What might have happened in the aftermath of Katrina if. . .
. . .on Tuesday, the President of the United States had ordered an immediate deployment of a minimum of 50,000 military troops, with a full complement of amphibious crafts/vehicles, into the city with a verbal commitment during a television address to the entire nation to order as many more troops as proved necessary?
. . .on Tuesday, the President of the United States had showed up in New Orleans, as he did in New York City after 9/11, to lift the morale of the city by holding the people and wading into the flood waters?
. . .on Tuesday, the President of the United States had called for a high level conference on solutions that included all cabinet members and experts from Florida who endured Hurricane Andrew?
. . .on Tuesday, the military had deployed tens of thousands of life rafts in the water logged neighborhoods so that people could have saved themselves from the flood waters?
. . .on Tuesday, hundreds of Greyhound buses had been ordered to the city to evacuate the refugees who had been too poor to leave the city in the first place?
. . .on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had ordered abandoned military bases all across this nation to be opened and readied to receive the refugees from Katrina?
. . .on Tuesday, the President of the United States and the White House Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives had called on every church, synagogue, temple and mosque in America to prepare to minister to the former citizens of New Orleans who would shortly be arriving in their various communities?
. . .on Tuesday, every major media outlet in America had called for immediate action from every sector of government--city, county, state and federal--to come to the aid of the drowning city?
. . .on Tuesday, FEMA and the President of the United States had guaranteed adequate support for local law enforcement officials to do their job in New Orleans?
. . .on Tuesday, a priority one effort to evacuate the hospitals of the city had been undertaken?
. . .on Tuesday, the Corps of Engineers had been directed by the President of the United States to spare no effort nor worry about any expense to begin to develop a strategy to restore the levees in the flooding city?
. . .on Wednesday, every resource needed in terms of rescue and security had been directed to this city in danger of dying?
. . .on Wednesday, FEMA had negotiated relocation agreements with 25-30 cities across the entire nation to receive with dignity the refugees from New Orleans?
. . .on Wednesday, the President of the United States had declared martial law and directed the federal government to take over the management of the city of New Orleans?
. . .on Wednesday, the federal government had dropped in adequate food supplies at the Superdome and in other extremely distressed parts of the city?
. . .on Wednesday, the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Commerce at the direction of the President of the United States had ordered that gasoline prices be frozen at $2.75 per gallon?
. . .on Wednesday, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development had opened Section 8--now called the Housing Voucher Program--benefits to refugees from New Orleans to any city or town into which they resettled?
. . .over the past two plus decades, the various Presidents and Congressional delegations had heeded the pleading of the New Orleans' representatives to help with funding the strengthening and rebuilding of the levee system in the city?
. . .today the politicians vowed to stop asking people to be patient with the heat, the hunger, the thirst, the death and the despair?
Please pray for this amazing city and its tortured people.
I sure do wish you would run for president, Larry.
ReplyDeleteWe're in constant prayer.
Sherry and the rest of the Nulls
I echo the whole running for President idea...great thoughts and a hearty amen to each of them.
ReplyDeleteIt is just so utterly overwhelming-I do feel like there is so much more that we can or could have been doing, but now I want to ask: What can I do now?
Thanks again for all of your thoughts...
Hi Larry –
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more! You have penned some absolutely honest ‘what-if’ scenarios. Why the President and all of his men could not figure these things out in a timely fashion is beyond comprehension. Wish I weren't so far away ... feeling helpless to aid ALL those suffering from this disaster. Not as much news is getting out over here in the UK about those suffering in Mississippi and Alabama. It's all about New Orleans. And it's all so ghastly!
People here in the UK are absolutely stunned that a nation that prides itself and tells the rest of the world how to get their act together in a disaster are apparently so grossly paralysed and unprepared when it comes to implementing emergency action in their own country. Today on BBC Radio 4 Today it was suggested that perhaps the US might be better to call in the UN to come to its aid ... it might not be perfect, but it has proven it is a bit more adept in aiding those suffering the aftershocks of natural calamities. And it mobilizes a lot faster than the various branches of the US government.
The Brits also do not understand the concept of America’s utilisation of a National Guard versus the military? Here, our military gets knee deep in rescue and recovery efforts from the outset.
