I've avoided watching the coverage of this travesty as much as possible, but this morning, I tuned in. I wish I hadn't.
This morning I heard Bush say that the rescue plan was 'unacceptable,' and that he would be touring the area today. TODAY?!!! Katrina hit on Tues. it's now Fri. and he's just now 'getting around' to a tour? How silly of me, he's been on vacation. Forget the responsibility of holding the highest office in the US gov't. And I do understand this type of responsibility. I am the coordinator of 2 residence halls, and do I ever truly have time off? Only if I leave town. Otherwise, I'm open to late night/early morning phone calls and emergencies even when I'm not on duty. IT'S PART OF MY JOB.
I am saddened and sickened by this travesty. I am ashamed that the US was caught with its pants down on this one. You'd think that the highest administration of the country would understand that filling high-ranking positions is about more than picking sides. For example, Mike Brown, the current FEMA Director, is a political hack appointment. His last job was as the Judges and Stewards Commissioner of the International Arabian Horses Association. (Oh, and he was fired for mismanaging it.) Thanks to someone on another forum for providing this info. At least in other administrations, people who filled the top cabinet positions had SOME qualifications to be in those positions.
My aim is not to offend, or to talk politics I just need to vent.
Cher
Full Version: Katrina Aftermath
This is the quote of the day from the New York Times:
"We're just a bunch of rats. That's how they've been treating us."
EARLE YOUNG, among thousands awaiting rescue outside the Superdome.
THe whole situation deeply disturbs me.
"We're just a bunch of rats. That's how they've been treating us."
EARLE YOUNG, among thousands awaiting rescue outside the Superdome.
THe whole situation deeply disturbs me.
The storm came in Sunday night, actually, not Tuesday. Which of course strengthens the points you make.
I happened to of gone through my clothes this week, not even knowing what was going on. Anyways, I have a huge bag that I would love to donate to the victims of Katrina, but the orgs I've looked into only want donations of money.
Does anyone know of an org that wants clothing?
Does anyone know of an org that wants clothing?
Hey guys,
I don't mean to be a pain or anything but I am really fed up with people complaining and getting indignant about the way this is being handled. It isn't like people aren't trying. They are. The conditions really are impossible. Yes, it is true that we help out with national disasters in other countries but it isn't like aid got there overnight either. It takes time and it takes manpower. It also helps when people aren't behaving like the rats they claim to be treated like by mobbing and shooting at the people who are trying to help.
I keep hearing people- personally and publicly- criticizing the gov't and America about the FEMA and whatnot about the inept handling of this and wondering what other countries must think. Well, valid point- but honestly, I think it looks worse that we are all sitting around pointing fingers and hurling accusations at each other rather than trying to work together. Each orginazation or individual is focusing on how much they are trying to do and making it look like the other guy is a heartless moron. I think especially of the Mayor of NO who is just swearing a people and telling his own citizens to go ahead and loot if they "need" to. I also think of the self-righteous reporters down there who know they can fly out to safely and plenty whenever they want/need. Did they bring supplies with them? Are they trying to help? I don't know, but my guess is probably not.
The whole thing is horrible. The disaster, the stupidity of the design of New Orleans, the waste, the loss, the way that people are treating other human beings in the heart of a crisis. But it isn't going to get better if everyone keeps trying to thwart everyone else.
I don't mean to be a pain or anything but I am really fed up with people complaining and getting indignant about the way this is being handled. It isn't like people aren't trying. They are. The conditions really are impossible. Yes, it is true that we help out with national disasters in other countries but it isn't like aid got there overnight either. It takes time and it takes manpower. It also helps when people aren't behaving like the rats they claim to be treated like by mobbing and shooting at the people who are trying to help.
I keep hearing people- personally and publicly- criticizing the gov't and America about the FEMA and whatnot about the inept handling of this and wondering what other countries must think. Well, valid point- but honestly, I think it looks worse that we are all sitting around pointing fingers and hurling accusations at each other rather than trying to work together. Each orginazation or individual is focusing on how much they are trying to do and making it look like the other guy is a heartless moron. I think especially of the Mayor of NO who is just swearing a people and telling his own citizens to go ahead and loot if they "need" to. I also think of the self-righteous reporters down there who know they can fly out to safely and plenty whenever they want/need. Did they bring supplies with them? Are they trying to help? I don't know, but my guess is probably not.
The whole thing is horrible. The disaster, the stupidity of the design of New Orleans, the waste, the loss, the way that people are treating other human beings in the heart of a crisis. But it isn't going to get better if everyone keeps trying to thwart everyone else.
I just don't understand why search and rescue missions weren't better planned before the storm. I've heard that New Orleans authorities are still getting calls from people trapped in attics. Maybe the manpower wasn't in place, but it seems like a systematic, street-by-street, house-by-house boat search for survivors should have been one of the first things to happen.
What really sickens me is the level of lawlessness in the affected areas. Looting, to a certain extent, is understandable; people who need food and water will do anything to get them. But rape? Shooting hospital evacuees? What the hell are people thinking?
What really sickens me is the level of lawlessness in the affected areas. Looting, to a certain extent, is understandable; people who need food and water will do anything to get them. But rape? Shooting hospital evacuees? What the hell are people thinking?
Aaron ... the Salvation Army has said that is is currently using the proceeds from the sales at its Thrift Stores to help provide relief to the victims of Hurrican Katrina. Sounds like a good place to donate that clothing.
And sorry ... if we can airlift and drop supplies to the victims of the Tsunami in TWO DAYS and can't drop relief supplies to our own people the same timeframe or less, it disgusts me. It's been almost a WEEK. There's just no excuse for it. The mayor of New Orleans said on the radio today (cusses his) "I don't want hear another goddamn press conference... <snip> I'm sick and tired of hearing your goddamn words that help is on the way; it's not here. ... <snip> Shut up and get off your asses and help us." Amen.
Peace (please) & hope(always),
Joyce
And sorry ... if we can airlift and drop supplies to the victims of the Tsunami in TWO DAYS and can't drop relief supplies to our own people the same timeframe or less, it disgusts me. It's been almost a WEEK. There's just no excuse for it. The mayor of New Orleans said on the radio today (cusses his) "I don't want hear another goddamn press conference... <snip> I'm sick and tired of hearing your goddamn words that help is on the way; it's not here. ... <snip> Shut up and get off your asses and help us." Amen.
Peace (please) & hope(always),
Joyce
QUOTE(FloridaGirl @ Sep 2 2005, 04:21 PM)
What really sickens me is the level of lawlessness in the affected areas. Looting, to a certain extent, is understandable; people who need food and water will do anything to get them. But rape? Shooting hospital evacuees? What the hell are people thinking?
New Orleans is a mostly poverty-stricken city with the highest murder rate in the nation, although that's not evident in the downtown, French Quarter and Garden District areas that tourists mostly frequent. Can't say what's going on there without a strong police or military presence the past few days surprises me too much. Not that it isn't despicable...
