Vulnerable Time Following Katrina

[azskyman]

Rising gasoline prices. The war in Iraq. A hot summer for many. And even a sense of despair that sometimes feels like that of 9/11.

All rolled into a discouraging way to start our days right now.

I know I have felt it. I'm sure other of you have too. As though it's easier to swear and complain than try to keep our senses and composure and get through these things.

We see the hair-trigger reactions of victims and politicians and even some on these boards (myself included).

Anger and frustration are not just on TV, but also where we work, go to school, at the gas stations, and in our conversations.

It's a vulnerable time for us right now. The world doesn't quite know what to think of us. We have a catastrophe and then start shooting each other. We have people trapped and needing help and can't get there fast enough. We have rising gasoline prices (and now an ominous heating season outlook) that has gloom written all over it.

And the world leaders people expect to see us be...hasn't really found its way through the clouds and fog that hangs over us just yet.

I am convinced that humans, and particularly Americans, are resilient as hell. We'll not only bounce back but put a lot of what we learn into action that will help us in years to come. We'll eventually be more caring neighbors.

And for the forseeable future, we will REALLY know what a serious hurricane can do.

At this particular moment...this snapshot in American history we may seem more vulnerable than ever before to those around the world who grin at our infighting and bumblings.

But they should not mistake the struggles of these days as a time when our defenses are down.

To do so right now would unleash a very powerful and brisk response that no group or country would want to endure.

We may feel depressed and sad; angry and frustrated. But we are Americans first and foremost, and we will meet these challenges in ways that will ultimately make us proud again for the privilege of living here.

Don't mess with us now.

I hear a very profound buzz in the hive.

[crazycajuncane]

Just like 9/11 it proves that America isn't unbreakable.

We made lots of mistakes during this storm, especially considering the beefed up security measures and different things like that.

It also goes to show that good old America needs help too. We're always the ones giving, but now we need! It's time for the world to come together. I wrote this in one of my posts last night.

Put all the politics aside. Accept any and all help. Hell, this could be a start to something great. Something good will come from all of this. We're already beginning to see it.... people bringing total strangers into their homes. Colleges accepting students, cities donating tons of clothing and lots of money to the victims of this disaster. As much bad as we see on TV... there is about 5 times the good out there.

[Skywatch_NC]

I read online today that Raleigh has at least 30 evacuated children in the schools here (hopefully more on the way whom our city can help with!) and also this past Saturday 2 brothers ages 8 and 4 raised $300
in a lemonade sale in their Cary, NC neighborhood for hurricane relief.

Eric

[Miss Mary]

ERIC - I was going to post the same thing just about. So many times, we think alike....

It starts with the littlest ones and we can take our cue from them. What can a 4 year old do? Start a Lemonade Stand! All over my community little children are asking how they can help. And it just grows from there.

It's as simple as that - lemonade.

Thanks for a timely topic Azskyman.

Mary

[Deb321]

Well said Azskyman and I know as Americans we will stand together and take care of our fellow Americans. There will be plenty of time for blame and finger pointing when the victims of Katrina have been helped. I once again am in awe at how the people of our country are taking steps to come to the aid of our Friends in LA, and Miss. Most times in a time like this everyone can come together and be the neighbors we should be. There is so much to be done and I only hope that the help and comfort these people need so desperately will be there. I was hit twice last year and it was nothing like what these people had to endure and I know it takes a long time to recover. Hopefully in time they will be able to move on and rebuild. My heart goes out to all of them.

[Windy]

At this particular moment...this snapshot in American history we may seem more vulnerable than ever before to those around the world who grin at our infighting and bumblings.

But they should not mistake the struggles of these days as a time when our defenses are down.

To do so right now would unleash a very powerful and brisk response that no group or country would want to endure.

Perhaps, but, well, let me put it this way: if any country ever had a beef with us enough to try some sort of spectacular attack via proxy (i.e., terror), now or in the near future would be the time. Destroy three or four strategic American cities simultainiously tomorrow and there is a very real chance that our nation could spiral into such disorder that the central government would be rendered powerless. (Well, powerless over our country. I'm sure they'd retain power over the military and the nuclear weapons, but it's kinda hard to fight wars when you can't keep your supply lines up because vast swaths of your homeland have decended into anarchy and warlordism.) I didn't think that two weeks ago, but it seems hard to deny right now. It's really a creepy thought to me, and is why I hope that they start playing the "blame game" ASAP so that they can fix the rather blaring strategic defense planning mismanagement. The world, including our enemies, once viewed us as Superman, and now, to their surprise, it appears that Superman can be knocked over with only a few good punches.

[Eye10TX]

Success stories from Reliant City (Astrodome/ReliantPark complex) and Houston--

.Evacuee population in the complex decreased from the high of 29,400 two days ago, to 24,000 a day ago, to ..... ::drum roll:: .....

8,066 as of last night!

.1800 Katrina-displaced students start school in the Houston ISD today

.20,000 families have found longer-term (and even permanent) housing here

.75 children have been reunited with their parents/families - unknown number still to go

.Houston's Star of Hope Men's Shelter has filled 5 warehouses with the donations brought by Houstonians for Katrina survivors - so many items that it will take nearly a month just to sort them. They are asking everyone to STOP bringing things to their location and to donate them somewhere else!



~Today is the 105th anniversary of the Great Galveston storm of 1900.~

~Did you know that the damage from that storm would have cost $700 million in today's dollars?

~Katrina aftermath clean-up is costing US (us) $500 million PER DAY

[gtalum]

And gas prices seem to be coming back down.

They should be back in the $2.50 range (as a nationwide average) by the end of the year.

[vbhoutex]

And gas prices seem to be coming back down.

They should be back in the $2.50 range (as a nationwide average) by the end of the year.

Never thought I'd say something like this, but that would be sweet if they do come down like that!

[azskyman]

I have a lot of respect for Forbes Magazine...and they are saying that oil could be down in the $40-$50 a barrel range by year's end. That's a positive sign which, if it comes to pass, will also be welcome for all of us.

[artist]

just heard they are down to 2900 now!

[greeng13]

just heard they are down to 2900 now!

where? at the reliant center/astrodome?