and give you some pride....don't start about about being Black...in the service ALL are treated the same...when you serve OUR country{yes,your's and mine}...i'll go to bat for you too...until then don't give us any welfare s**t....cause we are talkin' about a veteran

It seems to me that if Mr. Lake was living in an "apartment" off his daughter's house then he was a "renter", even if he only paid for his lodging with occasional babysitting or $50 towards groceries whenever he could. Whatever he compensated his daughter with for his lodging is not the issue, though.
The issue is this: if I live in an apartment that is attached to my landlord's home, and a hurricane comes through, would FEMA tell me that I did not deserve a trailer and, more importantly, that I had to live in MY landlord's FEMA trailer? Because (well obviously! duh!) if someone rents then they obviously don't deserve the same help as some one who owns a home, especially if they are renting from a family member. FEMA (and the people who run it) apparently don't have the sense that God gave a gnat!
Pile the fact that Mr. Lake is a veteran, elderly and enduring a second bout of cancer and FEMA has a very bad case of severe egg on the face.
I hope Mr. Lake is able get some recourse through his state representative or AARP or his VFW. And I hope those idiotic, monied, entitled twits running FEMA some day end up in a similar situation, so they can see what cold hearted bastards they are being. That would show that there is some justice in the world for once.

It is sad to see some of the comments against Larry-- clearly these people have not seen the devastation that is daily life for people in Waveland. As for John Doe in Seattle trying to compare a rainstorm to the hurricane, I would love to see you go down to work in this area to see the difference. There are bad storms everywhere, but this one seems to be ignored by so many people as they cannot comprehend the extent of the damage. It looks like a war zone still, and this hurricane season is only supposed to be worse. As for electing FEMA officials, they are appointed, not elected. John Doe shows his cowardice by his unwillingness to put his real name on his comment-- he is probably also "JD" from Seattle. As for Julie from Bedford, VA, the trailers were to be assigned based on the size of the family-- the actuality is a "one size fits all" approach that is completely unfit for any more than one or two people. I have been inside one of these trailers, and it would drive me crazy to live in one, but they are all that many people have. I pray that John Doe and Julie never have to personally experience the magnitude of a disaster like Katrina and live in substandard housing. There are many Katrina survivors who are trying to improve their situations, and there are many volunteers who are trying to assist with recovery. There is no rebulding; it is building anew.

Mr. lake I would first of all like to personally thank you. And let you know the sacrificies you made when called to duty do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. As americans we should be going the extra mile to make sure the safety and health of those who have served in our armed forces is now and will always be one of our primary concerns. These men and women helped make this country what it is. (although lately we seemed to have forgotten that) I would like all these people at FEMA to take a minute and imagine where you would be if Mr. Lake and the countless others like him had not stepped up when our country needed them most. We should all be ashamed of the way we have allowed this country to toss aside it's hero's.

To deprive Mr. Lake of his trailer is an utter outrage!! Is there no end to the mismanagement and utter stupidity of FEMA? Is anyone in that agency capable of making a decision based on need and common sense?? All the FEMA fat cats working in comfort and going home at night should spend a few weeks living like Mr. Lake.

No doubt there are many cases like this but call, write Email FEMA and legislators about this. You can even Email the White House - but that's where the stupidity starts.

Don't let this continue!!! For all of us sickened by this, I say "Do something!"

It seems normal for the Bush administration to bully a needy citizen. The President is genuinely a nice person, but he is so gullible to his greedy and mean advisors. Let him keep the trailer. Look at how many sit in Mississippi brand new and not used.

