Devastation

To the people of New Orleans, Gulfport, Biloxi, and the entire Gulf Coast region...my thoughts and prayers are with you.

This whole event has been such a curious thing. The power of the hurricane and its aftermath are almost beyond belief. Looking at the pictures of these regions, it's almost as overwhelming as watching the attacks of 9-11 unfold. In some ways, 9-11 was worse...it was a terrorist attack, man against man, the sort of violent assault we'd never seen on our own soil. In some ways, Katrina is more difficult to bear...a natural disaster, proving once again that for all our technological advances and knowledge, there is nothing we can do in the face of nature's full power. And the area of destruction, and the human suffering that followed...surpasses comprehension. I look at these pictures, these videos, and all I feel is a sort of numb disbelief...

But disbelief quickly turns to anger. I'm not angry at the National Guard, or FEMA, or the Red Cross, or the government... I'm angry with the people who are shooting, raping, looting, and who were preventing these people from doing their jobs. I'm angry with the people who are angry at our troops, emergency responders, and disaster relief workers. I'm even angry with the mayor of New Orleans, though I can to some extent understand his utter frustration.

But really...these people who are still in New Orleans...they had just as much warning as the people who got out. Even if they didn't have a ready mode of transportation, most of them have working legs. I'm sure most of them had a buck or two to spare for a bus fare. I'm sure they had means of getting to a grocery store or to work. I've walked 72 miles in three days, I know it can be done. But the mayor...where was his police force? When the hurricane passed and the streets were dry, neither he nor any of his people did a thing about getting the rest of the people evacuated. The police were entirely incapable of enforcing the law. They stood there watching looters, and did nothing. And he yells at the National Guard for arriving so late on the scene? If local law enforcement had done their job...if they had enforced the mandatory evacuation, this situation would not exist right now.

People in third world countries live out their lives in conditions worse than these. Yes, it's horrific, nightmarish, overwhelming. Yes, it's a tragedy that people in our country should be subjected to such suffering. Yes, it's heartbreaking, seeing all the good people, the really good people of New Orleans suffering so much loss, uncertainty, and pain. And most of the people are truly grateful for the help that is being brought in. And there are some uplifting and amazing stories that really show the heroic and noble heights humanity can reach.

But the people who are yelling at our responders -- military, medical, etc. -- should realize that they all made choices, and that no one, not the government, not the National Guardsman down the block, controlled those choices. And for all they say that they aren't glad to see our heroic men and women in uniform right now, I don't see them passing up the food and water they brought. What's the gratitude of that? These rescuers are putting their own lives on the line to help them, and this is the answer they get? That is what angers me. It's shameful.

I extend my own gratitude to these dedicated people, to make up in some way for the ingratitude they are shown by some. Our country is resilient, it will recover. Our people are resilient, they will endure. I beg anyone who is capable of it to donate money to a disaster relief fund, or if there is a drive in your area collecting food, clothing, medical supplies, or whatever, please do take part. Part of the strength of this country is the humanity and good will of our people -- of the vast majority of our people...and it is this which will get us through this devastating situation now.