Priorities

[RowanMegaera]

I know others have said it before me, but I'd like to take a minute to point out what I see that is wrong with a lot of this picture.

All of the conspiracy theories and blame games and rants about what is not working are well and great, but think of what could be accomplished if everyone redirected that energy into something positive.

You don't agree with governmental policies and proceedures, write your representative (in a reasonable, rational manner... it gets more accomplished than ranting)

You don't agree with the way relief agencies are handling things, get off your backsides and do something... volunteer or donate, whether it's time, money or blood, everything is appreciated.

You don't have money to send, send energy/well wishes/good thoughts/prayers.

I'm exhausted and frustrated and heartbroken, I have friends and family who are unaccounted for, I have a husband who is working his butt off in a heartbreaking effort to save the world a few people at a time as a helicopter pilot, I'm angry at the way things are being handled by the buraucracy all over, I know there are things that could have been done to prevent so much tragedy and heartbreak, but it's too late for that right now. Ranting and raving and blaming isn't getting that much done.

Instead of sitting around being angry and tired and frustrated I'm working my butt off too, spending nights at the convention center taking care of the children left without families, being that shoulder to cry on or that person to listen while they scream and yell. My days are spent with my own little girl collecting supplies and taking them where they are needed and trying to motivate others to do the same. I can't save the world alone, but I'm damn well going to do what I can.

[BlueMoon13]

_handclapp _handclapp _handclapp _handclapp _handclapp _handclapp _handclapp _handclapp :yourock:

[VroomBroom]

_handclapp_handclapp_handclapp_handclapp_handclapp_handclapp_handclapp_handclapp_handclapp_handclapp

:hugz::hugz:

[Flar's Freyja]

I agree. What's done is done and there are efforts being made now. Yes, the stories are heartbreaking but it happened. Staying stuck in whining isn't going to help anything. As I was reading a story this morning, that part of it made me say, "enough already."

As for the oppression song - a certain group involved is highly dramatic as part of their culture. If you've ever been to one of their churches or funerals, you know what I mean.

[Old Witch]

I applaud your brave husband and all the people of the military who are risking life and limb to rescue the people...But I'm about sick of all this whining about we are being ignored because of our race stuff.....
This thing is a logistics nightmare...Things take time....The reason that the black people are taking so long to be rescued...is because New Orleans was basically a black city...Sheesh, everyone is going as fast as they can! Goddess help us! People of all races are suffering and dying.

[Penthesilea]

I know others have said it before me, but I'd like to take a minute to point out what I see that is wrong with a lot of this picture.

All of the conspiracy theories and blame games and rants about what is not working are well and great, but think of what could be accomplished if everyone redirected that energy into something positive.

You don't agree with governmental policies and proceedures, write your representative (in a reasonable, rational manner... it gets more accomplished than ranting)

You don't agree with the way relief agencies are handling things, get off your backsides and do something... volunteer or donate, whether it's time, money or blood, everything is appreciated.

You don't have money to send, send energy/well wishes/good thoughts/prayers.

I'm exhausted and frustrated and heartbroken, I have friends and family who are unaccounted for, I have a husband who is working his butt off in a heartbreaking effort to save the world a few people at a time as a helicopter pilot, I'm angry at the way things are being handled by the buraucracy all over, I know there are things that could have been done to prevent so much tragedy and heartbreak, but it's too late for that right now. Ranting and raving and blaming isn't getting that much done.

Instead of sitting around being angry and tired and frustrated I'm working my butt off too, spending nights at the convention center taking care of the children left without families, being that shoulder to cry on or that person to listen while they scream and yell. My days are spent with my own little girl collecting supplies and taking them where they are needed and trying to motivate others to do the same. I can't save the world alone, but I'm damn well going to do what I can.
:hugz: :hugz: :hugz: If all the energy expended in spinning conspiracy theories, ranting, whining and blaming was used constructively, we'd be a lot farther along in the healing! I am really tired of people standing around inflating their egos at others' expense. To them I say: If you can't do something constructive about this situation, something that directly benefits those who have suffered in this disaster, sit down, shut up and get out of the way of those who can help!

[DocBruce]

:hugz: :hugz: :hugz: If all the energy expended in spinning conspiracy theories, ranting, whining and blaming was used constructively, we'd be a lot farther along in the healing! I am really tired of people standing around inflating their egos at others' expense. To them I say: If you can't do something constructive about this situation, something that directly benefits those who have suffered in this disaster, sit down, shut up and get out of the way of those who can help!
Damned straight.