QUOTE(joyceken @ Sep 2 2005, 04:27 PM)
My first-cousin Frank Paskewich (my maiden name) is a Captain in the Coast Guard stationed in New Orleans. (Check out his picture at his new assigment a few weeks ago by clicking here.)
ANYWAY ... he'll be speaking on FOXNEWS TV (cable) tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern time. I don't know if it will be by telephone or video broadcast, but it's kinda cool. He's my favorite cousin and I'm pretty curious to hear him speak, not only as my cousin, but speaking for the Coast Guard. In all of the coverage, I have seen a lot of Coast Guard activity, but haven't heard much from them.
Tune in! (He looks just like my Daddy, who looks just like his late brother (Frankie's dad).
Peace & hope,
Joyce
ANYWAY ... he'll be speaking on FOXNEWS TV (cable) tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern time. I don't know if it will be by telephone or video broadcast, but it's kinda cool. He's my favorite cousin and I'm pretty curious to hear him speak, not only as my cousin, but speaking for the Coast Guard. In all of the coverage, I have seen a lot of Coast Guard activity, but haven't heard much from them.
Tune in! (He looks just like my Daddy, who looks just like his late brother (Frankie's dad).
Peace & hope,
Joyce
I posted this on the "Tropical Weather" thread, but actually meant to post it here, so I just brought it on over. Hope you don't mind. I think it's kinda neat.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
This from the Mile High Chapter of the Red Cross.
Lenny and I just doubled our donation. Yay.
QUOTE
Hurricane Katrina - GLFC
The Gay And Lesbian Fund for Colorado has announced a $1 million matching grant to the American Red Cross that will bring a total of $2 million in aid from Coloradoans to Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts. The grant will match individual donations from Coloradoans up to $250 dollar for dollar thus doubling the effect of every donation.
The Gay And Lesbian Fund for Colorado has announced a $1 million matching grant to the American Red Cross that will bring a total of $2 million in aid from Coloradoans to Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts. The grant will match individual donations from Coloradoans up to $250 dollar for dollar thus doubling the effect of every donation.
Lenny and I just doubled our donation. Yay.
Unfortunately my employer is not matching donations (at least as of today). 
But someone on the Patty Griffin fan site works for a company that is, so I'm sending her a donation via PayPal.
But someone on the Patty Griffin fan site works for a company that is, so I'm sending her a donation via PayPal.
My company, and that of a friend, just announced a 200% match to the Red Cross for hurricane relief. The way it looks like mine is doing its that we all donate now, and they'll match 200% all at once on 10/17. Its a huge company, so this could be good. We were all making donations today from the office and filling out our match forms.
I have to say that in the past i haven't been so impacted by hurricanes. I've felt empathy for the victims, but never like this!
Living in Houston and watching the people pour into the city with nothing, and no direction is very disturbing. I looked into helping sort the food and donations being brought into reliant stadium (for a now estimated 20000 people) and was turned away because they are no longer accepting donations. Here's the catch, they're not accepting donations because there is no one to sort them in the chaos.
One of Houston's reporters said tonight on the news that he had to lend his satellite phone to the sherriff of one of the counties in LA so that the sherriff could find out where he was supposed to be and what his responsibilities were in this situation. WTF? they couldn't have at least discussed it in all of the days prior to Katrina???
Especially since we've known about the possibilites of a hurricane hitting and destroying new orleans for centuries, i would expect the government to have a plan for such an event. Whatever plan they had is obviously not good enough. And it is extremely unfortunate that nobody can take charge now and initiate organization. There are tons of people here who are willing to help and are being told to go home and donate money and not their hands.
That, to me, is just pathetic!
Living in Houston and watching the people pour into the city with nothing, and no direction is very disturbing. I looked into helping sort the food and donations being brought into reliant stadium (for a now estimated 20000 people) and was turned away because they are no longer accepting donations. Here's the catch, they're not accepting donations because there is no one to sort them in the chaos.
One of Houston's reporters said tonight on the news that he had to lend his satellite phone to the sherriff of one of the counties in LA so that the sherriff could find out where he was supposed to be and what his responsibilities were in this situation. WTF? they couldn't have at least discussed it in all of the days prior to Katrina???
Especially since we've known about the possibilites of a hurricane hitting and destroying new orleans for centuries, i would expect the government to have a plan for such an event. Whatever plan they had is obviously not good enough. And it is extremely unfortunate that nobody can take charge now and initiate organization. There are tons of people here who are willing to help and are being told to go home and donate money and not their hands.
That, to me, is just pathetic!
Well, they replaced my cuz's FOXNews interview with an Admiral ... figures. LOL. Frank must be busy, bless his heart. He DID do a phone interview with Greta Van Susteren last on her show On the Record, but I missed it (got a call from Mom about it later), so I was looking forward to this. Ah, well ... duty calls, and we all know how huge the need is there, so God bless him.
As an FYI, they lost their home, but his wife and kids are safe, and he is one of the VERY, VERY fortunate who has a job (and a very good one, at that) who will be able to rebuild. Although their loss pales in comparison and seems embarrassingly insignificant compared to the loss of many others, but still ... lose your home, the precious things of a life built together (wedding pictures, pictures of the kids growing up, first lost teeth and locks of hair, family heirlooms of long-gone family, etc.), those things still hurt to let go of. The kids are teenagers, and I'm sure they have stuff, journals, music ... things that might seem insignificant to us but meant the world to them ... literally washed away. If you'd keep them in your prayers, I'd appreciate it.
Still no word on my niece's family ... I'll keep you posted.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
As an FYI, they lost their home, but his wife and kids are safe, and he is one of the VERY, VERY fortunate who has a job (and a very good one, at that) who will be able to rebuild. Although their loss pales in comparison and seems embarrassingly insignificant compared to the loss of many others, but still ... lose your home, the precious things of a life built together (wedding pictures, pictures of the kids growing up, first lost teeth and locks of hair, family heirlooms of long-gone family, etc.), those things still hurt to let go of. The kids are teenagers, and I'm sure they have stuff, journals, music ... things that might seem insignificant to us but meant the world to them ... literally washed away. If you'd keep them in your prayers, I'd appreciate it.
Still no word on my niece's family ... I'll keep you posted.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
QUOTE(joyceken @ Sep 2 2005, 10:55 PM)
Still no word on my niece's family ... I'll keep you posted.
On the off-chance you haven't yet tried this service, Air America has instituted free public voice mail to help families reconnect. Maybe it will be helpful for you or someone else.
QUOTE
Air America Public Voicemail
1-866-217-6255
Air America Radio's Public Voicemail is a way for disconnected people to communicate in the wake of Katrina.
Here's how it works:
Call the toll-free number above, enter your everyday phone number, and then record a message. Other people who know your everyday phone number (even if it doesn't work anymore) can call Emergency Voicemail, enter the phone number they associate with you, and hear your message.
You can also search for messages left by people whose phone numbers you know.
Air America Radio will leave Public Voicemail in service for as long as this crisis continues. You can call it whenever you are trying to locate someone, or if you are trying to be found.
