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August 30, 2005
Come Hell And High Water
I'm sure I'm not the only one using that post title, but it's the only one that fits.
I am simply speechless at what's happened in New Orleans. Not to minimize the tragedies occuring in Mississippi and Alabama -- they're horrible in their own right and the loss of life and property is devastating... but to see New Orleans, one of America's most historic and defining cities -- a major city of 500,000 people and a metropolitan area of more than a million -- effectively erased from the map... it's beyond anything I have words for. This is a catastrophic event the likes of which our nation has never seen -- a disaster of biblical proportion.
1,000,000 people homeless. A city rendered uninhabitable for weeks at the minimum, potentially months or even years. 80% of the city under up to 20 feet of water. Literally every single soul in the city being evacuated. New Orleans is a ghost town that's not on a Hollywood set -- it's real. Only this time, it is reality that is beyond our imagination.
If you haven't already, please donate to the Red Cross to assist our fellow Americans who need our help. The phone number is 1-800-435-7669. If you're not comfortable giving to the Red Cross, here are some other charities that are helping. Here's a challenge to everyone out there... we'll start small, and see where we can go from there.
I'll donate $50 tonight -- not even close to enough, but it's a start. I'm asking everyone who's reading this to match that donation. Or if that's a bit much for you, give what you can afford. There's not that many of us -- I lost much of my audience when I took my break this spring -- but if even 20 of us give $50, we can say we raised $1000 for Hurricane Katrina relief. If you want to remain anonymous, feel free... but if you care to leave a comment that you're answering this challenge, I'll keep a running tally of what we raise. People need our help. Let's do our best for them.
Comments
I also recommend Direct Relief International (that also does National work). They specialize in medical supplies and medicinal needs in disaster areas. And, since there is toxic water swirling around and large bodies of standing water (can you say West Nile Virus).
Posted by: jillian at August 31, 2005 01:21 AM
We sent $50 yesterday evening. Doesn't seem like much, but at least it's something--will buy some bottled water for one family for a few days. The pictures are just gut-wrenching. Have never been to New Orleans, always wanted to get there someday. Doubt if it will ever be the same.
Posted by: dc at August 31, 2005 09:29 AM
Count me in.
Posted by: Ethan McCarty at August 31, 2005 10:10 AM
Ditto.
Thanks for posting this. I don't watch tv news and hadn't really looked at online news for a couple days, I didn't realize just how bad the damage was. (Or maybe it's only gotten this bad in the last day or so.)
Posted by: Susan M at August 31, 2005 10:40 AM
Sweet, guys - we made it to $200. Even if we don't get another pledge, we all managed 4 times more than we would have done alone.
Thank you.
Posted by: Curmudgeon at August 31, 2005 09:26 PM
Make that $250...
Posted by: Nancy at September 1, 2005 08:07 AM
The Red Sox are looking for one of their own in the "War Zone"
From the Nola.com message line....
Searching for former Red Sox pitcher
Name: Dick Bresciani
I am a vp of the Boston Red Sox. One of our ex great people and pitchers Mel Parnell lives on 700 Turquoise St. We are unable to reach him by phone and are concerned. Is there any way you can contact him for us? Thank you.
Posted by: jillian at September 1, 2005 03:59 PM
Four F*cking days and only now Bush and his cronies are making efforts to get the support to Nawlins...its a bloody disgrace. All the news stations over here are talking about how much Bush is in trouble. All the ones that are saying this are the American commentators here...what are they saying over there?
I hope things get better soon, I met some cool people from there a few months back here in Edinburgh I hope they are ok.
Posted by: mcrob at September 1, 2005 04:42 PM
It's going over very poorly here, yes McRob. I haven't talked about it yet because it's felt inappropriate to carpet bomb the Wonder Chimp and make political points while people are suffering... but as things have deteriorated and Skippy's been so slow on the uptake -- tromping around a naval base playing guitar yesterday (LITERALLY) while people were dying in New Orleans, people have about had it with him.
Where I work, it's pretty conservative (as one would expect for a big business). Almost all the time, I'm in the minority on political discussions. I'm hearing those folks rail on him now.
The cowboy has no clothes... and all it took was the complete annhialation of one of our major cities to show people. I'll be writing about that tonight.
Posted by: Curmudgeon at September 1, 2005 05:41 PM
This is bad. Very bad.
I imagine our national security is at risk.
And the fledglingly recovering economy is, of course, in peril.
Posted by: Brent at September 1, 2005 06:34 PM
BTW...The best online Katrina coverage is coming from SPLOID!
Posted by: Corey at September 1, 2005 10:08 PM
Count me in!
Posted by: seadogs at September 2, 2005 11:42 AM
I think your challenge is great. I'm in. Also, I couldn't agree with you more re: your reply to mcrob. No, now is not the time for political finger pointing, but the time will come.
Posted by: kat at September 2, 2005 02:39 PM
