In Katrina's Wake

Whilst our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by Hurricane Katrina, the news of armed looters points to the shallowness of the veneer of civilization in one of the most powerful developed nations on earth. A further manifestation, of this greed, is the way developers were allowed to destroy barrier islands and wetlands which could have buffered some of the hurricane’s surge.

It is also notable that budget cuts were made to SELA (the Southeast
Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project) at the same time as Tax cuts were being granted for the benefit of the super-wealthy and, an expensively unnecessary war was being fought in Iraq. This is not to say that any new measures would have yet been in place but, it does lead one to question where the Washington administration’s priorities lie!

For a more positive aspect of human nature, in response to the crisis see the entry "Pouring Ourselves Out ..." on the 'Imitatio Christi' 'blog!

The following articles have made thought provoking reading:

Waiting For A Leader - New York Times
The Great Flood of ‘05 - Washington Post
Why The Levee Broke - Alternet