Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I love Barbara Bush, the President's mother, declaring that most of the people whose homes and lives were wiped out during Hurricane Katrina, are now better off than they were before. You know, they should be thankful that Katrina happened, right? Spoken like a true blueblood.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, Tom...the President and his administration WERE to blame for some of the early failures. Now, living in a hurricane prone area myself I don't think that he is to blame for help not arriving in the first couple of days. If those residents weren't told to be prepared to be on their own for the first 72 hours then their local governments failed them. But beyond 72 hours our government still screwed up and Bush has acknowledged that. What I have a problem with is the volume of the attacks on Bush et al while the state and local officials got off fairly easily. There was enough blame to go around, but not much of it stuck to Nagin or Blanco. Nagin performed so poorly that he was re-elected. Man, I wish my job were that understanding.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Jim, she shouldn't have said it publicly...but she wasn't that far from the truth. That is more of a testament to the way they were treated (or ignored) BEFORE the storm.
Originally Posted By ecdc More bashing of the victims of the most bungled natural disaster in our history, eh? Good times. At it looks like they have a lot to be thankful for. They're still pulling dead bodies out of houses a year later. Much of the city is still in ruins. I had a chance to speak to someone from New Orleans several weeks ago. He told me how grateful he was that he had the money and resources to pick up and move to Denver, Colorado. He missed his hometown and hoped to go back someday, but he noted that both local and federal governments were so incompetent that he thought that was years off. He expressed his sorrow for those who did not have the money and resources that he had to get out rebuild his life. There were no accusations, no finger pointing at the victims, no snide comments. Ironically, unlike those who continue to bash the poorest of the poor, he did not feel the need to let me know that he was a Christian; his actions did that for him.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'd be willing to bet that a number of those who were looting would call themselves Christian. Unfortunately, long gone are the days when calling oneself a Christian meant "do no evil."
Originally Posted By peeaanuut <<Didn't you get the memo, RT? The people were all thieves and on welfare. They deserved what they got.>> I really need to develope your skill for taking things out of context and making up complete lies. Would really help me to fit in around here.
Originally Posted By ecdc "I'd be willing to bet that a number of those who were looting would call themselves Christian." Sadly, it's probably true. Doesn't make them anymore Christian than those who seem to get some kind of bizarre enjoyment out of reminding us how horrible the victims of Hurrican Katrina in New Orleans are.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo I have a stack of thank-yous here. Shall I type them all in? "Dear friends - This is from a grandmother and great grandmother here in Mississippi to let you children there know the beautiful gifts of toys, colors and books you sent to the children here made them smile and laugh and gave them gifts to help them forget for a little while about the loss of their homes, clothes, and toys. They helped us as adults also to know how very blessed we all are to have all of you young friends so very far away from us. To feel your caring love reaching from California to us miles and miles away. Always keep in your hearts the love of giving of yourselves to others in need for I know the Lord, God will blessall of you there for years to come and bring you all joy as you have given. We here in Mississippi send you Our Love. Your friend, Doris"
Originally Posted By threeundertwo "Thank you for your donations of books and toys. We and the victims of Hurricane Katrina deeply appreciate your help with our relief efforts along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Your donation has been distributed here at St. Ann in Dec 2005. Help is still needed 5 months after katrina. God Bless you for thinking of us. Karen Parker, Project Hope and Compassion"
Originally Posted By threeundertwo "Dear Mrs._______ We wanted to Thank You for your gifts. We received them on Thanksgiving Day at our school dinner and had a great time. our school is on the beach and was destroyed by the hurricane. Now we have class in huge brown "army" tents. Which we think are really cool! Our house had water in it over my daddy's head and is slowly being repaired. We are living in a FEMA trailer next to our house, which we like because it has bunk beds! Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers, and kindness, it is heartfelt! Clayton (5y/o) Cameron (3y/o)"
Originally Posted By threeundertwo "Thank you for your kindness. My 6-year-old son appreciated your thoughtfulness. God Bless - The Godwin family" [included a picture of their cute 6 year old]
Originally Posted By threeundertwo "To Kyra and all the students at Arundel Elementary School, My children, grandkids, and friends kids were fortunate enough to receive the bags of school supplies and wonderful gifts that came along with each bag. We all want to say "thank-you" so very much for your thought-fulness and wonderful words of encouragement that came along with each bag. Four months has [sic] passed since Katrina came through. Things are not yet back to normal, but it si and will continue to improve as each day passes by. Thanks to kids like yourselves our kids see hope and promise with each new day ahead. Thanks to the many many adult volunteers from coast to coast, we adults can see that too. Maybe one day some of you can come visit the Gulf Coast and say, ya know in 2005 I helped brighten a childs eyes and warmed her heart, or when Hurricane Katrina came thru here I sent my favorite stuffed bear to Saucier Mississippi so a little boy could sleep better at night. You all deserve a big Hug and Thanks! You will be remembered always. Sincerely Cindy and Family of Saucier, MS."
Originally Posted By threeundertwo you get the idea. I'm tired of typing. There are many more. I'm happy to share my thank you notes with you.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<But "I" was not the one who called in the National Guard.>> They call out the National Guard here in Minnesota after tornados and such to assist with relief efforts. It doesn't mean that the people were criminals or thieves. That is actually what the Guard is SUPPOSED to be used for... not fighting in Iraq. <<Here is more about the responce to aid.>> I'm sure that money was for general Katrina relief... I don't see that it was targeted towards New Orleans.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I am so glad to hear those Thank Yous. I'm glad to hear at least someone out there is hearing this gratitude for generocity that so many Americans and people from around the world poured into those effected by hurricane Katrina. I think its unfortunate that in the city that took in the second largest number of Katrina survivors ( metro Atlanta ), we don't get to hear these thanks yous it seems at all. I know how generous all Americans have been as well as our Internations friends for the Katrina survivors. I guess I will never understand the hatred, contempt and disdain that many survivors hold for those of us who truely have been so generous. This really was such a horrible experience for everyone. Still one year later many questions remain unanswered. Still many, despite the outpouring of generocity toward them remain embrassed to their "entitlement" mentality. Perhaps its true what someone said, "When your existance depends on the empowerment of your victimization, Liberation is the enemy".
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Thanks to those who shared the letters with us. So, there's some nice thank you letters from actual people who sent actual support to the New Orleans residents who were actually impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Any response from those who feel that these people did not actually thank anyone?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Any response from those who feel that these people did not actually thank anyone?>> Even if some did not (and I'm assuming MANY did not), what difference does it make? It says more about us as a society than about any individual. Honestly now. I want to know if ANYONE here wrote Thank You notes for their Christmas presents last year. Not just a note to someone who gave you something extra special. Notes to EVERYONE who gave you something (immediate family are exempted). Anyone? Bueller?
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <---[raises hand] Here's my rule. Maybe it's not Emily Post, but it seems to work. I write 'thank you' notes when I receive gifts from people who are not present when I open said gift.
Originally Posted By ecdc I wonder how all those thank you notes could be written when all those people were out looting and murdering anybody who looked at them funny? /sarcasm