Obviously, for this to work, people need to know about it so please forward the number to as many people as you can. You can find out more about Katrina and the affected areas at www.airamericaradio.com.
Air America Radio brings you Emergency VoiceMail in conjunction with VoodooVox.
1-866-217-6255
Air America Radio's Public Voicemail is a way for disconnected people to communicate in the wake of Katrina.
Here's how it works:
Call the toll-free number above, enter your everyday phone number, and then record a message. Other people who know your everyday phone number (even if it doesn't work anymore) can call Emergency Voicemail, enter the phone number they associate with you, and hear your message.
You can also search for messages left by people whose phone numbers you know.
Air America Radio will leave Public Voicemail in service for as long as this crisis continues. You can call it whenever you are trying to locate someone, or if you are trying to be found.
Obviously, for this to work, people need to know about it so please forward the number to as many people as you can. You can find out more about Katrina and the affected areas at www.airamericaradio.com.
Air America Radio brings you Emergency VoiceMail in conjunction with VoodooVox.
There is little to add.. Usually when there is a natural catstrophy there is always the need to find scapegoats, and usually it is the goverment. Most of the time this is uncalled for, especially because natural disasters are difficult to predict.
However, in this case the criticism is valid I think. Everybody was saying days beforehand that something like this could very well happen, the area has been at risk for centuries... It really seems like your government has got it's priorities wrong...
The other thing that strikes me is that in the US there always seem to be riots going on under the surface, that then blow up when the usual control fails.
Patrik
However, in this case the criticism is valid I think. Everybody was saying days beforehand that something like this could very well happen, the area has been at risk for centuries... It really seems like your government has got it's priorities wrong...
The other thing that strikes me is that in the US there always seem to be riots going on under the surface, that then blow up when the usual control fails.
Patrik
QUOTE(liberation party @ Sep 3 2005, 11:07 AM)
On the off-chance you haven't yet tried this service, Air America has instituted free public voice mail to help families reconnect. Maybe it will be helpful for you or someone else.
Thank you. We've utilized dozens of other services to leave messages/search for messages, etc., but I hadn't come across this one. Thank you so much.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
I just found out that a lodge here in the burbs of Portland is going to host 1000 refugees! I'm baffled by this - I mean, 1000 refugees shipped so far away. I mean, it's good for those of us who want to help (I am dropping off my big bag of clothes there ASAP - and am going to help in other ways if they'll let me) but at the same time, it bothers me that they would have to be shipped so far away. Maybe it's my ignorance, but that's all the way across the country.
Has anyone else (specifically people who live far away from the disaster) heard of their home towns doing this as well? Maybe it's just an overly exhuberant group of people.
Has anyone else (specifically people who live far away from the disaster) heard of their home towns doing this as well? Maybe it's just an overly exhuberant group of people.
Yes. There are many hurricane refugees heading in our direction here in Cincinnati as well; in fact, all over Ohio. Unlike you, although it kind of staggered me to hear this, I'm not bothered by it in the least. In fact, my thought process has been that this could actually be a very good thing for them to be housed in smaller, more intimate shelters where people may actually get to know them on a first-name basis, as opposed to being holed up in a huge stadium on cots with tens of thousands of people. Cincinnati has an extremely low unemployment rate (compared to the national average), so that could be a real plus for some of these people, too.
Due to my disability, I'm not able to do much as far as volunteering, but I'm going to give it a week (when I figure things are pretty settled/stable) and call around and see if there is something I can do to help a couple of hours a week ... hopefully, there's something I'll be able to do to assist, even it's just to come in and read a book to the children or something.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
Due to my disability, I'm not able to do much as far as volunteering, but I'm going to give it a week (when I figure things are pretty settled/stable) and call around and see if there is something I can do to help a couple of hours a week ... hopefully, there's something I'll be able to do to assist, even it's just to come in and read a book to the children or something.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
QUOTE(joyceken @ Sep 3 2005, 09:24 PM)
Yes. There are many hurricane refugees heading in our direction here in Cincinnati as well; in fact, all over Ohio. Unlike you, although it kind of staggered me to hear this, I'm not bothered by it in the least. In fact, my thought process has been that this could actually be a very good thing for them to be housed in smaller, more intimate shelters where people may actually get to know them on a first-name basis, as opposed to being holed up in a huge stadium on cots with tens of thousands of people. Cincinnati has an extremely low unemployment rate (compared to the national average), so that could be a real plus for some of these people, too.
Hmm, I never thought about the whole refuge camp mentality that comes when hundreds of thousands of people are forced to gather in a place - the whole human cattle mentality. That Makes sense to do it in smaller groups of people. But that's not what got me - what got me is the distance. Then again, I guess more ground would have to be covered to house groups of smaller people.
On a side note, I think I am going to stop using the word refugee altogether. It musters up an image (to me) of human cattle. I've never seen a refugee camp first hand (though I know plenty of people who have, and have seen some pretty heart wrenching video) but I dunno, refugee camps seem to be anything BUT a refuge. Maybe instead of the word "refugee" I should start using the word "people."
QUOTE(Aaron @ Sep 3 2005, 11:46 PM)
On a side note, I think I am going to stop using the word refugee altogether.
refugee
n : an exile who flees for safety
Most commonly, 'exile' and 'refugee' refer to fleeing from ones' native country, but as they as fleeing from the state that they call home, that is the only "country" that they have ever known. Put in that context, I think refugee is a very fitting term.
Bless their hearts.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
QUOTE(Aaron @ Sep 3 2005, 09:46 PM)
But that's not what got me - what got me is the distance. Then again, I guess more ground would have to be covered to house groups of smaller people.
Have you considered these people didn't pick Oregon at random, but they may actually have relatives/friends there? As much as these people have lost in their homes and possessions, they really need emotional support from loved ones. This country isn't as big as it seems. Most of us most likely have connections in regions hundreds to thousands of miles away.
There are also a number of colleges and universities that are waiving not only fees, but tuition as well for any displaced college students. Some are providing on-campus housing as available, but most are offering housing assistance as far as finding a place to stay goes.
You're right ... it IS a small after all.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
You're right ... it IS a small after all.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
We have a number of Tulane freshmen living at and attending Nassau Community College classes until they can get Tulane operational again. There's also been discussion here of setting up Governor's Island (near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor) as a temporary haven for several thousand displaced hurricane victims. I think all states with resources have to pitch in to cope with the longer-term effects of this tragedy. Many of the refugees will never be able to return to their former homes.
That's a really good idea about the Governor's island.
I feel so helpless. I wish I could take this week off of work and go down there to help somehow.
It's so hard to believe... the images on t.v... how can this be the richest country in the world? America has been exposed.
It may be irrational or naive, but I just dont want to buy anything or spend any money doing anything. I'm gonna cut out something so I can donate to the RedCross when I get paid next week.
It's just so sad.
I feel so helpless. I wish I could take this week off of work and go down there to help somehow.
It's so hard to believe... the images on t.v... how can this be the richest country in the world? America has been exposed.