And to think, this is just 1, (ONE), story of HUNDREDS, that are out there, that are just as ridiculous as the next. Fema=Failure to emit money appropiately. (Hmmm ..this applies to alot of agencies doesn't it?)I saw the writing on the wall on the last Presidential election-it was a no win situation, neither side, Democrats or Republicans, had a decent candidate to run this country. Let's hope that the next time around we will truely SEEK out the BEST candidate, FOR THE PEOPLE, not for "there" best interest, for OURS, the honest working people that make the BIG companies operate. We need a compassionate caring person that is not in this for himself, that truely cares whether you or I eat and have a place to live above themselves, about keeping America wonderful for all, it's our ONLY hope. I find it amusing that Bush paired up his father with Clinton. Did you, that voted for Bush, ever ask yourself why he did that? Yes there was a very good reason, because Clinton had the power to make you feel like he cared about you. And did he? All I know is when I had a problem with the labor board not responding to a infraction in the work place, I felt comfortable enough to go to the top with my problem. I wrote to Clinton and I got 2 responces and a phone call from the office that would handle "MY" problem and my work problem was taken care of. He may of cheated on his wife, which he will answer to God for that,(And I can name 10 pres. who also did that too and millions of everyday men in this world) but he had our country out of debt and I believe he had human feelings towards the little people like myself. Shame on FEMA and anyone else in the govt. treating our veterns like this let alone anyone else. They don't have to answer to me but they will have to answer to god.

Do the quilification guidelines make exceptions for vets and/or people with cancer ? While this man's situation is sad, there are many people with similar situations in life. With only so much money to go around, who will make the decisions on who's situations should be exceptions to the rules ?

To everyone that has posted a negative about us..You are more than welcome to trade lives with me for a day. You do not understand until you have lived it. I am single mother, 2 boys. I had a home, that I owned, but after my mortgage company took their share of my insurance I had enough to do the roof. I had a job, now it is gone. Look around your house right now and imagine something as massive as Katrina coming at you and you are limited to what you can take. You people don't understand. We lost not only our homes and our jobs but our whole past. Pictures, antiques, family heirlooms, my childrens first year of their life that I documented. It's gone, just like that. How would you re-act to a situation like that. I hope no one has to go thru loosing everything, and I mean everything they have worked for and collected over the years. Before you speak negatively against us again, think real hard about loosing all your stuff and the look on your childs face as they throw away their whole room. There is no safe place to live in America. Every area has their own natural disasters that could happen. You act like we created this on our own.

Explain to me how someone can get back on their feet when their home and everything in it has been swept away, their home owner's insurance says 'it's not covered, you'll get no money', the mortgage companies say 'you still have to pay for the home you no longer have', your job/business has also been swept away so you HAVE no money coming in, FEMA says 'you don't deserve help', and the government seems to sit idly by doing NOTHING to get these people's lives back in order!!

I know deploying our armed services to overseas theaters is quite the thing right now, but how about deploying some of these same young, strong, healthy men to help in the Katrina clean up. Get the rubble cleaned up (where are we going to send it, however?), start putting people's lives back together, let the people help themselves as they can, but at least give them a head start. Our military (National Guard included) would much rather be doing GOOD things for Americans than having to dodge bullets and bombs on foreign soil. Deploy them to Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, wherever WE need them (including Tornado Alley). Use our military equipment to push dirt around, build SAFER levees, build houses!

Come on USA, get with the program!!! It is coming up on hurricane season again - what will happen THIS time? Can the Gulf States people weather another disaster? Should they be expected to????

The Federal Government needs to help our OWN people before it looks outside our borders and involves America in other affairs.

okay so if everyone that reads these articles hates the government so much would you be any happier without one? no you wouldnt...your all whiny little pussies that wouldnt last a week without it as long as your living under their roof you live by their rules ever tell your kids that one?

It seems that Mr. Bush may have a spare bedroom or two at the white house. It's the least he could do for a vetran who servered his country. On second thought the Ranch in Crawford is a little closer that might be a better location with the pets and all. I know I am being sarcastic but I truely wish you the best!!!

FEMA is a joke. Lots of people are getting the run around with this group of people. Their demands and decision represent a pack of idiots. As I am sorry for this man, the shame is, his story is not one in a million but this is happening to lots of people. When something bigger then Katrina hits the US - FEMA will crumble. After jumping through hoops myself, I understand his cries. And for those of you that say we don't deserve anything - I hope you never lose your home, your job, your way of life in one day. And then 8 months later still have to pay for a home that is no longer there. Oh and for those of you who think I don't have insurance - untrue its just that they felt it wasn't 100% damaged. But in my opion after sitting in 3 feet of water for a few weeks and mold up to the ceiling it was 100% damage. So appleas are a way of life for allot of us now.

