Hurricane Katrina - Part II

For the last several days we have all been witnessing the destruction of one of America's finest cities. The city of New Orleans is slowly and surely disappearing, but already hundreds of thousands of people are committed to rebuilding the once great city, the still great city. Other cities in Mississippi and Alabama have also been impacted. Hurricane Katrina has left in her wake hundreds of thousands without shelter, without food, without clothes, without running water, without medicine, and without other basic supplies and essentials. As I watch news reports I can't help but feel pain, because people are suffering through no fault of their own. While many are disappointed that aid is coming in so slowly and so sporadically, we must all hold onto the hope that people will get what they need.

This disaster has led to a few observations on my part:

1) Disaster Planning isn't at all comprehensive- In the wake of 9-11, the glaring intelligence failures, and other threats to homeland security, greater attention should be paid to other potential naturally occurring disasters. We (the US) did conduct studies, which said that New Orleans was at risk, that it would devastate the city if a high level hurricane hit. We are now all seeing just how right researchers proved to be. This was #3 on the list of worst things that could happen in this country that was non-terror related. The #1 threat being a nuclear weapon being unleashed and #2 threat being a powerful earthquake striking California.

2) Race and Class still matter- While many try to say that race and class should be forgotten concepts, think again. Race and class have undoubtedly impacted those living during these times, and are factors which are impacting those in the disaster zone. What you look like and what you have do matter? While everyone impacted by the storm black, white, yellow, brown, or blue will suffer, those most impacted are members of underrepresented backgrounds AKA minorities. Other groups who are suffering disproportionately are the very young, the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor.

3) Leadership- The leaders of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi are all having to deal with disaster situations, but when you run for public office, when you take a position of responsibility you agree to place the needs of others before yourself. It's personally upsetting to every five minutes see another politician on TV asking for patience and understanding for an inadequate response to a disaster. I would submit that those leaders need to be marshaling the resources needed to save hundreds, no thousands of people, and their first priority should be the safety and well-being of those in the hardest hit regions. While the public needs information we need the politicians to get away from the cameras and be more concerned with deeds than words.
We must all donate if at all possible, but most importantly pray for those who are suffering due to Hurricane Katrina.

-CNEL$