I've avoided posting on this topic since it started. Not because I think it doesn't warrant attention, but because I have, as yet, to wrap my arms around it. It just doesn't seem real. You know?
I watched a broadcast last night in which they showed a man who had lost EVERYTHING. Everything. The only thing he had left was his dog. When the bus came to pick him up, he couldn't bring his dog along. The video showed the dog chasing after the bus. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried. Hard.
Don't get me wrong. I completely understand and agree with the decision. The rationalization is sound. People come first. I'm simplifying it, of course, but I really don't think that I need to go into much more detail than that.
(to read more, click on the extended entry)
It's disturbing to me how people are so quick to jump on Bush and his administration and place the blame on slow recovery efforts. Has anyone actually sat back and took a look at the enormity of the situation? I know I only see the outside of the picture, but how can you fix a problem with that magnitude in a minute amount of time?
I was listening to an interview this morning on the way to work. The reporter asked how come the rescue efforts were taking so long. The reply was that they had to search house by house, to make sure that everyone (dead or alive) was found.
He was then asked why they hadn't started collecting (for lack of a better term I'm sure) all of the dead bodies. The response was that "there are still people who are stranded. What is more important at this point? Alive or dead?" You could tell the man being interviewed was somewhat irritated. If you think about it, he's got to be frustrated as well.
Of course, you have the politicians such as Hillary Clinton who are crying out for an investigation of the Federal Government and the fact that things are not being handled appropriately. And there are those crying that "race" is the reason.
Think about it folks. Who in their right minds would have ever thought that something like this could happen? Who could prepare for this type of eventuality? Remember 9/11? Were we prepared? Remember how it was hard to get through by phone for days to people after that? Um...do you think any phone lines are up in New Orleans? Communication is a key issue in times like these. There are so many people that handle different aspects of the disaster. That takes some time to work out. I imagine it was utter chaos in the beginning.
Look, I'm not saying the situation couldn't have been handled differently. It probably could have. But right now, that's not important. What's important is that we all pull together to help out those folks who really need it. Let's not waste time on fighting about who did or didn't do what. There is time to improve our methods later. We don't have time for unnecessary finger pointing.
Thoughts? Ideas?
Discuss.
Comments
Yeah, I got an idea, and a thoght. I think Hillary's pimpin' for president. I think she'd have been better served in that aspiration to be humble, and supportive, rather then brash and bold.
Hell, I'd vote for Condi, 'fore I'll ever strike a ticket for HIllary.
This ain't the time to start a pissin' contest. Get the liviin' ones left, and their pets, the hell outta there, and then go back and get the dead. At this point, I don't see what in the hell is so hard about tryin' to "prioritize" what to do. Damn.
Posted by: RedNeck at September 7, 2005 07:43 PM
I agree that now is not the time to point fingers. Our fingers -- attached to our hands -- have more important work to do.
Posted by: Robin at September 7, 2005 08:38 PM
Let me tell you I have cried every single night watching this stuff. I don't know who to blame I'm not sure blame is the word anyway. I know this though, If that was a preview to the response to a nuclear attack, we are all in trouble....Now, lets save the people we can and make it better for the victims..
Posted by: Zoots Mom at September 8, 2005 12:47 PM
Amen, right on! Hillary Clinton should just shut her trap, heck if I was in the US I'd tell her to her face.. or I'd say okay YOU go and sort out the problem since your "wonder woman" *rant over*
Im stuck half a world away and all I can do is watch really, seriously all I can do is watch and pray.
Posted by: Gopher at September 9, 2005 01:02 PM
They wouldn't let him take his dog?? After he lost everything, he couldn't take his companion? THAT is a tragedy. As if everything about this situation isn't bad enough as it is. My heart is sickened...really.
When is enough devastation enough???
Posted by: Dana at September 10, 2005 06:51 PM