Give This Kid A Medal

This is what real men do: find solutions and protect the weak, rather than prey upon them.

The first busload of New Orleans refugees to reach the Reliant Astrodome overnight was a group of people who commandeered a school bus in the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and drove to Houston looking for shelter.

Jabbar Gibson, 20, said police in New Orleans told him and others to take the school bus and try to get out of the flooded city.

Gibson drove the bus from the flooded Crescent City, picking up stranded people, some of them infants, along the way. Some of those on board had been in the Superdome, among those who were supposed to be evacuated to Houston on more than 400 buses Wednesday and today. They couldn't wait.

The group of mostly teenagers and young adults pooled what little money they had to buy diapers for the babies and fuel for the bus.

Bravo, Mr. Gibson.

(Thanks to various people)

KATRINA RELIEF:

USA Freedom Corps

AME Church

Comments

[Lisa Gilliam]

Maybe he should be the mayor instead.that is what you have to have someone to take charge.

[Lizzie]

I've read in a couple of places that charges might be brought against Gibson (presumably for taking a bus). WTF? The man is a hero: he was doing exactly what NO officials should have done days ago.

Like you said, he deserves a medal.

[GZ Expat]

That kid has a heck of a lot more sense than the mayor of NOLA.

Thank you for posting some GOOD news out of NOLA for a change...I'm getting so tired of all the griping and whining.

[Susi]

The horror stories are always first to emerge. Soon we will hear about all those heros who quietly toil in the background. In our fed comfort we are wrong to catcall those who are in screaming misery. Thanks for being a voice of reason. I've followed your Blog for a while and always enjoy your viewpoint. Susi, VirginiaCountryLife.blogspot.com

[chrys]

This is the best story of the entire tragedy. I heard it live from Mr. Gibson - sounded like Clint Eastwood! Cool headed "leader" material! Thanks Jabbar! Hope he's around when we need him the next time!

[Richard G. Combs]

I saw Greta van Susteren interview Jabbar Gibson and some of his passengers -- chrys is right about "cool headed leader material."

I blogged about the interview late last night and tied it into my earlier rant about people surrendering responsibility for their own safety and well-being to others. I concluded that he "took responsibility for his and his neighbors' safety and well-being. Bravo! Someone in Houston should hire this young man, and fast!"

[trsprs]

Give Jabbar a medal indeed...I like this kid. His instinct to survive kicked in...not only did he survive but he helped others survive as well, and it wasnt a race thing...IT WAS A PEOPLE THING! It didn't matter to Jabbar who the people were but that they were human beings in need of help. To bring charges against him would be CRAZY! This kid is a HERO. Three cheers for Jabbar. Look out Nagin...Mayor Gibson has a nice ring to it.

[Kirk]

He now has the only operational NOLA school bus. That young man stepped up to the plate and did what had to be done. He took the initiative that many politicians either can't or won't do. Unfortunately for him the L^3 will probably try to make an 'example' of him.

[GUYK]

I certainly concur! This man had the courage and resourcefulness to save himself and others instead of waiting around to die. He is the kind of person that make me proud that he is an American.

[walter lewis]

one thing most people don't know how to drive a bus and the other thing the school bus drivers where were they the storm happened on a monday the schoolbus driver had left work on friday not because of the storm it was the start of the weekend. and the norta bus drivers where were they the buses don't run all night there it is not the mayor's fault if the drivers left the state.

[greyfox]

Quiet, kid. Never go on T.V. and admit to a "crime" even if it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. A conservative prosecutor may just be watching. Law and order is law and order.

[StinKerr]

Likewise a socialist prosecutor may be watching. Can't have people displaying personal initiative, you know.

[GH]

a few of us decided that we should try to do something for Mr Gibson. Not just because he did the right thing and acted bravely in a bad situation but because, well, because we can't do something for all the people who acted heroically during Katrina. Mr Gibson has become our symbol.

Please see our petition;

Petition to honor Jabbar Gibson

http://www.petitiononline.com/JG0007Q/petition.html

"We have been extraordinarily moved by the story of Jabbar Gibson, and the initiative he displayed in commandeering a bus to drive Hurricane Katrina victims out of New Orleans. We were very alarmed to hear that he was at one time in danger of prosecution. Mr. Gibson declared to the news media, "I don’t care if I get blamed for it, as long as I saved my people." But WE care if he gets blamed for it."

[snip]

" We request that this young man be awarded appropriately with a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a full four-year scholarship to the college of his choice. For we truly believe that Jabbar Gibson as an individual, exemplified the courage and the spirit that is the best part of America and in so doing became emblematic of the actions many others who responded bravely and selflessly in the face of this disaster. He is someone we should support, encourage, and see prosper in this great nation. Jabbar Gibson and those like him are the future of America!"

[baldilocks]

GH,

Great minds think alike. I'll give this link some publicity.