Katrina

Those of you who know me know that I like to listen to radio 5. I've been ashamed over the past few days to hear so many people here in the UK how are indifferent to what has happened to the people of the gulf coast in the USA. Too many people here are taking the attitude of America can look after herself.

This is wrong! What ever happened to crying with those who cry. As with most disasters it's the poor who are hit hardest, and given our historical and cultural links with the US and why so many of those people are where they are, I think we have an added responsibility to engage with this situation. So don't knock PM Blair for sending aid - I for one think he's doing the right think.

The rest of us should be dipping into our pockets deeply and falling on our knees in prayer.

The Tall Skinny has some good posts on this stuff + a powerful video. Go and check it out and at the very least use the video to stimulate your people to pray for the victims and those who are helping.

Comments

[Mark]

Hey Brodie.

You've kind of snuck in in front of a post that's been coalescing in my head for a couple of days:

I've been thinking about a lot of the politicking that's going on, from politicals of every persuasion. To a lot of people it seems like a great opportunity to get some more digs in at George W, even on this side of the Atlantic. And there's been this kind of incredulous response to the US asking for aid.

But it seems to me that, especially since the weekend, there seems to be a lot more vocal concern over the failings or otherwise of the US government than there has been over the fact that actually, there are still people in danger and/or suffering in that part of the world, don't you know.

And just because much of the world of the world feels that America can (should?) look after herself, doesn't mean we should leave them to do so, does it?

[Mark]

Hey Brodie.

You've kind of snuck in in front of a post that's been coalescing in my head for a couple of days:

I've been thinking about a lot of the politicking that's going on, from politicals of every persuasion. To a lot of people it seems like a great opportunity to get some more digs in at George W, even on this side of the Atlantic. And there's been this kind of incredulous response to the US asking for aid.

But it seems to me that, especially since the weekend, there seems to be a lot more vocal concern over the failings or otherwise of the US government than there has been over the fact that actually, there are still people in danger and/or suffering in that part of the world, don't you know.

And just because much of the world of the world feels that America can (should?) look after herself, doesn't mean we should leave them to do so, does it?

[Mark]

Hey Brodie.

I've been thinking about a lot of the politicking that's going on, from politicals of every persuasion. To a lot of people it seems like a great opportunity to get some more digs in at George W, even on this side of the Atlantic. And there's been this kind of incredulous response to the US asking for aid.

But it seems to me that, especially since the weekend, there seems to be a lot more vocal concern over the failings or otherwise of the US government than there has been over the fact that actually, there are still people in danger and/or suffering in that part of the world, don't you know.

And just because much of the world of the world feels that America can (should?) look after herself, doesn't mean we should leave them to do so, does it?

[brodie]

Mark - totally agree with you. Yes the US needs to reflect upon what happened and why the response has unfolded as it has. Yes the US should do some soul searching regarding how much it spends on its military machine in comparison to improving its environmental defences or helping the poor within her own borders. But all this does not mean that we have the right to play politics with people's lives.

[Mark]

Not sure what happened with all those repeat comments. Sorry :-/

[Mike]

Brodie,

As American I say thank you. I too have been struck by the response by the media (and even some acquaintances) to take a swipe at the US and President Bush. When the July tube/bus bombings occured I had numerous friends & family from the States asking how we were doing. Not that they thought we were in harms way, but they had a collective heart for suffering that we were feeling here in the UK.

My response with 'Katrina' is two fold. First, we need to take the log out of our own eye. I am sure we can always find something to complain about when it's someone other than ourselves! Second, the media is an issue but also a help. Without technology (TV, internet), the degree of suffering wouldn't be known and we would merely exist in our ignorant selfishness. However, it also is a problem in that the media needs to 'sell' the story and nothing sells like a good grilling of President Bush right now. Take a look at http://www.mikekemble.com/ww2/slapton.html for a story long 'buried' about D-Day. Some 750 soldiers died in a training accident for the invasion. Imagine if that happened today - blame, inquiry, hesitancy, failure to lead? Would D-Day have happened if the internet would have 'exposed' the tragedy? Natural disasters are awful and no one is to blame for them.

The federal, state, and local government response may be lacking (there also have been heroic responses) to the prevention of suffering but no one wants it happen. Poor choices yes, but not intentional choices to create suffering and death that the media portrays. That's an American's take on it. Peace, Mike