"I told you so!" Article forshadows NO flood

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As thousands were left without food and water for days in filth, some wading in contaminated flood waters amoung the dead bodies and sewage, the response for aid has been nothing short of abysmal. We, as a nation, are wondering why, in a country that can so readily send its supplies for tsunami victims and troops to Iraq, weren't disaster relief agencies and government officials more prepared.

I found this article written by National Geographic last year, long before Katrina. And after reading it, it's clear that if those in government, on city, state or national levels, honestly couldn't forsee the scope of this disaster, then Lord help us when a much bigger catastrophe in a more densly populated area comes along.

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Do you really think that the government (with either party in power) could get up off of their thumb and build something on that scale in less than a dacade? If the looters were out to shoot at politicians instead of cops and each other, and stop stealing stuff they can't eve use right now, then I just might have approved of them. We are decades overdue for a revolution.

I've seen people do incredible things like build a remote control robot that can be sent to the surface of Mars and operated with the preciseness of a surgeon.....by someone millions of miles away on earth. When people truly want to take action, they don't have time to philosophize or ponder, they go right ahead and do what needs to be done.

Oh, and when I saw Bush's helecopter flying over New Orleans today, (Why couldn't he visit the victims at the Superdome and look them in the eye so he'll have to answer to those thousands who've been suffering for days without help?) ,I was wondering where are the snypers when we need them? There's their perfect target flying right over their heads.

It doesn't seem to be predicting no flood—actually, just the opposite. It's been well known for a while that a hurricane strike on New Orleans would be devastating.

NO = New Orleans

That's scary. Guess they read "Soldier of Fortune" more than "National Geographic"

This article written by National Geographic is only one of many things written about the disaster waiting to happen to New Orleans. It has not been a secret that this disaster was going to happen in our lifetime. I'm sure that the majority of the people living in New Orleans also understood that a hurricane of this level would wipe most of the area out. I think it was a risk they were taking as do those that live near an active volcano or any person that has a home near a fault line.

It was also reported that the hurricane would hit New Orleans directly and this was reported many days before the actual hurricane hit land, unlike the tsunami victims, New Orleans had been warned that the hurricane was coming and they were told that that they needed to evacuate as soon as possible. Some decided to stay and "ride it out" for whatever reasons they had, they did this. They were given available options of evacuation but made the decision to stay.

When the hurricane hit, many obviously realized that their decision to "ride out the storm" was the wrong decision. Many died because of this wrong decision, as was their choice and many somehow made it though the storm by some miracle. Now, they need our help in which many Americans and people throughout the world have done and are willing to do.

What I do not understand is this. When we make a decision and that decision turns out to be a disasterous decision, why do we have the right to blame others? I live in Indiana and in my area, there are many tornados. If I make the decision to stay in my home and not take shelter (either in my cellar or basement or somewhere else equally safe nearby) how then when the tornado strikes and I am buried under debris, can I blame others for being too slow in helping me out?

I have given monitarily to help the people in this tragic natural disaster. I gave more than half of what was in my savings account - believe me, that was not so very much compared to the Oprah's and the Bill Gates' of the world - but it was all I had to give without going hungry myself. I have been busy this week helping to pack trucks going to these disaster-torn areas. Now I hear the reports of those that have survived, and a few are angry and bitter and when the troops come in with food, water and supplies......they boo them and scream angrily at them.

I understand that they are in shock and that they have been through alot and have lost everything but why are they placing the blame on others? I am having a hard time understanding this. I have watched the reports and cried for days for the babies and elderly and the ones that look haunted by the horror of this natural disaster....but the angry ones.....I cannot understand who they are angry at. Can anyone help me to understand the anger that has been shouted into the TV cameras lately?

I am not a rich person. I have started over at least 3 times in my life. Two times in my life when all I have had were the clothes on my back, and guess what? I blame no one. My destiny is my own. I will blame no one because I am the one making the decisions for my life and if I make the wrong decision, then I am the one that should be held accountable for that decision no one else.

With all of the finger pointing and the blame-game that everyone is doing in Washington, I just want to know....when will we as individuals hold ourselves accountable for our own decisions? Why can't people just stand up and say, I made a wrong decision. I am at fault.

PS - I am sorry if this is a little too blunt. I wish you all to know that this tragic event has profoundly touched my life, too and I will continue to do what I can to help these dear Americans.

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Last edited by Ante on 09 Nov 2005, 8:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Why are people so quick to pass judgement on these survivors who've been through something we should all hope would never happen to us? If anything, the fact that they've lasted this long without any help, many trapped in their attics, on their roofs or wading through water with corpses, sewage and disease, is an indication of the strength and perserverence that is within them and they should be commended.

It's just plain wrong to blame all the victims of the hurricane for the actions of the few who've decided to cause mayham. It seems that whenever a few, who happen to be minorities or poor, are causing disorder, people think it's somehow a indication on how that minority and low-income population acts as a whole and make unfair generalizations. Those who are white or middle-upper class are not held to the same scrutiny.

The thousands who came to the Superdome were told by authorities before the hurricane hit, to take shelter there but no one made sure they were provided with food, water and other necessities while they rided out the hurricane. And with many without their medications that they needed to live, no medical help on hand, no authorities inside the arena to maintain order, bodies of people who've died not taken away rotting in 95 degree heat and many others dying in the waste that accumilated, right there inside a place that was supposed to be a refuge, how in the world could the survivors not be angry? And why the heck are we not enraged by this?

And for it to take a week for them to get help, many who would've lived if help had come just a little sooner, is un-excusable. And whatever reason they had for remaining in New Orleans during the hurricane is irrevelant and I do not, for the life of me, understand why folks are still trying to cast blame on them as if they're criminals. What they need is our compassion and whatever assistance we can give them, not our self-righteousness.

P.S.
I'm not sorry for being blunt.