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September 01, 2005
Just typing after Katrina
Just a week ago we were watching a class 2 hurricane in the southern Gulf of Mexico. One week ago none of us ever imagined the destruction and death that would follow in this storm's wake in just 4 days. Amazing, how quickly the things that really matter are put into sharp focus when placed against the backdrop of this kind of destruction and tragedy. My entire family is safe. None of our homes were destroyed, even Candice's parents house wasn't damaged in Ocean Springs. My mom and dad's house in Covington(Mandeville) likely received some wind and limb damage, but no flood waters. None of my family members died. My children are asleep in their beds. Our lights are on, are water is working, our roof is sound. There are no trees down in our yard, we haven't had to fill up our gas tanks since last Friday and we are able to open our home to those of Candice's family that have been uprooted from their homes. I'm typing this as the washing machine is going into spin cycle. I'm drinking a glass of ice water(I don't have to boil it first) and I can hear my wife and her mother laughing in the living room. The air conditioner is on right now and I can feel the air move the hair on my forehead. We are comfortable, and as I sit here, I can't help but wonder why. We do not deserve this comfort. I'm certainly no better than anyone else, yet we were spared. I am grateful for His Grace and His Mercy, yet as Shannon said so well on a post earlier, "And once again, my life and loves are all safe and sound. Warm, dry, fed, and clothed. Once more, I have been passed over, and others have not. Relief mingles with guilt." Thank God that I can feel that.
I was on the phone today with the Red Cross. The amount of people they are helping is simply mind boggling. The amount of people yet to help is mind boggling. The lady said as I got off the phone with her, "We could use any help you can offer us".
Sounds like a really good way to say thank you, just help someone else.
Posted by james at September 1, 2005 12:31 AM
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Comments
I have listened to every news media channel this AM and I am so upset that they continue to be critical of President Bush's actions,speeches or just in general about him. This is not the time for politics! The Fox station usually is middle of the road and they even reported negative info about him. As a volunteer, as a person who has donated to Red Cross for this disaster.It is so sad that the Democrats or whom ever has to create negative information about the President as to deflect any good that is happening at this of need.I support him and all that he does for our country and world events. All these people need to do something postive rather than act like a child (and tell on Him).
Posted by: Sharon Cardin at September 1, 2005 10:41 AM
My SIL and her husband are heading back to St. Tammany's parish today to check on their house in Madisonville and then head back to Alabama to be with our family.
I am so happy your family is safe. I am so happy my family is safe. God is truly in control.
Posted by: mrscrumley at September 1, 2005 11:50 AM
I find it appauling that our citizens who are in need are referred to as "REFUGEES" they are our fellow Americans.
Posted by: Kenneth Perry at September 3, 2005 03:53 PM
If people said looters among those hurricane’s victims are bad people , they are just a bunch of small looters. In fact, we always forget another group of looters, the real looters, BIG LOOTERS, LOOTERS WITH NO MERCY, are those merchants who jack up the prices after Katrina's. At this moment, lots of people around states and around the wold are even trying to donate what they have at this moment. But you never see any Gas Stations and all suppliers behind them voluntarily reduce the gasoline price for any hard times during or after disaster like that.
So who are the REAL SNEAKY LOOTERS? I would say the gas station especially. People sre trying hard to rescue vistims, but these sneaky looters are trying hard to grab money from publics.
Posted by: Jeff Chen at September 3, 2005 10:17 PM
my heart goes out to all my fellow Americans,no matter what political party u belong, what religion,race or what ever else people try to make this disaster afiliated with.this is a chance for EVERYONE to come together & help thy neighbor and forget/forgive any differences.these people didn't ask for this to happen to them & we pray that we never have to try to deal with what they are dealing with.im in iowa with not alot of money to come to volenteer.i have various sizes of clothes,shoes,babybottles,blankets i wish to give to help.im not sure how to donate,any ides,please email.be strong,don't give up,1mom from iowa is sending prayers of love & hope your way.
Posted by: christina k. at September 4, 2005 04:21 AM
Refugee: A person seeking refuge from disaster. I don't anyone (white or black) fleeing New Orleans would mind (or care) if they were called a refugee.
The people who say President Bush doesn't cxare about black people, got it half right: President Bush doesn't care about poor people in general.
Yes, we should not criticize Bush for his stupidity and FEMA's incompetence until after eveyone is safe and the bodies counted, I still can't help feeling outraged that this great country has been shamed by the inability of this leadership to help those people. But you Bush lovers should not worry, I don't think anyone in the Bush administration has to fear for their jobs, since no one in this administration seems to take responsibility for anything.
Posted by: tom at September 4, 2005 04:41 AM
Yes, let's get the mess cleaned up before we scream blame. But I hope some people will realize that it is more important to care for our own here in the US by spending dollare to repair levees and infastructure than spend billions of dollars to clean up a mess in Baghdad. Some National Guardmen in Bagdad have no homes and dead loved ones due to this disaster. Feel for them, and many of these guardsmen are on their way home to pick up shattered lives due to this disaster.
Posted by: henry at September 4, 2005 04:47 AM
We need to help people in New Orleans, and I hope the criticisim will just wait till after things get done. However, I still can't help feeling pain and sympathy for those in need. Give first and yell later.
While I think FEMA was late, they had limited resources to deal with a disaster of this magnitude. While people are angry because of the images of people starving in the open putrid filth while looking for help that was clearly late.
It was particularly frightening to look at the stories of people fleeing the superdome because after 3 days they felt abandoned. Most of those people were middle class white professionals who took personal initaitives wile the poor black people rotted in the city. I AM ANGRY that the richest and greatest nation in the world treats its own citizens like animals! I am angry that people feel it is more important to defend those in charge (democrat or republican) than help those in need.
Posted by: francis at September 4, 2005 05:08 AM
About the fund for victims.
Probably not necessary because once the victims have organized and talked about their legal options, look out.
There will be massive lawsuits (both criminal and civil) against FEMA, the corps of engineers and private consultants who were willing to risk the saftey of thousands of people by not funding the levee upgrade.
Here is a simple analogy. When you design an elevator, and you see the sign "This elevator should not exceed a load of 2500 lbs." Do you really think the elevator is designed to hold 2500 lbs (100% capacity)? No. the elevator is designed to hold 3500lbs (110%+) That levee was at a 90% design capacty at best. This is a criminal issue - and the legal community will respond in FORCE.
The legal fallout will make Katrina look like a nice spring shower.
Posted by: gwen at September 5, 2005 09:34 AM