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Strat, I agree that people need help now.
But, I don't think we can wait too long to call some kind of investigation to see what happened and why we learned nothing from Hurricane Andrew -- where the same thing happened -- and September 11th. Katrina has now shown the world how vulnerable we can be, and I personally don't want the terrorists realizing this is a great time to come in for attack. If they are smart, this would be the exact time to do it. I think it should be an independent commission so it doesn't take away from any government official that needs to be focused on this. I think we can do both if we stop fucking around and working on party lines. I know, I'm being an idealist and pretending our government is made up of grown ups. In the meantime, the real grown ups are down there in the muck helping people out. Brotherly love indeed.
posted by
Temple
on September 8, 2005 at 5:03 PM
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word.smith
Yes, it is touching by those that help. We all should help here in the states how we can. My special cause is animals and I've been working very hard from California to advocate to keep the rescue going, to recruit volunteers, to keep Mayor Ray Nagin from keeping them out of New Orleans while he does his mandatory evactuation. I can't go out there, so being involved with my volunteer organizations with people I know and keeping the story in the press, as well as getting new people involved or whatever else comes up, makes me feel better. Not so helpless. I'd be in a boat rescuing if I could in a second, but finances just won't allow. Even better when I hear the results of some of my efforts in a chain reaction has done something good. :)
posted by
Temple
on September 8, 2005 at 4:49 PM
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Libby, I know this has been very sad for you.
I can't imagine if this was happening to my beloved San Diego. I'm glad you can go and help because that always helps me feel better, to be active down in it. I'm glad everyone you love is safe.
posted by
Temple
on September 8, 2005 at 4:45 PM
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Jimmy, I left you a comment in your blog...
how'd it go with the stickers?
posted by
Temple
on September 8, 2005 at 4:42 PM
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Smartdog, New Orleans is about that 9 feet is what I heard...
In any case, it was no surprise. They had plenty of time to prepare ahead of time. It will be all brought to light, but it will be years and years before anything is settled. We still haven't had anyone take accountability for September 11th and I doubt we will. Nor did we learn what we should have. That's what upsets me the most, our ability to make the changes we should from these situations. We have to take care of ourselves here, that's it. Now they are just giving all the evacuees cash debit cards, huge mistake. Some cash is good, but by the time they find an apartment, they won't have time for what they need to set up house. After the earthquake, I had specific vochers for certain stores and it kept the federal budget down as well as kept me from spending on things I didn't really need. I only hope those debit cards are restricted in some way.
posted by
Temple
on September 8, 2005 at 4:42 PM
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Rachel
It is so very frustrating when you can't do what you wnat to do to help. I just think we all have to do what we can and let that be enough, and then limit our exposure. We're no good to ourselves or those we love if we fall apart, much less to anyone we want to help in this situation. The kindness of strangers is always what saves the day in this type of situation. It's so hard, but it makes me so much more gratful for what little I do have.
posted by
Temple
on September 8, 2005 at 4:36 PM
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I'm disheartened by the incredible stupidity
shown at all levels. But the fact is,the time for laying blame is about ten years from now -- there are people suffering, they need help, and that's that. That's the bottom line.
There are also a lot of cockroaches that need exterminating, but that's another rant for another day.
We can all just be thankful that generosity and brotherly spirit still exists and is manifesting itself, in spite of everything the powers that be have been doing.
posted by
strat
on September 5, 2005 at 8:21 PM
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I'm encouraged by the generosity of those who try to help.
posted by
word.smith
on September 5, 2005 at 11:12 AM
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As you well know, I am just beside myself over all this....By late Monday, people thought New Orleans had somewhat "dodged a bullet" since it took a turn east. The levees broke Tuesday morning. Something should have been in motion and help arriving by late Tuesday, early Wednesday at the latest. My heart just breaks for the victims...Oh, and to be fair they weren't just being heartless and turning people away in Houston. The Astrodome was filled to capacity very early on as that was the first place to which people were evacuated. There are thousands here in Dallas, and both Reunion Arena and the Convention Center are full now. The only positive side is that there have been many stories like the one you told. People here have been generous in a way that I'm not sure that I've seen before. My friend Kathi and I are going down to Reunion tomorrow to see if there's anything we can do. It's a really good thing that two large cities that are a reasonable distance from N.O. (Houston and Dallas) had such large buildings that are basically unused...My next door neighbor's brother and his girlfriend are still here. It's bound to be getting cramped with 4 people and a dog in a 1-bedroom, but I'm sure the're grateful to have a place to stay.
posted by
Holy_Grail
on September 3, 2005 at 5:51 PM
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Had Sociology Club Officers meeting today at lunch...
