Okay, since it seems that a lot of nonpolitical threads get hijacked for people wishing to make a political statement, I've decided to start one up for that express purpose.
First off, I want to express my condolences, prayer, and thoughts to all of those affected by Katrina. This is an unparalleled disaster for anyone to endure, and these people need the unequivocal support of the rest of the country to get back on their feet again. That said, there are a few things that have been occuring in the aftermath that really bother me and I want to discuss them with anyone willing.
The first is the looting, lawlessness, and general mayhem that took place after the flooding. I understand that tragedies tend to bring out the best and the worst in people, but seeing what was happening in NO just absolutely sickens me. I don't care what race you are, I don't care how poor you are, the United States is supposed to be a civilized country and its citizens should act according to our laws. There is NO justification for looting people's TVs or other luxury items. Food, water, and medically necessary drugs I can understand, but taking someone else's things when they were forced to leave is unexcusable. It is NOT an acceptable way to protest against the government; it is NOT an acceptable way to protest against your perceived place in society, and it is NOT an acceptable way to improve your life...it is THEFT, plain and simple. I have read so many articles by various community "leaders" who have tried to justify what happened and say those enforcing the law are "kicking" the downtrodden; no, they are just enforcing the law. That being said, I fully support the fact that NO police and National Guard personnel did not deal with the looting at first while they focused instead on search and rescue. I value life more highly than any physical thing and I would gladly trade the security of my physical possessions for a chance to save a life, and I hope that most feel the same way.
Almost as disgusting to me is the rapidity with which this disaster was politicized and used as a platform to launch hate-filled attacks. I am not going to defend or attack the government for its response to this tragedy because this is not the time for that. What I will fight against is the fact that people are wasting energy pointing blame while people in NO are still dying. Not only is the criticism ill-timed, much of it is just plain looney hate-mongering that has no place here. Saying that Bush, or the Republicans, or any other person or group is responsibe for this natural disaster is to me no different than the Third Reich telling all of Germany that the Jews were responsible for their hardships. The government is doing its job, it is trying to save people and help them, and although it may not be *OUR* image of perfection it is doing more than most of us could hope to do and we should support it and help. There will be plenty of time to figure out what went wrong and fix the problems after the emergency is over. After all, if I have a heart attack, do I want the doctor performing surgery on me being yelled at that he isn't working fast enough or that he should have advised me not to drink so much or smoke so much, etc. before the attack? No, I'd just want him to do his job.
Finally, I have to say that I am pretty disgusted that so many people are or were unwilling to help themselves in this tragedy. I mean, people were notified well in advance that this hurricane was going to hit NO. There was a "mandatory" evacuation ordered. To me, this means, "Leave NOW!" Why did so many people refuse to leave? I understand a small portion may have been physically unable due to age or medical condition, and it should have been these people being picked off of roofs or porches. Instead, many able-bodied homeowners had to be rescued instead of those who truly had no way. You can argue that the poor could not afford to leave, and that may be true of the homeless, but not the majority of those who stayed in their homes for whatever reason. Come on, if you live in a flood zone, anyone with a brain should have their OWN contingency plan in place. Skip a pack of cigs once a week and save up some money for a bus ride or a plane ticket or even an extra tank of gas. Give up that case of beer or dimebag once in a while. I'm not trying to say that all of those left in NO are smokers, drunks, or drug users, but I am trying to say that even the lowest people in our society often have something they can trade off for their own peace of mind and safety. I mean, I want my government to fight wars on my behalf. I want them to keep me safe from terrorists so I can take my wife and daughter to the movies without worrying that someone with a suit by Semtex will ruin the party. I want them to help build roads and do all of the things that I cannot do myself. But do I trust them to do things for me that I can do myself? Absolutely not. These people waiting for the government to pick them up in a bus when they can just as easily walk out of NO is one of the most ridiculous sights I ever saw.
In conclusion, I just want to say that for all of the horror and despair that this tragedy has brought, I firmly believe that there is hope. What things do the attack on Pearl Harbor, the attack of 9/11, and this disaster have in common? In each we were taken by surprise and confronted with a situation for which we were not prepared. And although after each there was plenty of blame to be passed around and plenty of things to be fixed, eventually we picked our a$$es off the ground, dusted ourselves off, and in the end became stronger.
