Taking A Stand: Don’t complain if you’re not helping
The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina goes to show people will complain about anything and everything, always quick to lay the blame while they stand around wringing their hands, not doing a thing to help.
Folks, Hurricane Katrina is nobody’s fault. Hurricanes happen. This is not the first one to hit New Orleans head on and it won’t be the last. To start pointing fingers before the water even recedes is not only folly, but it’s a waste of time and effort.
In a disaster on the scale of Katrina, there’s no way to be adequately prepared. We could have had an army of help lined up with their engines running ready to go in Baton Rouge and I severely doubt things would have changed much at all.
When roads, there before the storm, are under water and many areas are completely impassable, the fact manpower is readily available is moot since that manpower cannot get into the emergency zone.
It’s easy for us to criticize about how “they” should have done things differently when “we” are sitting around in our nice, dry, air-conditioned houses with plenty of food and water. Of course, these are the same people who whine when their electricity goes off for a day or two during an ice storm around here preventing them from keeping up with their soaps.
I’ve reminded my son on several occasions since Katrina about how lucky we are. To watch those folks stuck on overpasses or even worse, those who made it to “safety” in the Superdome, should make you thank your lucky stars every night when you lie down in your own bed.
It’s like watching a car wreck in slow motion each day we watched these folks with no place to go. If the worst thing I have to endure is paying 50 cents more for gas, then I still count myself among the luckiest people in the world.
But, of course, you have the vultures out there wanting to make political hay over this disaster. Some blame Bush, saying it was his fault for not mobilizing faster. Hey, if George W. Bush is powerful enough to cause a hurricane, then you better watch what you say because you could be next.
Others blame the state of Louisiana for the governor not signing the order to call up the National Guard until two days after the hurricane. Others play the race card and say the relief would have been quicker if those trapped in New Orleans weren’t mostly poor and black.
Give me a break. We’re all Americans and we always pull together as Americans.
Already there is a relief effort the likes of which we haven’t seen since 9/11 as America takes in its brothers and sisters from the hurricane-ravaged areas. Sometimes it just takes a test to find out the mettle the United States is made of, and, in my 40 years, I’ve seen we’ve rose to not only meet, but exceed the need every time.
For those who stand around placing blame, stop wasting your breath. We’re tired of hearing you bellyache.
Either help address the problem or move out of the way so the people who actually make a difference can help out. If you want to do something, send money or supplies. You’re opinion doesn’t help anyone.
Duane Sherrill is a reporter for the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].