Esoteric Bowl

Tragedy. Catastrophe. Devastation. Heartbreaking. These were just some of the descriptions used on Monday following the havoc of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. Almost four days later the most apt description of the situation can be found in a single word; criminal.

It is criminal how citizens of Louisiana and Mississippi have in large measure been left to fend for themselves following what has been described as the worst natural disaster in our nation’s history. It is criminal how state and federal governments have allowed people to go without food, water, medical aid, adequate shelter, and security.

It is criminal that elderly have died from the lack of medical care, babies have died from dehydration, untold numbers have died from starvation, young women have been raped, individuals murdered; all while hopelessly waiting for the help that was promised but never came for one, two, three days and counting.

It is criminal that the National Guard troops that were promised were not in force from day one, leaving law-abiding citizens to fend for themselves for days against gun-toting thugs and gangs. It is criminal that some police officers in New Orleans literally walked off the job.

It is criminal that as we approach the forth anniversary of 9/11, authorities are once again saying that problems with communications have hindered the lifesaving mission.

It is criminal that despite knowing the possible damage a level 4 hurricane could bring, officials from FEMA, Homeland Security, and the White House are saying no one could have imagined the destruction. It is criminal that as the 9/11 Commission determined, the federal government continues to lack an imagination.

It is criminal that the same congress who saw it fit to call an emergency session on a Sunday night to save Terri Schiavo, didn’t deem it necessary to return from their vacations until three days following the storm.

It is criminal that as governments from around the world offer their help and assistance to the White House, none of these offers have yet to be accepted.

It is criminal that the White House leadership is so glaringly lacking with no sense of urgency for the situation. It is criminal that President Bush has yet to visit the Gulf States, and his half-hearted speech to the nation sounded as if he had not yet mentally returned from his five week vacation. It is criminal that Vice President Cheney remains on vacation in Wyoming.

It is criminal that every American citizen must now come to the cold and sobering realization that if they fall victim to disaster the government may not be there to answer their calls for help.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 1st, 2005 at 9:21 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.