Biting the Hand That Feeds

As I'm sure most of you are aware, a monumental natural disaster has once again struck, and per usual, many are screaming that the US is not doing enough. The difference this time, is that the natural disaster happened on home turf. I'm talking, of course, about hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast, primarily New Orleans. Now, don't get me wrong, I do feel a great sympathy for the people who were affected by this disaster, and obviously it disproportionally affected the lower income section of the populous, and yes, perhaps the guard should have been activated sooner, and more resources should have been used to get people out before the hurricane struck. However, a significant portion of those who stayed behind (this obviously discounts those in hospitals unable to move, etc) CHOSE to do so for varying reasons, including, but not limited to: hoping to loot and plunder, over-confidence, and of course, out right indifference. Many of them would not have left on public transport even if given the opportunity, and of course, they were was definitely plenty of warning. Now, many of these same who chose not to leave are demanding immediate assistance, and some are even actively opposing the government presence in New Orleans. What this tells me, is that people have come far too much to depend on instant gratification and an over-inflated sense of entitlement. No one required these people to live in a city where it was known that hurricanes and flooding posed an enormous risk right up there with earthquakes in Callie and terrorist attacks on New York City. The social contract under which our society operates states that while the government should do its best to help people, you have no inherant right to rescue in a dangerous situation(either natural, or caused by someone), otherwise the government would be held liable every time someone dies in such a situation, which is obviously an unnaceptable condition. When you assume a certain level of risk, that's on you, not the government. And obviously anywhere you live has risks, just some are greater than others. The response that has already been mounted I'm sure is much greater than could have been easily managed even 30 years ago, yet people are saying not enough is being done. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Simple precautions (some of which were suggested and not funded, such as certain Army Corps of Engineer projects) could have made conditions now much less serious. Many people in the midwest prepare for tornadoes in the spring in fall, snow-ins in the winter, by making sure they have canned food and bottled water on hand, and many also put emergency kits in their cars during the winter. Obviously many homes were destroyed, but, a lot of people would probably be better off if they had such a kit stored in the upper stories of their home so it could easily be taken to the roof with them. As for hospitals, etc. that are now without power, solar panels or generators located higher in the building with each floors electric system being seperately wired to protect from shorting due to flooding would be greatly useful. Now, I know I'm not there and can't know entirely what people's preparations were, but I imagine that if they were examined they would be seen to be lacking. Buildings in California are designed to withstand quakes; shouldn't more buildings on the coast be designed to deal with flooding?

That being said, I do hope things turn out all right there, and that people come to their senses and co-operate with the military and police forces that are attempting to restore order, rather than jeering them, shooting at them etc. People who conduct themselves in such a manor in the face of those there to help them are no better than the ones we get sent overseas to fight. I do encourage those who are able to donate money or time to the relief efforts do so.

That's all for tonight. TeddY2K out!
(coming soon... "What would you do for a Klondike Bar?"