Comments on: KATRINA, LOOTING, and BLACK FOLK…..

By:

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 00:45:00 +0000

Here is the thing I love, we now have turned this entire disaster into an arguement of black v/s white as oppose to trying to fix the real problem gott say great job people–>

By:

M. Jacob Alvarez — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 22:04:00 +0000

The really sad part of that (other than you know, the whole disaster thing) is that the black guy is wearing a golf shirt and the two white kids are all punked/thuged out.

By:

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 14:47:00 +0000

I’ve been thinking about this disaster and the poor response quite a bit over the past few days. It saddens my heart to see the people of the Gulf region suffering, but it hurts me even more to see them being characterized as “menaces to society”. These poor people have experienced a tragedy, not a life-changing event, but a life-devastating event. The thing that is really bothering me at the moment is the distribution of debit cards worth $2000. I know these displaced citizens need help on all levels, financially, spiritually, medically, etc., but I feel like the distribution of these debit cards is the government’s way out. Right now, we find ourselves observing the beginning of a crisis. In turn, food, clothing, and shelter are of top priority. I feel like the government should be more concerned about securing shelters and supplying the basic life necessities (food, water, clothing, toiletries) for the displaced citizens than distributing debit cards. My fear is that people will go out and spend the money on frivolous things, and then be left empty-handed six months from now when the shelters are closing down, and they are forced to provide for themselves with no or little money. I personally believe that it would have been a better idea for the government to solicit corporations to donate goods, as well as, money to provide for the victims. I’m sure the Nike and New Balance can spare some shoes. I’m sure that Hanes can spare some shirts. I would even bet that Dial can spare some soap. I believe all of the hurricane victims needs could have been met without the immediate distribution of these debit cards. Why not give the victims the debit cards when they are leaving the shelter? What about giving them somethng to help out once they are finally gaining some normalcy in their lives? My hope is that the government doesn’t flop in the end, but instead helps these citizens throughout this entire challenge. Just my two cents…

By:

Faith In Action — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 15:50:00 +0000

To my dear friend Melvin,

I deleted your comment (and mine by the way) because I sensed that it was taking the issue totally away from the primary importance of assessing the situation down in the Gulf Region. You attacked my credibility for saying that some people were left to die on Interstate 10. (Which did happen) Now, I respect and defend your right to say I’m not credible and to say that my comments were “moronic”, but I felt like us going back and forth didn’t do anything to talk about how those affected by Hurricane Katrina were going to be assisted. I even tried to redirect the conversation back by letting you know that I was giving ($) to charitable organizations and asking you if you were in a position to give as well. You totally side stepped the question! Now hear me out, Melvin. You want to criticize me? fine. You want to attack my character? cool. You want to say I’m moronic and lack credibility? I defend your right to do it. But in situations where hundreds (if not thousands) of people are in a dire predicament - I would think that compassionate, intelligent people like you and I would find ways and discuss ways to help (or maybe even analyze what went wrong) rather than attacking each other for our opinions. I mean come on! We can debate from now until next year, but who does that help in this situation?! You want to debate theology? Let’s do it. You want to discuss “pulpit pimps”? Come on. You want to talk politics? I’m with you. BUT IF PEOPLE ARE IN NEED (ESPECIALLY IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF A DISASTER) LET’S AGREE TO KEEP “THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING”.

The diatribe can wait……

So, how have you decided to assist those in the Gulf Region again? and do you need a partner in doing so?

By:

MHJONES — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 09:54:00 +0000

Taking food and water…understandable.

Taking watches, television, clothes, and jewelry…looting.

Melvin

By:

bala manjaro — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 06:10:00 +0000

It’s a damn shame, ain’t it? Just the fact that people would sit up there calling people who are starving to death and perishing from dehydration ‘looters’ underscores their racism and the fact that such emphasis was placed on a scene of such profound suffering of American citizens reflects more poorly on the reporters and the demographic they were pandering to than to those desperate souls who they intended to demean with such coverage in the first place. Same ol’, same ol’…

By:

pamaemmala — Sun, 04 Sep 2005 02:31:00 +0000

Well… being a suburban white majority who used to believe America was full of equality until I really began living my life side by side those afflicted by poverty in the ‘projects’…. I’ve found your site very interesting… only wish I knew what Mr. Melvin had to say… but nevermind that… i’ll be sure to check your site from time to time in the future.

By:

MHJONES — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 13:33:00 +0000

My, my, my. You just exercised the first defense of a Liberal: Shut down all dissenting opinions and views. That’s too bad. I had hoped you were better than that.

I assume you will start name calling next.

Melvin
Author of the two deleted comments.

By:

Serena — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 09:09:00 +0000

I am in total agreement. I just don’t understand how we, as one of the richest nations in the world (if not the richest), can be so laxed in our efforts to help our fellow Americans in such a time of need. We keep hearing of people donating to the Red Cross. Where is the Red Cross? Who’s coordinating their efforts? Why are people continuing to go without water, food, shelter, and dry clothing? Harry Connick, Jr. was on the Today Show this morning. He pointed out that he had no major problems getting through to the convention center in New Orleans yesterday. He also noted that several people warned him about the violenc he may face there, but he was welcomed and had an opportunity to look around. He was not held up, shot at, or mugged. People wanted to show what was really happening. The emphasis on the looting has got to stop. Let’s start worrying about lives over worrying about material things. Most of those things are covered by insurance or could be replaced, but those individuals, those valuable human beings, are who need our attention now!

What can we do to emphasize this issue?

By:

Faith In Action — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 22:06:00 +0000

This post has been removed by the author.