Response to a friend

The following is my response to the position of a good friend who believes that the President, and his administration are sadly lacking in both compassion and timely help to those affected by the hurricane Katrina disaster. While I admire this person greatly, and appreciate her position, I happen to have a different view of the situation. This is my opinion, and it is exactly what my friend's and yours is....not necessarily right or wrong, simply an opinion.


As for the recent hurricane disaster...it is horrible. Contrast the response to this with 9/11, and you see a whole different picture, in my opinion. I don't think that relfects on the administration as much as it indicates the IMPOSSIBLE circumstances that are present. 9/11, though horrible, was a much more confined disaster and easier to get hold of in terms of quick response and care for those affected. I heard one commentator on TV say much of what you said, couched with "this is the United States of America." As if, because we are the USA, and the most powerful nation on earth at this present time, we can DO SOMETHING about this kind of disaster...we can IMMEDIATELY swoop in and take care of the destruction, misery and devestation of our people. Unfortunately, the truth is....no matter WHO is in the White House...we could not accomplish that. Yes, you can say that if we weren't off galavanting half way around the world in a country where we have no business being, we'd have more resources to throw at this current predicament...that is a fair and biased opinion that one has every right to hold. But to say that because we are a "mighty" and the "most powerful" nation that we ought to immediately have the solutions, resources and plan to respond to a disaster of this magnitude is short sighted and comes from a point of view born out of dislike for the president rather than an informed, rational opinion about the situation. You just don't like George Bush, and that is your right. Do I think we have done all we could have and should have to this point...no. Do we care and are we as a nation, nationally and politically (the American people and both sides of the political aisle) trying our best to bring relief and help to those in tremendous need as quickly as possible? I think so. It is inadequate. That is one of the things a disaster of this magnitude reveals...everywhere...in every country of the world...even the most powerful one. I am not beating the drum for the present administration...not at all. I am beating the drum for EVERY American who is devastated, and for every person who is doing all they can to help.

One thing we can agree on....we are HEARTSICK over this whole mess. I was just in New Orleans in February, and enjoyed being in that city. It is painful to see the pictures of such destruction. It is painful to see the people. It is always the poor, disadvantaged and most needy who suffer the most, and who in turn inflict the most damage on top of the disaster (looting, rape, shootings, etc). This is a sick world when you think about it...VERY SICK. Human beings can become animalistic in a heartbeat given the circumstances and opporutnity to do so.

Maranatha! (come quickly, Lord Jesus)...the only REAL answer to this and the disasters yet in the future.

And that is how I see it.

Down the middle, but leaning to the right,
OpentheG8