All this makes it more encouraging, though, seeing the American churches and those in communities of faith not being bogged down by governmental constraints, but being galvanized into heartfelt action to reach out to all those in need. More of these stories need to get out. Christ and his followers will prevail in coming to the aid of so many!
We know you are helping tremendously in aid efforts. You have our covenant of prayer for now, as well as in the many months ahead. God will supply.
Blessings!
What if....you put the "homeless" to work and paid them to begin "cleaning-up" their own city!
ReplyDeleteI imagine if the President had done all those things, people like you would still be upset that he hadnt done something else.
ReplyDeleteI respect you tremendously, but sometimes, I think you confuse the President with a genie in a bottle. No matter when he visted or how many bases he opens up for refugees, that doesnt solve the problems. You cant get people out of there. If there was a magic drain he could open to let the water recede, do you think he would wait?? People who offer suggestions like the one offered here, only confirm their very small knowledge of government. I even disagree with the POTUS visiting today. When a President comes to town, police, state troopers, coast guard, national guard and military are less focused on search and rescue, because they have to protect the POTUS. Trust and empower the men on the ground to do their job.
Everyone wants less taxes and more programs for poor people, but when there is a disaster they want huge mounting relief. How do you suggest we fund those oppurtunities in the furture Larry?
You are one of my heros. I respect you more than you know. I am just frustrated with people admonishing the handling of this event by the POTUS, Red Cross, FEMA, and New Orleans Mayor. This is a disaster of biblical proportions, let give people more than a few days to mount the largest search and rescue/disaster relief/re-building effot ever.
Jarod
Hindsight is always 20-20. "What if President Clinton had taken out Osama when he had the chance...?"
ReplyDeleteI think this overwhelmed almost everyone. No one really had a clue just how bad it was until late Tuesday. Playing the "what-if" game really doesn't help the present situation.
I agree with the one who said that they should put some of these people to work. I've seen pictures of able-bodied men just sitting around doing nothing. Pay them $10 an hour and put them to work cleaning up. And send in the military to kill the looters and gang members who are wreaking havoc on the streets.
J. Murphy
The President does not have the authority to freeze gasoline prices. Congress would have to pass legislation to give the President that authority, and I pray the President would never sign it.
ReplyDelete1973 taught us that price fixing will not work. When you price commodities below the demand prices, that forces gas outages. Supply and Demand does work, it is not always easy or pretty but it will work, and the market will adjust...it alwasy has.
Larry,
ReplyDeleteOverwhelmed with sadness this morning, I thought, "Larry will know how I can help these people - maybe he'll have a place on his blog where I can send some money." I was disappointed when all I found were "what ifs." I've wondered many of those things, too, but I want to focus my time on helping. Give me some ways to help, and I will.
Jarod~
ReplyDeleteYes, I do want mounting relief. It makes no sense that people in the richest country are miserably dying on the streets because of dehydration, walking the highways like weary pilgrims with no end in sight, and waiting for busses and transportation that isn't coming.
I, personally, have never asked for tax cuts. My personal experience has been that the people wanting tax cuts are not usually the people wanting relief for the poor.
In the Katrina situation, I personally don't understand what has taken so long for the help to arrive. I am with Deb in that I am appalled by our nation that can go around to other countries claiming to have the answers to their problems, yet not even having the competence to solve our own. I don't understand how we can easily free up billons of dollars to go to Iraq and then have no resources to deal with situations in our own country. We, Americans, have been made to be on our guard and so afraid of "terrorists," yet our biggest terrorist has now been Mother Nature...and we were not prepared for her. I have to wonder whether the would-be terrorists are smirking because of all the ways we tried to prepare against them, Mother Nature has now done their job for them...on a much larger scale.
Do you really want the government to sit around and come uo with ways to combat mother nature?? We focus on terrorism because their is something to focus on? We cant sit around and plan for Mother Nature? We will respond and we will do so in a way that will prove the greatness of this country and the people of New Orleans, but it takes time people. This is a city the shape of ceral bowl, you cant drive trucks with supplies in and take people out. The logistical operations are a nightmare, It takes time!
ReplyDeleteThere is lots to reply to here today already. . .and I won't try to respond to all. The reasons for the "what if" format is simple: the America we have created has left tens of thousands of our fellow citizens in such an impoverished state that most could not leave New Orleans. The sad fact is had this happened in any number of American cities, the outcome would have been much the same due to the presence of a large and growing underclass created by the policies of the last 25 years. No one wants to own up to that fact, but I can tell you it is true.
