Katrina... oh Katrina

As the fallout from hurricane Katrina continues, so does the fallout from the fallout, and the fallout from that. So many people, so quick to point the finger. So many people, not wanting to admit their partial fault in lack of preparations and allocation of resources. Blame FEMA, blame the Bush administration, blame racism, blame the Mayor of New Orleans, blame the war in Iraq. Blame everything and everyone. Then give money to relieve your conscience and tell yourself you helped.

It was a natural disaster. Nothing this big has ever hit a population center that big; not in a while. True it was handled poorly, and true, those responsible should own up to it. But I like what CNN's Anderson Cooper said when asked if it was getting better or worse a few days ago. He said that to say it is getting worse would take away from the hard work of those evacauting people, saving people, working with what little resources they have, putting their lives at risk in order to save the lives of others. And please don't tell me "It's their job". Please! Go down there and tell me that it's just a job.

It's taken a while for me to formulate my thoughts on this. Through all the portrayed emotion and political posturing, this whole incident makes me sick. Sick because this is not how a civilized society operates. There was less chaos during the 2004 tsunami and that was in supposed third world nations. But then again, according to Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet, ex-singer of the New Orleans funk band Galactic: Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to New Orleans. And if you're from out of town... Welcome to the third world...