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• Subject: Hurricane Katrina
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SUBJECT: HURRICANE KATRINA
September 15, 2005

As anyone has been aware over the past several weeks, we just had one of the most devastating natural disasters to hit the Gulf Coast in some time in Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans was for a while, and some of it still is, almost completely submerged in the murky waters, with many dead already, and many more people unaccounted for. Many people have no home, with nowhere to go. Basically put, it is just a complete mess out there.

Now, with this being a fanfiction site, I had debated with myself over saying anything other than what was to do about fanfiction. Furthermore, I was trying to not say anything about it because, basically, what COULD I do, and what COULD I say that hasn't already been said? I do feel obligated to donate some money, or say something about it. But I figured my mouth being shut about it was a better case. It would mean that, to me, that I would try to be one to be in some normality, and not dwell on this sad state of affairs. However, at the same time, I had thought that by doing so, I would be heartless because it would seem like I didn't care. Like I was laughing at those people with nowhere to go, and with no way to get out of what could be called a living Hell right now. So alot a debate went into saying anything about it at all (and yeah, I do feel somewhat guilty for not making a link to SOMETHING concerning it on this site). Coupled with the fact that I'm not too good at things like this, it was something that I had to think long and hard about.

Finally, I had decided to say something on this forum about it, because basically, I do have some

things concerning it that I need to get off my chest.

For one thing, the notion about why many people were allowed to suffer while the waters were drowning the city? Why weren't people been aware sooner? Had something gone wrong, and if so, at what level? What could've been done differently to make sure that those people that were, for lack of a better phrase, left behind?

For one, I think that someone at every level was to blame, but most of them are taking the blame with a grain of salt. I don't want to say that Katrina was a disaster that could've been completely prevented. No one is able to fully contemplate what Mother Nature is capable of.

However, at the same time, better preparation could've saved a hell of a lot more lives.

But what I think is going to be the most obvious case, as I have read in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's editorial pages many times following the disaster, is that President Bush's popularity, already sinking, could really be done for in the minds of his best followers. The hard-nosed conservatives that would defend him at every corner may suddenly be taking a second look.

It took the guy five days to get to ground zero, to which there was no excuse whatsoever for him to be absent at the scene. He was at his Crawford, Texas, Ranch when the thing struck. I would've taken up to three days TOPS to get there if I was in his place. Why was his finger not pulling on the trigger to help? He's the supposed leader of this country. He's supposed to set the example, and instead he's too worried about being seen by Cindy Sheehan in order to do anything over in The Big Easy, and too worried about nominating John Roberts to the Supreme Court in order to give attention to the people who really need it.

Now, of course, no one should play politics with this disaster. But in reality, questions must be asked immediately in order to know what happened, because who knows when something like this will happen again. Maybe tomorrow, maybe ten years from now.

It does seem, though, that while September 11th built the Bush era, Hurricane Katrina may be tearing it to shreds.

But to the people that were in the path of the storm, many of what I have said about the Bush Administration wouldn't matter to them right now. They need everyone's help, and America has been doing just that. It is amazing to see that no matter how hateful things like politics can be anymore, we can come together to help people who need it the most, and in a time of crisis, we will be there to get those who need it back to their feet. It may not bring back what they lost, but it can help them build a new future. I'm not sure if that is the right thing to say there, but probably the only thing I can say about it.

And if there are people that still want to help but don't know how, there are solutions. Give money, send supplies, give blood. There are alot of things one can do to help. Even by just showing some sort of condolence, you could at least say that you care and would love to do anything you can.

Maybe it took the Hurricane to wake people up about Bush, and maybe it'll wake people up about other things he has done to our country since then. And if anyone calls me a traitor to our country or someone who is just a "loud mouth liberal" (and I admit my leftist attitude, as well), then they will prove me right about one thing Bush has done: Dividing our country more than ever, and maybe it took the Hurricane to unite our country again and show us what is really important.

And I think that is the right thing to say, though I could be wrong. But at least I've said something.

Good night, and good luck.