Hurricane Katrina

A member of a mailing list to which I belong asked, " How come we had more talk on what happened in England with the bombings then we have had of Katrina which happend in our own country?"

I can only speak for myself: (and of course, that I'll do)

I'm still in shock over what has happened. It is terrible what happened to your truck driver's family. I'm glad your family is safe.

It is just so huge in so many ways, I can't even get my head around the fallout from Katrina, let alone comment on it. The devastating effects on property, people, families, the US economy, US health...it has been said that due to the neglect New Orleans and the gulf coast have suffered over the past few years (no levee improvements, no flood control, no yada yada), and due to the importance of the Mississippi River to our transportation of goods in the country, our economy may not recover for a very, very long time (meaning many years, not just a few months).

The president dragged his feet on several issues on the gulf coast, both before and after Katrina--but that's not even the main issue. I'm not a blamer, I just wonder how "Fat City" will rebuild--contractors being shot at, people without homes, food, clothing, basic necessities for this long after the hurricane hit, angry, confused, neglected people---it's scary to think how Los Angeles or San Francisco would be affected after a 9.0 earthquake or similar when the National Guard refuses to come in because they're being gunned down.

Our country is in a shameful state. Not just the government. Our people have become sloths--feeling sorry for themselves, not just getting to work and rebuilding for themselves, but yelling in anger that no one is there to take care of them--to rebuild for them--give them a handout.

Do you think our people now could ever survive a major economic depression like they did in the 1930's? Not with the attitude I'm seeing.

Do not read me wrong. I am NOT blaming anyone. I just wonder how we'll get to the real issues and rebuild--get back to the business of life again in the beautiful cities of the gulf coast.

Yes, it's definitely closer to home--and the devastation of the hurricane affected a much bigger demographic and geographic area than the bombings in England or anywhere else. I don't know what to say about that because I'm so angry that any of the destruction of lives could be allowed to happen.

Why didn't people leave like they were told? Why didn't the government react in a more swift fashion to keep the levees strong, keep the gulf cities safe, why were precautions not taken that could have saved hundreds of lives before Katrina hit ground? Why did New Orleans' own mayor say that "God was not pleased?"

It's shameful that the destroyed areas did not have the resources in this country to protect themselves. It's shameful that after the storm hit, the government (meaning our "dear" Mr. Bush) didn't get on the phone, the radio, whatever, and say, "get whatever armed forces, resources we have down there to help right now and help those people get food shelter and basic sanitation needs." The response would have been in hours. Was someone afraid to wake him? Was he golfing?

On the bright side, I believe it is the first time that other countries have come to our aid---Kuwait has given us $500 million in oil and cash. Other countries have opened their banks to us, also. I am amazed that we are finally getting some payback for all the help we have given to other countries. Where is France? Where is Japan-- Italy? -- England? --Germany? We are going to need some major help to get through this, let alone regain economic success.

There. That's what I have been thinking. Is all that really something you wanted to know?