This is so typical of all the FEMA crap we people of the MS Gulf Coast have had to endure. I, like most everyone else lost everything I had. I lived in an apartment complex that was destoyed. Our landlord allowed us to stay in the complex simply because we had not where else to go. I am a single mother of a three year old son. We stayed in the apartment for several months seeing daylight upstairs due to roof damage and ripped out walls downstairs due to flooding. The apartments were finally condemmed and my child and I were officially homeless. FEMA's answer was "If you haven't gotten a trailer by now, you won't and you can either move out of state or go stay on the Carnival cruise ship". I chose out of state and it still breaks my heart the way my beloved gulf coast is being treated this way and overlooked...Oh, and to everyone else outside of the immediate gulf coast - Mississippi was devestated by Katrina also. All 80 miles of coastland is gone. New Orleans was not the only place affected.

I expect nothing less of FEMA and our government. They have already shown us that they do not support our returning troops with mental help, they shun those that seek it, and for our veterans, this is something that we will be seeing in the future unless we as a nation TAKE A STAND! Watch your votes from the mundane city commissioner to the president cause every vote counts!

Well this was very gratifying to read. There didn't seem to be much new news from Waveland and the Bay lately. Almost thought we were forgetting. But along comes Larry and look at the response. We are hungry for the news, good, bad or ugly and this is all three. There are millions of people out here Larry who care very much about you and everyone else in the disaster area and this blog space is proof. Take heart. I liked J.D.s sugestion about the wheels and the concrete and I have another one. Call and ask to have the trailer removed. This will probably buy you another couple years.

FEMA = Fix Everything My A _ _!

All of you people have complaints, but only a few have mentioned helping the poor man. You are disgraced by your own lack of actions for the man. If you really want to help, a complaint line is not the place to be. You must act on. It's kindof like voting. If you dont vote you have no room to complain. Having compassion is one thing, but complaints with no action is worth nothing.

SOS!!!! any time that a fat Goverment type is at work.The common working man is on the short end. It is clear that with eather (party) common sense is discarded. Just like oil ( We have a need! but don't pump here save the trees.) ( a person uses a gun for a crime, punish the people who make the gun not the fellon)( a child has AIDS, decline family service becawes there is a father at home)( The head of a household is sick, bankrupt the family becawes they have no health ins.)( Make the American tax payer go to prison trying to save a buck, Employers are not required to report real income.)
When will THE american people learn to think for there self and stop taking the B_ _ _ S_ _ t!!!!

OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THRIVES ON POLICY AND PROCEDURES IT LEGISLATES AND HAS NO CAPACITY TO OPERATE BEYOND THE PIECES OF PAPER THEY'RE WRITTEN ON.IT SURVIVES ON THE TAXES OF THE POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS AND BUSINESSS OF THIS COUNTRY. IT CAN APPROPRIATE BILLIONS FOR WARS AND REBUILDING OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO TAKING CARE OF ITS OWN ( ESPECIALLY MILITARY VETS AS MR. LAKE ) IT GIVES BACK MINIMALLY. THIS IS A NATIONAL DISGRACE.OUR POLITICIANS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SPEAK A LOT OF NICE SOUNDING RETERICK ON PRESS INTERVIEWS, BUT IF YOU WATCH C-SPAN, YOU SEE HOW NOTHING GETS DONE BECAUSE OF POINTS OF ORDER. FOR SOME REASON ONCE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE ELECTED INTO GOVERNMENT, THEY LOOSE ALL ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS WITH COMMON SENSE. IT TRICKLES DOWN THE TOTEM POLE TO IT'S DEPARTMENTS LIKE HOMELAND SECURITY AND FEMA, AND THE RPS OF ENGINEERS. BUT THEY MEMIC THOSE ABOVE THEM WHO ARE IN CHARGE. IF MR. LAKE WOULD HAVE HAD THE FORESIGHT TO DISGUISE HIMSELF AS AN ILEGAL ALIEN INSTEAD OF A VETERAN ANS U.S. CITIZEN, MAYBE HE'D BE ALLOWED TO KEEP HIS TRAILER.