ReplyDeleteThis morning on the news shows a simple question was being asked: "How can CNN and NBC get camera crews everywhere, but relief efforts can't get water to the Superdome to help prevent the death of infants?"
As to what you can do to help, that is not really all that hard to figure out, is it? Identify those agencies in your community involved in serving the refugees--here in Dallas there was a listing of all in the paper this morning. American Red Cross, Salvation Army, various denominational relief organizations, etc. Make a generous donation today. Contact them about volunteer opportunities, organize your community of faith to help out. You don't need me to tell you these things--they are assumed.
But, I beg you,as you give your charity for this emergency, remember the longer term consequences of our current national public policy--a public policy that would not begin to consider paying any unemployed, poor man $10 an hour for any public works program funded by the government. Those who suggest that definitely will have my very eager support. The problem is the people in charge today in my state and in our nation don't think such plans are good for the country.
Forgive my passion, but I live with the very evident consequences of a very unjust system every day.
And frankly friends, the fact that those who are suffering the most are black and poor is a factor here. I am ashamed to point that out, but it is true. Not to consider that reality is to live in denial of our national reality.
One last note: I like the notion of calling on the UN for help.
For all the anger and frustration my little "what if" post will stir up, I still think every item is worth considering and I would love to hear arguments that take us in some other direction. It is very clear that the people in New Orleans on the ground both citizens and leaders don't find the response to this point to be anywhere near adequate.
Thanks for the comments. Perhaps we will awaken to the fact that many in this country have been living in desperation long before Katrina hit.
ReplyDeleteLarry James,
ReplyDeleteI agree with several of your post comments. That instead of the negative let us look on the positive. The fact is, lots of mistakes have been made. It's very difficult to get into New Orleans, even tho journalists and Harry Connick seem to have. I don't understand why food and water can't be dropped to those people at the convention center. Perhaps that is happening now. But to heap blame on the President won't solve any problems. Everyone thinks he took a five week vacation and stayed at his ranch. He was going all over the country during those times. And don't forget the Congress was also on a five week vacation. But they were out working too, just not in DC. This took everyone by surprise. And I agree that New Orleans was on a foundation of 'sand' and needs to be replanted on the 'rock'. Both physically and spiritually.
I hope the US will accept whatever aid is offered from each and every country that wants to help. This is very good policy as it gives these countries empowerment. It is always good to do good. Even very poor countries are offering help! That is awesome! And I know Impact in Houston is offering help. That is an inner city church. I'm sure Central Dallas ministries will be doing the same.
I heard yesterday that NO is 67% black and most of them poor. That is why we are seeing so many poor black people on the news.
thanks for listening but your blog got me a little disgruntled today.
Marilyn Holland
Mr. James:
ReplyDeleteYou have a job that I could never do and your work in the inner city has earned you the right to say whatever you want in my opinion.
However, I think it is sheer lunacy to suggest the response from the govt, Bush, FEMA, Red Cross or whomever has been influenced by the race of those affected.
You have gotten in to deep in the race card bubble Mr. James, step out for a minute.
Speaker Hastrett has a point that needs to be discussed, is it responsible to rebuild this city below sea level?
I appreciate your candor in pointing out :
ReplyDelete"And frankly friends, the fact that those who are suffering the most are black and poor is a factor here. I am ashamed to point that out, but it is true. Not to consider that reality is to live in denial of our national reality."
Maybe you shold also point out that those are the one SHOOTING guns at the rescue helicopters.
Is that somebody elses fault too Mr. James? Who should take the blame for that? There are no boats, helicopters, food, water, I am hot, whatever...I will now shoot at people, rape people in the Superdome, molest women in the showers at the Astrodome, shoot National Guardsman in the head, and storm Charity Hospitals with guns. Please Mr. James tell me who we hold accountable for these actions!
Anonymous, thanks for your kind rebuke. As to race and America, I noted this morning on the national news programs that I am not the only white man asking the question. Pick up a copy of Harpers magazine this week and read Jonathan Kozol's essay on public education--another white guy. I will admit to being in an inner city bubble, but lots of Americans don't place themselves in a position to understand racial reality, especially at the bottom, in this naiton. Again, thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteTo make sure everyone understands the Anonymous to whom I was responding just before, it was not the person who suggests that we tie looting and shooting to race. The post of this other Anonymous person actually makes my point very clearly. No one is excusing violence or shooting. But, are you suggesting that this is a racial characteristic or that it is happening because of the race of the people involved? Is that your point?
