In a small forum I participate in the general consensus is that we have to do something, and do it now. Many members seem to think that – because of TV news coverage – little is being done to help. They don’t seem to realize that the destroyed area is around 90,000 square miles and that those who need aid number in the millions – and that highways, rails and airports are wiped out. No power, no fuel, and gangbangers firing on rescuers and those trying to deliver aid and evacuate people.
I can’t really fault the news media for all of it. They can’t get their camera crews into the most devastated areas so they can’t cover them. They can get to New Orleans and now Biloxi. Because of that many people think the destruction is limited to those two areas.
And of course – who gets the blame? Most of it falls on politicians, but they are very limited in what they can do. All the Feds can do is allocate funds. Local politicians have declared martial law. None have a magic wand to wave and create a transportation infrastructure.
Politicians: "None have a magic wand to wave and create a transportation infrastructure"
No, but they do have the ability to make a bad situation even worse! I just heard a disgusting interview with the NO mayor where he cursed everyone from the President to the governor for this calamity. I've never heard such defeated and demoralizing words from a leader. He has the local "bully pulpit" and should have used it to lead....for example:
Use every bit of his authority to assure people that he knows this is a bad situation but he also knows that the people of NO will help each other, especially those who can't help themselves. Tell them to protect the frail and the helpless and assure them that help is coming. Tell them to share what resources they have and to assist with all in their power to maintain sanitary and safe conditions. Tell them that we have to take care of ourselves until the help arrives. Tell them that they are the hereos who can hold down the fort.