[VroomBroom]

I applaud your brave husband and all the people of the military who are risking life and limb to rescue the people...But I'm about sick of all this whining about we are being ignored because of our race stuff.....
This thing is a logistics nightmare...Things take time....The reason that the black people are taking so long to be rescued...is because New Orleans was basically a black city...Sheesh, everyone is going as fast as they can! Goddess help us! People of all races are suffering and dying._handclapp

[RhiannynWildseed]

This thing is a logistics nightmare.

I said the exact same thing. I mean, it's not like the supplies and donations aren't there. The problem was getting them where they needed to go. My husband is a truck driver (albeit an out of work one at the moment), and even he said the whole situation was FUBAR. Roads were destroyed preventing most trucks from getting in there. Helicopters were needed to perform the rescues....

We had everything they needed, just not enough of the stuff needed to get it there.

Personally, I set up a page on my church's website devoted just to the relief effort.

[Xander67]

Reguardless of what did or did not go right...

"now is not the time"
I am dissapointed in my fellow americans who chose to assume they knew what they were talking about...

Senator David Vitter, of LA was just on the news blasting all those people who feel the need to spin thier conspiracies... He promised that there will be a fact finding inquirey some time in the distant future but NOW IS NOT THE TIME... there are people who STILL are TRAPPED in thier HOMES...

It is easy to sit home , safe, dry, and criticize what has been labled the largest response to a natural disaster in US History... the Media only showed you the disaster, there were things going on all over the country before, during and immediately after the storm... Just because you DONT SEE somthing doesnt mean it isnt there.... or on the way....

[Xander67]

Oh and REV JESSIE JACKOSON.... you need to shut your mouth and start handing out water and food... this was not about race or class....... How DARE YOU PLAY THAT CARD!

[VroomBroom]

No kidding!:meanhead: I know I'm getting very tired of hearring people on the tv play 'the race card' :dis:

[Xander67]

what sickened me was that all this Criticizim happened AS HELP WAS ON THE WAY.....
and alot of them KNEW FULL WELL IT WAS.... But they wont tell you that... :(

[RowanMegaera]

What people fail to notice, thanks to the extremely poor media coverage, is that help was on the way BEFORE the hurricane hit. My husband was called onto the USS Bataan on Sunday and left before the hurricane even made landfall.

[Xander67]

Yeah, the Battaan was moved out to sea and waited untill the storm moved inland then moved in behind the storm... I think the Baattan was one of the first on scene in the gulf...

to my understanding...

[Willow Rosette]

Bless you

[RowanMegaera]

Yeah, the Battaan was moved out to sea and waited untill the storm moved inland then moved in behind the storm... I think the Baattan was one of the first on scene in the gulf...

to my understanding...

Yup, it was the very first ship there. The helicopters left the ship as soon as it was within range (250 miles out) funny things helicopters... they just don't fly well in 150 mph winds, so they have to hang out for a little while before they can start working.

[VroomBroom]

what sickened me was that all this Criticizim happened AS HELP WAS ON THE WAY.....
and alot of them KNEW FULL WELL IT WAS.... But they wont tell you that... :(

So I've noticed. And they keep harping on the same things over and over and.......

[Childof_theMorrigan]

thank you for saying that! people need to stop with the blaming and start with the helping!

my college is starting to organise people to go down and help with clean up over Thanksgiving or spring break... whenever we can get in ... I'm planning to go with, it's the least I can do though I wish I could do more.

[Darakash]

Oh and REV JESSIE JACKOSON.... you need to shut your mouth and start handing out water and food... this was not about race or class....... How DARE YOU PLAY THAT CARD!

Xander, you said it! Can ya'll just imagine if Jackson had come out and acted as a MINISTER instead of an enflamer? If he had come out and called upon his community to offer aid and help and time and support to the people, instead of, as usual, blaming and adding to the bitterness and anger already rampant among many? I cannot say I didn't see it coming. But, in a moment of hopless naivety, I wished he would act as a man of God, rather than as a politically motivated race-bating mouthpiece.

To Rowan and the others who are helping, risking their lives, working almost inhuman hours...Know that there are those of us who truly DO see these acts, and do see that there is more to be accomplished by people of action than by people of words...bless you and your husband!

[Jenne]

Well said, RM! And Xander is right--let's let the floodwaters recede and the cleanup crew in before we get up to our elbows in the blame game already...it's pretty obvious to everyone what the eff happened out there, let's just get it done already and quite the yappin! *she says as she types more words on the puter* _whistle_