It is with increasing distress and alarm that I watch the reports on happenings in New Orleans.
We are no farther than a sliver away from complete chaos. Yet I find it highly ironic that America prides itself on being a civilized nation. Watching the news of violence in nations from afar, many just cluck their tongues and say "That's too bad." And now it is happening to us. We are no better.
Perhaps what sickens me the most beyond death and hunger and looting are the incidences of rape. RAPE?! What the hell does violating another human being (and I'm going out on a limb here and guessing that most of them are women) have to do with YOUR SURVIVAL? I feel like we are living trapped inside William Golding's head. There is no excuse for that. None. At. ALL.
I read a quote that an official of New Orleans expected this crisis to bring out the best in people.
I realize that desperation brings out the worst in people, and that although there was a warning, some people simply didn't have the financial means to leave.
I understand that people are scared and hungry and tired and want to survive.
What I do not understand is the senseless violence. The beatings. The rapes. The shootings.
I hope that the leadership of our country has enough balls (and yes George W., I am talking to you) to make sure that everything is done to remedy the situation quickly. Aerial tours are fine and well, but let's do something else, too, shall we? I also hope that those who are wreaking havoc are dealt with accordingly. And by accordingly, I mean swiftly and harshly.
People are complaining that no one is coming to help the US in our time of trouble. With all the violence happening to those who are trying to help and survive, would you?
It's really horrible and sad. Last night Nick and I were trying to imagine the horrors of losing our loved ones, our belongings, our jobs, etc. and trying to imagine how desperate these people must be to steal... we tried to put ourselves in their place and imagine what we would do to survive but NOT.ONCE. did we ever say "If that happened to us, I would totally go rape my neighbor or pull out my sniper rifle and try to shoot down a military helicopter." We sent money to the Red Cross because those people need it way more than we do and we realize that not everyone is looting, raping or killing... but for fuck's sake, if people are that stupid to do shit like that while they are in serious need of the world's help, it's going to be really hard to convince people to send supplies or money. I just want to scream at the TV, "THIS IS NOT MAD MAX 4!!!!!!!!" *sigh*
From top to bottom this entire operation has been a complete cluster fuck. Considering that we knew NOLA was going to take a direct hit for the two days leading up to landfall, I would have thought that some of the precautions that were taken for Florida last year would have been done for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Like, oh... I don't know... going ahead and putting hospital ships, engineers, and reservists en route (as opposed to waiting until 3 days afterwards). Or maybe having supplies waiting in the northern part of the states ready to start moving south. Or how about going ahead and calling up National Guardsman considering it takes about 24 hours to get a full muster. I just shake my head over and over... on one side we have politicians slapping each other's asses at how good a job they are doing and then you have a picture of a dead body sitting by the NO Convention Center. Unreal.
I won't comment on the whole New Orleans thing, because the whole situation makes me angry- mostly at the media.
Anyway.
I really wanted to say that I love the new site design!!
I am so, so angry. I was happy that the mayor finally started yelling yesterday. and I think the media is actually doing a good job of criticizing the lack of government action. can the president not get out of his helicopter and actually SEE what it's like? isn't that his JOB?
I think you guys ought to lighten up. Take a peek at Instapundit, where a guy who runs a fleet of tanker trucks is detailing the problems involved in getting to the area. The infrastructure is GONE.
How long did it take to get three divisions of troops to Iraq? They had a few days to plan that and it still took months.
The level of Monday morning quarterbacking is disgusting. Want to help? Give some money.
The Marines have a cliche for everything: Lead, follow, or get out of the way.