This article is interesting in that it shows exactly the situation I encountered last night. That is, no one knew what was going on.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...n.2e938cf.html
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anyway, so it's 1am and I ask one of the head guys if more buses are coming to the convention center or not (we had heard various things). The guys say he didn't know. Me, "isn't that something that would be good to know?" "yes."
Not even the frickin' mayor knew. I think that convention center probably has 4 or 5 thousand people in it. It's basically a covered air-condiitioned parking garage. There are even parking paint lines on the concrete floor. There is one men's bathroom and one women's bathroom. Guys were buck naked "showering" at the 4 sinks.
But all in all, it was very orderly, vary calm, tons of police. Just the mass humanity of it is kind of overwhelming. When I was leaving, driving home, the emotions of it all kind of hit me--a tear or two. These people have desperately suffered. But most of them have their heads up. The human spirit, even among the weakest and poorest, is strong and resilient.
I'll be going back tomorrow evening.
I'll report more about yesterday if I have some more time (and inclination).