Ike evacuees receiving shelter in the capital city are alive but getting a bum deal. While loads of shelters across the state are providing hygiene kits, pancakes, Internet access, et cetera, The Austin American-Statesman reports that Austin's disaster relief crew "could have requested thousands of cots, blankets, bottles of water and ready-to-eat meals through the State Operations Center," but just didn't see the point.

Apparently officials with Austin's Office of Emergency Management didn't want to waste taxpayer dollars on anything but the bare necessities for fellow Texans who, well, let's face it -- have lost a lot these past few days.

Speaking on behalf of the office, Sara Hartley told the paper, "We do not ask for resources from the state unless we were in dire straits." I guess I wasn't aware of the multiple ways to define "dire straits" in times of grave natural disasters.

According to Central Texas' disaster response plan, shelters should be focused on one thing alone: keeping people alive. That's all good and well, but should blankets, pillows and towels be considered "comfort care"?

If you're an evacuee in Austin looking for care with a human-touch, check out the nearby Delco shelter, where you'll be treated to catered meals, a play area for your kids, and a little R&R in front of a TV.