9.14.2005

NO as in New Orleans

There's enough voices out there talking about the horrors of Katrina. You can't go to Yahoo or CNN even today, as recovery efforts are underway (finally) without it dominating the news. People dead, people suffering, people moving out....

I will say I encourage you to donate to the Red Cross. If you haven't already, there's still a huge need.

So I'm gonna vent on the parts of the reaction that piss me off. #1 on my list are the politicians who are using this as a political issue rather than a human issue. My bitch list starts with Jesse Jackson. Let me say that the next time I see him insert himself into the fray and criticize people while he preens on Larry King Live I'm gonna vomit blood.

The man had a moment where he could have been a true American leader. He had a moment when he could have been important, and maybe even historic. Now he's a self-promoting pseudo-religious politician. Stop bitching and self-promoting. Can't you do good without TV screens ONCE?

It also seems to me that everyone is a little too concerned with bitching, and not concerned enough with doing something about it. The time for complaining is after the situation is under control. Not while cops are commiting suicide and people are shooting rescuers.

And another thing. I want to stop hearing athletes and celebrities being interviewed and getting attention for donating. It's what we should expect of them (of everyone). The real heroes are the people who dedicate their lives working for the Red Cross, the average people who give money they might not be able to afford to the releif effort. My co-worker told me today his mother is volunteering for the Red Cross, and is being shipped out to help out. SHE's a hero. Not Brett freaking Favre.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's good that the athletes and celebs help out. But I don't consider it a big deal.

Like I said, I feel for the people of NO. Really, I do. But I keep hearing about rebuilding the place. Hey, here's a thought, how about fixing the PROBLEM first? Huh? Did we really learn nothing? I can't imagine how people feel when their every possesion is wiped out. Their jobs, money, pictures, furniture....I can see how they want to rebuild their homes, their institutions, their movie houses and music halls. I think it's an emotional reaction to regain some control, to get back to normal. But it's insane. The problem in the first place was that making the city safe wasn't sexy enough to get political attention.

If we can't do it right now, when the hell are we going to do it?

Finally, in a deep dark little corner of my brain, I can't get Sam Kinison out of my head. You see, this disaster was predictable. The levees weren't big or strong enough. You live below sea level. If you pay attention, you know the risks of living there when a hurricane hit. Now, if you're poor, maybe you have no choice but to stay.

They couldn't even get out when they knew it was coming. What an awful feeling. Knowing hell is coming, and not being able to save your family. Anyway...The point I'm making is - you knew it was coming, and you did nothing about it.

I knew the risks (and I live in the midwest) while not really paying attention. If you lived down there, you had a responsibility to get the city safe. You didn't. And you still lived there. Your choice. It's like the funnyman said..."if you live in a desert and you're hungry...MOVE TO WHERE THE FOOD IS." Everytime a subdivision in a flood plain gets flooded, you see TV news stories a few months later. "The damn insurance companies won't give us flood insurance." No shit. You live in a flood zone. Deal or move. Don't push your luck with Mother Nature.

Please. Don't talk to me about rebuilding until the city is safe. Please.

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