Oh Karla, I agree totally. I think you could have even delved darker into this mess...such as the sick apathy within our government that would have allowed this sort of degredation to sink to the depths that it did. Katrina came on Monday. Adequate numbers of soldiers arrived YESTERDAY to deal with the bastards doing the looting, and above all to feed and hydrate what had to be the most miserable human beings on the earth...those poor folks who had no choice but to stay. No doubt the powers that be in the White House had roofs over their heads, food in their bellies, adequate hydration, and toilets that flushed. They didn't have to sleep on sidewalks, exhausted from heat and sick from worry, starving, their children crying piteously as they toddled around decaying bodies,and smelling the stench of death, feces, and urine not only within the rising water, but everywhere. They didn't have to worry about having what little possessions they had left in a generic Hefty bag being stolen while they slept...or finding themselves being awakened by a rapist who was robbing them of what little dignity they had left. I think it's CRIMINAL that it took until Friday for our President to get off of his dead ass, tour the area, and show some compassion and leadership for his own people instead of only for the Iraqis and their oil reserves. Talk about clueless and insensitive. Hurricane victims needed prayer...yes. But they needed HELP too. America is reputedly the richest country in the world. I'll bet if the stranded in downtown New Orleans held leases for oil drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico, they would have gotten a much faster response. It seems like 'black gold' is the only currency that talks loudest to this administration. And what group of morons decided that earthen levees would hold back water indefinitely? Probably descendants of the same morons that decided that building a city that was 7 feet below sea level was a good idea. Shit, this has had me so upset. I live near the beaches in Florida. It scares me to death to think of the tepid reaction we might get to our plight should a storm hit us head on like Katrina. It's enough to make me move back to Indiana and shovel snow until I die. Ok, I'm done ranting now. Love you for caring so very much Karla dear. Michelle

Karla, this is an excellent rant. The feds knew that if a category 3 or greater would hit the “Gulf Coast Region” especially the manmade levees which surrounds the great City of New Orleans, it would wreck havoc beyond compare upon those who couldn’t leave, let alone the third of the population who stated openly they wouldn’t obey a direct order to evacuate from the affected area or leave their homes. We can debate whether or not the appropriate funding was made available. But, according to the feds themselves and the computer simulation that they did just last year, clearly stated and demonstrated that those manmade levees could not or would not withstand a category 3 or greater hurricane. As for the “looters” and/or “thugs” who are only preying upon those who cannot defend themselves, I say hang those S.O.B.’s from the highest tree in town square and show the rest of the “rift raft” that anyone who is grabbing less than the basic necessitates in order to survive until they could be reached by the appropriate rescue authorities, would be dealt with quickly and harshly. I’d bet that it would stop immediately! Those who are “stealing” for just for the sake of “stealing” either the greedy corporations who have raised their fuel prices or any other price gouging during this critical time, should not be allowed to do any more business in this great country or walk amongst society in general. Excellent work. Thanks for sharing. Take good care and be well.

(((Karla)))

You are so right: this IS an ugly poem, but this is an ugly world right out there right now, and all we can do is pray for mercy! Powerful, no holds barred, in your face write; you ROCK! BRAVA!!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :( >tears <

Hey Karla!

You have made your point and I agree with you. There is something else that was learned in this scenario, when people basic needs are not met (according to Marslow), they don't seem to understand anything but reacting to their instinct to satisfy their need for food, shelter and clothes.

Those who decided to take advantage of the situation to break the law of the state, should be prosecuted. I am not referring those who just wanted water and other nutritious items for their survival. I am referring to the thugs, those who stole guns and other materials in order to terrorize the victims.

Good poem!

