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The catastrophe that hit three states of the USA has received great concern on this MB. Much of the anger and anguish displayed has been directed at the government at its various levels, particularly the highest. Today, the following evaluation reached me which I share with you. The thought that this evaluation may be accurate fills me with horror and disgust. But if what is said in the first paragraph is factually correct then the American Administration should be found criminally incompetent. (In a parliamentary democracy the government would resign.) Can anyone very the FEMA report?
Here is what I received:
In 2001 FEMA released a report describing what were by their estimation the disasters most likely to be unleashed upon the people of America. Among the top three was the possibility of a catastrophic terrorist attack in New York City, and the very real possibility of a flooded New Orleans in the near future. In addition, a Government scientist warned that any further development of the wetlands south of New Orleans would result in a further weakening of the natural protections to the city.
Given that, one would think that our Government might step up to the plate - take an in-depth and honest look at the possibility of a terrorist attack - and direct resources to a program already in place designed to bolster the protection of New Orleans. Instead, the threat of terrorism was ignored by the current administration and thousands died on 9/11.
As if that incompetence were not enough, the Bush administration then proceeded to lead the country into a questionable war in Iraq. To help pay for it, Bush cut funding for the New Orleans project and personally approved the further development of the wetlands to the south of the city. As a result, two tragedies of Biblical proportion have befallen the country on Bush's watch - tragedies that could have been avoided if only competent leadership would have been present in Washington. As of today, only God knows how many dead lie buried beneath the rancid waters covering New Orleans.
And what was this administration's response to the tragedy unfolding in New Orleans? Golfing on Tuesday, and an unrelated political speech on Wednesday. While thousands of easily accessible refugees begged for water in the streets of New Orleans, our President counseled us to not buy gas if we don't need it. We can drop MRE's on the mountaintops of Afghanistan but our brilliant Homeland Security Department couldn't seem to figure out how to do the same for our own desperate citizens. I feel much safer now.
Lest anyone think that slave owner mentality has died in the south, take another look. Look closely at who is being marginalized in New Orleans this week. I'm ashamed to call myself an American.
The real tragedy is however yet to come - the hidden yet deliberate ethnic cleansing of New Orleans will become a reality in the years to come. The poorest of the poor are being carried away while the wolves and jackals of the development community salivate over the flooded remains of their lives.
These homes can't be saved - they will be bulldozed in the coming months. What will be built in their place? A token few low income housing projects - probably.
Will there be a concerted effort to accommodate all of those working poor who have been forced to leave their lives behind? Probably not.
If you don't think this could happen, think again. And while you're thinking, watch closely.
You'll have to watch closely because it will happen slowly - so slowly that most Americans won't even notice. It will be hailed as the grand rebirth of a lost American City. As the lost tribes of Israel were carried away to assimilation, so to will be the pesky poor blacks of New Orleans.
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: JFR on Tue, 06 September 2005 01:58 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: marc on Tue, 06 September 2005 10:55 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: JFR on Tue, 06 September 2005 11:00 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: marc on Tue, 06 September 2005 11:12 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: E.J. on Thu, 08 September 2005 03:22 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: timmy on Tue, 06 September 2005 11:18 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: marc on Tue, 06 September 2005 11:28 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: JFR on Tue, 06 September 2005 14:00 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: marc on Tue, 06 September 2005 14:01 |
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Re: American Tragedy - Worrying Evaluation
By: timmy on Tue, 06 September 2005 11:22 |
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