Tears for New Orleans
I have been shocked speechless by the events in New Orleans. Or should I say non-events? Its been a week since Hurricane Katrina hit and the news is still showing people stranded on their rooftops. Why? Wasn't FEMA supposed to rush in? Bodies are floating in the streets. They say that the breaks in the levies have been plugged with giant sandbags and that the water is going to start going down now. Air boats are moving through the streets, still trying to find people. They estimate that the death toll is going to be in the tens of thousands. The city has been abandoned (supposedly). There are no jobs, no resources, no electricity and won't be for awhile.
Let's look at some numbers. The first permanent settlement in the New Orleans drainage basin was in the early 1700's. Even then, the settlers were advised that a unique problem was presented by putting a settlement in that area. It was, after all, a basin. New Orleans today was about 60% Black, with a poverty level about twice the national average. Any reasonable American would have to ask themselves that if New Orleans was any other (whiter, richer, take your pick) city, say one in the Midwest, would a solution have been found for the problem earlier? Would the levies and flood walls built to with stand only a category 3 storm been improved to withstand the storm that researchers said has been coming for years? A mandatory evacuation works only if those being ordered to evacuate have the means to do so, and its obvious that many, many people didn't. But does that mean they didn't have the right to be safe from drowning in their sleep, even when they didn't know it could happen?
More facts, the US Cut the Army Corps of Engineer budget, only approving a budget of about 42 Million when they wee asking for more than twice that, but built multi million dollar bridges in relatively unihabited areas of Alaska. We spent money hunting down non-existent weapons of Mass Destruction on the other side of the world. The National Guard is still there so there were no helicopters to go in and help New Orleans. One unit is coming home from Iraq to help in New Orleans.
Its easy to see these things in retrospective. Hindsight is that way. But what next? Give to the Red Cross? I heard the president say that on TV. But wasn't there a problem with misappropriation of funds or something after 9/11? No one seems to remember. We obviously have to find a way to take care of people and help them re-start wherever they have landed. The city won't be dry for two months and then they will have to clean up and count the casualties.
The tragedy of New Orleans brings another question to mind. My brother has been asking about a family disaster plan for years now, and we have all poo- poohed him. He wanted to know, in the event of a disaster, how would we find each other if there was no phone, no electricity, no TV. Where and how would we meet when everything else is gone? Well?
Let's look at some numbers. The first permanent settlement in the New Orleans drainage basin was in the early 1700's. Even then, the settlers were advised that a unique problem was presented by putting a settlement in that area. It was, after all, a basin. New Orleans today was about 60% Black, with a poverty level about twice the national average. Any reasonable American would have to ask themselves that if New Orleans was any other (whiter, richer, take your pick) city, say one in the Midwest, would a solution have been found for the problem earlier? Would the levies and flood walls built to with stand only a category 3 storm been improved to withstand the storm that researchers said has been coming for years? A mandatory evacuation works only if those being ordered to evacuate have the means to do so, and its obvious that many, many people didn't. But does that mean they didn't have the right to be safe from drowning in their sleep, even when they didn't know it could happen?
More facts, the US Cut the Army Corps of Engineer budget, only approving a budget of about 42 Million when they wee asking for more than twice that, but built multi million dollar bridges in relatively unihabited areas of Alaska. We spent money hunting down non-existent weapons of Mass Destruction on the other side of the world. The National Guard is still there so there were no helicopters to go in and help New Orleans. One unit is coming home from Iraq to help in New Orleans.
Its easy to see these things in retrospective. Hindsight is that way. But what next? Give to the Red Cross? I heard the president say that on TV. But wasn't there a problem with misappropriation of funds or something after 9/11? No one seems to remember. We obviously have to find a way to take care of people and help them re-start wherever they have landed. The city won't be dry for two months and then they will have to clean up and count the casualties.
The tragedy of New Orleans brings another question to mind. My brother has been asking about a family disaster plan for years now, and we have all poo- poohed him. He wanted to know, in the event of a disaster, how would we find each other if there was no phone, no electricity, no TV. Where and how would we meet when everything else is gone? Well?
Comments
We helped sort clothes and I delivered my share of larger-sized clothes (I too wear size 13 shoes, so I feel the brothers who will find it hard to fit into donated average-size 9 shoes - so I actually gave up several of my nice ones, and bought a few very goods ones for all the walking, bus riding and job hunting). Anyway, we helped and there was a FLOOD (no pun inteded) of folks there to help. We tripped over ourselves trying to be an Austin communitee that gives. My hope is that we will be patient, giving, tolerant, and open in 3 to 4 months when evacuees become residents who have to make a living and support thier lives. I will hope, and help as best I can.
the port is economically vital, the poor response will drive attention from the executive branch for years to come, and the vibe that is new orleans cannot be found elsewhere (not in on vegas' strip, dallas' deep ellum, new york's tribeca, san francisco's ). and too many folks need that vibe to settle inside of for brief moments so they can get away from this world, and live in another world with the semblance of impunity, before waking and getting back to the real world again...
new orleans will rise...hope she keeps all her spirit when she does.