Tragedy Floods Nicest People

**SplitIdentity** · 06-14-2008, 10:15 AM

I know this article mentions Hawkeye fans, but is mostly a great article on the citizens of the state of Iowa.

Tragedy floods Big Ten's nicest folks- PennLive.com

Great read.

**1100011CS** · 06-14-2008, 10:22 AM

In times like this there are no Hawkeye fans or Cyclone fans, only Iowans, IMO.

**frontrangeclone** · 06-14-2008, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by 1100011CS

In times like this there are no Hawkeye fans or Cyclone fans, only Iowans, IMO.

Agreed. I was a bit frustrated by another thread on here where someone mentioned their hopes for the flooding waters to fill kinnick and carver. Grow the freak up people.

**SplitIdentity** · 06-14-2008, 10:30 AM

I was just astounded at the 10 people that were protecting their last remaining well, and then after a public announcement, over 1,000 showed up.

Of course, while reading the DMR, there was a woman who said that her neighbor or something was washing dishes and doing laundry. Even in a time of crisis there are some mega-idiots.

But it really is really cool to see how overall, all Iowans come together and help one another out.

**ornryactor** · 06-14-2008, 07:06 PM

That's a great article. Thanks for the link, SH.

I agree with it wholeheartedly, too. I wouldn't say Hawk fans specifically are a whole bunch of compliment-giving friendlies, but this state knows how to band together. I was frustrated yesterday, telling a friend who's from the West Coast how I really wanted to go back home to Iowa City and help sandbag, but I couldn't even get there because of the roads. He gave me a puzzled look and asked, "Why the hell would you want to go into the middle of a natural disaster, especially when your parents' house is safe?" I thought about that question for half a second, then replied, "Because that's what Iowans do." And it's true. Governor Culver had a press conference early this afternoon, and he said, "Iowans are at our best when our backs are up against the wall." That's when we band together and become far more than the sum of our parts. I may not be able to get to my hometown to help protect it from floodwaters (not that anything seems to be able to protect it anyway) but the instant the waters recede, I'm going to be there working day in and day out to help clean up. When I can't be in Iowa City, I'll be down in Des Moines doing the same. I know that thousands and thousands of people- many of whom weren't affected personally by the floods in the first place- will be doing the exact same thing.

**cyismydog** · 06-14-2008, 07:08 PM

Over half our town has pitched in sandbagging...from people who can't speak a lick of English, to people who have lived here all their lives. It really is a community effort. (Or, was, until our levee started breaking.)

**CyValley** · 06-14-2008, 07:18 PM

Here's one Iowan most of us wouldn't care to share a beer with. New York Times story, third paragraph from the bottom:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us...o8bzQRKXY2g0iA

**clone2011** · 06-14-2008, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by CyValley

Here's one Iowan most of us wouldn't care to share a beer with. New York Times story, third paragraph from the bottom:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us...o8bzQRKXY2g0iA

Wow. Charging $10 for a ride out of your flooded home. There are morons everywhere, thankfully most people are better than that.

**cytech** · 06-14-2008, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

I was just astounded at the 10 people that were protecting their last remaining well, and then after a public announcement, over 1,000 showed up.

Of course, while reading the DMR, there was a woman who said that her neighbor or something was washing dishes and doing laundry. Even in a time of crisis there are some mega-idiots.

But it really is really cool to see how overall, all Iowans come together and help one another out.

Yeah some people just do get it, I know I need a shave and a shower pretty bad, I also have dishes and laundry to do as well. I imagine as soon as this is over there will be alot of water getting used right away.

**Phaedrus** · 06-14-2008, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

I was frustrated yesterday, telling a friend who's from the West Coast how I really wanted to go back home to Iowa City and help sandbag, but I couldn't even get there because of the roads. He gave me a puzzled look and asked, "Why the hell would you want to go into the middle of a natural disaster, especially when your parents' house is safe?" I thought about that question for half a second, then replied, "Because that's what Iowans do."

The state of Iowa has the greatest rate of volunteerism, per capita, especially in time of war, than any other state in the union.

Iowa, and Iowans, rock.

**Sousaclone** · 06-14-2008, 11:31 PM

If the flooding was on the western side of the state I'd be out helping. However driving from Omaha with no place to stay just isn't practical. Not to mention if things were to get worse I'd be SOL.

I do believe that people in the midwest and especially in the smaller cities and towns do tend to band together and help each other out in times of need. Look at the number of people that went out in nasty weather to try and help at the Little Sioux Camp, or the number of people who descended upon the neighborhoods in SW Omaha after that F-1/F-2 went through to try and help clean up. It's nice to know that at times people still have some values.