(no subject)
I know that I don't update much. And when I do, it tends to be about surface things, such as what class I am taking, or what wedding plans I've made, or work, etc. etc. And I usually stay away from political discussion because it inevitably leads to arguements. But I'm not staying quiet about this.
I, like many others, am disgusted by the death toll and public health disaster currently happening in our South. In a country of this magnitude, with our access to resources, there is no excuse for such devastating loss of life. We knew Katrina was coming. We knew for days. Long enough for government intervention and evacuation assistance to be provided from other states as well as our Federal government. However, our response was slow. And still is slow, now that Katrina has done her damage. One has to wonder that if we were dealing with a more affluent population, would our nation have responded more quickly? Sure, an affluent population would have the resources to help themselves in many cases, but not all. But we know that New Orleans houses a large homeless and poor population without the resources to evacuate themselves. Also, for the handicapped and those with medical difficulties that prevented evacuation... were they not worth saving? I don't believe that all lives could have been saved. In disasters like this, people die. It is a horrible reality. However, I strongly believe that had we responded as neighbors, as a nation, knowing that this was coming and the devastation that was likely, many people could have been safely relocated. Maybe not to glamourous locales, but at least to locations without flooding, with food and water, and with basic shelter.
I believe that President Bush and his administration, as well as the people of our nation who have not responded to this disaster, have the blood of hundreds, possibly thousands, on their hands. With basic coordinated efforts, many lives could have been saved. I am truly sickened by our nation's lack of compassion for one another in our daily lives as well as in times of tragedy. I hope that the deaths of these people can at least bring about some positive change in the way we treat one another.
I hope that each and every one of you can do something to help our brothers and sisters of our country that are dealing with this disaster. I know most of us don't have money, I know that I don't, but there are other ways to help. Donate blood (desparately needed!), old clothes, volunteer at the Red Cross. Donate the change on your desk. Do something. Don't allow yourself to become apathetic like so many in this country. It could've been you or your family.
For a list of blood drives or other ways to help, check out the Red Cross website, please. WWW.REDCROSS.ORG
/end rant