Key Issues

I Am Hard Core

How can I blog on Katrina when I can't think of a single unbitchy way to do it?

Why does it have to be so complicated? So partisan? So myopic? So fucking whiny?

It's really VERY simple. This is what WE get for becoming a squishy-wishy, government dependent people with an inflated, if not false, sense of security.

Big mistake.

Think. For. Yourselves.

Live in the flood plain? Love it? Goooood. Insure yo butt, or build on stilts. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. And have a nestegg saved up. And bottled water.

Don't want to prepare? No prob. Just depend on the government. When has it ever failed you?

Ahhhh, my point. Love your country, but ask not what it can do for you. You have streets, parks and freedom, none of which were built in 48 hours.

We have ourselves. We have each other. We need to know that going in, and hold back (via the good vote) as many tax dollars as possible for privatized charity. Let THEM compete for our dough. They ain't runnin' for office. And they got there first.

When FEMA does arrive on the scene? Well, they can be the gravy. If the federal government is our "meat," we have a problem that is MUCH bigger than this petty ass blame game. Though I'll admit, as long as I AM paying for it, I wouldn't mind a little boogie in their woogie. But you won't see me betting my life on it.

As far as DIRECTING the people on the local level...well, that didn't go so well either. As much as I hate it, only some people think for themselves, and the rest need to be herded. My guess is that the local "shepherds" panicked after realizing that they couldn't simply grease Katrina's palm and make her go away.

Natural disaster happens. Disease happens. It is horrible, but we have really gotten arrogant if we think we are above acts of God. And I used that phrase on purpose. The Maker is not all about rainbows and silver linings. And when He delivers a wake up call, He does not do so with a flip phone.

We are angry, and we are bitter, and we want someone's head to roll! Monday morning quarterback! Brow beat the weary! We all want to...

Or we can mourn our dead. Send relief to the living. Encourage self sufficiency and independent thinking in future generations. Learn. Rebuild.

Personally, I HATE that I am not in a position to take off for a couple of months, go down there, tough it out, help out. And if I weren't nine years into an 18 year commitment, I'd be there.

I braved squalid conditions for a good cause before my daughter was born, and I'll likely do the same when she's off to college. Not because I owe anyone, not because they are entitled, but because they are suffering, children who could not make the call or save the money to evacuate are suffering.

It is our duty to help each other. After all, I believe those of us who survived it without a scratch outnumber the injured and the displaced, I'm guessing as much as a thousand to one. Imagine the possibilities.

Atlanta COULD have done as much as Houston, right? So where does the blame end, really?