ReplyDelete(Not the same anonymous as before)
ReplyDeleteI completely understand Larry's passion on this topic. I think his "race" question can be posed another way--Imagine this type of calamity had hit (say) Boston to Kennebunkport Maine. Could one argue that the action might have been more immediate and decisive? Not quesitoning that the government is acting, just that the government may be a notch slower than it would be if a wealthier portion of the country were impacted. It's a question of motivation.
Also, regarding not blaming Bush. I'm getting frustrated by the complete lack of accountability that Bush seems to have for everything. Sits stunned for 15 minutes in a classroom on 9/11? No one can blame him. No WMD's but we take over a country? Not his fault, it's the CIA. New Orleans under water and we aren't fast enough? That's not his fault either. At some point the man at the top should be accountable for SOMETHING. I applaud Larry for bringing this one up.
Dear Larry... your point is well taken. However...
ReplyDeleteThe question is not "what if" but "what now". As any one who has ever lived in New Orleans knows, the levies were always inadequate and the pumps antiquated. But the machine politic in New Orleans has a reputation for not serving its people well. And it's possible to have a problem too big even for the federal government to untake at a moment's notice.
New Orleans must be rebuilt, and perhaps like Galveston should be raised up. I believe that is an undertaking that will require a lot of creative thinking and many, many hands and of course, a lot of money.
But that is not what I want to know. What do you hear from the folks at the Carrollton Avenue church? Have any come to Dallas? Pass on any needs they have. Thanks so much, Susan Kelley
What if all of us bloggers (myself included) stopped blogging and started doing what we wish other people were doing?
ReplyDeleteLarry... I link to you on my blog and read your stuff frequently. You don't know me so it might be easy to misunderstand this comment. I really do agree with much of what you’re saying but...
ReplyDeleteHad trucks driven through the streets of New Orleans the day before Katrina, announcing that free rides were available out of the city for as many who wanted to leave, how many would have left?
No one knew what was going to occur. I’ll add to your “what if’s” this set of “why is it’s”:
Why is it that mismanagement and corruption in New Orleans has been the norm for at least the past 50 years?
Why is it that America has so institutionalized poverty that we see it as the government’s role to fix it?
Why is it that while you and I will agree that God has a heart for the city of New Orleans the city fathers have had (historically) little heart for God?
Why is it that some will blame everyone for the looting but the looters?
Why is it that I just spoke with a woman here in Fort Worth who works with the city’s emergency response team. I’m only the second pastor to have called saying, “Whatever you need we will try to do”?
OK... enough... I’m going to stand up in front of almost 1,000 people Sunday and preach. Want to help me write my sermon? Seriously? If you do call me at 817-294-1260 ASAP. If I'm not here (I'm busy helping out at a city rec center where 5,000 refugees are coming) my secretary will get us together.
Let’s quit the "what if’s" and "why is it’s" and be who God has called us to be in this world of trouble we live in.
“In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”
Jesus
Joe, you are right, of course. But, I would add that as we work--and we've got it going on today here at CDM!--we need to think and we need to talk and we need to consider forming and adopting new mindsets and new natijonal commitments about poverty, democracy, citizenship and spirituality. That is all I am advocating here.
ReplyDeleteDanny, I'd love to talk to you. I think it best that you call me if you are serious (214.823.8710 ext. 16). As for texts, maybe one of these will strike your fancy as you reflect on not just a response or reaction to Katina, but on the whole matter of poverty in general: Isaiah 58:1-12; Isaiah 10:1-4; Proverbs 31:4-9; Deuteronomy 15:1-11 (note the progression from a stronger demand to a lesser--an example of God reasoning with himself about the hardness of the hearts of his people when it comes to money and poverty--a proper exegesis of this text will enlighten your listeners about Jesus' use of one verse toward the end in his own ministry); or then if you want a tamer, more expected approach you can go with Matt. 25:31ff. These texts assume a systemic foundation for the problems--note that none blame the victims either. Leaders must stand up for a higher level of accountability--that is why Proverbs won't let them have beer! I'd love to talk to you.
