I don't care

[maleficent1959]

As my son’s Veggie Tales game said yesterday, “God wants us to help people whether we think they deserve it or not.” I’ve seen comments on this board, and others, which either imply or outwardly state that the condition the victims are now in is their own fault for whatever reason. Who cares how or why they got there? What matters now is that we help them back to life.

The people of the Gulf Coast need help. In response to some of the topics on these boards -- I don’t care if they are looting; I don’t care if they are black; I don’t care if they are junkies; I don’t care if they stayed in their homes rather than evacuate; I don’t care if the city of New Orleans should have built at all or if barrier islands should be inhabited; I don’t care if you think New Orleans is the most hedonistic city this side of Sodom or if Biloxi is Sodom redux. None of these impact giving.

I care about the man who sobbed for his wife he couldn’t hold onto; I care about the man who was so desperate he shot his own sister in the head over a bag of ice; I care about the woman whose cancer-stricken husband died because there was no power and she was unable to evacuate him; I care about the babies stranded in the ICUs; I care about the heroic health professionals struggling to continue to care for their patients; I care about the thousands of folks along the Coast who have lost everything; I care about the police and military personnel who are now having to go and settle such violent unrest in New Orleans; I even care about the dumba$$ Bourbon Street tourist I complained about in another thread.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Amen!

 

[Marseeya]

I agree.

I just think a lot of this anger towards the people is a venting of frustration because it's irrational to feel anger towards the hurricane itself.

 

[AllyandJack]

I think a lot of it has to do with fear. They figure the tragedy was avoidable and, therefore, it can't happen to them. They don't live in those areas, they would have evacuated, they would have been more prepared, etc., etc.

It's the "That will never happen to me because...." mentality. It is very common to blame the victims because it makes people feel as though they will never ALLOW themselves to be victims.

 

[DoeWDW]

I totally agree and I think most others will too. I think people are more likely to disagree over how BEST to help people. Do we rebuild their home where it may be in a flood plain or do we offer them a home that isn't in a flood plain but means they will have to relocate.

Still and all, I agree that no matter what the circumstances, we should help everyone that we can.

 

[Microcell]

I missed the tourist stuff! Gonna look for that.


It is unfortunate you have to post this. I hope the spirit of humanity prevails there.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think some people placed themselves in harms way--by refusing an evacuation order...

but it is all irrelevant when it comes to helping your fellow man.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I think a lot of it has to do with fear. They figure the tragedy was avoidable and, therefore, it can't happen to them. They don't live in those areas, they would have evacuated, they would have been more prepared, etc., etc.

It's the "That will never happen to me because...." mentality. It is very common to blame the victims because it makes people feel as though they will never ALLOW themselves to be victims.

Hmm I hadn't thought of that, but then I live where this could be a reality (well more like MS and AL than NO, not many place would flood like that).

I mean Jeanne last year, we didn't leave, a lot of people didn't leave because they had hurricane burn-out, couldn't afford to leave again after evacuating for Frances, etc. Sometimes people just don't leave even when they should, this I know personally.

 

[4nana]

Definitely a time for all Americans (and the world) to pull together and do whatever we can to help.

I think more than one valuable lesson is being taught through this terrible disaster.

 

[eeyore kelly]

Well said!!!

 

[Aidensmom]

Great post!

 

[disneydreamer1970]

I could not agree with you more!!!

God Bless America!!

Trish

 

[drgnfly30]

Ditto Maleficent!

 

[va32h]

I think some people placed themselves in harms way--by refusing an evacuation order...

If it's irrelevant, why bring it up?

 

[JimB.]

Agree with the OP 100%.

I think another "side effect" of this may be that there will be REAL, NO S***, MANDATORY evacuations in the future.

I'm not talking about "Please leave, it's gonna' be bad!!", I'm talking about "Get your butt off this island NOW. We will help/escort/or even bodily carry you, but you will be leaving. Now."

Sometimes people demonstrate they do not have the ability to make the right decision & it will have to be made for them. I'm not advocating Big Brother coming in & running our lives (far from it), but in the face of impending chaos & disaster, you just may not be able to let people "do their own thing".

How many people are going to get hurt or maybe even die as a result of not evacuating? How many of those involved in the rescue effort wil face the same fate?

 

[staci]

I care about the man who sobbed for his wife he couldn’t hold onto; I care about the man who was so desperate he shot his own sister in the head over a bag of ice; I care about the woman whose cancer-stricken husband died because there was no power and she was unable to evacuate him; I care about the babies stranded in the ICUs; I care about the heroic health professionals struggling to continue to care for their patients; I care about the thousands of folks along the Coast who have lost everything; I care about the police and military personnel who are now having to go and settle such violent unrest in New Orleans; I even care about the dumba$$ Bourbon Street tourist I complained about in another thread.[/QUOTE]

Very well said. The faces of these individuals are forever etched in my mind.