Thanks for this. I am thinking of you and other friends in New Orleans on this anniversary. While I look forward to your reflections on the anniversary, I understand the difficulty in doing so.
The president's latest reaffirmation of the administration's resolve to rebuild New Orleans must have reassured many. Such stirring rhetoric: "This town is better today than it was yesterday. And it's going to be better tomorrow than it was today". Perhaps he was thinking back to those awful early 70's posters and greetings cards - "I love you more today than yesterday, less than tomorrow" - remember them?
Grandmère, I am covering the parish office today and have been in the chapel several times quietly thinking about New Orleans. It is hard to believe that two years have passed. It is harder to believe that so many people who need help and been caught up in governmental red tape that is a worse disaster than Katrina and are still waiting for the help they need. If it were not for church groups and volunteers from all over this country, almost nothing would yet be done. Southern Louisiana and Mississippi and the survivors of Katrina and Rita are never far from my thoughts and are always in my prayers.
Lapin, this morning when I went into the kitchen, my husband told me that Bush had spent the night in New Orleans and eaten at Dooky Chase's. I said ,"Eff him." Grandpère, said, "That's not nice." I repeated, "Eff him." You see, sometimes I'm not nice.
Boocat, one simple fact among many is that even some of the lucky folks with insurance and help from the government cannot afford to rebuild their homes at higher elevations, because of increased construction costs, nor can they afford the higher insurance premiums.
I seem able to talk about this in bits and pieces, but not comprehensively, because it's too big.
Grandmere, you and everyone touched by and still suffering from the effects of Katrina weigh heavily on my heart. I heard Dubya's comments, and I'm afraid my partner and I weren't quite as restrained as you were in our reaction to his comments this evening.
Some internet friends of ours lost their home in the hurricane, were displaced and now have low-paying jobs and struggle to get along. Add to that, the government is denying one friend benefits for PTSD (she's an Iraq war veteran) and, since they are lesbians, they can't even be open about their relationship, or have the benefits (financial and otherwise) marriage would bestow on them. Nice way for our government to treat its citizens, right?
Praying, praying for you all, and sending more *hugs*
I know, it's incomprehensible that so much has still not been done. The people who have really done the most are the church groups who come and help, and they are always overwhelmed.
Suzer, I'm sorry about your friends. The treatment of veterans is another shame to be laid at the feet of the Bush maladministration.
Tonight, on "Countdown", Keith Olbermann asked Harry Shearer, from New Orleans, what the rest of the country needed to know about the disaster. Shearer said first, that the flood was a man-made disaster, caused by levees paid for by taxpayers which did not work.
Second, he said that progress toward recovery was happening, but that it was a boot-strap operation, with the people of New Orleans and volunteer groups doing the work, basically a house by house recovery.
I know (about the bootstraps); I've seen it, and I'm going back. I spent part of today at my seminary, talking to new students about what is still (not) happening there.
Just want you to know that we are watching. We will not forget.
Kirstin, I thank you for your efforts on behalf of the people of NO and for spreading the word.
When I was in NO for the conference, I noticed that, since the city had not got around to putting street signs back in many areas, that folks are making home-made signs and putting them up. That made me cry.
Thanks for this. I am thinking of you and other friends in New Orleans on this anniversary. While I look forward to your reflections on the anniversary, I understand the difficulty in doing so.
ReplyDeleteDavid, you do understand that I no longer live in New Orleans. I live about 65 miles away, and we came through Katrina with only very minor damage.
ReplyDeleteIt's my home town, and I still love it and miss it, even though I have not lived there for a long time. I am sad for the city I love.
Thanks for your concern.
I suppose I did know that - Houma right? Thanks for the reminder, though. But I do think of you as from NO, nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I will ALWAYS be from New Orleans. Actually, I live in Thibodaux, a few miles north of Houma.
ReplyDeleteThe president's latest reaffirmation of the administration's resolve to rebuild New Orleans must have reassured many. Such stirring rhetoric: "This town is better today than it was yesterday. And it's going to be better tomorrow than it was today". Perhaps he was thinking back to those awful early 70's posters and greetings cards - "I love you more today than yesterday, less than tomorrow" - remember them?
ReplyDeleteGrandmère, I am covering the parish office today and have been in the chapel several times quietly thinking about New Orleans. It is hard to believe that two years have passed. It is harder to believe that so many people who need help and been caught up in governmental red tape that is a worse disaster than Katrina and are still waiting for the help they need. If it were not for church groups and volunteers from all over this country, almost nothing would yet be done. Southern Louisiana and Mississippi and the survivors of Katrina and Rita are never far from my thoughts and are always in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteLapin, this morning when I went into the kitchen, my husband told me that Bush had spent the night in New Orleans and eaten at Dooky Chase's. I said ,"Eff him." Grandpère, said, "That's not nice." I repeated, "Eff him." You see, sometimes I'm not nice.
ReplyDeleteBoocat, one simple fact among many is that even some of the lucky folks with insurance and help from the government cannot afford to rebuild their homes at higher elevations, because of increased construction costs, nor can they afford the higher insurance premiums.
I seem able to talk about this in bits and pieces, but not comprehensively, because it's too big.
It's too big to talk about...too big to comprehend. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteKate, thanks. Hugs always welcome.
ReplyDelete"Eff him..."
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a more appropriate response. I guess you could say it's a little mean. But, definitely, it's appropriate.
You don't have to talk about it all at once. One letter at a time is OK and "F" seems like as good a place as any to start.
I am sending you love and hope.
Lindy
Lindy, thanks. I do have hope, even in the face of what seem like hopeless situations.
ReplyDeleteGrandmere, you and everyone touched by and still suffering from the effects of Katrina weigh heavily on my heart. I heard Dubya's comments, and I'm afraid my partner and I weren't quite as restrained as you were in our reaction to his comments this evening.
ReplyDeleteSome internet friends of ours lost their home in the hurricane, were displaced and now have low-paying jobs and struggle to get along. Add to that, the government is denying one friend benefits for PTSD (she's an Iraq war veteran) and, since they are lesbians, they can't even be open about their relationship, or have the benefits (financial and otherwise) marriage would bestow on them. Nice way for our government to treat its citizens, right?
Praying, praying for you all, and sending more *hugs*
Susan
Hard to believe two years. . . .promises made . . . .I am so sorry. How hard to be there and see what is and isn't. Love.
ReplyDeleteI know, it's incomprehensible that so much has still not been done. The people who have really done the most are the church groups who come and help, and they are always overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteI think your response is totally understandable.
Sometimes it's wrong to be "nice."
Suzer, I'm sorry about your friends. The treatment of veterans is another shame to be laid at the feet of the Bush maladministration.
ReplyDeleteTonight, on "Countdown", Keith Olbermann asked Harry Shearer, from New Orleans, what the rest of the country needed to know about the disaster. Shearer said first, that the flood was a man-made disaster, caused by levees paid for by taxpayers which did not work.
Second, he said that progress toward recovery was happening, but that it was a boot-strap operation, with the people of New Orleans and volunteer groups doing the work, basically a house by house recovery.
I know (about the bootstraps); I've seen it, and I'm going back. I spent part of today at my seminary, talking to new students about what is still (not) happening there.
ReplyDeleteJust want you to know that we are watching. We will not forget.
Kirstin, I thank you for your efforts on behalf of the people of NO and for spreading the word.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in NO for the conference, I noticed that, since the city had not got around to putting street signs back in many areas, that folks are making home-made signs and putting them up. That made me cry.