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2005 G35 Sedan 5AT, DG/DG, premium, sport pkg
Raven, I would like to personally thank you for saving me the time to write what I have been thinking . You covered a lot of territory and nailed most of the points. I'm kind of busy now, but will elaborate later...
What things do the attack on Pearl Harbor, the attack of 9/11, and this disaster have in common? In each we were taken by surprise and confronted with a situation for which we were not prepared.
Therein you find argument. Many take exception and say this was not a surprise... rather, that it was totally expected. Unfortunately, those doomsayers convinced this very disaster scenario was baked in stone were unable to put a definitive date on it for the benefit of those less enlightened. Shame on them.
What things do the attack on Pearl Harbor, the attack of 9/11, and this disaster have in common? In each we were taken by surprise and confronted with a situation for which we were not prepared.
Therein you find argument. Many take exception and say this was not a surprise... rather, that it was totally expected. Unfortunately, those doomsayers convinced this very disaster scenario was baked in stone were unable to put a definitive date on it for the benefit of those less enlightened. Shame on them.
Agreed. Some may say that it was totally expected, but totally expected in what way? In the same way as a major earthquake is "expected" to hit California or Mount Rainier in Washington will erupt? You can prepare as much for a natural disaster as you want but in the end it will still come as a heavy blow,there will still be damage and loss of life, and someone will find something that could have been done better. Every day there are tradeoffs made for or against preparations for disasters that have greater or lesser chances of occurring. Sometimes the wrong tradeoff was made. We never hear about the times that we made the right decision because then it isn't a tragedy and not worth the media's or anyone else's time.
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2005 G35 Sedan 5AT, DG/DG, premium, sport pkg
it seems like everyone is criticizing the government for their "delated" response to the situation...
but at least the situation is being dealt with.
interesting story that came out on the news in central america:
in one of the poor neighborhoods in the city of managua, nicaragua, there was a riot that was escalading and getting out of proportion. many gangs had met in a specific spot in order to settle many of their differences. this brought great concern to those whom lived near by to the place where the gangs were to meet. a concerned woman called in the authorities to let them know that the neighborhood was in grave danger. in response, the police officer informed her "sorry lady, but we dont have enough gas to make it out there"
some task force huh? but its the reality in many other countries. i think everyone should think twice before making such negative comments about the way things are being handled here. at least they're being handled!
it seems like everyone is criticizing the government for their "delated" response to the situation...
but at least the situation is being dealt with.
interesting story that came out on the news in central america:
in one of the poor neighborhoods in the city of managua, nicaragua, there was a riot that was escalading and getting out of proportion. many gangs had met in a specific spot in order to settle many of their differences. this brought great concern to those whom lived near by to the place where the gangs were to meet. a concerned woman called in the authorities to let them know that the neighborhood was in grave danger. in response, the police officer informed her "sorry lady, but we dont have enough gas to make it out there"
some task force huh? but its the reality in many other countries. i think everyone should think twice before making such negative comments about the way things are being handled here. at least they're being handled!
nothing against you Smoke, don't take it personal... but i HATE when people say shit like this. don't compare us to them. don't use that as an excuse. we live in AMERICA. we had the ability to be down there the first day and helping them right away.
we can't hide behind excuses like "well over there it's like this"
FUCK THAT. we are here.
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2008 G37 6MT|PlatGraph| Nav | TEIN H Tech
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I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power. I am very jealous for the rights and liberties of my country; the least encroachment on those invaluable privileges makes my blood boil. Benjamin Franklin
Here's my problem with the administration on this.
FEMA director Mike Brown was appointed by Bush as head of FEMA even though he had no federal emergency experience.
If Bush were to fire FEMA director Mike Brown the agency would be run by the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff. (See the FEMA organizational chart).
The Chief of Staff is a guy named Patrick Rhode. He planned events for President Bush’s campaign. Rhode has no emergency management experience whatsoever.
