Rok,

I live in Lafayette, Louisiana which is about an hour and a half driving distance from New Orleans.

What stuns me is the unprecidented level of devistation in New Orleans. This is the biggest natural disaster in United States history. Bigger than the 1901 earthquake in San Francisco, and certainly bigger than the 911 terrorist strike. The death toll in New Orleans, and the Gulf coast cities hit by Katrina, will far exceed both of those catastrophies combined.

It is understandable that people cannot believe the United States does not possess the ability to resolve this crisis in a quick and efficient manner. That is a whale of a complement. Some will say it is not our ability to respond that is in doubt, but our desire to do so. There is some merit to that. With congressional inquiries already scheduled to investigate the federal, state, and local government's response, time will tell who dropped the ball.

I think we Americans are being very hard on ourselves, as ususal. We expect perfection from ourselves. Eventually we will sort it out.

But having said that, I think there definitely should have been a much more concerted effort by federal and state relief organizations to respond to the plight of those New Orleans residents who found themselves trapped in the grip of an unprecidented natural disaster.

In America we believe we can always do better. No mountain is too high, no challenge is too big. But this catastrophe teaches Americans and all of humanity a valuable lesson: there is no force on earth greater than nature. And there are natural forces on earth that no amount of planning, or intellect, or money can overcome.

This catastrophe is much bigger and more powerful than we realize, turning neighbors into starving adversaries, and good people into frightened combatants. No police officers could have prevented that in the middle of such a disaster. If you think so, try telling the cops who were there face to face and see if they agree with you.

I don't know if you saw on television all of the good stories about what good people did in New Orleans - the volunteerism by doctors, policemen, firefighters, and everyday citizens, and the helpful comraderie of the good people of New Orleans who helped each other survive. I hope you get a chance to learn about those people. I've spoken to them. They aren't famous, just regular folks.

I know that there are many people in America and around the world who say none of this had to happen. Once again, I thank you for your high praise.

Disasters like this bring out the worst and the best in humanity. Eventually we will pick up the pieces and carry on, but in the mean time we will question our goverment's response to this disaster, and those who are found to be negligent will pay a high price.

I guarantee it.

You don't understand? Here, allow me to enlighten you: www.ejectejecteject.com - Read the essay entitled "Tribes", and your eyes will be opened.

I dont understand people coming from the Hurricane States to our City and stealing, killing and raping the same people that helped the
victims out. I live in Chicago, Illinois and alot of those people came here to be with relatives and for jobs. They come with an attitude that all the low income workers like myself owe them a living. We didnt cause the disaster its human error in building a wall below sea level that was a dumb idea. Only for our country to keep building on unstable ground. Do you think the rich would'nt survive it. Think again what a joke the whole thing is. So what I am saying is why do we owe anybody anything that does'nt even appreciate our help. I say make all those people on welfare go to work and get jobs. Stop depending on people like myself to float their way in life. I am single and I tired of paying for people to sit on their butts complaining we owe them a life of rest and relaxtion. When do the working people reap any rewards we pay for all the bums and the scum of the earth. All you rich people pull the millions out your pockets and help them stop asking the poor for money.

Let me also add that I was a hard working teacher in the New orleans area and have never sat on my ass collecting from the government. I lost my home, my job, all my friends and pretty much my whole way of life. I really can't understand idiots who spout garbage and generalities without a thought to who they hurt. I am not usually a spiteful person, but, man, I hope something bad happens to you so you can understand what a life altering blow thia really was to some of your fellow americans!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lRmmyT A number of universities have awarded her honorary degrees, and she earned a prestigious job on the staff of Detroit congressman John Conyers. In 1988 Roxanne Brown noted: "Thirty-two years after she attracted international attention for sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Mrs. Parks's ardent devotion to human rights still burns brightly, like a well-tended torch that ignites her spirit and calls her to service whenever she is needed."

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