We will be collecting money for Katrina Victims as our first activity...I'm going to design and print up stickers that students and others will get for a $1.00 donation, then we will pedal them at the first big event of the year on the quad...hopefully we can raise a bunch of money - for students anyhow...
posted by
jimmy68
on September 3, 2005 at 3:19 PM
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Temp
I agree. There is an arrogance and complacency still festering in this country on all levels, and that is disturbing. In my opinion, if you see a Cat 5 hurricane a hundred miles from a city that is, on average (I believe) 12 ft under sea level, you don't wait and see what happens - you move everyone into place to deal with the inevitable.
And by the way - it's not so much positivism as pragmatism :). At least that's the way I like to think of it.
-smartdog
posted by
smartdog_670
on September 3, 2005 at 3:16 PM
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Reni, yes, that is true.
Every little bit adds up, and these people will eventually be taken care of. But these proportions are so substantial and the government so inept, I don't think we will know the full scale for weeks.
posted by
Temple
on September 3, 2005 at 3:06 PM
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It's tough...
I've had to turn the television off because I can sit entranced, watching the images like some sort of awful train wreck, you know the kind, where you just can't look away. It hurts, and I'm desperate to help. Yet, I don't have the millions of dollars I would like to be able to give. I've done small things--donated clothes and such--I just wish I could do more.
The city I live in is full of these people, virtually homeless except for a pile of debris where their house once stood. It's awful, truly awful. Yet, there is only so much room. Yep, thank God for good people...
posted by
RachelAnna
on September 3, 2005 at 3:05 PM
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smartdog
I know the feeling of wanting to go help, but it wouldn't matter if you went down there...chances are no one would let you in. You have to have a police escort to get to most places now. I'm glad you saw the good in the story, and their is good their. But what I'm feeling is an utter contempt and lack of faith for these people that are supposed to protect us. We had September 11th all those many years ago. Wasn't that enough time for them to get their shit together? Some of this now is what they would do in a terrorist attack (tent cities, medical facilities, etc.) but we just don't seem to absorb that we ARE NOT all powerful and we are vulnerable and we must stop fucking around and start taking care of this country. American refugees? There should have never been such a phrase uttered in my lifetime. I love your optimism, and I know their are happy stories, but my problem is with a government that took NO substantial action for five days. It's foul and pathetic, and until we get our own house in order, we need to stop trotting around the globe telling others what to do.
posted by
Temple
on September 3, 2005 at 3:04 PM
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It seems incredible from this side of the word, too, Cass...
There's no way it was handled correctly and even now 8-10 people are dying each day, just in connection with those in New Orleans (according to CNN and those managing the facilities just outside of New Orleans). People STILL are trapped in their homes in New Orleans and are being told not to leave. The Red Cross is being told not to go in because everyone has to leave the city. Somewhere, we need to get our shit together, and I can't take thinking how many people are dying because of the lack of communcation and leadership between agencies. We had it all organized and together for the tsunami, like clock work. What's that all about?
posted by
Temple
on September 3, 2005 at 2:58 PM
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We just have to do our own little part. Eventually, it adds up.
posted by
Renigade
on September 3, 2005 at 7:14 AM
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Hi Temp
I feel your frustration, and wish I could do more. I even asked a couple of people at work if they wanted to drive down and help out. But no go.
I do believe however, that the story you told shows more the strength and generocity of our fellow citizens, then it does the ineptitude of our government.
People here in Chicago are also donating their homes and apartments for refugees. Many organizations are trucking down supplies as well. I hope that in the end, together we will come to realize that we as citizens can do a lot more to help and make a difference than the government would have us believe. They always want us to believe that they've got things under control - well, obviously not I guess.
There are, unfortunately, hundreds, if not thousands of stories like the one you just told. But there are also hundreds and thousands of happy (relatively) endings as well.
-smartdog
posted by
smartdog_670
on September 3, 2005 at 7:11 AM
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From this side of the world it seems incredible that the whole thing could happen and even more incredible that help has been so slow to arrive. I feel for the people who are suffering.
posted by
Ca88andra
on September 3, 2005 at 3:25 AM
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