ReplyDeleteOh, now we see the problem. A guy says "call me" and you say "no, you call me..."
ReplyDeleteGive me a break and stop taking yourself so seriously. There is plenty of blame to go around but those levees in New Orleans are 30 years old. How much time do you need to make sure they will hold? It's the local's responsibility first. Do you want the feds in charge of Dallas roads too, so that when a guardrail falls off and someone plunges off the road we can blame that on The President too?
GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
What if...
ReplyDeletewe could see into the future and had known that a Tropical Storm would become a F4 hurricane?
What if...
we all bravely second guessed the leaders of our country 6 days after this storm hit and the response began.
What if...
we actually admonished the steps taken to change a horrible situation.Instead of belittle the efforts of everyone involved that doesn't believe exactly the way we believe.
What if...
we don't play the race card everytime 'life' happens. (God conrolled Katrina not Bush)
What if...
we break the curse of government dependence by expecting people to take the lead in caring for themselves instead of waiting for the US Government to come to their rescue.
What if...
we actually look for positives instead of negatives?
Sure would be wild wouldn't it?
-Josh Stites
Larry,
ReplyDeleteThis is my first post here, though I support your ministry with donations and love to read your blog. I have to reply to this one. First, regarding the military... they are being mobilized to help. The sick and injured have been airlifted to several area military hospitals, including the Naval Air Station in our own metroplex. The closed military bases, and even open ones, have been mobilized and are being prepared for use for the refugees. (Lack of preparation for refugees is only the tip of the iceberg on the problems with using the Superdome!) Deploying the military ANYWHERE in large numbers takes time and logistical planning, not to mention travel time. IF action had been taken on Tuesday to deploy "tens of thousands" of life rafts, how quickly do you assume they could have arrived in the area? Have you ever been in charge of such large scale logistics management? Trust me when I tell you that I have friends who DO logistics management for the military, and I have heard the headaches from their spouses (because they currently are too busy to rest, let alone tell anyone else what is going on). The military IS being mobilized. It is not on the news because the media chooses to focus on 1) doom and gloom, 2) How has Bush failed AGAIN, and 3) Armchair quarterbacking, as you have done.
It is primarily the responsibility, in my opinion, of CHRISTIANS in every community of our nation to stand up and mobilize. We should not be waiting for our next Sunday church attendance, or our church leaders to call us up. We should be calling our churches and offering up our homes, our extra clothes, our food, our money -- even our churches' regular budgets (if individuals and governments can "find" the money for assistance, why can't our churches?!)-- and coordinate with the local, state and national agencies.
Rather than focus your anger, frustration and criticism on what Bush and our military have not done, why not focus on what our churches have not done?! What HAVE you done, Mr. James? What HAVE your supporting congregations done?! What NEEDS to be done?! Please tell us that, instead. Please be uplifting and encouraging in this time of distress. What if's do not produce solutions.
LCW
There is a blog from downtown N.O. here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/
This guy has been holed up in a computer data center with generator power in a 27 story building for the duration. In addition to the blog, there is a live camera feed and lots of photos. There are some interesting nuggets about what life has been like in N.O. for the past few days for those who wish to read through the blog.
Yes, there are some bad people taking advantage of a horrific situation, but there has also been a near total collapse of government (the 10:46pm post from Sept. 1st is interesting in this regard).
Bottom line: There is intense misery and suffering. I think we need to ask ourselves what the Christian response to such intense suffering on such a large scale so close to our own dry homes should be.
"If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas."
ReplyDeleteFor those commenting here who are at least attempting to follow the way of Christ - and if you're not, I think I can safely say the host welcomes and values both you and your input - I'd like to suggest we keep the passion but drop the pejoratives.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a good disagreement, but I think we can do it better than what I've read so far.
Larry, this is your blog, so feel free to stop me from laying down my ground rules. But it would also make the discussion easier if those who are not going to sign in with a username and password would at least put some name or nickname at the bottom of their posts like Josh did. Besides, not supplying your own name makes it more tempting for others to call you a name of their own choosing...
Thanks, Grant. I appreciate your heart and attitude. I do understand the anger and passion expressed here. What is troublesome is how some folks simply can't tolerate any criticism of elected officials whose charge it is to care for matters like this. Still, I am so glad for the conversation with everyone.
