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PHIL LOSSIFER
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Watchin' the Katrina disaster from the comfort of m' livin' room is like when the Tsunami happened. One becomes detached from the actual event. Sorry t' say, though, there's certain realties involved which will go unnoticed.
The govmint failed again, ignorin' studies 'n facts, indicatin' this event could happen. The real blame lies with our elected legislators whom chose pork over people's needs. Things travel in threes, an' there's a third disaster waitin'. Will we, or our govmint be ready? Sadly, the answer is no! When this dies down, Congress an' both parties will go back t' forgettin' people's needs, in their tailored clothin', talkin' propaganda fer home folks. Unfortunately, legislator's mindset is gittin' re-elected, reality an' people's needs be damned!
Blame is often given, rarely taken. This phrase is quite evident. Media's gurus became abusive at times, albeit justifiable. Question is how were they able to place people an' equipment into areas while govmint agencies could not.
Overridin' reality is gangs control cities! While our govmint's supposedly fightin' world terrorism, casualties on our main streets exceed combat areas! Know I've chawed this couple times, but no one is listenin'! Read NY Daily News fer one week an' see how many street murders there are. Police don't dare enter some city areas after dark because snipers rule the streets. Rochester has home invasions, close t' home. When disasters happen, criminal element prevails. How long after the Guard leaves New Orleans will it take for gangs t' reestablish their turf? Half a day? Drug dealers an 'users use whatever methods needed t' sell or obtain drugs. They are not concerned with their fellow man, only themselves. How many dead in New Orleans are crime victims? Of drug users?
Some gurus will accuse ever'one else 'bout social inequities, ignorin' their misdirected leadership aims. Many poor had jobs, livin' day t' day, but tryin'. There but for the grace of God go many of us. Welfare helps many live, have medical benefits, housin'. We may need more programs like this, but time has proven social programs may perpetuate or increase needs without results and become lost bureaucratic mazes of graft an' rules.
Good deeds done by the common man, without govmint direction, will be forgotten. Medical professionals whom donated talent, churches, people openin' homes or donatin' money for recovery. (Which may be lost in bureaucratic alleyways of waste). CVS, along with other pharmacy chains sent mobile pharmacies into areas. Patient's data was recoverable from their databases for references t' maintain' medical needs. These deeds will pass into oblivion. Polyticians'll strut 'crost Media stages, divertin' money from people's needs inta pork barrel designated t' perpetuate their tenure in office.
These analyses are harsh, but stories of 9/11 an' the tsunami show when the chips are down, an' people's back is aginst the wall, it's common people, not govmint, makin' the difference. OK, Media tell that story, but you'll be on the next hysterical event. Good news doesn't sell. Never 'nuff sed!
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Watchin' Media's rehash of Katrina shows constant repetition of stories, lost opportunities t' prevent disaster. Two things contributed t' it. One was Congressional an' Administration's inability t' put people's needs afore pork - ever'one knew the problems existed, except pork came first. Second was the absurd thought that FEMA was equipped t' handle a situation of this magnitude.
Common people cain't name names an' kick butt, hampered by lobbyists, campaign contributions an' personal vendettas who'll change rules, run propaganda an' ensure re-elections. We have ineffectual, self servin' govmints at state an' federal levels whose prime concern is themselves an' how they kin git political frens inta good govmint jobs. People in decision makin' capacities were more intent on pertectin' their turf than reactin' t' problems.
Turf wars: Turfees demanded their rights be observed, like makin' California volunteers take a bus rather than a plane ride t' the flood, an' wait a day before they could git fuel allotments. Volunteers were forced t' attend "indoctrinations" seminars. FEMA's pre-positioned MRE's an' water wasn't' "allowed" because some turfee's ego or paperwork wasn't done. An officer, in the field, was chewed out by Pentagon turfees because he hadn't forwarded in paperwork the previous day. While he was in New Orleans helpin' people? We had warships equipped nearby, but they warn't allowed in, because someone hadta make a decision. When govmint's become so overburdened by protocol an' turf protection people's lives don't matter, jes maintain protocol an' avoid makin' mistakes, even if it saves lives.
Media did an excellent job, as did military once they got the go ahead. Acted like pictures of Tsunami where they dropped off food and water t' refugees. These people weren't refugees, they were Americans, or did our leaders in white shirts an' ties ferget there's people out there livin' paycheck t' paycheck, mebbe on welfare or food stamps. NY Times had extended treatises from their columnists of the situation. The cryin' shame was while all the above is true, common people gittin' hurt, bein' left ahind because quite simply, they were poor. If a major calamity happened in a poor white area the results woulda been the same. Yet, poor an ' middle class people helped each other.
There'll be another disaster, gangs will take over cities, lootin', killin' as govmint fails in its primary responsibility, helpin' people. When it does, govmint will respond, hearin's will be held, an' blame game'll start all over agin. How do I know? Because "It seems t' me I've heard this song before."
'Bout now y' figger "nuff sed", right? No, because Katrina was an indictment of our democratic system, showin' poor suffer, rich prosper an' leaders blame others! Our democratic system is failin' because those in power cain't admit their failures.
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