It may be irrational or naive, but I just dont want to buy anything or spend any money doing anything. I'm gonna cut out something so I can donate to the RedCross when I get paid next week.
It's just so sad.
Just check this out!!!!!
http://www.manilowfund.com/
As usual, musicians and artists are the 1st out there to give a hand!!!!!
'Nuff said!!!
i'm really bad about following the news and stuff, especially since my brother hogs the tv with his video games, so i asked my dad today if pittsburgh was offering shelter to those left without places to go.
he told me that mayor murphy has offered his assistance, but they have to find their own way up here. if they get up here to pittsburgh, then they'll have a place to stay.
but if these people don't have money for food, how are they going to get up here? talk about a copout.
he told me that mayor murphy has offered his assistance, but they have to find their own way up here. if they get up here to pittsburgh, then they'll have a place to stay.
but if these people don't have money for food, how are they going to get up here? talk about a copout.
Here are three more legitimate organizations that are helping Katrina refugees:
Convoy Of Hope (CoH)
Compassion Alliance (CA)
Rural Compassion (RC)
I have personal friends that work at all three of these organizations and will vouch for their commitment to help in the wave of this disaster.
Chad is currently in Mississippi with CA and has been appointed by FEMA (?) to direct all trucking shipments to the appropriate sites. Chad's son and my daughter are good friends. BTW, he donated his time and money to provide this service.
Steve at RC drove down to Greene County, Mississippi, Thursday and is providing personal care items to the 13,000 people in that rural area. He slept in the van and drove back over night in time to be in church this morning. He's one of the greatest guys I know. I personally support his ministry.
Tami works at CoH helping to coordinate their efforts here in Springfield. BTW, CoH was asked to be the NFL's next charity when the current commitment to United Way runs out. Last year during the superbowl, CoH, provided groceries to the poverty striken in a downtown park in Jacksonville. They also set up big screens so the homeless, etc, could watch the superbowl.
I believe all three sites have PayPal donation capabilities. So far, we are donating to both CA and RC.
If you have any questions, about any of these organizations, and you cannot get answers from their websites, I would be happy to provide phone numbers to real people at each of these organizations.
Skoegahom...
Convoy Of Hope (CoH)
Compassion Alliance (CA)
Rural Compassion (RC)
I have personal friends that work at all three of these organizations and will vouch for their commitment to help in the wave of this disaster.
Chad is currently in Mississippi with CA and has been appointed by FEMA (?) to direct all trucking shipments to the appropriate sites. Chad's son and my daughter are good friends. BTW, he donated his time and money to provide this service.
Steve at RC drove down to Greene County, Mississippi, Thursday and is providing personal care items to the 13,000 people in that rural area. He slept in the van and drove back over night in time to be in church this morning. He's one of the greatest guys I know. I personally support his ministry.
Tami works at CoH helping to coordinate their efforts here in Springfield. BTW, CoH was asked to be the NFL's next charity when the current commitment to United Way runs out. Last year during the superbowl, CoH, provided groceries to the poverty striken in a downtown park in Jacksonville. They also set up big screens so the homeless, etc, could watch the superbowl.
I believe all three sites have PayPal donation capabilities. So far, we are donating to both CA and RC.
If you have any questions, about any of these organizations, and you cannot get answers from their websites, I would be happy to provide phone numbers to real people at each of these organizations.
Skoegahom...
QUOTE(pico de gallo @ Sep 4 2005, 06:01 AM)
QUOTE(Aaron @ Sep 3 2005, 09:46 PM)
But that's not what got me - what got me is the distance. Then again, I guess more ground would have to be covered to house groups of smaller people.
Have you considered these people didn't pick Oregon at random, but they may actually have relatives/friends there? As much as these people have lost in their homes and possessions, they really need emotional support from loved ones. This country isn't as big as it seems. Most of us most likely have connections in regions hundreds to thousands of miles away.
Hmm, didn't think about that either. Like I said, I am not against this at all, I was more concerned because the distance seemed extreme. But I think it's less extreme as I originally thought.
Interestingly enough, the building that the people are being houses in is a vacant high school that, just a few months ago, my church tried to buy. For some reason or another, the deal fell through. But I wonder if it hadn't, then my city probably wouldn't have a place to house these people.I know the Red cross is scrambling to find a second place to house even more victims. God works in mysterious ways.
Thank you for your prayers! Rene's sister Heather called her from Gulfport, and the family survived the storm! They are struggling with the water, food and destruction problems, but they are alive. Let's pray now that enormous efforts are made to help all these stranded people. Praise God!
I am so glad to hear your family's safe, Joyce. Thanks for letting us know.
Moved to the backstreets for political content.
Patrik
Patrik
Our president/govt. in a nutshell...
"What went wrong last week?" -GWB
"What went wrong last week?" -GWB
QUOTE(liberation party @ Sep 5 2005, 07:18 PM)
I am so glad to hear your family's safe, Joyce. Thanks for letting us know.
Thank you so much, Lib. I'm sorry I missed your response earlier, or I would have responded then. I so much appreciate your kind words and thoughts.
Peace & hope,
Joyce
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Internet sites purporting to be charities related to Hurricane Katrina have been popping up faster than the FBI can look at them, and many appear to be fraudulent, the head of the FBI's cyber division said Thursday.
There were roughly 2,300 Katrina-related sites by midday Thursday, FBI assistant director Louis M. Reigel said. The number had more than doubled just since Tuesday, Reigel said.
New sites are popping up "faster than we can pound them down," Reigel said. The number of sites and the money being donated already exceeds what the FBI saw following the tsunami, he said.
===============
SICK.
There were roughly 2,300 Katrina-related sites by midday Thursday, FBI assistant director Louis M. Reigel said. The number had more than doubled just since Tuesday, Reigel said.
New sites are popping up "faster than we can pound them down," Reigel said. The number of sites and the money being donated already exceeds what the FBI saw following the tsunami, he said.
===============
SICK.
QUOTE(FallingLeaf @ Sep 8 2005, 09:03 PM)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Internet sites purporting to be charities related to Hurricane Katrina have been popping up faster than the FBI can look at them, and many appear to be fraudulent, the head of the FBI's cyber division said Thursday.
<snip>
===============
SICK.
<snip>
===============
SICK.
God, that disgusts me. The saddest thing is that it doesn't surprise me. God help us.
no comment:
QUOTE
Firms with Bush ties snag Katrina deals
Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President George W. Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.
One is Shaw Group Inc. and the other is Halliburton Co. subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.
Bechtel National Inc., a unit of San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp., has also been selected by FEMA to provide short-term housing for people displaced by the hurricane. Bush named Bechtel's CEO to his Export Council and put the former CEO of Bechtel Energy in charge of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Experts say it has been common practice in both Republican and Democratic administrations for policy makers to take lobbying jobs once they leave office, and many of the same companies seeking contracts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have already received billions of dollars for work in Iraq.
Halliburton alone has earned more than $9 billion. Pentagon audits released by Democrats in June showed $1.03 billion in "questioned" costs and $422 million in "unsupported" costs for Halliburton's work in Iraq.
