As reported, the cruise ships are on their way. Three Carnival Cruise Line ships, the Ecstasy, Sensation, and Holiday, have been chartered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide 6 months temporary housing for victims of Hurricane Katrina. What a novel idea! It just sounds a little strange to say 2,600 victims will be on Ecstasy, another 2,600 will ride the Sensation, and another 1,800 will be going on Holiday.
The three ships will not be touring the Bahamas, but will instead be docked in breathtaking Mobile, Alabama. Carnival crews are expected to provide service for their homeless patrons - but the operation will be run by the U.S. Military Sealift Command.
Carnival shares (NYSE) closed down 28 cents Friday to $48.24 on news refugees don't tip well.
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There was a small item in my paper today that said that the term refugee should not be used in the context of Katrina survivors. They are not from another country. They are displaced Americans. Not to be confused with discontinent Americans(Ter).
Different new sources are taking different stances on the whole issue. Like it really matters in the long run, though.
It all depends on which dictionary you're referring to. Although, in just about any dictionary the first term to describe a refugee is "one who takes refuge." And, what may you ask, is "refuge"? Shelter or protection from danger or distress. Sounds to me that the term refugee fits the bill.
It's generally not until you get into secondary or tertiary descriptions that any reference to a foreign country is mentioned.
However, when all is said and done, I can't imagine these people care what they're being called as long as some action is being taken to better their situation. If you're standing waist-deep in sewage, the furthest thing from your mind is whether or not you want to be called something besides a refugee.
I think we really need to consult Tom Petty on this, as he wrote the song.
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