I blog hopped today reading blogs that mentioned Katrina. Here is my take:
- The United States Government – Zero help just follow the money stuff. No help really just excuses and bull.
- Organized Religious Groups – Numerous groups helping where help is needed. Yah!
- Other Organized Groups – Lot’s of folks out there still donating money and supplies, clearing up rubbish, and most important letting folks know that they are not forgotten or in it alone.
Many of the sites and blogs refer to the New Orleans area. A few mention Mississippi. Still trying
to figure out why that is. I did notice while there that many of the groups were concentrating their efforts in New Orleans areas. The hardest hit area we hear. Well, could have fooled me, I saw lots of damage in Mississippi. Neighboors were out helping each other but there did not (at least that I might notice) seem to be near as much help from outside.
I have an idea why this is but until I have statistical proof or proof otherwise I will keep my opinions to myself.
I would like to hear from those of you who read this blog on your politcal take on this. Why is the area still a mess and why are many of the working people still going it alone while trying to gather their homes back from piles of rubbish?
Kmilyun, good to see you back. If you have them, I hope you keep showing us more pictures or link to sites that show us what you saw. I’ve only been to Gulfport and Biloxi once in my life and I can only imagine what the damage must have been along the Mississippi coast. What’s worrisome about New Orleans is that downriver a lot of land has been lost. There were even several oil spills that never got fully covered. I’m puzzled there aren’t comprehensive hearings on Katrina simply in terms of figuring out what to do now.
There’s seems to be a lack of progress or only slow progress everywhere that Katrina hit and a lot of what progress there is seems to be local in nature.
I’m puzzled by what’s going on and I have been assuming it’s traceable to Washington but maybe you can trace what’s happening and find out for sure? It would not surprise me if the fundamental issue turns out to be a lack of leadership.
In general, Americans should be clamoring for more action. The failures are much bigger than Mississippi or Louisiana if this becomes a pattern for future disasters or even our response to a terrorist attack.
Craig,
There really seems to be a lack of organization or method to FEMA and other gov’t action/reaction. Most of the people I did speak to who were in the “middle working class” were still stuck dealing with paperwork. Many had purchased their own trailers or were staying with friends further up north. Those whose homes received minor roof and cosmetic damages settled with their insurance companies and are almost back to normal. Other, less fortunate, were slowly gutting their homes and trying to clean them up. In the areas like Bay St. Louis, I did not speak with anyone but saw many folks in boots and gloves going through their homes and trying to sort the rubbish. Some were living in FEMA trailers and had tents to house the rest of their family that did not fit in the trailer.
In Louisiana, I was hit up numerous times for money (hand out) while in Mississippi no one asked me for anything. When driving through some very devastated areas the people working on their homes took the time to wave and say Hi as we drove by taking pictures.
I think that the shock of the television footage combined with a very vocal population in Louisiana has led to many of the misconceptions the rest of the country has in regard to what is reality. Those who are used to working with the system definitely have an advantage over those who have never dealt with it.
As many are facing flooding here in California I have noticed that most of us know that we are on our own and neighbors are banding together and taking care of business rather than wait for outside help.
More later. I will remember to post links as I surf.