I have been quite overwhelmed this month.
Now, don’t throw the pity party yet because I am sure all of you are feeling similar.
On top of classes reaching full force, jobs and homework; we have also been faced with a national disaster close to home.
Yes, I am talking about the infamous Katrina.
I hate to admit this, but I have tried to turn away from the information about the aftermath and shun the details. I would change the channel when I hit national news, though not because I don’t care. That is not it at all. I am very sympathetic and want to help any way I can.
It is just my brain is in overload as it is!
Well, I can’t look away any longer. After hearing interviews from the victims of Katrina, I have been struck with the need for knowledge. The news I have found has amazed and startled me all at the same time.
The government failed. End of story. On Tuesday, President Bush even admits that there were “serious problems” in the response efforts.
Was this an understandable mistake? No, I think not.
First, all of the proper warnings were given. The day before Katrina hit, the National Hurricane Center warns President Bush that the levees would not be able to withstand the force of the hurricane. Not to mention the National Weather System’s warnings of a category 4 hurricane.
Then, the storm hit, and as predicted, the levees fail. With a short amount of time to react, I can understand better supports for the lake not going up.
What I can’t understand is how state officials could afford to turn away help.
According to CNN.com, “Sheriff Steve Simpson, of Loudon County, Virginia, sent 22 deputies with supplies and 14 vehicles, including four all-terrain vehicles. But he called them back when Louisiana state police officials waved him off.”
On top of all this madness, former First Lady, Barbara Bush caused me to grit my teeth. She said of the people relocated to Houston, “… so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them.” Let her live without her home and see if it “works” for her.
After opening my eyes, I have awakened to the travesty Katrina victims are facing. I can look away no longer.
Classes, jobs, and homework almost seem like a privilege compared to the suffering so many are going through. It is time to help recover from this unacceptable mistake the government has caused.

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