The kindness of strangers, multiplied

"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."

The famous Tennessee Williams line, spoken in a play set in New Orleans, now rings true for thousands of people.

It's been disconcerting to hear the naysayers predict that we're only asking for trouble if we extend a hand to these Louisiana folks who now find themselves homeless, dirty and hungry, but somehow we trust our nobler instincts will overcome our fears.

Already there are numerous examples of individuals stepping forward.

Here in Brazosport, a family of 17 was aided by complete strangers. (See, The Facts).

In Baytown, a couple of teen-agers who work at Best Buy suggested the store donate the use of two large-screen TVs and Sony Playstation 2 games to the local community center that's serving as a shelter while a local nurse, who took face paints to the shelter to entertain kids, ended up having her nursing skills pressed into service.(See, The Baytown Sun).

In Houston, evacuees who didn't meet the bureacratic criteria for entrance into the Astrodome were met by kind-hearted strangers who simply showed up wanting to help. (See, Lone Star Times).

There will be hundreds more examples like this to come, which we sincerely hope will prove wrong those who say we should simply do nothing.