Humbled by New Orleans

New Orleans

On CNN’s website the Mayor of New Orleans gets real with a reporter. He talks about the lack of resources given to the city. From reports I’ve found the director of FEMA has been running around with his tail between his legs. The Mayor lashes out at the President and others. He asks people to flood offices with letters and calls as well as stop press conferences.

The biggest news from this report is how he gets real about the lawlessness. The real reason people are looting, shooting and stealing is because the poor drug addicts were left behind. Addicts cannot go cold turkey, especially in a situation like the one in New Orleans. The reports of people breaking into drugstores and hospitals are reports of addicts trying to get something to take the edge off.

The report is amazing! True desperation of a Mayor who cares about his city and who is willing to do anything is talking. He is not a polished speaker, he is a powerful, and emotion filled Mayor who knows what his city needs, but can’t get it fast enough.

To listen to the Mayor go to CNN and click on WATCH: Mayor ‘Get Off Your Asses’

Other coverage I’ve been paying attention to is the Times Picayune. The paper is only available online now as the offices are underwater. I first heard about it on NPR. There are tens of thousands of postings of people looking for entire families. Once I began reading these it broke my heart. One posting I read was of a place where there are 300 refugees. They are without food and water. To make matters worse the place is filled with many diabetics.

Right now I am in an odd situation. Aaron and I are unpacking our apartment. We are sorting through wonderful wedding gifts and running to Target to get what we need to finish making the apartment our home as I read and listen to accounts of thousands who have died and many more who are on the verge of death. We are so fortunate. We are so humbled.