Meanwhile, there are thousands of trailers FEMA mapid millions for...sitting at an airfield in AK. Anf after FEMA takes trailers back, I suspect they sell them at auctions for pennies on the dollar..and perhaps back to the same firm they initially paid millions in the first place. Such incompetence...how do these people know to get out of bed in the morning without getting hurt??

Who should we blame for this failure - the federal government or the people elected to run it? When our "leaders" in Washington don't seem to care about this country, all of us pay. We pay for Katrina and we pay for Iraq. We pay an extra buck a gallon so Exxon can give its retiring CEO a $400 Million pension. Isn't this what Bush's backers pay him for? Let's put the blame where it belongs - at the top. And then let's fix the problem.

If Mr Lake were an illegal immigrant he probably could get subidised housing, food stamps, and free medical care that would certainly costs taxpayers more than a FEMA trailer. WAKE UP FEMA !!!

I feel bad for him on a personal level, believe me. I'm a veteran myself in fact. But the sad truth of the matter is that in this country, we've been spoiled by just expecting the government to handle everything from our housing, to our social security checks to our medicine.... the list pretty much covers every aspect of our lives. Outside of this nifty little bubble called America, there IS no agency to blame. There often IS no help. Be glad for the fact that we have a system at all! If this happened in South Africa, do you think everyone posting here would be cursing a non existant emergency agency?

And as far as blaming Bush for FEMA's screw up? Please. The man's a screw up, there's no doubt, but by laying everything at his feet you're only obscuring the items he's actually responsible for; like Viet-Iraq.

I am sure that Mr. Lake is familiar with the term "Request Mast". This will be an opportunity to take the ignorance to the top or the source in this case.
First request a full and comprehensive explanation of the justification for the removal of the trailor. Then request substitute assistance (providing the trailor is all Mr. Lake received). Then request infomration on the purchase of a used FEMA trailor via some auction (teh government rarely uses anthing more than once anyway).
The important thing is to direct all of these inquiries to 1600 Penn. Ave and copy the newspapers.
Remember THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR>

Why am I not surprised by this story? I am sure there are thousands just like it out there...but this one has an added element or two...Mr.Lake is a vet, who was barely existing, before Katrina, like so many of our vets do on a daily basis any more...is facing cancer for the second time, and being thrown out on the street...DISGUSTING...

So, let me get this straight...FEMA is throwing people out of these trailers, so that when hurricanes hit this year, people won't be living in them? I gather it's better if they are living in the streets, when a hurricane hits? or is it, that FEMA, doesn't want to be held responsible for any deaths that might occur from people living in a metal box called home, that is not secured to the ground.... Ehhh, come to think about it, I doubt that...this admin has made it impossible for anyone to receive reparations from anyone for anything...especially the gov't....after all, no one in this admin, or any of their business associates can be, or is held responsible for anything they do or say....we have allowed ourselves to become an irresponsible society...and situations such as this are the result...why then, do we act surprised?

People as a whole, need to take a lesson from Katrina...remember that YOU are responsible for your own fate...do NOT expect the gov't to help you in the case of any disaster. Make sure you have supplies, medicines, and necessities such as bottled water and food that doesn't need prepared, on hand...don't forget the plastic sheeting and duct tape, because it will construct a shelter in a pinch..and don't forget food for your animals, they too, count on you...

Next, our VETS are being treated horribly...make sure you pay attention to who does what for them, when it comes time to vote next time..IF we owe anyone anything, it is these men and women who were convinced they fought to keep us free...and risked their lives on a 24/7 basis to prove they were worthy of our honor...meanwhile they were being exposed to chem/bio agents, such as agent orange, depleted uranium, and untold vaccinations for whatever, at their own gov'ts hands...

