It would be hard not to be emotionally involved in the disasters of New Orleans and adjacent regions. The lives lost, now estimated to be as many as on 9/11, break my heart, and so do the deceased’s loved ones who are desperately trying to find those dear to them. Then there is the loss of cultural and architectural landmarks. It saddens me that New Orleans, a city with such a rich history, is stripped even of its foundation.
Unfortunately, the roots of such “natural” disasters are too often caused by human action. Whether the destruction is directly caused via human hand or nature is not always clearly to define. However, there is a human track record of destruction.
Rivers have been squeezed into smaller and smaller riverbeds to create more developed land. The solution to this space saving agenda is the construction of artificial dams. This system works for a while, until weather conditions cause an usually concentrated amount of water, and the dams burst.
Renowned scientists have associated the increasing force of hurricanes with the warming of global oceans. The U.S.A. has not signed the Kyoto Protocol to control “greenhouse gas” emissions (President Bush pulled out in 2001, saying it was too expensive and would exclude “poor nations”), thus remaining the biggest climate sinner of the world. Kyoto could not come into force unless it was ratified by countries responsible for 55 percent of rich nations. It had reached 44 percent and with Russia’s ratification in late 2004 it finally tipped the balance and came into effect.
New Orleans is one of America’s staple attractions, a city that has benefited from abundant tourism for many decades; but what has been done about irrigation? Residents had been used to temporary knee high water flooding city parts of New Orleans; a condition that had not been uncommon after a storm. My question is – where did the money from Mardi Gras, Southern Decadence, etc. go? Into the Superdome? Certainly not into river expansion.
Secondly, I am concerned about the patterns of devastation containment and rescue efforts. I find it to be highly distressing that the president’s declaration of a regional “disaster” always comes with a convenient delay. Where is the military — a population highly trained in dealing with disaster — on Day 1 of a catastrophe? Have you noticed that peoples’ lives are long lost and days have passed before military helicopters and ships are being deployed to the zones of desolation? Does anyone remember how poorly staffed wildfire rescues were in San Diego County, 2003?
On Tuesday morning, while hundreds of lives were coming to an end down South, President Bush preached the power of “offense” to a few thousand members of the Armed Forces (and 500 protesters) in San Diego. Keeping the war in Iraq ignited seems to be much more important than taking care of our own homeland and its citizens. Interestingly, the Union-Tribune reported that his visit after the address on North Island to the Balboa Veteran Hospital was cancelled without explanation. CNN, however, reported, that President Bush’s visit of the wounded soldiers was cancelled due to his early return to D.C. to oversee the Katrina rescue plan. The truth is, none of the reporting was accurate. President Bush had not returned home that morning. He was indeed at the hospital, cheering on veterans.
When will disaster prevention and clean-up in the homeland be at least as important as the attack on illusive terrorists abroad?
Bixi B. Craig, San Diego
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Yesterday’s headline was: “White House Upset at Finger Pointing.” Too much finger pointing? I think we need more finger pointing, not less. Let’s put the blame where it belongs. George Bush loves to parade around as the “Commander in Chief.” A few responsibilities go with that title.
His administration has been the most callous, indifferent and neglectful of public needs, of any in my lifetime. Stingy with our tax money when it is needed for the public sector or human needs. Slow as molasses when it comes to respond to catastrophic events that could be prevented or mitigates. Callous and indifferent to people’s suffering both in our own country, in Iraq and around the globe. Oblivious to the consequences of federal policies that destroy our natural environment, cause life threatening global warming, toxic pollution and air that is not fit to breath. Death dealing in its frenzy to initiate perpetual wars which send our young people to illegal, immoral and suicidal military missions in pursuit of other people’s oil. Arrogant in the face of world disapproval and criticism while we violate international laws and treaty commitments. Single minded in its naked acceptance of corporate privilege and greed at the expense of the common good. Indifferent to the disgrace of more than two million, mostly young people, condemned to our prisons.
And most of all, its time to do some finger pointing about the endless LIES that emanate from the White House. No amount of obfucation can justify these disastrous policies. The endless parade of federal official giving us rosy predictions in face of inaction, is truly astonishing.
This week authorities evacuated 600,000 people as Typhoon Talim plowed into southern China. They shut down schools, highways and airports. Despite 30 foot waves there were no casualties. We had ample warning that the hurricane was approaching. Why were warnings of wetland destruction ignored and why were funds for levee repair reduced from $208 million to $10 million? Why was there no federal force to evacuate the people of New Orleans prior to the hurricane?
Tanja Winter, La Jolla
