There will be finger pointing, bitterness and dismay for years regarding last week's official response to the Hurricane Katrina devastation in New Orleans. The local and regional officials blame the federal officials, yet those same officials failed to show true initiative and leadership during the crisis. Granted, the damage was intense and widespread and communication broke down, but more could have been done on a local level. Having police officers turn in their badges wasn't helpful either - their primary job is to protect and serve.
Some blame was assigned to the federal government for failing to provide the funding to secure the levees that broke, but local governments could have imposed a tax to make up for budget shortfalls and ensure its city was safe. Many are also quick to blame the federal government for its slow response and the dismay was abundantly clear when Michael Brown, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said he had not heard of the extremely dangerous and desperate scene at the New Orleans Convention Center. The horror of the slow response and the anger at Brown's ignorance is justifiable. His job should be in jeopardy. However, the allegations of racism are unfounded and indeed, hurtful.
The damage was so intense that it was nearly impossible for relief workers to arrive in a timely fashion and the looters, rapers, murderers and marauding bands of lawless thugs did not help either. In short, there are many to blame.
However, it was not all bad. The last few days showed an uptick in relief efforts from throughout the nation. The compelling stories of strife, loss and abandoned hope evoked a visceral response in millions of Americans. As the true nature of the damage revealed itself over the course of several days, relief efforts marched into step. The Daily Journal quick poll on our Web site shows how the level of sympathy changed. Early after the hurricane hit, those who said they were willing to give donations to help Katrina's victims was approximately 23 percent. Now, one full week later, that number is at 59 percent. What a difference a week makes.
People from across the nation are lending assistance through a variety of ways. There are offers of housing, employment and general assistance. Here in San Mateo County, thousands of people have opened their wallets to help. Seven-year-old Ryan Richardson of San Bruno went so far as to organize a massive drive to get the people of the Gulf Coast much-needed assistance. In South San Francisco, hotel owner David Lane asked other hotel owners to donate soap, shampoo, toothpaste, blankets, towels and diapers to the cause. In Burlingame, a group of children raised $1,600 for the relief effort by selling lemonade. These are just a few stories of how San Mateo County is choosing to help. For every story told in the newspaper, there are many others behind the scenes.
Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding wreaked havoc on the people of New Orleans and their neighbors on the Gulf Coast. Granted, there are horrible stories caused by the slow response and the unnecessary deaths along with the looting and violence, but there are also stories of hope, of those overcoming challenges and many people rising to the call for assistance. This response typifies most Americans.
There will be inquiries and probes and people will lose their jobs. The deaths, the violence and the despair will cause trauma for years to come. But New Orleans will rebuild and when it does, it will be stronger.
Hopefully, our nation will arise from this tragedy stronger too.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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