What a weekend. There are so many people to help. Word around here is that we have about 250 thousand Katrina evacuates, and that is just in Houston. The state has around half a million. My wife’s parents took in a New Orleans family into their home. Everyone around here has been giving and helping. That has been wonderful to see.

Then I turn on my TV and see the rest of the country pointing fingers. I should have left my TV off because that really pisses me off. We are busting our butts to help these people while the rest of the counting is pointing fingers at each other. I see it here too on HZ.

There seems to be a need to blame someone for this natural disaster. For many, its political.

Who’s at fault? You want to blame someone? Ask the Mayor of New Orleans why he didn’t clear out the city. He knew the city would flood. He said many time “New Orleans is a bowl that will fill up.” His city has known this for year. So why didn’t he do whatever it took to get everyone out before the bowl flooded? What kind of plan was it to send people to the Superdome? He had no security there, no backup power, no stockpiles of food. Heck, he didn’t even have one porta-potty there. And I heard on the news last night that the National Weather Service and President Bush both urged Nagin to evacuate 24 hours before the storm hit. He should have gotten every bus and city vehicle and gotten those people out. And if he didn’t have enough vehicles, he should have asked for them.

So what kind of plan was that? He talked a big talk, but he didn’t do much. And know he wants heads to roll for his lack of planning. And his Governor didn’t do much either.

The state has to request Federal Assistance before it can be given. Despite this, the president began getting Federal assistance ready 2 days before the hurricane hit. FEMA was also getting aid ready several days before the hurricane hit.

So if you must blame someone for this natural disaster, blame the local government. They knew the threat. They knew the risk. They knew their citizens economic status. They needed to take responsibility for their situation and they didn’t.

And I just heard on the news that Nagin, in an attempt to get those refusing to leave, to leave, said “Water will no longer be handed out to people who refuse to leave.” And who will he blame if any of them die?

Anyway, this blame game is stupid and I am sorry I got dragged into it, but it pisses me off seeing all this political finger pointing while people need help and a city to rebuild

I have two concerns.
1. In a couple of weeks, help and donations are going to slow to a trickle as this becomes old news.
2. What are these evacuees going to do? They can’t just sit there in the Astrodome and other shelters for several months. I say for those who are able, give them a job of helping to rebuild their city.