ReplyDeleteOne brief note on logistics. I do understand how hard it is to arrange for massive movements and strategies in the face of such circumstances. That said, I do not buy the argument that the response times we've seen are acceptable. Further, had there been an attack on the nation by a foreign enemy, the response would have been instantaneous. I know the situations are different, but we could have had troops there on Tuesday--that I know.
This is LCW again... Just call me Lisa.
ReplyDeleteThe response here is comparable to other recent natural disasters, as well as to Sept. 11th. As for getting troops into N.O. on Tuesday, there was no apparent need for troops on Tuesday, until the levees broke and the city began to flood. Indeed, until the command leadership for the emergency staff of the city began to flee and communications broke down, no one knew how desperately anything was needed. HOWEVER... politcal blame and arguing aside...
Here is my frustration. MY frustration lies with my church home. The only communication we have had from our church is that we are concerned with other members of churches of our denomination who are displaced and in need of homes, etc. Is that what Christ would have done? On the other hand, I work for a community college in town, where mobilization HAS been instantaneous. We maintain a collection of food and clothing for helping our students, and the students and staff in charge of that facility decided without hesitation to contribute those items (as well as new donations) to the Dallas Emergency Response teams coordinating efforts at our Reunion Arena and Convention Center. We have set up a fund through our business office for collecting funds for the Red Cross. We have, at a District level, made accomodations for college students who might want to continue their education while displaced to do so without going through a bunch of needless red tape. We have established a coordinating team to assist with campus efforts to help with the recovery efforts at the Gulf. I am blessed to have such a workplace, and wish that my cushy suburban congregation were more Christlike and taking similar active steps to find ways to help.
FOR instance, Larry, I assume it is not too far afield to think that CDM will be providing services to many of the refugees we are seeing brought to Dallas? What would it take for our congregations to step out of their comfort zones and contribute there? I know that many who support your ministry read this blog... I would love to see more of them step up the way my workplace has done!
Lisa
I agree with those who are urging that New Orleans not be rebuilt. I think the expense of making a new hurricane-proof city would be prohibitive, not to mention cleaning up mess.
ReplyDeleteBTW, meteorologists are concerned that another tropical system will form in the western Gulf toward the end of next week, not something the folks of Louisiana and Mississippi want to hear.
Brian and Lisa, thanks for your continuing interest in this conversation.
ReplyDeleteBrian, the point is not to create division. And, the point here is not just response to this storm. The response is just the latest example of an extremely draconian policy that is hurting our weakest citizens all over this nation.. .every day. Please see the connection. There is a time for accountability.
Lisa, thanks for your thoughts too. For the record, the levees broke Tuesday. And yes, CDM is very involved already. We are working closely with the Red Cross to coordinate efforts. We are the food pantry of first call for families who are needing food--we anticipate working with families who are lodging with relatives or others and placing a strain on the host household. We will also work on medical matters, housing, employment, etc as this crisis unfolds over the coming weeks and months. It is a long term reality we are facing. We will be here through it all.
Thanks again, both of you.
By the way, if you are interested in a "partisan" view of the Katrina response, take a look at what U. S. Senator David Vitter had to say today at http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/
ReplyDelete20050902/pl_afp/usweatherdeaths. Thanks to Grant Boone for this link. It is interesting.
. . . and what would have happened if years ago, people did not build a city which was below sea level?
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting that when someone starts holding the current administration accountable many people are quick to jump on it and say that it is partisan or divisive. Is it not okay to question the people in charge when things seem to be going horribly wrong? If the administration is in fact blameless, I would think they would welcome the questioning.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Larry, thanks for your call to me earlier today. I hope we can share lunch soon.
ReplyDeleteWe both agree that after Katrina made landfall, not much went right in New Orleans. The decision to evacuate the city came a day late. The ability to evacuate those who had no means to do so themselves was non existent. There has been no control of the looting.
But why? You and I may still disagree here. The local authorities are supposed to provide the stage and structure for the federal help, if it is needed. And it has been desperately needed. But as it turns out local leadership in New Orleans has been mostly absent. Here's a reality check: If you and I had dropped large bundles of food and water to the New Orleans Convention Center on Thursday or Friday, what would happen? And whose fault would that be?
