"Fear and Looting in Biloxi"

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's destruction, it is enraging to watch looters break into stores and homes, making the situation even worse for victims of the storm. At this time, the nation, in fact the world, should be working together to help--setting aside politics and greed. Should be, but....

You've seen the images...cities flooded, homes and buildings destroyed, hundreds dead. Yet, looters make it worse and do their deeds without guilt and with contrived justification. Consider this statement by one observer: "To be honest with you, people who are oppressed all their lives, man, it's an opportunity to get back at society." The news has shown people breaking down doors of stores spared by the storm just to steal. I watched a mother taking her three kids in tow as she took what didn't belong to her. Families are being threatened by mobs and fear leaving their homes. What is wrong with these looters, and what kind of citizens will their children become? How do you handle this? It's my opinion that society hasn't failed them, but that they have failed society.

On the issue of providing assistance, I was hoping for a flow of goodwill and aid from other nations. After all, they criticized the level of U.S. aid for tsunami victims, just as we were beginning the process to give billions in aid through government and private donations. So, such help for natural disasters must be important to our critics. But, I may have missed something. It sounds eerily quiet from the rest of the world. Well, I take that back. You may have seen the reaction of German papers. Apparently, according to one German government official, President Bush is to blame as hurricanes are caused by global warming that he ignores. Sad. Well, history shows that the U.S. is the most generous nation in the world when other nations have disasters. Why is it too much to expect for them to be there for us?

But, similar reactions can be found within our own nation. One blogger felt that the best contribution to be made was to lampoon "cracker governors" who didn't know how to conduct an evacuation. Thanks. That really helps a lot now. But, what about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who also said that the hurricane resulted from global warming, caused by the U.S. rejection of the Kyoto Treaty, which was opposed by Mississippi's Governor in his “eco-extremism" memo? Kennedy means that the Governor brought this on his own state. Former Clinton advisor, Sidney Blumenthal, offered that "the federal funding for the flood control project essentially dried up as it was drained into the Iraq war." It may just be my opinion, but isn't helping people and rebuilding the cities more important than petty politics? Apparently not to some.

I'm not completely disappointed in the reaction of many, though. This country is starting to respond and I hope that other nations step up the pace to offer assistance. This will end up being the most costly natural disaster in our nation's history, but many crumbling lives can be saved. Individuals can make a difference. Businesses can help. If you're interested, contributions to the disaster relief fund can be made through various charities, but be sure that you designate your contribution to Hurricane Katrina so that your money doesn't end up in a general fund. This Red Cross chapter provides an easy site to make and designate your contribution.

Don't wait. Do it now. It's important, and this long process is just beginning.