What this country needs
This has been an emotional week for America. We've seen people lose their families, homes, livelihoods, and sometimes their own lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
We've experienced anxiety from rising gas prices, uncertainty about future gas rationing and shortages, and dissension with the federal government.
If nothing else, we as Americans have figured out that what we see happening in other countries — looting, riots, anarchy — can, and has happened here.
We've watched the news reports, seen the throngs of people listlessly wandering around the Superdome, waiting for someone to provide assistance.
We've seen the pictures of people waving from rooftops, waiting to be rescued. We've seen the covered bodies lying along I-10. They were waiting, too — waiting for help, waiting for answers, waiting for rescue, waiting to be claimed.
We've seen the journalists and cameras that focus on the most heart-wrenching stories, the most distraught faces. We've seen despair, hopelessness, and uncertainty in every victim's story.
We've watched President Bush and FEMA director Michael Brown have news briefings, make promises, and offer hope while thousands of people's lives hung in the balance.
We've asked questions, speculated, wondered about the way this tragedy has unfolded.
Whoever would have thought we'd be talking about refugees in the United States? That's something we see in third world countries — not in our own back yard.
We heard reports that New Orleans was "unreachable" following the hurricane. News reports continued to pour out of the city. One wonders how these journalists got into an "unreachable" city?
The U.S. has rushed to the aid of other countries following earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis. In fact, we've been there within hours. Why did it take so long to get to New Orleans?
Most of the news reports show the poor and infirm — mostly black — residents of the city. They didn't have the means to evacuate. No money. No transportation. Nowhere to go. Should it matter whether they were black, white, green, or purple? Rich or poor? Unemployed or uneducated? CEOs, presidents, or bankers?
During news briefings President Bush reassured Americans "everything was being done" to get help to New Orleans. Preliminary reports, however, showed more politicians scrambling to answer the question, "Who do we blame?" instead of "How do we help?"
Thanks to people like Brent Barkman and the folks at Golden Heritage Foods LLC, Hillsboro, and all the others who saw a need to help, we realize there is hope for the future of our country.
In light of everything that's happened, the country has pulled together to offer assistance to thousands. Several states have opened their doors to refugees. Donations of supplies and money have flooded the storm-ravaged areas. Volunteers are there to help with cleanup and recovery.
What's the point of all this rambling?
If we've learned anything, it might be that we need a few less politicians pointing fingers and a few more ordinary Americans carrying the load.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