But the web of Bush administration connections is attracting renewed attention from watchdog groups in the post-Katrina reconstruction rush. Congress has already appropriated more than $60 billion in emergency funding as a down payment on recovery efforts projected to cost well over $100 billion.
"The government has got to stop stacking senior positions with people who are repeatedly cashing in on the public trust in order to further private commercial interests," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight.
TWO BUSH APPOINTEES AT HALLIBURTON
Allbaugh formally registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root in February.
In lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Senate, Allbaugh said his goal was to "educate the congressional and executive branch on defense, disaster relief and homeland security issues affecting Kellogg Brown and Root."
Melissa Norcross, a Halliburton spokeswoman, said Allbaugh has not, since he was hired, "consulted on any specific contracts that the company is considering pursuing, nor has he been tasked by the company with any lobbying responsibilities."
Allbaugh is also a friend of Michael Brown, director of FEMA who was removed as head of Katrina disaster relief and sent back to Washington amid allegations he had padded his resume.
A few months after Allbaugh was hired by Halliburton, the company retained another high-level Bush appointee, Kirk Van Tine.
Van Tine registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton six months after resigning as deputy transportation secretary, a position he held from December 2003 to December 2004.
On Friday, Kellogg Brown & Root received $29.8 million in Pentagon contracts to begin rebuilding Navy bases in Louisiana and Mississippi. Norcross said the work was covered under a contract that the company negotiated before Allbaugh was hired.
Halliburton continues to be a source of income for Cheney, who served as its chief executive officer from 1995 until 2000 when he joined the Republican ticket for the White House. According to tax filings released in April, Cheney's income included $194,852 in deferred pay from the company, which has also won billion-dollar government contracts in Iraq.
Cheney's office said the amount of deferred compensation is fixed and is not affected by Halliburton's current economic performance or earnings.
Allbaugh's other major client, Baton Rouge-based Shaw Group, has updated its Web site to say: "Hurricane Recovery Projects -- Apply Here!"
Shaw said on Thursday it has received a $100 million emergency FEMA contract for housing management and construction. Shaw also clinched a $100 million order on Friday from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Shaw Group spokesman Chris Sammons said Allbaugh was providing the company with "general consulting on business matters," and would not say whether he played a direct role in any of the Katrina deals. "We don't comment on specific consulting activities," he said.
Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President George W. Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.
One is Shaw Group Inc. and the other is Halliburton Co. subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.
Bechtel National Inc., a unit of San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp., has also been selected by FEMA to provide short-term housing for people displaced by the hurricane. Bush named Bechtel's CEO to his Export Council and put the former CEO of Bechtel Energy in charge of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Experts say it has been common practice in both Republican and Democratic administrations for policy makers to take lobbying jobs once they leave office, and many of the same companies seeking contracts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have already received billions of dollars for work in Iraq.
Halliburton alone has earned more than $9 billion. Pentagon audits released by Democrats in June showed $1.03 billion in "questioned" costs and $422 million in "unsupported" costs for Halliburton's work in Iraq.
But the web of Bush administration connections is attracting renewed attention from watchdog groups in the post-Katrina reconstruction rush. Congress has already appropriated more than $60 billion in emergency funding as a down payment on recovery efforts projected to cost well over $100 billion.
"The government has got to stop stacking senior positions with people who are repeatedly cashing in on the public trust in order to further private commercial interests," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight.
TWO BUSH APPOINTEES AT HALLIBURTON
Allbaugh formally registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root in February.
In lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Senate, Allbaugh said his goal was to "educate the congressional and executive branch on defense, disaster relief and homeland security issues affecting Kellogg Brown and Root."
Melissa Norcross, a Halliburton spokeswoman, said Allbaugh has not, since he was hired, "consulted on any specific contracts that the company is considering pursuing, nor has he been tasked by the company with any lobbying responsibilities."
Allbaugh is also a friend of Michael Brown, director of FEMA who was removed as head of Katrina disaster relief and sent back to Washington amid allegations he had padded his resume.
A few months after Allbaugh was hired by Halliburton, the company retained another high-level Bush appointee, Kirk Van Tine.
Van Tine registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton six months after resigning as deputy transportation secretary, a position he held from December 2003 to December 2004.
On Friday, Kellogg Brown & Root received $29.8 million in Pentagon contracts to begin rebuilding Navy bases in Louisiana and Mississippi. Norcross said the work was covered under a contract that the company negotiated before Allbaugh was hired.
Halliburton continues to be a source of income for Cheney, who served as its chief executive officer from 1995 until 2000 when he joined the Republican ticket for the White House. According to tax filings released in April, Cheney's income included $194,852 in deferred pay from the company, which has also won billion-dollar government contracts in Iraq.
Cheney's office said the amount of deferred compensation is fixed and is not affected by Halliburton's current economic performance or earnings.
Allbaugh's other major client, Baton Rouge-based Shaw Group, has updated its Web site to say: "Hurricane Recovery Projects -- Apply Here!"
Shaw said on Thursday it has received a $100 million emergency FEMA contract for housing management and construction. Shaw also clinched a $100 million order on Friday from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Shaw Group spokesman Chris Sammons said Allbaugh was providing the company with "general consulting on business matters," and would not say whether he played a direct role in any of the Katrina deals. "We don't comment on specific consulting activities," he said.
My church is bringing down truckloads of supplies (click here if interested).
We went to drop off some stuff, and wow ... how cool! There are pallets and pallets of stuff, and people just kept coming by with more things to give.
They asked that everyone put a personal note on each item, which I think is a really beautiful idea. We put this note/prayer on all of our items, and then handsigned them:
"Sometimes there are dark and lonely nights in our life. We aren't sure what is ahead of us or what is behind us and we often feel afraid. Sometimes there are storms in our life and we are afraid. When we are afraid, we have a light to make us feel safe. That light is Jesus. The Bible tells us that "God is light and in Him is no darkness." The Bible also says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" In the dark and stormy days of our life, we have Jesus to be with us. If Jesus is with us, we don't have to be afraid!
Dear Lord, help us to remember that when the dark and stormy nights come into our life, you are there, and we have no need to fear. Amen.
Be blessed. --Jeff & Joyce in Cincinnati"
We went to drop off some stuff, and wow ... how cool! There are pallets and pallets of stuff, and people just kept coming by with more things to give.
They asked that everyone put a personal note on each item, which I think is a really beautiful idea. We put this note/prayer on all of our items, and then handsigned them:
"Sometimes there are dark and lonely nights in our life. We aren't sure what is ahead of us or what is behind us and we often feel afraid. Sometimes there are storms in our life and we are afraid. When we are afraid, we have a light to make us feel safe. That light is Jesus. The Bible tells us that "God is light and in Him is no darkness." The Bible also says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" In the dark and stormy days of our life, we have Jesus to be with us. If Jesus is with us, we don't have to be afraid!
Dear Lord, help us to remember that when the dark and stormy nights come into our life, you are there, and we have no need to fear. Amen.
