Such a shame what happened to the Big Easy. Thousands are homeless due to a whipping hurricaine (Katrina) and the floods that resulted from high waters breaking levee walls. The city is under water and in pretty much total chaos.
Like any (un)natural disaster, this has all sorts of rumors abound, as well as some bad apples spoiling the bunch. People were reported shooting at police, rescue copters, etc. I don't think that's the case though- I think it might be a few people, but in a city of tens of thousands, you're sure to find a few freaks who ruin things for everyone. Every catastrophe brings rumors, and over-sensitivity, like a Price is Right fan, who recently bitched out CBS for airing reruns including yesterday's, which featured a Showcase Showdown with a "fabulous" trip to New Orleans and a jetboat. People, the show was shot in December. A little slack, you think? I am reminded of those who protested Peter Jackson's move to call his second of three Lord of the Rings movies "the Two Towers" only nine months after 9/11. The books were penned and divided in the 1970's, weren't they?
I digress....
Imagining that those who didn't evacuate were whisked to the SuperDome reminded me about how freakin' far the Superdome is from the French Quarter. Those people were hauled to the dome to sit in the seats and wait out the storm. That must have been a creepy wait. Sitting there with no control, no one in charge, no rules... just the noise and hustle/bustle of thousands, then silence, then the sound of what I can only imagine is several trains colliding near a blast zone.
The aftermath of course, was left with people in the dome wondering where the food and water is, where the diapers are for their children, when they're going to get home (not knowing that their homes were roof-high with water.)
I can't imagine. And that's just for those who for whatever reason weren't bright enough or prepared in some other way to leave town when the CATEGORY 5 was first announced. it must be equally frustrating for the citizens of New Orleans, scattered around the country, glued to their TVs and waiting for the okay to come home to their soaking wet pile of whatever they used to call home. I can't imagine the unsettling feeling they must be feeling.
Right now, I'm reading that the big trouble is getting people out of town. This is after the floods here.... these people are surrounded by dead bodies and bacteria from flooded sewage systems, flooded dumps and wastelands and anything else that the days-old standing water carried in. And for some reason, they're not leaving. With everything totalled, the city officials are about to force people out of town. Corpses have been tethered to bannisters to prevent from floating away, and people are still remaining at their homes. I just don't get humans some time.
Still, as with any US tragedy, there comes hope- Americans are going out of their way to help raise money, donate blood, offer time and services... It reminds me of 9/11 all over again.
...and you know, here we come, close to the 4th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedies. I find that the day's events still never seem to stray too far from my consciousness (although I often wish they would). The National Geographic channel had a two-night special on the events that led up to 9/11, as well as the aftermath. It was amazing. I was so tensed up the day I watched them. It was just sick and crazy that people came here (the states) to talk about how to destroy the country. I just can't fathom it. I think that's the biggest shame....that no one seemed to fathom it. We had our pants down. I must be in the "anger" stage of loss, because I'm just as angry now about our inability to detect traitors from within as I am with those who plotted the attacks.
That show really got me charged.
I'm much better now though.
Oh- got my teeth fixed up a bit- a severe crunching noise last week was the demise of a crown, and it sent shooting pains into my gums for a solid week before I could line up a dentist in Richmond to help. I found one- a great one so far- and am finally pain-free. (kinda)
My business is booming...it's hard to take time for fun things like blogging anymore. I need to start documenting my tie collection- they're increasing by the month! I'd be totally okay wearing a tie every day (I mean, I already do, but you know...weekends and holidays and stuff). I love 'em.
The Korte Family Reunion of 2005 was awesome. We had a great time as a family in Ohio. Especially since this was the last time we'd see Mike for a while. He reported to duty in Texas yesterday and will probably be on his way to Iraq within a month or two. It might be a while before I see him, so I was really glad he joined us.
I mapped out a route from Ohio to Texas for him to take, chock-full of cool things to see, but he's just wired differently than I am I guess. He didn't stop for much of anything. Stayed a few miles from the St. Louis arch, drove right through Oklahoma City, Dallas... When he gets back to the states from his tour, I'm going to sit him down and force him to travel a bit to see what the "uncomfortable" is all about. :-) If it were comfortable and easy to do, everyone would be doing it.
Still, we're all going to miss him. He's been good about staying in touch, but I imagine I won't be blogging much about him here. Hang in there, Lt. Mike! We love you lots.
