What's Next For Refugees

On The Way

Mass., Other States Prepare For Katrina Refugees


Twenty-five hundred Katrina refugees are nearly on their way to Camp Edwards at Cape Cod's Massachusetts Military Reservation, according to the Cape Cod Times. Some thoughts and questions immediately come to mind:


--- It's fantastic to see Gov. Mitt Romney and other officials stepping up to the plate. Exceptionally generous Texans simply can't take everybody, so when other states willingly share the burden, it's great for America.

--- What will life be like when they reach the Bay State? Camp Edwards (shown here in a Cape Cod Times photo) has a movie theatre and grocery store, but is otherwise in a remote area. Leaving the base could be difficult without private autos.

--- Who will serve their medical and educational needs? Will this come from (about to be shuttered) Otis Air National Guard Base?

With a critical shortage of doctors in the area, it isn't clear how this will be handled. Part of it is addressed here, Bourne schools may have room for some children.

--- Romney says some might want to stay. How will they be transitioned into an area with some of the nation's highest housing costs, a lackluster job market and taxes galore? If this is about helping refugees, fine, but it's not the state's population-decline solution.

--- Since off-season Cape Cod jobs are hard to come by, it's a safe assumption all will be living on full state aid, fine for now, but not a long-term answer. Hopefully there will be a transition plan to move them into New England communities.

--- Outside of wartime, has America ever relocated large numbers of citizens within its own borders?

--- More details here at the Boston Herald.

--- Wonder if Ted will volunteer the family compound at Hyannisport, just down the road, for any overflow. That would be very generous, wouldn't it?

--- Governor Romney's image is getting a boost from his handling of this and there's no doubt he needs it.


Also today:

--- We're all getting tired of the blame game. Knock it off.

--- Jason at Texas Rainmaker looks into past preparations.

--- Delaware columnist fights back against eco-gloomsters faulting American policies for causing the hurricane.

--- The mayor gives in.

--- If funding was denied for 30 years, how does it end up pinned on Bush?


For updates on Hurricane relief efforts in the blogosphere, see Hugh Hewitt's site. Check here for the latest.

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