Be blessed. --Jeff & Joyce in Cincinnati"
This is an article that was in my hometown newspaper about my cousin, Frankie. Joan is my sister and my Daddy, Joseph, got in a plug about my brother, too. Go, Dad! I put the link in "My Favorite Things", but the article is now a day old and requires registration, so if you don't mind, I'm posting it here.
I love my family. I'm so proud of them.
NL Native Weathers Tough Job
Coast Guard Capt. Frank Paskewich, took over as commander of the newly organized Sector New Orleans, which encompasses most of Louisiana and Mississippi only 11 days before Hurricane Katrina wiped out much of the coastline he oversees.
By ROBERT A. HAMILTON
Day Staff Writer, Navy/Defense/Electric Boat
Published on 9/13/2005
New London native Frank Paskewich didn't get much time to settle into his new job.
On Aug. 18, Paskewich, a Coast Guard captain, took command of the newly organized Sector New Orleans, which encompasses most of Louisiana and Mississippi. Eleven days later, Hurricane Katrina wiped out much of the coastline he oversees.
Since then, Paskewich has been coordinating rescue, recovery and security operations from the decks of cutters, the cockpits of helicopters and only rarely from his temporary office in Metairie, La.
Paskewich has been mentioned numerous times in news articles about the storm, which is how some family members learned he had made it through Katrina safely.
“We were nervous about how he and his family were making out, and when we ‘Googled' his name, we got like 200 hits,” said his cousin, Joan Paskewich of New London. “We were so proud, but so worried at the same time.”
“It's very exciting, but I'm not surprised — he's the type of guy who has always aspired to take charge, and he seems to thrive on situations like this,” said John J. “Jack” Paskewich of New London, an older brother.
“We've had a couple of late-night chats about 2 in the morning,” said Paskewich's oldest brother, James Paskewich, himself a retired Coast Guard captain living in Florida. “I'm pretty damned proud of him. The Coast Guard just seems to be doing an incredible job down there.”
“I think he's getting about two hours sleep a night,” James Paskewich said. “He and his people have really risen to the occasion.”
Paskewich's mother, Maude Paskewich of Groton, said she hasn't heard from him since the storm hit.
“Everything I know comes from reading the papers — he's working around the clock, so I haven't had much chance to talk to him,” Maude Paskewich said. She said she was reluctant to talk about him too much, other than to say that he loves being in the Coast Guard and has mentioned before that he has a great team to tackle any issue.
“He's kind of a low-key person, and I don't know that he wants a lot of publicity,” she said. “He just thinks he's doing his job. He loves being in the Coast Guard.”
Family members said that in addition to “Frankie” being in the middle of the recovery effort, his wife, Leah, a nurse, has been helping people displaced by the storm, including members of their service — an estimated 2,200 Coast Guard families were left homeless by Katrina. Their children, Caitie and Erik, are staying with her parents in a town west of New Orleans.
In addition to the two brothers, both graduates of the Coast Guard Academy, Paskewich has a cousin, Richard Butchka, who graduated from the academy before them. Butchka was a helicopter pilot whose tours including a year in Vietnam. He retired as a captain.
Frank Paskewich was born in New London, the son of a deputy police chief with the same name. He was an honor student through high school, played soccer and was a class officer his senior year, said his uncle, Joseph Paskewich, a former New London police officer and director of parks and recreation.
“He was quite proud of his brother when he went to the academy, and I think he wanted to do something that he could be proud of as well,” said Joseph Paskewich, whose son, Joseph, is pastor of Calvary Chapel in Montville and is now in New Orleans working with storm victims.
Frank Paskewich has spent about half of his 24-year career working in New Orleans, which is one of the reasons he was tapped to become first commander of Sector New Orleans.
“He has such a grasp of the industry and the people, and what's important down there,” James Paskewich said. “If I had to hand-pick someone to go and be in charge of this, I'd have picked my brother.”
In their last talk, he said, they discussed the fact that the Coast Guard role in the areas hit by Katrina is shifting from search-and-rescue and security patrols to pollution control and reconstructing the port, which could stretch long beyond the two- or three-year tour his brother will do commanding Sector New Orleans.
“The job is not going to go away,” James Paskewich said. “Plus he has to look after his own people. Some of his stations were damaged, and a lot of his people have lost their homes. He's going to have his hands full for his whole tour.”
r.hamilton@theday.com
© The Day Publishing Co., 2005
For home delivery, please call 1-866-846-9099
I love my family. I'm so proud of them.
NL Native Weathers Tough Job
Coast Guard Capt. Frank Paskewich, took over as commander of the newly organized Sector New Orleans, which encompasses most of Louisiana and Mississippi only 11 days before Hurricane Katrina wiped out much of the coastline he oversees.
By ROBERT A. HAMILTON
Day Staff Writer, Navy/Defense/Electric Boat
Published on 9/13/2005
New London native Frank Paskewich didn't get much time to settle into his new job.
On Aug. 18, Paskewich, a Coast Guard captain, took command of the newly organized Sector New Orleans, which encompasses most of Louisiana and Mississippi. Eleven days later, Hurricane Katrina wiped out much of the coastline he oversees.
Since then, Paskewich has been coordinating rescue, recovery and security operations from the decks of cutters, the cockpits of helicopters and only rarely from his temporary office in Metairie, La.
Paskewich has been mentioned numerous times in news articles about the storm, which is how some family members learned he had made it through Katrina safely.
“We were nervous about how he and his family were making out, and when we ‘Googled' his name, we got like 200 hits,” said his cousin, Joan Paskewich of New London. “We were so proud, but so worried at the same time.”
“It's very exciting, but I'm not surprised — he's the type of guy who has always aspired to take charge, and he seems to thrive on situations like this,” said John J. “Jack” Paskewich of New London, an older brother.
“We've had a couple of late-night chats about 2 in the morning,” said Paskewich's oldest brother, James Paskewich, himself a retired Coast Guard captain living in Florida. “I'm pretty damned proud of him. The Coast Guard just seems to be doing an incredible job down there.”
“I think he's getting about two hours sleep a night,” James Paskewich said. “He and his people have really risen to the occasion.”
Paskewich's mother, Maude Paskewich of Groton, said she hasn't heard from him since the storm hit.
“Everything I know comes from reading the papers — he's working around the clock, so I haven't had much chance to talk to him,” Maude Paskewich said. She said she was reluctant to talk about him too much, other than to say that he loves being in the Coast Guard and has mentioned before that he has a great team to tackle any issue.
“He's kind of a low-key person, and I don't know that he wants a lot of publicity,” she said. “He just thinks he's doing his job. He loves being in the Coast Guard.”
Family members said that in addition to “Frankie” being in the middle of the recovery effort, his wife, Leah, a nurse, has been helping people displaced by the storm, including members of their service — an estimated 2,200 Coast Guard families were left homeless by Katrina. Their children, Caitie and Erik, are staying with her parents in a town west of New Orleans.
