2008 Woodie Awards
America the strong
Melissa Ellis Issues Editor
Issue date: 9/8/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
As I watched the news, Good Morning America was hosting a "town meeting" between the people and the governor of Louisiana. I didn't get to watch the entire meeting, so I logged onto the trusty ABC News Web site and read the transcripts.
People had many questions, and rightfully so. There were such topics as "When can I go home?" and "Why the delayed relief?" But what I found was that Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Patrick Rhode, deputy director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency did what politicians do best: they answered the pressing questions by talking in circles.
No one seemed to have clear answers. Blanco told 10-year-old Hope Blanchard, who is living in Houston now, that they hope to get everything cleaned up and she can return soon. Well, duh!
Maj. Gen. Don Riley did state that in three months, they are hoping to have the city drained and then start cleaning debris. It could take as long as six months before the evacuees can safely return to New Orleans.
But what I am amazed at is the spirit of Americans. I know that within my own family, we rally around one another, and even more so when things get tough.
I have been in awe at how Americans as a whole - not just Texans - are opening their minds, lives, hearts, homes and pocketbooks to the evacuees. I guess we'll always have the Golden Rule to remind us to treat others as we want to be treated.
So, when an aggravated (and aggravating) woman kicked down New Orleans's door with no sign of courtesy or respect - we call this woman "Katrina" - America stood up and fought back.
Her winds and torrential downpours were quite the spectacle, and as a hostess gift, she took down trees, wiped out electrical power and dumped massive quantities of water.
But she has not stopped the Red Cross from opening more than 470 shelters in 12 states and sending 249 emergency response vehicles to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama (with more on the way). She will not dissuade the Southern Baptists from preparing to serve nearly 500,000 hot meals each day.
Nor will her disrespect for every American impede the Southern Baptists, the Adventists and Second Harvest from providing emergency food to survivors and responders.
Even though more than 5,000 Red Crossers have left their own families to help those in need, they are finding the strength to help the evacuees reunite with their own families.
Every day, the Red Cross sends more than 600 additional workers into affected areas.
I hate to say it takes a tragedy to bring out the best in people. But hey; at least there's still something good to be brought out.
People had many questions, and rightfully so. There were such topics as "When can I go home?" and "Why the delayed relief?" But what I found was that Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Patrick Rhode, deputy director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency did what politicians do best: they answered the pressing questions by talking in circles.
No one seemed to have clear answers. Blanco told 10-year-old Hope Blanchard, who is living in Houston now, that they hope to get everything cleaned up and she can return soon. Well, duh!
Maj. Gen. Don Riley did state that in three months, they are hoping to have the city drained and then start cleaning debris. It could take as long as six months before the evacuees can safely return to New Orleans.
But what I am amazed at is the spirit of Americans. I know that within my own family, we rally around one another, and even more so when things get tough.
I have been in awe at how Americans as a whole - not just Texans - are opening their minds, lives, hearts, homes and pocketbooks to the evacuees. I guess we'll always have the Golden Rule to remind us to treat others as we want to be treated.
So, when an aggravated (and aggravating) woman kicked down New Orleans's door with no sign of courtesy or respect - we call this woman "Katrina" - America stood up and fought back.
Her winds and torrential downpours were quite the spectacle, and as a hostess gift, she took down trees, wiped out electrical power and dumped massive quantities of water.
But she has not stopped the Red Cross from opening more than 470 shelters in 12 states and sending 249 emergency response vehicles to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama (with more on the way). She will not dissuade the Southern Baptists from preparing to serve nearly 500,000 hot meals each day.
Nor will her disrespect for every American impede the Southern Baptists, the Adventists and Second Harvest from providing emergency food to survivors and responders.
Even though more than 5,000 Red Crossers have left their own families to help those in need, they are finding the strength to help the evacuees reunite with their own families.
Every day, the Red Cross sends more than 600 additional workers into affected areas.
I hate to say it takes a tragedy to bring out the best in people. But hey; at least there's still something good to be brought out.