Manes Pierre

Karla,
Let me start this out by saying I couldn't agree more!
Now lets move on to those that are blaming our Government. First of all, the state of La. was given 60 Billion dollars, to reconstruct, those levees, to make sure they were adequately reinforced.
Second..If, I were in the position of those rescue workers, dangling off of a cable in mid-air, and some street thug punk, was taking pot shots at me...I wouldn't go back either. Only, they did go back, because they realize there are people there that need help and are willing to let them do their job.
Third of all, the race of those individuals, are not a factor in this at all...What is a factor, is (and let's admit this whether we want too or not) there are those there that 'could' have gotten out, they did have the means to leave, but still chose not to. Nine out of ten times when they are asked why they didn't leave, their response is.."I stayed to protect what I have from the looters". Now let's get real here. They had a five day warning there was a Category 5 hurricane headed straight at them, now somebody please explain to me just what they thought was going to be left, to protect? If your house is on fire? Do you soak yourself in gasoline and run into the flames?
For those that were not directly hit by this storm, and you believe that things are not going according to your liking, I say, quit bitchin' and take your butt down there, and see how many of those folks you can get out, rescue and take care of, as quickly as possible. But remember..if by chance you are getting shot at, for trying to help...just pay no attention to those bullets flying about, afterall...that's not suppose to matter now is it?
Rescue missions, of this proportion is not going to happen overnight. They have to locate places to put these people, and unless those that are bitchin' are willing to open their doors, they have no room to bitch.

Karla, I know I took alot of space on your page and for that I'm sorry, but for those people that are stranded in those hard hit areas, I can't even describe the depth of sorrow I feel for them and what they have to be going through. Their suffering is enormous, but in the long run, it will only get worse not better. Yes they can and will be relocated, but still that's not going to rebuild their lives. It's not going to replace all they've lost or bring back their loved ones. It's chaotic, it's tragic, but unless we quit pointing fingers at those that do have to means and power to rescue them, it's only going to make the situation worse.
Thank You Karla.

Lisa

Excellent Karla!!

Love Tinka

You Rock Karla! This is in your face truth that needs to be heard!
Bravo!

Eileen

Karla,
You definitely Put the Light on this !!!!
seriou;y you busted this open....Excellent!!!!

peace',
Rich Criso Suarez

can't comment much 'cause I'll write an essay in response... but I well understand your anger re: this. I don't know if I can stop myself from posting my own rant on the lack of appropriate timely response from our trust government. prayers and strength, Dawn

I can completely relate to the emotions in your poem, I have experienced the same myself...
God Bless
Michelle!

If I were in the same situation. I would not like having to. But I would loot for food, to help my loved ones and the vunerable.

Making restitution as soon as I could.



Mr Bush has been amazingly unhelpful.The question asked over here is that if it happened in a mainly white mid class area. Would help be more expediant. America is the lone superpower. Helps other countries all the time in such disasters, yet thusfar is failing to help these persons.



I guess when living in the 5th circle of hell. Brings out the best and the worse in people.



People now needlessly dieing. To think that they expected a worse hit.



The money to build stronger defences was cut to pay for the war on terror effort.



Even in Mark. Jesus never scolded the appostles for taking corn.



Questions have to be asked why the promised help is not forth-coming

I so empathise with your frustration.

Speechless, Karla. All this is beyond belief of even the worst possible nightmare scenario. People must be CRAZED to do such things - stress levels to start with can send us over the edge, but such a tragic event surely must push the unstable or unruly to unfathomable limits. Cannot express my grief sufficient to the task - better to express it with my silence, perhaps; it will probably say more. Let it out, Girl. LOL and prayers, Kate xx

Katrina's wrath has revealed how thin is the fabric that holds society together. Well-expressed rant, Karla. Love and peace to you. Ton ami de la CB, Canada,

Régis

Straight through the bullseye, Karla. The pointless looting makes me sick too. Will that expensive watch rid you of your thirst? will that big-screen TV feed your hungry children? Will that stolen car heal the disease that plagues the people? Food, water, humanitarian supplies, I suppose I can justify the taking of those things, but there is no power and their homes are destroyed...they are living amongst people in the same situation...just who do they think they are going to sell that stuff to? Raping and beating what is the point. Whatever happend to pulling together in times of disaster? Great rant, Karla. I couldn't agree with you more.
Take care,
Sherry

Right to the ugly point
I know you are angry but am also angry at the media that doesn't show stories of solidarity and sacrifice, only the ugly face of tragedy
love and peace

As you said with your forewarning this is not a "pretty" poem and neither is what is happening in your country and as a Canadian I am didheartened at the pictures we receive daily of the after affects of this catastrophe.

It all begs to ask the age old question: "What is this world coming to?"


Felix