Didn't I read the following statement was made...(by Chertoff or Brown perhaps?) that it was not DHS or FEMA's job to protect us, provide for us, or keep us safe...their only job was to keep us informed of the level of danger...so then why are we looking to them for anything, if that's the case?

As for Mr.Lake, and all those finding themselves in the same spot...my heart does go out to you...IF someone figures out a way to help this man in particular, please post the information...

Finally....SHAME ON US...we should all be ashamed that we allow any of this crap to continue...our constitution states it is our DUTY, and our RESPONSIBILITY to replace a gov't that no longer represents us or works in ways we approve of......what on earth are we waiting for? and what does our hesitation say about us? What right do we have to bitch about this gov'ts shortcomings, when the majority of us won't get off our asses and take the necessary actions needed to bring about change?

Solution to this is simple.
Designate the trailor as anti-terrorist station for southern Mississippi and Mr. Lake as the custodian. This government will be falling all over itself to take credit for a great defeat of terrorism as well as the idea.

Please, call A.J. Giardina at WLOX about this. FEMA HATES bad publicity as we have seen down here over and over ... any time FEMA screws up and the TV station gets involved, FEMA fixes the screw up within a day or two if not within hours. So, please, call WLOX and get A.J. on this! (And please post this this time whoever moderates this board ... I posted this last night and it did not get on. How do you decided what to post and what not to post?)

My horse vet (in South Carolina) told me he got a FEMA trailer free of charge and brought it up here for himself. Merry Christmas!

We need to stop worrying so much about all other countries and start taking care of the people here in the US. Unfortunately until Bush and Cheney are out of the White House this is what we have to live with. For those who voted for Bush and Cheney thanks alot for screwing up this country.

Another shining example of our tax dollars and our government at work. Our leaders can get on the international soapbox and scold other leaders about "human rights abuses" by their respective governments, but we can't give a retired, ill serviceman a small trailer to live in. Better still, we can barge into other countries, overthrow their government on made up evidence, and then tell them how they should govern their people. The idea that our government can't be bothered to give this man a tiny trailer is beyond pathetic. But other countries are supposed to take us seriously? It's as absurd as taking child-care tips from Britney Spears!
Mr. Lake gave this country 23 years of his life and this is how he's treated by the government he served? The saddest part of all is that it doesn't suprise me in the least. If you're not a rich oil tycoon, or a CEO at Halliburton, you don't exist. For those of you who are weighing in on this situation, please write to FEMA and/or Rep. Gene Taylor's office on Mr. Lake's behalf. Perhaps we can get something accomplished for him and the hundreds of others who are probably in his situation.
And as for Mr. Lake's detractors: have you bothered to question why he was living in a tiny in-law apartment at his daughter's house to begin with? Don't you think perhaps it's because a)his navy pension isn't that much if he didn't retire as an officer, b)social security doesn't pay squat, and c)with his medical history and recurrence of cancer, keeping up with his medical expenses probably takes what money he does get. Face it, Bush may have "overhauled" medicare but it still doesn't cover a lot, procedures and medication included. And if you ever watched the news, you'd see that these trailers barely fit one person, never mind trying to cram him in with his daughter, her husband, and their child.

Who pays for these trailers in the first place?...the taxpayer. As a taxpayer (and have been one for 43 years, please use some of the taxes I have paid and give this man a trailer. I believe as a taxpayer we should have some say in the spending of our money, although we don't in reality, but this time I'm demanding that my taxes be actually used for the good of mankind and give this veteran the damn trailer. My Dad was a veteran and my brother is a veteran and I would be throwing a hissy fit if this happened to either of them. All taxpayers, band together and tell them to spend your taxes (just this once) on something that is actually good and give this man that trailer!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you Larry. Honestly, are we really surprised by these events. Impeach Bush. The president hasn't done one thing since he has been in office that has been a benefit to the American people. He is using our money for a war we all know he lied about. Forget about education, environmental issues, security and the people who lost everything in Katrina. He has been bought many times over. Take care Larry.