Thoughts on Hurricane Katrina
First, I want to apologize to my readers for not publishing the Economics of Line-Cutting. The more I worked on it, the more it sounded like a lesson on sociology and economics and the less humorous it became. So for all those who were anticipating that piece of work, I apologize.
Also, I feel that the tragedy unfolding in the Gulf Coast, particularly New Orleans, is worthy of comment. Last year, when the tsunami struck Southeast Asia, leveling whole communities and killing thousands upon thousands, I was saddened, but somehow the events of a thousand miles away failed to truly register. They were places I didn’t understand and couldn’t really conceptualize, and so I went on with my life. However, this disaster, though of a smaller scale, has struck much closer to home. I see the people whose lives have been devastated by this catastrophe and I am reminded of many of the people I knew in Houston, Texas while serving an LDS mission there. The areas that have been destroyed and flooded remind me of some of the neighborhoods I spent time in. This disaster has a touch of reality to me, and I want to extend my sympathies to all those who have lost homes and lives and family in this tragedy. I am truly sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I also want to condemn those individuals who have taken advantage of this disaster as a means to push their personal agendas. Realist that I am, I have a difficult time seeing the merit of second-guessing government actions and finding a scapegoat on which to blame this tragedy. Looking back will not change the future. The most important thing now is to do what we can with what we have. If we have resources that haven’t been mobilized, we must mobilize them. If there are decisions that need to be made, we must make them. This must be our focus, to make sure that this happens. Pointing fingers, calling names, and making threats transforms this tragedy into a tawdry media platform for malcontents to make waves. I would see these individuals dedicating their time and efforts towards rebuilding broken lives instead of pointing fingers. We’ve had enough destruction.
September 4th, 2005 at 3:11 pm
My first reaction when I read about the anarchy and “those individuals who have taken advantage of this disaster as a means to push their personal agendas,” was that things like this don’t happen in America. They happen halfway around the world and we send relief packages and give donations. Amercans just don’t loot and pillage and take advantage of disaster. There goes my idealism. I didn’t realize until about two days ago when I picked up the Daily Universe, of all things, just how bad things had become in the Katrina aftermath. In fact, until my dad told me to buy gas because prices were going to skyrocket, I wasn’t aware of the disaster at all. What a commentary on my own self-involved lifestyle, too busy with school work, football games, and roommate drama to take a minute to find out what’s going on in the world.
September 11th, 2005 at 2:41 am
The after-effects in Houston
This isnt meant to be rude at all, but this is a sad but true example of what’s happening in Houston.. I went to the grocery store for one item..just one.. CILANTRO..that’s it ..Only one lane open so I get in line. I’m there 3 seconds and some crazy lady gets behind me and immediately start talking trash..about me!! Doesnt even know me but this lady was giving me grief because I was in front of her.. I tried to keep quiet, but she kept at it (I had just gotten mugged not even 2-3 days prior).. and this lady had a cart FULL of groceries too.. So I looked back and calmy asked her what her problem was and she went on and snapped screaming like a lunatic how she was a hurricane survivor and I was a selfish b**** for being in front of her..other evacuees that happened to be there joined in and I had like 10 big mean aggressive black guys (big guys) screaming at me, threatening to kill me..-for a spot in line-… Ridiculous! Completely ridiculous.. I got ticked off and threw the money at the cashier, bagged my cilantro and left. Later I found out they had a riot in that dang store …This is the crap that were going to have to deal with until something better happens.. I wanted to show mercy and be a good person because I’m sympathetic to thier loss..But when ppl think they deserve super special treatment to the point where it interferes with day to day things like shopping..it makes me sick.. I thought we were doing the right thing by housing them here..but all we’ve done is destroy Houston just a little more…I almost got myself killed at a grocery store, I got mugged thursday night by 2 big scary guys and just a few hours ago I caught some guys breaking into my car! I’m sorry I’m being jerk but it really sucks down here…This is the stuff the news isnt showing you…
September 11th, 2005 at 11:55 am
Come to Zion… uhh, I mean Utah.
September 11th, 2005 at 8:25 pm
lol….yes Utah
September 12th, 2005 at 2:20 pm
What do you mean ‘lol… yes Utah’? You don’t want to come?
September 12th, 2005 at 4:57 pm
no it’s not that…it’s just that everyone I’ve met the past 2-3 years has told me to move to Utah…lol it’s just kind of bittersweet..But it’d be so nice.. I have a few friends up there…
September 12th, 2005 at 11:03 pm
Well, here I am waiting… ;o) When you change your mind, and leave the Lone Star State, let me know.
September 13th, 2005 at 11:27 am
lol ahh! Your flirting with me on a blogger! Points for originality though…;)..But okay!I will let you know..
September 14th, 2005 at 8:07 pm
he he he…