Web Logs
9/3/2005 - New Orleans: Disaster of Nature and Response
The images and stories out of New Orleans are shocking, sad, and deeply disappointing. This? In an American city? Hard to believe. Again and again I keep hearing people ask the same questions:
- How is it that disaster sites are FILLED with well-coifed, paunch-bellied news men, and yet devoid of relief workers? Are cameramen and makeup artist somehow easier to mobilize than medical and rescue teams?
- Where has all the money we've spent for beefing up homeland security gone? Surely we've paid for a better disaster response than this.
- And Finally: Has our entanglement with Iraq compromised our ability to deal with disasters at home? Are all of our people who are best trained and equipped to deal with such situations currently in Bagdad?
I won't rush to blame on the Bush administration because I've no idea how much responsibility lies with the state governments, but SOMEONE should answer for this.
