If you think the government's ready for disaster, wake up
"Our Nation is prepared, as never before, to deal quickly and capably with the consequences of disasters and other domestic incidents." –FEMA Director Michael Brown, March 9, 2005
BY LEE PEACOCK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Like most people, I’ve been disturbed by the images of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. It was just a few months ago that I found myself in New Orleans, and I’m saddened now to know that it may never be the same. I really sympathize for the people who live in those areas, and I hope they get back on their feet as soon as possible.
With that said, here are a few, random observations that I’ve jotted down over the past week or so regarding the issues arising from Hurricane Katrina:
* The rest of America should look at the mess left behind by Hurricane Katrina. You would think that in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks that the federal government would be in a better position to respond to a national disaster. It’s now apparent that when a true crisis hits, you won’t be able to depend on your government, at least in the very beginning.
Imagine for a moment that instead of a hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast, a terrorist group just simultaneously detonated nuclear warheads in Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas and Chicago. Thousands of people die in a flash and thousands more will die from radiation, poisoned food and water and savagery. Based on how the government has responded to Hurricane Katrina, which they saw coming days away, do you honestly think they’re prepared for a true crisis? If so, you better wake up.
* Looking at the big picture, it’s really no wonder that FEMA has bumbled its response to the hurricane. For years, our federal and state governments have appointed, hired and promoted individuals who weren’t necessarily the most qualified persons for the job. It looks like the chickens have finally come home to roost.
* Will New Orleans be rebuilt? Absolutely. New Orleans stands at the intersection of the Gulf of Mexico (North America’s largest tapped oil source) and the Mississippi river (North America’s largest river and a major source of commerce). New Orleans won’t be rebuilt because of Bourbon Street, jazz music, history or culture. It will be rebuilt because it’s a prime piece of real estate, the largest port in the U.S. and the fifth largest port in the world.
* I couldn’t help but shake my head when I heard Barbara Bush make the following comment regarding the destruction of New Orleans: "What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is that they [evacuees] all want to stay in Texas. Everybody is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway so this, (chuckle) this is working out very well for them."
This is also the same woman who said, regarding the War in Iraq: "Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? It's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"
If the hand that rocks the cradle truly rules the world, then I guess we’re all doomed.
BY LEE PEACOCK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Like most people, I’ve been disturbed by the images of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. It was just a few months ago that I found myself in New Orleans, and I’m saddened now to know that it may never be the same. I really sympathize for the people who live in those areas, and I hope they get back on their feet as soon as possible.
With that said, here are a few, random observations that I’ve jotted down over the past week or so regarding the issues arising from Hurricane Katrina:
* The rest of America should look at the mess left behind by Hurricane Katrina. You would think that in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks that the federal government would be in a better position to respond to a national disaster. It’s now apparent that when a true crisis hits, you won’t be able to depend on your government, at least in the very beginning.
Imagine for a moment that instead of a hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast, a terrorist group just simultaneously detonated nuclear warheads in Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas and Chicago. Thousands of people die in a flash and thousands more will die from radiation, poisoned food and water and savagery. Based on how the government has responded to Hurricane Katrina, which they saw coming days away, do you honestly think they’re prepared for a true crisis? If so, you better wake up.
* Looking at the big picture, it’s really no wonder that FEMA has bumbled its response to the hurricane. For years, our federal and state governments have appointed, hired and promoted individuals who weren’t necessarily the most qualified persons for the job. It looks like the chickens have finally come home to roost.
* Will New Orleans be rebuilt? Absolutely. New Orleans stands at the intersection of the Gulf of Mexico (North America’s largest tapped oil source) and the Mississippi river (North America’s largest river and a major source of commerce). New Orleans won’t be rebuilt because of Bourbon Street, jazz music, history or culture. It will be rebuilt because it’s a prime piece of real estate, the largest port in the U.S. and the fifth largest port in the world.
* I couldn’t help but shake my head when I heard Barbara Bush make the following comment regarding the destruction of New Orleans: "What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is that they [evacuees] all want to stay in Texas. Everybody is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway so this, (chuckle) this is working out very well for them."
This is also the same woman who said, regarding the War in Iraq: "Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? It's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"
If the hand that rocks the cradle truly rules the world, then I guess we’re all doomed.
posted by Lee Peacock at 10:42 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home