In addition to the two brothers, both graduates of the Coast Guard Academy, Paskewich has a cousin, Richard Butchka, who graduated from the academy before them. Butchka was a helicopter pilot whose tours including a year in Vietnam. He retired as a captain.
Frank Paskewich was born in New London, the son of a deputy police chief with the same name. He was an honor student through high school, played soccer and was a class officer his senior year, said his uncle, Joseph Paskewich, a former New London police officer and director of parks and recreation.
“He was quite proud of his brother when he went to the academy, and I think he wanted to do something that he could be proud of as well,” said Joseph Paskewich, whose son, Joseph, is pastor of Calvary Chapel in Montville and is now in New Orleans working with storm victims.
Frank Paskewich has spent about half of his 24-year career working in New Orleans, which is one of the reasons he was tapped to become first commander of Sector New Orleans.
“He has such a grasp of the industry and the people, and what's important down there,” James Paskewich said. “If I had to hand-pick someone to go and be in charge of this, I'd have picked my brother.”
In their last talk, he said, they discussed the fact that the Coast Guard role in the areas hit by Katrina is shifting from search-and-rescue and security patrols to pollution control and reconstructing the port, which could stretch long beyond the two- or three-year tour his brother will do commanding Sector New Orleans.
“The job is not going to go away,” James Paskewich said. “Plus he has to look after his own people. Some of his stations were damaged, and a lot of his people have lost their homes. He's going to have his hands full for his whole tour.”
r.hamilton@theday.com
© The Day Publishing Co., 2005
For home delivery, please call 1-866-846-9099
I just found out that a freind of mine from church is flying to Houston, and then driving to New Orleans to help rescue (and nurse back to health) pets seperated from their owners. Please keep her in your prayers.
QUOTE(Aaron @ Sep 14 2005, 02:02 AM)
I just found out that a freind of mine from church is flying to Houston, and then driving to New Orleans to help rescue (and nurse back to health) pets seperated from their owners. Please keep her in your prayers.
How beautiful. Being 43 and childless, my kitties are my babies and I couldn't imagine my life without them. Your friend is most definitely in my prayers. Thanks for letting us know.
hello... i've come out of exile (imposed by busyness) to comment on this.
in addition to the obvious crises of life and property loss, this devastating hurricane also poses a significant spiritual crisis. people are asking themselves, their friends, their pastors "what does this mean? why did this happen?" and for many people, "where is God in this?" i have to say that i am very concerned with many of the religious interpretations of the hurricane. a press release from the (albeit biased) universist movement reveals that many, many sermons have been preached that proclaim that God is responsible for the chaos- that God is punishing or testing. the worst of these sermons claim that new orleans was specifically targeted because of its "sinfulness"... this makes me angry, and sad. i am so passionately against this kind of thinking-- which, depending on the context and the power dynamics involved, i would argue borders on spiritual abuse.
i contributed a sermon to an online resource center for responding to the spiritual dimensions of katrina, and i want to post it here as well: this links to the perma-link on my blog. i just cannot stand by without speaking up when so many religious leaders are joining in on the blame game and pointing the finger at God.
it's good to know that apples are actively seeking ways to help.
peace,
katherine
in addition to the obvious crises of life and property loss, this devastating hurricane also poses a significant spiritual crisis. people are asking themselves, their friends, their pastors "what does this mean? why did this happen?" and for many people, "where is God in this?" i have to say that i am very concerned with many of the religious interpretations of the hurricane. a press release from the (albeit biased) universist movement reveals that many, many sermons have been preached that proclaim that God is responsible for the chaos- that God is punishing or testing. the worst of these sermons claim that new orleans was specifically targeted because of its "sinfulness"... this makes me angry, and sad. i am so passionately against this kind of thinking-- which, depending on the context and the power dynamics involved, i would argue borders on spiritual abuse.
i contributed a sermon to an online resource center for responding to the spiritual dimensions of katrina, and i want to post it here as well: this links to the perma-link on my blog. i just cannot stand by without speaking up when so many religious leaders are joining in on the blame game and pointing the finger at God.
it's good to know that apples are actively seeking ways to help.
peace,
katherine
QUOTE(katherine @ Sep 14 2005, 09:59 PM)
hello... i've come out of exile (imposed by busyness) to comment on this.
in addition to the obvious crises of life and property loss, this devastating hurricane also poses a significant spiritual crisis. people are asking themselves, their friends, their pastors "what does this mean? why did this happen?" and for many people, "where is God in this?" i have to say that i am very concerned with many of the religious interpretations of the hurricane. a press release from the (albeit biased) universist movement reveals that many, many sermons have been preached that proclaim that God is responsible for the chaos- that God is punishing or testing. the worst of these sermons claim that new orleans was specifically targeted because of its "sinfulness"... this makes me angry, and sad. i am so passionately against this kind of thinking-- which, depending on the context and the power dynamics involved, i would argue borders on spiritual abuse.
<snip>
peace,
katherine
in addition to the obvious crises of life and property loss, this devastating hurricane also poses a significant spiritual crisis. people are asking themselves, their friends, their pastors "what does this mean? why did this happen?" and for many people, "where is God in this?" i have to say that i am very concerned with many of the religious interpretations of the hurricane. a press release from the (albeit biased) universist movement reveals that many, many sermons have been preached that proclaim that God is responsible for the chaos- that God is punishing or testing. the worst of these sermons claim that new orleans was specifically targeted because of its "sinfulness"... this makes me angry, and sad. i am so passionately against this kind of thinking-- which, depending on the context and the power dynamics involved, i would argue borders on spiritual abuse.
<snip>
peace,
katherine
Katherine,
You might want to point out to them that the most "sinful" area in New Orleans, Bourbon Street, went basically unscathed. So don't you think that if God were punishing NO for it's sinful nature that He would not have missed the most decadent area? After all, we are talking about the God who created this storm according to them... I don't think God misses...just ask Sodom and Gommorah.
However, it is ludicrous to preach hellfire and brimstone on NO or anywhere else... The message of the Bible is Love Incarnate, not hate, retribution and wrath. The Jesus I read about would have had dinner on Bourbon street and shunned the stiff necked religious types who think they have it figured out...
The storm mostly affected the poverty stricken and elderly who had now way to get out of the area. My Bible says these are the very people God is most interested in reaching out to in times of trouble.
As another friend of mine so aptly put it yesterday...
sigh..... some days it's harder to be religious than others...
Skoegahom...
