I'd like to organize an effort to help Michael Calabrese

[chrisncate]

Originally Posted by WouldaShoulda

Think about it.

Are they better off in a patched wreck of a boat with no keel or a homeless shelter where they can get help??

They are better off with their boat of course. It's their home and all they have.

Shelters do nothing but what their name implies.

[MobiusALilBitTwisted]

Originally Posted by chrisncate

For some reason, the video isn't imbedding properly, you might need to click the link to watch it..

Woman rescued from boat speaks : wavy.com

per the Reporter in the Video Clip you linked"the Dead line" to remove the boat has ended, you will not be allowed to do anything to that boat the City is taking Bids, its to late stay home and work on your own boat this week end.

[anthemj24]

I don't believe the boat is salvageable now. The CG seems to have determined it is no longer seaworthy, and from several eye witness reports I have seen, there is much of the STBD side missing. If you want to do something, I would suggest supporting a vets group, and lobbying your representatives to make sure that vets are getting the appropriate mental health care. Nothing is going to go right for this guy until he gets his noggin fixed. For that to happen, it has to be available and he has to want it. You can help do your part to make sure it is available for him and other vets but after that it is up to him to do the right thing and get himself fixed.

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by BubbleheadMd

Ever since his beaching, this guy has run around town drunk, belligerent, defecated in a law enforcement vehicle, arrested multiple times.

Oh c'mon bubble...I mean how many of us around here haven't crapped in a cop car a few times in our lives, right?

Right? Heh-heh.

Ahm....

[dabnis]

Chris probably won't be going anywhere soon. His sides probably hurt so much from laughter that he probably can't move. Good one Chris!!

Dabnis

[AdamLein]

Chris n Cate, is your only motivation for helping this guy the fact that he needs help, and is a sailor?

[chrisncate]

Originally Posted by AdamLein

Chris n Cate, is your only motivation for helping this guy the fact that he needs help, and is a sailor?

Not really, although that is part of it of course. My initial interest in the story was pretty much centered on how the boat handled the beaching, the boat itself and it's damage, that sort of thing. Nuts and bolts type stuff.

After watching that video today (Cate recommended I watch it actually), and hearing Gina (the fiance') speak about the incident, it got human real quick for me. THEN after reading all the rude comments posted below the video, I got pissed at the total lack of humanity in the general sentiment directed at both of them, I decided that I'd like to help them out and see if others might want to join in.

So much of what people have said about these people is so freaking mean I can't believe it. It's like everyone wants them to lose their boat so they can "teach them a lesson" about what they perceive as their failed life choices. Does anyone ever stop to consider that it is possible that maybe he has the problems he does due to circumstances outside of his control? Is everyone so pious that nothing could ever drive them to abuse alcohol or have mental problems?

The guy is a vet - he served his country and I believe he deserves to be treated like a human being, even if he is a drinker and has mental problems.

Lastly, it does look like help with the boat will be futile at this point due to the city taking bids, so I guess this stupid idea of mine dies in this thread anyway (of course). I'm going to attempt to contact them, and I'm probably going to try to help him out with a couple of bucks if I can reach them.

Why doesn't anyone see that when people are at their worst is when they need the help the most.

[imagine2frolic]

There's giving help, and ther is enabling. I believe the posters believe it would be a case of enabling. From what I read it sounds that way to me too. You can't help those not willing to help themselves. He needs to take the first step........i2f

[chrisncate]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

There's giving help, and ther is enabling. I believe the posters believe it would be a case of enabling. From what I read it sounds that way to me too. You can't help those not willing to help themselves. He needs to take the first step........i2f

The guy lost his home i2f, we are beyond enabling, and into the realm of helping.

How far does the guy need to sink before someone lends a hand? How much punishment does the guy have to go through in order to satisfy society from his horrible crime of trying to outrun a hurricane? The guy tried to kill himself, he needs help.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by chrisncate

The guy lost his home i2f, we are beyond enabling, and into the realm of helping.

How far does the guy need to sink before someone lends a hand? How much punishment does the guy have to go through in order to satisfy society from his horrible crime of trying to outrun a hurricane? The guy tried to kill himself, he needs help.

Chris--

I think your heart is in the right place and I admire you for that. However, I take a dim view of those with self-inflicted injuries that expect sympathy in the aftermath. I do not refer to the original event but the subsequent behavior. Never-the-less, if you can get the City to give you a stand-still agreement; and, if you can determine that repairs can be made, my wife and I will chip in $25.00 USD for your effort. Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to find 998 other folks willing to make a similar commitment; and, to verifiably convince the original owner to seek counseling and treatment from the VA which he is surely entitled to at no cost if he is truly retired military. Let me know.

FWIW...