September 04, 2005
Thoughts on Katrina
Even though I was safely half a world away, I spent a lot of time worrying about the impact of Katrina on Lousiana and neighbouring regions. The internet brought the lead up and aftermath of this disaster right into my workplace.
My thoughts and prayers are certainly with all of those affected.
To appreciate just what has happened to New Orleans (and I realise this is only one part of the much larger area affected), check the photos linked from this map at NOAA.
But it seems to me that the potential for the tragedy was foreseen well in advance - Noone can say they didn't see it coming (unfortunately link appears not to be working tonight) - and the funding to fix it got cut to help pay for the war in Iraq. It was a game of Russian Roulette, and this time the chamber was loaded. Now the 'foreseen' disaster will end up costing so much more - in lives and dollars - as a result.
Here's another post that I found very interesting: For They That Sow the Wind Shall Reap the Whirlwind. As Katrina sat in the Gulf of Mexico building to a category 5 hurricane, some meteorologists were quick to discount global warming as playing any part. If they are right (I doubt it), good, but if they are wrong then I really am concerned about the environment we will be leaving for our kids if we do not take some action now.
I was discussing with my wife what it would be like to lose just about everything, as has happened to many in New Orleans. How do you pay your mortgage when your workplace has disappeared? Where do your bills get sent when you have no address? Just how understanding are your creditors when they lose contact with you for a while? (Personally, I have insurance for as many of these risks as possible, but it doesn't cover every possibility.) Well, perhaps Dubya needs to rethink his Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act before it is too late.
God save America. I don't think Dubya can do it.