Comments on: Look, Mommy! Raw Sewage and Rabid Vermin!

Look, Mommy! Raw Sewage and Rabid Vermin!

grabbingsand — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 06:42:53 -0800

"Visitors can imagine children sleeping in shacks infested with scorpions or snakes."

Come on down to scenic Americus, Georgia, and take in an eyeful of filth and despair! I've always been a big supporter of Habitat for Humanity, but is a poverty theme park really a good idea?

By: blue_beetle

blue_beetle — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 06:52:01 -0800

It's like Kamp Krusty only better!

By: mikrophon

mikrophon — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 07:29:12 -0800

Experience the new 6-acre educational center at Habitat's headquarters in Americus, Georgia. See life-size Habitat houses from countries around the world. Learn about the devastating effects of poverty and the inspiring work of Habitat volunteers and partner families everywhere. Try your hand at making compressed-earth blocks or roof tile. Feast your eyes on delightful squalor!

By: magullo

magullo — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 07:49:18 -0800

Poverty, the new infotainment source! Why travel to foreign third world shitholes when you can get a ~~fake~~ American version right here in the homeland? And while you snack on the park's delicious fast-food, please take a minute to remember that the US is possibly the only country in the world where poor people tend to be fatter that rich people. Isn't life glorious!

By: crunchburger

crunchburger — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 08:13:33 -0800

I honestly think this is a good idea.

By: troutfishing

troutfishing — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 08:20:32 -0800

I might agree. I'll have to think about it a bit. Meanwhile, how about a travelling "Slum Circus" ? [ coming soon to a city near you....oops. Damn. It's already there. No, actually I meant a "slum circus" with a circus tent and elephants, tigers, clown and so on. But with a "poverty and squalor theme". ]

By: kaibutsu

kaibutsu — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 12:21:56 -0800

If it helps the Habitat raise more money than it put into building the thing, then it is good. 'Habitat' does a good thing, all around the world. I hope this does well as a reminder that not everyone can go to see the big happy mouse on their days off.

By: crunchburger

crunchburger — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 13:34:16 -0800

You know what would really be great? A 'Nickel and Dimed' themed reality show. A volunteer family (prosperous, think poor people are lazy and just want handouts) would be set up in a trailer court and have to support themselves with nothing but what they can make from low-paying service jobs. It's such an obvious idea that I'm sure I'm not the first person to come up with it.

By: stbalbach

stbalbach — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 16:39:43 -0800

I really question H4H's use of money. I've never given to them and just received a package in the mail that probably cost at least $5 to send. 8x11 with glossy calander, kids sticker sheet, etc.. it screams "waste of funds". They must be loaded to be spending all this money on fund raising efforts that IMO could be much more efficiently done. %90 or more of the money they raise should go to helping others.

By: fuzz

fuzz — Tue, 03 Jun 2003 18:24:31 -0800

This reminds me entirely too much of the world of George Saunders' books, except he was writing it as Swiftian satire. I can't believe it came true so quickly.

By: russh

russh — Wed, 04 Jun 2003 15:52:44 -0800

FWIW, Americus is right next to Plains, GA... Home of President Carter. I'm sure there are numerous Carter-themed museums, etc in the area. Carter is, for many, the "face" of Habitat for Humanity. So there is some measure of context to the location of the information center (not "theme park".)