The Deputy Chief of Staff is Scott Morris. He was a press flak for Bush’s presidential campaign. Previously, he worked for the company that produced Bush’s campaign commercials. He also has no emergency management experience.
I realize that this goes on all of the time in politics. But you have to draw the line when it's a position that could potentially cost lots of people their lives.
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I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power. I am very jealous for the rights and liberties of my country; the least encroachment on those invaluable privileges makes my blood boil. Benjamin Franklin
it seems like everyone is criticizing the government for their "delated" response to the situation...
but at least the situation is being dealt with.
interesting story that came out on the news in central america:
in one of the poor neighborhoods in the city of managua, nicaragua, there was a riot that was escalading and getting out of proportion. many gangs had met in a specific spot in order to settle many of their differences. this brought great concern to those whom lived near by to the place where the gangs were to meet. a concerned woman called in the authorities to let them know that the neighborhood was in grave danger. in response, the police officer informed her "sorry lady, but we dont have enough gas to make it out there"
some task force huh? but its the reality in many other countries. i think everyone should think twice before making such negative comments about the way things are being handled here. at least they're being handled!
nothing against you Smoke, don't take it personal... but i HATE when people say shit like this. don't compare us to them. don't use that as an excuse. we live in AMERICA. we had the ability to be down there the first day and helping them right away.
we can't hide behind excuses like "well over there it's like this"
FUCK THAT. we are here.
dont worry, im also an advocate for no excuses. which is why laziness and mediocracy usually bothers me so much. BUT, i must admit that looking upon these situations, and having lived them myself, i feel that it has taught me to be more comprehensive.
My concern with this report is the lack of information on the steps the local government took before and after the hurricane. Why is the focus on the Federal Government when it's clearly the responsibility of the local (Mayor) and state (Governer) to establish and implement emergency plans before the arrival of a hurricane. I am talking years in advance.
Have these same officials implemented a tidal wave emergency response plan?
In general I think the elected officials of Hawaii are bozos, but the persons in NO are of a whole different category. Lay the blame at their feet before dishing it out to the Fed because this starts at the local level.
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Now I'm just laid bad - G35Princess
R.I.P. MBC
What bothers me is that we think it is the government's job to help us. We should take care of ourselves first. People say the poor had no way to leave before the storm hit, that is no excuse. Carjack someone, hitchhike, steal a school bus and take 48 other people with you. Hell, just put your feet on the ground and walk.
And when people come to help you don't shoot at them, that is not a good way to make friends.
Notice how the media show mostly black people, what about the white folks? You know where they are, they left the city early or are decaying in the attics of the homes. Them along with a bunch of other people, blacks, Creoles, Cajuns and others.
Wait until the real death count comes out, my leads are saying it will be between 9,000 and 12,500 people. My guess is 11,284 people.
I wish them all the best, a tough life ahead for many of them.
What bothers me is that we think it is the government's job to help us.
they better fucking help. they tell us what we can and cannot do. tax us and waste the money. tell us how fast we can drive and penalize us for it.
they better f'ing help when we need it. bastards.
(sorry, i'm sour)
Shave the stubble, you will feel better.
Government assistance yes, but we still need to think for ourselves. If my property was located under water elevation and there was a hurricane a brewing I certainly would've gotten the hell out of Dodge. Unfortunately many people put too much emphasis on material possessions and are now dying because of it. Unfortunate but true.
Even the State government told everyone to get the hell out. Why are we now complaining that these people failed to respond? We need to take more responsibility for our actions (or lack of action).
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Now I'm just laid bad - G35Princess
R.I.P. MBC
What bothers me is that we think it is the government's job to help us.
they better fucking help. they tell us what we can and cannot do. tax us and waste the money. tell us how fast we can drive and penalize us for it.
they better f'ing help when we need it. bastards.
(sorry, i'm sour)
That is the problem with the government. They try to make us become its slaves, feeding its' coffers with our tax dollars. The more they make us depend on them the stronger they get.
I really believe that the democrats and the republicans are they same people. They make pick a side so we get blinded as to what is really going on. In the end, they take our money and feed the machine with it.
Stirring up the pot again...
. You covered a lot of territory and nailed most of the points. I'm kind of busy now, but will elaborate later...
