More Thoughts
I have to wonder why the media is so quick to blame the federal government for all of the problems in this disaster relief. Isn't this a perfect example of why personal responsibility is needed? And why are the elected officials of New Orleans and Louisiana given a free pass? What have they done to help in this effort?
I live in tornado country. A tornado can strike at any time. We don't have a 24 hour notice that we are in the path of a tornado. Yet our local officials make sure that when tornado season strikes, we are aware that we need to be prepared with an emergency kit. Some water, some food, our meds, a flashlight, etc. Did anybody think, as they decided to wait out the storm, of packing a backpack with some emergency items?
I've seen reports of people dying because they don't have their medicine, yet I see no solutions offered up. One, if I have medicine that I take in order to sustain my life, why is it not on me? If I am not able to evacuate a storm but I know the storm is going to be a big one, wouldn't I make sure to have my pills on my person? Didn't know the storm was going to be that big? Then why the outcries of the injustice of those that had to stay behind because they couldn't evacuate? There is an implication that they would have evacuated if they'd had the means. That admission there implies a knowledge on some level that they understood the magnitude of the impending storm. With that understanding should also come some personal accountability. This complete and utter dependency on government has paralyzed these people. The very representatives that say they are FOR these people are the ones that have created this paralyzing dependency. This is the time for the victims remaining in New Orleans to understand the empty promises of those that exploit these people for their vote. What have those elected officials done for them? What they've done is ensured that these people do not know how to care for themselves, their dependence on government is so strong.
Another thought about the lack of life saving medicine: Again, the oft reported refugees that don't have their heart medication or some other daily medication. The media reports this with glee, as though the government is completely and utterly remiss in its duty. Is it common practice in America for someone to say, "Hey, I'm on blood thinners and I need it now." and the government promptly hands it over? How do those critics in the media propose that the relief workers verify that the victim is indeed on said medication, and how do they propose that said medication is given in the proper dose and also is not going to cause an adverse reaction given their current precarious situation? It's not as easy as handing over pills; maybe if some of our journalists worried less about their hair and more about accuracy they wouldn't seem so airheaded.
Do any of these critics know what is involved in disaster relief? I doubt it. Have they evaluated the many tasks currently at hand, facing our relief workers? How do they propose FEMA prioritize the relief? Are they all top priority? Our relief workers have had to drop 3000 lbs. bags of sand from helicopters into the levee breach to try and stop the city from further flooding. Should that have waited so those helicopters could drop food and water to the victims that are in the city of rising water? They've also had to evacuate THOUSANDS of people from their rooftops and attics, and from floating cars and doors. Is there a more efficient, Wal-mart way to do it? If so, would the media kindly enlighten us? They've had to make roads accessible for relief to come in. They've had to find shelters big enough to house the thousands of evacuees. They've had to dodge gun fire from those that would bully their way into rescue, those that think nothing of endangering the life of a life-saver. They've had to police the lawlessness, because some people think it's okay to act like primal beasts in the wake of disaster and rape their fellow victims. They've had two other states to think about: Mississippi and Alabama, who, for whatever reason, are receiving little media attention. Just take a look around at the enormity of the tragedy and try and figure out how to prioritize, how to save the most people in the safest and most efficient way possible, without making the disaster worse.
I live in tornado country. A tornado can strike at any time. We don't have a 24 hour notice that we are in the path of a tornado. Yet our local officials make sure that when tornado season strikes, we are aware that we need to be prepared with an emergency kit. Some water, some food, our meds, a flashlight, etc. Did anybody think, as they decided to wait out the storm, of packing a backpack with some emergency items?
I've seen reports of people dying because they don't have their medicine, yet I see no solutions offered up. One, if I have medicine that I take in order to sustain my life, why is it not on me? If I am not able to evacuate a storm but I know the storm is going to be a big one, wouldn't I make sure to have my pills on my person? Didn't know the storm was going to be that big? Then why the outcries of the injustice of those that had to stay behind because they couldn't evacuate? There is an implication that they would have evacuated if they'd had the means. That admission there implies a knowledge on some level that they understood the magnitude of the impending storm. With that understanding should also come some personal accountability. This complete and utter dependency on government has paralyzed these people. The very representatives that say they are FOR these people are the ones that have created this paralyzing dependency. This is the time for the victims remaining in New Orleans to understand the empty promises of those that exploit these people for their vote. What have those elected officials done for them? What they've done is ensured that these people do not know how to care for themselves, their dependence on government is so strong.
Another thought about the lack of life saving medicine: Again, the oft reported refugees that don't have their heart medication or some other daily medication. The media reports this with glee, as though the government is completely and utterly remiss in its duty. Is it common practice in America for someone to say, "Hey, I'm on blood thinners and I need it now." and the government promptly hands it over? How do those critics in the media propose that the relief workers verify that the victim is indeed on said medication, and how do they propose that said medication is given in the proper dose and also is not going to cause an adverse reaction given their current precarious situation? It's not as easy as handing over pills; maybe if some of our journalists worried less about their hair and more about accuracy they wouldn't seem so airheaded.
Do any of these critics know what is involved in disaster relief? I doubt it. Have they evaluated the many tasks currently at hand, facing our relief workers? How do they propose FEMA prioritize the relief? Are they all top priority? Our relief workers have had to drop 3000 lbs. bags of sand from helicopters into the levee breach to try and stop the city from further flooding. Should that have waited so those helicopters could drop food and water to the victims that are in the city of rising water? They've also had to evacuate THOUSANDS of people from their rooftops and attics, and from floating cars and doors. Is there a more efficient, Wal-mart way to do it? If so, would the media kindly enlighten us? They've had to make roads accessible for relief to come in. They've had to find shelters big enough to house the thousands of evacuees. They've had to dodge gun fire from those that would bully their way into rescue, those that think nothing of endangering the life of a life-saver. They've had to police the lawlessness, because some people think it's okay to act like primal beasts in the wake of disaster and rape their fellow victims. They've had two other states to think about: Mississippi and Alabama, who, for whatever reason, are receiving little media attention. Just take a look around at the enormity of the tragedy and try and figure out how to prioritize, how to save the most people in the safest and most efficient way possible, without making the disaster worse.
posted by PJ at
2:30 PM
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