QUOTE(katherine @ Sep 14 2005, 09:59 PM)
hello... i've come out of exile (imposed by busyness) to comment on this.
in addition to the obvious crises of life and property loss, this devastating hurricane also poses a significant spiritual crisis. people are asking themselves, their friends, their pastors "what does this mean? why did this happen?" and for many people, "where is God in this?" i have to say that i am very concerned with many of the religious interpretations of the hurricane. a press release from the (albeit biased) universist movement reveals that many, many sermons have been preached that proclaim that God is responsible for the chaos- that God is punishing or testing. the worst of these sermons claim that new orleans was specifically targeted because of its "sinfulness"... this makes me angry, and sad. i am so passionately against this kind of thinking-- which, depending on the context and the power dynamics involved, i would argue borders on spiritual abuse.
i contributed a sermon to an online resource center for responding to the spiritual dimensions of katrina, and i want to post it here as well: this links to the perma-link on my blog. i just cannot stand by without speaking up when so many religious leaders are joining in on the blame game and pointing the finger at God.
it's good to know that apples are actively seeking ways to help.
peace,
katherine
in addition to the obvious crises of life and property loss, this devastating hurricane also poses a significant spiritual crisis. people are asking themselves, their friends, their pastors "what does this mean? why did this happen?" and for many people, "where is God in this?" i have to say that i am very concerned with many of the religious interpretations of the hurricane. a press release from the (albeit biased) universist movement reveals that many, many sermons have been preached that proclaim that God is responsible for the chaos- that God is punishing or testing. the worst of these sermons claim that new orleans was specifically targeted because of its "sinfulness"... this makes me angry, and sad. i am so passionately against this kind of thinking-- which, depending on the context and the power dynamics involved, i would argue borders on spiritual abuse.
i contributed a sermon to an online resource center for responding to the spiritual dimensions of katrina, and i want to post it here as well: this links to the perma-link on my blog. i just cannot stand by without speaking up when so many religious leaders are joining in on the blame game and pointing the finger at God.
it's good to know that apples are actively seeking ways to help.
peace,
katherine
Wow, as always, you are a breath of fresh air of a Christian. One of the few Christians I know (along with a few others around here) that expresses outrage and tries to work proactively against the Religious Right and the fake faith they spread. If your religion is to live (and thrive), it will be because of people like you. May it be so.
thanks, guys. (ky-annna, i'm going to respond to your comment more in my bio.)
i might be going to the gulf coast to provide counseling to victims of the hurricane. i don't know for sure yet, but my denomination is trying to organize a group of pastoral counselors to listen to & pray with people who are suffering. i believe so much in the presence of God, it would be an honor to be present to the victims.
i might be going to the gulf coast to provide counseling to victims of the hurricane. i don't know for sure yet, but my denomination is trying to organize a group of pastoral counselors to listen to & pray with people who are suffering. i believe so much in the presence of God, it would be an honor to be present to the victims.
QUOTE(katherine @ Sep 14 2005, 10:59 PM)
hello... i've come out of exile (imposed by busyness) to comment on this.
in addition to the obvious crises of life and property loss, this devastating hurricane also poses a significant spiritual crisis. people are asking themselves, their friends, their pastors "what does this mean? why did this happen?" and for many people, "where is God in this?" i have to say that i am very concerned with many of the religious interpretations of the hurricane. a press release from the (albeit biased) universist movement reveals that many, many sermons have been preached that proclaim that God is responsible for the chaos- that God is punishing or testing. the worst of these sermons claim that new orleans was specifically targeted because of its "sinfulness"... this makes me angry, and sad. i am so passionately against this kind of thinking-- which, depending on the context and the power dynamics involved, i would argue borders on spiritual abuse.
in addition to the obvious crises of life and property loss, this devastating hurricane also poses a significant spiritual crisis. people are asking themselves, their friends, their pastors "what does this mean? why did this happen?" and for many people, "where is God in this?" i have to say that i am very concerned with many of the religious interpretations of the hurricane. a press release from the (albeit biased) universist movement reveals that many, many sermons have been preached that proclaim that God is responsible for the chaos- that God is punishing or testing. the worst of these sermons claim that new orleans was specifically targeted because of its "sinfulness"... this makes me angry, and sad. i am so passionately against this kind of thinking-- which, depending on the context and the power dynamics involved, i would argue borders on spiritual abuse.
I have tuned this stuff out. For everything that goes wrong, there is some nut case out there that will tell us that God is punishing us or whatever. sigh. Flipping through channels last night I stumbled on Pat Boone among a panel of others saying this same type of thing.
I get so aggrevated at this crap that I can't see straight. Then I just remind myself that they are indeed nut jobs and pray that God will give them guidance.
Thanks for posting your sermon Katherine.
QUOTE
kentuckiannna,Sep 16 2005, 06:28 AM
Wow, as always, you are a breath of fresh air of a Christian. One of the few Christians I know (along with a few others around here) that expresses outrage and tries to work proactively against the Religious Right and the fake faith they spread. If your religion is to live (and thrive), it will be because of people like you. May it be so.
Wow ... Anna, I am a Christian, and your statement really (once again) shamed me as to what so many so-called "Christians" do in the name of God. So often, as I see another person pickiting gay funerals, screaming hateful things in the name of God, I just weep and wonder ... who IS this God? He is NOT the one I love and serve!Wow, as always, you are a breath of fresh air of a Christian. One of the few Christians I know (along with a few others around here) that expresses outrage and tries to work proactively against the Religious Right and the fake faith they spread. If your religion is to live (and thrive), it will be because of people like you. May it be so.
My brother had a great analogy ... there is a terrible car accident. Bodies are broken, people are hurt. The first to arrive on the scene are the cops. "Who caused this? What happened? Who is at fault?" Second on the scene are the paramedics. They don't care who caused the accident; they see hurting people and want to help. They meet the people's needs. They work to heal their wounds.
In that scene, the "religious" people are the cops ... looking to point a finger and blame and scream and do nothing to help. (I'm not bashing cops here; it's just an analogy!) The paramedics are Jesus ... His mission is to meet us in the place where we hurt the most, not to blame us, not to shame us, but to heal us.
I hope that's how I can be as a Christian. I fail miserably, but I pray that I never spread hate or discord. God help me if I ever misrepresent Him in that way.
I don't think people have a problem with God, but have a problem with "Christians". And I don't blame them. With how we have been represented in such a glaring light, I have a problem with "them", too.
I know ... wayyy off the topic, but I had to respond. Thanks for listening.
QUOTE(joyceken @ Sep 16 2005, 08:18 PM)
Wow ... Anna, I am a Christian, and your statement really (once again) shamed me
I don't think people have a problem with God, but have a problem with "Christians". And I don't blame them. With how we have been represented in such a glaring light, I have a problem with "them", too.
I know ... wayyy off the topic, but I had to respond. Thanks for listening.
I don't think people have a problem with God, but have a problem with "Christians". And I don't blame them. With how we have been represented in such a glaring light, I have a problem with "them", too.
I know ... wayyy off the topic, but I had to respond. Thanks for listening.
First, I don't think this is off topic since the sermons have been flying that Katrina is God's retribution, etc. Second, I think you're right that people have more of a problem with Christians than they do God, but that's exactly because the majority of what they see is the Christian Right. They are hogging the airwaves and clogging all the political channels. That said, I don't think most Americans have a problem with all Christians, just those radicals, but they don't see the other side, just as I didn't for many years. And I doubt they will see it until people like you and Katherine and some others around here band together to become a force to be reckoned with on a national level. I hope for that every day, even though I am not a Christian, or even a person of faith.
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