Trapped in an Arena of Suffering - Los Angeles Times
I'm feeling odd about the hurricane devastation right here in my own part of the world. We Americans hear so often of horrible things happening in other countries, and we rush to send money to the red cross or donate food and clothing. This time, for the first time in my life, a huge natural disaster is HERE close to ME. Sure we've had hurricanes and tornados and earthquakes, but nothing of this magnitude.
First of all, I'm shocked. No other word for it. This storm came so FAST compared with others, and while the multiple storms that hit Florida last year were horrible, the recovery was fairly quick. No cities were completely submerged and cut off for days, weeks, maybe even months. I want to feel sad and help, but my heart hasn't connected the dots yet. I've seen pictures, and heard stories, and I know there will be people coming even to my little town in search of warm dry beds. The gasoline prices are rising, and people are suddenly realizing that we may be looking at rationing very, very soon. Still the penny just hasn't dropped with me. I can't take it in.
This afternoon, I stopped at a favorite little dive of a convenience store on the edge of town. Fortunately I was just buying cold drinks to give to my kids when I picked them up from school, because the owner of the store told me he was out of gas, and unable to buy more. I enjoy talking to this particular shop keeper. He's from another country - I've never asked which country - but he's always been kind to me and my kids when we stop after school. He put forward the suggestion that perhaps our "almighty" American Government ought to take this as a sign. We have trouble at home. THIS is where we need to be focusing out attention, rather than meddling in everyone else's business.
I'm also sad because our "leaders" in this country have devalued our country so badly around the world. My friends in Europe didn't have to tell me that we have become a complete laughing stock and the butt of all political jokes, but they did tell me. I haven't heard a peep about any other country offering US aid. Perhaps they have done, and I just haven't heard it. Makes me wonder. Of course we learned from the tsunami at the beginning of this year, that all the aid in the world can be very ineffectual without direction. I guess that right now, the military are probably the best equipped people to help. Maybe our "allies" and all those other countries we've given aid to in times of need simply have nothing to offer. Or maybe they think we don't need any help. (Do we need their help?) Or maybe they hate us so much they rejoice at our expense, and THIS is what makes me the saddest. I don't want to be hated because of this country's politicians. I don't like them either. I feel powerless to change the situation here, and it reminds me of watching a slow moving train wreck.
But today, mingled with my saddnes and disquiet, what I feel most is thankful. Thankful that I still have a safe, dry home, and my kids have food and clothes. I hope, as the man at the convenience store suggested, that this really will be a wake up call for our country. I hope it will force us to focus on our own people for a change, and heal ourselves.
I'm feeling odd about the hurricane devastation right here in my own part of the world. We Americans hear so often of horrible things happening in other countries, and we rush to send money to the red cross or donate food and clothing. This time, for the first time in my life, a huge natural disaster is HERE close to ME. Sure we've had hurricanes and tornados and earthquakes, but nothing of this magnitude.
First of all, I'm shocked. No other word for it. This storm came so FAST compared with others, and while the multiple storms that hit Florida last year were horrible, the recovery was fairly quick. No cities were completely submerged and cut off for days, weeks, maybe even months. I want to feel sad and help, but my heart hasn't connected the dots yet. I've seen pictures, and heard stories, and I know there will be people coming even to my little town in search of warm dry beds. The gasoline prices are rising, and people are suddenly realizing that we may be looking at rationing very, very soon. Still the penny just hasn't dropped with me. I can't take it in.
This afternoon, I stopped at a favorite little dive of a convenience store on the edge of town. Fortunately I was just buying cold drinks to give to my kids when I picked them up from school, because the owner of the store told me he was out of gas, and unable to buy more. I enjoy talking to this particular shop keeper. He's from another country - I've never asked which country - but he's always been kind to me and my kids when we stop after school. He put forward the suggestion that perhaps our "almighty" American Government ought to take this as a sign. We have trouble at home. THIS is where we need to be focusing out attention, rather than meddling in everyone else's business.
I'm also sad because our "leaders" in this country have devalued our country so badly around the world. My friends in Europe didn't have to tell me that we have become a complete laughing stock and the butt of all political jokes, but they did tell me. I haven't heard a peep about any other country offering US aid. Perhaps they have done, and I just haven't heard it. Makes me wonder. Of course we learned from the tsunami at the beginning of this year, that all the aid in the world can be very ineffectual without direction. I guess that right now, the military are probably the best equipped people to help. Maybe our "allies" and all those other countries we've given aid to in times of need simply have nothing to offer. Or maybe they think we don't need any help. (Do we need their help?) Or maybe they hate us so much they rejoice at our expense, and THIS is what makes me the saddest. I don't want to be hated because of this country's politicians. I don't like them either. I feel powerless to change the situation here, and it reminds me of watching a slow moving train wreck.
But today, mingled with my saddnes and disquiet, what I feel most is thankful. Thankful that I still have a safe, dry home, and my kids have food and clothes. I hope, as the man at the convenience store suggested, that this really will be a wake up call for our country. I hope it will force us to focus on our own people for a change, and heal ourselves.