Katrina Aftermath
For all the victims of Katrina (and in many ways all Americans have become her victims), I am very sorry. I want to rescue you and help in the massive clean up. I want to comfort and care for you. But your survival does not depend on your economic level, age or skin color as the Congressional Black Caucus implied today. It depends primarily on your own behavior.
If you want help you must not threaten or harm the people who wish to assist you (with water, food, bedding or transportation). Carrying weapons , looting, becoming a "mob" does not encourage such help. Of course the lawless, looters and thugs that remain in the city of New Orleans may be the minority but their behavior impacts everyone.
The widespread destruction has created desperate people in desperate circumstances. I understand this.
So what did people expect when a Class V Hurricane was predicted to hit the area and EVERYONE was advised to evacuate?
Informed, thoughtful, caring people realize that not even the mighty U.S. Government can save us from the terror and destruction of a hurricane (especially if we do not heed their warnings and evacuation requests).
For others and those who have never been accountable and have always relied on the government (or someone else) for support and subsistence, I can appreciate their disappointment and anger.
As devastating as the destruction was , it was NOT UNEXPECTED. Scholars and scientists have been predicting such disaster for years. New Orleans has only survived thus long by a system of levies and canals. It has been literally sinking for years. See New Orleans geography .
I like to believe in every crisis and for all the hardships, there is always something to be gained, an opportunity, an insight, something worthwhile. I don't believe Katrina's considerable damage is any exception. I want to help people recover even if that requires starting
over. I want to enable them to pursue and achieve their dreams and I want all of us to learn and benefit from the experience.
This will be a long arduous process requiring difficult decisions in increasingly difficult times. Sadly, the leadership in New Orleans and Louisiana has had difficulty demonstrating the integrity, competency or honesty that may be necessary in rebuilding a city and securing its future. You can read about this in Cities and Crime and here for further information.
Some people have never been accountable and never will be. They will always seek blame outside themselves and continually consider themselves as victims. Maybe the destruction caused by Katrina will change New Orleans perception of itself as victims (and victimizers) held hostage by greedy, corrupt, and selfish politicians. Perhaps after all the pain and extensive suffering, we will ALL recover, and be even better than before like the Phoenix that rises from the ashes.
If you want help you must not threaten or harm the people who wish to assist you (with water, food, bedding or transportation). Carrying weapons , looting, becoming a "mob" does not encourage such help. Of course the lawless, looters and thugs that remain in the city of New Orleans may be the minority but their behavior impacts everyone.
The widespread destruction has created desperate people in desperate circumstances. I understand this.
So what did people expect when a Class V Hurricane was predicted to hit the area and EVERYONE was advised to evacuate?
Informed, thoughtful, caring people realize that not even the mighty U.S. Government can save us from the terror and destruction of a hurricane (especially if we do not heed their warnings and evacuation requests).
For others and those who have never been accountable and have always relied on the government (or someone else) for support and subsistence, I can appreciate their disappointment and anger.
As devastating as the destruction was , it was NOT UNEXPECTED. Scholars and scientists have been predicting such disaster for years. New Orleans has only survived thus long by a system of levies and canals. It has been literally sinking for years. See New Orleans geography .
I like to believe in every crisis and for all the hardships, there is always something to be gained, an opportunity, an insight, something worthwhile. I don't believe Katrina's considerable damage is any exception. I want to help people recover even if that requires starting
over. I want to enable them to pursue and achieve their dreams and I want all of us to learn and benefit from the experience.
This will be a long arduous process requiring difficult decisions in increasingly difficult times. Sadly, the leadership in New Orleans and Louisiana has had difficulty demonstrating the integrity, competency or honesty that may be necessary in rebuilding a city and securing its future. You can read about this in Cities and Crime and here for further information.
Some people have never been accountable and never will be. They will always seek blame outside themselves and continually consider themselves as victims. Maybe the destruction caused by Katrina will change New Orleans perception of itself as victims (and victimizers) held hostage by greedy, corrupt, and selfish politicians. Perhaps after all the pain and extensive suffering, we will ALL recover, and be even better than before like the Phoenix that rises from the ashes.
posted by ljmcinnis at 9:29 AM
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