The experiences and exploits of a college grad trying to make it in the "real world:" leaving school and friends in New England, moving south, and living with her boyfriend. Watch as I pretend to be an adult.
I've held off on commenting on Katrina and the New Orleans disaster for a while now. For the most part, I just haven't really known what to say or how to say it. I suppose I should start off by explaining that yes, I do have family there. They're safe- as soon as they realized how bad it would be, they got in a car and drove north to our family's lakehouse in Ga. They've lost just about everything they own, and don't know when they'll be able to go home. They were, I believe, insured against most of the damage so they'll be able to set up shop again someday...it's just a question of when. And where. I feel such a sense of loss. For those of you who haven't visited that amazing city, I'm not sure how to describe it to you. The last time I was there was years and years ago for a wedding, but I can still remember the energy and color New Orleans exuded. One of the trips on my "to do" list was a trip to Mardi Gras. I would still like to go, but I wonder if it won't lack something. What made New Orleans so truly unique (and over- and mis-used word, I know, but accurate here) was the amazing blend of religions, cultures, ethnicities, even languages- and the history that was embodied by all of this. They may be able to rebuild, but will it ever be possible to recapture the ambiance, the true "heart" of the city? To be honest, I'm not sure it will. I'm so angry. So many needless deaths, so much unnecessary suffering. It was such a badly mangled job- did you see the pictures of the rows and rows of submerged school busses? That made me want to cry. The means where there- why were so many people left behind? This administration has been preaching doom and disaster since 9/11. Billions of dollars have gone into "homeland security..." Well, here's a disaster, Mr. Bush. Just what did that money go to buy? Where were the evacuation plans that every major city was supposed to have? I won't even ask about the national guard and rescue equipment, because we all know that you feel the terror abroad is more important than the terror at home. Your response was too little, too late, Mr. Bush. An entire week to begin evacuations- can you imagine how long those seven days must have seemed to the people stranded on rooftops and in attics? While you were enjoying a five week vacation? Of course, maybe when you grow up with a mother who makes these kinds of comments, you're screwed from the get-go:
The former First Lady's remarks were aired on National Public Radio's "Marketplace" program.
"What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this [chuckles slightly]is working very well for them."
