Ramblings about the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

The Rehnquist five were together in the Bush v. Gore decision, which critics predicted would tarnish the court's hard-won luster. The closing paragraph of a book Rehnquist wrote on the court's history may stand as his answer to criticism.

Rehnquist noted that the court makes "demonstrable errors" from time to time, but he added, "It and the country have survived these mistakes and the court as an institution has steadily grown in authority and prestige." (Yahoo News Article, click link for reference)

Can the United States survive these kinds of mistakes? I question this because I am feeling our economy crashing under the Bush Administration. We have increased our debt by how much? Let's wave that magic wand for another $10 million to go here or there.

I am literally afraid under this administration. We can invest so much time and effort into securing our nation for bioterrorism, but we completely fail those who need us in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We have response teams for bioterrorism that actually work (after the London bombings), but when it comes to a natural disaster, people are still waiting for relief nearly a whole week later. I'm absolutely disgusted. It takes Bush two days to realize the severity of what happened in New Orleans, and it's so sad that he had to go do his job as President of the United States and leave his vacation after only two days in which he flew over LA. He finally gets to LA and MS on Friday. How fast did he respond to the tragedy in NYC by physically being there? What about the tsunami tragedy? I want to know why this is different. I am hopeful though, that after the tours on Friday that things will move faster. You can never give up hope. But for those who have lost a number of family members, and those children who no longer have parents because of our ineffective federal government (and apparently it is only ineffective for this tragedy in America, but we're being effective in Iraq and Afghanistan still...the irony), how can we ever repay them for what they lost?

I am also frustrated with the FEMA director, placing blame on the victims themselves for not leaving. Why not sucking it up and taking some of the blame yourself? Apparently FEMA has a plan for this kind of disaster, but apparently it's never practiced because it's been ineffective. How can somebody under the poverty line afford to evacuate a city? AND, it was not anticipated that a levy was going to break.

Like anything, you do have to tread lightly on what you hear on the news. I know good things are happening in Louisiana and Mississippi and public servants are working many long hours to help as many people as they can. I just ask that they focus on helping people and not worry too much about the looters (unless they are harming somebody). God will punish those looters for their greed.

So what have I been doing? I am part of a national organization called Operation Quiet Comfort (OQC), the link is on the right. Our main goal and mission is to send transition kits, supplies, and quilts to injured men and women in field hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Serbia. An idea to raise some money to help send these needed items, we have been making cooling neckties. After this tragedy, we decided to make cooling ties for free, for all those wonderful people serving down in the gulf, or as many as we can physically make, but this has quickly expanded. This current weekend we are doing a drive with the Young Marines of Monroe County to get many supplies to people who need them including families of the MS National Guard. The drive is going great!!!! We also know first hand from members of this group in Louisiana the devastation that has occurred. Houma, Louisiana, where a few of our members are from, has yet to receive ANY aid in their community and many people have been coming to their centers for relief with nothing being there. Luckily one of our members is getting some mail, so we are trying to support that area as much as we can as well.

Also, the State of Michigan has been activated to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We have not been called to help yet (except for our National Guard who I believe left today), but we are preparing if we have to. As a public servant myself, I feel the need to help, so as soon as I talk to my supervisor, I will volunteer to go if this is the case. It is on my heart, and it is something I can do with my expertise in epidemiology.

As much as I like to put blame on somebody, we just have to unite as a country, step forward and help our brothers and sisters get through this. I think this is why I like supporting the military and hold our military in such high esteem - they are willing to sacrifice everything they have to help those in need, and many are willing to sacrifice everything they have for a fellow comrade in battle. There is never a question or doubt in their mind, it's just what they do. It's how this whole damn country should be like, no matter where we came from or what we look like or what kind of resources we have. Would you be willing to sacrifice what you have for a fellow American? I also want to say I highly respect all servants in this capacity, firefighters and policemen included.

There is one last frustration I do have. There are so many rich people in this country, and I am talking about those who are FILTHY rich, who would spend $100 million on a house, y'know, the professional sports players, movie stars, rock stars etc. Giving $1 million each would not break their accounts, but instead, you have rock stars who are fundraising by giving benefit concerts. I wouldn't mind a benefit concert if they were maybe matching what they raise, but why can't they give on their own? I understand they may be trying to get to those populations that wouldn't ordinarily give...but I just find it odd that they'd do a benefit concert and not give something by themselves as well instead of soliciting for somebody's hard earned paycheck who may be struggling in life themselves. People should give because they want to give, I truly believe this.

Sorry for my many opinions, I usually try to tone it down a little, but it's how I feel. I need to get back to sewing...doing and helping instead of talking...y'know? How 'bout you go do something as well? (For those who are now in Iraq or Afghanistan reading this, you are doing plenty!!!!) Need an idea? I got 20...leave a comment or send an e-mail.