I just do not understand what's going on in New Orleans. People stayed when told (and given plenty of time) to leave. Those who felt they should stay (or couldn't afford to move themselves northward) were given a place for shelter from all the windblown debris and rising water. 10,000 people went there. Now, days later, they are complaining that it's not live-able in there (don't know what they expected at a STADIUM). So, ok, they start stealing from supermarkets, drug stores, the gun and tv section at Walmart (?!?!). Oh, and smile at the camera while they're at it. Then they decide it's a good idea to shoot at the rescue helicopters, hijack the medical supply trucks, and beat and rape each other. Then they complain that no one is coming to help them fast enough. Nope, I don't get it.
I know that NYC hasn't had a Category 4 hurricane hit us, but we did have 9/11 and a pretty huge blackout recently. In both situations, NYC'ers banded together and helped each other in every way possible. Hundreds living here held up "Thank You" signs welcoming rescuers into downtown Manhattan. Regular folks directed traffic and gave strangers rides home. The tiny amount of looting was practically a non-issue. Everyone helped everyone. We didn't shoot each other, steal from each other, or sit around and do nothing waiting for those outside the city to help. I don't even think the recent tsunami brought forth this much violence and law-breaking.
What I am seeing on tv yesterday and today is heart-breaking, but the attitudes of many of the people down there are disgusting. The clean-up effort is now going to take a lot longer than it should.
4 comments:
You know - it is crazy, but at the same time, I think part of it is that there are two different groups you are referring to. One that wants to be rescued and such and one that wants to wreak as much havoc as possible while they are able. Either way, the whole situation is sad and it will probably get worse yet before it gets better (just a guess).
You've been tagged!
(Hope you don't mind . . .)
I have to agree with you. This is madness. It's VERY hard to watch. And it is like a third world country there. NYC gets a bad rap all the time. But (thinking of 9/11 since we were gone by the last blackout and the other one I remember I was a kid--so were you--LOL!) I remember my husband was at work and they let him go early and we had no idea how he was going to get home. I had no contact with him for hours, and was worried. We lived on Staten Island at the time, so there was nothing going that way, he went through upper Manhattan, Lower Upstate and NJ on a city express bus to get home--there was so much pulling together. Now this is somewhat different b/c it's a natural disaster, but I don't understand shooting at folks helping and complaining about help being given to you. I could go on and on about the whole thing. I can't help but to shake my head.
The stadium is diplorable, rape, starvation, feces...Not exactly what would cross anyone's mind when they evacuated there. No they shouldn't expect the hyatt hotel, but I do believe they would of expected to be somewhat helped.
Yes it's very tragic9stupid) that some of the people that should of left didn't. No doubt about that. But the ones who couldn't afford to leave and went to the stadium, I'm sure expected help when it was over. That didn't come. Yes some of the people there are crazy and insane and doing crazy and insane things, but what about those that aren't. They shouldn't expect water or help?
Yes there are thugs stealing and looting and even shooting at the police officers etc. But there are a lot of desperate people stealing food and water from some of those places just to live.
My heart literally aches for the innocent children and sickly elderly people.
I don't think anyone could prepare in their minds for what happened. I don't think that the people who fled to the stadium could of fathomed that it would turn out quite like this.
My hearts and good thoughts are with each and every person affected. We all make poor choices sometimes, we just hope that they don't have such devestating consequences.
It is heart wrenching to watch what is going on down in New Orleans. Sometimes I am in tears and other times I just shake my head. It is said a time of crisis will show ones true character, is that applicable here?
One thing I wonder is why didn't these people fend for themselves: collect scrap wood to build a fire for boiling water, send teams out to scavenge for food and other supplies, create "neighborhood watch" committees, etc. There were THOUSANDS of evacuees that could have banded together against a few "hoods".
Their greatest need was a LOCAL leader and they did not have one.
Compare Mayor Rudy with the mayor in New Orleans and there is a vast difference in leadership skills and expectations. The New Orleans mayor told the people, you are on your own, take what you can get. No wonder chaos and looting ensued.
Doesn't it make you realize how much WORSE 9/11 could have been?
Compare this crisis also with the Asian tsunami, were people out harming each other, looting, blaming their government?
Yes, it is heartbreaking what these southern states are suffering through, but I get so sick of hearing the blame-game and wondering how much of this is truth and how much is hype.
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