There has been no foresight nor ability from the local authorities in New Orleans to protect and defend the people in the time it is taking the Federal Troops to arrive. This inability is due to poor local leadership in New Orleans most everyday of the year. Have you noticed the life and culture there? This is a city well prepared for a major party and wholly unprepared for a major catastrophe.
As I mentioned to you earlier, I spent part of the afternoon at a City of Fort Worth athletic complex. It is being prepared to receive 5,000 refugees. Larry, I can report to you that these folks have the best of intentions but had no clue how to receive the help we were offering. They are in no way prepared to receive thousands of people. I spoke with four different individuals, got four different answers as to when the first buses were coming. Finally I was told, “We will call you.” No one has called as I post this comment. We were offering food, water, and manpower. Not one person was able to say, “Yes, we will take the help, here’s the plan.”
Perhaps this is the problem: A misunderstanding of the hard work and ordinary competency it takes at the local level to help people. You know this better than me. The government can’t wave a wand and make it happen. It takes people who want the best and are willing to work to make it happen.
I hope you’ll tell us what you and CDM are doing at Reunion Arena and in the neighborhoods of Dallas. I know you are partnering with The Red Cross. I know you have some important stories to tell.
I have to go... Sorry for the long comment. A group of us are headed to another refugee shelter in southeast Fort Worth to offer help.
Danny, I enjoyed talking to you earlier today as well. Appreciate you, your point of view and most of all your heart and commitment.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think you make my point with your Ft. Worth example. There are times--in crisis and great need--when local communities, leaders and those who govern, cannot possibly handle the challenges set before them. They are designed to maintain and to handle the routine, but totally unprepared to manage the catastrophic. Kartina is an example of this special situation.
I believe that lots of the defensiveness here in response to my criticism of the feds and the President is rooted in issues and ideas that have nothing to do with Katrina. And frankly, my criticism is not just about this storm, but about a pattern when it comes to the poor in this nation. When Mr. Clinton was President, I was known to say some of the same things about his administration relative to the poor.
One major purpose of the Federal government is to respond quickly to huge problems that are completely "out of scale" for localities. It is the same as the church in America trying to address all of the issues relative to poverty--impossible task due to scale--couldn't be done if you took every dollar collected every weekedn across the nation from every faith group.
The local governments were hamstrung--literally drowning themselves in the same flood as the citizens--remember, the entire city flooded.
It is important to focus on what now--and, like you, we are all involved. We provided careful case management today for 40 families who have found shelter. This will be our longterm role--we have to get folks out of shelters and into houses/apts.
But it is also important to speak the truth we see as we go along. Even the President said the response was too slow.
Forgive me, but I will always stand on the side of those who have little or nothing. And, I will be vocal and critical when I feel it is justified.
Love you, brother! Peace.
I seem to have two particular streams to my thoughts. One is, have the Republican policies failed to adequately help the poor? My answer to this is yes, and the results of their policies have certainly exacerbated the plight of the poor in New Orleans. The second is, as a leader, has President Bush responded well, appropriately, with leadership, to this crisis? Though some may feel that critics of President Bush have been too harsh, I raise this question: if he had been president, would Rudolph Giuliani, a solid Republican, responded any differently? I think Bush supporters, if they are honest, would have to answer yes. I remember the quick, decisive action taken by Mayor Giuliani, not only on 9/11, but also in a couple of earlier crises facing his people. And today, a Republican leader, Rep. John Sweeney from New York, called for President Bush to put Mr. Giuliani in charge of the federal response to this crisis. (check out http://www.wnbc.com/politics/4930151/detail.html).
ReplyDeleteI think, after pondering this question, that it is a fair assessment to state that President Bush has not responded quickly enough, or thoroughly enough, to this crisis.
What difference does this make now? Well -- I, for one, am not sure that I can feel very confident of President Bush and his leadership for the next crisis. I do not even feel any confidence that he is the leader for the next phases of dealing with this crisis.
Randy Mayeux
Dallas, Texas
http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007219
ReplyDeleteThe URL is for a link to a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. Give it a read. Then ask yourself why all of this mess in NO is being blamed on the Federal gov and Bush.
Or, you could check out the front page article in Sunday, September 11, 2005 New York Times for a much less biased report on what went wrong in NO than the one referenced above from the Wall Street Journal.
ReplyDelete